A COMPLEINT TO HIS LADY. The internal evidence in favour of this poem is so remarkable, that I need not enlarge upon it here. In particular, it is difficult to see how any other poet of that age could have known anything about Dante's _terza rima_. However, the matter is fairly settled by Dr. Furnivall's discovery of the additional final stanza, with the name of 'Chaucer' appended to it. Cf. vol. i. p. 75; and p. lx. (footnotes) below. THE FORMER AGE. Well known to be genuine, as occurring in two MSS., both of which give Chaucer's name. MERCILESS BEAUTE. Discussed in vol. i. p. 80. The external evidence is, that it is the last poem in a MS., in which it is immediately preceded by nine of Chaucer's acknowledged pieces. In addition to the internal evidence already given in vol. i. p. 80, I have just discovered further evidence of great interest, as bearing upon Chaucer's treatment of the long open and close _e_, which to Lydgate's ear sounded sufficiently alike. In the first Roundel, all the _e_'s are close, whereas, in the last Roundel, all the _e_'s are open (s. 38)[6]. This is a strong point in its favour. BALADE TO ROSEMOUNDE. The unique MS. copy appends Chaucer's name. AGAINST WOMEN UNCONSTAUNT. Discussed in vol. i. p. 88; and in vol. v. p. xv. We must give great weight to the connection of this poem with Machault, from whom Chaucer certainly borrowed, though his works do not appear to have influenced any other English author; see s. 55 below. However, this poem is placed in the Appendix. AN AMOROUS COMPLEINT. Likewise placed in the Appendix. I believe it to be genuine, on the strength of the internal evidence, and its obvious connection with Troilus and other genuine poems; see the Notes, vol. i. p. 567. All the rimes are perfect, according to Chaucer's use, though it extends to 91 lines. A BALADE OF COMPLEYNT. In the Appendix. The genuineness of this poem is not insisted on. It is added rather by way of illustration of the peculiar style of poems entitled 'Complaint,' of which Chaucer was so fond. He must have written many which have not been preserved. WOMANLY NOBLESSE. Printed in vol. iv. p. xxv. Attributed to Chaucer in the unique MS. copy. A unique example of rhythm, in which Chaucer was an experimentalist. I know of no other poem having 33 lines on only 3 rimes, similarly arranged. Cf. vol. v. p. xvi. COMPLAINT TO MY MORTAL FOE; and COMPLAINT TO MY LODESTERRE. These also are added as illustrative of Complaints. But I do not say they are Chaucer's; though they _may_ be so. One reason for printing the Balade to Rosemounde, An Amorous Complaint, A Balade of Compleynt, Womanly Noblesse, and the two Complaints last-mentioned is, that they have never been printed before, and are wholly unknown. The Balade to Rosemounde and Womanly Noblesse are certainly genuine; and there is a high probability that An Amorous Complaint is the same.