The Piers Plowman Electronic Archive, Vol. 8: Cambridge, Cambridge University Library MS Gg.4.31 (G)
author: William Langland
source date: late 14th or early 15th century
edition published: ????
language: lat; fre; ger
availability: Commercially available: copyright 2012, by SEENET

hic incipit Petrus P...... lowman de visione liber primus [G.1.0: The two lines of the heading are bracketed together on the right. The script is more formal than that used in the body of the text and the heading may have been added by WH. See Introduction I.12. Compare finitur visionem in the left hand margin on f.32v G.8.217.m.1.]

In[^1] a someres[^a1] seyson when soft was the sonne
I shoope me In srowdes as I a shepe were
In habyte as a heremyte vnholy off werkes
went wyde yn thys world wonders to here
& on a may mornyng on mal verne hylles
me befell a ferly off fayry In[^a2] thoght
I was wery for-wandred & went me to rest
vndre a brood bank by[^2] a borne[^a3] syde
and as I lay & leyned & loked vpon[^a4] the waters
I slomered In-to[^a5] a slepyng[^3] yt sweyd so merye
then gan I to meten a mer velo vs swe vene
that I was In wyldernes wyst I neuere where
as I beheld In-to þe est on heygh to the sonne
I seyghe a to vr on a toft tryelyche y-maked
a depe dale byneth a dongeon thereynne
wyth depe dychys & derke & dredef vll off syght
a fayre feld full off folke fond I þer-betwene
off all maner off men þe meyne & þe ryche
worchyng & wanderyng as þe world asketh
some p vtten theym to[^a6] plogh / pleden[^a7][^4] full selde
In settyng & In sowyng swonken full harde
And wynnen[^a8] that wasters In[^a9] glotonye dystroyen
some[^a10] p vtten theym to pryde & appareled[^a11][^5] theym therafter
In covntenance off clothyng comen dysgysed
In preyers & pennance p vtten þeim manye
for þe[^a12] lo ve off o vr lord ly veden full streyte
In hope to ha ve after[^a13] he ven-rych blysse
&[^a14] ankers & heremytes þat held[^a15] þeim In þer selles
& co veten[^6] noght In contrey to cayren abowte[^7]
For no lycoro vs ly velod theyr[^8] lygham to please
some[^a16] chosen chaffere þei che vene þe better
as ytt semyth to o vr syght þat s vch men thry ven
and some myrthys to make as mynstrelles donne[^a17]
& getten gold wyth theyr glee / synnles I trowe[^a18][^9]
butt[^a19] Iapers & Iang vlers I vdas chylde ren
Feynen þem fantysyes & Foles them[^10] maken
& ha ve þer wytt att wyll to worche yff þei sh vld
þat paule preychyth off them I wyll[^a20] pro ve[^a21] ytt here
qui loquitur turpeloquium ys lucyfers hyne
bydders & beggers fast abovte yeyd
Wyth þer belyes[^a22] & þer bagges o ff bred[^11] f vll cr v mmed[^a23]
fast fayten[^a24] for þer fode fo vghten atte ale
In glotonye god woot goo þei to bedde
& rysen wyth rybawdye as[^a25] roberdes kna ves
slepand slep and sorye slowthe shewyth[^a26][^12] theym e ver
pylgrimmes & palmers plyghten þem to-gedder
for to seke seynt Iame s and seyntes att rome
þei went forth In þer way wyth many wyse tales
& had le ve for to lye all þer ly vys[^a27] after
I seygh some þat seydon þat they[^a28] had soght[^a29] seyntes
to yche a tale þei[^a30] told ther tong was tempered to lye
more þen to say soth / ytt semed by þer speche
heremytes on a hepe wyth hoked sta vys
wenten to walsyngam & þer wenchys after
greyte lobyes & long þat loth were to swynke
clothed þem In copys to be knowen from other
and shoopen theym heremytes theyre easse for to[^a31] ha ve
I

[G.1.58:This <I> is one of the capitals which indicate the beginnings of chapters. See the corresponding summary in the Table of Contents at f.101v (the account of the second chapter of the first passus) and see also C. David Benson and Lynne S. Blanchfield, The Manuscripts of Piers Plowman: the B-version (Cambridge: D. S. Brewer, 1997), 133. The large capital is presumably intended to replace the inline smaller capital. For large and decorated capitals at the beginnings of other chapters see Judith A. Jefferson, "Divisions, Collaborations and other topics: the table of contents in Cambridge University Library, MS Gg.4.31" in John A. Burrow and Hoyt N. Duggan, eds, Medieval Alliterative Poetry: Essays in Honour of Thorlac Turville-Petre (Dublin:Four Courts Press, 2010), 140-152, esp.141-44, and for evidence suggesting that the majority of such capitals may have been added by WH, see Jefferson, "Divisions", 148-50. This particular example, however, appears to have been added by the original scribe at the time of writing; presumably he recognised his error in failing to leave a space for a larger capital.]

I fond there freres all þe fo vre orders
þat preyche d[^a32] þe pepole for profytt off theym-sel ven
& glosen[^a33] þe gospell as þem gode lykythe[^a34]
For co vetes off copes constr ved as[^a35] þem lyked[^a36]
many off thes masters mowe[^a37] clothe theym att lykyng
for þer money & marchandyce marchen to-gedders
for sythe charyte was[^a38] chapman & chefe to shry ve[^13] lordes
many farlyes ha ve fallen In a fewe yeres
but yff[^a39] holye ch vrche & they hold not[^a40] better to-gedders
þe most myscheyfe on mold ys mo vnttyng vp[^a41][^14] fast
þer prechyd a perdoner as he a prest were
bro vght forth a bull wyth many[^a42] bysshopes seylles
& sayd þat hym-selffe myght assoylen theym all
off falsnes[^a43] &[^a44] fastyng & off a-wowes broken[^a45]
lewed men le ved hym[^a46] & lyked hys wordes
comen vp knelyng to kyssen hys bulles
he b vnched þem wyth hys brey vett & bleyred theyre eyne
& ra vght hym[^a47] hys ragman rynges & broches
þus they gy ven theym[^a48] gold glott o ns to kepe
& le ven[^a49][^15] ytt s vch loseles þat leychyrye hawnten
were þe bysshop ye blessed[^a50][^16] or[^a51] worth both hys yeres
hys seyle sh vld not be sent to deceyue the poeple
but[^a52] ytt ys noght butt[^a53] þe bysshope þat þei[^a54] both[^a55] preychythe
for þe peryche prest & þe perdoner perten þe syl ver
that þe perycyoners[^a56] sh vld ha ve yff they ne were
persones & peryche prestes pleyned theym to the bysshop
that theyr perychys were pore syth the pestelence tyme
to ha ve a lycence & le ve att london to dwell
& syngen there for symonye syl ver[^a57] ys so[^a58] swete
bysshopes & bachelers both masters & doctores
that ha ve c vre vnder cryst and crownyng In tokne
& sygne that they sh vlden shry ve[^17] theyr perychynores[^a59]
preychen & preyen for theym & for[^a60] þe pore fede
lyggen at london In lenten & elles
some ser ven the kyng & hys syl ver tellen
In checker & In chauncerye chalangen hys dettes
off wardes & wardemotes wey vys and strey vys
some[^a61] ser ven as ser vantes lordes & ladyes
& yn þe[^a62] styd off st verdes sytten & demen
theyr messe & theyr matyns & many off þeir ho vrs
are done vndeuotelyche drede ys att þe last
lest cryst In constorye[^a63] a-c vrse full many
I percey ved off þe poyer þat pet vr had to kepe
to bynden & vnbynden as the boke tellyth
how he ytt laft wyth lo ve as o vr lord hyght
amongest fowre wertews best[^a64] off all wert ves
that cardynales bene called & closyng gates
there cryst ys In kyngdome to close & to shette
& to open ytt to them & hey ven blysse shewe
but[^a65] off þe cardynales att co vrte þat kaught off that name
& power pres vmed In theym a pope for to[^a66] make
to ha ve þat power þat petur had Imp vngen I nyll
for In lo ve & letter vre the electyon belongyth
for-thy I can & can noght off þat[^a67][^18] co vrt speke more
Then cam þer a[^19] kyng knygthode hym ledde
myght off the com vnes made hym to reynge
then[^a68][^20] came kynd wytt & clerkes he made
for to covncell þe kyng and the com vne sa ve
the kyng & knyghthode and clargye bothe
casten þat the com mvn e[^21] sh vld theym-selfen[^a69] fynd
þis[^a70][^22] comm vn e contry ved off kynd wytt craftes
& for þe[^a71] profett off þe[^a72] people plomen ordened
to tyll & to tra vell as trewe[^23] lyve askethe
the kyng & þe com vne & kynd wytt þe thyrd
shop[^24] law & loyalte ych man to know hys owen[^25]
then loked vp a l vnatyke a lene[^26] thyng wyth-all
& knelyng to þe kyng clargeally he sayde
cryst kepe the syr kyng & the[^a73][^27] kyngryche
and lene the leyde thy land So loyalte þe lo ve
and for þi ryghtfull re vllyng be rewarded In hey vun
and sythen In þe eyre an heyht[^a74] a angell off hey ven
lowed dyd[^a75][^28] speke In latyn for lewde men ne koude
Iangle ne I vgge þat I vstyfye theym sh old
butt sufferen & ser ven forthy seyd the angell
sum rex sum princeps neutrum fortasse deinceps
O qui Iura regis cristi specialia regis
hoc vt[^a76][^29] agas melius Iustus es esto pius
nudum ius a te vestiri vult pietate
qualia vis metere talia grana sere
si Ius nudatur nudo de Iure metatur
si seritur pietas de pietate metas
then gre ved hym a golyerdes a gloton off wordes
& to the angell on heyhe answered after
dum rex a regere dicatur nomen habere
nomen habet sine re studeat nisi[^a77][^30] Iura tenere
then gan all þe comm vne crye In vers off latyn
to the kynges covncell constrewe wo-so wold
precepta regis sunt nobis vincula legis
wyth that ran there a ro vte off rattons att ons
þe profycy
& small myse wyth theym mow then a thowsand
off þe catt
& comen to a covncell for the com v n profytt
For a catt off a covntrey[^a78] come when hym lyked
S

[G.1.150: The letter <S> is formed from a series of linked dots. This and similar marks enable the reader to find sections referred to in the table of contents. See f.101v. As Benson and Blanchfield point out (Manuscripts, 132), the mark is referred to in this table, so it has clearly been added as part of the original preparation of the manuscript. The form of the letter, however, suggests the possibility that such marks were the work of WH rather than the original scribe; see the form of the capitals used by WH on ff.69v, 72v and 103r, and see further Jefferson, "Divisions," esp. 148-50.]

& o verlepe theym lyghlyche[^31] & laghte theym att hys wyll
& pleyde wyth theym perylo vslyche & possed a-bovte
for dovte off dyuers drede[^a79][^32] /[^33] we dare not well loke
but[^a80] yff we gruge att[^a81] hys gamme he wyll gre ve vs all
crache vs or clawe vs and In hys clochys hold
that vs lothes owre[^a82] lyfe or he lett vs passe
myght we wyth any wytt hys wyll wythstand
we myght be lordes a-loft & ly ven att oure easse
A raton off reynowne most reynable off tonge
seyd for a so vereyne help to hym-sel ve n[^34]
I ha ve se ve se[n]e[^a83][^35] seggys quodh he In the cyte off london
beyren beȝes full bryght a-bovte theyre neckes
& some colers wyth[^a84] crafty werke vncovpeled they wenten[^a85][^36]
both In warren & In wast where theym- sel ve[^a86] lyked[^a87][^37]
and other wyle they are elles-were as I here tell
were ther a bell on hys[^a88] beygh by Iohn[^a89] as me thynkyth
men myght wytt were they went & a-wey renne
& ryght so quod the[^a90] raton[^38] reyson me sheweth
to bygen a bell off bras or off bryght syl ver
and knytten on a coler for o vr comen profytt[^39]
where[^40] he ryt or rest or rennyth to playe
and yff hym lyst for to layke / then loke they[^a91] mowen
and peren In hys presence wyle[^a92] hym play lykyth
and yff he wrath hym[^a93] beware and hys wa y shonye
and[^a94] thys ro vte off ratons to thys reyson assented
butt[^a95] thogh þe bell was broght[^a96][^41] & on the beygh hanged
there nas[^a97] roten r[a]ton[^a98] In[^a99] the ro vte for all the realme off france
that d vrst ha ve bo vnden þe bell a-bovte þe cattes neck
ne hangen[^a100] abovte þe cattes hales all england to wynne
and helden theym vnhardy and theyre covncell feble
and letten theyre labo vr lost & all theyre long studye
a mov ce þat moch good covld as me tho[^a101] thoght
stroke forth sternely & stode before theym all
and to þe ro vte off ratons rehersed thes wordes
thogh we kyllen[^42] þe catt yet shall[^a102] theyre[^43] come a-nother
to kachen vs & all our kynd / thogh we crepe vndre benchys
forthy I covncell all the comm vne to lett the catt pas[^a103]
& be we neuer so bold the bell hym to shewe
for I herde my syre seyne[^a104] sey ven yers[^a105] passed[^a106]
there the catt ys a kyten ys[^a107] full elenge
that wyttnessyth woly wrytt wo-so wyll ytt rede
ve terre vbi rex puer[^a108] est & cetera.
For may no re vke re[n]ke[^a109] there rest ha ve for ratons by nyght
the wyle he caccheth conynes[^44] he co vytyth not our cayren car[y]en[^a110]
butt fedyth hym all wyth weneson defame we hym neuer
butt[^a111] better ys a lytull losse then a long sorowe
they[^a112] mase amonge vs all thoght we mysse a shrewe[^45]
for many mennes malt we mysse wold dystroy
& also the rovte off ratons rend mennes clothys
n ere the catt off the co vrte þat canne you[^46] ouer le ype
for had ye ratons[^a113] your wyll ye covld not re vle you-selue[^a114][^47]
I say for me quod the mov ce I se so mykyll after
shall neuer catt[^a115] ne kyton[^a116] by my covncell be gre ved
ne carpyng off thys color es[^a117][^48] that costed me neuer
& thogh ytt[^a118] cost me[^a119] beknow I[^a120] nold
but suffer as hym-selfe wyll[^a121] to do as hym lykyth
co vplede & vnco vplede to cache watt they mowe
forthy ech a wyse wyght I warne wytt well hys owen[^49] /
watt thys metall[^a122] bemeneth ye menne that be merye
de vyne[^50] ye for I ne dare by dere god In hey ven[^51]
yet ho ved there a h v ndreth in how ves off sylke
sargeantes theym[^a123] semed þat ser ven[^a124] att the barre
pleyden[^a125] for peynes pen[y]es[^a126] and powndes the lawe
and noght for þe[^a127] lo ve off our lord vnlose theyre lyppes on ce
thow myghtest better mete myste[^52] on mal veren hylles
then gett a m o mme off hys[^a128] mowthe tyll[^a129] money be shewed
barons & b vrgesys[^a130] & bondemen also[^a131]
I sagh In þis assemble as ye shall here hereafter[^a132]
baxters[^a133] brewsters and bochers many
wollen websters & wey vers off lynnen
taylyo vres tynkers[^a134][^53] & tollers In markettes
masones & my vores my[n]ores[^a135] & many other craftys
off alkynnes[^a136] laborers[^a137] loppen forth some
as dykers & del vers that done þeir dedes all[^a138]
& dry ve forth þe long day wyth / dieu soit[^a139] dame e nvye[^a140][^54]
cokes & theyr kna v es cryen[^a141] wott pyes wott
good gees & gryses[^a142] gowe go we dyne gowe go we
tauerners vntyll theym told the same
wyte wyne &[^a143] ossey & red wyne off gascoygne
off þe ryne & the[^a144] rochell the rost to defyen
all thys I sagh[^a145] slepyng & sey ven sythes more
explicit primus passus de visione

[^a1: someres (G Hm) | somer (All other mss)]

[^a2: In (G) | me (All other mss)]

[^a3: borne (G Cr H F) | bornes (All other mss)]

[^a4: vpon (G) | in (L C O C2 Y) | on (all other mss)]

[^a5: In-to (G Cr W Hm F) | in (all other mss)]

[^a6: to (G F) | to þe (All other mss)]

[^a7: pleden (G Cr1) | pleyed (All other mss)]

[^a8: wynnen (G) | wonnen (most mss)]

[^a9: In (G O C2) | with (All other mss)]

[^a10: some (G) | And some (All other mss)]

[^a11: & appareled (G F H) | apparailed (All other mss)]

[^a12: for þe (G F) | Al for (most mss)]

[^a13: ha ve after (G Cr W Hm) | haue þerafter (H) | haue to hyre (F) | haue (all other mss)]

[^a14: & (G) | As (All other mss)]

[^a15: held (G) | holden (All other mss)]

[^a16: some (G) | And somme (All other mss)]

[^a17: donne (G) | conneth (most mss)]

[^a18: trowe (G H) | leue (All other mss)]

[^a19: butt (G F H) | As (M Cr C O C2 Y) | Ac (all other mss)]

[^a20: wyll (G W F H) | nel (All other mss)]

[^a21: pro ve (G) | nought preue (All other mss)]

[^a22: belyes (G Cr W Hm H) | bely (all other mss)]

[^a23: cr v mmed (G Cr Hm H) | ycrammed (most mss)]

[^a24: fast fayten (G) | Fayteden (most mss)]

[^a25: as (G Cr) | tho (Most mss)]

[^a26: shewyth (G Cr12 C) | seweth (Most mss)]

[^a27: ly vys (G) | lyf (all other mss)]

[^a28: þat they (G) | þei (most mss)]

[^a29: soght (G Cr Hm C2) | ysouȝt (most mss)]

[^a30: þei (G H) | þat þei (all other mss)]

[^a31: for to (G F) | to (all other mss)]

[^a32: þat preyche d (G F) | Preched (most mss)]

[^a33: & glosen (G) | & gloseden (F) | Glosed (all other mss)]

[^a34: lykythe (G) | lyked (all other mss)]

[^a35: as (G F H) | it as (all other mss)]

[^a36: þem lyked (G) | þei wolde (most mss)]

[^a37: mowe (G F) | Freris mowe (most mss)]

[^a38: was (G Cr) | haþ be (most mss)]

[^a39: but yff (G) | But (most mss)]

[^a40: hold not (G) | holde (all other mss)]

[^a41: vp (G) | vp wel (O C2) | wel (most mss)]

[^a42: wyth many (G Cr W Hm H) | with (all other mss)]

[^a43: falsnes (G) | falshed (most mss)]

[^a44: & (G F) | and of (Cr) | of (all other mss)]

[^a45: broken (G Cr Hm F H) | ybroken (all other mss)]

[^a46: hym (G) | hym wel (most mss)]

[^a47: hym (G) | with (all other mss)]

[^a48: theym (G) | here (all other mss)]

[^a49: le ven (G Cr12) | louen (OC2) | beleven (F) | leneth (all other mss)]

[^a50: ye blessed (G) | yblissed (most mss)]

[^a51: or (G M Y H) | and (all other mss)]

[^a52: but (G F H) | Ac (most mss)]

[^a53: butt (G) | by (all other mss)]

[^a54: þei (G) | þe (all other mss)]

[^a55: both (G C) | boy (all other mss)]

[^a56: perycyoners (G) | poraille of þe parisch (L W Hm C) | pore porayle of þe parisch (O C2 Y)]

[^a57: syl ver (G) | for siluer (all other mss)]

[^a58: ys so (G H) | is (all other mss)]

[^a59: perychynores (G C2) | paroschienes (most mss)]

[^a60: & for (G) | and (all other mss)]

[^a61: some (G) | And some (all other mss)]

[^a62: yn þe (G F) | in (all other mss)]

[^a63: constorye (G L) | constry (H) | Consistorie (all other mss)]

[^a64: best (G) | þe best (most mss)]

[^a65: but (G H) | Ac (most mss)]

[^a66: for to (G) | to (all other mss)]

[^a67: off þat (G H) | of þe (F) | of (all other mss)]

[^a68: then (G) | And þanne (most mss)]

[^a69: theym-selfen (G) | hem-self (all other mss)]

[^a70: þis (G) | Þe (all other mss)]

[^a71: for þe (G) | for (all other mss)]

[^a72: þe (G M Hm F H) | alle þe (all other mss)]

[^a73: the (G) | þi (all other mss)]

[^a74: heyht (G Cr) | hiegh (most mss)]

[^a75: lowed dyd (G) | Lowed to (most mss)]

[^a76: vt (G Hm) | quod (most mss)]

[^a77: studeat nisi (G Hm) | nisi studet (all other mss)]

[^a78: covntrey (G M Cr1 W Hm H) | courte (all other mss)]

[^a79: drede (G) | dredes (most mss)]

[^a80: but (G) | And (all other mss)]

[^a81: att (G Cr Y) | of (most mss)]

[^a82: owre (G F H) | þe (all other mss)]

[^a83: se ve se[n]e (G) | ysein (Bx)]

[^a84: wyth (G) | of (all other mss)]

[^a85: wenten (G M Cr W Hm) | wenden (Most mss)]

[^a86: sel ve (G Cr1 W Hm) | leue (most mss)]

[^a87: lyked (G M Cr1 W H) | lyketh (all other mss)]

[^a88: hys (G) | here (all other mss)]

[^a89: Iohn (G) | Ihesu (most mss)]

[^a90: the (G O C2 F) | þat (all other mss)]

[^a91: they (G) | we (all other mss)]

[^a92: wyle (G H) | þer-while (all other mss)]

[^a93: he wrath hym (G) | he wrath (Cr F) | he be wroth (H) | him wrattheth (all other mss)]

[^a94: and (G) | Alle (most mss)]

[^a95: butt (G F H) | Ac (most mss)]

[^a96: broght (G Cr1) | ybrouȝt (W) | ybouȝt (most mss)]

[^a97: nas (G M) | ne was (most mss)]

[^a98: roten r[a]ton (G) | ratoun (all other mss)]

[^a99: In (G M H) | in alle (most mss)]

[^a100: hangen (G L) | hang it (most mss)]

[^a101: me tho (G) | me (most mss)]

[^a102: shall (G Hm) | sholde (all other mss)]

[^a103: pas (G) | worthe (most mss)]

[^a104: seyne (G Cr) | seyn is (most mss)]

[^a105: yers (G) | ȝere (all other mss)]

[^a106: passed (G Cr Hm C2) | ypassed (all other mss)]

[^a107: ys (G) | þe courte is (all other mss)]

[^a108: rex puer (G H) | puer rex (most mss)]

[^a109: re vke re[n]ke (G Cr) | renke (most mss)]

[^a110: cayren car[y]en (G) | caroyne (most mss)]

[^a111: butt (G Hm) | For (all other mss)]

[^a112: they (G) | Þe (most mss)]

[^a113: ratons (G R F H) | rattes (all other mss)]

[^a114: you-selue (G W Hm O) | ȝowre-selue (all other mss)]

[^a115: catt (G Hm F) | þe cat (all other mss)]

[^a116: kyton (G Hm C2 F) | þe kitoun (most mss)]

[^a117: color es (G) | coler (all other mss)]

[^a118: ytt (G R F) | it had (all other mss)]

[^a119: me (G) | me catel (all other mss)]

[^a120: I (G) | it I (most mss)]

[^a121: wyll (G) | wolde (most mss)]

[^a122: metall (G) | meteles (most mss)]

[^a123: theym (G) | þey (F H) | it (most mss)]

[^a124: ser ven (G Cr H) | serueden (all other mss)]

[^a125: pleyden (G) | Pleten (Cr) | Plededen (all other mss)]

[^a126: peynes pen[y]es (G) | penyes (most mss)]

[^a127: for þe (G Cr3 C2) | for (all other mss)]

[^a128: hys (G) | here (all other mss)]

[^a129: tyll (G Cr W Hm) | but (most mss)]

[^a130: b vrgesys (G Cr W F) | burgeis (all other mss)]

[^a131: also (G Cr O C2) | als (all other mss)]

[^a132: hereafter (G) | after (all other mss)]

[^a133: baxters (G) | Baxsteres & (most mss)]

[^a134: tynkers (G) | and tynkeres (all other mss)]

[^a135: my vores my[n]ores (G) | mynours (all other mss)]

[^a136: alkynnes (G) | alkin (most mss)]

[^a137: laborers (G H) | libbyng laboreres (most mss)]

[^a138: all (G) | ille (all other mss)]

[^a139: soit (G) | vous saue (most mss)]

[^a140: e nvye (G) | Emme (most mss)]

[^a141: cryen (G) | crieden (all other mss)]

[^a142: gryses (G) | gris (all other manuscripts)]

[^a143: & (G H) | of (all other mss)]

[^a144: the (G R) | of þe (most mss)]

[^a145: I sagh (G) | seiȝ I (all other mss)]

[^1: G.1.1: The <I> is in a different ink from that of the original transcription, and appears to have been added at the same time as the heading, and therefore probably by WH. See note to head.]

[^2: G.1.8: A virgule has been added to separate the words by and a, which were originally written without an intervening space. The ink used is very similar to that used for the <u> to <v> changes and it therefore seems probable that this and other virgules may have been added by the original scribe (i.e. by hand1.1) as part of his later programme of corrections (see Introduction II.1.1 and II.1.1.3).]

[^3: G.1.10: The scribe altered In to Itt but then crossed through and rewrote as yt.]

[^4: G.1.20: The G Cr1 reading pleden could be a form of "played" (the reading of remaining B manuscripts) with northern loss of the dipthong, but it could also be read as the present tense of the verb "to plead" (="wrangle"?).]

[^5: G.1.23: Though not recorded as a G variant by Kane and Donaldson, the ampersand is definitely present, bringing G's reading into line with that of F and H. See George Kane and E. Talbot Donaldson, eds, Piers Plowman. The B Version: Will's Visions of Piers Plowman, Do-Well, Do-Better and Do-Best. An Edition in the Form of Trinity College Cambridge MS B.15.17, Corrected and Restored from the Known Evidence, with Variant Readings, rev. ed. (London: Athlone Press; Berkeley and Los Angeles: University of California Press, 1988). No other B manuscripts read & appareled (all lack "and").]

[^6: G.1.29: In addition to the alteration of <u> to <v> in coueten, the loop of the first <e> has been re-outlined in brown ink.]

[^7: G.1.29: Consideration of the scribe's usual practice suggests that the curl attached to the <t> of abowte is a residual <e> rather than an abbreviation mark.]

[^8: G.1.30: The <r> of theyr is in slightly darker ink and may be a later addition. Note that it takes up most of the space between words and that the preceding <y> lacks the rising hairline stroke which normally precedes a following letter (compare the same word at G.1.34).]

[^9: G.1.34: The G H reading trowe (for remaining manuscripts leue) corresponds to that of Ax.]

[^10: G.1.36: The minims here are ill-defined; it is possible that the scribe wrote theim rather than them, but the latter would be a more usual form for the G scribe.]

[^11: G.1.41: The alteration from ob to off appears to have been made after the following word, bred, had already been written, since it uses up most of the space between the two words.]

[^12: G.1.45:The G reading shewyth, shared with Cr12 C, may be a genuine variant but note that, since the spellings <sh> and <s> are to some extent interchangeable in G, especially in the earlier sections of the text (see Introduction III.4.1), the G spelling here may represent seweth, as in most remaining B manuscripts.]

[^13: G.1.64: The first of these alterations (whereby sryue becomes shryue) appears to have been made by the original scribe and later re-outlined in brown ink. The faint mark of the original correction is still visible at the bottom of the tail of the <h>. Compare the similar - and also very faint - addition by the original scribe at G.1.89.]

[^14: G.1.67: G's reading vp for most manuscripts wel was originally shared by O. However, O adds wel to give vp wel, a reading shared with C2.]

[^15: G.1.77: In the case of G, the G Cr12 reading leven results from the mistaken identification by the <u> to <v> corrector (hand1.1) of the letter <n> as a <u> (Most manuscripts read leneth). It seems possible that the reading in Cr12 was taken from G or from a G-related manuscript; see Introduction II.2.1.2.]

[^16: G.1.78: G misreads the y- past participle prefix as ye (cf. most manuscripts yblissed). For G's treatment of this prefix, see Introduction III.1.]

[^17: G.1.89: The ink of the <h> added to sryue to give shryue is paler than that of the rest of the word, but exactly the same colour as the <as> of masters two lines above, and the form corresponds to that used elsewhere by the original scribe. It therefore seems likely that the correction was made by the original scribe. See also G.1.64.]

[^18: G.1.111: The brownish ink of added þat appears to be the same as that used for the change from <u> to <v> in the following word.]

[^19: G.1.112: The original word replaced by kyng is unclear but the final <t> is visible.]

[^20: G.1.114: Kane and Donaldson do not record G then for most manuscripts And þanne as a variant.]

[^21: G.1.117: As far as it is possible to tell, the original G reading was comune (as at G.1.115). However, the way the <v> has been written over the minims has obscured the <n>, making it necessary for the corrector to provide an abbreviation mark.]

[^22: G.1.118: Kane and Donaldson do not record this as a variant, and, since the superscript letters are rather unclear, it is possible that the G scribe did in fact intend to write þe.]

[^23: G.1.120: Added <e> on trewe appears to be in the same ink as the alterations of <u> to <v>.]

[^24: G.1.122: The loop of the <h> in shop has been enlarged in brown ink.]

[^25: G.1.122: The majority of B manuscripts have final <e>, but hand1's preferred form elsewhere is without -e. See G.5.157, G.6.595, G.7.86 etc., though note the forms with final <e> at G.17.190 and G.17.199. Note also the similar deletion at G.1.207, where it seems possible that the deleted letter may have been an <s>. This deletion is in black ink.]

[^26: G.1.123: As far as the deleted letters before lene are concerned, it is possible that the scribe originally wrote <ke>-, but it seems more likely that the first letter was an <l> but that the second letter, i.e. the <e>, may have been ill-formed, that an attempt has been made to correct it, and that this has been abandoned.]

[^27: G.1.125: O originally had þe þi for G the, most manuscripts þi, but in O þe has been cancelled. M's reading þi results from correction.]

[^28: G.1.129: In G's original reading (lowed to, which is also the reading of most B manuscripts) lowed is a verb (="descended"). The alteration to lowed dyd results from misinterpretation of lowed as an adverb, something which also occurs in F, where the a-verse reads & lowhde spak in Latyn.]

[^29: G.1.134: The G Hm reading vt (for most manuscripts quod) is also present in the C version. In Hm this reading appears as part of a long passage written over an erasure (this particular section is written by Hm's Hand3, who is also the Hm rubricator). See note to this line in Michael Calabrese, Hoyt N. Duggan and Thorlac Turville-Petre, eds, The Piers Plowman Electronic Archive, Vol.6: San Marino, Huntington Library MS HM 128 (Hm, Hm2) (Woodbridge: Boydell and Brewer for SEENET and the Medieval Academy of America, 2008), and for further discussion of the relationship between Hm and G, see G's Introduction II.2.1.2.]

[^30: G.1.142: In Hm the reading studeat nisi, which is shared with G (most manuscripts read nisi studet) appears over an erasure.]

[^31: G.1.150: Spellings of "lightly" without <t> are recorded by the MED.]

[^32: G.1.152: Kane and Donaldson observe that the error in G's reading drede (for most manuscripts dredes) is "noted" but it is difficult to see what they mean unless they are referring to the following added virgule, something which would raise questions about other similar additions.]

[^33: G.1.152: Once again, the colour of the added virgule is the same as that of the <u> to <v> changes and it therefore seems likely that it was made by the original scribe at a later date (see further Introduction II.1.1 and II.1.1.3). Virgules are frequently omitted in the earlier stages of the original transcription but become more frequent as the text progresses.]

[^34: G.1.159: A brown-ink flourish, apparently an abbreviation for <n>, has been added to the final <e> of original selue. This is in the same ink as the earlier alteration of <u> to <v>. The addition brings G's reading into line with that of O C2. Kane and Donaldson do not record this G reading, though they do record the readings of O and C2.]

[^35: G.1.160: The form of the alteration from sene to seve is unusual and it is possible that the corrector realised his mistake and tried to remedy it.]

[^36: G.1.162: M originally had wenden, as most manuscripts; the M reading wenten (shared with G Cr W Hm) results from correction.]

[^37: G.1.163: In M the <d> of "liked" (a reading which M shares with G Cr1 W H) is written over an erasure. Most manuscripts read lyketh.]

[^38: G.1.167: The minims at the end of raton are poorly defined. Kane and Donaldson read rato.]

[^39: G.1.169: G Cr1 W Hm omit a line at this point: "And hangen it vp-on þe cattes hals · þanne here we mowen."]

[^40: G.1.170: The <w> of where is slightly odd and it seems possible that the scribe originally started to write an initial <h>.]

[^41: G.1.175: W's reading ybrouȝt, which is also the reading of a number of C manuscripts, is the reading adopted by Kane and Donaldson and Schmidt. Most B manuscripts have some form of "bought."]

[^42: G.1.184: Cr W Hm Y H also use the present tense of the verb "to kill." Remaining B manuscripts have either the preterite or the pluperfect.]

[^43: G.1.184: Very residual <e> on theyre.]

[^44: G.1.193: For the dropping of the g of unaccented -yng in original conynges, see H. C. Wyld, A History of Modern Colloquial English, 3rd ed. (Oxford, Basil Blackwell, 1953), 289-90, E. J. Dobson, English Pronunciation 1500-1700, 2 vols (Oxford, Clarendon Press, 1957), 950-1, Richard Jordan, Handbook of Middle English Grammar: Phonology, translated and revised by Eugene Joseph Crook (The Hauge: Mouton, 1974), § 175. Jordan suggests that the change occurred in the fourteenth century in the North and North Midlands, but in the fifteenth century in the South.]

[^45: G.1.196: The alteration from srewe to shrewe has been made in brown ink and is therefore clearly a later change. The form of the alteration, however, corresponds to that of similar changes made by the original scribe, see, e.g., that at G.1.89.]

[^46: G.1.199: The minims at the end of you are residual; basically just a horizontal line.]

[^47: G.1.200: Once again, G's minims are poorly defined. Kane and Donaldson read yo for G you.]

[^48: G.1.203: The alteration which results in colores brings G into line with the C version manuscripts. Remaining B manuscripts read coler.]

[^49: G.1.207: Compare with the apparent deletion of final <e> on owene at G.1.122. However, the presence of a hairline riser may suggest that the original final letter here was a sigma <s>.]

[^50: G.1.209: The alteration of <u> to <v> which results in devyne is in a different ink from the main body of such corrections and the form of the letter is more elaborate.]

[^51: G.1.209: The alteration of <u> to <v> in original heyuen has become just a residual brown smudge.]

[^52: G.1.214: Final <e> on myste has been added half above and half below the cross of the <t> so that this now also forms the cross of the <e>.]

[^53: G.1.220: Kane and Donaldson adopt G's reading "tinkers" (for remaining B manuscripts and tynkeres). The majority of A manuscripts also lack "and" at this point in the line, but their reading is otherwise different.]

[^54: G.1.224: The third and fourth minims of original emme have been changed to a <v> and a tail has been added to the fifth and sixth.]

What thys mownteyne meneth[^a146][^55] & the marke dale
& the feld full off folke I shall you fayre shew
mater ecclesia
a lo vely lady off lere In lynnen clothed[^a147]
came downe from a castell & called me fayre
& sayd so n ne[^56] slepest þou / seest thow thys poeple
how besy they bynne all[^a148][^57] a-bovte the mase
the most parte[^a149][^58] off þe[^a150] poeple that passeth on thys yerth
haue they worshyp In þis world they kepe[^a151] no better
off other hey ven then here / they tell[^a152] no tale
I was a-ferde off hyr face thogh she fayre were
& sayd mercy madame what ys thys to meyne
the to vr on[^a153] þe toft quod she tr vght ys thereynne
& wold þat ye wroght as hys worde teychyth
for he ys fadre off fayth that[^a154] formed you all
both wyth fell & wyth face & ga ve you fyve wyttes
for to wurshyp hym wyth[^a155][^59] wyle ye byne here
& therefore he heght /[^60] þe yerthe to helpe you echone
off wollen &[^a156] lynnen off ly velode att nede
In meysurable maner to make you att easse
& commanded on[^a157] hys co vrtesye In commen thre thynges
ere non nedefull but thys[^a158][^61] & neue ve neue[n]e[^a159][^62] theym I thynke
& reken theym by reyson &[^a160] reherce[^a161][^63] theym after
that on ys vesture from chele the to sa ve
and meyte att mele for mysease off thy-sel ven
and drynke when thow dryest but[^a162] do ytt[^a163][^64] not oft[^a164]
that thow worth the worse worche when thow[^a165] sh vldest
lott
for lott[^65] In hys ly ve days for lykyng off drynke
dyd by hys dowghters that the de vell lyked
delyted hym In drynk as the de vell wold
and leychery hym laght & lay by theym bothe
and all he wyted ytt[^a166] wyne that wyked dede
Inebriamus enim[^a167] vino dormiamus[^a168] cum eo
vt seruare possumus poss[i]mus[^a169][^66] de patre nostro semen
thr vgh wyne &[^a170] women ther was loth Incomebred[^a171][^67]
& th er gatt yn glotonye gerles that were cherl ye[^a172]
forthy drede deyl e ctable[^a173][^68] dryn ke & þou shalt do þe better
meys vre ys medycyne thogh[^a174] moche yerne
ytt ys not[^a175] good to the gost that the g vtt askethe
no ly velode to the[^a176] lygham that le ve ys to þe[^a177][^69] so vle[^70]
thys[^a178] ys þe wrecched world that wold[^a179] the betrey
for þe fend & thye flesshe folowen[^a180] to-geydder es
take thys In[^a181] thy so wle & sett[^a182] ytt yn thy herte
& for þou shuldest beware / I vyse[^a183] the the best
madame mercy quod I me lykyth well thy[^a184] wordes
butt[^a185] þe money In[^a186] thys mold that men so fast holden
tell to[^a187] whom madame that treys vre appendyth
go to the gospell quod she that god seyd hym-sel ven
when[^a188] the people hym apposed wyth a penne In the temple
wheyther they sh vld woreshyp therwyth cesar the kyng[^a189]
& god asked off theym off whom spake þe lett vre
& the Image lyke[^a190] þat / that[^a191] thereynne standyth
cesar[^a192][^71] þei seyden we see well[^a193][^72] echon
reddite cesari quod god that cesari belongeth[^a194]
& que sunt dei deo or elles do ye[^a195] yll
for ryghtfull reyson sh vld r vle you all
& kyndwytt be warden yo vr welth for to[^a196] kepe
and t vtor off yo vr treys vre & take you[^a197] att nede
for h vsbandrye & they holden to-gedders
then I freyned hyr fayre for hym that me made
+
that dongeon In the dale þat dredfull ys off syght
watt may ytt bemeyne[^a198][^73] madame I you beseche
that ys the castell off care wo-so coemythe therynne
may banne that he borne was to bodye &[^a199][^74] to so vle
therynne wonnyth a wyght that wrong ys I-hote
father off falshed & fo vnded ytt hym-sel ve
adam & eve he egged to ylle
covnceled keym to kyll hys brother
I vdas he Iaped wyth the[^a200] I ves syl ver
& sythen on a eller hanged hym after
he ys a[^a201][^75] lett er r off lo ve and lyethe to[^a202][^76] theym all
þat tr vsten on hys treys vre bytrayed ere[^a203][^77] sonest
þen had I wondre In my wytt whatt woman ytt were
that s oche wysse wordes off holye wrytt shewyd
and asked hyr on þe heye name or she thence yede
watt she was[^a204] wytterly thatt wysshed me so fayre
ecclesia
holych vrce I am quod she thow ovghtest me to knowe
I vndrefonged þe f vrst & þe thye[^a205] fayth tavght
thow[^a206][^78] broghtest me borowes my byddyng to fullfyll
& to lo ve me loyally / wyle[^a207] thye lyffe d vred[^a208] /
Than I crouched[^a209][^79] on my knes & cryed hyr off grace
& prayd hyr pytuo vsly to[^a210][^80] pray for my synnes
and also kenne me kyndly on cryste to bele ve
that I myght worchen hys wyll þat wroght me to man
teche me to no treyso vr butt telle me thys ylke
how I may sa ve my sovle that seynte are[^a211] holden[^a212]
when all[^81] treys ors are tryed[^a213][^82] tr vght ys the best
I do ytt on deus caritas to deme you[^a214] the sothe
ytt ys as derworthe a dr vry as dere god hym-sel ven
th..ty

[The word trew is underlined in the text (see G.2.89), suggesting that the marginal annotation may refer to this word.]

wo-so ys trew off hys tonge & telleth non other
& do[^a215] þe werkes therewyth & wyll[^a216] no man yll
he ys a god by the gospell o-gro vnd & o-loft[^83]
& lyke[^a217] to o vr lord by seynt l vke[^a218] wordes
the clerkes that knowe thys / sh vld kenne ytt abovte
for crystyen & vncrystyen cleymen ytt echon
kynges & knyghtes shold kepe ytt by reason
and ryden[^a219][^84] & rappe a-downe[^a220] In realmes a-bovte
and take trespacers[^a221] & tyen theym fast
tyll tr vght had termyned[^a222] hys[^a223] tresspas to þe end
and that ys[^a224] professyon apertely þat appendyth to knyghtes
and not to fast a fryday In fyue[^85] score wynters[^a225][^86]
butt hold wyth hym or[^a226] wyth hyr that asketh þe[^a227] tr vght
& neuer ley ve theym for lo ve ne[^a228] lacchyng off syl ver
For dauid In hys days dovbbed the[^a229] knyghtes[^87]
& dyd theym sweyre on hys[^a230] swerd to ser ve trught e ver
& wo-so passed that poynt was a-postyta In the ordre
but crist kyng off kynges[^a231] knyghted tenne
cherubin & seraphin suche sey ven & on other[^88]
& gaue theym myght In hys mageste the m yryer theym thoght
& ouer hys[^a232] meyny made theym[^89] arkangeles
&[^90] taw ght[^a233] þem by the trynyte the tr vght[^a234] for to[^a235] to knowe
to be b vx om att hys byddyng he bad theym noght elles
lucifer
l vcyfer[^91] wyth leygyons lerned ytt In hey ven
but for he brake b vxommenes hys blysse can[^a236] he tyne
and fell from that felowshyp In a fendes lykenes
In-to a depe darke hell to dwell there for e ver
& mo thowsandes wyth hym þen men[^a237] covld novmbre
lopen ovte wyth l vcyfer In lothlyche forme
for they ly veden[^a238] vpon hym that lyed In þis maner
ponam pedem meum[^a239] In aquilone et[^92] similis ero altissimo
and all that hoped ytt myght be so / no hey ven myght þem hold
butt fell ovte In fendes lykenes neyne days to-geddre
tyll god off hys goodnes gan stable & stynt
& garred the hey ven to steyke & stonden In q vyete
when þes wyked went ovte wondrefullyche[^a240] they fellen
some In eyre[^a241] some In yerthe some[^a242] In hell depe
butt[^a243] lucifer loest lyeth off theym all
For pryde that he p vtt ovte / hys peyne hath no end
& all that worchen wyth wrong wend they shall
after theyr deth day & dwell wyth that shrewe
butt[^a244] tho þat worchen well as holye wrytt tellyth
& enden as I here[^a245][^93] sayd In tr vght that ys the best
may be syker that theyre so vles shall wend to hey ven[^94]
theyre tr vght ys In trynyte coroned full fayre[^a246]
forthy I seyd[^a247] as I seyd[^a248] by syght off thees textes
when all treas vres are tryed tr vght ys the best
lerne[^a249] thys ye[^a250][^95][^96] lewde men for lettered men ytt knowen
that tr vght ys treaso vr[^a251][^97] tryedst[^a252] In[^a253] yerth
yet ha ve I no kynd knowyng[^a254] yet must ye kenne me bettre
by watt craft In my corpes ytt comseyth & where
thow doted dafte[^a255] quod she d vll are thy wyttys
lyt vll[^a256] laten thow lernedest lede In thy yovght
heu mihi quia sterylem duxi vitam iuuenilem
ytt ys a kynd knowyng quod she that comeyth[^a257] In thye herte
for to lo ve thy lord ley ver then thy-selffe
no deydly synne to do / dye thoght thow sh vldest
thys I trow be tr vght wo canne teyche the better
loke thow suffer hym to say / & sythen lere ytt after[^98]
For tr vght tellythe that lo ve ys treacle off hey ven
may no synne be on hym seene þat vseth that spyce
and[^a258] hys workes he wroght wyth lo ve as hym lyst
moises
and lered ytt moyses for þe le vest þing & most lyke to hey ven
and also the plente off pease most precyo vs off vertues
for hey ven myght not holden ytt / ytt was so hey vy off hymselfe
tyll ytt hadde off the yerthe ȝeten hys fyll
& whan ytt had off thys fold flesshe & blode taken
was neuer leyffe vpon lynde lyghter there-after
and portaty ve & percyant as the poynt off a nedle
that myght no arm vre[^99] ytt lett / ne non heye wallys
forthy ys lo ve leyder off þe lordys folke off hey ven
and a meyn as þe meyre[^a259] bytwene þe kyng & þe comm v ne
ryght so lo ve ys[^a260] a leydre & the law shapyth
vpon man for hys mysdeedes þe marcement he taxethe
for[^a261] to know lo ve[^a262] kyndly ytt comsethe by myght
and In the hert ys[^a263] they[^a264] he ved and they[^a265][^100] heye well
for In kynd knowyng off[^a266] herte begynnyth a myght[^a267]
and that falleth to the father that fo vrmed vs all
loked on vs wyth lo ve and leet hys so n ne dye
mekely for owre myssdedes to amend vs all
yet[^a268] wold he theym no wo / that wroght hym þat payne
but meke-lyche wyth mowthe marcy he besoght
to ha ve pytye on the[^a269] poeple that payned hym to dethe
here myghtest thow[^a270] se ensample[^a271] In hym-selfe onne
that he was myghty[^a272] & meke & mercy gan gra v a nt[^101]
to theym þat hanged theym[^a273] heye & hys herte thyrleden
forthy I reede you ryche ha ve re vgh on the poere
thogh ye be myghty[^a274][^102] to mote bees / meke o[^a275][^103] yo vrsel ven[^a276]
for the same meys vrs ye[^a277][^104] meyten amys or[^a278] elles
ye shalbe shal be wey en therwyth when ye wend hennce
eadem mensura qua mensi fueritis aliis remecietur[^a279] vobis
for thoght you[^a280][^105] be trew off yo vr tounge & trewlych wynne
& as chast as a chyld that In ch vrche lernyth[^a281]
but yff ye lo ve loyally & lene the poere
suych good as god sendyth you[^a282] / godlyche deperten[^a283]
ye ha ve[^a284] no more meyrytt In messez[^a285][^106] ne In ho vrs
than malkyn off hyr meydenheyd that no man desyryth
for Iames the gentyle I vgged In hys bokes
that fayth wyth -ovt dede[^a286] ys no-thyn g[^a287] worthy
fides
&[^a288] deyd as a dorre nayle[^a289][^107] wyth-o vte[^a290] þe dede[^a291] folow
fides sine operibus mortua est et cetera
castitas
for[^a292] chastyte wythowten charyte worth she ved[^a293] In hell
caritas
ytt ys as lewde as a lampe that no lyght ys ynne
many chapleynes are chast but[^a294] charyte ys away
are non[^a295][^108] herder[^a296] then they when þei ben ava vnced
vnkynd to theyr kynne and to all crystyen
they chewen[^a297] theyr charyte & chyden after more
s oche chastyte wyth-ovt charyte worth she ved[^a298] In hell
many c vrators kepen theym cleyne off theyre bodyes
they are acombered wyth co vytous[^a299] &[^a300] can not crye ovte[^a301]
auaricia
so hard hath a varyce[^109] hasped theym to-geydderes
& that ys no trewth off the trynyte / but trechery off hell
& lernyng to lewd men the latter to[^a302] delen
forthy thes wordes be wryten In þe gospell
date et dabitur vobis for I deyle you all
and & and[^a303] that ys the lock off lo ve / þat[^a304] lettyth owt my grace
to comfort þe carefull acombered wyth synne
lo ve ys lech off lyfe & next our lord hym-sel ve[^a305]
and also þe grayth gate that goyth In-to hey ven
forthy I say as I seyd er by syght off[^a306][^110] thes[^a307][^111] textes
when all treyso vrs are tr yed[^112] trught ys þe best
now I ha ve[^a308] told the watt tre vght ys &[^a309] no treyso vr better[^a310]
I may no lenger lenge[^a311] but[^a312] looke þe owre lord
explicit secundus passus de visione

