The Palis of Honoure

Middle English Texts

by Gavin Douglas, David J. Parkinson (Editor)

This volume serves as an excellent introduction to Middle English, Scottish poetry. Gavin Douglas's The Palis of Honoure is a dream poem from early sixteenth-century Scotland. It operates within the courtly tradition of Scottish poetry, establishing a dichotomy of earthly and heavenly things, instructing the audience in becoming more like the heavenly things in their comportment. This edition includes an ample gloss and notes, as well as an informative introduction and glossary, making it a perfect edition for use in classrooms of all levels.

Genres: Poetry

148 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1501

About the author

Gavin Douglas, or Gawin Douglas (c.1474 - 1522), was a Scottish bishop, makar and translator. He was the third son of Archibald, 5th Earl of Angus by his second wife, Elizabeth Boyd.

Although he had an important political career, he is chiefly remembered for his poetry. His main pioneering achievement was the Eneados, a full and faithful vernacular translation of the Aeneid of Virgil into Scots, and the first successful example of its kind in any Anglic language. Other extant poetry of his includes Palice of Honour, and possibly King Hart.

Reviews

[Jared · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Up rais the gret Virgilius anone
And playd the sportis of Daphnis and Coridon.
Syne Therens come and playit the commedy
Of Permeno, Thrason and wyse Gnaton.
Juvynale lik a mower hym allone
Stud skornand every man as thay yeid by.
Marcyall was cuyk till rost, seith, fars or fry,
And Pogyus stude with mony gyrn and grone,
On Laurence Valla spyttand and cryand fy."

[Arthur B · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice, well-annotated edition of Douglas' allegorical poem.