In blisse and in solas
“…in blisse and in solas….”
- Geoffrey Chaucer, The Franklin's Tale, The Canterbury Tales, l. 802
A famous Middle English phrase most notably found in The Franklin's Tale from Geoffrey Chaucer's The Canterbury Tales. It means to live "in bliss and in pleasure", and is famously used to describe the harmonious and blissful marriage of the knight Arveragus and his wife Dorigen.
The exact quote from line 802 of the tale (in its original Middle English spelling) goes: "Nat fer fro Pedmark, ther his dwellyng was, Where as he lyveth in blisse and in solas."
In modern English, the line means: “Not far from Penmarch, where he made his home and lived in deep happiness and in continual delight"
Solace is fun, yes, a synonym of fun, but it is also comfort, pleasure, enjoyment, delight, entertainment, relief. To “take solace” means to take any or all of these things from anything that provides them.
I find it intriguing that solace comes from the French soulas, which reminds me of the word soul. Apparently, these do not share an etymological connection, but what lovely thoughts that our solaces, rather than being a compensation or second-best prizes, create balms that sooth and enrich the soul.