[^a146: meneth (G F) | bymeneth (all other mss)]

[^a147: clothed (G Cr1 H) | yclothed (all other mss)]

[^a148: bynne all (G M Cr W Hm) | ben (all other mss)]

[^a149: parte (G Cr H) | partie (all other mss)]

[^a150: þe (G H) | þis (all other mss)]

[^a151: kepe (G) | wilne (most mss)]

[^a152: they tell (G) | holde þei (all other mss)]

[^a153: on (G W Hm H) | vp (most mss)]

[^a154: fayth that (G Hm) | feith (most mss)]

[^a155: wyth (G F H) | þer-with (all other mss)]

[^a156: & (G F) | of (all other mss)]

[^a157: on (G C2) | of (all other mss)]

[^a158: thys (G) | þo (most mss)]

[^a159: neue ve neue[n]e (G) | nempne (most mss)]

[^a160: reyson & (G) | resoun (most mss)]

[^a161: reherce (G Y) | reherse ye (most mss)]

[^a162: but (G F H) | ac (most mss)]

[^a163: do ytt (G F H) | do (all other mss)]

[^a164: oft (G) | out of resoun (most mss)]

[^a165: worche when thow (G) | whan þow worche (most mss)]

[^a166: ytt (G L R F) | it þe (most mss)]

[^a167: enim (G) | eum (all other mss)]

[^a168: dormiamus (G) | dormiamus-que (all other mss)]

[^a169: possumus poss[i]mus (G F) | possimus (all other mss)]

[^a170: & (G Cr F H) | and þorw (all other mss)]

[^a171: Incomebred (G Hm) | acombred (all other mss)]

[^a172: cherl ye (G) | cherlis (most mss)]

[^a173: deyl e ctable (G Cr C2 H) | delitable (all other mss)]

[^a174: thogh (G) | þouȝ þow (most mss)]

[^a175: not (G) | nauȝt al (all other mss)]

[^a176: the (G) | þi (all other mss)]

[^a177: þe (G M Y) | þi (O C2 R F)]

[^a178: thys (G) | That (most mss)]

[^a179: that wold (G H) | wolde (most mss)]

[^a180: folowen (G W Hm H) | folweth þe (all other mss)]

[^a181: take thys In (G) | This and þat seest (most mss)]

[^a182: sett (G C) | seith (most mss)]

[^a183: vyse (G) | wisse (most mss)]

[^a184: thy (G) | ȝowre (all other mss)]

[^a185: butt (G F H) | Ac (most mss)]

[^a186: In (G) | on (Hm F) | of (most mss)]

[^a187: to (G) | me to (all other mss)]

[^a188: when (G C F H) | Tho (most mss)]

[^a189: woreshyp therwyth cesar the kyng (G) | þer-with worschip þe kyng Sesar (most mss)]

[^a190: lyke (G) | ilyke (most mss)]

[^a191: þat / that (G) | þat (all other manuscripts)]

[^a192: cesar (G C H) | Cesaris (most mss)]

[^a193: well (G H) | hym wel (most mss)]

[^a194: belongeth (G Cr) | longyth (H) | bifalleth (most mss)]

[^a195: do ye (G) | ȝe done (all other mss)]

[^a196: for to (G) | to (all other mss)]

[^a197: you (G Cr) | it ȝow (most mss)]

[^a198: bemeyne (G Cr3 C2 F H) | be to mene (all other mss)]

[^a199: & (G O C2 H) | or (all other mss)]

[^a200: wyth the (G F H) | with (all other mss)]

[^a201: ys a (G) | is (all other mss)]

[^a202: lyethe to (G) | lyeth (most mss)]

[^a203: bytrayed ere (G R F) | bitrayeth he (most mss)]

[^a204: was (G F) | were (all other mss)]

[^a205: þe thye (G) | þe (most mss)]

[^a206: thow (G Cr F H) | and thu (Hm O C2) | And (L M W C Y)]

[^a207: wyle (G H) | þe while (most mss)]

[^a208: d vred (G) | dureth (most mss)]

[^a209: crouched (G) | courbed (most mss)]

[^a210: pytuo vsly to (G Hm R F H) | pitousely (all other mss)]

[^a211: are (G) | art (all other mss)]

[^a212: holden (G Cr23 Y) | yholden (all other mss)]

[^a213: tryed (G C) | Itryed (O C2) | tried quod she (most mss)]

[^a214: deme you (G) | deme (all other mss)]

[^a215: do (G) | doth (most mss)]

[^a216: wyll (G Cr H) | wilneth (all other mss)]

[^a217: lyke (G Cr C) | ylike (all other mss)]

[^a218: l vke (G) | lukes (all other mss)]

[^a219: and ryden (G F) | Riden (all other mss)]

[^a220: a-downe (G O C2 R) | down (all other mss)]

[^a221: trespacers (G) | transgressores (most mss)]

[^a222: termyned (G Cr Hm) | ytermyned (most mss)]

[^a223: hys (G) | her (all other mss)]

[^a224: ys (G W) | is þe (most mss)]

[^a225: wynters (G) | wynter (all other mss)]

[^a226: or (G) | er (F) | & (all other mss)]

[^a227: asketh þe (G) | wolden al (all other mss)]

[^a228: ne (G) | ne for (all other mss)]

[^a229: dovbbed the (G) | dubbed (most mss)]

[^a230: hys (G Hm H) | here (most mss)]

[^a231: kyng off kynges (G Cr) | kingene kynge (most mss)]

[^a232: hys (G) | his mene (all other mss)]

[^a233: & taw ght (G F H) | Tauȝte (all other mss)]

[^a234: the tr vght (G) | treuthe (all other mss)]

[^a235: for to (G H) | to (all other mss)]

[^a236: can (G Cr) | gan (all other mss)]

[^a237: men (G H) | man (most mss)]

[^a238: ly veden (G) | leueden (most mss)]

[^a239: pedem meum (G O C2) | sedem meam (H) | pedem (all other mss)]

[^a240: wondrefullyche (G) | wonderwise (most mss)]

[^a241: eyre (G L Cr Hm) | þe Eyr (W C H) | erthe (Y R) | þerthe (M O C2 F)]

[^a242: some (G) | & somme (all other mss)]

[^a243: butt (G F) | And (Cr C2 C H) | Ac (all other mss)]

[^a244: butt (G) | Ac (most mss)]

[^a245: here (G) | ere (most mss)]

[^a246: coroned full fayre (G) | and troneth hem alle (most mss)]

[^a247: seyd (G) | sey (most mss)]

[^a248: seyd (G) | seide ere (most mss)]

[^a249: lerne (G Cr) | Lereth (all other mss)]

[^a250: thys ye (G F) | it ye (M) | it þis (most mss)]

[^a251: treaso vr (G M) | tresore þe (most mss)]

[^a252: tryedst (G M Cr23) | triest (most mss)]

[^a253: In (G) | on (most mss)]

[^a254: knowyng (G Hm H) | knowing quod I (all other mss)]

[^a255: dafte (G) | daffe (most mss)]

[^a256: lyt vll (G) | To litel (most mss)]

[^a257: comeyth (G F H) | kenneth (most mss)]

[^a258: and (G) | And alle (most mss)]

[^a259: meyre (G) | Maire is (all other mss)]

[^a260: lo ve ys (G) | is loue (all other mss)]

[^a261: for (G) | And for (all other mss)]

[^a262: lo ve (G) | it (all other mss)]

[^a263: ys (G F) | þere is (all other mss)]

[^a264: they (G) | þe (all other mss)]

[^a265: they (G) | þe (all other mss)]

[^a266: off (G) | in (all other mss)]

[^a267: begynnyth a myght (G) | þere a myȝte bigynneth (most mss)]

[^a268: yet (G) | And ȝet (all other mss)]

[^a269: the (G F) | þat (all other mss)]

[^a270: myghtest thow (G C O C2 Y) | myȝtow (Most mss)]

[^a271: ensample (G W C F) | ensamples (most mss) | example (Cr3 H)]

[^a272: myghty (G) | miȝtful (most mss)]

[^a273: theym (G) | him an (most mss)]

[^a274: myghty (G Cr) | myȝtful (all other mss)]

[^a275: o (G) | in (all other mss)]

[^a276: sel ven (G) | werkes (most mss)]

[^a277: ye (G H) | þat ȝe (all other mss)]

[^a278: or (G) | other (all other mss)]

[^a279: aliis remecietur (G) | remecietur (all other mss)]

[^a280: you (G) | ȝe (all other mss)]

[^a281: lernyth (G) | wepeth (all other mss)]

[^a282: sendyth you (G) | ȝow sent (most mss)]

[^a283: deperten (G Hm) | parteth (most mss)]

[^a284: ha ve (G M Cr F H) | ne haue (all other mss)]

[^a285: messez (G) | masse (all other mss)]

[^a286: dede (G H) | þe faite (most mss)]

[^a287: no-thyn g (G F) | riȝte no-þinge (most mss)]

[^a288: & (G H) | And as (most mss)]

[^a289: nayle (G H) | tre (all other mss)]

[^a290: wyth-o vte (G) | but ȝif (all other mss)]

[^a291: dede (G) | dedes (all other mss)]

[^a292: for (G M) | For-thi (most mss)]

[^a293: she ved (G) | cheyned (most mss)]

[^a294: but (G F H) | ac (most mss)]

[^a295: non (G F) | no men (most mss)]

[^a296: herder (G) | auarousere (most mss)]

[^a297: they chewen (G F) | Chewen (most mss)]

[^a298: she ved (G) | cheyned (most mss)]

[^a299: co vytous (G) | coueitise (all other mss)]

[^a300: & (G H) | þei (most mss)]

[^a301: crye ovte (G) | out crepe (F) | crepe out (H) | don it fram hem (most mss)]

[^a302: to (G F H) | for to (all other mss)]

[^a303: and & and (G) | And (all other mss)]

[^a304: þat (G M Cr F H) | and (all other mss)]

[^a305: hym-sel ve (G Hm Y H) | selue (most mss)]

[^a306: by syght off (G H) | by (all other mss)]

[^a307: thes (G Hm) | þe (all other mss)]

[^a308: I ha ve (G) | haue I (all other mss)]

[^a309: & (G) | þat (most mss)]

[^a310: better (G) | is bettere (all other mss)]

[^a311: lenge (G) | lenge þe with (most mss)]

[^a312: but (G) | now (most mss)]

[^55: G.2.1: The G F reading meneth (for remaining B manuscripts bymeneth) is shared by several A manuscripts.]

[^56: G.2.5: The spelling which results from the addition of the macron (which is in the same brown ink as the u to v alterations) results in a spelling (sonne) corresponding to that normally used by the original scribe (see Introduction III.2).]

[^57: G.2.6: The shared G M Cr W Hm reading bynne all results from correction in M (the addition of alle by hand2). Remaining B manuscripts read ben.]

[^58: G.2.7: The G Cr H reading parte need not necessarily be considered a substantive variant. It may simply be a spelling of "party" (the reading of remaining B manuscripts) following the pattern of words such as pite (="pity") or words with -te suffixes such as "loyalty" and "plenty." For similar variants, see G.16.17. It seems unlikely, however, that the form parte can have originated with the G scribe, since he uses final -e for rather different purposes (see Introduction III.2), while the OED suggests that forms of "party" in -e died out during the fifteenth century. For a reading suggesting that the G scribe found -e = -y confusing (saffett for "safety"), see G.8.36. The scribe does also use spellings in <y>; see, e.g., partye at G.18.307.]

[^59: G.2.16: There is a small mark here in black ink, possibly an added punctuation mark.]

[^60: G.2.17: Only the bottom of this virgule is visible and it is not clear that the mark is intentional.]

[^61: G.2.21: For a possible source for the G reading thys (for most manuscripts þo), note the C reading thyo with cancelled <y>.]

[^62: G.2.21: G regularly has forms in neuen- for nempn-. Since the former is of Scandinavian origin and is a predominantly northern word, its use may reflect earlier northern influence, but the G scribe himself clearly does not recognise the word neuen- since, when he makes his later corrections, he regularly alters to neuev-. See further Introduction III.4.1.]

[^63: G.2.22: Manuscript M originally shared the G Y reading reherce, but ye has been added later. Most manuscripts read reherse ye.]

[^64: G.2.25: The majority of A manuscripts share the G F H reading do ytt, which is adopted by Kane and Donaldson. Most B manuscripts read do.]

[^65: G.2.27: Two dots (like a colon) follow the word lott, one above and one below the cross bar of the <t>. The presence of marginal lott suggests that they may be there for emphasis. Since they are in brown ink, they have probably been added by the scribe when he was engaged in his later spelling corrections (hand1.1).]

[^66: G.2.33: Given the G scribe's general carelessness with minims, it is difficult to draw any firm conclusions from the shared G F reading possumus. Remaining manuscripts read possimus .]

[^67: G.2.34: The G Hm form Incomebred (beside remaining B manuscripts acombred) is shared by a number of C manuscripts, but the variation, in the case of G at least, may be a matter of date: according to the OED, accumber does not appear after 1600.]

[^68: G.2.36: The change from deylytable to deylectable, apparently made by the original scribe as part of his programme of spelling corrections (i.e. by hand1.1), may reflect the date of the copy, since the OED does not record any instances of "delitable" after 1520.]

[^69: G.2.39: L W Hm C have no witness for Bx þi, G M Y þe, since they lack the b-verse of KD.1.37 and the a-verse of KD.1.38.]

[^70: G.2.39: G and F omit a line at this point ("Leue not þi likam . for a liere hym tec[heþ]"). In M, the line appears in the margin in a later hand. For readings in L W Hm C, see previous note.]

[^71: G.2.52: Most B manuscripts read Cesaris, but the G C H reading cesar is also the reading of most A manuscripts. For G's relationship with A, see Introduction II.2.2.]

[^72: G.2.52: Most A manuscripts share the G H reading well, which is adopted by Kane and Donaldson. Most B manuscripts read hym wel.]

[^73: G.2.61: The G Cr3 C2 F H reading bemeyne, which is adopted by Kane and Donaldson, is also found in the majority of C manuscripts and in a number of A manuscripts (J Ra Ha K Ma). Remaining B manuscripts read be to mene.]

[^74: G.2.63: Most C manuscripts share the G O C2 H reading &. Remaining B manuscripts read or.]

[^75: G.2.70: Kane and Donaldson state that added <a> is in the same ink as that used for the original transcription, but in fact it is browner.]

[^76: G.2.70: Despite what Kane and Donaldson say, added to is in browner ink.]

[^77: G.2.71: The G R F reading bytrayed ere, which is adopted by Kane and Donaldson, agrees with that of most A manuscripts. Most B manuscripts read bitrayeth he.]

[^78: G.2.78:The G Cr F H reading thow, which is adopted by Kane and Donaldson, is also the reading of A and C. Remaining B manuscripts read And or and thu.]

[^79: G.2.80: Added crouched has a <u> instead of a <v> which might suggest a scribe other than main corrector. The alteration, in any case, clearly post-dates the <u> to <v> changes, since the word which this addition replaces (covrbed) has already been subject to this type of correction. Note also that the form of the <c> differs from that normally employed by the main scribe but resembles that used in the reference on 106v, which in turn seems likely to have been written by "WH," who initials marginalia on ff.69v, 72v and in the margin of the Table of Contents on f.103. See also the signature on f.20r, although the latter is more formal.]

[^80: G.2.81: The G Hm R F H reading "piteously to" (for remaining manuscripts "piteously"), is also the reading of the majority of A manuscripts, and is adopted by Kane and Donaldson.]

[^81: G.2.86: The addition of all brings G's reading into line with that of the remaining B manuscripts.]

[^82: G.2.86: The G C reading tryed (for most B manuscripts tried quod she), which is adopted by Kane and Donaldson, is also that of the majority of A and C manuscripts. It should be noted, however, that it is not unusual for G to lose "quod" clauses (see readings at G.6.240, G.6.261, G.6.490 etc.).]

[^83: G.2.91: The colour of the ink makes it clear that these hyphens are later additions.]

[^84: G.2.96: The G F reading and ryden (for all other B manuscripts Riden) corresponds to that of Ax.]

[^85: G.2.100: The <f> of fyue appears to have been altered from something else, possibly the first stroke of a <w>.]

[^86: G.2.100: According to the OED, the plural form of "winter" without inflexion (i.e. the form found in all manuscripts apart from G) died out during the sixteenth century.]

[^87: G.2.103: A letter <h> has been written in the bottom right hand margin. This cannot be a quire signature, but it may reflect numbering of the pages (this is the eighth page of the text). There is no evidence for such letters elsewhere, but some may possibly have been lost as the result of cropping.]

[^88: G.2.107: The alteration of other to on other results in a reading which corresponds to that of L M Cr23 C O C2 Y. Remaining manuscripts read "other."]

[^89: G.2.109: The minims here are not well-defined; the <m> looks very like an <n>.]

[^90: G.2.110: The added ampersand is in brown ink, and therefore at first sight seems likely to have been added by the original scribe as part of his programme of corrections. The form, however, is unusual; see material at the top of f.106v, which in turn seems likely to have been written by "WH," who initials marginalia on ff.69v and 72v, and in the margin of the Table of Contents on f.103.]

[^91: G.2.112: The word lvcifer has been partly boxed in brown ink, presumably not as part of the original transcription but at the time of the <u> to <v> corrections.]

[^92: G.2.119: The original here may have been sul or sil, i.e. the abbreviation for m in similis may not have been noticed. The deletion of s.. has been made both in red and in the usual grey ink.]

[^93: G.1.131: M originally shared G's reading here, but this was a spurious agreement since in M's case the form was simply a spelling variant for most manuscripts ere, later corrected by the M reviser. G's spelling practice suggests that his variant is substantive. See Eric Eliason, Thorlac Turville-Petre and Hoyt N. Duggan, eds, Piers Plowman Electronic Archive, vol.5: London, British Library MS Additional 35287 (M) (Woodbridge: D. S. Brewer for SEENET and the Medieval Academy of America, 2005), note to this line.]

[^94: G.2.132: The alteration of the <u> of original heyuen to <v> is now just a residual brown smudge.]

[^95: G.2.136: In the case of M's reading it ye (corresponding to G F thys ye, most manuscripts it þis), the word ye has been added in a later hand over an erasure.]

[^96: G.2.136: The scribe appears to have tried to change <y> of original ley- to <w> and then decided to rewrite the whole word as lewde.]

[^97: G.2.137: Most A manuscripts (though not Ra U E) share the G M reading treasour. Most B manuscripts read tresore þe.]

[^98: G.2.147: G Cr W Hm H omit a line at this point ("For thus witnesseth his worde · worcheth þow þere-after").]

[^99: G.2.158: The second letter of armure has been altered from a 2-shaped <r> to a long <r> by the original scribe at the time of writing.]

[^100: G.2.164: G they for remaining manuscripts þe may be a back formation resulting from the occasional appearance in G of þe as a weak form of they. See Introduction III.1.]

[^101: G.2.173: For use of otiose superscript <a> by the original scribe, see note to G.3.157. The similar practice by the brown ink corrector suggests that he and the original scribe were the same person. See Introduction IV.1.1.]

[^102: G.2.176: All A manuscripts except Ha and all C manuscripts except Dc Mc share the G Cr reading myghty, which is adopted by Kane and Donaldson. Remaining B manuscripts read miȝtful.]

[^103: G.2.176: Kane and Donaldson read the result of the correction of original off as of, i.e. they take the view that only one <f> has been deleted. This is possible but it would be unusual: forms of "of" with -ff are common in G and do not normally attract the attention of the corrector.]

[^104: G.2.177: Most A manuscripts share the G H reading ye (for remaining B manuscripts þat ȝe).]

[^105: G.2.180.: G sometimes has the form you for the nominative where, as here, other manuscripts read ȝe. See G.5.148, G.6.580, G.7.10, G.7.132 etc. and Introduction III.1.]

[^106: G.2.184: Added <ȝ> on messez is in slightly browner ink than the original. As the original scribe does not normally use yogh for the plural, it seems unlikely that he is responsible for this change. For material by hand2, i.e. "WH," see marginalia on ff.69v, 70, 71 and 72v, as well as in the Table of Contents (f.103). It also seems likely that the note on f.106v was by the same commentator.]

[^107: G.2.188: All A and C manuscripts share the G H reading nayle, which is adopted by Kane and Donaldson. Remaining B manuscripts read tre.]

[^108: G.2.193: All A manuscripts except Ra D V J K Wa N and all C manuscripts except Q share the G F reading non, which is adopted by Kane and Donaldson. Most B manuscripts read no men.]

[^109: G.2.199: Kane and Donaldson read the deleted letter as the prefix of the following past participle (hasped) but, whatever it was originally, it has clearly been crossed out.]

[^110: G.2.208: The G H reading by syght off is shared by most A and C manuscripts, and is the reading adopted by Kane and Donaldson. Remaining B manuscripts read by.]

[^111: G.2.208: The A manuscripts Ra U Ch H2 J E K and all C manuscripts except for Dc P Sc share the G Hm reading thes (for remaining B manuscripts þe).]

[^112: G.2.209: A tail has been added to the <u> of original trued to form tryed.]

Iet co vrbed I[^a313] on my knes & cryed hyr off grace
and sayd marcy madame for mercy[^a314] lo ve off hey ven
that bare that blysfull barne that boght vs on[^a315] rode
kenne me by some craft for to[^a316] kenne[^a317] the false
loke vpon thy left hal ve lo[^a318] where he stondyth
both false & fauinell[^a319][^113] and theyr fers many
I loked on my left hal ve as the ladye me tavght
and was warre off a voman wonderslyche[^a320] clothed[^a321]
p vrfelyd wyth pelo vre the fynest vpon yerthe[^114]
coroned[^a322] wyth a crovne the kyng hath no better
Feytlyche Feyt[is]lyche[^a323] hyr fyngers were fretted wyth rynges[^a324]
& ther-on red r vbyes as red as any glede
and dyamontes off derrest pryce & dowble maner saphyres
oryentales and ewages enue nymes to dystroye
hyr robe was full ryche off red skarlett Ingreyned
wyth rybandes off red gold & off rych stonys
hyr arrey me ra vyshed s vch ryches saght[^115] I neuer
I had wondre watt she was & woos wyfe she were
watt ys thys woman quod I so worthyly attyred
that ys mede the mayden[^a325] hath[^a326] noyed me f vll offt
and lakked[^a327] my lemman that loyalte ys hoten
and alyed[^a328] hyr wyth[^a329] lordes that lawys have to kepe
In the popes palys she ys pry ve as my-sel ve
butt sothnes wold not so / for she ys a bastard
for falsee[^116] was hyr father that hath a fykle to vnge
and neuer soth sayd sythen he cam to yerthe
and mede ys manerryd after hym ryght as kynd asketh
qualis pater talis filius bona[^117] arbor bonum fructum facit
I owght ben hyer then she I cam off the[^a330] better
my father the greyte god ys & gro vndre[^a331] off all graces
on god wyth-ovt begynnyng[^a332] & I hys owne[^a333] doghter
and hath gy ven mercy[^a334][^118] to mary wyth my-sel ven
and watt man be marsyfull and leally me lo ve
shalbe shal be my lord and I hys leefe In the he hey ven
& watt man taketh mede my heyd dare I ley
that he shall lese for hyr lo ve a lomp[^a335] off leall[^a336] charyte[^a337]
how constr ved[^a338] dauid the kyng off men that take mede
& men off thys mold that meynteyne tr vght
& how ye sh old[^a339] sa ve yo vr-selffe þe sa vter beyryth wyttnes
domine quis habitabit In tabernaculo tuo & cetera
and now worth thys mede maryed[^a340] to[^a341][^119] a[^a342] shrewe
to on fals fykell to vnge a feendes feere[^a343]
Fa vuell[^120] thr vgh hys fayre spech hath þis folke Inchanted
and all ys lyers ledyng that she ys th vs wedded[^a344]
to-morow worth I-made the meyden[^a345] brydall
ther[^a346][^121] myghtest þou[^a347] wytt yff þou wylt wyche þei bynne all
that longen to that lordshyp the lasse & the more
know theym ther yff þou kannest & kepe thow thy ton ge
& lack theym noght but lett theym worth tyll loyalte be I vstece
and ha ve poyer to p vnnyche theym þat[^a348] put forth thy reason
now I bekenne the cryst quod she & hys cleyne modre
& lett no conscyence combre[^a349] þe for co vetyse off mede
Th vs leyft me þat ladye lyggyng on slepe
and how mede was maryed[^a350] In meytayles me thoght
that all the rych reyte n naunce[^122] þat reynyth wyth the fals
were byden[^a351][^123] to the brydeale on both[^124] to sydys
off all maner off men þe meyne & the ryche
to marye thys meyden was many man assembled
as off knygtes and off clerkes & other comen poeple
as syso vrs & somonors shrey vys & theyr clarkys
bydyles & belyffs and brodIors off chaffeyre
Forgoers & vyte lers[^a352] / ad vocates[^a353] off þe arches
I can not rekne þe ro vte that ranne a-bovte mede
but[^a354] symonye and cy vyll & syso vrs off co vrtes[^125]
were most pry vye wyth mede off any men me thoght
butt[^a355] fa vuell[^a356][^126] was þe f vrst þat sett[^a357] hyr ovte off bowre
and as a brodger broght hyr / to be wyth[^127] fals enIoyned
when symonye & cy vyll[^128] seyd to[^a358][^129] here[^130] both t h..re[^a359][^131] wylles[^a360]
they assented for syl ver to say as both wold
then lepe lyer forth & sayd low here a charter
that gyle wyth hys greyte othys gave them to-gedder
& preyd symonye[^a361] to se & cy vyll[^a362] to reede ytt
then symonye & cy vyll standen forth both
& vnfoldyth the feoffament that fals had[^a363][^132] made[^a364]
& th vs begynnen thes gomes to reden[^a365][^133] full hye
Siant S[c]iant[^a366] presentes et futuri et cetera
wytteth & wyttnessyth that wonien vpon[^a367] yerth
that mede ys maryed more for hyr goodes
then for any vert ve off fayrnes or any fre kynd
falsnes ys feyne off hyr for he woott hyr ryche
& fa vinell[^a368][^134] wyth hys Fylke Fy[k]le[^a369] speche Feyffyth by hys[^a370] charter
to be pryncys In pryde and po verte to dyspysse
to backbyto vrs[^a371] & to bosten & beyre fals wyttnes
to scorne & to skold and sclandre to make
vnbuxome & bold to breke the tenne hestys
and the erldome off en vye & wrath to-gedders
wyth þe chastylett off chest & chateryng ovt off reason
the co vn nte[^135] off co vetous[^a372] & all the costes a-bovte
that ys vsure & a varyce all I theym gra vnte
In bargaynes &[^a373][^136] brokages wyth all þe burgh off theyft
& all the lordshyp off leychery In lenght & In breyde
as In workes and In wordes & weytyng[^a374][^137] off[^a375][^138] eyene
and In wedes & In wysshynges & wyth Idle thoghtys
ther as wyll wold & workmanshyp faylyth
glotonye he gaffe them yke & greyte othes to-geddre
and all day to drynke att dyuers tauerens
and ther to Iangell &[^a376] Iape & I vge theyr e ven-crystyen
and on[^a377] fastyng[^139] days to freet er full tyme were
and then to sytten & sowpen tyll slepe theym assayle
and breden as b vrgh swyne & bedden theym eassely
tyll sloghte and slepe sleken hys sydes
and then wanhope to awake theym[^a378] wyth[^a379] no wyll to amend
for he le veth to be[^a380] lost þis ys theyre last end
and[^a381] to ha ve & to hol d[^140] & theyr heyrs after
a dwellyng wyth þe de vell and damned for[^a382] euer
wyth[^a383] þe app vrtenances[^a384] off p vrgatory to[^a385] the payn[^a386] off hell
yeldyng for thys thyng[^141] att on yers end
theyre soules vn-to[^a387] sathan to suffer wyth hym peynes
& wyth hym to wonne wyth[^a388] wo / wyle god ys yn hey ven
In wyttnes off wych thyng wrong was the f vrst
& pers þe perdoner off pa vlyns doctryne
bett þe byddell off B vkyngam-shyre[^142]
reynold the re ve off r vttland sokne
m v nd þe mylner[^143] & many mo other
In þe date off þe de vell thys dede I Inseale[^a389]
by syght off syr simonye & cy vyles ley ve
then tened hym theologie when he þis tale herd
and sayd to cy vyle now sorow mote you[^a390][^144] ha ve
s oyche weddyng[^a391][^145] to worche to wrath wyth tr vght
and er thys weddyng be wroght wo the betyde
For mede not a[^a392] mulyer & off[^a393] amendes engendred
and god gra vntyth to gyue mede vn-to[^a394] trught
and thow hast gy ven hyr to a gylo vr[^a395] lord[^a396] gy ve þe sorowe
the[^a397] texte tellyth þe natt so tr vght wott þe sothe
for dignus est operarius hys hyre for to[^a398] ha ve
& thow hast fast hyr wyth[^a399][^146] false fye on thy lawe
for all by leysynges þou ly vest & leychero vs workes
simony & thy-sel ve shenden holye churche
thees[^a400] notaryes & ye noyen offt[^a401] the poeple
ye shall byggen[^a402] yt both by god þat me made
well ye wytten wernerdes butt yff your wytt fayle
þat fals ys Faythles & fykell In hys workes
and was a bastard borne[^a403] off belsab vbes kynne
and mede ys a[^a404] m vlyer a meyden off good
and myght kysse þe kyng for cosyn & she sh vld[^a405]
forthy worchyth by wyssdome & by wytt also
and leyde hyr to london there ys ytt[^a406] y-shoyde
yff any law wyll loke they lyggen to-gedder
and yff[^a407] I vstyces I vggen hyr to be Ioyned to[^a408] Fals
yet be ware off the[^a409] weddyng for wytty ys trught
and coscyence co[n]scyence[^a410] ys a[^a411] co vncell & knowyth you echonne
and yff he Fynd you In defa vte & wyth þe Fals hold
ytt shalbe sytt shal besytt your so vles full sore[^a412][^147] atthe at the last
hyr-to assentyth cy vyle[^148] butt[^a413] simonye ne wold
tyll he had syl ver for hys servyce & also þe notaryes
then fett Fa vvnell[^a414][^149] forth floreynses[^a415] ynowe
& bad gyle go gy ve gold all a-bovte
& namelych to þes[^a416] notaryes þat theym non fayle
and feoffe fals wyttnes wyth florenses[^a417] Inowe
for þei may[^150][^151] mede master[^a418] & maken att my wyll
tho thys gold was ge ve greyte was þe thankyng
to fals & to Fa vvnell[^a419][^152] For þer fayre gyftes
& came to comforten from care the Fals
and seyden certes syr ceasse shall we neuer
tyll mede be thy weddyd wyffe thrught wytt[^a420][^153] off vs all
for we ha ve mede[^154][^155] mastred[^a421] wyth o vr mery speche
that she graaunt yth[^156] to goon wyth a good wyll
to london to loke yff[^a422] the lawe wold
Iugge you Ioyntly In Ioy for euer
then was falsnes Fayne & Fa vvnell[^a423][^157] as blythe
to[^a424] lett somone all the[^a425][^158] seggys In þe shyre[^a426] abovte
and bad theym all to be[^a427] bowne beggers & other
to wend wyth theym to westmy n ster[^159] to wyttnes þis dede
but[^a428] then cared they for caples to caryen theym thydder
and Fa vvnell[^a429][^160] fatt forth[^a430] fooles Inowe
and sett mede on[^a431][^161] a shre ve shod all a-newe[^a432]
and fals sat on a sysour þat softlye trottyd
and fa vvnell[^a433][^162] on a flatterer feytlyche[^a434] attyred
tho had notaryes non / anoyyd therewyth[^a435]
for[^163] simony & cy vyll sh old on theyre feette gang
and[^a436] then[^164] sware symonye & cy vyll both
that somoners sh vld be sadeled & ser ve þem echonne
and lett apparell[^a437][^165] pro vysours In palfreys wyse
syr symonye hym-sel ve shall sytt on[^a438] theyr backes
deynes & subdeanes draw you to-gedders
archdeykens & offycyalles & all your regesters
lett sadle theym wyth syl ver our synnys[^a439] to suffer
as avovtrye & de vorses and derne vsurye
to beyre bysshopes a-bovte a-brode In wysytyng
paulynes poeple[^a440][^166] For pleyntes In constorye[^a441][^167]
sh vld[^a442] ser ve my-selue that cy vyll ys neue ved neue[n]ed[^a443]
and cartsadle our com y ssary our cart shall he leyde
and facchen vs wytayles att fornycato vrs[^a444][^168]
and make off lyers[^a445] a long carte to leyden all þes other
as freres and feyto vrs þat on theyr fete rennen
and th vs fals & fa vvnell[^a446][^169] faren forth to-gedders
and mede[^170] In the mydyst & all thys meyny[^a447] after
I ha ve no tome to tell you[^a448] the ta ylle that hyr[^a449] folowythe[^171]
butt[^a450] gyle was forgoer & gyded[^a451][^172] theym all
sothnes seethe[^a452] þem well and seyd butt lytell
and pryked hys palfrey & passed theym all
and came to þe kynges co vrt & conscyence told[^a453]
and conscyence to the kyng karped ytt after
now by cryst quod the kyng yff[^a454] I cache myght
Fals &[^a455] fa vvnell[^a456][^173] or any off theyre[^a457] feres
I wold be wroken on[^a458] tho wrecchys þat worchen so yll
& done theym hang by þe hals & all that theym meynteynthe[^174]
shall neuer man on thys mold meympryce[^175] the lest
butt ryght as the lawe wyll looke lett fall on theym all
and commaunde[^a459][^176] a conestable þat he[^a460] come att the fyrst
to attache tho tyrantes for any thyng I hoote
& fetter fast falsnes For anykyns any kyns gyftes
and gyrd off gyles heyd & let hym go no f vrther
and yff they[^a461][^177] lache lyer / let hym not eskapen
er he be putt on the pyllorye for any preaer[^a462]
and bryng mede vn-to[^a463] me mavgre theym all
drede at the dore stoode and the dome herd
how[^a464] the kyng commanded constables & sergeantes
falsnes & hys felawshyp to fettren &[^a465] bynden
then drede went wythlyche & warned the fals
and bad hym flee for fere and hys felowys all
falsnes for fere[^a466][^178] fleydd to the freres
and gyle doyth hym to go agast for to dye
but[^a467] marcheantes mett wyth hym & made hym abyde
& sett[^a468] hym In theyre shoppes to shoeuen theyr ware
appareled hym as a prentys the poeple to ser ve
lyghtlyche lyer lept a-wa y thence[^a469][^179]
l vrkyng thr vgh lanys . to-l vgged off many
he was more[^a470] wellcome for hys many mery tales[^a471]
o ver all I omyted[^a472][^180] & hoted[^a473] to c vrse[^a474]
tyll perdoners had pyte & p vlled hym In-to ho vse
they[^181] wysshen hym & wypen[^a475] hym & wond hym In clo vtes
and sen dden[^a476][^182] hym wyth seales on sondays to ch vrches
and gaffe perdon for pence po vndemayle[^183] abovte
then lo vred leches & letters they sent
that he sh vld wone wyth theym waters to looke
spycers speken wyth hym to spyen theyr ware
For he co vthe off theyr crafte &[^184] knewe many goomes[^185]
but[^a477] mynstrelles & messyngers mett wyth hym onnes
& helden[^a478] a halfe yere & a-ley ven days
freres wyth fayre speche fett hym thence
& for knoyng off commers coped hym as a frere
but[^a479] he hath ley ve to lepe ovt as oft as hym lykyth
and ys welcoem when he wole & wonnyth wyth theym oft
all they rest[^a480][^186] fledden for fere & flyen[^a481] In-to hernes
sa ve mede the meyde d vrst no mo[^a482] abyde
butt[^a483] tr vlye to tell she tremled for drede
& eke wept & wrong when she was attached

[^a313: co vrbed I (G) | I courbed (most mss)]

[^a314: mercy (G) | Marie (most mss)]

[^a315: on (G F) | on þe (all other mss)]

[^a316: for to (G O C2) | to (all other mss)]

[^a317: kenne (G) | knowe (all other mss)]

[^a318: lo (G H) | and lo (most mss)]

[^a319: fauinell (G) | fauel (most mss)]

[^a320: wonderslyche (G) | wortheli (most mss)]

[^a321: clothed (G Cr Hm F) | yclothed (most mss)]

[^a322: coroned (G Cr Hm C2 H) | Ycrounede (most mss)]

[^a323: Feytlyche Feyt[is]lyche (G) | Fetislich (most mss)]

[^a324: rynges (G) | golde wyre (most mss)]

[^a325: mayden (G M O C2 H) | Mayde (all other mss)]

[^a326: hath (G) | quod she hath (most mss)]

[^a327: lakked (G Cr F H) | ylakked (all other mss)]

[^a328: alyed (G) | bilowen (most mss)]

[^a329: wyth (G) | to (all other mss)]

[^a330: the (G H) | a (most mss)]

[^a331: gro vndre (G) | grounde (all other mss)]

[^a332: begynnyng (G Cr C2 H) | gynnynge (all other mss)]

[^a333: owne (G) | gode (most mss)]

[^a334: mercy (G M) | me mercy (all other mss)]

[^a335: lomp (G) | lappe (most mss)]

[^a336: off leall (G) | of (most mss)]

[^a337: charyte (G F H) | caritatis (most mss)]

[^a338: constr ved (G H) | construeth (most mss)]

[^a339: sh old (G Cr) | shal (most mss)]

[^a340: maryed (G Cr) | ymaried (most mss)]

[^a341: to (G M F H) | vnto (Cr W Hm) | al to (L C O C2 Y)]

[^a342: a (G) | a mansed (most mss)]

[^a343: feere (G) | biȝete (all other mss)]

[^a344: wedded (G Cr H) | ywedded (all other mss)]

[^a345: meyden (G) | maydenes (most mss)]

[^a346: ther (G H) | And þere (all other mss)]

[^a347: myghtest þou (G O C2) | miȝte þow (most mss)]

[^a348: þat (G C) | þanne (most mss)]

[^a349: combre (G Hm) | acombre (all other mss)]

[^a350: maryed (G Cr F H) | ymaried (all other mss)]

[^a351: byden (G) | boden (most mss)]

[^a352: vyte lers (G Cr2) | vitaillers and (all other mss)]

[^a353: ad vocates (G Cr W H) | vokates (all other mss)]

[^a354: but (G F H) | Ac (most mss)]

[^a355: butt (G F H) | Ac (most mss)]

[^a356: fa vuell (G) | fauel (all other mss)]

[^a357: sett (G) | fette (all other mss)]

[^a358: seyd to (G) | seiȝ (all other mss)]

[^a359: both t h..re (G) | boþer (most mss)]

[^a360: wylles (G) | wille (all other mss)]

[^a361: symonye (G H) | cyuile (all other mss)]

[^a362: cy vyll (G H) | symonye (all other mss)]

[^a363: had (G Hm H) | hath (all other mss)]

[^a364: made (G C2) | maked (Hm) | ymaked (most mss)]

[^a365: reden (G H) | greden (most mss)]

[^a366: Siant S[c]iant (G) | Sciant (all other mss)]

[^a367: vpon (G F H) | vpon þis (most mss)]

[^a368: fa vinell (G) | fauel (all other mss)]

[^a369: Fylke Fy[k]le (G) | fikel (most mss)]

[^a370: hys (G) | þis (all other mss)]

[^a371: backbyto vrs (G) | bakbite (all other mss)]

[^a372: co vetous (G) | coueitise (all other mss)]

[^a373: & (G Cr23 Hm F H) | and in (all other mss)]

[^a374: weytyng (G Hm F) | waitynges (most mss)]

[^a375: off (G Hm) | with (all other mss)]

[^a376: & (G W Hm) | and to (all other mss)]

[^a377: on (G Hm) | in (most mss)]

[^a378: theym (G Cr W Hm H) | hym (all other mss)]

[^a379: wyth (G H) | so with (all other mss)]

[^a380: to be (G Hm F H) | be (most mss)]

[^a381: and (G) | And þei (all other mss)]

[^a382: for (G) | be for (most mss)]

[^a383: wyth (G) | Wiþ al (all other mss)]

[^a384: app vrtenances (G Cr W) | purteinaunce (most mss)]

[^a385: to (G) | in-to (all other mss)]

[^a386: payn (G Cr H) | pyne (most mss)]

[^a387: vn-to (G) | to (all other mss)]

[^a388: wyth (G L Cr1 W Hm) | in (all other mss)]

[^a389: Inseale (G Cr W) | assele (most mss)]

[^a390: you (G Cr) | þow (most mss)]

[^a391: weddyng (G C2) | weddinges (most mss)]

[^a392: not a (G) | ys a (Hm) | is (most mss)]

[^a393: & off (G) | of (all other mss)]

[^a394: vn-to (G) | to (all other mss)]

[^a395: gylo vr (G H) | gyloure now (most mss)]

[^a396: lord (G) | god (all other mss)]

[^a397: the (G Y R F H) | Thi (all other mss)]

[^a398: for to (G) | to (all other mss)]

[^a399: wyth (G F) | to (all other mss)]

[^a400: thees (G) | Þe (most mss)]

[^a401: noyen offt (G) | noyeth (most mss)]

[^a402: byggen (G) | abiggen (all other mss)]

[^a403: borne (G Cr H) | ybore (all other mss)]

[^a404: ys a (G Cr) | is (most mss)]

[^a405: sh vld (G) | wolde (all other mss)]

[^a406: ys ytt (G) | lawe is (most mss) | it is (Cr W Hm)]

[^a407: yff (G) | þouȝ (most mss)]

[^a408: to (G Cr W Hm H) | with (all other mss)]

[^a409: off the (G R F H) | of (all other mss)]

[^a410: coscyence co[n]scyence (G) | conscience (all other mss)]

[^a411: a (G) | of his (most mss)]

[^a412: sore (G Cr) | soure (all other mss)]

[^a413: butt (G F H) | ac (most mss)]

[^a414: Fa vvnell (G) | fauel (all other mss)]

[^a415: floreynses (G Cr) | floreynes (all other mss)]

[^a416: þes (G) | þe (most mss)]

[^a417: florenses (G Cr23) | florence (Cr1) | floreines (all other mss)]

[^a418: master (G Cr1 Hm C2 H) | amaistrye (most mss)]

[^a419: Fa vvnell (G) | fauel (all other mss)]

[^a420: wytt (G F H) | wittis (most mss)]

[^a421: mastred (G Cr) | amaistried (most mss)]

[^a422: yff (G Cr W Hm H) | ȝif þat (all other mss)]

[^a423: Fa vvnell (G) | fauel (all other mss)]

[^a424: to (G) | And (all other mss)]

[^a425: all the (G R) | alle (all other mss)]

[^a426: þe shyre (G H) | schires (all other mss)]

[^a427: to be (G Cr W) | be (all other mss)]

[^a428: but (G F) | Ac (most mss)]

[^a429: Fa vvnell (G) | fauel (all other mss)]

[^a430: forth (G) | forth þanne (most mss)]

[^a431: on (G F) | vpon (most mss)]

[^a432: a-newe (G) | newe (all other mss)]

[^a433: fa vvnell (G) | fauel (all other mss)]

[^a434: feytlyche (G Cr) | fetislich (most mss)]

[^a435: therewyth (G) | þei were (all other mss)]

[^a436: and (G Cr Hm C C2) | Ac (most mss)]

[^a437: apparell (G Hm F H) | apparaille þis (most mss)]

[^a438: on (G Cr F H) | vpon (all other mss)]

[^a439: synnys (G F) | synne (all other mss)]

[^a440: poeple (G F) | pryues (most mss)]

[^a441: constorye (G F H) | consistorie (all other mss)]

[^a442: sh vld (G) | Shul (most mss)]

[^a443: neue ved neue[n]ed (G) | nempned (most mss)]

[^a444: fornycato vrs (G Hm) | fornicatores (all other mss)]

[^a445: lyers (G) | lyer (all other mss)]

[^a446: fa vvnell (G) | fauel (all other mss)]

[^a447: thys meyny (G) | þise men (L Cr W Hm R) | þes oþere (M C O C2 Y)]

[^a448: tell you (G) | telle (all other mss)]

[^a449: hyr (G Cr W) | hem (all other mss)]

[^a450: butt (G F H) | Ac (most mss)]

[^a451: gyded (G Cr) | gyed (most mss)]

[^a452: seethe (G Cr) | seiȝ (all other mss)]

[^a453: told (G) | it tolde (all other mss)]

[^a454: yff (G H) | and (all other mss)]

[^a455: & (G) | or (most mss)]

[^a456: fa vvnell (G) | fauel (all other mss)]

[^a457: theyre (G Cr H) | his (all other mss)]

[^a458: on (G Hm H) | of (most mss)]

[^a459: commaunde (G Cr1) | comanded (all other mss)]

[^a460: þat he (G) | þat (most mss)]

[^a461: they (G) | ȝe (most mss)]

[^a462: preaer (G) | preyere I hote (all other mss)]

[^a463: vn-to (G) | to (all other mss)]

[^a464: how (G Cr Hm H) | And how (all other mss)]

[^a465: & (G Hm) | and to (most mss)]

[^a466: fere (G Hm Hm2 F) | fere þanne (all other mss)]

[^a467: but (G F H) | Ac (most mss)]

[^a468: sett (G C2 F H) | bishetten (most mss)]

[^a469: thence (G H) | þanne (most mss)]

[^a470: more (G) | nawhere (most mss)]

[^a471: mery tales (G) | tales (all other mss)]

[^a472: I omyted (G) | yhowted (most mss)]

[^a473: hoted (G) | yhote (most mss)]

[^a474: to c vrse (G) | trusse (most mss)]

[^a475: wypen (G Cr) | wyped (most mss)]

[^a476: sen dden (G) | sente (all other mss)]

[^a477: but (G H) | Ac (most mss)]

[^a478: helden (G) | helden hym (most mss)]

[^a479: but (G F H) | Ac (most mss)]

[^a480: all they rest (G) | Alle (most mss)]

[^a481: flyen (G) | flowen (most mss)]

[^a482: d vrst no mo (G) | na mo durst (most mss)]

[^a483: butt (G F H) | Ac (most mss)]

[^113: G.3.6: The number of minims in the middle of "favel" varies considerably in G and it is not always clear what was intended. See G.3.43, G.3.66, G.3.81, G.3.146, G.3.152, G.3.160, G.3.165, G.3.168, G.3.186, and G.3.195. Possibly the word was unfamiliar to the scribe (according to the OED, it died out in the sixteenth century).]

