[Sca-cooks] Lemons in Middle English

[Martin G. Diehl]

Chris Stanifer wrote:
> 
> Here are a few Middle English quotes which contain the 
> poor, misunderstood lemon...
> 
> Early English versions of the Gesta Romanorum / 
> edited by Sidney J.H. Herrtage
> [ XL. ]SELESTINUS A WYSE EMPEROURE. (THE "BOND" STORY 
> IN THE "MERCHANT OF VENICE.")Harl. MS. 7333.
> 
> [Story.]
> 
> yenst him, she kytte of al the longe her of hir hede, 
> and cladde hir in precious clothing like to a man; 
> and yede to the palys þere as hir lemon was to be demyd, 
> and saluyd þe Iustice; and al they
> trowid þat she had be a knite. And þe Iuge Enquerid

[snip]

> William de Grandfort

As others have noted, the use of 'lemon' in this passage 
probably means a leman -- lover.  

I had not realized that Gender-Neutral Pronoun 'hir' was 
in use as early as Middle English.  

The "Gender-Neutral Pronoun FAQ"; 
http://www.aetherlumina.com/gnp/

(Or are we applying our somewhat more strict modern spelling 
rules where they are not warranted?)  

In any case ... another example of the term leman in 
verse would be found in, 

"There Were Three Ravens", Thomas Ravenscroft, 1583-1633
http://ingeb.org/songs/therweth.html

    The Three Ravens 

    Thomas Ravenscroft, 1583-1633 

    There were three ravens sat on a tree,
    Down a down, hey down, hey down
    They were a black as black might be,
    With a down.
    The one of them said to his mate.
    "Where shall we our breakfast take?"
    With a down, derry, derry, derry down, down. 

    2. Down in yonder green field,
    Down a down, hey down, hey down
    There lies a knight slain under his shield,
    With a down.
    His hounds they lie down at his feet
    So well they do their master keep.
    With a down, derry, derry, derry down, down. 

    3. His hawks they fly so eagerly
    Down a down, hey down, hey down
    No other fowl dare him come nigh,
    With a down.
    Down there comes a fallow doe
    As heavy with young as she might go.
    With a down, derry, derry, derry down, down. 

    4. She lifted up his bloody head,
    Down a down, hey down, hey down
    And kissed his wounds that were so red,
    With a down.
    She got him up upon her back
    And carried him to earthen lake.
    With a down, derry, derry, derry down, down. 

    5. She buried him before the prime,
    Down a down, hey down, hey down
    She was dead herself ere even-song time,
    With a down.
    God send every gentleman
    Such hawks, such hounds, and such leman,
    With a down, derry, derry, derry down, down. 


Vincenzo

-- 
Martin G. Diehl

http://www.renderosity.com/gallery.ez?ByArtist=Yes&Artist=MGD

Reality: That which remains after you stop thinking about it.
  inspired by P. K. Dick