This index is based on Macaulay's marginal notations, which are a running analysis of the contents of the Confessio Amantis, a 33,000-line Middle English poem by John Gower. These have been used for subdivisions of the work in order to break it into smaller, more usable units and to serve as a very rough index of contents.
Some changes from the Harvard version have been made for Wikipedia purposes. links to the Wikipedia version of Gower's stories have been added. spelling of names follows Gower rather than modern usage. (This facilitates searching within CA.)
Prologue
Design of the Book; Dedication Pro.1-92 Temporal Rulers Pro.93-192 The Church Pro.193-498 The Commons; Man the cause of Evil Pro.499-584 Nebuchadnezzar's Dream; The Empires of the World; The latest Time Pro.585-848 Division the Cause of Evil Pro.848-1088
Book I
Love rules the world; example of the author Bk1.1-92 Author's woful Case; His Complaint to Cupid and Venus; The Fiery Dart; Venus Queen of Love; Genius, the priest of Love Bk1.93-202 The Lover's Shrift Bk1.203-288 The Five Senses; Seeing Bk1.289-332 Tale of Acteon Bk1.333-388. The Tale of Medusa Bk1.389-435 Hearing; Prudence of the Serpent Bk1.436-480 Tale of the Sirens Bk1.481-529 The Sins of the Eye and Ear Bk1.530-574 The Seven deadly Sins; Pride; Five Ministers of Pride; i. Hypocrisy; Hypocrisy of Lovers Bk1.575-760 Tale of Mundus and Paulina Bk1.761-1076 The Trojan horse Bk1.1077-1189 Hypocrisy in Love Bk1.1190-1234 Inobedience Bk1.1235-1342 Murmur and Complaint Bk1.1343-1406 Tale of Florent Bk1.1407-1882 Surquidry or Presumption Bk1.1883-1976 Tale of Capaneus Bk1.1977-2020 The Trump of Death Bk1.2021-2274 Tale of Narcissus Bk1.2275-2358 Presumption of Lovers Bk1.2359-2398 Avantance or Boasting Bk1.2399-2458 Tale of Albinus and Rosemund Bk1.2459-2680 Vain-glory Bk1.2681-2717 The Lover's Confession Bk1.2718-2784 Nabugodonosor's Punishment Bk1.2785-3042 Humility Bk1.3043-3066 Tale of the Three Questions Bk1.3067-3402 Humility Bk1.3403-3446
Book II
Envy; Sorrow for another man's Joy Bk2.1-96 Tale of Acis and Galatea Bk2.97-220 Joy for another man's Grief Bk2.221-290 The Travellers and the Angel (Greed and Jealousy) Bk2.291-382 Detraction; Detraction of Lovers Bk2.383-586 Tale of Constance Bk2.587-1612 Demetrius and Perseus Bk2.1613-1878 False-Semblant Bk2.1879-2144 Deianire and Nessus Bk2.2145-2326 Supplantation Bk2.2327-2458 Geta and Amphitrion Bk2.2459-2500 Tale of the False Bachelor Bk2.2501-2802 Pope Boniface Bk2.2803-3049 Joab and Ahitophel Bk2.3085-3094 Nature of Envy Bk2.3095-3161 Charity and Pity Bk2.3162-3186 The Tale of Constantine and Sylvester Bk2.3187-3530
Book III