[^114: G.3.9: The cross in the bottom right hand margin is in modern pencil.]

[^115: G.3.17: The form saght is recorded by LALME as the main form of "saw" in LP497 (i.e. in the West Riding of Yorkshire) and as a minor form in other Northern locations. It therefore seems likely that this was one of a number of Northern forms present in the G scribe's exemplar (see Introduction III.4.1).]

[^116: G.3.25: The original <e> at the end of false is small and the added <e> may simply be an attempt to clarify.]

[^117: G.3.28: There appears originally to have been some sort of tail on the <a>, partly erased.]

[^118: G.3.32: Though M's initial reading is the same as that of G (i.e. "mercy" rather than "me mercy," which is the reading of the remaining B manuscripts), the missing word me is later supplied by the M corrector (hand2).]

[^119: G.3.41: All C manuscripts share the G M F H reading to, which is adopted by Kane and Donaldson. Remaining B manuscripts read vnto or al to.]

[^120: G.3.43: For "favel," see note to G.3.6 above. The number of minims used in this particular example is (unusually) correct.]

[^121: G.3.46: All A manuscripts share the G H reading ther, which is adopted by Kane and Donaldson. Remaining B manuscripts read And þere.]

[^122: G.3.55: The corrector appears to have mistaken the first <n> of original reytenaunce for a <u> and therefore overwritten it with a <v>, realised his error, attempted to correct his correction and then finally added a bar to indicate the <n>.]

[^123: G.3.56: The G form of the past participle (i.e. byden) is unique; most manuscripts have forms in medial <o>. However, there is no change in meaning, and, given the confusion surrounding the verbs which descended from OE beodan and biddan, it would be reasonable to argue that this is not a substantive variant.]

[^124: G.3.56: The loops of the <b>s of both brydeale and both have been enlarged in brown ink.]

[^125: G.3.64:The original G reading here (corn- or possibly coru-) corresponds neither to B "courts" nor to C "countries" and seems likely to be simply an error.]

[^126: G.3.66: For "favel," see note to G.3.6 above.]

[^127: G.3.67: The scribe originally wrote superscript <t> above the <w> (for wyth ) but then decided that this was not clear enough and added <yth>. The superscript letter <t> has not been deleted.]

[^128: G.3.68: For the alteration of the <s> of original syuyll to a <c>, see also G.3.144.]

[^129: G.3.68: The alteration resulting in seyd to does not appear to be in the hand of the original scribe. There is a backward <s> and the script is altogether more angular. For hand2, see marginalia on ff.69v, 70, 71, 72v and 103, as well as the note on f.106v. According to the OED, forms of "saw" with weak ending date from the eighteenth century onwards, but the corrector may, of course, have intended "said." It seems possible that an attempt was made to alter the original word before the correction was written above.]

[^130: G.3.68: The erasure here has resulted in a hole in the paper.]

[^131: G.3.68: The original G reading was both your. The corrector has made the usual change of <u> to <v> but the word your has then been altered again. The added initial <t> is clear and the <y> has been altered to an <h> but it is difficult to be certain what exactly the second corrector intended after that. The <o> does not appear to have been altered, but may have been intended to be read as an <e>. Kane and Donaldson read the corrected form as theire.]

[^132: G.3.74: A few A manuscripts as well as Cp share the G Hm H reading had (for remaining B manuscripts hath).]

[^133: G.3.75: It is not really possible to be certain who carried out the alteration from greden to reden, but the ink colour suggests hand1.1.]

[^134: G.3.81: For "favel," see note to G.3.6.]

[^135: G.3.88: The original word was counte, though the minims of the <n> in particular were somewhat indistinct. Presumably this is why the corrector felt the need to add a macron.]

[^136: G.3.90: Approximately half the C manuscripts share the G Cr23 Hm F H reading &, which is adopted by Kane and Donaldson. Remaining B manuscripts read and in.]

[^137: G.3.92: All C manuscripts except X P Dc Ec share the G Hm F reading weytyng, which is adopted by Kane and Donaldson. Most B manuscripts have the plural.]

[^138: G.3.92: All C manuscripts share the G Hm reading off, which is adopted by Kane and Donaldson. Remaining B manuscripts read with.]

[^139: G.3.98:There appears to have been an otiose abbreviation mark over the <n> of fastyng which has been smeared out.]

[^140: G.3.104: Something strange has happened to the last letter of hold, which has clearly been re-outlined. This may have been because the paper at this point is very thin (because of the erasure at G.3.68).]

[^141: G.3.107: Kane and Donaldson read thyg but the word should probably be read as thyng. There is plenty of space for an <n>, it just that, as is often the case in this manuscript, the minims are poorly defined.]

[^142: G.3.112: The first letter of what seems to be Bvkyngam-shyre is such a mess that it is difficult to be certain about ink colour or hand. It would be unusual, however, for the original scribe or the <u> to <v> corrector (who are probably one and the same) to use a capital in this position.]

[^143: G.3.114: It is possible that the deleted ampersand was originally written as or and then partly corrected. Note the problem with the ampersand five lines above at the beginning of the line.]

[^144: G.3.118:Kane and Donaldson interpret G's reading here as þou but for that the scribe would normally have written thorn plus superscript <u>. The use of inline <ou> makes it clear that the scribe intended "you." For the scribe's usual practice as far as the written forms of these two words are concerned, see G.1.199, G.2.2, G.2.14, G.2.15, G.2.17, G.2.19 etc. (for "you"), and G.2.5, G.2.36, G.2.43, G.3.46, G.3.48 etc. (for "thou"). The rule, in the case of these as well as other words (such as "the" and "ye") is that <þ> is always followed by superscript letters, and <y> by inline letters. That the scribe did sometimes confuse <y> and <þ> when they appeared in his exemplar is clear, for example, from the reading at G.3.204 where he writes <the> for <ye>. At G.4.351 the scribe himself corrects an error of this type, crossing out superscript <e> and replacing it with inline <e> (the correct reading is ye).]

[^145: G.3.119: All A manuscripts except E N Ma share the G C2 reading weddyng, which is adopted by Kane and Donaldson. Most B manuscripts have the plural. C too has the singular but preceded by the indefinite article.]

[^146: G.3.126: All C manuscripts except Nc and all A manuscripts except for K Wa Ma share the G F reading wyth (for remaining B manuscripts to), and this is adopted by Kane and Donaldson. In C, however, the half-line differs in other ways.]

[^147: G.3.143: The C manuscripts X I P2 Uc Dc Rc Nc and all A manuscripts except J La K Wa N Ma share the G Cr reading sore (for remaining B manuscripts soure).]

[^148: G.3.144: See the similar alteration of syuyll to cyuyll at G.3.68.]

[^149: G.3.145: For "favel," see note to G.3.6 above.]

[^150: G.3.150: This addition (may, in black ink) could conceivably have been made by the original scribe, but note the clear definition of the minims. Resemblences to the italic hand on, e.g. f.96v, and in particular the hairline tail on the <y>, suggest hand3.]

[^151: G.3.150: The addition of may brings G into line with Bx.]

[^152: G.3.152: For "favel," see note to G.3.6 above.]

[^153: G.3.155: All A manuscripts except Wa (which lacks this b-verse) share the G F H reading ("wit" in the singular), which is adopted by Kane and Donaldson. Most B manuscripts have the plural.]

[^154: G.3.156: Once again, this alteration (the addition of mede) seems likely to have been made by the italic hand (hand3). See note to G.3.150 above.]

[^155: G.3.156: Added mede brings G into line with Bx.]

[^156: G.3.157: The G scribe often provides an otiose superscript <a> in addition to the letters <ra>, perhaps because of confusion as to the significance of the former. See further Introduction IV.1.1.]

[^157: G.3.160: For "favel," see note to G.3.6.]

[^158: G.3.161: Most A manuscripts share the G R reading all the (for remaining B manuscripts alle).]

[^159: G.3.163: The MED records spellings of "Westminster" without <n> so G's original spelling may not actually be an error. The original G spelling also appears in Hm and Cr1.]

[^160: G.3.165: For "favel," see note to G.3.6.]

[^161: G.3.166: All A manuscripts share the G F reading on (for most B manuscripts vpon).]

[^162: G.3.168: For "favel," see note to G.3.6.]

[^163: G.3.170: The scribe intended to add the word then to the line below, q.v., but made a mistake which he then partially erased.]

[^164: G.3.171: For added then, see note to G.3.170.]

[^165: G.3.173: In the case of Hm, the shared G Hm F H reading apparell (for most B manuscripts apparaille þis) is the result of correction (original thes has been deleted).]

[^166: G.3.180: All A manuscripts share the G F reading poeple (for most B manuscripts pryues).]

[^167: G.3.180: Most A manuscripts share the G F H spelling constorye (for remaining B manuscripts consistorie). See also note to G.4.143.]

[^168: G.3.183: Most A manuscripts share the G spelling of "fornicators" (i.e. with -our). However, the majority B spelling fornicatores does not necessarily imply that the word was thought of as Latin; the OED lists this particular usage by Langland (with this particular spelling) as the first instance of this word in English.]

[^169: G.3.186: For "favel," see note to G.3.6.]

[^170: G.3.187: There is a line over the <m> of mede but this does not seem to be deliberate; possibly it is a mirror image of the crossing out on the opposite page (at G.3.228).]

[^171: G.3.188: G Cr1 W Hm omit a line here ("Of many maner man þat on þis molde libbeth").]

[^172: G.3.189: Some A manuscripts share the G Cr reading gyded (for most B manuscripts gyed), but the variation could well to be due not to the influence of these but to date; guy became less frequent than guide after the fifteenth century (see OED guy, v. 1 and guide, v. ).]

[^173: G.3.195: For "favel," see note to G.3.6.]

[^174: G.3.197: The final letters of ?meynteynthe are unclear because they are written over the pricking in the top right hand corner of the writing space.]

[^175: G.3.198: Given the G scribe's carelessness with minims, the second <m> of meympryce may be an error. However, the OED records forms with <m> from the Middle English period to the fifteenth century.]

[^176: G.3.200: The difference between commaunde (as G Cr1) and comanded (as remaining B manuscripts) may not originally have been substantive, since command was a possible form of the preterite in the fourteenth and fifteenth centuries (see OED command v. ).]

[^177: G.3.204:The original scribe has misread the letter <y> of ye as a thorn, giving the. See note to G.3.118.]

[^178: G.3.212: M originally shared the G Hm Hm2 F reading fere (for remaining B manuscripts fere þanne), but þanne has been added above the line by M's hand2. Most A manuscripts have Þanne at the beginning of the line. The C manuscripts P Ec Rc Mc Vc Ac Q Sc Kc Gc Nc share the G Hm Hm2 F reading.]

[^179: G.3.217: All A manuscripts except E A Wa Ma share the G H reading thence as do a number of C manuscripts. Most B manuscripts read þanne.]

[^180: G.3.220: B manuscripts vary between forms of "hunten" and "houten" and it is not always possible to tell which is intended. A form in —ow- seems most likely to have given rise to the G reading I omyted.]

[^181: G.3.222: The final <y> here is not in the scribe's usual form and may be an addition. See, e.g., the form of <y> used by WH on f.72v .]

[^182: G.3.223: The alteration of sentten to sendden is difficult to see at first because of the tails of the letters above. The change brings G into line with the A manuscripts D V Ha La K. Remaining B manuscripts read sente.]

[^183: G.3.224: The <y> added by hand1.1 (giving -mayle) has been squeezed in between the <a> and the <l>, making use of the <v> shape formed by the downward stroke of the former and the beginning of the upward stroke of the latter.]

[^184: G.3.228: The final stroke of the <w> of deleted kew is missing.]

[^185: G.3.228: The reading goomes may be an error ("men" for "gums") but the OED records goome as a post-medieval (6-7) spelling of "gum" (see OED s.v. gum, n. 2 ).]

[^186: G.3.235: The script of added rest appears slightly more angular than that normally used by the original scribe, but this is probably simply because the word has had to be squashed in.]

explicit tercius passus de visione

Now ys mede the meyde and no mo off theym all
wyth bedeles and baylyffes broght before the kyng
the kyng called a cler ke[^187] I know[^a484] not hys name
to take mede þe meyden[^a485] & make hyr att easse
I shall assey hyr my-selfe & sothlyche apposen
watt man vpon[^a486] mold that hyr were le vest
and yff she worche by my wytt & my wyll folowe
I wyll forgy ve hyr thys gylt so me god helpe
co vrtyslyche the clerke then as the kyng hyght
toke mede they meyde[^a487][^188] & broght hyr In-to chambre
and there was myrth & mynsteralcye mede for to[^a488] pleasse
they that wonnen att westmynster worshypen hyr all
gentyllych wyth Ioy the I vsteces came[^a489]
busked theym to the bowre there the byrd dwellyth[^a490]
to comforten hyr kyndlych by clergyes ley ve
and sayd morne noght mede ne make þou no sorowe
for we wyll wysse the kyn dlye[^a491][^189] and thy way shape
to wedden[^a492][^190] att thy wyll & were thy[^a493] le ve lyketh
For all conscyence cast / or crafte as I trowe
myldlych mede then r emercyed[^a494] theym all
off theyr greyte goodnes and gaffe them echonne
c vppes[^191] off cleyne gold and peces[^a495] off syl ver
rynges wyth r vbyes and rychesses many
the leest man off theyr menye a moton off gold
then laght they le ve / thys lordys at mede
wyth that comen clerkes to comforten hyr the same
& bydden[^a496] hyr be blyth for we be thye owen
for to worche þi wyll þe wyle we may[^a497] last
hendelych[^192] she then byhyght them the same
to lo ven theym leally and lordes to make
and In[^a498] constorye at the co vrte do call theyre names
shall no lewdnes let þe lede / that I lo ve
that he ne worth furst awa vnced for I am well knoen[^a499]
there konnyng clerkes shall clokken byhynde
then cam there a confessor coped as a frere
to mede the meyden he mo vthed[^a500] thes wordes
and sayd full softlye In shryft as ytt were
thoght lewde men & lered[^a501] had lyen by the bothe
and falsnes had folowyd[^a502] þe þis[^a503][^193] fyftye wynter
[^194] I shall assoyle the my-selffe for a seyme off weyte
and also be thy beydman & beyre well thy message
amongest knyghtes & clerkes conscyence to torne
then mede for hyr myssdedes to that man kneled
and shroove hyr off hyr shrodenes shameles I trowe
told hym a tale & toke hym a noble
For to be[^195] hyr beydman & hyr ba vd[^196] after[^a504]
then he assoyled hyr sone & sythen he seyde
we /[^197] ha ve a wyndow In glasyng[^a505] wolle sytten vs[^a506] in hie cost[^a507][^198]
woldest þou glasse that gable & gra ve therynne thy name
syker sh vld þi so vle be hey ven to ha ve
wyst I that quod that womman[^199] I wold not spare
For to be your frend frere & Fayle you neuer
wyle ye lo ve lordes that leychery havnten
and lacke no[^a508] ladyes that lo ve well the same
It ys a freylte off flesshe ye Fynd ytt yn bokys
and a co vrs off kynd wheroff we coemmen all
wo may skape the[^200] sklandre þe schathe ys sone amendyd
ytt ys synne off the sey ven þe sonest[^a509] relessed
ha ve marcy quod mede off men that ytt havnten
and I shall couere[^201] your kyrke your cloyster do maken
walles[^a510] do wythen[^202] and wyndowes glasen
do peynten & portren[^203] & pay for the makyng
that euery segge shall sey I am s vster off yo vr ho vse
but[^a511] god to all gode men[^a512] suyche wrytyng[^a513] defendyth
to wryten In wyndowes off theyre well dedys
for pryde ys[^a514] pentyd there & pompe off the world
and[^a515] cryst knoyth thy conscyence & thy kynd wyll
and thy coste & thy co vetyse & wo the catell ought
forthy I lere you lordes le veth s oyche workes
to wryten In wyndowes off your well dedes
or to greden after godesmen when ye deyle doles
In[^a516] auent vre ye ha ve yo vr hyre here & yo vr hey ven hals
Nesciat sinistra quid faciat dextra et cetera[^a517]
let not thy left hal ve late ne rathe
wytt wat ye worcheth[^a518] wyth the[^a519] ryght syde
For thys[^a520][^204] byddyth the gospell good men done þer almes
me yres & maces[^a521][^205] that meynes be betwene
the kyng & the comm vnes[^a522][^206] to kepe the lawes
to pu vnysshen pu[n]nysshen on pylloryes & pynyng stoles
brewsters & baksters bochers & kokes
for thes are men on thys mold þat most h vrte[^a523] worchen
to the pore people that percellmeyle beggen[^a524][^207]
for they poysen the poeple pryuyleche & oft
they rysen[^a525] thr vgh regratrye & rentes them byggen
wyth that þe poere poeple sh vld p vtt In theyre wombes[^a526]
For tooke they not[^a527][^208] vn -truely[^a528][^209] they tymbred not so hye
ne boght no b vrgagys by[^a529] þe[^a530][^210] certeyne[^a531]
but[^a532] mede the meyde þe meyre hath besoght
off all s oyche sellers syl ver to take
or presentes wyth -oute pence as peces off sil ver
rynges or other rycheses[^a533] regratyers[^a534] to meynteynge
For my lo ve quod that ladye lo ve theym echonne
& s vffer theym to sell somedeale a-geynst reyson
salomon the sage a sermon he made
to[^a535] amend meyrys & men þat kepe lawes
and told theym thys teeme þat I tell thynke
Ignis deuorabit tabernacula eorum qui libenter accipiunt munera
amongest thes lettered men[^a536] thys laten ys to meyne
that fyre shall fall & brenne all to blo asshes
the ho vses & hoomes[^a537] off theym that dysyren
gyftes or yers gyftes[^211] be ca vse off theyre offyces
The kyng from the[^a538] covncell cam & called after mede
and dyd seeche[^a539] hyr swythe[^a540] wyth sergeantes many
that broghte hyr to bo vre wyth blysse & wyth Ioy
courtyslyche the kyng[^a541] gynneth[^a542] to tell then[^a543]
to mede the meyde mo vthed[^a544] thes wordes
vnwyttyly woman wroght hast thow oft
but[^a545] wors wroghtest þou neuer then when[^a546] þou fals tooke
but I forgyve þe that gylte & gra vnte the my grace
from hennes[^a547][^212] to thy detheday do thow[^a548][^213] so no more
I ha ve a knyght conscyence cam late fro byȝonde
yff he wyll[^a549] the to wyffe wyll thow hym ha ve
[^214] yea lord quod þat ladye ..[^215] lord Forbed elles
but I be hoolye att your heste then[^a550] hangie[^216] me sone
& then[^217] was conscyence called to come & appere
before þe kyng & hys covncell clerkes[^a551][^218] & other
knelyng conscyence to the kyng he lo vted[^a552]
to wytt wat hys wyll[^219] were & wat he do sholde
wylthowe wedde thys woman yff[^a553] I wyll assente
she[^a554] ys Fayne off þi Felawshyppe for to be thy make
quod conscyence to the kyng cryst ytt me forbyd
er I wedde s oyche a wyffe / wo me betyde
for she ys Freyle off hyr Faythe fykell off hyr speche
& maketh men mysdo many score tymes
In tr vst[^a555] off hyr treas ore betreaythe[^a556] full many
wyffys & wydowes wantennes teychyth[^a557]
& lerneth[^a558] theym leychyrye that lo ven hyre gyftes
your father she Falled thr vgh fals beheyste
and hath poysoned[^a559] popes and peyred holye ch vrche
Is nat a better bavde by hym that the[^a560] made
betwene hey ven & hell In yerthe thogh men soght
for she ys tykell off hyr tayle talwys off hyr tonge
as comen as þe[^a561][^220] carte-way to ych[^a562] knave that walkethe
to monkes to mynstreles to meyselles In hegges
sysours & somnors suyche men hyr preysen
shre ves[^a563] were shent yff she ne were
for she doth men lese theyr land & theyr ly ves[^a564] bothe
she lettyth pas prysoners & paythe for theym offt
& gy vyth the gaylo vr[^a565][^221] gold & grotes to-gedder
to vnfetter the fals flee where hym lykyth
& taketh the tr ve by the toppe & tyethe theym[^a566] fast
and hangeth theym[^a567] for hatred that harme dyd neuer
to be c vrsed In constorye[^a568][^222] she covnteth not a beyne[^a569]
for she copeth þe comyssarye & cotethe hys clerkes
she ys assoyled assone as hyr-selffe lykethe
and mey nygh as moche do In a moneth ones
as your secrete seale In syxscore syx score days
For she ys pry vye wyth þe pope pro vyso vrs ytt knowen
For syr symonye & hyr-selfe sellen[^a570][^223] the[^a571] b vlles
she blessyth thes bysshopps thoght þei be lewde
pro vendrethe persones & prestes meynteynnyth
to ha ve lemmanes & letebyes l[o]tebyes[^a572] all theyr ly ve dayes
& bryngen forth barnes ageynst forbyden lawes
there she ys wele wyth the kyng wo ys the realme
for she ys fa vorable to fals & fo vlethe[^224] tr vethe offt
by Iesu[^a573][^225] wyth hyr Iewelles yo vr I vstecece she shendyth
and lyeth ageynest þe law & letteth hym the gate
þat Fayth may noght ha ve here[^a574][^226] Forthe[^a575] / flo renzys[^a576] go so thyke
she leydyth the lawe as hyr lyst & lo vedayes maketh
& doth men lese thr vgh hyr lo ve that lawe myght wynne
the mase for a meyne man thogh[^227] he moote[^a577][^228] e ver[^229]
law ys so lordlyche and lothe to maken end
wythowten presentes or pence she pleasethe well fewe
barons & bugeysys bu[r]geysys[^a578][^230] she bryngyth In sorowe
and all þe comm vne In care þat co veyten to ly ve[^a579] In tr vght
For clergye & co vytesse she cowpleth to-gedders
thys ys þe lyfe off that ladye / now lord gy ve hyr sorowe
& all that meynten hyr men mychance my[s]chance[^a580] þem bytyde
for poere men may not[^a581] pleyne þem allthogh[^a582] they smerte
s oyche a master ys mede amonge men off good
then morned mede & me ved[^a583][^231] hyr to the kyng
to ha ve space to speke speede yff she myght
the kyng granted hyr grace wyth a good wyll
exc vse the yff þou canst I can no more seggen
For conscyence acc vsethe þe to cong vere[^a584][^232] the for e ver
nay lord quod that ladye le veth hym þe worse
when ye wytt wytterly where the wronge lyggeth
ther þat myscheffe ys greyte mede may helpe
& þou knowest conscyence I cam not to chyde
ne depra ve thy persone wyth a pro vde herte
well þou wast warned[^a585][^233] but yff þou wold[^a586] gabbe
þou hast hangen on my hal ve eley ven tymes
and also gryped my gold &[^a587][^234] gy ven ytt where þe lyked
& why þou wrathest þe now wondre me thynke[^a588]
yet I may as I myght menske the wyth gyftes
and meyntenge þi manhood more þen thow knoest
but[^a589] þou hast famed me Fo vle before þe kyng here
for kylled I neuer no kyng ne conseled ther-after
ne dyd as þou demest I do ytt on the kyng
In normandy was he noght noyed for my sake
but[^a590] þou þi-selffe sothly shamedest hym offt
crope In-to a cabyne for cold off thye neyles
wendest þou that[^a591] wynter wold ha ve lasted euer
& dredest to be deyde for[^235] a dymme clowde
and hyedest homward for honger off þi wombe
wyth -owt pyte pylo vr poere men thow rob bdest[^236]
& bare theyr bras on[^a592][^237] thy backe to caleys to sell
there I lafte wyth my lord hys ly ve for to sa ve
I made hys men merye & mo vrnyng lett
I battred theym on the backe & bolded theyre hertes
and dyd theym hoppe for hoope to ha ve me att wyll
had I bynne marcyall off hys men by mary off hey ven
I dorste ha ve leyde my lyfe & no lesse wedde
he sh vld ha ve bene lord off that land In lenght & yn breyde
& also kyng off þat kyth hys kynne for to helpe
the leest brolle off hys blo ode a barouns pere
cowardlyche þou conscyence co vnceyldest hym thence
to ley ven hys lordshyp for a lyt vll syl ver
that ys the rychest realme that reyne ouer-ho vethe
ytt becommyth a[^a593] kyng that kepeth a realme
to ge ve mede to men þat mekelych hym ser ven
to alyens & to all men to honore þem wyth gyftes
mede makyth hym belo ved & for a man holden
empero vrs & erles and all maner lordes
for gyftes ha ve yong men to renne & to ryde
the pope & all the[^a594] p relates presentes vndrefongen
and medethe men hym[^a595] -sel ven[^238] to meyntegne hys[^a596] lawes
sergeantes[^239] for theyre ser vyce we see well þe sothe
take mede off theyr masters as þei mowe accorde
beggers for þer beddyng[^a597][^240] bydden men mede
mynstrelles for þer myrthe mede they aske
the kyng hath mede off hys men to make peas In land
men that teychen chyldre cra ve off theym mede
prestes þat preychen the poeple[^241] to[^242] good asken mede
& masspence and theyre meyte att the meyle tymes
all[^a598] crafty es[^a599][^243] men cra ven mede for theyr prentyces
marcheantes & mede mote nede go to-gedders
no wyght as I wene wyth -o vte mede may ly ve
quod þe kyng to conscyence by cryst as me thynketh
mede ys well worthy the mastry to ha ve
nay quod conscyence[^244] to the kyng & kneled to þe yerthe
there are too maner[^a600] medes my lord wyth your ley ve
that on god off hys grace gra vnteth In hys blysse
to tho that well worchen / wyle þei bene here
the profette preychyth theroff & p vtt ytt In the sawter
domine quis habitabit In tabernaculo tuo & cetera
lord wo- so dwelleth[^a601] In thy blysse[^a602] & wyth thyn holye seyntes
or resten In thy holye hylles thys asketh da vid
& dauid assoyleth ytt hym-selffe as the sawter tellethe
qui Ingreditur sine macula et operatur Iusticiam
tho that entren off o n colo vr & off on wyll
and hath[^a603] wroght workes wyth ryght & wyth reason
and he þat vseth noght þe lyffe off vs vrye
and enfo vrmethe poere men & po vrsueth tr vght
qui pecc vniam suam non dedit ad vsuriam vsuram[^a604] / et munera super Innocentem non accepit[^a605] /
& all that helpen the Innocent & holden wyth þe ryghtfull
wyth-owte mede dothe theym goode & the tr vght helpyth
s och maner off men[^a606] shall[^a607] ha ve þis f vrste mede
off god att[^a608] greyte nede when they gonne hence
there ys a-nother mede meys vrles þat maystres desyren
to meyntegne myssdoers mede they take
and theroff sayth the sawter In a salmes ennde
In quorum manibus Iniquitates sunt dextra eorum repleta est muneribus
and he þat grypyth hyr gold so me god helpe
shall abyen ytt bytterlye[^a609] or the booke lyethe
prestes & persons that pleysyng desyren
that take mede & money for masses þat þei syngen
taken theyre mede here as mathew ws teychythe
amen amen dico vobis[^a610][^245] recipiebant mercedem suam .
that laboren[^a611] as[^a612] low folke taken off theyre masters
ytt ys no maner mede butt a meys vrable hyre
In marchandyse ys no mede I may ytt well awowe
ytt ys a perm vtacyon[^a613] a peny[^a614] for a-nother
but[^a615] reddest þou neuer regum thow recrayed mede
sa vl

[Initial <s> of original saul is cropped.]

why þe wenIance fell on sa vlle and[^a616] hys chyldren
god sent to sa vl by sam vell the proffette
that agag &[^a617][^246] a nnales[^a618] & all hys poeple after
sh old dye for a dede that done had theyre eldres
forthy seyd sam vell to sa vl god[^a619] þe hotethe[^a620]
the be buxome at hys byddyng hys wyll to fulffyll
wend vn-to amales[^a621] & þat[^a622] þou fyndest þer sley ytt
b arnes[^a623][^247] & bestys b vrne theym to dethe
wydowes & wy ves wommen & chylderen
mo vebles & vnmo vebles & all þat þou may[^a624] fynd
brenne ytt beyre ytt noght a-way be ytt neuer so ryche
For mede ne for money looke thow dystroye ytt
spyll ytt & spare ytt noght thow shalt spede the better
and for he co veytyd theyr catell & the kyng spared
Forbare hym & hys beystes both as the byble tellethe[^a625][^248]
other-wyse then he was warned off the profette
god sayd to sam vell that sa vl sh vld dye
and all hys seede for that synne shamf vllyche[^a626] ende
s oych a myschefe mede made sa vl þe kyng to ha ve
that god hated[^249] hym for euer & all hys heyrs after
the colo vr[^a627] off thys case kepe I not to tell[^a628]
In[^a629] auent vre ytt noyed men no we[^a630] end wyll I make
for so ys thys world wente wyth theym þat ha ve poyeare
þat wo-so seyyth the[^a631] sothest[^a632][^250] ys sonest blamed[^a633]
I conscyence know thys for kyndwytt ytt me taght[^a634]
that reason shall reygne & realmes go veren
and ryght as agag had happen shall some
sam vell shall sleyne hym & sa vl shalbe shal be blamed
and dauid shalbe shal be dyademed & da vnten þem all
and on crystyen kyng kepen theym all
shall no more mede be master as she ys now[^a635][^251]
as[^a636] lo ve & lownes & loyalte to-gedders
thes shalbe shal be masters on mold tr vght for to[^a637] sa ve
& wo-so trespaseth to[^a638] tr vght or takyth ageynst hys wyll
loyalte shall p vt[^a639] hym lawe & no lyfe eles
shall no sergeant for hys[^a640] ser vyce weyre a sylken howue
ne no pylo vr[^a641][^252] In hys cloke for pleydyng atthe at the barre
mede off mysdoers maketh many lordes
and ouer lordes lawes rewlethe the realmes
but[^a642] kynd lo ve shall come[^a643] & conscyence to-gedders
and make off law a laborer suyche lo ve shall ryse[^a644]
& s oyche a pea ce amonge the poeple & a perfett tr vght
that I ves shall wene In theyre wytt & wax wondres glad
that moses or messyas be coem men[^253] In-to the[^a645] yerthe
and ha ve wondre In theyre hertes that men be so trewe
all that beyren baselard brode sworde or launce
axe other hacchett or any weypen elles
shalbe shal be demed to[^a646] dethe but yff he do ytt smythye
In-to sykell or to sythe to share or to c vltre
conflabunt gladios suos In vomeres & cetera
eche man to play wyth a plo vgh pykes[^a647] or spades[^a648]
spynne or spreyd donge or spyll þem[^a649] -selffe wyth slo vghe
prestes & persons wyth placebo to h vnte
& dyggen[^a650] vp-on dauid eche day to end[^a651]
h vntyng or ha vkyng yff any off theym vse
hys boost off hys benefyce worthe benome hym after
shall neyther kyng ne knyght constable ne meyre
o vere-leyde the comm vne ne to the co vrte somonde[^a652]
ne put theym In pannell to done theym plyght þer tr vght
but after þe dede that ys done on dome shall rewarde
mercy or no mercy[^a653] tr vght wyll recorde[^a654]

[G.4.326: A scribe has drawn a [flag-like sign] in the left-hand margin. This sign also appears in the Table of Contents see f.101v, and is clearly intended to enable the reader to find the passage referred to in the Table. As Benson and Blanchfield observe (Manuscripts, 42) there is a tendency for such marks to occur next to references to prophecy. See Introduction I.10.]

kynges co vrte & comen co vrte constorye[^a655][^254] & chapyter[^a656][^255]
all shall beene but on co vrte & on baron be I vstece
then worth trew tonge a tydye man þat tened me ne ver
battayles shall non be ne no man beyre weypen
& wat smyth þat any smythyes be smyten to[^a657] dethe
non leuabit gens contra gentem gladium et cetera
and er thys fort vne fall fynde men shall the worste
a profycye
by syx sonnes & a shyppe & hal ve a sheyffe off arowes
& the mydell off a mone shall make the I ves t vrne[^a658][^256]
and sarazenes for þat syght shall synge gloria In excelsis
For machomete & mede mysshape shall that tyme
For melius est bonum nomen quam duitie d[i]uitie[^a659] multe & cetera[^a660]
as[^a661] wrooth as the wynde wexe mede In a wyle
I kanne no laten quod she clerkes wott[^257] the sothe
see what salomon seyyth In sapyence bokes
that they that gy ven gyftes þe vyctor ye wynnen
and moste[^a662] worshyppe had therwyth as holye wrytte tellethe
honorem adquiret qui dat munera et cetera
I le ve[^a663] quod[^a664] conscyence that thy laten be trewe
butt[^a665] þou arte lyke a ladye that redde a lesson on ce
was omnia brobate [p]robate[^a666] & that pleased hyr well[^a667]
for þat leefe[^a668] was no lenger att the leyfys end
had she loked the[^a669] other hal ve & the leyfe tor vned[^258]
she sh old ha ve fonden fell[^a670][^259][^260] wordes folowyng þer-after
quod bonum est tenete trught that texte made
and so fared ye[^261] madame ye co vld no more fynde
to[^a671] ye loked on sapyence syttyng In yo vr st odye
þis texte þat ye ha ve tolde were good for lordes
but[^a672] ye[^a673][^262] fayled a connyng clerke þat co vld þe leyfe torne[^a674]
for[^a675] yff ye seke sapyence[^263] efte fynd shall ye þat folowythe
a full tenefull texte to theym that taken mede
and that ys animam autem aufert accipientium et cetera
and that ys þe tayle off the text off þat[^a676][^264] she[^a677][^265] shewyd
that thogh we wynne worshyppe & wyth mede ha ve vyctorye
the soule that þe sowed taketh by so moche ys bonde
explicit quartus passus de visione

[^a484: I know (G F) | can I (most mss)]

[^a485: meyden (G C2 B H) | mayde (all other mss)]

[^a486: vpon (G Hm Hm2) | of þis (most mss)]

[^a487: they meyde (G) | bi þe Middel (all other mss)]

[^a488: for to (G B) | to (most mss)]

[^a489: came (G Cr23 O C2) | somme (most mss)]

[^a490: dwellyth (G B F) | dwelled (all other mss)]

[^a491: kyn dlye (G) | kynge (all other mss)]

[^a492: wedden (G) | be wedded (all other mss)]

[^a493: thy (G) | þe (all other mss)]

[^a494: r emercyed (G) | mercyed (most mss)]

[^a495: peces (G B) | coppis (most mss)]

[^a496: bydden (G Cr B) | beden (most mss)]

[^a497: we may (G Cr) | þow myȝte (most mss)]

[^a498: In (G Cr) | in þe (all other mss)]

[^a499: well knoen (G) | wel beknowe (F) | biknowen (all other mss)]

[^a500: mo vthed (G) | mellud (most mss)]

[^a501: lered (G Hm Hm2 H) | lered men (most mss)]

[^a502: folowyd (G M Y) | yfolwed (most mss)]

[^a503: þis (G F) | al þis (all other mss)]

[^a504: ba vd after (G) | brokour als (most mss)]

[^a505: glasyng (G) | wirchyng (all other mss)]

[^a506: vs (G Cr1) | vs ful (most mss)]

[^a507: in hie cost (G) | heigh (all other mss)]

[^a508: no (G) | nouȝt (all other mss)]

[^a509: þe sonest (G) | sonnest (most mss)]

[^a510: walles (G Cr C2) | Wowes (most mss)]

[^a511: but (G Hm F H) | Ac (most mss)]

[^a512: men (G) | folke (all other mss)]

[^a513: wrytyng (G H) | grauynge (all other mss)]

[^a514: for pryde ys (G) | On auenture pruyde be (most mss)]

[^a515: and (G) | For (all other mss)]

[^a516: In (G Hm Hm2 B) | An (all other mss)]

[^a517: dextra et cetera (G) | dextra (most mss)]

[^a518: ye worcheth (G) | þow worchest (all other mss)]

[^a519: the (G) | þi (all other mss)]

[^a520: thys (G) | þus (all other mss)]

[^a521: maces (G) | maceres (most mss)]

[^a522: comm vnes (G O C2 F) | comune (all other mss)]

[^a523: h vrte (G) | harme (all other mss)]

[^a524: beggen (G Hm) | buggen (all other mss)]

[^a525: rysen (G) | rychen (all other mss)]

[^a526: wombes (G M Cr H) | wombe (all other mss)]

[^a527: they not (G H) | þei on (most mss)]

[^a528: vn -truely (G H) | trewly (all other mss)]

[^a529: by (G B) | be (all other mss)]

[^a530: þe (G B F) | ȝe (most ȝmss)]

[^a531: certeyne (G) | ful certeyne (all other mss)]

[^a532: but (G F H) | Ac (most mss)]

[^a533: rycheses (G Bm) | ricchesse (all other mss)]

[^a534: regratyers (G) | þe regrateres (most mss)]

[^a535: to (G F) | For to (most mss)]

[^a536: men (G) | ledes (most mss)]

[^a537: hoomes (G Cr W Hm) | þe homes (all other mss)]

[^a538: from the (G Cr) | fro þe (W Hm H) | fro (most mss)]

[^a539: dyd seeche (G) | ofsent (most mss)]

[^a540: swythe (G F H) | as swiþe (most mss)]

[^a541: kyng (G) | kynge þanne (all other mss)]

[^a542: gynneth (G) | comsed (most mss)]

[^a543: tell then (G) | telle (all other mss)]

[^a544: mo vthed (G) | melleth (most mss)]

[^a545: but (G F H) | Ac (most mss)]

[^a546: when (G Hm F) | þo (most mss)]

[^a547: from hennes (G F) | Hennes (all other mss)]

[^a548: do thow (G H) | do (most mss)]

[^a549: wyll (G Cr H) | wilneth (all other mss)]

[^a550: then (G) | lat (most mss)]

[^a551: clerkes (G H) | as clerkes (all other mss)]

[^a552: he lo vted (G) | a lowtid (B) | louted (all other mss)]

[^a553: yff (G) | quod þe kynge ȝif (most mss)]

[^a554: she (G) | For she (all other mss)]

[^a555: In tr vst (G) | Truste (most mss)]

[^a556: betreaythe (G Cr W C2 B) | treieth (most mss)]

[^a557: teychyth (G) | she techeth (most mss)]

[^a558: lerneth (G Cr F) | lereth (all other mss)]

[^a559: poysoned (G Cr Hm) | apoysounde (most mss)]

[^a560: the (G) | me (all other mss)]

[^a561: þe (G H) | a (most mss)]

[^a562: ych (G M Hm F) | eche a (most mss)]

[^a563: shre ves (G H) | Shireues of shires (most mss)]

[^a564: ly ves (G H) | lyf (all other mss)]

[^a565: gaylo vr (G F H) | gailers (all other mss)]

[^a566: theym (G M Cr23 W Y) | hym (most mss)]

[^a567: theym (G M Cr W Y) | hym (most mss)]

[^a568: constorye (G B R F) | consistorie (most mss)]

[^a569: beyne (G Cr W Hm H) | russhe (all other mss)]

[^a570: sellen (G H) | seleth (most mss)]

[^a571: the (G Cr Hm F H) | hire (all other mss)]

[^a572: letebyes l[o]tebyes (G) | lotebies (most mss)]

[^a573: Iesu (G Hm C B H) | ihesus (all other mss)]

[^a574: here (G) | his (all other mss)]

[^a575: Forthe (G) | forth here (most mss)]

[^a576: flo renzys (G) | floreines (all other mss)]

[^a577: moote (G F) | mote hir (most mss)]

[^a578: bugeysys bu[r]geysys (G) | burgeys (all other mss)]

[^a579: to ly ve (G B) | lyue (most mss)]

[^a580: mychance my[s]chance (G) | meschaunce (most mss)]

[^a581: not (G) | haue no powere to (all other mss)]

[^a582: allthogh (G) | þouȝ (most mss)]

[^a583: me ved (G Cr) | mened (most mss)]

[^a584: cong vere (G) | congey (all other mss)]

[^a585: wast warned (G) | wost wernard (most mss)]

[^a586: wold (G Cot) | wolt (most mss)]

[^a587: gold & (G B F) | golde (all other mss)]

[^a588: thynke (G) | thynketh (all other mss)]

[^a589: but (G F H) | Ac (most mss)]

[^a590: but (G F) | Ac (most mss)]

[^a591: þou that (G) | þat (all other mss)]

[^a592: on (G H) | at (all other mss)]

[^a593: a (G) | to a (most mss)]

[^a594: all the (G Cr W Cot) | alle (most mss)]

[^a595: hym (G Bm) | hem (most mss)]

[^a596: hys (G) | here (most mss)]

[^a597: beddyng (G) | biddynge (all other mss)]

[^a598: all (G) | Alkynnes (most mss)]

[^a599: crafty es (G) | craftes (W Cr) | crafty (all other mss)]

[^a600: maner (G) | manere of (most mss)]

[^a601: so dwelleth (G) | shal wonye (all other mss)]

[^a602: blysse (G) | wones (most mss)]

[^a603: hath (G) | han (most mss)]

[^a604: vsuriam vsuram (G) | vsuram (all other mss)]

[^a605: Innocentem non accepit (G Cr Hm Cot) | innocentem &c (most mss)]

[^a606: off men (G C2 F H) | men (all other mss)]

[^a607: shall (G) | my lorde · shal (most mss)]

[^a608: att (G O C2) | at a (most mss)]

[^a609: bytterlye (G O C2 B F) | bittere (most mss)]

[^a610: amen dico vobis (G Hm) | dico vobis (F H) | amen (all other mss)]

[^a611: laboren (G) | laboreres (most mss)]

[^a612: as (G) | and (all other mss)]

[^a613: perm vtacyon (G) | permutacioun apertly (all other mss)]

[^a614: peny (G Hm) | penyworth (all other mss)]

[^a615: but (G F H) | Ac (most mss)]

[^a616: and (G M F) | and on (all other mss)]

[^a617: & (G Cr1 O F) | of (all other mss)]

[^a618: a nnales (G) | amaleke (all other mss)]

[^a619: god (G) | god hym-self (all other mss)]

[^a620: þe hotethe (G F) | hoteth (most mss)]

[^a621: vn-to amales (G) | to amalec with þyn oost (all other mss)]

[^a622: þat (G) | al that (Hm) | what (all other mss)]

[^a623: b arnes (G) | Biernes (most mss)]

[^a624: may (G) | may þere (F) | myȝte (all other mss)]

[^a625: tellethe (G F) | witnesseth (most mss)]

[^a626: shamf vllyche (G Cr) | shenfullich (most mss)]

[^a627: colo vr (G Cr H) | culorum (most mss)]

[^a628: tell (G Cr W Hm H) | shewe (most mss)]

[^a629: In (G Hm Bm) | An (most mss)]

[^a630: no we (G Bm) | none (all other mss)]

[^a631: the (G) | hem (most mss)]

[^a632: sothest (G W) | hem sothes (most mss)]

[^a633: blamed (G F H) | yblamed (all other mss)]

[^a634: ytt me taght (G Cr1 W H) | me it tauȝte (most mss)]

[^a635: now (G Cr C2 H) | nouthe (most mss)]

[^a636: as (G) | Ac (most mss)]

[^a637: for to (G) | to (all other mss)]

[^a638: to (G) | ayein (all other mss)]

[^a639: p vt (G) | don (all other mss)]

[^a640: hys (G M Cr W H) | here (most mss)]

[^a641: pylo vr (G) | pelure (all other mss)]

[^a642: but (G F) | Ac (most mss)]

[^a643: come (G) | come ȝit (all other mss)]

[^a644: ryse (G) | arise (all other mss)]

[^a645: the (G) | þis (most mss)]

[^a646: to (G Cr) | to þe (all other mss)]

[^a647: pykes (G) | pykoys (most mss)]

[^a648: spades (G) | spade (all other mss)]

[^a649: þem (G) | hym (all other mss)]

[^a650: dyggen (G) | dyngen (all other mss)]

[^a651: to end (G) | til eue (most mss)]

[^a652: somonde (G) | sompne (most mss)]

[^a653: mercy (G) | mercy as (all other mss)]

[^a654: recorde (G) | acorde (most mss)]

[^a655: constorye (G R F) | constrye (H) | consistorie (all other mss)]

[^a656: chapyter (G Cr) | chapitele (most mss)]

[^a657: to (G) | þerwith to (most mss)]

[^a658: t vrne (G R F) | to torne (all other mss)]

[^a659: duitie d[i]uitie (G) | diuicie (all other mss)]

[^a660: multe & cetera (G M Hm Bm) | multe (all other mss)]

[^a661: as (G M Cr1 H) | Also (all other mss)]

[^a662: moste (G Cr W Hm H) | moche (all other mss)]

[^a663: le ve (G) | leue wel (all other mss)]

[^a664: quod (G H) | lady quod (all other mss)]

[^a665: butt (G F H) | Ac (most mss)]

[^a666: brobate [p]robate (G) | probate (all other mss)]

[^a667: well (G Cr) | herte (all other mss)]

[^a668: leefe (G) | lyne (most mss)]

[^a669: the (G) | þat (most mss)]

[^a670: fell (G Cr) | fele (all other mss)]

[^a671: to (G) | Tho (most mss)]

[^a672: but (G F H) | Ac (most mss)]

[^a673: ye (G Hm F) | ȝow (most mss)]

[^a674: torne (G) | wel turne (F) | haue torned (most mss)]

[^a675: for (G) | And (all other mss)]

[^a676: þat (G Hm Bm) | þat þat (most mss)]

[^a677: she (G M Cr1 W Hm H) | ȝe (most mss)]

[^187: G.4.3: The use of clere for clerc is not unusual for this scribe see, e.g., G.6.556, G.8.77, G.9.20, though Kane and Donaldson consistently read clerc, with final <c>.]

