Page:The Journal of English and Germanic Philology Volume 18.djvu/599

 The Secret of Chaucer's Pardoner 595 sally popular, "scientific" class of literature known as the Physiognomies. 11 For Chaucer and for every educated man of his time this physiognomical lore made it possible to judge with accuracy the character of a man from a study of his features. According to certain well-known principles they might interpret every line of the face, every form and color of the eyes, and any tone of the voice. What, then, could be more natural than that Chaucer should go to the Physiognomies for suggestions as to the physical characteristics most appropriate for the men and women whom he wishes to present? With this idea in mind, let us proceed to examine what the Physiognomies have to say regarding the Pardoner's features in their relation to his character. Antonius Polemon Laodicensis, 12 the most famous of the ancient physiognomists and the founder of most of the "science" which appears in later authors, says of glaring eyes: Oculi sursum stantes, fatuitatis. . . simulac gulositatis et libidinis, ebrietatisque. 13 An early anony- mous writer, whose work is based on that of Polemon, informs us that the signs of an impudent man are these: oculis patenti- bus, lucidis, palpebris plurimum reseratis,. . . contra intuens, altius erigens. . . vocis acutae. huiusmodi impudens, injurio- sus homo est. 14 The Middle English Secreta Secretorum, which was certainly known to Chaucer, 15 also agrees that "The to- kenys to know shamles men: Ryst opyn eighyn and gly- singe . . .", 16 and adds the significant remark that "tho that haue the voyce hei, smale and swete and plesaunt, bene neshe, 11 1 am at present making a thoro study of the influence of the Physiog- nomies on medieval taste in the "matter of personal beauty and ugliness. All of Chaucer's characters will come under this discussion. 12 He was the famous rhetorician and historian who flourished under Trajan and Hadrian and who died about 144 A.D. For a full discussion of his life and influence, cf. R. Foerster, Scriptores physiognomici, Vol. I, pp. LXXIV ff. 13 Polemonis Physiognomon, in Scriptores physio gnomoniae veteres, ed. I. G. F. Franzius, 1780, p. 209. "Anonymi de Physiognomonia liber Latinus, Scrip, physiog. Foerster, Vol. II, p. 121. The editor collates fifteen codices of this version. Cf. Vol. I, pp. CXLVI ff. 16 The Canon's Yeoman mentions it among certain other books of wisdom, Cant. Tales, G. 1447. 16 Secreta Secretorum, ed. R. Steele, EETS. E.S., 74, p. 223/18. The editor knows forty other MSS. in the British Museum.