* Филипп де ла Ваш (Philippe de la Vache, с. 1348-1408), английский придворный, сын друга поэта, попавший одно время в немилость при дворе.

Truth**

Or ‘Ballade de bon conseyl” (To Sir Philip de la Vache)

Flee from the crowd, and dwell with truthfulness,

Let your thing suffice, though it be small;

Hoarding brings hatred, climbing fickleness,

Praise brings envy, and wealth blinds overall;

Savour no more than ‘tis good that you recall;

Rule well yourself, who others advise here;

And truth shall deliver you, have no fear.

Trouble you not the crooked to redress,

Trusting in her who wobbles like a ball.

Well-being rests on scorning busyness;

Beware therefore of kicking at an awl;

Strive not like the crockery with the wall.

Control yourself, who would control your peer;

And truth shall deliver you, have no fear.

That which is sent, receive in humbleness,

Wrestling for this world asks but a fall.

Here’s not your home, here is but wilderness.

Forth, pilgrim, forth! Forth, beast, out of your stall!

Know your country: look up, thank God for all;

Hold the high way, and let your spirit steer,

And truth shall deliver you, have no fear.

Envoy

Therefore, La Vache, cease your old wretchedness;

To the world cease now to be in thrall;

Cry Him mercy, that out of his high goodness

Made thee from naught, on Him especially call,

Draw unto Him, and pray in general

For yourself, and others, for heavenly cheer;

And truth shall deliver you, have no fear.

** Перевод на современный английский язык с сайта https://www.poetryintranslation.com/PITBR/English/ChaucerPoems.php