[^188: G.4.10: Use of "they" for "the" (as in G they meyde) is recorded by LALME in Warwickshire and Wiltshire (LALME 4, item 1 and p.315), but the form here may just be a back formation influenced by the G scribe's occasional use of the for weak they; see Introduction III.1.]

[^189: G.4.17: Kane and Donaldson argue that the reading here is kyng altered from kyndlye, picked up from two lines above. However, examination of the colours of the ink makes it clear that the <g> is original. Note particularly the way in which the last few letters of kyndlye have had to be squashed in. Thus it is clearly the corrector who has made the mistake here. The uncertainty, if any, concerns the intended replacement, since the <l> and the <y> occupy the same horizontal space, though one is below and one above the line.]

[^190: G.4.18: An active rather than a passive infinitive (i.e. "wed," as G, rather than "be wedded," as remaining B manuscripts) is found in all C manuscripts (although a number have "wend" rather than "wed").]

[^191: G.4.22: The corrector originally changed the <u> as well as the <o> of coupes to a <v> but the resulting ascender of the second <v> has been semi-erased and a descender added to form a <p>.]

[^192: G.4.29: A superscript <e> has been written above and just to the right of the <d> of hendelych in the same ink as the main body of the text (this has been transcribed as the second <e>). In addition, there appears to have been a later attempt to improve the loop of the <d> in blacker ink.]

[^193: G.4.39: All A manuscripts share the G F reading þis (for remaining B manuscripts al þis).]

[^194: G.4.40: A pen change occurs here (newer and sharper).]

[^195: G.4.46: The script of added be is more angular than that used by the original scribe and it seems probable that it the addition was made by WH (see, e.g., marginalia at ff.69v and 70r .]

[^196: G.4.46: The change from <u> to <v> resulting in bavd is in a different ink from that of similar changes and the form of the <v> is more elaborate.]

[^197: G.4.48: It is impossible to be certain whether the original here read whe or who.]

[^198: G.4.48: The script used for added in hie cost is more angular than that normally used by the original scribe, and seems to be closest to that of WH. See Introduction I.10 and I.12.]

[^199: G.4.51: The final stroke on the <n> of womman appears to be a flourish rather than a final -<e>.]

[^200: G.4.57:The scribe originally omitted the <l> of sklandre, added it but then decided to delete and rewrite the whole word.]

[^201: G.4.60: The final <e> of couere may have been re-outlined.]

[^202: G.4.61: The spelling wythen may be an error (the Bx reading is "whiten"), but given the large number of possible spellings for "white" (including forms with <th> for <t>) this cannot be assumed. See OED white, a.]

[^203: G.4.62: The form portren may possibly be an error for purtraye (the majority B reading) but the existence of a past participle portred="portrayed" (see MED portred ppl.) suggests that G's may well have been a legitimate form of the infinitive.]

[^204: G.4.76: G's thys may be simply a variant spelling of "thus" (the reading of remaining B manuscripts). See LALME 4.315, and note similar spellings at G.14.435, G.16.148, G.16.302, G.19.415, G.20.156.]

[^205: G.4.77: The G form maces may result from the omission of the abbreviation for er (cf. the majority B reading maceres), but note that mace can mean "a mace-bearer," see OED macen.2 2.b., where the earliest recorded example is in 1525.]

[^206: G.4.78: All A manuscripts except N Ra K J have the plural "commons" (as G O C2 F). Remaining B manuscripts have the singular.]

[^207: G.4.82: The G Hm form beggen (for remaining manuscripts buggen) may simply be a variant spelling of "buy," but confusion with "beg" is clearly possible.]

[^208: G.4.86: Kane and Donaldson read the word overwritten with not as "on" but this is not at all clear.]

[^209: G.4.86: The addition of un- to original truely brings the G reading into correspondence with that of H. Remaining B manuscripts read trewly. A number of A and C manuscripts also include the word "untruly."]

[^210: G.4.87: Kane and Donaldson take G's reading to be "ye" rather than þe. However, although <y> and <þ> have the same form in G, the scribe does not normally have superscript <e> where a <y> is intended. See the scribal alteration to G.4.351 and note.]

[^211: G.4.101: Kane and Donaldson's reading of G at this point (yersgyues rather than yers gyftes) is incorrect.]

[^212: G.4.110: The script of the added from resembles that found in the note at the top of on f.106v. For other marginal additions by hand2 (i.e. "WH"), see marginalia on ff.69v, 70, 71, 72v, and 103.]

[^213: G.4.110: The majority of A manuscripts share the G H reading do thow (for most manuscripts do).]

[^214: G.4.113: The word ye has been crossed out and "that" written in the margin and then partially erased. The word yea has then been inserted in the text. It seems likely that the incorrect marginal that has been written by hand2 (see material of 106v, which appears to have been written by "WH" who initials marginalia on ff.69v, 72v, and 103, and see also ff.70 and 71).]

[^215: G.4.113: The reading in F (oure Lord) suggests that the illegible addition which follows G's ladye may perhaps be intended to represent some form of "our."]

[^216: G.4.114: For the main scribe's treatment of class II weak verbs, see Introduction III.4.3. The corrector has presumably consulted the scribe's exemplar.]

[^217: G.4.115: G's original reading (without &), which is the reading adopted by Kane and Donaldson, corresponds to that of H and to the reading of all A manuscripts and all C manuscripts except Mc. Remaining B manuscripts share the corrected G reading.]

[^218: G.4.116: All A manuscripts except J K La share the G H reading (clerkes rather than as clerkes), and this is the reading adopted by Kane and Donaldson.]

[^219: G.4.118: The apparent double point (like a colon) following wyll does not appear to be intentional.]

[^220: G.4.133: All A manuscripts except U (which reads a) and D J (which omit) as well as all C manuscripts except Dc share the G H reading þe, which is adopted by Kane and Donaldson. Most B manuscripts read a.]

[^221: G.4.139: A number of A manuscripts, together with Cp share the G F H reading gaylour. Remaining B manuscripts have the plural.]

[^222: G.4.134: The G B R F reading constorye is simply a spelling variant of the majority B reading consistorie. Equivalent spellings are found in all A version manuscripts and in all C manuscripts except Rc (where ci has been added in another ink).]

[^223: G.4.149: Although the G scribe was clearly aware that single and double consonants could be used to indicate preceding long and short vowels, his practice in this respect was by no means consistent (see Introduction III.2), and it is therefore possible that, in G's case, the shared G H reading sellen (for most manuscripts seleth="seal") is simply a spelling variant.]

[^224: G.4.155: The change to <v> which results in fovlethe is clear, but it is difficult to be certain of the original - possibly a <w>?]

[^225: G.4.156: The G scribe often appears to use superscript <a> , as here, as a general mark of abbreviation. See Introduction IV.1.1.]

[^226: G.4.158: Added here is in black ink. The spelling is not that usually employed by the G scribe for "her" (he normally has hyr), and moreover the G scribe does not normally use long <r> plus flourish to indicate -re- (the only examples are at G.3.68 and G.6.269 where the <r>s appear to be later additions; see notes to these lines). It therefore seems probable that this addition has not been made by the original scribe and the more formal and upright script resembles that of WH (i.e. hand2). See marginal notes by WH on, e.g., ff.69v and 72v .]

[^227: G.4.161: The virgule present at this point is intended to separate the words thogh and he, i.e. it is not a metrical mark.]

[^228: G.4.161: Nearly all A and C manuscripts share the G F reading moote, which is adopted by Kane and Donaldson. Most B manuscripts read mote hir.]

[^229: G.4.161: Something very faint has been written at the bottom of the page: m or iii followed by S, h or 8.]

[^230: G.4.164: For G's spelling bugeysys, see also also G.16.211.]

[^231: G.4.171: The G corrector regularly replaces both <u> and <n> with <v>, hence G meved, for most manuscripts mened. Cr shares the G reading, which Crowley probably drew from a G-related manuscript. See Introduction II.2.1.2.]

[^232: G.4.175: G's reading conguere was presumably intended to be a form of "conjure" or conceivably "conquer," with the <y> of remaining B manuscripts congey misread as long <r>.]

[^233: G.4.181: The original here may also have been but, crossed out and rewritten because it was blotted.]

[^234: G.4.183: All A manuscripts except J La E N Ma share the G B F reading gold &, which is adopted by Kane and Donaldson. Remaining B manuscripts lack &.]

[^235: G.4.194: This letter (<a>) may have been rewritten because the original was blotted.]

[^236: G.4.197: Though the G scribe's use of double and single consonants is a somewhat unreliable guide to the length of the preceding vowel, he was clearly aware of the practice of using a double consonant to indicate a preceding short vowel (see Introduction III.2) and it seems likely that this alteration was made for this reason.]

[^237: G.4.197: All A manuscripts except La and K share the G H reading on (for remaining B manuscripts at).]

[^238: G.4.217: The majority of A manuscripts have some form of "himself," as G Bm, and this is the reading adopted by Kane and Donaldson. Most B manuscripts have some form of hem-seluen.]

[^239: G.4.128: The B manuscripts are divided between "servants" and "sergeants," as are the C manuscripts. The majority reading in A is "servants."]

[^240: G.4.220: The G reading beddyng may just be a spelling variant of remaining manuscripts biddynge. See note to G.3.56.]

[^241: G.4.224: Examination of ascenders and descenders and the direction of loops suggests that the scribe picked up "chyldre" from the previous line.]

[^242: G.4.224: The corrector adds a virgule after poeple in order to separate words. It runs through the original <t> of "to" and an extra <t> has therefore been added.]

[^243: G.4.226: Note the similar correction of craftye to craftys at G.7.70.]

[^244: G.4.231: The <c> in the middle of conscyence merges with the <s> and can only just be discerned as a separate letter.]

[^245: G.4.259: The G Hm reading amen amen dico vobis results from correction in Hm (the addition of dico vobis over an erasure). F H read Amen dico vobis. Remaining B manuscripts read Amen amen.]

[^246: G.4.267: The original O reading & (a reading shared with G Cr1 and F) has been corrected to of (the reading of remaining B manuscripts) by the original scribe.]

[^247: G.4.272: A line has been added in brown ink closing the top of the <u> of burnes so that it now reads barnes. Even so, this could still be just a spelling variant of "burns"="men," although it seems more likely that the word has been misinterpreted as "barns" (for housing the beasts).]

[^248: G.4.279: The majority of A manuscripts share the G F reading tellethe (for most B manuscripts witnesseth).]

[^249: G.4.284: Though the <a> of hated is touched in red ink, there is no reason to think that this was intentional.]

[^250: G.4.288: A high proportion of C manuscripts read sothest (as G W), although in no case is the preceding word the. Most B manuscripts read hem sothes.]

[^251: G.4.295: As far as G and Cr are concerned, the G Cr C2 H reading now for most manuscripts nouthe may well be a matter of date, since forms in -<th> died out at the beginning of the sixteenth century. See OED nowthe, adv.]

[^252: G.4.301: G's reading pylour may simply be an alternative spelling of Bx pelure="fur" (the OED records the spellings pillour and piloure) but possibly the scribe misinterprets as the similar word meaning "plunderer," "robber," "thief," and if that is the case pylour is presumably thought of as a person paralleling sergeant in the previous line.]

[^253: G.4.308: The abbreviation mark for the first <m> of coemmen is an odd bar, curling from the top of the <m> over what appears to be a very small <e>.]

[^254: G.4.326: The G R F reading constorye is simply a spelling variant of most manuscripts consistorie. See also G.4.143. All C manuscripts share the reduced spelling.]

[^255: G.4.326: The majority of C manuscripts share the G Cr reading chapyter (for most B manuscripts chapitele).]

[^256: G.4.334: C shares the G R F reading turne, which is adopted by Kane and Donaldson. Remaining B manuscripts read to torne.]

[^257: G.4.339: The second, added <t> of wott, which is in brown ink, makes use of the extended cross-bar of the original <t>.]

[^258: G.4.348: The corrector has probably erred here (reading the first <n> of original tornned as a <u>) but the result (torvned) is a possible Middle English spelling.]

[^259: G.4.349: The reading of G and Cr, i.e. fell (which is clearly correct), is adopted by Kane and Donaldson. Remaining B manuscripts read fele.]

[^260: G.4.349:It is not clear that the G scribe recognised the distinction between fell and fele, since he normally writes <fell> for fele="many" (see variants at G.10.77, G.11.222, G.11.402 etc.). That fele could be confusing for him is clear from G.16.336, where he interprets it as the verb "to feel," and there may well be other occasions where he reads it as the adjective "fell"= "fierce, deadly" etc., though this seems less likely in lines such as G.14.319, (where the reading is "felefold") and G.14.329 (where the reading is "fele times").]

[^261: G.4.351: The scribe initially wrote superscript <e> but then crossed it out and replaced it with online <e>. Given the scribe's usual practice, it seems likely that the superscript version would imply an initial thorn, and would thus have resulted in the reading "the" rather than "ye." See note to G.3.118.]

[^262: G.4.354: In the case of Hm, ye (as G F) is written over an erasure. Most B manuscripts read ȝow.]

[^263: G.4.355: The deleted letter may possibly an <o>; note that Cr reads <oft>.]

[^264: G.4.357: The readings þat (as G Hm Bm) and þat þat (as most B manuscripts) are both unsatisfactory. Kane and Donaldson adopt the reading þat teme. See The B Version, 201 for their comments.]

[^265: G.4.358: In the case of M, the reading shared with G Cr1 W Hm H (i.e. she) appears over an erasure. Most B manuscripts read ȝe.]

Cessethe seyythe the kyng I s vffer ye[^a678] no lenger
ye shall saghtell forthe for the[^a679] sothe & ser ve me bothe
kysse hyr quod the kyng to[^a680] conscyence I hoote
nay by cryste quod conscyence congey me rather
but reason rede me there-to rather wole I dye
I[^a681] comma vnde[^266] the quod þe kyng to conscyence then
rape the to ryde & reason þou fecche
commavnde hym þat he come my co vnseyle to here
for he shall re vle my realme & reyde me þe best
and acco vnte wyth the conscyence so me cryste helpe
how þou lernest the poeple þe lered & the lewde
I am fayne off that forward sayde the freyke then
& rydyth ryght to reason & rowneth In hys yere
and seyde as the kyng bad & sythen toke hys ley ve
I shall arrey me to ryde[^a682] rest the a whyle
and called caton hys kna ve co vrtes off speche
and also thome trew tong tell me no tales
no[^a683] leysynges[^a684] to laghe off for I lo ved theym neuer
and sett my sadle vp-on suffer / tyll I see my tyme
and lett warrock hym well wyth wyttye wordes garthes
and hang on hym the hey vy brydle to hold hys heyde lowe
for he wyll make wehe twyes er he come[^a685] there
then conscyence on[^a686][^267] hys caple caryeth forthe faste
and reason wyth hym rytt rounyng to-gedders
wyche mastryes mede makethe on thys yerthe
oon warryn wyssdome & wytty hys fere
folowyd hym[^a687] fast for they had to done
In þe checker & þe[^a688] chancerye to be dyscharged off thynges
and ryden fast for reason sh olde reyde theym the best
for to sa ve them for syl ver from shame & from harmes
and conscyence knew theym well þei lo ved co vetyse
and bad reason ryde fast & reycche off them[^a689] neyther
they[^a690] are wyles In þer wordes & wyth mede they dwellen
there as wrothe[^a691][^268] & wrastylyng[^a692] ys þer wynne þei syl ver
but[^a693] there ys lo ve & loyalte they wole not come there
contricio et Infelicitas In viis eorum et cetera
they ne gy ve not off god a goose wynge
non est timor dei ante oculos eorum et cetera
for woote god they wold do more for a dozene chyckens
or as many capones or for a seyme off otes
then for the[^a694] lo ve off o vr lord &[^a695] all hys le ve seyntes
forthy reyson lett them ryde / the[^a696] ryche by them-sel ven
for conscyence knoythe theym noght no[^a697] cryst as I trowe
and þen reason rode fast the ryght hygh gate
and[^a698] conscyence hym kenned tyll he[^a699] cam to þe kyng
co vrteyslyche þe kyng then came ageynst reason
betwene[^a700] hym-selfe & hys sonne sett hym on benche
and wordeden well wysely a greyte whyle to-gedders
and then came peas In-to parlement & p vt forthe a byll
how wrong agaynst hys wyll had hys wyffe taken
and how he ra vysshed rose reynaldes lo ve
and margarett off hyr meydenhode ma vgre theyre[^a701] chekes
both my gees & my gryses[^a702] hys gadelynges fecchen
I dare not for fere off theym[^a703] fyght ne chyde
he borowed oft my[^a704] bayard he broght hym whom neuer
ne no ferthyng therfore for ought that I[^a705] cowld pleyde
he menteynyth hys men to morther my hewen
Forstalleth my Fayrs & fyghtethe In my cheypyng
and breykyth vp my barne dores & beyrythe a-way my weyte
and taketh hym[^a706] but a taylle off[^a707] ten quarters ootes
yet[^a708] he bett me there[^a709] & lyeth by my meyde
I am not hardye for hym vnnethe to looke
the kyng knewe he sayd sothe for conscyence hym tolde
that wrong was a wyked l vst[^a710] & wroght moche sorowe
wrong was afeyrde then & wyssdome he soght
to make pea ce wyth hys pence & profered hym manye
and seyde had I lo ve off my lord[^a711] lytle wold I recche
thogh pea ce & hys power pleyned theym[^a712] e ver
tho went wyssdome & syr warryn the wyttye
for þat wrong had wroght[^a713] so wyked a dede
& warned wrong tho wyth s oyche a wyse tale
wo-so worchethe by wyll wrathe maketh offt
I say ytt by my-selffe þou shalt ytt well fynd
but yff mede ytt make þi myscheffe ys vppe
for both þi lyfe & þi land lyeth bothe[^a714] In hyr[^a715] grace
then wowed wrong wyssdome f vll yerne
to make hys pea ce wyth hys pence In hand[^a716] payed
wyssdome & wytt þen wenten to-gedders
& tooke mede wythe theym marcy to wynne[^269]
pea ce put forthe hys heyde & hys panne blodye
wyth-owte gylt god yt woote gett[^a717][^270] I thys skathe
conscyence & the comm vne knowen the sothe
but[^a718] wyssdome & wytt where a-bowte fast
to o ver-come the kyng wyth catell yff they myght
the kyng sware by cryst & by hys crone bothe
that wrong for hys workes sh old wo thole
and comma vnded a constable to casten hym In yrenns
and lett hym not thys sey ven yere seene hys fete one ce
god woote quod wyssdome that were nat the best
and he amendes mow make lett meymprysse[^271] hym ha ve
and be borowe for hys bale & byggen hym boote
and so amend that ys myssdo & euer -more the better
wytt accorded therwyth and seyde the same
better ys þat[^272] boote bale a-downe bryng
then baale be ybett / & boote neuer the better
and then ganne mede[^a719] me ve[^a720] hyr & mercy besoght
and profered pea ce a present all off p vre gold
ha ve þis man[^a721] quod she to amend thy scathe
for I wole wage for wrong he wole do so no more
pytyo vsly pea ce then preyd to the kyng
to ha ve marcy off[^a722] þat man þat myssdyd hym offt[^a723][^273]
For he hath waged me well as wyssdome hym taght
and I forgy ve hym þat gylt wyth a good wyll
so that þe kyng assente I can sey no better
For mede hathe[^274] me amendys made[^a724] I may no more aske
nay quod the kyng tho so me c ryst[^275] helpe
wrong wendeth not so a-way or[^a725] y wytt more
For loope he so lyghlye[^276] laghen he wold
and ofter[^a726][^277] bolder[^a727] be to beyte my men[^a728]
but reason ha ve r v eth off[^a729] hym he shall rest In þe[^a730] stockes
als[^a731] long as he ly vythe but lownes hym borowe
some men redde reason tho to ha ve rewthe off[^a732] þe[^a733][^278] shrewe
& for to counseyle þe kyng & conscyence after
that mede myght[^a734] be meymperno vre reason þei besoght
rede me not quod reason rewthe for to[^a735] ha ve
tyll lordes & ladyes lo ven all trewthe
and haten all harlotrye to here or to mowthe ytt
a profycy

[The word profycy looks at first sight as if it may have been crossed out, but it is simply smudged.]

tyll pernelles p vrfyll be p vtt In h vr h vcche
& chyldren charysshyng by[^a736] chastysyng wyth yerdes
& harlottes holynes be holden for an hyne
and[^a737] clerkes co vetyse be to clothe þe poere & fede
and relygyo vs romers recordare In theyr cloysters
as seynt benett theym badde bernarde & fra vnceys
and to[^a738] preychers p reychyng be proued off[^a739] theym-sel ven
tyll the kynges co vnceyle be the comm vne proffett
tyll bysshopps byardes be beggers chambers
theyre ha vkes & theyre ho vndes help to pore rylygyo vse
and tyll seynt Iame be soght there I shall assynge
that no man go to gales but yff he go for euer
and all rome renners for robbers byȝonde
beyre no syl ver ouer shey[^a740][^279] þat sygne off kyng shewythe
nether gra ve ne vngra ve gold nether syl ver
on[^a741] forfat vre off that fee who[^a742][^280] fynd hym att douer
but yff he be marchant or hys man or meysenger wyth letters
pro vysour or preeste or pena vnte for hys synnes
and yet quod reason by the rode I shall no rewthe ha ve
wyle mede hath the mastrye In thys mote halle
but[^a743] I may shewe Insamples as I see other- whyles[^a744]
I sey ytt by my- selffe[^a745] & yff[^a746][^281] ytt so were
that I were kyng wyth crowne to kepe þe[^a747] realme
sh old neuer wrong In thys worlde that I wytt myght
bynne vnp vnnyshed In my power for perell off my so vle
ne gett my grace for gyftes so me god helpe[^a748]
ne for no mede ha ve marcy b vt mekenes ytt make
for nullum malum the man mett wyth Impunitum .
and badde nullum bonum bene irremuneratum
lett yo vr confessor syr kyng constrew you thys[^a749] vnglosed
and yff you[^a750][^282] worchen that[^a751] worke[^a752] I wedde my heyrs
that law shalbe shal be a laborer & leyde a-felde donge
& lo ve shall leyde thy land as the leefe lykethe
clerkes þat were confesso vrs co vpled theym to-gedders
all to constrew thys cla vse for þe kynges profytt
but[^a753] noght for comforte off þe comen ne for þe kynges so vle
for I sygh mede In þe mote halle on men off lawe wynke
and they laghyng loope to hyr & left reason many
warren wyssdome wynked vpon mede
& sayd madame I am your owen[^a754] wat so my mo vthe tellythe[^a755]
I fall In florenzys[^a756] quod þat freyke & fayle speche offte
all ryghfull[^283] recorded that reason trewthe told
and wytt accorded therwythe & commendyd hys wordes
& þe most poeple In the hall & many off þe greyte
and letten mekenes a maystrye[^a757] & mede a mansed shrewe
lo ve lete off hyr lyght & loyalte yet lasse
and sayd ytt so hye that all the halle ytt herd
who-so wylnethe hyr to wyffe / for welthe off hyr goodes
but he beknowe be knowe for a cokewold k vtt off my nose
mede mo vrned tho & made hey vy chere
For the most comen off þat co vrte called hyr a hoore
b vt[^a758] a syso vr &[^a759] somno vr s vede hyr fast
and a shrey vys clerke beshrewyd all the ro vte
Full[^a760] ofte ha ve I quod he holpen you att the barre
and yet ga ve ye me neuer the worth off a rysshe
the kyng called conscyence & after-ward reason
and recorded that reason had ryghtfullyche shewed
and modelyche vp-on mede wyth myght þe kyng loked
and gan wexe wrothe wyth lawe for mede had nyghe[^a761] shente ytt
and seyde thr vghe your lawe[^a762] I le ve I leese many cheytes
mede ouermasterethe lawe & moche trewthe lettythe
but[^a763] reason shall reyken wyth you yff I reygne any wyle
and deme you by þis day as ye ha ve deser ved
mede shal not meympryce you by[^a764] mary off heyuen
I wole ha ve loyalte yn lawe & lett be yo vr[^a765] Ianglyng
and as most folke wyttnessyth wrong[^a766] shalbe shal be demed
quod conscyence to þe kyng but þe commen assente[^a767]
ytt ys full herd by my heyd here-to / to bryng ytt
all yo vr leyge leedes to leyde th vs e ver[^a768]
by hym that raght on the rode quod reason to þe kyng
but yff I re vle thys[^a769][^284] yo vr realme rende ovte my g vttes
yff ye byden boexomenes be off myne assente
and I assente quod þe kyng by seynt marye my ladye
by[^a770] my co vnseyle comen off clerkes & off erles
butt[^a771] reydylye reason þou shalt not ryde me fro[^a772]
For as long as I ly ve ley ve[^a773] þe I nyll
I am all reydy quod reason to rest wyth you e ver
so conscyence be off[^a774] co vnseyle I kepe no better
and I gra vnt quod the kyng god[^a775][^285] forbyd ytt fayle
as long as our lyffe lastethe ly ve we to-gedders
explicit quintus passus de visione[^286]

[^a678: ye (G) | ȝow (all other mss)]

[^a679: forthe for the (G) | for (all other mss)]

[^a680: kyng to (G) | kynge (most mass)]

[^a681: I (G H) | And I (most mss)]

[^a682: ryde (G) | ride quod resoun (most mss)]

[^a683: no (G Hm) | Ne (all other mss)]

[^a684: leysynges (G O C2 F) | lesyng (all other mss)]

[^a685: come (G Cr C2) | comyt (H) | be (all other mss)]

[^a686: on (G H) | vppon (all other mss)]

[^a687: hym (G Cr W Hm Cot) | hem (all other mss)]

[^a688: þe (G) | in þe (most mss)]

[^a689: them (G Cr F) | her (all other mss)]

[^a690: they (G O C2 Y) | Þere (most mss)]

[^a691: wrothe (G) | wratthe (all other mss)]

[^a692: wrastylyng (G) | wranglyng (most mss)]

[^a693: but (G) | Ac (most mss)]

[^a694: for the (G W Hm F H) | for (all other mss)]

[^a695: & (G H) | or (all other mss)]

[^a696: the (G Cr) | þo (all other mss)]

[^a697: no (G) | non (H) | ne (all other mss)]

[^a698: and (G Cr Hm) | As (all other mss)]

[^a699: he (G O C2) | þei (all other mss)]

[^a700: betwene (G) | And bitwene (all other mss)]

[^a701: theyre (G) | here (all other mss)]

[^a702: gryses (G C2) | grys (all other mss)]

[^a703: theym (G W Hm) | hym (most mss)]

[^a704: oft my (G) | my (Cr) | of me (all other mss)]

[^a705: that I (G O C2) | I (all other mss)]

[^a706: hym (G) | me (all other mss)]

[^a707: off (G) | for (most mss)]

[^a708: yet (G Cr Hm) | And ȝet (all other mss)]

[^a709: there (G) | þer-to (all other mss)]

[^a710: l vst (G B R) | luft (most mss)]

[^a711: lord (G) | lorde þe kynge (most mss)]

[^a712: theym (G Cr23 Hm R H) | hym (all other mss)]

[^a713: wroght (G Cr Hm) | ywrouȝte (most mss)]

[^a714: lyeth bothe (G) | lyth (all other mss)]

[^a715: hyr (G Cr H) | his (all other mss)]

[^a716: In hand (G) | handi-dandi (most mss)]

[^a717: gett (G) | gat (most mss)]

[^a718: but (G H) | Ac (most mss)]

[^a719: mede (G H) | Mede to (all other mss)]

[^a720: me ve (G Cr) | mengen (most mss)]

[^a721: man (G) | man of me (most mss)]

[^a722: off (G O) | on (all other mss)]

[^a723: offt (G M) | so ofte (all other mss)]

[^a724: me amendys made (G Cr W) | made me amendes (most mss)]

[^a725: or (G H) | arst wil (most mss)]

[^a726: ofter (G) | efte (all other mss)]

[^a727: bolder (G Hm) | þe balder (all other mss)]

[^a728: men (G) | hewen (most mss)]

[^a729: off (G) | on (all other mss)]

[^a730: þe (G H) | my (most mss)]

[^a731: als (G H) | And þat as (most mss)]

[^a732: off (G) | on (all other mss)]

[^a733: þe (G H) | þat (all other mss)]

[^a734: myght (G Cr F H) | moste (all other mss)]

[^a735: rewthe for to (G) | no reuthe to (most mss)]

[^a736: by (G) | be (all other mss)]

[^a737: and (G F) | Til (all other mss)]

[^a738: to (G) | til (all other mss)]

[^a739: off (G) | on (all other mss)]

[^a740: shey (G) | see (most mss)]

[^a741: on (G) | Vppon (most mss)]

[^a742: who (G F) | who-so (all other mss)]

[^a743: but (G H) | Ac (most mss)]

[^a744: whyles (G) | while (most mss)]

[^a745: selffe (G) | self quod he (all other mss)]

[^a746: & yff (G) | and (most mss)]

[^a747: þe (G Cr1 Hm F) | a (all other mss)]

[^a748: helpe (G) | saue (all other mss)]

[^a749: you thys (G) | þis (most mss)]

[^a750: you (G) | ȝe (most mss)]

[^a751: that (G) | it (most mss)]

[^a752: worke (G Hm) | in werke (all other mss)]

[^a753: but (G F H) | Ac (most mss)]

[^a754: owen (G H) | man (all other mss)]

[^a755: tellythe (G) | iangleth (most mss)]

[^a756: florenzys (G) | floreines (all other mss)]

[^a757: maystrye (G) | maistre (most mss)]

[^a758: b vt (G H) | Ac (most mss)]

[^a759: & (G Bm) | and a (all other mss)]

[^a760: Full (G H) | For (most mss)]

[^a761: had nyghe (G H) | almoste had (most mss)]

[^a762: lawe (G Hm H) | lawe as (all other mss)]

[^a763: but (G F H) | Ac (most mss)]

[^a764: by (G Cr23 F H) | bi þe (all other mss)]

[^a765: yo vr (G Cr23 O C2 H) | al ȝowre (all other mss)]

[^a766: wrong (G Cr R F H) | wel wronge (most mss)]

[^a767: assente (G F) | wil assent (all other mss)]

[^a768: e ver (G) | euene (all other mss)]

[^a769: thys (G Cr3) | þus (all other mss)]

[^a770: by (G Cr W Hm Bm) | Be (most mss)]

[^a771: butt (G F H) | Ac (most mss)]

[^a772: me fro (G) | fro me (most mss)]

[^a773: ley ve (G Cr F) | lete (all other mss)]

[^a774: off (G) | of owre (most mss)]

[^a775: god (G M Cr23 Bm F H) | goddes (most mss)]

[^266: G.5.6: The <n> of "command" has in fact three minims, the result of characteristic carelessness in this matter on the part of the original scribe.]

[^267: G.5.23: All A manuscripts share the G H reading on, which is adopted by Kane and Donaldson. Remaining B manuscripts read vppon.]

[^268: G.5.34: The G spelling wrothe might conceivably reflect rounding after w plus r, but if so it would be an exceptionally early example; see Dobson, English Pronunciation, section 53 and note 7. It seems more likely that what we have here is a nominal use of the adjective, see OED wroth, n. 1 .]

[^269: G.5.79: There is a smudge in the right margin, but this comes from the following page. See note to G.5.118.]

[^270: G.5.82: Though preterites of "get" in <a> do occur in G (see, e.g., G.2.35), it seems likely that the form gett is also intended as a preterite, cf. the preterite in <e> at G.19.292. The G reading here is therefore probably not a substantive variant, even though most remaining B manuscripts read gat.]

[^271: G.5.90: For meymprysse with medial <m>, see note to G.3.198.]

[^272: G.5.94: The <þ> of þat has been altered in black ink, enlarging the head.]

[^273: G.5.101: In the case of M, the shared G M reading offt involves erasure and correction, and the original M reading may well have been so ofte (the reading of remaining B manuscripts). All A manuscripts except J share the G M reading, which is adopted by Kane and Donaldson.]

[^274: G.5.105: The form of the letters -ede in mede differs from that normally used by hand1 in the body of the text, but resembles that used in the more formal rubricated sections. See Introduction I.7.]

[^275: G.5.106:Possibly the second letter of cryst was originally a 2-shaped rather than a long <r>.]

[^276: G.5.108: For "lightly" without medial <t>, see note to G.1.150.]

[^277: G.5.109: The majority of A manuscripts read "oft" rather than ofter (as G) or efte (as remaining B manuscripts), and this is the reading adopted by Kane and Donaldson.]

[^278: G.5.112: An attempt has been made to correct shewe to shrewe before deletion and rewriting.]

[^279: G.5.131:The use of <sh> for <s> (in G shey, cf. most manuscripts see) probably reflects earlier Northern or East Midlands influence. See Introduction III.4.1 and Dobson, English Pronunciation, section 373 and notes.]

[^280: G.5.133: A high proportion of A manuscripts share the G F reading who, which is adopted by Kane and Donaldson. Remaining B manuscripts read who-so.]

[^281: G.5.139: Perhaps because the use of "and"="if" is confusing for him, the G scribe does sometimes have "and if" for B "and," as here. See also G.14.121 and G.15.29. At G.3.194, G.10.9 and G.18.243, G has "if" for "and." Occasionally these readings correspond to the readings of F or H (in this particular case, F shares G's original reading), but this is not always the case and such agreement therefore cannot be used as evidence of a relationship.]

[^282: G.5.148: The vast majority of A manuscripts read "thou," which is the reading adopted by Kane and Donaldson and which may have given rise to the G reading you (with misreading of the thorn as a <y>). However, most B manuscripts read ȝe and it is worth remembering that the G scribe does employ "you" for the nominative plural elsewhere; see note to G.2.180.]

[^283: G.5.159:This spelling of "rightful" (without medial <t>) is recorded by the MED. For a similar spelling of "lightly," see G.1.150 and note.]

[^284: G.5.188: For the G scribe's use of "this" for most manuscripts "thus," see note to G.4.76.]

[^285: G.5.196: Bm originally shared the majority B reading goddes but the inflexion was later erased, bringing Bm's reading into line with the G M Cr23 F H reading god.]

[^286: G.5.197: The cross at the bottom right hand corner of the page is in modern pencil.]

