LANGUAGE AND THE EMOTIONS. 197 



"Einer "Welt von Lebenstrieben, 

 Die, in ihrer Ftille Drang, 

 Alineten schon Bulbuls Lieben, 

 Seeleregenden Gesang. 



" SoUte jene Qual uns qutilen, 

 Da sie unsre Lust vermebrt? 

 Hat nicht Myriaden Seelen 

 Timur's Herrschaf t aufgezehrt ? " 



It is true, the word Lust in English is not exclusively used in the 

 lowest animal sense, but has been applied in a more intellectual con- 

 nection ; so we speak of the " lust of empire," the " lust of power," etc. 

 But there is undoubtedly always an admixture of evil and of disap- 

 proval, and some hidden analogy to animal desire. With Chaucer, still, 

 " luste " is used both as a noun and verb to signify wish, desire, pleas- 

 ure, enjoyment, without an evil connotation.' The causes of this de- 

 generation are numerous. But two seem to me most worthy of notice. 

 It is a well-known fact that, after the Norman Conquest, the language 

 of the conqueror, French, became the language of the aristocracy. This 



' lu the " Canterbury Tales : " • 



ClerJces Tale. 



" His lustes were al lawe in his decree 

 For fortune as his Mend wolde him obeye. 



Right as yon lust governe the matter. 



• Wherefore I yow preye 



Doth your plesaunce, I wol your lust obeye. 



But on his lust present was al his thought 

 As for to hauke and hunt on every syde." 



Squyeres Tale. 



" But thus Ilete in lust and iolitee 

 This Cambyskam his lordes festejringe 

 Til wel ny the day began to springe. 



The knotte why that every tale is told 

 If it be taried til the lust is cold. 



If hir lust it for to were 

 Upon hir thombe." 



Man of Laices Tale. 



" Al his lust and al his busy care 

 Was for to love hir while his lyf may dure." 



" To do hir lust " (will, pleasure) is very common, and originally lust was used in the 

 sense of list (the opposite sense, listless, still obtains), to do anything with pleasure, enjoy- 

 ment. The word lustij Chaucer also uses like the German lustig, meaning merry, jovial 

 (the lusty playne, the lusty somer, etc.). The noun lustiheed (joviality), corresponding 

 to the German Lustigkeit, is also used : 



" Therefore I passe of al this lustiheed." 



{Squyeres Tale.) 



