Book 1

Summary

[miniatures, fol. 16r: opening miniatures of characters and their metamorphoses.]

Prologue

{I}f Scripture does not lie to me, whatever is written in books is all for our instruction, whether the writings exemplify good or evil. For anyone who really wants to pay heed to it, evil is exemplified so that they may guard against it; the good so that they may do it. And anyone to whom God gives the good fortune and grace to master understanding and knowledge must not consider their mouth too precious for speaking well and interpreting, for no one ought to hide their understanding: understanding that is shut away is worth no more than riches buried in the ground. For this reason, it pleases me to begin translating from Latin into French the tales of ancient times as Ovid handles them, and I will tell you how I understand them. [1–19]

Many have tried, no doubt, to undertake what I intend, without accomplishing their whole intent. And although it is the case that I have no more understanding or wisdom than those who thought they could accomplish this before me, I place my faith about this matter in God, who hides and conceals his secrets from the wise and prudent, and reveals them instead to the apprentices who are devoted to the seeking of understanding. [20–30]

{N}ow may God grant me to make such a poem, in which everyone might find a model to do good and abstain from evil, and may he grant that I begin this subject matter well, take it to an even better midpoint, and lead it to a very good ending. [31–36]

These stories span from the first beginning of the world until the coming of Jesus Christ, who, to redeem us, resolved to come down from heaven to earth. They all seem mendacious, but there is nothing in them that is not true:10 to anyone able to know their meaning, the truth that lies hidden beneath the tales would be revealed. [37–46]

I cannot mention every explanation of the tales, for I would take too long at it, and bore the listeners. The subject matter would be too lengthy, and I would not be able to write so much.