The kyng & hys knyghtes to the kyrke went
to here matyns off the day & the masse after
then waked I off[^a776] wynkyng & wo was wyth-all
that I ne hadde slept sadder & seene[^a777] more
&[^a778] or I had faren a forlonge a[^a779] feyntnes[^a780] me hente
that I myght no[^a781] f orther[^a782] for defa vte off slepyng
and satt softlye a-downe & seyde my bele ve
and so I babbeled on my beydes they bro vght me a-slepe
and þen saghe I moche more then I before told
I[^a783] seghe the felde f vll of for[^a784] / that I ere[^a785] off sayde
how[^a786] reason gan arreyne hym all the realme to preache
and wyth a cros a-fore the kyng comsed þus to teychen
he pro ved þat theyre[^a787] pestylences were for p vre synne
and þe southewesteren wynd on sayterday att e vene
was pertelyche for p vre pryde & for no poynte elles
pyreys & plomtrees / were pvffed[^287] to the yerthe
In ensample ye segges ye sholde do the better
beeches & brode ookes were blowen to the gro vnde
t orned vpward theyre tayles In tokenyng off drede
that dedely[^a788] ar domesday / shall fordone theym all
off thys matter I myght mamele full long
but[^a789] I shall say as I saghe so me god helpe
how pertly afore the poeple reason beganne[^a790] to preyche
he bad waster go worche watt he best co vlde
and wynnen hys wastyng wyth some maner crafte
he[^a791] preyyd pernell hyr p vrfell to lete
and kepe ytt In hyr cofre for catell att nede[^a792][^288]
thome stowue he taght to take two sta ves
and fecche Felyce hoome fro the wyuen pyne
he warned watt hys wyffe þat[^a793][^289] was to blame
hyr[^a794] heyd was worth halffe a mare[^a795] / hys hoode not a[^a796] grote
and bad bette k vtte a bowe other tweyne
& bett kytone[^a797] therwyth but yff she wold worche
& then he charged chapmen to chasten[^a798] theyre chyldre
lett no wynnyng theym wanye[^a799] wyle they be yonge
ne for no post[^a800][^290] off pestylence pleasse theym ovte[^a801] off reason
my syre seyd so to me & so dyd my dame
that the le vere chylde the more lore beho vethe
and salamon seyde the same that sapyence made
qui percit[^a802] virge odit filium et cetera[^a803]
the englysshe off thys laten ys wo-so wyll ytt knowe
wo-so sparethe the spryng spylleth hys chy lldren
& sythen he preyyde[^291] prelates & prestes[^292] to-gydders
that ye preychen to the poeple pro ve on[^a804] yoursel ven
and dothe ytt In dede ytt shall drawe you to good[^293]
yff ye wole[^a805] ly ven as ye leyren vs we wyll[^a806] le ve you þe better
and sythen he radde relygyone theyr rewle to holde
lest þe kyng & hys[^294] co vnceyle the comm vne[^a807] apeyre
and be stuerdes off your steedes to[^a808] ye be rewled better
and sythen he counseylyd the kyng the comm vne to lo ve
ytt ys thy treso vr yff treyson ne were and tryakell att þi nede
and sythen he prayyd the pope to ha ve[^a809] pyte off the[^a810] holye churche
and are he gyffe any grace goueren f vrst hym-sel ve
and ye þat haue lawes to kepe lett trewthe be your co vytyse
more then gold other gyftes yff ye wold[^a811] god pleasse
For wo-so contraryethe trewthe he telleth In the gospell
that god knoweth hym noght ne no seynte In[^a812] hey ven
amen dico vobis quia nescio[^a813] vos.
& ye that seke seynt Iames & seyntes at[^a814] rome
seketh seynt trewth for he may sa ve you all
qui cum patre et filio that fayre theym befall
that shewen[^295] my sermon & th vs sayd reyson
then ranne repentance & rehersed hys teeme
and gerte wyll to wepe water wyth hys eyene
superbia
Peronelle[^296] pro vde herte platte hyr to the yerthe
and leye long or she loked &[^297] lord mercy cryed
and byhyght to hym that vs all made
she sh olde vnsowen hyr serke and sett there[^298] an heyre
to affayten hyr flesshe that freyle[^a815] was to synne
shall neuer heghe herte me hente but holde me lowe
and s offer to be myssayde and so dyd I neuer
but now wyll I meke me & mercy byseche
for all thys I ha ve hated In my herte
luxuria
then lycho vre seyd alas & on our ladye cryed[^a816][^299]
to make mercy for hys myssdedes betwene god & hys so vle
wyth þat he sholde þe saterday sey ven yere þer-after
drynke but myd the doke & dyne but one ce
Inuidia
en vye wyth hey vy herte asked after shryffte
and carefullyche mea culpa he comsed to shewe
he was[^a817] pale as a pelet In þe palsye hym[^a818] semed
& clothed In a ka vryma vrye I co vld ytt not dyscry ve
In kyrtell & co vrtyby and a knyffe by hys syde
off a freres frocke were þe forsleues
and as a leeke hadde[^300] I-lye long yn þe sonne
so loked he wyth leyne chekes lowryng fo vle
hys ladye[^a819] was bolle[^a820] for wrathe that he boote hys lyppes
wryngyng[^a821] he went[^a822] wyth þe Fyst wreyke[^a823] hym-selfe he thoght
wyth workes &[^a824] wordes[^a825] when he seghe hys tyme
eche[^a826] word þat he werped[^a827] was off a neddres tong
off chydyng & off chalengyng was hys cheffe ly velode
wyth bakbytyng & bysmer & beyryng fals[^a828] wyttnes
thys was[^a829] hys co vrtysye where þat[^a830] he shewed hym
I wold be shry ve quod thys shrewe & I for shame dorste
I wold be gladder by god þat gybbe had myschance
then I[^a831] had thys weeke wonne[^a832] a weye off essex chesse
I ha ve a neyghbo vr nye me I ha ve anoyede hym oft
& lyen on hym to lordes to done hym leese hys syl ver
and made hys frendys hys[^a833] foone / thrugh my fals tong
hys grace & hys good happes gre ved[^a834] me full sore
betwene many & many I make debate oft
that both lyffe and lymme ys lost thr vgh my speche
and when I mete hym In merkett þat I moste hate
I haylsed[^a835] hym hendelyche as I hys frende were
for he ys dooghtyer then I I dare do non other
but[^a836] had I maystrye & myght god wott my wyll
and when I come to the kyrke & shold knele to þe rode
and prey for þe pepole as the prest teychyth
for pylgrymes &[^a837] palmers &[^a838] all the poeple after
then I crye on my knees that cryst gy ve hym[^a839][^301] sorowe
that bare a-wey my bolle & my broken shete
away from þe awter then torne I myn eyne
& behold how ellen hath a new cote
I wysshe þat[^a840] ytt were myne & all the webbe after
off[^a841] menes lesyng I lagh that lyketh my herte
& for theyr wynnyng I wepe & weyle the tyme
and deme that þei done yll / where[^a842] I do well worse
wo-so vndrem ynethe me[^a843] I hate hym deydly after
I wold that eche a wyght were my knave
for wo-so hath more then I þat angreyth me sore
& thys[^a844][^302] I ly ve lo veles lyke a lyther dogge
that all my bodye bolneth For bytter off my gall
I myght not eyte many yers as a man oghte
For en vye & e vell wyll ys e vell to defyen
mey no s vker ne swete thyng swage[^a845] my swellyng
ne no dyapenidyon dry ve ytt from my herte
ne neyther shryffte ne shame but wo-so sharpe[^a846] my mawe
yes reydyly quod repentance & radde hym to the best
sorow off synnes ys sal vatyon off sowles
I am sorye quod þat segge I am[^a847] seld other
that[^a848] maketh me thys[^a849][^303] meygre for I[^a850] may me not wenge[^a851]
a-mong b vrgeysys ha ve I bynne dwellyng att london
and made[^a852] backbytyng be a broker to blame mennes ware
when he sold & y noght then was I reydy
to lye on[^a853] my neghbo vr & to lacke hys chaffeyre
I wyll amend thys yff I mey thr vgh þe[^a854] myght off god allmyghtye
Now awaketh wrathe wyth too wyte eyne
Ira
& sne velyng[^a855] wyth þe nose & the[^a856] necke hangyng
I am wrathe quod he I was some-tyme a frere
and the co ventes gardener for gryften[^a857][^304] ympes[^305]
on lymyto vrs[^306] & lysters leysynges I ymped
tyll they bare ley vys off low speche lordes to pleasse
and sythen they blossomed a-broode In bower to here shryftes
and now ys fall there[^a858] a fr vyte þat folke ha d[^a859][^307] well ley vere
showe theyr shryftes to them then[^a860] to theyre persouns
& now persones ha ve percey vyd that freres[^308] parte wyth theyme
thees possessyoners preyche & depra ve the freres[^a861]
& freres fynden theym In fa vte[^a862] as folke beyre wyttnes
that when they preyche the poeple In manye places abo vte
I wrath walke wyth theym & wysse them off my bokes
th vs the[^309] speken off my spiritualte þat eyther dysspyseth other
tyll þei be both beggers & by my spiritualte[^310] lyven
or eles all ryche & ryden a-bowte
I wrath rest neuer þat I ne mvste folowe
thys wyked folke for s oyche ys my grace
I haue an auwnte to nonne & an abbesse bothe
hyr had[^a863] leyuer swone[^a864][^311] or swelte þen suffer any peyne
I ha ve bynne koke In þe[^a865] kechyne and the co vent ser ved
manye mo vthes[^a866] wyth theym & wyth monkes bothe
I was þe pryoresse portager potager[^a867] & other poere ladyes
and made þem Iowetes off Ianglyng þat dame Iohan was a bastard
and dame claryce a kynges[^a868] doghter a[^a869] kockwold was hyr syre
& dame peronell a prestes fyle pryoresse worthes[^a870] she ne ver
For she had chyld In cheryetyme all our chapter ytt wyst
off wykked wordes I wrathe theyre wortes made
tyll þou lyest & þou lyest lopen ovte att one ce
& eyther hytt other vndre-neythe[^a871] the cheeke
had they had kny ves[^a872] eyther had kylled other
seynt gregory was a goode pope & had a good forwytt
that no pryoresse were preest for that he ordened
þei had ben e vell losed[^a873] for[^a874] þei can[^a875] heyle no[^a876] co vnseyle
among monkes I mot[^a877] be but[^a878] many tymes[^a879] I shony
for þer be many fell freykes my feres to aspye
both pryo vr & subpryo vr & o vr pater abbas
& yff I tell any tales they taken theym to-gedders
and do me fast frydays to breyde & to water
&[^a880] chalenged In[^a881] chapterho vse as I a chylde were
& baleced on þe bare ar ce & no breche betwene
Forthy I ha ve[^a882] no lykyng wyth tho leedes to wonne
I eyte þer vnthend fysshe and feble ale drynke
but[^a883] other whyle when wyne comythe when[^a884] I drynke wyne[^a885] at e ve
I ha ve a fl vx or[^a886][^312] a fo vle mo vthe well .v. fyue days after
all þe wykkednes þat I woott by any off your[^a887] brethren
I cowthe[^a888] yn your[^a889] cloyster þat all your[^a890] co vent woote ytt
now repent quod[^a891] repentance & reherce thow neuer
co vnseyle þat þou knowest by co vnteynance ne by nyght[^a892]
& drynk not ouer dylycately ne to deepe nother
that thy wyll be ca vse thereoff to wrathe myghe[^313] torne
esto sobrius he seyde and assoyled me after
& bad me welne to wepe my wykednes to amend
And then cam co vetyse can I hym noght dyscry ve
auaricia
so hongerly & holowe syr henry[^a893] hym loked
he was bettell-browed & blabber[^a894] -lypped[^314] also
wyth too bleyred eyne as a blynd hagge
and as a leythren p vr ce lolled hys chekes
well sydder þen hys chyn the[^315] che veled for elde
as[^a895] a boundman off hys bacon hys berd was bedra veled
wyth a hoode on hys heyde a losye hatt abo ve
and In a tawny tabberd off twel ve wynter age
all to-torne & bawdye & full off lyes crepyng
but yff[^a896] a lowse co vlde ha ve lopen the better
she shold noght ha ve walked theron[^316] so was ytt threde-bare
I ha ve byn co vetyng[^a897] quod thys keytyffe I beknowe ytt here
for some-tyme I ser ved symme att the style
and was hys prentys plyght[^a898] hys profytt to weyte
F vrste I lerned to lye a leeffe other tweyne
wyckedlyche to wey was my f vrste lessone
to wye & to wynchester I went to the feyre
wyth many maner merchandyse as my master me hyght
ne had þe grace off gyle gonne among my chaffer
ytt had byn vnsolde þis sey ven yere / so me god helpe
then drew I to[^a899] drapers my donett to lerne
to drawe þe lyst[^a900][^317] a-long the lenger ytt semed
among þe ryche reyes I rendered a lesson
to broche theym wyth a packnelde & plett[^a901] þem to-geddres
and p vt theym In a presse & pynned theym therynne
tyll .xen. ten yerdes or .xijffe. twelffe had told owte thyrtene
my wyffe was a webbster[^a902] & wollen clothe made
she spake to spynsters to spynnen ytt owte
but[^a903] the pownd that she payyde by paysed a q vartren more
then myne owne a vncer / wo-so weyyd trewthe
I boght hyr berly malte she brewed[^a904][^318] to[^a905] sell
pennye ale & p vddyng ale she po vred to-gedders
For laborers & for low[^a906] folke þat ley by them-sel ve
þe best ale lye[^319] In my bo vre or yn my bed-chambre
and wo-so b vmmed theroff boght ytt there-after
a galon for a grote god wote no lesse
and yet ytt cam yn cvpmele þis craft my wyfe vsed
rose þe regrater was hyr ryght name
she hathe holden h v k kerye all hyr ly ve tyme
but[^a907] I shrewe[^a908] now so þe yk / þat synne wole I lete
and neuer wykedlyche wey ne fal ce[^a909] chaffere vse
and[^a910] wenden to walsyngam & my wyfe als
and byd the rode off bromholem bryng me ovte off dett
repentest thow e ver quod repentance or restyt vcyon made
one ce[^a911] I was herbored quod hee[^320] wythe a heype off chapmen
I ros when they were att rest[^a912] & ryfeled theyr males
that was no restyt vtyon quod he[^a913] b vt a robbers thefte
thow haddest bynne better worthy ben hanged therfore
then for all þat þ at þou[^321] hast here shewed afore /[^a914]
I wend ryf vllyng had byn[^a915] restyt vtyon I[^a916] lerned neuer on boke
and can[^a917] no frenche butt[^a918] off þe farrest end off norfolke
vsedest thowe euer vs vrye quod he[^a919] In all thye ly ve tyme
nay sothely he seyde sa ve In my yo vthe
I lerned among lomberdes & Iwes a lessone
to wey pence wyth a peyse and pare the hey vyest
& leyne ytt for lo ve off the crosse to lygge a wed & lesse[^322] ytt
s oyche dedes I dyd wryte yff he hys day breyke
I ha ve no[^a920] maners thr vgh reragys þen thr vgh / miseretur et comodat
I ha ve lent lordes & ladyes my chaffer
and ben þer broger after & boght ytt my-selfe
eschanges & che vysances wyth suche chaffer I deyle
and leyne folke that leese wole a lyppe att euery noble
and wyth lomberdes letters I ledde gold to rome
and toke ytt by teyle here[^a921] for lo ve off hyr meyntenance
yet ha ve I[^a922] lent lordes lo ved me neuer after
and ha ve made many a knyght[^a923] mercer & draper[^323]
hastowe pyte on pore men that most[^a924] nedes borowe
I ha ve as moche pyte on powre men as pedder hath on[^a925] cattes
that wold kyll theym yff he myght for co vetyse off þer skynnes
art thow manlyche among þi neghbo vrs off meyte & drynke
I am holden as hende[^a926] as homyde ho[un]de[^a927] In[^a928] the kechynne[^a929]
among my neghbo vrs namely s oyche a name I ha ve
god[^a930] le ve[^a931] neuere quod repentance but þou repent the rather
the grace off[^a932] thys gro vnd thy good welle to besette
ne thy heyrs after þe ha ve Ioy off þat þou wynnest
and[^a933] thyne exec vtors[^324] wyll[^a934] besett þi[^a935] syluer þat þou[^a936] ley vest
and þat was wonne wyth wrong wyth wycked men[^a937] dyspende ytt[^a938]
for were I frere off that ho vse þer goode faythe & charyte ys
I nold cope vs wyth thyere[^a939][^325] catell ne o vr kyrke amend
ne ha ve a pennye to my pyttance so god[^a940] my so vle helpe[^a941]
For þe best boke yn o vr ho vse thoghe gold[^a942] were the ley vys
and[^a943] wyst wytterly þou were swyche as thowe tellest
seruus es alterius cum sercula [f]ercula pinqua[^a944] queris
pane tuo pocius vescere liber eris
thow art[^a945] vnkynd creat vre &[^a946] kan the noght assoyle
tyll þou make restyt vtyon & rekne wyth theym all
and sythen þat reason rolle ytt In þe regestre off hey ven
tyll[^a947] þou hast made eche man goode I may þe noght assoyle
non dimittitur peccatum donec restitu atur ablatum
for all that ha ve off thy goode ha ve god my troghe
be holden att the h ye dome to helpe þe to restyt vte[^a948]
and wo-so le veth not thys be sothe loke In the sawter boke[^a949]
In miserere mei deus where I meane trewthe
ecce enim veritatem dilexisti et cetera.
shall neuer workeman[^a950] thry ve wyth þat thowe wynnest
cum sancto santus san[c]tus[^a951] eris constrewe me þat yn[^a952] englysshe
then waxt þat shrew In wanhope & wold hang[^a953] hym-selfe
ne had repentance rather[^a954] comforted[^a955] hym In thys manere
ha ve mercy In þi mynd & wyth thy mo vthe beseche ytt
for goddes mercye ys more þen all hys other werkes
and all the wykkednes In þis world þat man myght[^a956] thenche
ys[^a957] no more to þe mercy off god then In þe see a gleede
onnis o[m]nis[^a958] Iniquitas quantum ad misericordiam[^326] dei.
est quasi sintilla In medio maris
forthy ha ve mercy In þi mynd & marchandyse lo ve[^a959] ytt
for thow hast no good grownde go[^a960] geyte þe wyth a wasteyle
but yff ytt were wyth thy tonge or eles wyth thy[^a961] handes
for þe good þat þou hast goten began all wyth falshed
and as long as þou ly vest thow[^a962] yeldest noght but borowest
and yff thow wytt neuer to which ne whom to restyt vte[^a963]
beyre ytt to þe bysshope & byd hym off hys grace
bysett ytt hym-selfe as best ys for thye so vle
For he shall answere for þe att þei[^a964][^327] heye dome
For the & for many mo þat man shall gy ve a reykenyng[^328]
watt he lerned you In lent le ve þou non other
and[^a965] lent you off o vr lordes goode to lett you fro synne
Nowe bygynnyth gloton for to go to shryft
gula
and kayryth hym to the[^a966] kyrke-ward hys synnes[^a967] to shewe
but[^a968] beton the brewster bad hym good morowe
and asked off hym[^a969] wydderward he wolde
to holye churche quod he for to here masse
and sythen I wylbe wyl be s hry ven & synne no more
I ha ve good ale gossep[^a970] glottone wylt þou assey
hast þou oght In thy p vr ce anye hoote spyces
I ha ve pepp vr and pyones quod he a[^a971] po vnd off garlycke
a farthyng-worthe off feynell seede for fastyng-dayes
then goyth glotone Inne & greyte othes after
Cysse þe so vrseresse[^a972] sat on þe benche
watt þe werner & hys wyffe bothe
thome[^a973] þe tynker & tweyne off hys prenteces[^a974]
hycke þe hakneyman and h vgh the nedeler
claryce off cokeslane & þe clerek off þe ch vrche
daw þe dyker & a dozynne other
syr pyers off pryde[^a975] and p velle[^a976] off flanders
a rybybo vr a ratoner a raker off þe[^a977] cheype
a roper a redyngkyng & rose þe dysshers[^a978]
godfrey off garlykhethe / & gryffen þe welche
and vpholdres a heype / yerly by þe morowe
gy ven gloton wyth glad chere good ale to hansell
clement þe cobler cast off hys cloke
& att þe newfayre new fayre he neue ved neue[n]ed[^a979] ytt to sell
hycke þe hackneyman cast[^a980] hys hood after
& bad bett þe bocher bene on hys syde
þer were chapmen chose þis chaffre to pryce[^a981]
wo-so ha veth þe hoode shall[^a982] ha ve a-mendes off þe cloke
too rysen vp In þis[^a983] rape & romed[^a984] to-gedders
and preysed þes penyworthes a-parte by theym-selffe
þei co vld[^329] not by þer conscyence acorden In trewthe
tyll robyn þe roper aroose by the so vthe
and nyue ved nyue[n]ed[^a985] hym for an no vmpere þat no debate were[^a986]
hycke þe hosteler had þe cloke
In co vena v a nt[^330] þat clement shall[^a987] þe co vppe[^331] fyll
& ha ve hyckes h oode hosteler & holden hym ser ved
& wo[^a988] repented rathest sh vld aryse after
and grett syr[^332] gloton wyth a galon off ale[^a989]
there was laghyng & lowryng & lett go þe cuppe
& sytten[^a990][^333] so tyll e vensong & songen some-wyle[^a991]
tyll gloton had I-globbed a galon & a gyll
hys g vttes began to gowle[^a992] as toogredye too gredye sowes
he pyssed a potell In a pater noster whyle
& blew hys rownd rowett att þe[^a993] ryggbones end
that all þat herd þat horne held theyre noses[^a994][^334] after
and wysshed ytt had be wexed wyth a wysspe off fryses f[yr]ses[^a995]
he myght nether steppe ne stand tyll[^a996][^335] he hys staffe had
then[^a997] gan he to go lyke[^336] glewmanes byche
and some[^a998]tyme a-syde & some-tyme arere
as wo-so leyethe lynes for to kacche[^a999] fowles
& when he drew to þe dore þen dymned dym[m]ed[^a1000] hys eyne
he stomeled on þe thressfold & threwe to þe yerthe
clement þe cobler kaght hym by þe mydle
for to lyft hym a-loft & leyde hym-selfe[^a1001] on hys knees
but[^a1002] gloton was a greyte karle[^a1003][^337] & grym In þe lyfftyng
& coghed vp a kaudell In clementes lappe
ys non so hongrye ho vnde In herdfordshyre
dorste lape off þe[^a1004] ley vynges so vnlo vely they were[^a1005][^338]
wyth all þe wo off thys worlde hys wyffe & hys wence
bare hym hoome to hys bed & broght hym therynne
and after all þis exses he had a a xces[^a1006]
that he slepte[^339] saterday & sonday tyll sonne went to[^a1007] rest
then waked he off hys wynkyng & wyped hys eyne
þe f vrst worde þat he warped[^a1008] / was where ys þe bolle
hys wytt gan edwyte hym tho how wyckedlyche[^340] he ly ved
& repentance ryght tho[^a1009] reb vked hym þat tyme
as þou In[^a1010] wordes & werkes hast wroght e vell In þi lyffe
shry ve þe & be shamed &[^a1011] shew ytt wyth þi mo vthe
I glotone quod he[^a1012] grome[^a1013] gyltye me yelde
that I ha ve tresspassed wyth my tong I can not tel how offt
sware[^a1014][^341] godes so vle & so god me helpe & halydome
there no nede was neyne h vndrethe tymes
& o versaye me at my soper & some-tyme att ones[^a1015][^342]
that I gloton gyrte ytt vp er I had gone a myle
and I-spylt þat myght bespared be spared & spendyd on þe[^a1016] hongrye
ouer -dylycately on fastyng-dayes dronken & eyten bothe
& satte some-tyme so long there þat I slept & ete att one ce
For lo ve off tales In tauerens to drynke þe more I dyned
and hyed to þe meyte or none when fastyng-days were
thys shewyng f vrst[^a1017] quod repentance shalbe shal be merytt to þe
and[^a1018] gan glotone grete & greyte dole maked[^a1019]
For hys lyther ly ve þat he ly ved had
and awowed fast[^a1020][^343] for hongre or for thr vste
Shall neuer Fyche on frydayes[^a1021] dyfyne In my wombe
tyll abstynence myne a vnte[^344] ha ve gy ven me ley ve
and yet ha ve I hyr hated[^a1022] all my ly ve tyme
accidia
Than came slewthe albe al be -slauered[^a1023] wyth two slymye eyne
I m vst sytt sayd þat[^a1024] segge or elles m vst[^a1025] I nappe
I mey not stond ne stowpe ne wyth -owte stoole[^a1026][^345] knele
were I broghte a-bedde b vt yff my talent[^a1027] made ytt[^a1028]
sh old no ryngyng do me ryse er I were rype to dyne
he began benedicite wyth a bolke & hys brest knocked
and roxed & rored & r vtted at the last
awake re vke re[n]ke[^a1029] quod repentance & rape þe to shryfte
yff I sh old dye by þis day me lyst not to loke
I can not perfytlye my pater noster as þe prest yt syngethe
but I can rymes off robyn hood & randolfe erle of chester
but[^a1030] neþer off our lorde ne our ladye þing[^a1031] þat euer was made
I ha ve made wowes fo vrtye & forgett þem on þe morowe
I performed neuer pennance þat[^a1032] þe preste me hyghte
ne ryght sorye for my synnes yet was I ne ver
and yff I byd my[^a1033] beydes but yff ytt be In wrathe
þat I tell wyth my tonge ys two myle from my herte
I am oc vpyed eche day halyday & other
wyth ydle tales att þe ale & other-whyle yn ch vrche[^a1034]
godes peyne & hys passyon[^a1035] selde thynke I þeronne
I wysyted neuer feble men ne fettered men[^a1036][^346] In pyttes
I ha ve ly ver here[^a1037] harlotrye or a somer game off sowters
or leysynges to laghe att or[^a1038] belye my neghbo vrs
then all þat euer marye[^a1039] made mathew l vke[^a1040] or[^a1041] Iohn[^a1042]
and vygylles & fastyngdayes all thes lett I passe
and lygge yn bedde[^a1043] In lent on my[^a1044] lemman In my armes
tyll matyns & masse be done & then go to þe freres
come I to Ite missa est I am well[^a1045] I-ser ved
I am not shry ve n some-tyme but syknes ytt make
noght twyes In too yeres[^a1046] & then vpon[^a1047] gesse I shry ve me
I ha ve bene preste & person xxxti thritti wynters passyng[^a1048]
yet can I nother solfe ne syng ne seyntes ly ve[^a1049] reede
yet kan I[^a1050] fynd In a felde or a[^a1051] forlong a hare
better then yn beatus vir or yn beati omnes
constrew on cla vse well & kenne ytt to my perochenys
I kan hold lo vedayes & here a rewyu vs rewy[ve]s[^a1052][^347][^348] rekenyng
but[^a1053] In canon ne yn þe[^a1054] decretalles I can not rede a lyne
yff I begge[^a1055][^349] or[^a1056] borow owght but yff yt be tayled
I forgett ytt as e vene[^a1057] yff[^a1058] men me ytt aske
syxe sythes or sey ven I forsake ytt wyth othes
and th vs tene I trew men ten h vndreth tymes
and my seruantys some-tyme þer salarye ys beynde
re vthe ys to here the rekenyng when we rede[^a1059] accomptes
so wyth wycked wyll & wrathe my workemen I pay
yff any man do me[^a1060] byenfayte &[^a1061] helpe me at my[^a1062] nede
I am vnkynd ageynst hys co vrtysye & can not vndrestand yt
for I ha ve & ha ve had somedeale ha vkes maners
I am noght leyred[^a1063] wyth lo ve but oght lygge vndre þe thombe
þe kyndnes that myne e ven-crystyen kydde me fernȝere
syxtye sythes I slothe haue forgett ytt sythen
In speche &[^a1064] sparyng off speche I-spylte many a tyme
both flesshe & fysshe & many other wytayles
both bred & ale b vtter mylke & chesse
Forslo vthed In my ser vyce tyll ytt wold[^a1065] ser ve no man
I ran a-bo vte In yo vgh & ga ve me noght to lerne
and euer syth I ha ve be begger for my fowle slo vghe
heu mihi quia sterilem duxi vitam Iuuenilem //
repentest þou not quod repentance &[^a1066] wyth þat he sowned
tyll[^350] vigillate þe weyle fette water at hys eyne
and fell flatt[^a1067][^351] on hys face & fast on hym cryed
& sayd war the fro wanhope wold the betrey
I am sory for my synnes say to thy-selfe
& beyte þi-selfe on þe brest & byd hym off grace
for ys no gylt here so greyte but[^a1068] hys goodnes ys more
then satt slo vthe vp & seyned hym swythe
and made a wowe before[^a1069] god for all[^a1070] hys fo vle slo vthe
shall no sonday be þis sey ven yere but syknes ytt lett
that I ne shall do me ar day to þe dere ch vrche[^352]
and here masse & mattyn ce[^a1071][^353] as I a monke were
shall non ale after meyte holde me thence
tyll I ha ve e vensong herd I hoote[^a1072] to þe rode
and yet wyll I yelde a-geyne yff I so moche ha ve
all that I wykkedly wanne sythen I wytt had
and tho vgh m y ly velode[^354] lakken[^a1073] leten I nyll
that eche man shall ha ve hys ar I heythen[^a1074] wende
and wyth the[^a1075] remnaunt by þe rode off chester
I shall seke trewthe erst ar I see rome
robert þe robber on reddite loked
For[^a1076] ther was noght wheroff he wept swythe sore
but[^a1077] yet þe synfull shrew seyde to hym-sel ve
cryst þat on cal verye vp-on þe cros dyed
tho dismas my brother by-soght you off grace
and haddest mercy on þat man for memento sake
so rewe on þis robbere[^355][^356] that reddere[^357] ne ha ve
ne neuer wene for to[^a1078] wynne wythe crafte þat I sheewe[^a1079]
but for þi moche[^a1080] mercy mytygatyon I beseche
ne damme me not on[^a1081] domesday for my dedes[^a1082] ylle
what befell on[^a1083] þis fellone I can not fayre shewe
well I wotte he wept fast water wythe hys[^a1084] eyne
and knolegyd hys gylt to cryste[^a1085] eft-sones
that penetencia hys pyke he sholde pullysshe newe
and leype wyth hym o vere land all hys ly ve tyme
for he had ley ve[^a1086] by latro l vcyferes auvnte
then[^a1087] had repentance re vthe & redde þem all knele[^a1088]
For I shall beseche for all synfull our sa vyo vre off grace
to amend vs off o vr myssdedes & do mercy to vs all
now god[^a1089] þat off þi goodnes gan all the[^a1090] worlde make
and off noght madest oght & man most lyke[^a1091] thy-sel ve
and sythen soferdest to[^a1092] synne a syknes to vs all
all[^a1093] for þe best as I bele ve watt[^358] so[^a1094] the boke tellethe
O felex fel[i]x[^a1095] culpa o nescessarium ade peccatum[^a1096] //[^359]
for thr vgh that synne þi sonne seynt[^a1097][^360] was to þe[^a1098] yerthe
and became man off a meyde mankynde to sa ve
and madest þi-selfe wyth þi sonne & vs synffull I-lyche
faciamus hominem ad Imaginem et similitudinem nostram[^361] :
et alibi . qui manet In charitate In deo manet & deus In eo:
and sythen wyth thye sel ve sone In o vr s vyte dyedest
On goodfryday good fryday for mannes sake at full tyme off þe day
there thyselfe &[^a1099] thy sone no sorowe In dethe feldest
but In our secte was þe sorowe & þi sone ytt ladde
captiuam duxit captiuitatem //
the sonne for sorowe þeroff lost syght att þat[^a1100] tyme
att[^a1101] mydday when most lyght ys & meyle tyme off seyntes
Feddest wyth thye flesshe &[^a1102] blo vde our forfaders In derknes
populus qui ambulabat In tenebris vidit Lucem magnam //
& thr vgh þe lyght that cam[^a1103] off[^a1104] the l vcyfer was blente
& Blew all thy blyssed In-to þe blysse off paradyse
the thyrd day after þou wendest[^a1105] In o vr s vyte
a synnfull mary[^362] þe seghe or seynte mary þi mother[^a1106]
& all to solas synfull þou sufferedest ytt so wele[^a1107]
non veni vocare Iustos sed peccatores ad penetentiam .
& all þat marye[^a1108] hathe made[^a1109] mathewe l vke[^a1110] & Iohan[^a1111][^363]
off þi doghtye dedes were done In o vr armes
verbum caro factum est et habitauit In nobis
& by[^a1112] moche me semethe þe sykererwe sykerer we[^364][^365] mowe
byd & byseche yff ytt be thy wyll
þat arte our father & our brother be mersyfull[^a1113] to vs
and ha ve rewthe off[^a1114] þes ryba vdes þat repent[^a1115] sore[^a1116][^366]
þat euer they wrathed the In[^a1117] word thoght or dede
þen hente hope a horne[^367] off deus tu conuersus vivificabis nos[^a1118]
and blew ytt wyth beati quorum remisse sunt Iniquitates
then[^a1119] all þe[^a1120] seyntes In hey ven songen att one ce
homines et Iumenta saluabis quemadmodum[^368] //
multiplicasti miserecordiam tuam deus et cetera
a thowsand off men tho thr vnged to-gedders
cryed vpward to cryst to[^a1121] hys cleyne mother
to ha ve grace to go wyth theym[^369] trewthe to seke
and[^a1122] þer was wyght non so wyse þe way thydder co vlde[^370]
but bl vsteren[^a1123] forthe as bestes ouere bankes & hyllys
tyll late was & long þat they a lede mett
appareled as a peynym In pylgrymes wyse
he bare a bo vrden I-bo vnde wyth a brode lyst
In a wythywyndes wyse I-w o vnden a-bowte
a bolle & a bagge he bare by hys sydes[^a1124]
an h vndrethe off app vlles[^a1125][^371] on hys hatt syten[^a1126][^372]
sygnes off syney / and shelles of galyce
and many a cro vche on hys cloke & keyes off rome
&[^373] the wernakell before for men shold knowe
and se by hys sygnes whome he soght had
thys folke freynyd hym f vrst from whence he cam
fro syney he sayde & from our lordes sep vlker
In bethelem and In babyloyne I ha ve bene In bothe
In Iermonye[^a1127] yn alysandre In many other places
ye mey se by my sygnes that sytten on my hatt
that I ha ve walked wyde[^a1128] In wete & In drye
& so vght good seyntes for my so vle helthe
knowesthowe oght a corseynt þat men call trewthe
co vldesthowe wysshen[^a1129][^374] vs the wey where[^375] þat he dwellythe
nay so me god helpe seyde þe gome then
I seghe neuer palmere wyth pyke ne wyth skryppe
axen after hym er tyll now In þis place
petre quod plouman[^a1130] & p vtt forthe hys heyd
I know hym as kyndly as clere cler[k]e[^a1131] dothe hys bokes
conscyence and kyndwytt kynd wytt kennede me to hys place
and dyd me s vren hym sykerly to ser ven hym for euer
bothe to sowe & to sett whyle[^a1132][^376] I swynke myght
I ha ve bene hys folower all thys fyftye wynters[^a1133][^377]
bothe sowen hys seede & s ven[^a1134] hys bestes
wyth -ynne & wyth -o vte weytyd hys profytt
I dyke & del ve[^a1135] & do[^a1136] þat trewthe hotethe
some-tyme I sowe & some-tyme I thresshe
In teylyers crafte & tynkers what[^a1137] trewthe can de vyse
I weue & I wynde & do watt trewth hootethe
For thogh I sey ytt my-selfe I ser ve hym to pay
I ha ve myne hyre well and other-whyles more
he ys þe preystest payer þat poere men fynden[^a1138]
he wythholdythe[^378] non hyne[^a1139][^379] hys hyre but[^a1140] he[^a1141] hath yt at e ve n[^380]
he ys as lowe as a lambe & lo velyche off speche
and yff ye wylnen to wytt where that he dwellythe
I shall wysshe you wytterly þe wey to hys place
Le ve[^a1142] pyers quod thes pylgrymes & profered hym hyre
For to wend wyth theym to trewthes dwellyng place
nay by my sowles helthe quod pyers & gan for to swere
I nold fang a farthyng for seynte thomas shryne
trewthe wold lo ve me lasse[^a1143] a long wyle[^a1144] after
but[^a1145] yff ye wylneth to wende well / þis ys þe way thydder
you[^a1146][^381] mote go thr vgh mekenes both men & wyues
tyll ye co vm[^382] to conscyence þat cryst wytt þe sothe
that ye lo ven our lord god le vest off all thynges
and þen yo vr neghbo vrs next In non wysse apeyre
other-wyse then þou woldest be[^a1147] wroght to thy-sel ve
and[^a1148] bowethe forthe by a broke / be boxome off speche
tyll ye fynden a[^383] forde your fadres honerythe
honora patrem et matrem[^384] et cetera //
wadeth In that water & wasshe ye[^a1149][^385] well there
and ye shall leype the lyghtlyer[^a1150] all your ly ve tyme
so[^a1151] shall thowe se sweyre noght but[^a1152][^386] ytt be for nede
and namelyche In[^a1153] Idle þe name off god almyghtye
then shalthowe come by a crofte but come not therynne
þe[^a1154][^387] crofte hett co vett noght mennes catell ne theyr wy ves
ne non off theyr ser vantes þat noyen theym myght
loke ye breke no bowys there but yff þei[^a1155] be your owen
two stockes there stonden but[^a1156] stynt ye not there
they hett / steyle not / &[^a1157] sley not /[^388] stryke forthe by bothe
and ley ve theym on þe[^a1158] left hal ve & loke not therafter
and hold well thyne halyday hyghe tyll e vene
then shalthowe blenche att a brygge[^a1159] / beyre no fals wyttnes /[^389]
he ys frytthed In wyth floreyns & other fees manye
loke þou pl vcke no plant þer for perell off þi so vle
then shall þou[^a1160] se / say sothe /[^390] so ytt be to done done
In no maner elles noght for no mannes byddyng
then shalthowe come to a co vrte as clere as þe sonne
the mootte ys off mercy the maner all a-bowte[^a1161]
and all þe walles byn off wytt / to holden wyll owte
and kyrnelled wyth crystendome mankynd to sa ve
e

[G.6.609.m.1:There seems to be no codicological reason for added <e> here.]

botrased wyth byle ve / so or þou best not sa ved
and all þe ho vses byn hylled halles & chambres
wyth no leyde but / wyth lo ve /[^391]& low speche as brethrene
the brygge was[^a1162] off / byd well /[^392] þe better mey þou spede
eche a[^a1163] pyllore ys off / pe n n vance pen[n]ance[^a1164] /[^393] off preyers off[^a1165] seyntes
off / almes dedes /[^394] are þe hookes þat þe gate hangyth[^a1166] on
grace hett þe gateward / a good man for sothe
hys man hett / a-mend you /[^395] for many men þem[^a1167] knowen
tellyth hym þis tokn n e[^396] þat trewthe wyte þe sothe
I perfo vrmed þe pe n n vance pen[n]ance[^a1168] þe preste me InIoyned
I[^a1169] am full sorye for my synnes & so shall[^a1170] e ver
when I thynke þeron thogh I were a pope
byddyth amend you meke hym to hys master one ce
to weyue vp þe wykett that þe woman sh vtte
tho adam & e ve eyten app vlles vnrosted
per euam cuntis cun[c]tis[^397] clausa est: et per mariam virginem patefacta est.
for he hath þe kay off[^a1171] the clykett thogh þe kyng slepe
& yff grace gra vnt þe to go In after[^a1172][^398] thys wyse
thow shalt se In þi-selfe / trewtht In[^a1173] thy hert
In a cheyne off charyte as þou a chyld were
to s vffer hym & to[^a1174] sey noght ageyn þi syres wyll
be[^a1175] ware þen off wrath þe[^a1176] that ys a wycked shrewe
he hath en vy to hym þat In thy herte syttethe
and prykketh[^a1177] forthe pryde to preyse thy-sel ven
þe boldnes off þi byenfaytes make þe blynd then
þen[^a1178] beest þou[^a1179] dry ven out as dewe & the dore closed
keyyd & klyketed to kepe þe wyth -owten
happyly a h vndrethe wynters[^a1180][^399] er þou eft enter
þus myghtesthowe lesen hys lo ve to lete well by þi-sel ve
& neuer happylyche eft entre but þou[^a1181] grace ha ve[^a1182]
but[^a1183] þer are sey ven systre s þat ser ven trewthe e ver
and are porters off the posternes þat to þe place longethe
the[^a1184] on hett / abstynece / & h vmylyte /[^400] a-nother
/charyte & / chastyte /[^401] bene hys cheffe meydens
/pacyence / & pea ce /[^402] moche poeple they helpen
/largenes /[^403] þat[^a1185] ladye she lettyth In f vll manye[^404]
she hathe holpen a thowsand out off þe de velles pynfold
and wo-so ys sybbe to thes sey ven so me god helpe
he ys wonderlyche welcome & fayre vnderfongen
but[^a1186] yff ye be sybbe to some off þes sey ven
ytt ys full hard by my heyd for[^a1187] any off you all
to gett Ingong att any gate ther but grace be þe more
now by cryst quod[^a1188] c vttp vrs / I haue no kynne there
nor I quod an apeward / by oght þat I knowe
wold[^a1189] god quod a waferer[^a1190] wyst I þus[^a1191][^405] for sothe
sh vld I neuer forther a foote for no freres preychyng
yes quod pyers the plo vman & prycked[^a1192] þem[^a1193][^406] to good
mercy ys a meyden there hath myght ouer all
and she ys sybbe to all synfull & hyr so n ne also
& thr vgh þe helpe off theym two hope[^a1194] non other
thow myght gett grace there so þou go betyme
by seynt powle quod a perdoner I trowe[^a1195] I be not knowe þer
I wyll go fecche my[^a1196] brey vettes & a b vll wyth letters[^a1197]
by cryst quod a comen woman thy company wyll I folowe
þou meyst[^a1198] say I am þi s vster I not[^a1199] where they become
explicit sextus passus de visione

[^a776: off (G) | of my (all other mss)]

[^a777: seene (G Cr H) | yseiȝen (all other mss)]

[^a778: & (G Cr C C2) | Ac (most mss)]

[^a779: forlonge a (G O C2 F) | fourlonge (all other mss)]

[^a780: feyntnes (G) | feyntise (most mss)]

[^a781: myght no (G) | myth nouth (H) | ne myȝte (all other mss)]

[^a782: f orther (G) | ferther a foot (most mss)]

[^a783: I (G) | For I (most mss)]

[^a784: for (G) | folke (all other mss)]

[^a785: ere (G H) | bifore (all other mss)]

[^a786: how (G) | And how (all other mss)]

[^a787: theyre (G) | þise (most mss)]

[^a788: dedely (G) | dedly synne (all other mss)]

[^a789: but (G F) | Ac (most mss)]

[^a790: beganne (G Cr W Hm B) | gan (most mss)]

[^a791: he (G Cr W F) | And (most mss)]

[^a792: nede (G F H) | hire nede (all other mss)]

[^a793: wyffe þat (G) | wyf (all other mss)]

[^a794: hyr (G) | Þat hire (most mss)]

[^a795: mare (G) | marke (all other mss)]

[^a796: a (G Hm Cot R H) | worth a (all other mss)]

[^a797: kytone (G) | betoun (all other mss)]

[^a798: chasten (G L Cr C R) | chastisen (all other mss)]

[^a799: wanye (G) | forweny (most mss)]

[^a800: post (G Cr23) | pouste (most mss)]

[^a801: ovte (G F) | nouȝte out (all other mss)]

[^a802: percit (G) | parcit (all other mss)]

[^a803: filium et cetera (G Hm Y Bm) | filium (most mss)]

[^a804: on (G Cr) | it on (most mss)]

[^a805: ye wole (G) | ȝe (all other mss)]

[^a806: wyll (G) | shal (most mss)]

[^a807: the comm vne (G) | ȝowre comunes (all other mss)]

[^a808: to (G) | til (all other mss)]

[^a809: to ha ve (G F H) | haue (all other mss)]

[^a810: off the (G) | of (C) | on (all other mss)]

[^a811: wold (G) | wil (all other mss)]

[^a812: In (G Cr H) | of (all other mss)]

[^a813: quia nescio (G) | nescio (all other mss)]

[^a814: at (G Cr Hm) | of (all other mss)]

[^a815: freyle (G H) | fierce (all other mss)]

[^a816: cryed (G Hm O C2 H) | he cryed (all other mss)]

[^a817: was (G H) | was as (all other mss)]

[^a818: hym (G H) | he (all other mss)]

[^a819: ladye (G) | body (most mss)]

[^a820: bolle (G H) | to-bolle (most mss)]

[^a821: wryngyng (G) | And wryngynge (most mss)]

[^a822: went (G) | ȝede (most mss)]

[^a823: wreyke (G) | to wreke (most mss)]

[^a824: & (G Hm) | or (all other mss)]

[^a825: wordes (G H) | with wordes (all other mss)]

[^a826: eche (G Cr R H) | Eche a (most mss)]

[^a827: werped (G) | warped (Cr) | warpe (all other mss)]

[^a828: fals (G Cr23 F) | of fals (all other mss)]

[^a829: was (G) | was al (most mss)]

[^a830: þat (G C) | þat euere (most mss)]

[^a831: I (G H) | þouȝe I (most mss)]

[^a832: wonne (G Hm Bm Bo H) | ywonne (all other mss)]

[^a833: hys (G Hm F) | ben his (most mss)]

[^a834: gre ved (G C2) | greueth (all other mss)]

[^a835: haylsed (G) | halsyd (H) | hailse (most mss)]

[^a836: but (G F H) | Ac (most mss)]

[^a837: & (G M Hm Bo Cot) | and for (most mss)]

[^a838: & (G F) | for (most mss)]

[^a839: hym (G Cr) | hem (most mss)]

[^a840: þat (G Cr H) | þanne (most mss)]

[^a841: off (G) | And of (all other mss)]

[^a842: where (G) | þere (most mss)]

[^a843: me (G) | me here-of (most mss)]

[^a844: thys (G) | þus (most mss)]

[^a845: swage (G Cr23 H) | asswage (most mss)]

[^a846: sharpe (G) | schrape (most mss)]

[^a847: am (G) | am but (all other mss)]

[^a848: that (G) | And þat (all other mss)]

[^a849: thys (G) | þus (all other mss)]

[^a850: I (G) | I ne (all other mss)]

[^a851: not wenge (G) | venge (most mss)]

[^a852: made (G F) | gert (most mss)]

[^a853: on (G) | and to loure on (most mss)]

[^a854: thr vgh þe (G) | þorw (most mss)]

[^a855: sne velyng (G Hm C C2 B) | nyuelynge (most mss)]

[^a856: the (G M) | his (all other mss)]

[^a857: for gryften (G) | for to graffe (all other mss)]

[^a858: there (G) | þer-of (all other mss)]

[^a859: ha d (G) | han (all other mss)]

[^a860: then (G M Y Cot) | þan shryue (most mss)]

[^a861: the freres (G) | freres (all other mss)]

[^a862: fa vte (G) | defaute (all other mss)]

[^a863: had (G Cr W) | were (all other mss)]

[^a864: swone (G Cr C C2) | swowe (most mss)]

[^a865: þe (G) | hir (all other mss)]

[^a866: mo vthes (G) | monthes (all other mss)]

[^a867: portager potager (G) | potagere (all other mss)]

[^a868: kynges (G) | knyȝtes (all other mss)]

[^a869: a (G Cr23 Hm) | And a (most mss)]

[^a870: worthes (G) | worth (most mss)]

[^a871: vndre-neythe (G) | vnder (all other mss)]

[^a872: kny ves (G) | knyues bi cryst (all other mss)]

[^a873: ben e vell losed (G) | þanne ben infamis (most mss)]

[^a874: for (G) | þe firste day (most mss)]

[^a875: can (G C B) | can so (all other mss)]

[^a876: heyle no (G) | yuel hele (most mss)]

[^a877: mot (G) | miȝte (all other mss)]

[^a878: but (G F) | ac (most mss)]

[^a879: tymes (G Cr23 Hm) | tyme (all other mss)]

[^a880: & (G Hm) | And am (most mss)]

[^a881: In (G Cr23 F) | in þe (most mss)]

[^a882: I ha ve (G F Cot) | haue I (all other mss)]

[^a883: but (G) | Ac (most mss)]

[^a884: when (G L M R) | and (most mss) | þanne (W)]

[^a885: wyne (G L M Cr1 W) | it (most mss)]

[^a886: or (G Bm) | of (most mss)]

[^a887: your (G) | owre (most mss)]

[^a888: cowthe (G) | couth it (most mss)]

[^a889: your (G) | owre (most mss)]

[^a890: your (G) | the (most mss) | owre (L M Cr W)]

[^a891: quod (G F) | þe quod (most mss)]

[^a892: nyght (G) | riȝte (most mss)]

[^a893: henry (G L C R) | heruy (most mss)]

[^a894: blabber (G) | baber (all other mss)]

[^a895: as (G) | And as (all other mss)]

[^a896: yff (G R Cot) | if þat (most mss)]

[^a897: co vetyng (G) | coueytouse (most mss)]

[^a898: plyght (G Cr C2) | ypliȝte (most mss)]

[^a899: to (G) | me amonges (all other mss)]

[^a900: lyst (G F) | lyser (all other mss)]

[^a901: plett (G) | playte (most mss)]

[^a902: webbster (G Cr) | webbe (most mss)]

[^a903: but (G F) | Ac (most mss)]

[^a904: brewed (G Cr) | brewe (all other mss)]

[^a905: to (G) | it to (all other mss)]

[^a906: for low (G L W Hm R) | lowe (all other mss)]

[^a907: but (G) | Ac (most mss)]

[^a908: shrewe (G) | swere (all other mss)]

[^a909: fal ce (G) | wicked (most mss)]

[^a910: and (G) | But (most mss)]

[^a911: one ce (G) | ȝus ones (most mss)]

[^a912: att rest (G Cr B) | arest (most mss)]

[^a913: he (G F) | repentance (all other mss)]

[^a914: shewed afore / (G) | shewed (most mss)]

[^a915: had byn (G) | were (most mss)]

[^a916: I (G) | quod he I (most mss)]

[^a917: can (G) | I can (all other mss)]

[^a918: butt (G) | in feith but (all other mss)]

[^a919: he (G) | repentaunce (all other mss)]

[^a920: no (G) | mo (all other mss)]

[^a921: here (G) | here and tolde hem þere lasse Lentestow euere lordes (most mss)]

[^a922: yet ha ve I (G) | Ȝe I haue (all other mss)]

[^a923: knyght (G) | knyȝte bothe (all other mss)]

[^a924: most (G Cr) | mote (most mss)]

[^a925: on (G C2 F) | of (all other mss)]

[^a926: as hende (G) | as heende quod he (C O C2 Y F) | also hende quod he (Hm B) | quod he as hende (all other mss)]

[^a927: homyde ho[un]de (G) | hounde (all other mss)]

[^a928: In (G Cr R) | is in (all other mss)]

[^a929: the kechynne (G F) | kychyne (most mss)]

[^a930: god (G Cr O C2) | Now god (all other mss)]

[^a931: le ve (G Cr) | lene (most mss)]

[^a932: off (G Bo Cot) | on (most mss)]

[^a933: and (G F) | Ne (most mss)]

[^a934: wyll (G) | wel (most mss)]

[^a935: þi (G O C2 Y) | þe (all other mss)]

[^a936: þou (G F) | þow hem (all other mss)]

[^a937: men (G B) | men be (most mss)]

[^a938: dyspende ytt (G) | despended (most mss)]

[^a939: thyere (G) | þi (all other mss)]

[^a940: so god (G Cr W Hm) | of þyne bi (all other mss)]

[^a941: helpe (G Cr Hm) | hele (most mss)]

[^a942: gold (G) | brent golde (most mss)]

[^a943: and (G) | And I (all other mss)]

[^a944: pinqua (G) | pinguia (all other mss)]

[^a945: art (G) | art an (all other mss)]

[^a946: & (G) | I (all other mss)]

[^a947: tyll (G) | For til (F) | That (most mss)]

[^a948: restyt vte (G Cr23 B) | restitue (most mss)]

[^a949: boke (G M) | glose (most mss)]

[^a950: workeman (G) | werkman in þis worlde (all other mss)]

[^a951: santus san[c]tus (G) | sanctus (all other mss)]

[^a952: yn (G Cr Hm) | on (most mss)]

[^a953: hang (G Cr) | haue hanged (most mss)]

[^a954: rather (G Hm) | þe rather (all other mss)]

[^a955: comforted (G Hm R) | reconforted (most mss)]

[^a956: myght (G) | myȝte worche or (most mss)]

[^a957: ys (G Cr F) | Ne is (all other mss)]

[^a958: onnis o[m]nis (G) | Omnis (all other mss)]

[^a959: lo ve (G) | leue (most mss)]

[^a960: go (G) | to (all other mss)]

[^a961: thy (G F) | þi two (all other mss)]

[^a962: thow (G) | þer-with þow (most mss)]

[^a963: restyt vte (G R) | restitue (most mss)]

[^a964: þei (G) | þe (all other mss)]

[^a965: and (G Cr23) | And what he (most mss)]

[^a966: to the (G Cr) | to (all other mss)]

[^a967: synnes (G) | coupe (most mss)]

[^a968: but (G) | Ac (most mss)]

[^a969: hym (G) | hym with þat (most ms)]

[^a970: gossep (G) | gossib quod she (most mss)]

[^a971: a (G) | and a (all other mss)]

[^a972: so vrseresse (G) | souteresse (most mss)]

[^a973: thome (G M C2) | Tymme (Bx) | & Tomme (F)]

[^a974: prenteces (G Cr W C O) | prentis (most mss)]

[^a975: pryde (G C O C2 Bm) | Pridie (all other mss)]

[^a976: p velle (G) | Peronelle (all other mss)]

[^a977: off þe (G C2) | of (all other mss)]

[^a978: dysshers (G M) | dissheres (most mss) | dyschere (Hm O C2 B) | dissheres douȝter (R F)]

[^a979: neue ved neue[n]ed (G) | nempned (most mss)]

[^a980: cast (G) | hitte (all other mss)]

[^a981: pryce (G) | preise (all other mss)]

[^a982: shall (G M C B R) | shuld (most mss)]

[^a983: In þis (G) | in (most mss)]

[^a984: romed (G) | rouned (most mss)]

[^a985: nyue ved nyue[n]ed (G) | nempned (most mss)]

[^a986: were (G Hm B R) | nere (most mss)]

[^a987: shall (G) | shulde (all other mss)]

[^a988: wo (G Bm) | who þat (C O C2 Y Bo Cot F) | who-so (all other mss)]

[^a989: off ale (G Cr Hm) | ale (all other mss)]

[^a990: sytten (G Cr R) | seten (most mss)]

[^a991: some-wyle (G Cr1) | vmwhile (most mss)]

[^a992: gowle (G F) | gothlen (most mss)]

[^a993: þe (G) | his (all other mss)]

[^a994: noses (G M W Hm Cot) | nose (all other mss)]

[^a995: fryses f[yr]ses (G) | firses (most mss)]

[^a996: tyll (G Bm) | er (all other mss)]