Ire or Wrath; Melancholy Bk3.1-142 Tale of Canace and Machaire Bk3.143-360 Tiresias and the Snakes Bk3.361-394 Melancholy Bk3.395-416 Cheste Bk3.417-638 Patience of Socrates Bk3.639-730 Jupiter, Juno, and Tiresias Bk3.731-767 Cheste Bk3.768-782 Phebus and Cornide Bk3.783-817 Jupiter and Laar Bk3.818-842 Hate Bk3.843-972 King Namplus and the Greeks Bk3.973-1088 Contek and Homicide; Contek within the Heart Bk3.1089-1200 Tale of Diogenes and Alexander; Bk3.1201-1311 Contek Bk3.1312-1330 Pyramus and Thisbe Bk3.1331-1494 The Lover's Confession; Danger; More haste worse than speed Bk3.1495-1684 Tale of Phebus and Daphne Bk3.1685-1728 Fool-haste Bk3.1729-1756 Athemas and Demephon Bk3.1757-1884
Tale of Orestes Bk3.1885-2200 Lawful Homicide Bk3.2201-2250 Evil of War Bk3.2251-2362 Alexander and the Pirate Bk3.2363-2438 Wars and Death of Alexander Bk3.2439-2484 Are Crusades Lawful? Guilt of Homicide; Bk3.2485-2558 Peleus Bk3.2547-2557 A Strange Bird; Mercy Bk3.2559-2638 Tale of Telaphus and Teucer Bk3.2639-2774
Book IV
Sloth; Lachesse Bk4.1-76 Eneas and Dido Bk4.77-146 Ulixes and Penolope Bk4.147-233 Grossteste Bk4.234-243 The Foolish Virgins Bk4.254-260 Lachesse Bk4.261-312 Pusillanimity Bk4.313-370 Pymaleon and the Statue Bk4.371-450 Tale of Iphis Bk4.451-538 Forgetfulness Bk4.539-730 Demephon and Phillis Bk4.731-886 Negligence Bk4.887-978 Tale of Phebus Bk4.979-1034 Tale of Icarus Bk4.1035-1082 Idleness Bk4.1083-1244 Tale of Rosiphelee Bk4.1245-1446 Idleness in Love Bk4.1447-1504 Tale of Jephtha's Daughter Bk4.1505-1614 Lovers must approve themselves in arms Bk4.1615-1687 Arguments to the Contrary Bk4.1688-1770 The Confessor replies Bk4.1771-1814 Tale of Nauplus and Ulysses Bk4.1815-1900 Examples of Prowess; Protheselai Bk4.1901-1934 Saul Bk4.1935-1962 Education of Achilles Bk4.1963-2023 Prowess Bk4.2024-2044 Tale of Hercules and Achelons Bk4.2045-2134 Penthesilea Bk4.2135-2164 Philemenis; Eneas Bk4.2147-2199 Gentilesse Bk4.2200-2291 Effects of Love; Love contrary to Sloth Bk4.2292-2362 Uses of labour; discoverers and inventors Bk4.2363-2456 Alchemy Bk4.2457-2530 The Three Stones of the Philosophers Bk4.2457-2603 The First Alchemists Bk4.2602-2632 Letters and Language Bk4.2633-2700 Somnolence Bk4.2701-2759 The Lover's Wakefulness Bk4.2760-2890 Dreams Bk4.2891-2926 Tale of Ceix and Alceone Bk4.2927-3123 Sleeping and Waking Bk4.3124-3186 The Prayer of Cephalus Bk4.3187-3316 Argus and Mercury Bk4.3317-3388 Tristesse or Despondency Bk4.3389-3514 Tale of Iphis and Araxarathen Bk4.3515-3712
Book V
Avarice Bk5.1-140 Tale of Midas Bk5.141-362 The Punishment of Tantalus Bk5.363-397 Avarice Bk5.402-428 Jealousy of Lovers Bk5.398-634 Tale of Vulcan and Venus Bk5.635-746 Belief of the Chaldeans Bk5.746-783 Belief of the Egyptians Orus, Typhon and Isirus Bk5.784-834 Belief of the Greeks Bk5.835-1496 Birth of Venus Bk5.843-859 Conception of Romus and Remus Bk5.883-914 Apollo Bk5.915-936 Mercury Bk5.916-952 Vulcanus Bk5.953-966 Eolus Bk5.967-980 Neptune Bk5.981-1004 Pan Bk5.1005-1042 Bachus Bk5.1043-1058 Esculapius Bk5.1059-1082 Hercules Bk5.1083-1102 Pluto Bk5.1083-1132 Sibeles Bk5.1133-1152 Juno Bk5.1155-1188 Minerve Bk5.1189-1219 Cereres Bk5.1221-1244 Diana Bk5.1245-1276 Proserpina Bk5.1277-1302 Nereïdes Bk5.1336-47 Origin of Idol Worship Bk5.1497-1590 Belief of the Jews Bk5.1591-1736 The