Fortune fares þer as ho fraynez

Thought
Written By Frances Lawrence

Cotton Nero A. X, art.2, f.42, England [N.W. Midlands]; circa 1375-1400 [text]. circa 1400-1410 [miniatures], From the British Library archive

“Fortune fares þer as ho fraynez.”

- Pearl l. 129, [Composed ?c1380], unknown author

Written by an unknown author, in the 14th century, it’s part of his allegorical poem Pearl, which is believed to be about a father’s grief over loss of a daughter (‘Perle’)

In modern English, the line means: "Fortune goes where she asks." - or more interpretively - "Fortune follows where she inquires."

  • Fortune = personified as a female figure, as was common in medieval literature.

  • fares = travels, moves, proceeds.

  • þer as = where, in the place where.

  • ho fraynez = she asks, she questions.

Frances Lawrence
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