[^a997: then (G) | And þanne (all other mss)]

[^a998: and some (G) | Somme (all other mss)]

[^a999: kacche (G Hm F) | lacche (most mss)]

[^a1000: dymned dym[m]ed (G) | dymmed (all other mss)]

[^a1001: hym-selfe (G) | him (most mss)]

[^a1002: but (G F) | Ac (most mss)]

[^a1003: karle (G) | cherle (most mss)]

[^a1004: þe (G L R) | þat (most mss)]

[^a1005: were (G) | smauȝte (most mss)]

[^a1006: a xces (G) | accidie (most mss)]

[^a1007: went to (G Cr O C2) | ȝede to (most mss)]

[^a1008: warped (G Cr) | warpe (most mss)]

[^a1009: tho (G Cr23) | þoo so (O C2) | so (most mss)]

[^a1010: In (G) | with (all other mss)]

[^a1011: & (G F) | þer-of and (all other mss)]

[^a1012: he (G) | þe (most mss)]

[^a1013: grome (G Cr1 W Hm) | gome (all other mss)]

[^a1014: sware (G) | sworen (most mss)]

[^a1015: ones (G) | nones (most mss)]

[^a1016: þe (G Bo Cot) | somme (most mss)]

[^a1017: f vrst (G) | shrifte (most mss)]

[^a1018: and (G C) | And þanne (most mss)]

[^a1019: maked (G Hm O C2 F) | to make (most mss)]

[^a1020: fast (G L R) | to fast (all other mss)]

[^a1021: frydayes (G Hm) | Friday (most mss)]

[^a1022: hyr hated (G) | hated hir (all other mss)]

[^a1023: albe al be -slauered (G) | al bislabered (most mss)]

[^a1024: þat (G) | þe (all other mss)]

[^a1025: m vst (G Cr Cot) | shulde (most mss)]

[^a1026: stoole (G Hm R F) | a stole (most mss)]

[^a1027: talent (G) | taille-ende (most mss)]

[^a1028: made ytt (G) | it made (most mss)]

[^a1029: re vke re[n]ke (G Cr) | renke (most mss)]

[^a1030: but (G Cr F) | Ac (most mss)]

[^a1031: þing (G) | þe leste (all other mss)]

[^a1032: þat (G F) | as (all other mss)]

[^a1033: my (G) | any (all other mss)]

[^a1034: ch vrche (G Cr1 W Hm R F) | cherches (all other mss)]

[^a1035: passyon (G) | passioun ful (all other mss)]

[^a1036: men (G M Hm) | folke (all other mss)]

[^a1037: here (G M F) | here an (all other mss)]

[^a1038: or (G F) | and (all other mss)]

[^a1039: marye (G) | Marke (most mss)]

[^a1040: l vke (G) | Iohan (all other mss)]

[^a1041: or (G F Cot) | & (all other mss)]

[^a1042: Iohn (G) | lucas (most mss)]

[^a1043: yn bedde (G Cr F) | abedde (all other mss)]

[^a1044: my (G) | an my (all other mss)]

[^a1045: am well (G) | holde me wel (F) | holde me (all other mss)]

[^a1046: yeres (G) | ȝere (all other mss)]

[^a1047: vpon (G) | vp (all other mss)]

[^a1048: xxxti thritti wynters passyng (G) | passynge thretti wynter (most mss)]

[^a1049: ly ve (G) | lyues (all other mss)]

[^a1050: yet kan I (G) | But I can (all other mss)]

[^a1051: a (G F) | in a (all other mss)]

[^a1052: rewyu vs rewy[ve]s (G) | Reues (all other mss)]

[^a1053: but (G F) | Ac (most mss)]

[^a1054: yn þe (G L M R) | in (most mss)]

[^a1055: begge (G Cr1 R) | bigge (most mss)]

[^a1056: or (G F) | and (all other mss)]

[^a1057: e vene (G) | ȝerne (most mss)]

[^a1058: yff (G) | and ȝif (most mss)]

[^a1059: rede (G F) | shal rede (most mss)]

[^a1060: me (G Cr23) | me a (all other mss)]

[^a1061: & (G) | or (all other mss)]

[^a1062: at my (G) | at (all other mss)]

[^a1063: leyred (G C O C2 Y) | lured (all other mss)]

[^a1064: & (G) | and in (all other mss)]

[^a1065: wold (G) | myȝte (all other mss)]

[^a1066: & (G Hm) | & riȝte (all other mss)]

[^a1067: fell flatt (G) | flatte it (most mss)]

[^a1068: but (G) | but þat (Cr) | þat (all other mss)]

[^a1069: before (G) | to-fore (most mss)]

[^a1070: for all (G) | for (all other mss)]

[^a1071: masse & mattyn ce (G) | matines and masse (all other mss)]

[^a1072: hoote (G) | hote now (F) | behote (all other mss)]

[^a1073: lakken (G) | lakke (all other mss)]

[^a1074: heythen (G) | hennes (all other mss)]

[^a1075: the (G) | þe residue and þe (most mss)]

[^a1076: For (G F) | And for (all other mss)]

[^a1077: but (G F) | Ac (most mss)]

[^a1078: for to (G) | to (all other mss)]

[^a1079: sheewe (G) | owe (most mss)]

[^a1080: moche (G Hm) | mykel (all other mss)]

[^a1081: on (G Hm) | at (most mss)]

[^a1082: my dedes (G) | þat I did so (most mss)]

[^a1083: on (G Cr1) | of (all other mss)]

[^a1084: hys (G Cr F) | boþe his (all other mss)]

[^a1085: cryste (G) | cryst ȝete (all other mss)]

[^a1086: ley ve (G) | leyne (most mss)]

[^a1087: then (G F) | And þanne (all other mss)]

[^a1088: knele (G) | to knele (all other mss)]

[^a1089: god (G) | god quod he (most mss)]

[^a1090: all the (G) | þe (most mss)]

[^a1091: lyke (G M Cr F) | liche to (all other mss)]

[^a1092: to (G Hm) | for to (most mss)]

[^a1093: all (G) | And al (all other mss)]

[^a1094: so (G) | euere (all other mss)]

[^a1095: felex fel[i]x (G W) | felix (all other mss)]

[^a1096: ade peccatum (G M O C2 Cot) | peccatum ade (most mss)]

[^a1097: seynt (G) | sent (all other mss)]

[^a1098: þe (G M Cr) | þis (most mss)]

[^a1099: & (G R) | ne (most mss)]

[^a1100: att þat (G Hm) | for a (most mss)]

[^a1101: att (G Cr) | Aboute (most mss)]

[^a1102: flesshe & (G B) | fresche (most mss)]

[^a1103: cam (G) | lepe (all other mss)]

[^a1104: off (G C2) | oute of (most mss)]

[^a1105: wendest (G) | ȝedest (most mss)]

[^a1106: mother (G) | dame (all other mss)]

[^a1107: wele (G) | were (most mss)]

[^a1108: marye (G) | Marke (all other mss)]

[^a1109: made (G Cr Hm) | ymade (most mss)]

[^a1110: l vke (G) | Iohan (all other mss)]

[^a1111: Iohan (G) | lucas (most mss)]

[^a1112: by (G) | bi so (all other mss)]

[^a1113: mersyfull (G Cr) | merciable (all other mss)]

[^a1114: off (G) | on (all other mss)]

[^a1115: repent (G) | repente hem (all other mss)]

[^a1116: sore (G Cot R F) | here sore (most mss)]

[^a1117: In (G R F) | in þis worlde in (all other mss)]

[^a1118: vivificabis nos (G Cr R F) | viuificabis (all other mss)]

[^a1119: then (G) | Þat (most mss)]

[^a1120: all þe (G Hm Y F) | alle (all other mss)]

[^a1121: to (G) | and to (all other mss)]

[^a1122: and (G Cr C2 Bo Cot) | Ac (most mss)]

[^a1123: bl vsteren (G) | blustreden (most mss)]

[^a1124: sydes (G) | syde (all other mss)]

[^a1125: app vlles (G) | ampulles (all other mss)]

[^a1126: syten (G) | seten (all other mss)]

[^a1127: Iermonye (G) | ermonye (most mss)]

[^a1128: wyde (G F) | ful wyde (all other mss)]

[^a1129: wysshen (G Cr F) | wissen (all other mss)]

[^a1130: plouman (G) | a plowman (most mss)]

[^a1131: clere cler[k]e (G) | clerke (all other mss)]

[^a1132: whyle (G M F) | þe while (most mss)]

[^a1133: wynters (G) | wyntre (all other mss)]

[^a1134: s ven (G) | sued (most mss)]

[^a1135: del ve (G Cr C B) | I delue (most mss)]

[^a1136: & do (G Cr O C2 B) | I do (most mss)]

[^a1137: what (G M) | crafte what (all other mss)]

[^a1138: fynden (G) | knoweth (all other mss)]

[^a1139: hyne (G Hm Bo Cot) | hewe (most mss)]

[^a1140: but (G) | þat (all other mss)]

[^a1141: he (G F) | he ne (most mss)]

[^a1142: Le ve (G) | Ȝe leue (all other mss)]

[^a1143: lasse (G) | þe lasse (most mss)]

[^a1144: wyle (G) | tyme (all other mss)]

[^a1145: but (G F) | Ac (most mss)]

[^a1146: you (G) | Ȝe (all other mss)]

[^a1147: be (G) | he (all other mss)]

[^a1148: and (G F) | And so (all other mss)]

[^a1149: ye (G) | ȝow (all other mss)]

[^a1150: lyghtlyer (G O C2 B) | liȝtloker (most mss)]

[^a1151: so (G) | And so (most mss)]

[^a1152: but (G B F) | but if (all other mss)]

[^a1153: In (G Hm O C2 B) | an (all other mss)]

[^a1154: þe (G R F) | That (all other mss)]

[^a1155: þei (G Cr) | it (all other mss)]

[^a1156: but (G F) | ac (most mss)]

[^a1157: & (G W) | ne (all other mss)]

[^a1158: þe (G Cr) | þi (all other mss)]

[^a1159: brygge (G Cot) | bergh (most mss)]

[^a1160: þou (G) | ȝe (all other mss)]

[^a1161: all a-bowte (G F) | aboute (all other mss)]

[^a1162: was (G) | is (most mss)]

[^a1163: eche a (G) | Eche (most mss)]

[^a1164: pe n n vance pen[n]ance (G) | penaunce (all other mss)]

[^a1165: off (G Cr) | to (all other mss)]

[^a1166: gate hangyth (G) | gates hangen (all other mss)]

[^a1167: þem (G Hm) | him (all other mss)]

[^a1168: pe n n vance pen[n]ance (G) | penaunce (all other mss)]

[^a1169: I (G) | And (all other mss)]

[^a1170: shall (G) | I shal (most mss)]

[^a1171: off (G) | and (all other mss)]

[^a1172: In after (G) | in (most mss)]

[^a1173: In (G Cr1 W Hm) | sitte in (most mss)]

[^a1174: & to (G R) | and (all other mss)]

[^a1175: be (G) | Ac be (most mss)]

[^a1176: wrath þe (G L W Hm R) | wratthe (all other mss)]

[^a1177: prykketh (G) | pokeþ (most mss)]

[^a1178: þen (G) | And þanne (most mss)]

[^a1179: beest þou (G) | worstow (most mss)]

[^a1180: wynters (G) | wyntre (all other mss)]

[^a1181: but þou (G) | but (most mss)]

[^a1182: ha ve (G) | þow haue (most mss)]

[^a1183: but (G F) | Ac (most mss)]

[^a1184: the (G F) | Þat (all other mss)]

[^a1185: þat (G F) | þe (all other mss)]

[^a1186: but (G) | And but (all other mss)]

[^a1187: for (G F) | quod Peres for (all other mss)]

[^a1188: quod (G C2) | quod a (all other mss)]

[^a1189: wold (G) | A wolde (F) | Wite (most mss)]

[^a1190: waferer (G M O C2 B) | wafrestre (most mss)]

[^a1191: þus (G) | þis (most mss)]

[^a1192: prycked (G) | pikked (Y) | pokud (most mss)]

[^a1193: þem (G F) | hem alle (most mss)]

[^a1194: hope (G) | hope þow (most mss)]

[^a1195: I trowe (G) | parauenture (most mss)]

[^a1196: my (G) | my box with my (most mss)]

[^a1197: letters (G) | bisshopes lettres (most mss)]

[^a1198: meyst (G) | shalt (most mss)]

[^a1199: not (G M) | ne wot (all other mss)]

[^287: G.6.16: The <v> of pvffed may possibly be a correction; the scribe appears to have started to write a two-shaped <r> and then altered it.]

[^288: G.6.27: The G F H reading nede (for remaining B manuscripts hire nede) is also the reading of Ax, and this is the reading adopted by Kane and Donaldson.]

[^289: G.6.30: It seems possible that added þat is in the wrong place and that the G corrector meant to place it before hys, which would give a reading corresponding to that of B (the majority B reading is his).]

[^290: G.6.36: G and Cr23 are alike in that they lack the final syllable (the e) of most manuscripts pouste (presumably the transcriber thought of the <e> as representing schwa rather than [i:]).]

[^291: G.6.43: Presumably the deleted <pl> is the result of failure to notice the abbreviation for re in prelates. Part of the <a> following the <l> also appears to be present. See following note.]

[^292: G.6.43: The <r> of prestes is odd and may have started life as an <s>, once again, presumably, because of failure to notice the abbreviation mark.]

[^293: G.6.45: The G scribe normally distinguishes between god="god" and good="good." See Introduction III.2.]

[^294: G.6.48: The <y> of hys is partly obscured by a brown ink stain caused by the alteration of brought to brovght on the previous page (at G.6.8).]

[^295: G.6.62: Remaining B manuscripts read suweth for G shewen. For the use of <sh> for <s> in G, see Introduction III.4.1.]

[^296: G.6.65: Note the combination of barred <l> and final <e> in Peronelle.]

[^297: G.6.66: The top half of the ampersand is not visible and has to be inferred.]

[^298: G.6.68: There seems to be no particular reason for the deletion of <a>; the letter is not blotted.]

[^299: G.6.74: Kane and Donaldson adopt the G Hm O C2 H reading cryed (for remaining B manuscripts he cryed). No A or C version manuscripts have he.]

[^300: G.6.84: The scribe first decided to emend to i-lye by supralinear addition, but then crossed the whole thing out and re-wrote.]

[^301: G.6.109: G Cr hym, rather than the majority B reading hem, is clearly correct. There is confusion in the A manuscripts too, but a high proportion read "him," and this is the reading adopted by Kane and Donaldson.]

[^302: G.6.120: For the G scribe's use of "this" for "thus," see note to G.4.76.]

[^303: G.6.130: For the G scribe's use of "this" for "thus," see note to G.4.76.]

[^304: G.6.139: Forms of "graft" with <t> (as G gryften beside remaining manuscripts graffe) are first recorded by the OED at the end of the fifteenth century (see OED graft, v. 1 ).]

[^305: G.6.139: There is a superscript <u> over the <y> of ympes.]

[^306: G.6.140: The alteration of lymytours to lymytovrs is in the original grey-black ink rather than the brown ink of most <u> to <v> changes, and it therefore appears to have been made by the original scribe at the time of writing and not as part of his later corrections. Note that the original <u> is not well formed - there is only one minim - so this may be the reason behind the change.]

[^307: G.6.143: A loop and tail have been added to the <n> of original han in brown ink, probably by hand1.1 (giving had). Compare the resultant <d> with the <d> written by the scribe as part of his original transcription at the end of the first line on f.17v and with the <d> added by hand1.1 (i.e. the same scribe, making later corrections) at G.6.89.]

[^308: G.6.145: It is unusual for the G scribe to write <fr> (as in freres) without a long <r>, but the use of a 2-shaped <r> at this point is probably due to the fact that the addition lacks space.]

[^309: G.6.150: The form the is the unstressed form of the pronoun "they." See also note to G.2.164 and the readings at G.6.195, G.12.235 etc.]

[^310: G.6.151: The scribe clearly did not immediately recognise lybben, which is a predominantly western form, and he appears to have written some other letter, possibly <w> for double <b>. He then abandons this and writes what is presumably his own form lyven.]

[^311: G.6.156: G's reading could conceivably be swoue, which would correspond to the reading of most B manuscripts. However, G uses "swoon" elsewhere, where his reading cannot be in doubt (see G.15.339 and G.19.59). The verb "swow" is unusual and is not recorded by the OED after Langland (see OED swow, v. 1 ).]

[^312: G.6.181: The Bm reading "or" (as also G) is over an erasure. Most B manuscripts read of.]

[^313: G.6.187: The spelling myghe is not necessarily an error; the OED records migh as a sixteenth century form of the past indicative and subjunctive of the verb "may" (OED may v. 1 , Spellings.4).]

[^314: G.6.192: According to the OED, the combination "blabber-lipped" occurs first in 1483 (OED blabber, a. ).]

[^315: G.6.195: The form the is a weak form of the pronoun "they;" see also G.6.150, G.12.235.]

[^316: G.6.201: The Bx reading for G theron is "on þat welche" ("welche"= "Welsh flannel"), but this causes trouble for the scribes and is found only in L and R. M, Cr1 and W have "welthe" for "welche;" Cr23 has "welte;" and most of the remaining manuscripts have either "there" or, as in G, "thereon."]

[^317: G.6.212: A high proportion of A manuscripts share the G F reading lyst, and this is the reading adopted by Kane and Donaldson. Remaining B manuscripts read lyser.]

[^318: G.6.221: According to the OED, the strong forms of the past tense of "brew" did not survive into the sixteenth century, hence G Cr brewed for remaining manuscripts brewe.]

[^319: G.6.224: The OED records lye as a possible fifteenth century form of the preterite of the verb "to lie." Remaining manuscripts have lay. See also G.14.21, G.17.266.]

[^320: G.6.235: F shares G's original reading (herbored for most manuscripts herberwed quod he).]

[^321: G.6.239: Cr23 Hm C C2 Y B share G's original reading (þat þou). Most remaining manuscripts share G's corrected reading (þat þat þou).]

[^322: G.6.246: The form lesse is probably just a spelling variant (remaining B manuscripts read lese="lose"). The G scribe does often use <ss> to represent /z/. See Introduction III.2.]

[^323: G.6.256: G omits a line at this point ("Þat payed neuere for his prentishode · nouȝte a peire gloues").]

[^324: G.6.266: There may be hyphen after the <ex> of execvtors but it is difficult to be certain that this is not just the result of continuous writing. Hyphens are unusual in G.]

[^325: G.6.269: It is possible that the <r> plus flourish which completes the word thyere in G may be a later addition: it appears to have been squashed in, leaving no room between words.]

[^326: G.6.293: For the G scribe's use of superscript <a> (which appears as the abbreviation mark in misericordiam), see note to G.4.156 and Introduction IV.1.1.]

[^327: G.6.303: The form þei for "the" is recorded by LALME in Warwickshire (LALME 4, item 1), so this may simply be a spelling variant. However, it seems more likely that it is a back spelling resulting from the frequent use in G of "the" for "they" (see note to G.6.150).]

[^328: G.6.304: Part of the <g> of reykenyng is missing because of cropping.]

[^329: G.6.338: The <l> of "could" is blotted.]

[^330: G.6.342: An otiose superscript <a> has been added above the second <n> of "covenant" in brown ink. For treatment and use of superscript <a> in G, see Introduction IV.1.1.]

[^331: G.6.342: The colour of the ink suggests that this particular correction of coope to covpe has been made by hand1 as part of his original transcription.]

[^332: G.6.345: As far as the deletion after syr is concerned, it seems possible that the scribe began to write <pyers> as at G.6.324.]

[^333: G.6.347:The G Cr R form sytten has been recorded as a variant reading (most B manuscripts read seten) because it may be in the present tense. However, preterites with medial i/y are possible. See MED sitten (v.). Though Cr23 share the G R spelling, their reading differs in other ways (they read so sytten they, cf. C Y so setyn þey). See also G.6.538.]

[^334: G.6.352:In the case of M, the -es inflexion on "noses" (which brings M's reading into line with that of G W Hm Cot) has been written over an erasure. Remaining B manuscripts read nose.]

[^335: G.6.354: The shared G Bm reading tyll is by correction in Bm. Remaining manuscripts read er.]

[^336: G.6.355: As far as the deletion after lyke is concerned, Kane and Donaldson read this as <a> without deletion, but the original letter appears to have had a long tail.]

[^337: G.6.362:Since "karl" is of Scandinavian origin, its use may well be linked to the fact that one of G's ancestors clearly had Northern connections. See Introduction III.4.1.]

[^338: G.6.365: The past tense of "smatch" (see most manuscripts smauȝte for G were) is not recorded by the OED after the fifteenth century, although the present tense continues in use for some time.]

[^339: G.6.369: The majority of B manuscripts have the strong form of the preterite, i.e. slepe. The weak form (as G slepte) is, however, found in a high proportion of A manuscripts and note also Bm shleppet.]

[^340: G.6.372: The middle of wyckedlyche is difficult to read and there may have been some alteration, probably by the original scribe.]

[^341: G.6.378: The use of medial <a> in G sware probably reflects the influence of bare, the preterite of bear. See OED swear v .]

[^342: G.6.380: There is a brown smudge over G ones and it may have been altered to once as part of the scribe's later programme of spelling corrections. The ascender of the original sigma <s> is not very clear and may have been partially erased.]

[^343: G.6.390: Manuscript M originally shared the G L R reading fast, but to has been added above the line, bringing M's reading into agreement with that of the remaining B manuscripts (i.e. "to fast").]

[^344: G.6.392: Examination of the minims suggests that the original (altered by hand1.1. to the correct reading avnte) may well have been amyte, i.e. the original scribe misread the four minims of his exemplar as an <m> and an <i>.]

[^345: G.6.396: Most C manuscripts share the G Hm R F reading stoole, which is adopted by Kane and Donaldson. Most B manuscripts read a stole.]

[^346: G.6.414: The majority of C manuscripts read man for G M Hm men; remaining B manuscripts read folke. Kane and Donaldson adopt the G M Hm reading.]

[^347: G.6.429: Presumably the aim was to alter the <u> of original reyues to <v> but the scribe has misplaced his correction.]

[^348: G.6.429: According to the OED, the form reyue (i.e. G's original form) is Southwest Midlands.]

[^349: G.6.431: G Cr1 R begge could be a variant spelling of "buy" (most manuscripts read bigge), but it may have been intended as "beg." See also G.4.82.]

[^350: G.6.452: There may have been an erasure here; there is a long gap and a smudge between tyll and vigillate. Possibly the scribe originally failed to change the colour of his ink.]

[^351: G.6.453: According to the OED, the use of the word "flat" (from OF flatir/flater) to mean "to cast suddenly" or "to dash" had died out by the end of the fourteenth century (see OED flat, v.1 ), hence G fell flatt for most manuscripts flatte it.]

[^352: G.6.461: The second half of "church" has been written over a smudge and possibly over an erasure. However, it is difficult to see what the original could have been.]

[^353: G.6.462: The additional <t> in "matins" is added by placing a downstroke over the line joining the original <t> and the <y>.]

[^354: G.6.467: The ink here is very faint and part of the <d> and the whole of the <e> of -lode have been re-outlined, probably by the original scribe.]

[^355: G.6.477: The final <e> of robbere has been written over the ascender of the long <r>.]

[^356: G.6.477:As far as the addition of final <e> to "robber" is concerned, it seems possible that the scribe may have been influenced by the original omission and later addition of the <e> on reddere later in the line, i.e. the scribe appears to have treated the word "robber" as if it too were a Latin infinitive.]

[^357: G.6.477: The final <e> of reddere has been added over the ascender of the long <r>. See previous notes.]

[^358: G.6.492:Added watt is in paler ink than the words immediately adjoining it, but seems to be in the script of the original scribe.]

[^359: G.6.494: All B manuscripts apart from G Cr23 R and F end this line with & cetera .]

[^360: G.6.495: Probably G seynt is just a spelling variant for remaining manuscripts sent (see Introduction III.2).]

[^361: G.6.498: There is an otiose minim at the end of the word nostram.]

[^362: G.6.512: The deletion of final <e> oon marye, both here and later in the line, is in black ink. Compare uncorrected <marye> at G.6.515.]

[^363: G.6.515: The <a> in G Iohan is superscript and has been treated as an abbreviation mark. For use and treatment of superscript <a> in G, see Introduction IV.1.1.]

[^364: G.6.518: The addition of the second <er> of sykerer has left no space between words.]

[^365: G.6.518: Cr1 Y F share G's original reading syker. Most B manuscripts share the corrected reading sykerer.]

[^366: G.6.521: Kane and Donaldson adopt the G Cot R F reading sore, which is also the reading of almost all C manuscripts (CQ reads soree). Most B manuscripts read here sore.]

[^367: G.6.523: The heads of the <h>s of hente, hope and horne are similar to those of rubricated letters in this manuscript (see Introduction I.7).]

[^368: G.6.526 The scribe has added an supralinear minim in ordinary grey ink to correct original quenadmodum to quemadmodum.]

[^369: G.6.530: An attempt appears to have been made to alter the <h> of original <th> to a long <r> but this has been abandoned and the letters have been crossed out.]

[^370: G.6.531:The added <v> of covlde has faded.]

[^371: G.6.538: Kane and Donaldson record G's reading here as arpulles , but compare the same word in G.6.623.]

[^372: G.6.358: The G form syten has been recorded as a variant reading of remaining B manuscripts seten because it could be a present tense form. It may, however, be a variant spelling of the preterite. See note to G.6.347.]

[^373: G.6.541: Benson and Blanchfield (p.132) see the ampersand here as a "reader's mark; possibly 'nota,'" but comparison with the scribe's usual form of the ampersand and with the reading of other B manuscripts makes it clear that the letter is <&>. The G scribe makes other, similar additions at, e.g., G.4.115, G.6.5.]

[^374: G.6.551: In the case of G at least, the shared G Cr F reading wysshen (for remaining manuscripts wissen) need not necessarily be considered to be a substantive variant. For the use of <sh> for <s> in G, see Introduction III.4.1.]

[^375: G.6.551: For the deletion of <b> and its replacement with <w> in where, compare the confusion over <bb> in lybben at G.6.151.]

[^376: G.6.559: All C manuscripts except P2 share the majority B reading þe while but Ax agrees with G M F whyle and this is the reading adopted by Kane and Donaldson.]

[^377: G.6.560: The G scribe replaces remainng manuscripts wyntre with an inflected plural. See note to G.2.100.]

[^378: G.6.570: The M corrector alters to the form of the present tense used by G (i.e. M's corrected reading is withholdeþ). Remaining manuscripts have with-halt.]

[^379: G.6.570: The Hm reading hyne (shared with G Bo Cot) is a correction over an erasure. The majority manuscript reading is hewe.]

[^380: G.6.570: The scribe originally wrote euen but, because of the pricking in the manuscript at the corner of the writing space, it was not easy to write legibly and therefore a bar has been used in addition to make it clear that final <n> is intended.]

[^381: G.6.580: For the G scribe's use of you instead of Ȝe for the nominative form of the pronoun, see note to G.2.180.]

[^382: G.6.581: Forms of "come" with medial <oe> occur twice in the early part of the G text, at G.3.234 (welcoem) and at G.4.56 (coemmen). Such forms were clearly not the preferred form of the original scribe, who presumably found the <ov> spelling useful for correction, although his usual form is com-.]

[^383: G.6.586: Spellings of "ford" with <th> rather than <d> are found in L O R F and originally in M where the corrector alters to <d>. As far as the G scribe was concerned, the <the> spellings were probably outdated (they are not recorded by the OED after the fifteenth century).]

[^384: G.6.587: A virgule has been added at this point to separate matrem and et. It does not appear to have been intended as a punctuation or metrical mark.]

[^385: G.6.588: G's use of ye here may simply be an example of the extension of "ye" from the nominative to the objective (the opposite of what happens with "you" at, for example, G.6.580). Remaining manuscripts read ȝow. However, a nominative would be possible in this construction, as at G.6.592 (where the majority of manuscripts read come þow for β4 come). The meaning of the b-verse would then be "and wash well there" rather than "and wash yourselves well there."]

[^386: G.6.590: The majority of A and C manuscripts share the G B F reading but (for remaining B manuscripts but if), and this is the reading adopted by Kane and Donaldson.]

[^387: G.6.593: The majority of A and C manuscripts share the G R F reading þe, which is adopted by Kane and Donaldson. Remaining B manuscripts read That.]

[^388: G.6.597: The G scribe often appears to use brackets or virgules as highlighting marks. This is especially the case with names (as here: / steyle not / etc). See also the similar highlighting of thought in the Table of Contents (at the top of f.102v).]

[^389: G.6.600: For the use of virgules and brackets for highlighting, see note to G.6.597.]

[^390: G.6.603: For the use of use of virgules or brackets for highlighting, see note to G.6.597.]

[^391: G.6.611: Once again, the virgules here are probably being used as a means of highlighting rather than punctuation. See note to G.6.597.]

[^392: G.6.612: For the G scribe's use of virgules for highlighting, see note to G.6.597.]

[^393: G.6.613: For the G scribe's use of virgules for highlighting, see note to G.6.597.]

[^394: G.6.614: For the G scribe's use of virgules for highlighting, see note to G.6.597.]

[^395: G.6.616: For the G scribe's use of virgules for highlighting, see note to G.6.597.]

[^396: G.6.617: Possibly the corrector reads original tokne as tokue and emends to tokune.]

[^397: G.6.624:Forms of cunctis without medial -c- also occur in L W O C2 and F.]

[^398: G.6.626:Added after does not appear to be in the hand of the original scribe. Note the double-sectioned <a>, and compare the note on f.106v and the marginalia on ff.69v, 70, 71, 72v and 103.]

[^399: G.6.636: For the G scribe's treatment of the uninflected plural wyntre (as all other manuscripts), see note to G.2.100.]

[^400: G.6.641: For the G scribe's use of virgules for highlighting, see note to G.6.597.]

[^401: G.6.642: For the G scribe's use of virgules for highlighting, see note to G.6.597.]

[^402: G.6.643: For the G scribe's use of virgules for highlighting, see note to G.6.597.]

[^403: G.6.644: For the G scribe's use of virgules for highlighting, see note to G.6.597.]

[^404: G.6.644: The added <e> on manye is forward-facing and is not the form normally used by the main scribe, even in the rubricated sections. The letter is also in very black ink, and seems likely to have been added by the annotator responsible for the marginal comments on 42v, 44v and 72v.]

[^405: G.6.653: G þus for remaining manuscripts þis is probably a back spelling, cf. frequent G "this" for "thus" and see note to G.4.76.]

[^406: G.6.655: A version manuscripts read hym for B hem alle, G F þem. Kane and Donaldson adopt the A reading.]

Thys were a wycked way[^407] but wo-so had a gyde
that wold folowen vs eche[^a1200][^408] foote þus þis folke he[^a1201] me ved[^a1202]
quod perkyn þe plo vman by seynt petre off rome
I ha ve an hal ve acre to erye by the hygh way
had I eryede thys halfe acre and sowen ytt after
I wold wend wyth you & you[^a1203] the way teyche
thys were a long lettyng quod a ladye In a sklayere
when[^a1204] shold we wymmen worche to[^a1205] whyles
some shold[^a1206] sowe þe sacke quod he[^a1207] / for shedyng off þe weyte
& you[^a1208][^409] lo vely ladyes wythe your longe fyngers
that ye ha ve sylke & sendell to sowe when tyme ys
chesybleys for chapleynes cherche s to hono vre
wy ves & wydowes wol le[^410] & flax spynnethe
makethe clothe I co vnsell you & k ennyth so yo vr doghters
the nedye & þe naked take[^a1209] heede howe they lyggen
& castethe theym clothes for so comma vnded[^a1210] trewthe
for I shall ley ven[^a1211] þe n[^a1212][^411] ly veloode / but yff þe land fayle
Flesshe & breed bothe to ryche and to poere
as long as I ly ve for the lordes lo ve off hey ven
and all maner men[^a1213] that thr vgh meyte & drynke ly ven
helpe theym[^a1214] to worke wyghtlyche þat wynnen[^a1215] your foode
by cryst quod a knyght tho he kennyth vs the best
but[^a1216] on þe teme trewly tawght was I ne ver
but kenne me quod the knyght & I wyll assay[^412]
by seynt powle quod perkyn ye profre you so fayre
that I shall sweyte[^a1217] & swynke[^a1218] & sowe for vs bothe
and other labor s do for þi lo ve all my lyfe tyme
In co venaunt[^413] þat þou kepe holychurche & my-sel ve
from wasters & from wykked men þat þis world stroyen
and go h vnte hardelyche att[^a1219] hares & att[^a1220] foxes
to borres & to brockes þat breken downe[^a1221] mennes[^a1222] heggys
and go assey þe[^a1223] fawkenes wyld fo vle[^a1224] to kyll
for s oyche comen to my crofte & c roppen my weyte
co vrtyslyche þe knyght þen comsed thes wordes
by my power pyers quod he I plyght þe my troght
to f v llfyll thys forward thogh I fyght sh olde
as longe as I ly ve I shall the menteygne
he[^a1225] & yet a poynte quod pyers I prey you off more
loke ye tene no tenant but trewthe[^414] wyll assente
& thogh ye mowe a-mercy them lett mercy be taxo vre
and mekenes þi master maugre medes chekes
and thogh pore[^a1226] profre you presentes & gyftes
nym ytt noght In auent vre ye may ytt not deser ve
for you[^a1227][^415] shall[^a1228] yeld ytt a-gayne att on yeres end
In a full perylyche[^a1229][^416] place p vrgatorye ytt hett
and myssbyd noght þi bo vndmen þe better mey þou spede
thogh he be þi vndrelyng well[^a1230] mey happe yn hey ven
that he worthyer sytt[^a1231] & wyth more blysse
amice assende superius & cetera[^a1232]
for In chernels[^a1233] at ch vrches[^a1234] cherles been yll[^a1235] to knowe
or a knyght from a kna ve knowe þis In þi herte
& be trew off thy tong & tales thowe[^a1236] hate
but[^a1237] þei be wyssdome[^a1238] or wytt thy workemen to chaste
hold wyth non herlottes ne here not theyre tales
& namelyche at[^a1239][^417] meyte s oche men eschewe
for þei[^a1240] þe[^a1241] de velles dyso vrs I do þe to vndre-stond
I assent by seynt Iame quod[^a1242] the knyght then
for to worchen by þi wordes whyle[^a1243] my ly ve d vrethe
and I shall apparell me quod perkyn In pylgrymes wyse
and wende wyth you I wyll tyll we fynd trewthe
& cast on my clothes clo vted[^a1244] & hole
my cokkers & my c vffes for cold off my nayles
and hang my hopper at my hal ce In styd off a scryppe
a b vsshell[^a1245] bre yd corne bryng me therynne
For I wyll sowe ytt my-sel ve & sythe wole I wende
to pylgrymes[^a1246] &[^a1247] palmers done perdone to[^a1248][^418] ha ve
but[^a1249] wo-so helpeth to[^a1250] erye or sowen er I wende
shall ha ve ley ve by our lorde to lese theryn[^a1251] her vest
& make þem merye ther-myd / maugre wo-so gr vggethe
and as ff or[^a1252][^419] crafty s[^a1253][^420] men / that can ly ve In trewthe
I shall fynd them foode þat faythfullyche ly ven
saue Iacke þe Ioygoler & Iohenett off the stewes
and danyell þe dyssepleyer & dyote[^a1254] þe bawde
and frere þe fayto vr & folke off hys ordre
and robyn þe ryba vder for hys ro vstye wordes
trewthe told me one ce & bad me tell ytt after
deleantur de libro viuentium I sh vld not deale wyth þem
For holy churche ys hoote off theym no tythes[^a1255] to take
quia cum Iustis non scribantur //
they been eskaped good a vent vre / god þem amend
dame worche when tyme ys pyers wyffe hyght
hys doghter hyght do ryght so or þi dame shall þe beyte
hys sonne hett / suffer þi suffereyns to ha ve theyr wyll
deme þem not for yff þou do þou shalte ytt deere bygge[^a1256]
lett god worche[^a1257] wyth all for so hys worde teychythe
for now am I[^a1258] olde and hoor & ha ve myne[^a1259] owen
to pen vance pen[n]ance[^a1260] & pylgrymage I wyll pas wyth[^a1261] other
Forthy I wyll or I wende wryte[^a1262] my beq vest
In die d[e]i[^a1263] nomine amen I make ytt my-sel ven
he shall ha ve my so vle þat best hathe I-ser ved ytt
and fro þe fend ytt defend for so I bele ve
tyll I come to hys acomptes as[^a1264] credo me tellythe
to ha ve a relees &[^a1265][^421] remyssyon on þat rentall I le . ve[^422]
the kyrke shall ha ve my caryon & kepe my bonnys
for off my corne & catell he cra ved the tythe
I payd ytt hym prestlye for peryll off my so vle
forthy he ys[^a1266] holden I hope to ha ve me In hys masse
and mengen In hys memorye among all crystyen
my wyffe shall ha ve off þat I wanne wyth trewthe & no more
and deale among my doghters & my deer chyldren
For thogh I dye to-day my dettes are q vyte
I bare whom þat I borowed er I to bed yede
& wyth the resydewe & þe remna vnte by þe rode off l vkes
I wole worshype ther-wyth trewthe by my ly ve
& been hys pylgrym att plo vgh for poere men es[^423] sake
my plowe-foote shalbe shal be my pykestaffe & pyche atwo þe[^424] rotes
and helpe my c vltur to ker ve & clence þe forowes
now ys perkyn & hys pylgymes pylg[r]ymes[^a1267] to þe plo vgh faren
to erye hys[^a1268] halffe acre holpen hym many
dykers & del vers dygged vp the balkes
therwyth was perkyn apayde & preysed hym[^a1269][^425] fast
other workemen þer were þat wroghten full yerne
eche man In hys maner made hym-sel ve to done
& some to pleasse perkyn pyked vp the wedes
att hygh pryme / pyers lett the plowe stand
to ouerseen þem hym-selffe & wo-so best wroghte
he sh old be hyred þerafter when her vest[^a1270] cam
and þen seten some & songen atte nale
and helpen[^a1271] erye hys halfe acre / wyth howe troly loly
by[^a1272] þe peryll off my so vle quod pyers all In p vre tene
but ye aryse the rather & rape you to worche
shall no greyne þat growethe glade you att nede
and yff[^a1273] ye dye for doole þe de vell ytt[^a1274] recchethe
tho were fayto vrs afered & feyned theym blynd
some leyde þer legges a-lyrye / as swyche loselles canne
& made þer mone to pers & preyed hym off grace
we[^a1275] ha ve no lymmes to labo vre wyth lord graced[^a1276] be ye
&[^a1277] we pray for you pyers & for yo vr plowe bothe
that god off hys grace your greyne m vltyplye
& yelde you for[^a1278] your almesse þat ye gy ve vs here
for we may not swynke ne sweyte s oche syknes vs eylythe
yff ytt be sothe[^a1279] þat you[^a1280][^426] seyne I shall ytt sone espye
ye been wastors I wott well & trewthe wottethe[^a1281] þe sothe
and I am hys old hyne & hyght hym to warne
wyche þei were In þis worlde hys workmen ympeyren[^a1282][^427]
ye wasten þat men wynnen wyth tra vell & wyth tene
but[^a1283] trewthe shall teyche you[^428] hys teme to dryue[^429]
or ye shall eyte barlye bred & off þe brooke drynke
but yff he be blynd or broken-legged or bolted wyth yrens
he shall eyte wheyte bred & drynke wyth my-sel ve
tyll god off hys goodnes amendement hym send
but[^a1284] ye myght tra vell as trewthe wold & take meyte & hyre
to kepe kyen In the felde the corne from þe bestes
dyken or del ven or dyngen vp the[^a1285] shey vys
or helpe make morter or beyre m vcke[^430] a-feld e
In lecherye & losyngerye ye ly ven & In slothe
and all ys thr vgh s vfferance þat wengeance you ne takethe
but[^a1286] ankers & herymytes that eyten nat but[^a1287] on ce[^a1288]
and no more er morowe myne almes shall they ha ve
& off catell to kepe[^a1289] þem wyth þat ha v e cloyesters & ch vrches
but[^a1290] / robert renabowte /[^431] shall not ha ve off myne
ne posteles but þei preyche kan & ha ve power off þe bysshoppe
they shall ha ve payne & potage & make theym at easse
ytt[^a1291] ys an vnreasonable relygyon þat hathe noght[^a1292] off certeyne
and then gan a wasto vr to wrathe hym & wold ha ve foghte
& to pyers the plowman he profered hys glo ve
a brettoner[^432] / a bragger /[^433] he bosted[^a1293][^434] pyers al ce
& bad hym go pysse hym wyth[^a1294] hys plowe forpyned shrewe
wylt þou or nylt þou we wyll ha ve our wyll
off thye flower & off thye flesshe fecche when vs lykethe
& maken vs merye therwyth ma vgre thy chekes
then pyers þe plo vman pleynyd hym to the knyght
to kepe hym as co venaunt was from c vrsed shrewys
& fro þe[^a1295] wasto vrs off wol ves[^a1296] kynd[^a1297] þat make þis[^a1298] worlde deere
for þei[^a1299] wasten & wynne noght & that ylke whyle
worthe neuer plente amonge þe poeple whyle[^a1300] my plow lyggethe[^435]
co vrteyslye þe knyght then as hys kynd wold[^436]
warned wasto vr & wyssed hym better
or þou shalt abye by þe lawe by þe ordre that I beyre
I wroght neuer[^a1301] quod wasto vr & nowe I nyll begynne
& lett lyght off the lawe & lasse off the knyght
& sett pyers att a peyse & hys plowe bothe
and maneced peres & hys men yff they mete[^a1302][^437] eft- sones[^a1303]
by[^a1304] þe peryll off my so vle quod pyers I shall apayre you all
and called[^a1305] affter honger þat herd hym at þe F vrste
awreke me off thes wasto vrs that[^a1306] þis worlde shenden
hongre In hast tho hente wasto vre by þe mawe
& wrong hym so by þe wombe þat hys[^a1307] eyne watered
he b vffeted the bretoner a-bowte bothe[^a1308][^438] the chekes
that he loked lyke a lanterne all hys ly ve after
he bett þem so bothe he brast nye[^a1309] theyre g vttes
ne had pyers wyth a peyse loofe preyed hongre to ceasse
they had be dol ven depe[^a1310][^439] deme þou non other
suffer theym lyue he seyde & lett theym eyte wyth hogges
or elles b aens be[a]ns[^440] & branne baken[^a1311] to-gedders
or elles mylke & meane ale thus preyed pyers for theym
Fayto vrs for feere there[^a1312] flowen In-to bernes
& flapten on wyth fleyles from morowe tyll e ven
that hongre was not[^441] hardye[^a1313][^442] on theym for to loke
For a pott f vll off peyses þat p yers had made[^a1314]
an heype off herymytes hente theym spades
and k vtten þer copes & co vrtypyes theym made
and went as workemen wyth spades & wyth sho velles
and dol ven & dyggen[^a1315] to dry ve a-way hongre
blynd & bedreden were botened a thowsande
that sytten[^a1316][^443] to begge syl ver sone were they heyled
for þat was bake for bayarde was bote for manye hongrye
and many a begger for beanes boxome was to swynke
and eche[^a1317] poere man well[^444] payed to ha ve peyse for hys hyre
& watt pyers preyed þem do[^a1318] as prest as a sparrha vke
& theroff was pyers prowde & p vtt theym to worche
ga ve[^a1319] þem meyte as he myght a-forthe a[^a1320] meys vrable hyre
then had pyers pyte & preyed hongre to wende
home to[^a1321] hys owen yerthe & holden hym there
for I am well I-wrooke[^a1322] off wasto vrs thr vgh thye myght
but[^a1323] I prey þe or thowe pas quod pyers vn-to[^a1324] hongre
off beggers & off bydders wat best be to done
for I wote wele be þou weynte þei wole worche yll[^a1325][^445]
for myscheffe ytt makethe they be so meke nowe[^a1326][^446]
& for defa vte off þeir foode / þis folke ys att my wyll
they are my[^a1327] brethren quod pyers[^a1328] god[^447] boght vs all
tre vght taght me on ce to lo ven theym echone
and[^a1329][^448] helpen off[^a1330] all thyng ay as theym nedethe
and nowe wold I wytten[^a1331] where[^a1332] were the best
& how I myght mastre[^a1333] theym & make þem to worche
here nowe quod hongre & hold ytt for a wyssdome
bold beggers & bygge þat mow þer brede byswynke
wyth hoondes bred & hors brede hold vp theyr hartes
abate[^a1334] wyth beanes for bollyng off theyr wombe
and yff þe gomes gr vge byd theym go swynke
& he shall so vpe swetter when he hathe deser ved ytt[^a1335]
and yff þou fynd any freyke þat fort vne hath apayred
or any maner fal ce men fond þou s oyche to knowe
comfort theym wyth thye catell for crystes lo ve off hey ven
lo ve theym & leyne theym so þe lawe off god teychethe
alter alterius onera portate et cetera[^a1336] //
and all maner off men that thow myght aspye
that nedye been & noght[^a1337] /[^449] helpe theym wyth thye goodes
lo ve þem & lacke theym noght lett god take the wengeance
thogh they done e vell lett god worche[^a1338]
michi vindictam et ego retribuam et cetera[^a1339] //
& yff þou wylt be gracyo vs to god do as the gospell teychythe
belo ve[^a1340] þe amongest lewde[^a1341] men so shalt þou lacche grace
facite vobis amicos de mammona Iniquitatis et cetera[^a1342] //
I nolde[^a1343] gre ve god / pers seyde[^a1344] / for all þe good on gro vnde
myght I synles do as þou seyest seyd pers then
I[^a1345] þe hoote[^a1346][^450] quod hongre or elles the byble lyethe
go to genesis þe geant þe engendero vr off vs all
In swete[^a1347] & In swynke þou shalt thye mete tylye
& labo vr for thy ly velode & so our lord hyght
and sapyence sayethe the same[^451] I sawe ytt In þe byble[^452]
piger pro frigore no felde nold tylye
& þerfore he shall begge & bygge[^a1348] & no man bete hys hongre
mathewe wyth mannes face mo vthed thes wordes
that seruus nequam had a beysant[^a1349][^453] & for he wold not chaffare
he had maugre off hys master e ver-more after
& bynam hym hys beysant[^a1350] for he nold[^a1351][^454] worche
& gaffe þat besant[^a1352] to hym þat ten besantes[^a1353] hadde
& wyth þat he seyde þat holy ch vrche ytt harde
he þat had[^a1354] shall ha ve & helpe þer ytt nedythe
& he þat hathe noght[^a1355] noght shall[^a1356] ha ve & no man hym helpe
& þat he weneth well to ha ve I wyll ytt hym berey ve
kynd wytt wolde þat eche a wyght wroght[^455]
other[^a1357] In dykyng or In del vyng or tra vell[^a1358] In preyers
contemplaty ve lyffe or acty ve lyffe cryste wold þei wroght
the sa vter seyethe In þe sa vlme off beati omnes //
the freyke þat fedeth hym-selffe wyth[^a1359] feythfull labo vr
he ys blessyd by the boke in bodye & yn so vle
labores manuum tuarum et cetera //
Yet[^456] I prey you quod pyres[^457] par charyte yff[^a1360] you[^a1361][^458] can
any leyffe off lechecrafte lere ytt me my dere
For some off my ser vantes & my-sel ve bothe
off all a weeke worche not so our wombe akethe
I wote well quod hongre watt syknes you ayelethe
ye ha ve yeyten[^a1362] o ver moche & þat makethe you grone
but[^a1363] I hoote þe quod hongre as þou thyn heale wylnest
that þou drynke no day or þou dyne somwatt
eyte nat I hoote þe / er honger the take
and send the off hys sa vce to sa vore wyth thye lyppes
& kepe some tyll s oppertyme & sytt not to long
& ryse vp er appetyte hathe[^a1364] eyten hys fyll
lett noght syr s vrfett sytten att thy borde
le ve hym not[^a1365] he ys leychero vs & lykoro vs off tong
& after manye maner meytes hys mawe ys a-hongred
& yff þou dyote þe þus I dare legge my eyres
þat fysyke shall hys f vrred hoodes /for hys foode sell
& hys cloke off calabre wyth all hys[^a1366] knapes off gold
& be fayne by my faythe fysyke[^a1367] to ley ve[^a1368]
& lerne to labo vr wyth lond for ly velode ys swete
for mortherers are many leches our lord[^a1369] þem amend
they do men to dye[^a1370] thr vgh þer drynkes er destynye wold
by seynt powle quod pyers thes are profytable wordes
wende now hongre when þou wylt well[^a1371] be þou e ver
for þis ys a lo vely lesson lord ytt þe foryelde
I hoote[^a1372][^459] god quod hongre hen ce ne wold[^a1373] I wende[^460]
tyll I ha ve dyned by þis day and y drynke[^a1374][^461] bothe
I ha ve no pennye quod pyers p vllettes to bygge
ne neyther gees ne gryses[^a1375] but two grene cheses
a fewe cr vddes & creyme & a ha ver kake
and two lo ves off beanes & branne bake[^a1376] for my fa vntes
& yet I sey by my so vle I ha ve no salte bakon
ne no kokeney by cryst colopes for to make
but[^a1377] I ha ve percyle & porrettes & manye cole plantes
and[^a1378] a cowe & a calffe & a carte mare
to drawe a-feld my dong whyle[^a1379][^462] þe dro vght lastethe
and by þis ly velode we m vste[^a1380][^463] ly ve tyll lammas tyme
& by þat I hope ha ve[^a1381] her vest In my crofte
& then may I dyght þi dynner as my[^a1382] dere lykethe
all the po vere poeple then[^a1383] peyscoddes fecchen[^a1384]
beynes & baken app vlles þei broght yn theyr lappes
chybolles & cheruelles & rype cheryes manye
& profered pyers þis present to please wyth hongre
all hongre ete In hast & asked after more
then po vere folke for fere fed hongre ȝerne
wyth grene porrett & peasone to poysone hym þei thoght[^464]
by þat hytt neghyd ney[^a1385] her vest newe corne cam to cheypyng
þen was folke feyne & fed hongre wyth þe best
wyth good ale as gloton taght & garte hongre to[^a1386][^465] slepe
tho[^a1387] wold wasto vr not worche but wandre a-bowte
ne no begger eyte bred þat beanes yn were
but off cokett &[^a1388] cleremeyne[^a1389] or elles off cleyne wheyte
ne non halpenye ale In no wyse drynke
but[^a1390] þe best & the[^a1391] brounest þat yn br vghe ys to sell
laborers þat ha ve no land to ly ve on but þer handys
deyned noght to dyne a day / nyht olde wortes
may no penny ale theym pay no[^a1392] pece off bakon
but yff ytt be fresshe flesshe or[^a1393] fysshe fryed or[^a1394] bake
and that cla vde c[h]aude[^a1395] & pl vs cha ved for chyllyng off þer mawe
and but yff he be hyghlyche hyred elles wole he[^466] chyde
and þat he was workeman wroght waylle þe tyme
ageynst catons co vnseyle comsethe he to Iangell
paupertatis onus pacienter ferre memento //
he gre vethe hym ageynst god & gr vggethe ageynst reason
and[^a1396] ca vsethe[^a1397] he þe kyng all[^a1398] hys co vnseyle after
s oyche lawes to loke laborers to gre ve
but[^a1399] whyle hongre was here master / non off þem wold[^a1400] chyde
ne stry ve ageynst þ is[^a1401][^467][^468] stat vte so sternleche he loked
but[^a1402] I warne you workemen wynne wyle ye m owe
for hongre hydderward hastethe hym fast
he shall awake wyth watre wasto vrs to chaste
er fyue be fullfylled s oyche fanyne fa[m]yne[^a1403] shall aryse
thr vgh fl vddes & fo vle wedders fr vytes shall fayle
a profecy
and so seyde sat orne þat[^a1404] seynt you to warne