Christian Faith Bk5.1737-1970 Coveitise Bk5.1971-2020 Tale of Virgil's Mirror Bk5.2031-2224 Coveitise Bk5.2225-2272 Tale of the Two Coffers Bk5.2273-2390 Tale of the Beggars and the Pasties Bk5.2391-2441 Coveitise of Lovers Bk5.2442-2642 Tale of the King and his Steward's Wife Bk5.2643-2858 False Witness and Perjury Bk5.2859-2960 Tale of Achilles and Deidamia Bk5.2961-3218 Perjury Bk5.3219-3246 Tale of Jason and Medea Bk5.3247-4242 Tale of Frixus and Hellen Bk5.4243-4382 Usury Bk5.4383-4572 Love Brokerage; Tale of Echo; Bk5.4573-4670 Parsimony Bk5.4671-4780 Tale of Babio and Croceus Bk5.4781-4884 Ingratitude Bk5.4885-4936 Tale of Adrian and Bardus Bk5.4937-5162 Ingratitude Bk5.5163-5230 Tale of Theseus and Ariadne Bk5.5231-5504 Ravine Bk5.5505-5550 Tale of Tereus Bk5.5551-6074 Robbery Bk5.6075-6144 Neptune and Corone Bk5.6145-6224 Tale of Calistona Bk5.6225-6358 Virginity; Chastity of Valentinian Bk5.6359-6492 Stealth and Michery Bk5.6493-6542 Stealth of Lovers Bk5.6543-6712 Tale of Leucothoe Bk5.6713-6896 Tale of Hercules and Faunus Bk5.6807-6960 Sacrilege Bk5.6961-7031 Sacrilege of Lovers Bk5.7032-7194 Tale of Paris and Helen Bk5.7195-7590 Sacrilege of Lovers; Divisions of Avarice Bk5.7591-7640 Prodigality and Largesse Bk5.7641-7760 Prodigality of Lovers Bk5.7761-7844
Book VI
Gluttony; Drunkenness; Bk6.1-75 Love-Drunkenness Bk6.76-324 Jupiter's Two Tuns Bk6.325-390 Prayer; Bacchus in the Desert Bk6.391-466 Love Drunkenness; Tristram Bk6.467-484 Marriage of Pirithous Bk6.485-536 Galbus and Vitellius Bk6.537-616 Delicacy; Bk6.617-664 Love-Delicacy; Delicacy Bk6.665-974 Dives and Lazarus Bk6.975-1150 Delicacy of Nero Bk6.1151-1227 Love-Delicacy Bk6.1228-1260 Sorcery and Witchcraft Bk6.1261-1390 Tale of Ulysses and Telegonus Bk6.1391-1788 Tale of Nectanabus Bk6.1789-2366 Zoroaster; Saul and the Witch; Magic to be Eschewed Bk6.2366-2440
Book VII
The Education of Alexander; Three Parts of Philosophy Bk7.1-72 Theoric (Theology) Bk7.73-134 Physics Bk7.135-144 Mathematics Bk7.145-202 Creation of the Four Elements Bk7.203-392 The Four Complexions of Man Bk7.393-489 The Soul of Man Bk7.490-520 The Division of the Earth Bk7.521-632 Astronomy Bk7.633-684 Planets and Signs Bk7.685-720 The Planets Bk7.721-954 The Signs Bk7.955-1280 The Fifteen Stars Bk7.1281-1438 Aldebaran VII.1310-1318 Pliades VII.1320-1327 Algol VII.1328 VII.1328-1336 Alhaiot VII.1337-1344 Canis maior VII.1345-1354 Canis minor VII.1355-1362 Regulus VII.1363-1370 Ala Corvi VII.1371-1378 Alaezel VII.1379-1386 Almareth VII.1387-1392 Venenas VII.1393-1400 Benenais Alpheta Bk7.1401-1408 Cor Scorpionis Bk7.1409-16 Botercadent Bk7.1417-1424 tail of Scorpio Bk7.1425-32 Authors of the Science of Astronomy Bk7.1439-1506 Rhetoric Bk7.1507-1640 Practicique; Five Points of Policy Bk7.1641-1710 The First Point of Policy; Truth Bk7.1711-1782 King, Wine, Woman, and Truth Bk7.1783-1984 Daires Bk7.1783-1984 Tale of Alcestis Bk7.1917-1949 The Second Point of Policy. Liberality Bk7.1985-2060 Tale of Julius