Scots Version H: Rolland, Seuin Seages

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The Seuin Seages, composed by the poet John Rolland, is one of two surviving Scots versions of the Seven Sages narrative. This verse translation is particularly lengthy; it runs for 10,784 lines in total. It was composed 1560, while the author staying near Tantallon Castle, outside of Edinburgh in East Lothian. It was first printed in 1578, and was reprinted throughout the later 16th and early 17th centuries. The title claims the text is 'Translatit out of prois in Scottis meter'; what that prose source may have been, however, is unclear. The poem follows the narrative pattern of the Historia tradition (including the presence of the Empress's lover at the end of the text), meaning that the other early Scots text, the Buke of the Sevyne Sagis in the Asloan manuscript, was not its likely source. Whether Rolland had access to a Latin Version H text, a French print, or one of the English prints by e.g. Copland or Wynkyn de Worde, is unknown.

The linguistic elements of Rolland's text, and the poem's unusual prologue and epilogue, are of particular note, as is the way the author constructs the moral and gendered elements of the poem. The title of the print explains the pedagogical intent, saying that the poem includes: 'ane Moralitie efter euerie Doctouris Tale, and siclike efter the Emprice Tale, togidder with ane louing and laude to euerie Doctour efter his awin Tale, & ane Exclamation and outcrying vpon the Empreouris wife efter hir fals contrusit Tale.' However, in addition to the 'outcrying' upon the Empress's 'falseness', the text also claims to 'vphald' 'wemen's honour', in direct response to reported criticism from Rolland's aunt. In his prologue, Rolland explains that his aunt read his earlier work - a poem called The Court of Venus - and complained that it was both difficult to read, and also unkind to women (she demands to know how he dares to speak 'sa ruch and rude' about ladies). The Seuin Seages, then, is Rolland's attempt to make amends, and this frames his excuses for his simple language, and also suggests a reading of the text less anti-feminist than it might originally appear.

General Information

Language within Version
Scots
Parent Versions
H (Historia Septem Sapientum)
Child Versions
Author
John Rolland
Title
The Seuin Seages
Branch of the tradition
Seven Sages of Rome

Language & Composition

Language of version
Scots
Place of composition
Edinburgh, UK
Date of Composition
1560

Literature & Editions

Modern research literature
Flynn (2023), Martin (2009), Barr (1967), Schlusemann (2023), Campbell (1907), Whitelock (2005), Buchner (1889), Couper (2002), Van Buuren (1982)
Modern Editions
Rolland, The Seuin Seages, ed. by Black (1932), Rolland, The Seven Sages in Scotish Metre, ed. by Laing (1837)

Recorded Branch of This Secondary Version

Connected Prints

Adaptations

Adapted from (version)
H (Historia Septem Sapientum)


Languages in Use

Regional or specific language of version
Middle Scots


Pattern of Embedded Stories in This Version

Connected Manuscripts

 Has LanguageHas LocationHas Date Range Of Production








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This page was last edited on 23 February 2026, at 12:11.
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