[G.7.334: A scribe has added a [decorated cross] in the margin. This corresponds to a similar cross in the table of contents (on f.102) and is one of a number of signs clearly intended to help the reader find particular items in the text. See Introduction I.10.]

when ye se þe sonne a-mys & two monkes heydes
and a[^469] meyde ha ve þe mastrye & m vltyplye by heyght
þen shall dethe wyth -drawe & derthe be I vstece
& daw þe dyker dye for hongre
but yff god off hys goodnes graunt vs a trewe
explicit septimus passus de visione //

[^a1200: eche (G Cot) | eche a (most mss)]

[^a1201: he (G) | hem (most mss)]

[^a1202: me ved (G) | mened (most mss)]

[^a1203: & you (G) | and (all other mss)]

[^a1204: when (G) | What (all other mss)]

[^a1205: to (G) | þe (most mss)]

[^a1206: shold (G) | shal (all other mss)]

[^a1207: he (G) | Piers (most mss)]

[^a1208: you (G) | ȝe (all other mss)]

[^a1209: take (G C2) | takes (C) | nymmeth (all other mss)]

[^a1210: comma vnded (G C) | comaundeth (most mss)]

[^a1211: ley ven (G Cr12) | lene (all other mss)]

[^a1212: þe n (G) | hem (all other mss)]

[^a1213: men (G) | of men (all other mss)]

[^a1214: theym (G Cot) | hym (most mss)]

[^a1215: wynnen (G) | wynneth (most mss)]

[^a1216: but (G F) | Ac (most mss)]

[^a1217: sweyte (G) | swynke (all other mss)]

[^a1218: swynke (G) | swete (all other mss)]

[^a1219: att (G) | to (all other mss)]

[^a1220: att (G) | to (all other mss)]

[^a1221: downe (G W Bm) | adown (most mss)]

[^a1222: mennes (G) | men (Bo Cot) | myne (most mss)]

[^a1223: assey þe (G) | affaite þi (most mss)]

[^a1224: fo vle (G F) | foules (most mss)]

[^a1225: he (G) | Ȝe (most mss)]

[^a1226: pore (G) | pore men (all other mss)]

[^a1227: you (G) | ye (Cr Hm) | þow (most mss)]

[^a1228: shall (G Cr Hm) | shalt (all other mss)]

[^a1229: perylyche (G) | perillous (all other mss)]

[^a1230: well (G F) | here wel (most mss)]

[^a1231: sytt (G Hm C O C2) | sette (most mss)]

[^a1232: superius & cetera (G Hm Y) | superius (all other mss)]

[^a1233: chernels (G M) | charnel (most mss)]

[^a1234: ch vrches (G) | chirche (all other mss)]

[^a1235: yll (G) | yuel (all other mss)]

[^a1236: thowe (G) | þat þow (most mss)]

[^a1237: but (G) | But if (most mss)]

[^a1238: wyssdome (G C) | of wisdome (most mss)]

[^a1239: at (G O C2 Y) | atte (most mss)]

[^a1240: þei (G F Cot) | it (all other mss)]

[^a1241: þe (G) | ben þe (most mss)]

[^a1242: quod (G) | seyde (all other mss)]

[^a1243: whyle (G) | þe while (most mss)]

[^a1244: clo vted (G Cr B) | yclouted (all other mss)]

[^a1245: b vsshell (G) | busshel of (all other mss)]

[^a1246: pylgrymes (G) | pylgrymage (most mss)]

[^a1247: & (G) | as (all other mss)]

[^a1248: to (G O C2 F) | forto (all other mss)]

[^a1249: but (G F) | Ac (most mss)]

[^a1250: to (G) | me to (most mss)]

[^a1251: theryn (G) | here in (most mss)]

[^a1252: as ff or (G) | alkyn (all other mss)]

[^a1253: crafty s (G) | crafty (all other mss)]

[^a1254: dyote (G) | denote (most mss)]

[^a1255: tythes (G Cr23) | tythe (all other mss)]

[^a1256: bygge (G) | abugge (all other mss)]

[^a1257: worche (G Cr) | yworth (most mss)]

[^a1258: am I (G) | I am (all other mss)]

[^a1259: myne (G) | of myn (most mss)]

[^a1260: pen vance pen[n]ance (G) | penaunce (all other mss)]

[^a1261: wyth (G M Hm Y F) | with þise (all other mss)]

[^a1262: wryte (G) | do wryte (all other mss)]

[^a1263: die d[e]i (G) | dei (all other mss)]

[^a1264: as (G) | as my (all other mss)]

[^a1265: & (G O C2 Cot) | and a (all other mss)]

[^a1266: forthy he ys (G F) | For-thy is he (most mss)]

[^a1267: pylgymes pylg[r]ymes (G) | pilgrymes (all other mss)]

[^a1268: hys (G F) | þis (all other mss)]

[^a1269: hym (G Hm) | hem (all other mss)]

[^a1270: her vest (G) | heruest tyme (all other mss)]

[^a1271: helpen (G R) | hulpen (all other mss)]

[^a1272: by (G) | Now bi (all other mss)]

[^a1273: yff (G) | þough (all other mss)]

[^a1274: ytt (G) | haue þat (most mss)]

[^a1275: we (G) | For we (most mss)]

[^a1276: graced (G Cr R) | ygraced (most mss)]

[^a1277: & (G Cr C C2) | Ac (most mss)]

[^a1278: for (G Cr W Hm) | of (most mss)]

[^a1279: sothe (G) | soth quod Piers (most mss)]

[^a1280: you (G) | ȝe (most mss)]

[^a1281: wottethe (G) | wote (most mss)]

[^a1282: ympeyren (G) | apayreth (R F) | appeyred (most mss)]

[^a1283: but (G F) | Ac (most mss)]

[^a1284: but (G F) | Ac (most mss)]

[^a1285: vp the (G) | vppon (most mss)]

[^a1286: but (G F) | Ac (most mss)]

[^a1287: but (G) | but at (all other mss)]

[^a1288: on ce (G C2) | nones (all other mss)]

[^a1289: kepe (G Cr W Hm) | cope (most mss)]

[^a1290: but (G F) | Ac (most mss)]

[^a1291: ytt (G) | For it (most mss)]

[^a1292: noght (G) | riȝte nouȝte (most mss)]

[^a1293: he bosted (G) | abostede (most mss)]

[^a1294: hym wyth (G O C2) | with (most mss)]

[^a1295: þe (G) | þis (most mss)]

[^a1296: off wol ves (G B) | wolues (all other mss)]

[^a1297: kynd (G) | kynnes (most mss)]

[^a1298: þis (G R) | þe (all other mss)]

[^a1299: þei (G M F) | þo (all other mss)]

[^a1300: whyle (G F) | þe while (most mss)]

[^a1301: wroght neuer (G) | was nouȝt wont to worche (most mss)]

[^a1302: mete (G) | mette (all other mss)]

[^a1303: sones (G C2) | sone (all other mss)]

[^a1304: by (G R) | Now by (most mss)]

[^a1305: called (G) | houped (all other mss)]

[^a1306: that (G F) | quod he þat (all other mss)]

[^a1307: hys (G Cr12) | bothe his (most mss)]

[^a1308: a-bowte bothe (G F) | aboute (all other)]

[^a1309: nye (G) | nere (all other mss)]

[^a1310: depe (G) | bothe ne (most mss)]

[^a1311: baken (G M Cr12) | ybaken (most mss)]

[^a1312: there (G) | her-of (L M Cr12 W Hm R) | therof (Cr3 C O C2 Y B)]

[^a1313: hardye (G R F) | so hardy (all other mss)]

[^a1314: made (G Bm Bo) | ymaked (most mss)]

[^a1315: dyggen (G Cr) | dykeden (most mss)]

[^a1316: sytten (G Cr C2) | seten (all other mss)]

[^a1317: eche (G M Cr Hm F) | eche a (all other mss)]

[^a1318: do (G F) | to do (most mss)]

[^a1319: ga ve (G) | And ȝaf (all other mss)]

[^a1320: a (G) | and (all other mss)]

[^a1321: to (G Y F) | in-to (most mss)]

[^a1322: I-wrooke (G) | awroke (all other mss)]

[^a1323: but (G F) | Ac (most mss)]

[^a1324: vn-to (G) | to (most mss)]

[^a1325: yll (G M) | ful ille (all other mss)]

[^a1326: nowe (G Cr C C2) | nouthe (all other mss)]

[^a1327: my (G) | my blody (most mss)]

[^a1328: pyers (G) | pieres for (most mss)]

[^a1329: and (G Cr) | And to (all other mss)]

[^a1330: off (G) | hem of (all other mss)]

[^a1331: wytten (G) | witen of þe (all other mss)]

[^a1332: where (G) | what (all other mss)]

[^a1333: mastre (G Cr C Y B) | amaistrien (all other mss)]

[^a1334: abate (G) | Abate hem (all other mss)]

[^a1335: hathe deser ved ytt (G) | it hath deseruid (most mss)]

[^a1336: portate et cetera (G Hm O C2 B) | portate (all other mss)]

[^a1337: noght (G) | noȝt han (B) | nauȝty (all other mss)]

[^a1338: worche (G Cr Y B) | yworþe (most mss)]

[^a1339: retribuam et cetera (G Hm) | retribuam (most mss)]

[^a1340: belo ve (G) | And biloue (most mss)]

[^a1341: lewde (G W Hm) | low (most mss)]

[^a1342: Iniquitatis et cetera (G Hm) | iniquitatis (all other mss)]

[^a1343: nolde (G Cr) | wolde nouȝt (all other mss)]

[^a1344: pers seyde (G) | quod piers (all other mss)]

[^a1345: I (G) | Ȝe I (most mss)]

[^a1346: þe hoote (G) | bihote þe (most mss)]

[^a1347: swete (G) | sudore (most mss)]

[^a1348: bygge (G) | bidde (most mss)]

[^a1349: beysant (G Cr12) | Mnam (most mss)]

[^a1350: beysant (G) | Mnam (most mss)]

[^a1351: nold (G M Cot) | ne wolde (most mss)]

[^a1352: besant (G) | Mnam (most mss)]

[^a1353: besantes (G) | Mnames (most mss)]

[^a1354: had (G) | hath (all other mss)]

[^a1355: hathe noght (G Cr C B) | nouȝt hath (all other mss)]

[^a1356: noght shall (G Hm F) | shal nouȝt (most mss)]

[^a1357: other (G) | Or (most mss)]

[^a1358: tra vell (G Cr Hm) | trauaillynge (most mss)]

[^a1359: wyth (G C) | with his (all other mss)]

[^a1360: yff (G) | and (all other mss)]

[^a1361: you (G) | þou (F) | ȝe (all other mss)]

[^a1362: yeyten (G) | maunged (all other mss)]

[^a1363: but (G F) | Ac (most mss)]

[^a1364: hathe (G) | haue (all other mss)]

[^a1365: not (G) | nouȝt for (most mss)]

[^a1366: hys (G Cr12) | þe (most mss)]

[^a1367: fysyke (G) | his phisik (all other mss)]

[^a1368: ley ve (G) | lete (most mss)]

[^a1369: our lord (G F) | lorde (all other mss)]

[^a1370: to dye (G B) | deye (all other mss)]

[^a1371: well (G) | þat wel (most mss)]

[^a1372: I hoote (G F) | By-hote (most mss)]

[^a1373: wold (G) | wil (all other mss)]

[^a1374: y drynke (G) | ydronke (most mss)]

[^a1375: gryses (G) | grys (most mss)]

[^a1376: bake (G Cr) | ybake (most mss)]

[^a1377: but (G F) | Ac (most mss)]

[^a1378: and (G) | And eke (all other mss)]

[^a1379: whyle (G B F) | þe while (most mss)]

[^a1380: m vste (G Cr F) | mot (all other mss)]

[^a1381: ha ve (G) | to haue (all other mss)]

[^a1382: my (G Cr12) | me (most mss)]

[^a1383: then (G) | þo (all other mss)]

[^a1384: fecchen (G C2) | feccheden (F) | fetten (most mss)]

[^a1385: ney (G) | nere (most mss)]

[^a1386: to (G Cr3 Hm C2) | go (most mss)]

[^a1387: tho (G) | And þo (most mss)]

[^a1388: & (G Cr W Y) | or (most mss)]

[^a1389: cleremeyne (G) | clerematyn (most mss)]

[^a1390: but (G) | But of (most mss)]

[^a1391: the (G M O C2 Y) | of þe (most mss)]

[^a1392: no (G) | ne no (most mss)]

[^a1393: or (G M) | other (most mss)]

[^a1394: or (G Cot) | other (most mss)]

[^a1395: cla vde c[h]aude (G) | chaude (all other mss)]

[^a1396: and (G Hm) | And þanne (most mss)]

[^a1397: ca vsethe (G) | curseth (most mss)]

[^a1398: all (G) | and al (most mss)]

[^a1399: but (G F) | Ac (most mss)]

[^a1400: non off þem wold (G) | not one of hem wold (Cr) | þere wolde none of hem (most mss)]

[^a1401: þ is (G) | his (most mss)]

[^a1402: but (G F) | Ac (most mss)]

[^a1403: fanyne fa[m]yne (G) | famyn (all other mss)]

[^a1404: þat (G) | and (all other mss)]

[^407: G.7.1: The first stroke of the <w> of "whoso" is written here and crossed out.]

[^408: G.7.2: The majority of A and C manuscripts share the G Cot reading eche, and this is the reading adopted by Kane and Donaldson. Most B manuscripts read eche a.]

[^409: G.7.10: For the G scribe's use of you for remaining manuscripts ȝe, see note to G.2.180.]

[^410: G.7.13: The scribe has added an extra <l> to indicate that the vowel in wolle="wool," is short; see Dobson, English Pronunciation, p.509, note 2. The correction leaves little space before the following ampersand and the overwriting of original <e> results in a second <l> which resembles a <b>. For the G scribe's spelling practices, see Introduction III.2.]

[^411: G.7.17: The final minim of the superscript <m> of original G þem has been crossed out in brown ink (the same ink as that used for the alterations from <u> to <v>).]

[^412: G.7.24: It is impossible to be certain of the reading of the second half of the line but the tails of two consectutive long <s>s appear to be present.]

[^413: G.7.28: For the use of superscript <a> as an abbreviation mark in G, see Introduction IV.1.1.]

[^414: G.7.39: The first vowel of what is transcribed here as trewthe may perhaps be an <o>, but see yeld at G.7.44.]

[^415: G.7.44: It is impossible to tell whether the G reading you results from misreading of "thou" as "you" (most B manuscripts read þow) or from the extension of "you" from the accusative to the nominative (Cr Hm read ye). See note to G.2.180.]

[^416: G.7.45: Neither the OED nor the MED records the G form perylyche. Remaining manuscripts read perillous.]

[^417: G.7.55: Most A manuscripts share the G O C2 Y reading (at rather than atte= "at the"), and this is the reading adopted by Kane and Donaldson.]

[^418: G.7.66: The G O C2 F reading to is adopted by Kane and Donaldson. Remaining B manuscripts read forto.]

[^419: G.7.70: G originally read asken, presumably altered by the corrector to as ffor because it does not make sense.]

[^420: G.7.70: Note the similar correction from crafty to craftyes at G.4.226.]

[^421: G.7.93: Most A and C manuscripts share the G O C2 Cot reading &, and this is the reading adopted by Kane and Donaldson. Remaining B manuscripts read and a.]

[^422: G.7.93: The <y> of original leyue has been written over the pinhole in the corner of the writing space and both it and its replacement are therefore difficult to read. The erased tail, however, is still clearly visible. For the spelling with <y> see, e.g., G.7.278.]

[^423: G.7.105: C Y R share G's original reading men. Remaining B manuscripts share G's corrected reading menes .]

[^424: G.7.106: Parts of atwo and þe (both originally very faint) have been re-outlined in blacker ink.]

[^425: G.7.111: The minims of G hym lack definition. Kane and Donaldson read hyn.]

[^426: G.7.132: For the G scribe's use of you for most manuscripts ȝe, see note to G.2.180.]

[^427: G.7.135: It is not entirely clear whether G's form ympeyren should be considered the same lexical item as that used by R and F (i.e. apayreth). See OED appair, apair, v. and impair, v. . Most B manuscripts have the preterite.]

[^428: G.7.137: The minims of you lack definition; they are basically just a straight line.]

[^429: G.7.137: A horizontal line runs from the end of the <e> of dryue into the margin.]

[^430: G.7.145: An additional minim has been added to the beginning of mucke, in the same ink as the original. Without it, there would only be four minims.]

[^431: G.7.151: For the G scribe's use of virgules for highlighting, see note to G.6.597.]

[^432: G.7.157: There is a brown ink stain over the <tt> of brettoner.]

[^433: G.7.157: For the G scribe's use of virgules for highlighting, see note to G.6.597.]

[^434: G.7.157: G's he bosted is not necessarily a variant reading; the reading found in most manuscripts (i.e. abostede) represents the only instance of the verb aboast recorded by the OED and the a- may well be just a form of "he."]

[^435: G.7.166: A virgule has been placed between plow and lyggethe (apparently by the main scribe) in order to separate the words.]

[^436: G.7.167: The ink has been growing gradually fainter and the first three letters of wold have been overwritten in blacker ink.]

[^437: G.7.173: Though the G scribe was clearly aware of the possibility of using single and double consonants to indicate preceding long and short vowels, his practice in this respect is not consistent and the use of a single <t> in mete does not therefore necessarily indicate a present rather than a preterite. For the G scribe's spelling practices, see Introduction III.2.]

[^438: G.7.179: Added bothe is in black ink. It is not impossible that it was written by the original scribe (for the form of the <h>, see, e.g., the second <h> of trughthes (G.8.57 f.30v, l.7)). However, the form of this letter also resembles that used by WH (see, e.g., Byschoppes in the note in the right hand margin on f.103r) and since the script used for the addition is altogether more angular than that normally used by hand1, it seems probable that it was in fact made by WH. See also G.7.183.]

[^439: G.7.183: The ink colour of added depe here is the same as that of the addition at G.7.179. Once again, it seems likely that it may have been made by WH: though the script is not dissimilar to that used by the original scribe, it is more angular and more upright.]

[^440: G.7.185: The first <e> of original beens has been altered to an <a> by the addition of a downward stroke on the right hand side of the letter. Presumably the wrong vowel has been altered. See beanes at G.7.198.]

[^441: G.7.189: Added not appears to be in the hand of the original scribe. Compare, however, the additions at G.7.183 and G.7.179.]

[^442: G.7.189: Almost all C manuscripts and a high proportion of A manuscripts share the G R F reading hardye, and this is the reading adopted by Kane and Donaldson. Remaining B manuscripts read so hardy.]

[^443: G.7.196: For G Cr C2 sytten (remaining manuscripts seten), see note to G.6.347.]

[^444: G.7.199: The ink of well is blacker than might be expected but this is probably due to the fact that erasure has damaged the surface of the paper.]

[^445: G.7.208: Manuscript M originally shared the majority B reading ful ille but M ful has been erased, thus bringing M's reading into line with that of G (i.e. yll). The G M reading is also that of a high proportion of A manuscripts, and is adopted by Kane and Donaldson.]

[^446: G.7.209: For the G Cr C C2 reading nowe for remaining manuscripts nouthe, see note to G.4.295.]

[^447: G.7.211:The scribe appears to have begun by misreading the initial <g> of "god" as a <q> (and has thus initially misread the whole word as quod).]

[^448: G.7.213: All A manuscripts and most C manuscripts share the G Cr reading and, and this is the reading adopted by Kane and Donaldson. Remaining B mansucripts read And to.]

[^449: G.7.228: This virgule is at an unusual angle and may simply be present to separate words.]

[^450: G.7.237: Kane and Donaldson read ye for G's þe, but in G superscript <e> normally only occurs after a thorn. See note to G.3.118.]

[^451: G.7.241: There is a smudge on the final <e> of same and the letter may have been re-outlined.]

[^452: G.7.241: The cross in the bottom right hand corner of the page is in modern pencil.]

[^453: G.7.245: Mnam, the majority B reading, is glossed besaunt in L M W Hm, and this may well be the source of the G Cr12 reading beysant.]

[^454: G.7.247: Almost all A manuscripts share the G M Cot reading nold, and this is the reading adopted by Kane and Donaldson. Most B manuscripts read ne wolde.]

[^455: G.7.253: The ink used for wroght was very faint and the word has been re-outlined in black ink.]

[^456: G.7.260: The form of the decorated capital <Y> is unusual, but since the word "yet" is elsewhere consistently spelled with initial <y> it seems likely that this, rather than, say, a capital <I> must be the letter here.]

[^457: G.7.260: The <r> of pyres appears to have been added in the wrong place. See, however, G.14.240.]

[^458: G.7.260: G's reading you could conceivably be a misreading of þou, as F, but it may also be an alternative form of the nominative plural, ie. equivalent to ȝe, which is the reading of the remaining B manuscripts. See note to G.2.180.]

[^459: G.7.285: Kane and Donaldson adopt the reading I bihote (found in BB and in all C and most A manuscripts) for G F I hoote, most manuscripts By-hote.]

[^460: G.7.285: The word wende was originally very faint and has been re-outlined in black ink.]

[^461: G.7.286: G's reading y drynke (for most manuscripts ydronke) is probably at least partly influenced by confusion about the y- past participle prefix, see Introduction III.1.4.]

[^462: G.7.295: The majority of A manuscripts share the G B F reading whyle, and this is the reading adopted by Kane and Donaldson. Most B manuscripts read þe while.]

[^463: G.7.296: Though Cr and F share the G form of the verb ("must" rather than remaining manuscripts "mot"), they both, unlike G, have a singular subject.]

[^464: G.7.305: The added words hym þei have had to be squashed in. Note the virgule inserted after þei in order to separate it from thoght.]

[^465: G.7.308: The majority of A manuscripts share the G Cr3 Hm C2 reading to, and this is the reading adopted by Kane and Donaldson. Remaining B manuscripts read go.]

[^466: G.7.319: The letter <h> of he may have been altered, though it is difficult to tell what the original might have been. Certainly the <e> of he appears to be a later addition: the form is that normally used by the scribe in rubricated Latin passages and it uses up the space between words.]

[^467: G.7.327: The <s> of corrected G þis appears over the <e> of original þe, the <i> in front of it.]

[^468: G.7.327: Bo Cot and F share G's original reading þe, and this is the reading adopted by Kane and Donaldson. The majority B reading is his.]

[^469: G.7.335: Note the use of what is, for this scribe, an unusual double-lobed <a> for overwriting. The ink is the same as the original.]

Trewthe herd tell here-off & to pyers sente[^a1405]
to maken[^a1406] hys teeme & tylye hys[^a1407] yerthe
he[^a1408] p vrchased hym a pardone a[^470] pena et a culpa //
for hym & hys[^a1409] heyres for e ver-more after
& bad hym hold hym att whome & eryen hys leyes
and all þat helpen[^a1410] them[^471][^a1411] to erye to sett or to sowe
or any other master[^a1412] þat myght pyers a veyle
pardone wyth pyers plo vman trewthe hath gra vnted
kynges & knyghtes that kepen holye ch vrche
& ryghtf vllyche In realmes r velen þe poeple
ha ve pardone thr vgh p vrgatorye to passen f vll lyghtlye
wyth patryarkes & profettes In paradyse to be fellowes[^a1413]
bysshops y-blessed yff[^472] þei beene as they sh vlde
legysters off bothe the lawes þe lewde men[^a1414] þer-wyth to preyche
& in[^473] als moche as þei mowe amenden all synfull
ere pyers wyth þe postelles[^a1415] thys p ardone pyers shewythe
& att the day off dome att þe hye deyse to sytt
marcheantes In þe mergen / had many yers
but[^a1416] non a pena et a culpa . the pope wolde[^a1417] graunte[^a1418]
for þei hold not theyr halydays as holye ch vrche teychethe
& for they sware[^a1419][^474] by þer so vle & by[^a1420] god hym-sel ve[^a1421]
ageyn cleyne conscyence theyre catell to sell
but[^a1422] vndre hys seycrete seale trewthe send them a letter
that þei sholde bygge[^475] boldlye that them best lykyd
and sythen sell ytt ageyne & sa ve þe wynnyng
amend[^a1423] mys endwayes[^a1424] ther- wyth[^a1425] & mesylye[^a1426] folke helpe
and wycked weyes wyghtlyche amend
and do boote[^a1427] brydges that to-broken were
maryen meydens or maken theym nonnes
po vre poeple & prysoners fynd theym theyr foode
and sett scolers to scole or to some other craftes
rele ve relygyon & rent theym better
and I shall send you my-selfe seynt mychaell þe[^a1428] arkeangell
that no de vell shall you dere ne fere you In your dyeyng
& wyten you from wanhope yff you[^a1429][^476] wyll þus worche
and sende your so vles In safett safett[e][^a1430][^477] to my seyntes In Ioy
then were marchantes merye manye wepte for Ioy
& preysed / pyers plouman[^a1431] /[^478] þat p vrchased[^479] thys bull
men off þe[^a1432] lawe leyste perdon hadde[^a1433] pleteden for mede
for þe sa vter sa vethe theym noght s oyche as take gyftes
and namelych off ynnocentes þat noon e vell ne kan[^480]
super innocentem munenera munera[^a1434] non accipies
pleydo vrs sh olde peynen theym to pleyde[^a1435] s oyche to[^a1436] helpe
prynces & preelates sh old pay for theyre tra vell
a regibus et principibus erit merces eorum //
but[^a1437] many a I vstes & a[^a1438] I vro vr wold for Ihon do more
then pro dei pietate le ve you[^a1439] non other
but[^a1440] he þat spendythe hys speche & speykethe for þe powere
þat ys Innocent & nedye & no man appayrythe
comforte hym In þat cas wyth -owte co vetyse off gyftes
and show lawe for our lordes lo ve as he hytt hathe[^481] lerned
shall no de vell att hys deyde[^482] day deren hym a myte
that he ne worthe saffe[^a1441][^483] þe sawter w yttnessythe[^a1442][^484]
domine quis habitabit In tabernaculo tuo & cetera //
but[^a1443] to bygge water ne wynde ne wytt ne fyre þe ferthe
thyese fowre þe father In[^a1444] hey ven made to þis folke[^a1445] In comen
thyese beene tr vghthes tresores trewe folke to helpe
that neuer shall wexe ne wane wyth -owte[^485] god hym-selfe
when þei drawen to[^a1446] dye[^a1447][^486] / & Ind vlgences wold ha ve
theyre perdones are[^a1448] full peytyte / att þer partyng[^487] hence
that any mede off meane men for theyre motyng taken
ye legysters & laweeyers[^488] holden thys for trewthe
that yff þat I lye mathewe ys to blame
for he bad me make you thys & thys pro verbe me tolde
quodcumque vultis vt faciant vobis homines facite eis //
all ly vyng laborers þat ly ven wyth theyre handes
that trewlyche taken & trewlyche wynnen
and ly ven In lo ve & in lawe for theyre lowe hertes
ha ve þe same absol vcyon þat seynt was to pyers
beggers ne bydders ne beythe noght In the byll[^a1449]
but yff þe suggestyon be good[^a1450] þat shapeth[^489] þem go[^a1451] begge
For he that beggethe or byt but yff he ha ve nede
he ys fal ce wyth the fende & defra vdethe þe nedye
and[^a1452] begyleth þe gyuere ageynst hys wyll
for yff he wyst he were not nedye he wold gy ve yt[^a1453] another
that were more nedye þen he so the nedyest shold be holpe
caton kennythe me thus & the clere cler[k]e[^a1454] off storyes
cui des videto ys caton[^a1455] teychyng
and In þe storyes he teychethe how to[^a1456] bestowe þin almes
sit elimosina tua In manu[^a1457] donec studeas[^a1458][^490] cui des //
but[^a1459] gregorye was a good man & bad vs gy ven all
that asken for hys lo ve that vs all lenethe
ne[^a1460] eligas cui miserearis ne forte preterias[^a1461] illum qui meretur accipere quia Incertum est pro quo deo magis placeas //
wote[^a1462] you[^a1463][^491] neuer wo ys worthye but[^a1464] god wote wo hathe nede
In hym þat takethe ys þe trechyrye yff any treason walke
for he that gy vythe yeldethe & yarkythe hym to rest
and he þat byddethe borowethe & bryngethe hym-selfe In dett
for beggers borowe euermore þer[^a1465] br vgh ys god allmyghtye
to yelden þeim that gy ven theym & yet vs vrye more
quare non dedisti pecuniam meam ad mensam
vt ego veniens cum vsuris exigere[^a1466] et cetera
forthy byddeth not ye beggers but yff ye ha ve nede
for wo-so hathe to byggen hym bred þe boke beyryth wyttnes
he hath Inoghe hathe[^a1467] bred I-noghe thoghe he ha ve no þing[^a1468] elles
satis diues est qui non Indiget pane //
lett vsage be your solas off seyntes ly ves redyng
the boke bannethe beggerye & blamethe In thys maner
Iunior fui etenim senui et non vidi Iustum de relictum nec semen eius[^a1469] et cetera //
for ye ly ve In no lo ve ne no lawe holde
manye off you[^a1470] wed noght þe wemen ye wyth deale
but as wylde bestes / wyth we-he /[^492] worthen vp & worchen
and bryng forthe barnes þat basterdes men callen
other[^a1471] þe bake or some bonne he brekythe yn þe[^a1472] yo vght
and sythen go fayten wyth your fauntes euer[^a1473] -more after
there ys mo mysshape poeple among thees beggers
then off all maner off men[^a1474] þat on þis mold walkethe
& they that ly ve th vs theyre ly ve / may lothe theyre[^a1475] tyme
that euer he was man wroght when he shall hence fare
but[^a1476] olde men & hoore þat helples been off strenght
& women wyth chylde þat worche ne mowe
blynd & bedred & broken theyre membres
that taken meschefes[^a1477] mekely as meyseles & other
ha ve as pleyne perdone as the plowman hym-selfe
for lo ve off theyre lowe hertes our lord hathe þem graunted
theyr pen vance pen[n]ance[^a1478] & þeir p vrgatorye here on thys yerthe
Pyers quod a preeste þen[^a1479] thy perdone m vste I rede
I[^a1480] wole[^493] constrewe eche cla vse & kenne þe[^a1481][^494] In[^a1482] eng lysshe
& pyers att hys preyer the perdone vnfoldethe
& I beynde theym bothe /[^495] byheld all the b vll
In[^a1483] two lynes ytt ley and noght a leyfe more
& was wryten ryght th vs In wyttnes off trewthe
et qui bona egerunt Ibunt In vitam eternam
qui vero mala In ingnem i[gn]em[^a1484] eternum[^496]
petre quod the preest tho I can no perdone fynd
but do well & ha ve well & god shall ha ve þi so vle
& do y vell & ha ve y vell hope þou non other
but after þi deyde day þe de vell shall ha ve þi so vle
and pyers for p vre tene p vlled ytt In tweyne[^a1485]
and seyde si ambulauero In vmbr e medio[^a1486][^497] mortis .
non timebo mala quoniam tu mecum es //
I shall ceasse off my sowyng &[^a1487] swynke not so harde
ne abo vte my balye Ioy so bysye be no more
off preyers & pen vance pen[n]ance[^a1488] my plowe shalbe shal be here-after
& wepe when I sholde slepe thogh wheyte bred me faylle
the prophete hys payne eyte / In pen vaunce pen[n]aunce[^a1489] & yn sorowe
by that þe sa vter seyethe so dyd other manye
[...] that lo veth god loyally hys ly velode ys f vll eysye[^498][^499]
fuerunt michi lacrime mee panes die ac nocte
but[^a1490] yff l vke[^500] lye he leyrethe vs by fo vles
we shold not be to besye abo vte þe wor ldes blysse
ne soliciti sitis he sayethe In the gospell
& shewythe vs by ensamples vs-sel ve es to wysse
the fo wles In þe felde wo fyndethe þem meyte &[^a1491] watre[^a1492]
they ha ve[^a1493] no graner[^a1494][^501] to go too butt god fyndeth þem all
watt quod þe preest to perkyn / pet vr as me thynkethe
þou arte lettered a lytull wo lerned þe on boke
abstynence þe abbesse quod pyers my . a . b . c . me taght
& conscyence cam after-warde & teychyd[^a1495] me better[^a1496]
were thow a prest quod[^a1497] he þou myghtest preche where þou shuldest[^502][^503]
as di vino vr off[^a1498] dy vynyte wyth dixit Insipiens to þi teyme
lewde lorell quod pyers lytle[^504] lokedest þou[^a1499] on the byble
on salamones sawes seld[^a1500] þou beholdest[^505]
ecce derisores et iurgia cum eis ne crescant[^a1501] .//
the preeste & perkyn apposed eyther other
and I thr vgh theyre[^506] wordes arose[^a1502] & loked[^a1503] abo vte
and segh þe sonne In þe so vthe sytt that tyme
meteles & moneles[^507] on mal verne hylles
m vsyng on thes meteles my[^a1504] way I yede
many a tyme[^a1505] thees[^508] metaylles haue made me to stodye
off þat I seghe slep yng yff ytt be so[^a1506] myght
and for[^a1507] pers þe plo vman pensyfe[^a1508] In herte
and wyche a perdon pers had þe[^a1509][^509] poeple to comfort
and how þe preest ympungned ytt wyth two propre wordes
but[^a1510] I ha ve no sa vore In songwarye I[^a1511] see ytt oft fayle
caton & canonysters co vnseyllen vs to ley ve
&[^a1512] sett sadnes In songwarye for somnia ne cures
but[^a1513] for þe boke þe[^a1514] byble beyrythe wyttnes
how danyell dy vyned the dremes off a kyng
that was nabigodonasor nyuy ved nyuy[n]ed[^a1515] off clerkes
danyell seyde to þe[^a1516] kyng thy dremels betokne
that vnkowde knyghtes shall come þi kyngdome to cle ve[^a1517]
among lower lordes thye land shalbe shal be deperted
and as danyell dy vyned In deed ytt fell after
the kyng lost hys lordshyp & lower men ytt had
& Iosepfhe met mer vyouslye howe þe mone & þe sonne
and þe elley ven starres haylsed hym all
then Iacob Iugged Iosephes swene
beau fytz quod hys father for defa vte we sh o llen[^510]
I my-selfe & my sonnes seche þe for nede
ytt befell as hys father seyde yn pharoos tyme
that Iosephe was I vstece egypte to loken
ytt befell as hys father told hys freendes þer hym soght
and all þis makethe me on thys meytaylles to thynke
& how þe preest pro ved no perdone to dowell
& demed þat dowell Ind vlgences passed
byen vales byen[n]ales[^a1518] & tryen vales tryen[n]ales[^a1519] and bysshops letters
& how dow-well at þe day off dome ys dynglycher[^a1520] vndrefongen
and passed[^a1521] all the perdone off seynt pet vrs ch vrche
now hathe þe pope power perdone to graunt to þe[^a1522] poeple
wyth -o vte any pen vance pen[n]ance[^a1523] to passen In-to hey ven
thys ys o vr byle ve as lettered men vs teychen
quodcumque ligaueris super terram erit ligatum et in celis & cetera
& so I le ve loyally o vr lord[^a1524][^511] forbyd[^a1525] elles
then[^a1526] perdone & pen vaunce pen[n]aunce[^a1527] & preyers done sa ve
so vles þat ha ve synned sey ven sythes deydly
but[^a1528] to tr vste on[^a1529][^512] thes tryen ttales trenttales[^a1530][^513] trewly me thynkethe
ys noght so syker for þe so vles[^a1531] certes as ys dowelle
forthy I red you re vkes re[n]kes[^a1532] þat ryche be on þis yerthe
vp-on tr vste on[^a1533] yo vr treys vre tryen ttales[^a1534][^514] to ha ve
be ye neuer þe boldre to breke þe ten hestes
& namelyche ye Masters meyrs & I vgges
that ha ve þe welth off thys world & wyse men[^515] be holden
to p vrchace you perdon & þe popes b vlles
att þe dredef vll dome when deade shall arysse[^516]
and comen all a-fore[^a1535] cryste accomptes to yelde
how þou laddest þi lyfe[^a1536] & here[^a1537] lawes keptest
& how þou dydest day by day þi[^a1538] dome wole reherce
a poke full off perdon there &[^a1539] pro vyncyalles letters
thogh ye be[^a1540] yn þe fraternyte off all þe fo vre ordres
& ha ve Ind vlgence[^a1541] do vble-folde but[^a1542][^517] do-well you he lpe
I sett your patentes & your perdone att a pyes heele
and[^a1543] I conseyle all crystyen to crye god mercye
& marye hys mother be our meane betwene
that god gy ve vs grace here or we go hence
s oyche workes to worke whyle we beene here
that after our deyd day do-well reherce
finitur visionem

[Note that this script is very similar to that used for the title on f.1r. This could be a more formal version of the script of the main scribe but it bears a somewhat closer resemblance to the marginalia initialled by WH (ff.69v, 70r and 103r). See Introduction I.10 and I.12.]

nota

[Marginal nota is in brown ink. Compare with the marginalia by WH on ff.69v and 70r. The explicit has been underlined in the same brown ink.]