and the Poor Knight Bk7.2014-2057 Tale of Julius and the Poor Knight Bk7.2061-2114 Antigonus and Cinichus Bk7.2115- Discretion in Giving Bk7.2115-2130 Prodigality of Kings Bk7.2131-2176 Flatterers Bk7.2177-2216 Tale of Diogenes and Aristippus Bk7.2217-2317 Flattery Bk7.2318-2354 The Roman Triumph Bk7.2355-2411 The Emperor and his Masons Bk7.2412-2448 Caesar's Answer Bk7.2449-2490 Flatterers of a King Bk7.2491-2526 Ahab and Micaiah Bk7.2527-2694 Justice Bk7.2695-2764 Justice of Maximin Bk7.2765-2782 Gaius Fabricius Bk7.2783-2832 The Emperor Conrad Bk7.2833-2844 The Consul Carmidotirus Bk7.2845-2888 Example of Cambyses Bk7.2889-2916 Lycurgus and his Laws Bk7.2917-3028 The First Lawgivers Bk7.3029-3061 Kings must keep the Laws Bk7.3062-3102 The Fourth Point of Policy; Pity Bk7.3103-3162 Troian Bk7.3142-3162 The Jew and the Pagan in Stafford MS not in Fairfax The Tale of Codrus Bk7.3163-3214 Pompeie and the King of Armenia Bk7.3215-3248 Cruelty Bk7.3249-3266 Cruelty of Justinian and Leontius Bk7.3267-3294 Cruelty of Siculus Bk7.3295-3340 Dionysius and his Horses Bk7.3341-3354 Lichaon Bk7.3355-3386 Nobleness of the Lion Bk7.3387-3416 Spertachus and Thamaris Bk7.3417-3513 Mercy must be without Weakness Bk7.3514-3552 The Mountain and the Mouse Bk7.3553-3593 There is a time for War Bk7.3594-3626 Story of Gideon Bk7.3627-3806 Saul and Agag Bk7.3807-3845 David and Joab Bk7.3846-3890 Solomon's Wisdom Bk7.3891-3944 The Courtiers and the Fool Bk7.3945-4026 Folly of Roboas Bk7.4027-4146 Wisdom in a King's Council Bk7.4147-4166 Mercy and Justice Bk7.4167-4214 Anthonius Bk7.4181-4188 The Fifth Point of Policy. Chastity Bk7.4215-4312 Evil Example of Sardana Pallus Bk7.4313-4343 Barbarus Bk7.4331-4344 David Bk7.4344-4360 Cyrus and the Lydians Bk7.4361-4405 The Counsel of Balaam Bk7.4406-4468 Evil Example of Solomon Bk7.4469-4514 Division of His Kingdom Bk7.4515-4573 Anthonie Bk7.4574-4592 Tarquin and his son Aruns Bk7.4593-4753 The Rape of Lucrece Bk7.4754-5130 Tale of Virginius Bk7.5131-5306 Tobias and Sara Bk7.5307-5365 Chastity Bk7.5366-5438
Book VIII
Lechery; The Origins of Mankind Bk8.1-66 Laws of Marriage Bk8.67-198 Examples of Incest; Caligula; Ammon Bk8.199-222 Lot and his Daughters; Incest Bk8.223-270 Apollonius of Tyre Bk8.271-2018 The Lover requires Counsel Bk8. 2029–2062 The Confessor replies Bk8. 2150–2148 The Controversy Bk8. 2149–2216 The Supplication Bk8.2217-2300 Venus replies to the Supplication Bk8.2301-2376 Venus replies to the Supplication (continued) Bk8.2377-2439 The Companies of Lovers Bk8.2440-2744 Cupid and the Lover; Bk8.2745-2787 The Fiery Dart withdrawn Bk8.2788-2807 The Healing of Love; The Absolution Bk8.2809-2897 Leave-taking of Venus Bk8.2899-2970 Author Prays for the State of England; Bk8.2971-2994 Evil of Division in the Land Bk8.2995-3053 The Duty of a King Bk8.2971-3105 The Book Completed Bk8.3106-3137 Farewell to Earthly Love; Heavenly Love Bk8.3138-3172
Gower's Revisions
Design of the Book; Dedication CAvarPro.24*-92*