[^a1405: sente (G Cr Hm O C2) | he sent (most mss)]

[^a1406: maken (G Cr12 W) | taken (all other mss)]

[^a1407: hys (G Hm) | þe (all other mss)]

[^a1408: he (G) | And (all other mss)]

[^a1409: hys (G) | for his (all other mss)]

[^a1410: helpen (G Cr) | halpe (most mss)]

[^a1411: them (G) | hym (all other mss)]

[^a1412: master (G) | myster (most mss)]

[^a1413: fellowes (G L M R F) | felow (all other mss)]

[^a1414: lewde men (G) | lewed (all other mss)]

[^a1415: postelles (G) | apostles (all other mss)]

[^a1416: but (G F) | Ac (most mss)]

[^a1417: wolde (G B R) | nolde (most mss)]

[^a1418: graunte (G) | hem graunte (most mss)]

[^a1419: sware (G) | swere (all other mss)]

[^a1420: by (G) | so (most mss)]

[^a1421: hym-sel ve (G) | moste hem helpe (most mss)]

[^a1422: but (G) | Ac (most mss)]

[^a1423: amend (G) | And amende (all other mss)]

[^a1424: mys endwayes (G) | mesondieux (most mss)]

[^a1425: wyth (G C B R F) | myde (most mss)]

[^a1426: mesylye (G) | myseyse (most mss)]

[^a1427: boote (G) | bote to (most mss)]

[^a1428: þe (G F) | myn (all other mss)]

[^a1429: you (G) | ȝe (all other mss)]

[^a1430: safett safett[e] (G) | safte (all other mss)]

[^a1431: plouman (G M) | þe plowman (most mss)]

[^a1432: off þe (G) | of (all other mss)]

[^a1433: hadde (G) | hadde þat (most mss)]

[^a1434: munenera munera (G) | munera (all other mss)]

[^a1435: pleyde (G) | plede for (all other mss)]

[^a1436: to (G) | and (most mss)]

[^a1437: but (G F) | Ac (most mss)]

[^a1438: & a (G) | and (all other mss)]

[^a1439: you (G Cr) | þow (all other mss)]

[^a1440: but (G F) | Ac (most mss)]

[^a1441: saffe (G) | sauf and his sowle (most mss)]

[^a1442: w yttnessythe (G) | bereth witnesse (all other mss)]

[^a1443: but (G F) | Ac (most mss)]

[^a1444: In (G) | of (all other mss)]

[^a1445: folke (G Y) | folde (all other mss)]

[^a1446: to (G F) | vnto (Hm C O C2 Y B) | one to (Cr12) | in to (R) | on to (all other mss)]

[^a1447: dye (G L M Cr W) | þe deþ (O C2 Y B F) | deth (Hm R)]

[^a1448: perdones are (G) | pardoun is (all other mss)]

[^a1449: byll (G Y) | bulle (all other mss)]

[^a1450: good (G) | soth (all other mss)]

[^a1451: go (G) | to (most mss)]

[^a1452: and (G F) | And also he (most mss)]

[^a1453: gy ve yt (G F) | ȝiue þat (L M W Hm R) | it gif (C O C2 Y B) | giue þat to (Cr)]

[^a1454: clere cler[k]e (G) | clerke (most mss)]

[^a1455: caton (G) | catounes (all other mss)]

[^a1456: how to (G) | to (all other mss)]

[^a1457: manu (G) | manu tua (all other mss)]

[^a1458: studeas (G C2) | studes (all other mss)]

[^a1459: but (G F) | Ac (most mss)]

[^a1460: ne (G) | Non (all other mss)]

[^a1461: preterias (G Bm Bo) | pretereas (most mss)]

[^a1462: wote (G) | For wite (most mss)]

[^a1463: you (G) | ȝe (all other mss)]

[^a1464: but (G F) | ac (mmost mss)]

[^a1465: þer (G) | and her (all other mss)]

[^a1466: exigere (G W Hm O C2) | exegissem (most mss)]

[^a1467: hathe (G) | þat hath (most mss)]

[^a1468: no þing (G) | nouȝt (most mss)]

[^a1469: eius (G L W) | eius querens panem (most mss)]

[^a1470: you (G F) | ȝow ne (most mss)]

[^a1471: other (G) | Or (most mss)]

[^a1472: þe (G) | his (most mss)]

[^a1473: euer (G) | for euer (most mss)]

[^a1474: off men (G Cr Hm F) | men (all other mss)]

[^a1475: theyre (G) | þe (all other mss)]

[^a1476: but (G F) | Ac (most mss)]

[^a1477: meschefes (G) | þise myschiefs (most mss)]

[^a1478: pen vance pen[n]ance (G) | penaunce (all other mss)]

[^a1479: þen (G) | þo (all other mss)]

[^a1480: I (G) | For I (most mss)]

[^a1481: þe (G) | it þe (all other mss)]

[^a1482: In (G Cr) | on (all other mss)]

[^a1483: In (G) | Al in (most mss)]

[^a1484: ingnem i[gn]em (G) | ignem (all other mss)]

[^a1485: In tweyne (G Cr F) | atweyne (all other mss)]

[^a1486: vmbr e medio (G) | medio vmbre (all other mss)]

[^a1487: & (G F) | quod pieres and (all other mss)]

[^a1488: pen vance pen[n]ance (G) | penaunce (most mss)]

[^a1489: pen vaunce pen[n]aunce (G) | penaunce (all other mss)]

[^a1490: but (G) | And but (all other mss)]

[^a1491: & (G) | at (most mss)]

[^a1492: watre (G) | wynter (all other mss)]

[^a1493: they ha ve (G F) | Haue þei (all other mss)]

[^a1494: graner (G) | gerner (all other mss)]

[^a1495: teychyd (G) | kenned (all other mss)]

[^a1496: better (G) | moche more (most mss)]

[^a1497: quod (G Cr W) | pieres quod (most mss)]

[^a1498: off (G R F) | in (all other mss)]

[^a1499: lokedest þou (G) | lokestow (all other mss)]

[^a1500: seld (G) | selden (most mss)]

[^a1501: crescant (G Cr Y) | crescant & cetera (all other mss)]

[^a1502: arose (G) | awoke (all other mss)]

[^a1503: loked (G) | waited (all other mss)]

[^a1504: my (G) | and my (most mss)]

[^a1505: a tyme (G F) | tyme (most mss)]

[^a1506: be so (G M) | so be (most mss)]

[^a1507: for (G) | also for (most mss)]

[^a1508: pensyfe (G) | ful pensyf (all other mss)]

[^a1509: þe (G F) | alle þe (all other mss)]

[^a1510: but (G F) | Ac (most mss)]

[^a1511: I (G) | for I (most mss)]

[^a1512: & (G) | To (all other mss)]

[^a1513: but (G F) | Ac (most mss)]

[^a1514: þe (G) | of the (most mss)]

[^a1515: nyuy ved nyuy[n]ed (G) | nempned (most mss)]

[^a1516: to þe (G) | sire (most mss)]

[^a1517: cle ve (G L M O C2) | cleime (most mss)]

[^a1518: byen vales byen[n]ales (G) | Biennales (most mss)]

[^a1519: tryen vales tryen[n]ales (G) | triennales (all other mss)]

[^a1520: dynglycher (G) | dignelich (most mss)]

[^a1521: passed (G Cr3 B) | passeth (all other mss)]

[^a1522: to þe (G M) | þe (most mss)]

[^a1523: pen vance pen[n]ance (G) | penaunce (all other mss)]

[^a1524: o vr lord (G Hm Cot F) | oure lordis (B) | lordes (most mss)]

[^a1525: forbyd (G F) | forbode (all other mss)]

[^a1526: then (G) | Þat (all other mss)]

[^a1527: pen vaunce pen[n]aunce (G) | penaunce (most mss)]

[^a1528: but (G F) | Ac (most mss)]

[^a1529: on (G F) | to (all other mss)]

[^a1530: tryen ttales trenttales (G) | trentals (Cr23) | triennales (most mss)]

[^a1531: so vles (G Cr Hm C B) | soule (all other mss)]

[^a1532: re vkes re[n]kes (G Cr) | renkes (most mss)]

[^a1533: on (G F) | of (most mss)]

[^a1534: tryen ttales (G Cr23) | triennales (all other mss)]

[^a1535: a-fore (G) | bifor (most mss)]

[^a1536: lyfe (G M F) | lyf here (most mss)]

[^a1537: here (G) | his (most mss)]

[^a1538: þi (G) | þe (most mss)]

[^a1539: & (G) | ne (all other mss)]

[^a1540: be (G) | be founde (all other mss)]

[^a1541: Ind vlgence (G Cr23 C Y B) | indulgences (all other mss)]

[^a1542: but (G R F) | but if (all other mss)]

[^a1543: and (G) | For-þi (most mss)]

[^470: G.8.3: The mark before the first rubricated letter is probably a mistake; a failure to recognise the need for a change of ink.]

[^471: G.8.6: Kane and Donaldson read theym for G them but there is no visible <y>.]

[^472: G.8.13: The top half of the double <f> of yff has been partly lost because of a hole in the paper.]

[^473: G.8.14: A virgule has been added to separate the words in and als. It appears to have no metrical significance.]

[^474: G.8.21: G's sware could be a preterite, but it is also a possible present tense form. See OED swear, v . Dobson suggests (English Pronunciation, 733, Note 1) that infinitive forms such as sware and tar for "swear" and "tear" may well be due to the analogical influence of the past tense, and that such forms were more likely in the North and the East. For Northernisms in G, see Introduction III.4.1.]

[^475: G.8.24: The word bygge has been re-outlined in darker ink, apparently by the original scribe at the time of writing.]

[^476: G.8.35: For the G scribe's use of you for remaining manuscripts ȝe, see note to G.2.180.]

[^477: G.8.36: G's erroneous form safett presumably arises because of confusion over the significance of -e for [i:]. See note to G.2.7.]

[^478: G.8.38: For the use of virgules as a means of highlighting, see note to G.6.597, and for an alternative method, see the boxing in C.]

[^479: G.8.38: The scribe may originally have misread an abbreviation for ur as one for re and therefore have written <pr> instead of <pur> at the beginning of "purchased."]

[^480: G.8.41: Most manuscripts have some form of konneþ for G kan. However, according to the OED, "can" was the usual plural form of this verb in the sixteenth century.]

[^481: G.8.51: The word hathe was originally very faint and appears to have been re-outlined in black ink.]

[^482: G.8.52: Forms of "death" in -d(e (dede, ded etc.) are common in the North in ME, though they are not confined to it, and the spelling deyde may therefore reflect earlier Northern influence in G. See Introduction III.4.1.]

[^483: G.8.53: The word saffe was initially faint and has been re-outlined in black ink.]

[^484: G.8.53: The word witnesse was initially faint and has been re-outlined in black ink.]

[^485: G.8.58: The word owte was originally faint and has been re-outlined in black ink.]

[^486: G.8.59: The confusion between dye (the reading of G L M Cr W) and deth or þe deþ in remaining manuscripts presumably arose from the misreading of thorn as <y>. Note the L W spelling deye.]

[^487: G.8.60: The word partyng was originally faint and has been re-outlined in black ink.]

[^488: G.8.62: The word laweeyers was originally faint and the first three letters have been re-outlined in black ink.]

[^489: G.8.71: The form of the first <h> of shapeth is that normally found in the rubricated sections, which were also written by the scribe who copied the main body of the text (see Introduction I.7). The addition has been written in a space which is too small for it, hence the virgule before þem which is simply present to separate words.]

[^490: G.8.80: C2 originally read studes, which is the majority B reading, but an <a> has been added above the line, giving studeas, as G.]

[^491: G.8.84: For the G scribe's use of you for remaining manuscripts ȝe, see note to G.2.180.]

[^492: G.8.101: The virgules here could simply be punctuation marks but they may possibly be intended as a means of highlighting. See note to G.6.597.]

[^493: G.8.117: A virgule has been added at this point to separate the words wole and constrewe.]

[^494: G.8.117: Definitely þe, despite Kane and Donaldson's reading þi. The <e> is forward facing, resembling that used by the original scribe in the rubricated sections.]

[^495: G.8.119: The addition of this virgule is accompanied, not by a pointed caret mark, but by two diagonal parallel lines. It is in any case unusual for the insertion of a virgule to be indicated by any sort of mark. This particular virgule has in fact the shape of a closing bracket, but, though the reference to the dreamer could conceivably be thought of as the sort of aside suitable for enclosure in brackets, there is no evidence of any corresponding opening bracket.]

[^496: G.8.123: These two rubricated lines are bracketed together in red on the right.]

[^497: G.8.129: Kane and Donaldson record G's reading here as vmbra medio. However, though in fact the scribe originally wrote a single-lobed <a>, he has erased the tail of this and added a loop on top of it to form a backwards facing <e>.]

[^498: G.8.137: The script in which this added line is written corresponds to that of the rubricated sections rather than that of the main body of the text. This is particularly true of the <l>s. Since the evidence suggests, however, that the rubricated sections were also written by the main scribe (see Introduction I.7), this does not imply a change of hand. Probably the scribe chose to use these particular letter forms in order to make certain that the lengthy section of overwriting was clear. The traces of the original line which remain suggest that it may have been equivalent to G.8.139. This correction was clearly made before the brown ink corrections.]

[^499: G.8.137: There appear to be traces in the margin of a mark indicating the position in which the addition should appear.]

[^500: G.8.139: The alteration of luke to lvke has been made in a different ink from that normally used for these corrections, i.e. black rather than brown, and the form of the <v> is also different.]

[^501: G.8.144: Although the OED records the G and the Bx forms graner and gerner as separate words, it is not entirely clear that they should be so regarded, since OF grenier is cited as a possible source for both.]

[^502: G.8.149: The first few words of the supplied section can to some extent be verified by considering the position of the descenders still visible at the top of the page. This does not, however, apply to the last three words.]

[^503: G.8.149:The place where this material should be inserted is indicated by a line in the margin. The ink appears to be the same as that used for the <u> to <v> corrections and this insertion was therefore presumably made at the same time.]

[^504: G.8.151: The second <l> of lytle has a smudge which makes it look a little like an <h> but this was probably not deliberate.]

[^505: G.8.152: The last two words of this line have been re-outlined in darker ink.]

[^506: G.8.155: The word theyre has been re-outlined in darker ink.]

[^507: G.8.157: The word moneles could equally well be interpreted as moueles, which is the reading of Cr1.]

[^508: G.8.159: The letter <s> of thees has been re-outlined in browner ink. There is a hole in the paper at this point which may have affected the original.]

[^509: G.8.162: The G F reading þe (for remaining manuscripts alle þe), gives a more metrical b-verse (though see Hoyt N, Duggan, "Notes on the Metre of Piers Plowman: Twenty Years On," in Approaches to the Metres of Alliterative Verse, ed. Judith Jefferson and Ad Putter, Leeds Texts and Monographs, New Series 17 (2009), 159-186, and especially 168-70). The GF reading is adopted by Kane and Donaldson.]

[^510: G.8.178: It is difficult to be certain whether the alteration made to the <u> of shullen was intended to result in an <o> or an <a>.]

[^511: G.8.193: Most B manuscripts have "lords" for G Hm Cot F "our lord." Hm and Cot also originally had the plural but the inflexion has been erased. The reading of Ax and of most C manuscripts is "lord," and this is the reading adopted by Kane and Donaldson.]

[^512: G.8.196: Most A manuscripts share the G F reading on (remaining manuscripts have to), and this is the reading adopted by Kane and Donaldson.]

[^513: G.8.196: For similar treatment of "triennals" (i.e. correction to "trentals"), see G.8.199 below. According to the OED the use of "triennal" meaning "a dispensation or indulgence for three years" did not survive the fourteenth century (see OED triennal, n. ).]

[^514: G.8.199: For the G scribe's treatment of the word "triennals," see G.8.196.]

[^515: G.8.202: Kane and Donaldson record G's reading here as me rather than men , but the abbreviation for final <n> takes the form of of a high backward curve over the <e>.]

[^516: G.8.204: It is impossible to be absolutely certain of the original reading which has been corrected to arysse, but the scribe perhaps began to copy bulles from the previous line.]

[^517: G.8.210: The G R F reading but (for remaining manuscripts but if) is adopted by Kane and Donaldson. This reading provides a more metrical b-verse (though see Duggan, "Notes on the Metre," especially 168-70), and is the reading of all A and C manuscripts.]

att þe day off dome we dyd as he hyght
explicit octauus passus de visione[^518]

[^518: G.8.217:The brown underlining has been added by the scribe who provides the marginal comments finitur visionem and nota . See previous note.]

hic incipit primus passus de dowell

Th vs I robbed[^a1544][^519] In r vssett I romed abowte
all a somer seyson to[^a1545] seeke dowell
and freyned full ofte off folke þat I mette[^520][^521]
yff any wyght knewe[^a1546] whare dowell was att ynne
& what man he myght be off many man I axed
was neuer wyght as I went þat me vysse co vlde
where þis lede lenged lasse ne more
tyll ytt befell on a fryday twoo[^522] freres I mette
masters off þe myno vrs men off greyte wytt
I heylsed þem hendly as I had lerned
& preyed theym par charyte or they passed forther
yff they knewe In any[^a1547] contrey or costes as they went
where þat / doowell /[^523] dwellythe doythe me to wytten
for they be men on[^a1548] thys molde þat most wyde walken
& knowen contreys & co vrtes & manye kynnes places
bothe pryncys paleys[^a1549] & po vere menes cootes
and do well & do e vell & where[^a1550] þei dwell bothe
amongest vs quod þe myno vrs / þat man ys dwellyng
& euer hathe as I hoope & euer shall here-after
contra quod I as a clere cler[k]e[^a1551] & comsed to dysp vten
and seyd þem sothely sepcies In die cadit Iustus
sey ven sythes seyethe þe boke synnethe the ryghtfull
and wo-so synnethe I seyde dothe e vell as me thynkethe
& dowell & doe vell may noght dwell to-gedders
ergo he ys noght alway among you freres
he ys other-wyle elles-where to vysse the poeple
I shall sey þe my so n ne sayde þe frere then
similitudo
howe se ven sythes þe sad man on a day synnethe
by a forbyzyne quod þe frere I shall þe fayre shewe
lett bryng a man In a bootte[^524] amydest þe brod water
the wynd & þe water & þe bootte[^525] waggyng
makethe a man many a tyme to fall & to stande
for stand he neuer so styffe he stomelythe yff he mo vethe
and yet ys he sa ve & so vn de so[^a1552] hym beho vethe
for yff he ne arysse the rather & raght to þe stere
the wynd wolde wyth þe water þe bootte[^526] ouerthrowe
then[^a1553] were hys lyffe lost thr vgh lacches off hym-sel ve
& þus ytt farethe[^a1554][^527] quod þe frere by folke here on thys[^a1555] yerthe
the water ys lykened to þe worlde þat wanyethe & waxethe
the goodes off þis grounde are lyke to þe greyte wawes
þat as wyndys & wedders walkethe a-bowte
þe bootte[^528] ys lykened to our bodye þat brytyll ys off kynde
that thr vgh þe fende þe[^a1556] Flesshe & the freyle worlde
synnethe þe sad man on a day[^a1557] sey ven tymes[^a1558]
but[^a1559] deydly synne dothe he nat for dowell hym kepethe
and þat ys charyte þe chapman þe[^a1560] cheffe helper[^a1561] ageynst synne
for he strenghythe man to stond & sterethe mannes so vle
thogh[^a1562] þe[^a1563] bodye bowe as bootte[^529] dothe In þe water
ay ys þe[^a1564] so vle sa vfe but yff þi-selffe wole
do a deydly synne & drenche þe[^a1565] so vle
god wyll suffer well þi slought yff þi-sel ve lykethe
for he ga ve þe a[^a1566] yeresgyfte to seme[^a1567] well þi-sel ve
& þat ys wytt & frewyll to euery wyght a portyon
to flyeng fowles to fysshes & also to beystes
and[^a1568] man hathe most theroff & most ys to blame
but yff he worche well þerwyth as dowell hym teychythe
I ha ve no kynd knoyng quod I to concey ve all your wordes
but[^a1569] yff I mey ly ve & loke I shall go lerne better
I bekenne þe cryste þat on[^a1570] crosse dyed
& I seyd þe same sa ve you from myschance
& gy ve you grace on thys gro vnde goode men to worthe
& þus I wente wyde-whare walkyng myne oone
by a wylde wyldrenes & by a woddys syde
blysse off þe bryddes broght me a-slepe
and vndre a lynde on[^a1571] a la vnde leynyde[^530] I a sto vnde
to lythe þe leyes tho lo velyche fo vle[^a1572] made
myrthe off theyre mo vthes made me þer to slepe
the mer vyolo vseste meytelles mett me then
that euer dreymyd wyght In worlde as I we ve we[n]e[^a1573]
a moche man as me thoght & lyke to my-sel ve
came & called me by my ryght[^a1574] name
watt arte þou quod I tho / þat þou my name knowest
that þou wootest well quod he & no wyght better
woot I whatt þou arte thoght seyde he then
I ha ve s vede þe þis sey ven yere syegh þou me no rather
Art þou thoght quod I tho þou coudest me wisse
where þat dowell dwellythe do[^a1575] me that to knowe
dowell
dowell & dobettre & dobest þe thyrde quod he
arne th re fayre wert ves & be not farre to fynde
wo-so ys trewe off hys tong & off hys too handes
& thr vghe þe[^a1576] labo vre off[^a1577] hys handys[^a1578] hys ly velode wynnethe
and ys tr vsty off[^a1579] taylleende & takethe[^a1580] b vt hys owen
and ys not dronnkelewe ne dysdeyno vs dowell hym folowethe
dobettre

[As Benson and Blanchfield point out (pp.42 and 132.1) the form of the letters here suggests that the scribe and rubricator are the same using different scripts. See also Introduction I.7.]

dobet dothe ryght þus & he doythe ryght moche[^a1581] more
he ys as lowe as a lambe & lo velyche off speche
and helpethe all men after þat þeim nedethe
the bagges & þe bygerdelles he hathe broken[^a1582] þem all
that þe erle a varo vs helde & hys heyres
& þus wyth mammones money he hathe made hym frendes
& ys ronne to relygyon & hathe rendered þe byble
& preyched to þe poeple seynte powles wordes
libenter suffertis insipientes cum sitis ipsi sapientes
and s vffer þe vnwysse wythe you to[^a1583][^531] ly ve
& wyth gladde wyll do þem goode for so god you hoot ethe
dobest
dobest ys abo ve bothe & beyrythe a bysshopes crosse
ys hoked on þe[^a1584] on hende to hal e men from hell[^532]
a pyke ys on þe potente to p vt a-downe þe wycked
that wayten any wyckednesse dowell to teene
& dowell & dobetter amonge[^533] þem ordeynyd
to crowne on to be kyng to re vlen þem bothe
that yff dowell or dobet do[^a1585] ageynst dobest
then shall þe kyng come & cast theym In Irens
& but yff dobest byd for theym þei be[^a1586] þer for e ver
th vs dowell & dobetter & do-best þe thyrde
crowned on to be kyng to kepen theym all
& to re vle þe realme by theyre thre wyttes
& noon other wyse b vt as they ther[^a1587] assentyd
I thanked thoght tho / þat he me th vs taght
but[^a1588] ytt[^a1589] sa verythe me noght thy seggyng I co veyte to lerne
how dowell dobetter & dobest[^534] doon amogest amo[n]gest[^a1590] þe poeple
wytt[^a1591] can wysse þe quod thoght / where tho thre dwell
elles woote I non þat kanne þat now ys a-ly ve
thoght / & . y / th vs thre dayes yedene
dysp vtyng vpon dowell day after other
& er we were I-warre[^a1592] wyth wytt gan we mete
he was long & leyne & lyche[^a1593] to non other
was no pryde In[^a1594] hys apparell ne po v erte nother
sadde off hys semblant & off softe chere
I dorste moue no matter to make hym to Iangell
but as I bad thoght tho be meane betwene
& putt forthe some purpose to pro ven hys wyttes
what was dowell fro dobetter & dobest from þem bothe
then thoght In þat tyme seyde thes wordes
where dowell do-better & dobest be In lande
there[^a1595] ys wyll wold wytt / yff wytt co vde hym teyche[^a1596][^535]
& wether he be man or woman þis man wold aspye
and worchen as þei þer[^a1597] wold þis ys hys Intent
explicit primus passus de dowell

[^a1544: I robbed (G Bm) | yrobed (most mss)]

[^a1545: to (G) | for to (all other mss)]

[^a1546: knewe (G) | wiste (all other mss)]

[^a1547: In any (G F) | any (all other mss)]

[^a1548: on (G L M Cr23) | of (all other mss)]

[^a1549: paleys (G Hm C Y B) | paleyses (all other mss)]

[^a1550: & where (G) | where (all other mss)]

[^a1551: clere cler[k]e (G) | clerke (most mss)]

[^a1552: so (G) | and so (all other mss)]

[^a1553: then (G) | And þanne (all other mss)]

[^a1554: farethe (G F) | falleth (all other mss)]

[^a1555: on thys (G F) | on (most mss)]

[^a1556: þe (G) | and þe (most mss)]

[^a1557: on a day (G) | a day (most mss)]

[^a1558: tymes (G Cr Hm) | sythes (all other mss)]

[^a1559: but (G F) | Ac (most mss)]

[^a1560: chapman þe (G) | champioun (all other mss)]

[^a1561: helper (G) | help (most mss)]

[^a1562: thogh (G) | And þowgh (most mss)]

[^a1563: þe (G W Hm) | þi (most mss)]

[^a1564: þe (G M Hm) | þi (all other mss)]

[^a1565: þe (G) | þi (all other mss)]

[^a1566: a (G W) | to (most mss)]

[^a1567: seme (G) | ȝeme (most mss)]

[^a1568: and (G Cr C C2) | Ac (most mss)]

[^a1569: but (G F) | Ac (most mss)]

[^a1570: on (G M W) | on þe (most mss)]

[^a1571: on (G Cr F) | vppon (most mss)]

[^a1572: fo vle (G) | foules (most mss)]

[^a1573: we ve we[n]e (G) | wene (most mss)]

[^a1574: ryght (G M F) | kynde (all other mss)]

[^a1575: do (G) | and do (most mss)]

[^a1576: þe (G F) | his (all other mss)]

[^a1577: off (G F) | Cr23 C O C2 (or) | & (Cr1 Y B) | or þorugh (all other mss)]

[^a1578: handys (G) | londe (most mss) | hand (F)]

[^a1579: off (G O C2) | of his (all other mss)]

[^a1580: & takethe (G Y F) | taketh (all other mss)]

[^a1581: ryght moche (G) | moche (most mss)]

[^a1582: broken (G Hm B F) | to-broken (all other mss)]

[^a1583: to (G F) | forto (all other mss)]

[^a1584: þe (G F) | þat (all other mss)]

[^a1585: do (G M Y) | did (most mss) | doþ (O C2)]

[^a1586: be (G Cr O C2) | to be (most mss)]

[^a1587: ther (G) | thre (all other mss)]

[^a1588: but (G) | Ac (most mss)]

[^a1589: ytt (G) | ȝete (most mss)]

[^a1590: amogest amo[n]gest (G) | amonges (most mss)]

[^a1591: wytt (G) | But witte (most mss)]

[^a1592: I-warre (G L C O Bm) | war (most mss)]

[^a1593: & lyche (G M F) | liche (all other mss)]

[^a1594: In (G F) | on (most mss)]

[^a1595: there (G) | Here (most mss)]

[^a1596: hym teyche (G) | teche hym (most mss)]

[^a1597: þer (G) | thre (all other mss)]

[^519: G.9.1: The majority B reading is yrobed. Whether G Bm I robbed is actually a substantive variant is unclear. Although the G scribe was clearly aware of the practice of using a double consonant to indicate a preceding short vowel, his practice in this respect was by no means consistent (see Introduction III.2). On the other hand, G's general problems with the y- past participle prefix (see Introduction III.1.4) suggest that he may well have misread this as a pronoun.]

[^520: G.9.3: The second (added) <t> of mette is formed by a brown ink line crossing the horizontal line linking the first <t> and the <e>.]

[^521: G.9.3: Cr1 shares G's original reading mete. The correction brings G's reading into line with that of remaining B manuscripts.]

[^522: G.9.8: A virgule has been added at this point to separate twoo and freres.]

[^523: G.9.13: For the G scribe's use of virgules for highlighting, see note to G.6.597.]

[^524: G.9.30: The downward stroke of the second (added) <t> of bootte has been written across the line joining the first <t> to the <e> in browner ink.]

[^525: G.9.31: For the alteration of added boote to bootte, see note to previous line.]

[^526: G.9.36: For the alteration of boote to bootte, see note to G.9.30.]

[^527: G.9.38: The G F reading farethe, which is adopted by Kane and Donaldson, is also that of the A version. Remaining B manuscripts read falleth.]

[^528: G.9.42: For the alteration of boote to bootte, see note to G.9.30.]

[^529: G.9.48: For the alteration of boote to bootte, see note to G.9.30.]

[^530: G.9.65: The first <e> of leynyde appears to be a correction. It seems likely that the scribe began to write <ly>- but realised his mistake before he had written the descender of the <y>.]

[^531: G.9.93: A high proportion of A manuscripts share the G F reading to (for remaining B manuscripts forto),and this is the reading which is adopted by Kane and Donaldson.]

[^532: G.9.96: This deleted line has been written in the wrong place and appears as G.9.98 below.]

[^533: G.9.99: Kane and Donaldson apparently interpret the final backward curve on the <g> of "among" as an abbreviation for <es> (unless they do not consider the form amonge to be a variant). However, G would normally have a loop for such an abbreviation, and it seems more likely that the final letter should be read as a residual <e>. Compare the form of "among" at G.12.51.]

[^534: G.9.110: Kane and Donaldson record that G shares Cr's variant reading dobetter (for remaining B manuscripts dobest). However, the penultimate letter in G is a long <s>, giving dobest.]

[^535: G.9.125: G's reading, hym teyche, which is adopted by Kane and Donaldson, provides a metrically more satisfactory b-verse than the majority B reading teche hym (though see Duggan, "Notes on the Metre").]

SIr dowell dwellythe quod wytt noght a day hence
In a castell þat kynde made off fo vr kynnes thynges
off yerthe & eyre ys ytt made meydeled to-gedders
wyth wynd & wyth watre wytterlye enIoygnede
kynd hathe closed þerynne craftylye wyth -all
a lemman þat he lo vethe lyke to hym-sel ve
anima she hatte but[^a1598] en vye hyr hatethe
a pro vde prycker off france princeps huius mundi //
& wold wynne hyr a-way wyth wyles yff[^a1599] he myght
but[^a1600] kynd knowethe hyr[^a1601] well & kepethe hyr þe bettre
& hathe done hyr wyth syr dowell d vke[^a1602] off thes merches
dobetter ys hys[^a1603] damosell syr dowelles doghter
to ser ve hyr[^a1604] ladye leally bothe late & rathe
dobest ys a-bo ve bothe a bysshopes pere
that he byddethe m vste be done he re vlethe þem all
anima þat ladye ys ladde by hys lernyng[^a1605]
but[^a1606] þe constable off that castell þat kepethe all þe wacche
ys a wysse knyght wyth -all syr In-wytt he hatte
& hathe fy ve fayre sones by hys fyrste wyffe
syr se well & sey well & here well the hende
syr worche well wyth thye hande a wyght man off strenght
& syr godfray go well / greyte lordys for-sothe
thes fy ve be sett to sa ve þis ladye[^536] anima
tyll kynd come or send to sa ven hyr for euer
what thyng ys kynd quod I canste þou me tell
kynd quod wytt ys a crato vr cr[e]atour[^a1607] off all kynnes thynges
fader & formo vr off all / þat euer were[^a1608] maked
and that ys þe greyte god / þat gynnyng had neuer
lord off lyfe & off lyght / off blysse & off payne
angelles & all thynges[^a1609][^537] are att hys wyll
but[^a1610] man ys hym most lyke off marke & off shap pe[^a1611][^538]
for thr vgh þe worde þat he spake wexen forthe bestes
dixit et facta sunt et cetera //
and made man lykest to hym-sel ve one
and e ve off hys rybbe boone wythe-owten any meane
for he was syng vler hym-sel ve & seyde faciamus[^539]
as wo sey[^a1612] more moste þerto[^a1613] then my worde oone
my myght myght[^a1614] helpe now wyth my speche
ryght as[^a1615] lord sh olde make letters & hym lacked perchement
thogh he co vld wryte neuer so well yff he had no penne
þe letter for all þe lordshyppe I le ve / were neuer maked[^a1616]
so[^a1617] ytt semethe by hym as þe boke tellethe
there he seyethe dixit et facta sunt et cetera[^a1618][^540] //
he most worche wyth hys worde & hys wytt shewe
& In þis maner was man made t hr vgh myght off god almyghtye
wyth hys worde & workemanshyppe & wyth lyffe to laste
& þus god gaffe hym a goste off þe godheyde off hey ven
& off hys greate grace gra vnted hym blysse
& þat ys lyffe þat euer[^a1619] shall laste to all lynages after
& þat ys the castell þat kynde made caro ytt hyghte
and ys as moche to meane as man wythe a so vle
& þat he wroght wyth werke & wyth worde bothe
thr vgh myght off þe magestee man was maked[^a1620]
Inwytt & all wyttes closed be therynne
for lo ve off þe ladye anima þat lyffe ys y-neue ved y-neue[n]ed[^a1621]
ouer all In mannes bodye he walkethe & wanderethe
but[^a1622] In þe herte ys hyr home / & hyr most rest
but[^a1623] Inwytt ys yn þe heyde / & to þe herte he lokethe
whatt anima ys le ve or lothe he lett hyr at hys wylle
for after þe grace off god þe greatest ys Inwytte
moche wo worthe þat man þat mysr vlethe hys Inwytt
and þat be glotons globbers theyr god ys theyre wombe
quorum deus venter est et cetera[^a1624] //
for þei ser ven sathan theyre so vles shall he ha ve
that ly ven synfull lyffe here theyre so vle ys lyke þe de velle
and all þat ly ven good lyffe are lyke to god almyghty
qui manet In caritate In deo manet et cetera //
alas þat drynke shall forde ford[o][^a1625] þat god dere a-bo oghte
and doythe god forsaken theym þat he shope to hys lykenes
amen dico vobis nescio vos et alibi et dimisi eos secundum disederia & cetera[^541]
Foles þat fa vten Inwytt I fynd þat holy ch vrche
sholde fynden theym þat theym fa vtethe & faderles chyldren
& wydowes þat ha ve noght wheron[^a1626] to wynnen þeir[^a1627] foode
madde men & meydens þat helples were
all þes lacken In-wytt & loore by-ho ven[^a1628][^542]
Off þis mattyer I myghte make a longe tale
& fynd fell[^a1629][^543] wyttnes amonge þe fo vre doctors
& þat I lye not (off þat I leere þe) l vke beyryth wyttnes
godfadre & godmodre þat sene theyr god-chyldrene
&[^a1630] myssease & mysscheffe & mowe þem amende
shall ha ve pen vance pen[n]ance[^a1631] In p vrgatorye but þei þem helpe
For more longer[^a1632] to þe lytull barne er he þe lawe knowe
þen neue vyng neue[n]yng[^a1633] off a name & he neuer þe wyser
sh olde no crystyen creat vre cryen att þe gate
ne fayle payne &[^a1634] potage / & prelates dyd as þei sh olde
a Iewe wold noght seen a Iewe go Iangle[^a1635] for defa vte
for all þe movebleys[^a1636] In[^a1637] þis worlde[^a1638] & he amend ytt myght
alas þat a crystyen creato vre shalbe shal be vnkynd to an-other
sythen Iewes þat we I vggen I vdas felowes
eyther off theym helpethe other off þat þat theym[^a1639] nedythe
wye nyll we crystyen off crystes goode be as kynde
as Iewes þat beene our loores men shame to vs all
they come[^a1640][^544] for þeir vnkyndnes I drede me shall abye
bysshopes shalbe shal be blamed for beggers saake
he ys wors þen I vdas that gy vethe Iapers syl ver
& byd þe beggers[^a1641] go for hys brooke clothes
proditor est prelatus cum Iuda qui patrimonium cristi minus distribuit: et alibi : perniciosus dispensator est qui res pauperum Invtiliter consummit[^545]
he doythe not well þat doyethe þus & ne[^a1642] dredethe not god almyghty
ne lo vethe nat salomones sawes that sapyence taght
Inicium sapientie timor domini //
[^546]drede god for lo ve doest well / but not for venIange & þou doest better
thow doest best yff þou wythdrawe by day & by nyght
to spyll any speche or any space off tyme
qui offendit In vno In omnibus est reus : //
lesyng off tyme trewthe wootethe þe sothe
ys most hated on[^a1643] yerthe off theym þat be In hey ven
& sythe to spyll speche þat spyre ys off grace
and godes gleeman & a game off hey ven
wold neuer þe faythfull fadre / hys fythyll were vntempered
now ys[^a1644] gleeman a geydelyng & a[^a1645] goer to tauernes
to all trewe tydymen that tra vell desyren
our lorde lo vethe theym & lent lo vde other styll
grace to go to theym / & agon theyr l y velode
Inquirentes autem deum[^a1646] non minientur min[u]entur[^a1647] omni bono .//
trew wedded ly vyng folke In thys worlde ys dowell
for þei mote worche & wynne & þe worlde s vsteyne
for off theyr kynde they cam / þat confesso vr[^a1648] be neue ved neue[n]ed[^a1649]
kynges & knyghtes kaysers & ch vrles
meydens & mart ers owte off a man came
þe wyffe was made þe way for to helpe to worche[^a1650]
& þus was wedlocke wroght[^a1651] wythe a meane persone
Fyrst by þe faders wyll & þe freendes counseyle
& sythe by assente off theym-selfe as þei two myght acorde
& þus was wedlocke wroght[^a1652] god[^a1653] hym-selffe ytt made
In yerthe þe hey ven ys hym-sel ve was þe wyttnes[^547]
but[^a1654] fal ce folke faytheles the ves & lyers
wasters & wrecches owte off wedlocke I trowe
concey ved be In e vell tyme as chayme was on e ve
off s oyche synfull shrewes þe sa vter makethe mynde
concepit In dolore et peperit Iniquitatem[^a1655] ://
& all þat came off þat kayme cam to euell ende
for god send to seem & seyd by an angell
thyn yss ve In thyn yss ve I wyll þat þei be wedded
& nat þi kynd wyth kaymes co vpled[^a1656] ne spo vsed
yet some ageyne þe sond off o vr sa vyo vr off hey ven
kaymes kynd & hys kynd co vpled to-gedders
tyll god wratthed wyth þeir workes & s oyche a worde sayde
that I maked man nowe me ytt forthynkethe
penetet me fecisse hominem & cetera[^a1657] .//
& cam to noye a-non & badde hym noght lett
swythe go shape a shyp off shydes & off boordes
thye-selfe & þi thre sones & sythen yo vr wy ves
boske you to that bootte[^548] & bydythe y e[^549] therynne
tyll fortye[^550] dayes be f vllfylled þat floode ha ve y-wasshen
cleane a-way þe co vrsed bloode þat kame hath maked[^a1658]
beystes þat now be shall banne the tyme
þat euer c vrsed[^a1659][^551] kayem cam on thys yerthe
all shall dye for hys dedes by dales & by hylles
& þe fowles þat flyen forthe wyth other beestes
excepte onlyche off yche kynd a co vple
þat In þi syngled[^552] shyppe shall beene y-sa ved
ther[^a1660] boght[^a1661] þe barne þe belsyre[^a1662] gyltes
& all for þeir fornefadres[^a1663] þei farden the wor ce
þe gospell ys þer[^a1664] -agayne In on degre I fynde
filius non portabit Iniquitatem patris et pater non[^a1665] & cetera. //
but[^a1666] I fynd yff þe fadre be fal ce & a shrewe
þat somedeale þe sone shall ha ve the syres tacches
ympe off[^a1667] a eller & yff thyne app vll be swete
moche mer veyle me thynkethe & more off a shrewe
that bryngethe forthe any barne but[^a1668] he be the same
and ha ve a sa vo vr after þe syre seylde seest þou other
nunquam colligimus de spinis vuas nec de tribulis ficus .//
& þus thr vgh c vrsed kayem cam care vp-on yerthe
& all for they wroght wedlocke ageynst goddes wyll
forthy ha ve þei ma vgre[^553] &[^a1669] so maryen theyre chylder
for some as I see nowe sothe for to tell
for co vetyse off catell vnkyndly be weddyd
a[^a1670] carefull conceptyon[^554] comythe off s oyche maryeges
as befell to[^a1671] þe folke as[^a1672] I before off tolde
for good shulde wed goode thogh they no goode had
I am via et veritas seyeth cryste I may a vaunce all
ytt ys an vncomely co vple by cryste as me thynkethe
to gy ven a yonge wenche to an old feble
or wedden any wydowe for welthe[^555] off hyr goodes
that neuer shall barne beyre but[^a1673] ytt be In armes
many a pa yre sythe þe pestylence ha ve plyght þem to-geddres
þe fr vte þat they bryng forthe are fo vle wordes
In Ielosye Ioyesles Ioyeles[^a1674] Iangelyng[^a1675] In[^a1676] bedde
ha ve þei no chyldren but chest & choppyng theym betwene
& thogh they do theym to donmowe but[^a1677] þe de vell helpe
to folowen after þe flycche / fecche they ytt neuer
& but þei bothe be forsworne that bakon they tyne
forthy I co vnseyle all crystyen co veyte not be wedded
for co vetyse off catell ne off kyndred ryche
but[^a1678] meydens & meydens mache you to-geddres
wydowes & wydoers worchethe the same
for no landes but for lo ve[^556] loke ye be wedded
and þen gett ye þe grace off god & good ynoghe to ly ve wyth
and euery maner seculer that may not contynewe
wysely go wedde & warre þe[^a1679] fro synne
for leychery In lokyng ys a[^a1680] lymeyarde off hell
wyle þou art yong & thye weypen kene
wreke þe wyth wyvyng yff þou wylt beene exc vsed
cum sis vir fortis ne des tua robera scortis
scribitur in portis meretrix est Ianua mortis[^557]
when ye ha ve wyved beware & worche In tyme
noght as adam & e ve when kayem was Ingendred
for In vntyme trewly betwene man & woman
ne sh old no bo vrde In[^a1681] bed be but yff þei bothe were cleane
bothe off lyfe & off so vle & In perfytt charyte
þat ylke derne dede do no man ne sholde
but[^a1682] yff þei leyden þis[^a1683][^558] theyre lyfe yt lykethe god almyghty
for he made wedlocke f vrste & hym-sel ve ytt seyde
bonum est vt vnuus vnus[^a1684] quisque[^559] vxorem suam habeat propter fornicationem
& þei that other-gates be getten for gedelynges beene holden
as fal ce folke / fondlynges fayto vrs & lyers
vngracyo vse to gett good or lo ve off the poeple
wandren & wast what þei cacche mowe
ageynst dowell þei do e vell & þe de vell ser ve
& after þer deyd day shall dwell wyth the same
but god gy ve þem grace here theym-sel ve to amend
dowell my frend ys to done as the lawe teychethe
to lo ve þi frende & thy foo le ve me þat ys do-better
to gy ven & to ȝemen bothe yong & olde
to healen & to helpen ys dobest off all
dowell[^a1685] ys to drede god & doo better ys to s vffer[^560]
& so semeythe[^a1686] doo-best off bothe & bryngethe downe[^a1687] þe modye
& þat ys wycked wyll that manye worke shendythe
& dry vethe a-way dowell thr vgh deydly synne
explicit secundus passus de dowell

[^a1598: but (G F) | ac (most mss)]

[^a1599: yff (G F) | and (all other mss)]

[^a1600: but (G) | Ac (most mss)]

[^a1601: hyr (G) | þis (most mss)]

[^a1602: d vke (G O C2 Y F) | is duke (all other mss)]

[^a1603: hys (G) | hir (all other mss)]

[^a1604: hyr (G) | þis (most mss)]

[^a1605: lernyng (G Cr C2 R F) | lerynge (all other mss)]

[^a1606: but (G F) | Ac (most mss)]

[^a1607: crato vr cr[e]atour (G) | creatour (most mss)]

[^a1608: were (G) | was (most mss)]

[^a1609: thynges (G) | þing (all other mss)]

[^a1610: but (G F) | Ac (most mss)]

[^a1611: shap pe (G Cr C C2) | schafte (most mss)]

[^a1612: sey (G Cr C R) | seith (all other mss)]

[^a1613: þerto (G O C2) | here-to (all other mss)]

[^a1614: myght (G) | mote (all other mss)]

[^a1615: as (G C) | as a (all other mss)]

[^a1616: maked (G Cr1 F) | ymaked (all other mss)]

[^a1617: so (G) | And so (most mss)]

[^a1618: sunt et cetera (G M Y) | sunt (all other mss)]

[^a1619: euer (G F) | ay (all other mss)]

[^a1620: maked (G Cr1) | ymaked (all other mss)]

[^a1621: y-neue ved y-neue[n]ed (G) | ynempned (most mss)]

[^a1622: but (G F) | And (Cr Hm W C C2) | Ac (L O Y B R)]

[^a1623: but (G) | Ac (most mss)]

[^a1624: est et cetera (G Hm Y Cot) | est (all other mss)]

[^a1625: forde ford[o] (G) | for-do (all other mss)]

[^a1626: wheron (G) | wher-with (all other mss)]

[^a1627: þeir (G Hm F) | hem her (all othr mss)]

[^a1628: by-ho ven (G) | bihoueth (all other mss)]

[^a1629: fell (G) | fele (all other mss)]

[^a1630: & (G) | At (most mss)]

[^a1631: pen vance pen[n]ance (G) | penaunce (all other mss)]

[^a1632: longer (G) | bilongeth (most mss)]

[^a1633: neue vyng neue[n]yng (G) | nempnyng (most mss)]

[^a1634: & (G Hm R F) | ne (all other mss)]

[^a1635: Iangle (G) | iangelyng (all other mss)]

[^a1636: movebleys (G Cr) | moebles (most mss)]

[^a1637: In (G) | on (most mss)]

[^a1638: worlde (G) | molde (all other mss)]

[^a1639: theym (G Cr W Hm F) | hym (all other mss)]

[^a1640: they come (G) | Þe comune (most mss)]

[^a1641: beggers (G B) | begger (all other mss)]

[^a1642: & ne (G) | ne (most mss)]

[^a1643: on (G) | apon (most mss)]

[^a1644: now ys (G) | Ne his (all other mss)]

[^a1645: & a (G) | a (most mss)]

[^a1646: deum (G) | dominum (all other mss)]

[^a1647: minientur min[u]entur (G) | minuentur (most mss)]

[^a1648: confesso vr (G Cr) | confessoures (all other mss)]

[^a1649: neue ved neue[n]ed (G) | nempned (all other mss)]

[^a1650: to worche (G Cr) | worche (all other mss)]

[^a1651: wroght (G Cr1 F) | ywrouȝt (all other mss)]

[^a1652: wroght (G Cr1) | ywrouȝte (all other mss)]

[^a1653: god (G) | and god (all other mss)]

[^a1654: but (G F) | Ac (most mss)]

[^a1655: Iniquitatem (G Cr B R F) | iniquitatem & cetera (all other mss)]

[^a1656: co vpled (G Cr F) | ycoupled (all other mss)]

[^a1657: hominem & cetera (G Hm Y B) | hominem (all other mss)]

[^a1658: maked (G Cr Cot) | ymaked (all other mss)]

[^a1659: c vrsed (G Hm) | þat cursed (all other mss)]

[^a1660: ther (G) | Here (most mss)]

[^a1661: boght (G Cr23 O C2 Y) | abouȝt (most mss)]

[^a1662: syre (G C Y) | syres (all other mss)]

[^a1663: fornefadres (G) | forfadres (most mss)]

[^a1664: þer (G F) | here (all other mss)]

[^a1665: non (G C Y B) | non portabit iniquitatem filij (most mss)]

[^a1666: but (G F) | Ac (most mss)]

[^a1667: off (G) | on (most mss)]

[^a1668: but (G Cr1 F) | but if (all other mss)]

[^a1669: & (G) | þat (most mss)]

[^a1670: a (G) | As (most mss)]

[^a1671: to (G) | of (all other mss)]

[^a1672: as (G) | þat (all other mss)]

[^a1673: but (G M Hm B F) | but if (all other mss)]

[^a1674: Ioyesles Ioyeles (G) | ioyeles (most mss)]

[^a1675: Iangelyng (G) | and ianglyng (most mss)]

[^a1676: In (G) | on (all other mss)]

[^a1677: but (G) | but if (all other mss)]

[^a1678: but (G F) | Ac (most mss)]

[^a1679: þe (G) | hym (all other mss)]

[^a1680: ys a (G) | is (all other mss)]

[^a1681: In (G) | on (most mss)]

[^a1682: but (G C B) | And (L M Cr W Hm C2 R) | Ac (O Y)]

[^a1683: þis (G) | þus (all other mss)]

[^a1684: vnuus vnus (G) | vnus (all other mss)]

[^a1685: dowell (G) | And dowel (most mss)]

[^a1686: semeythe (G) | cometh (all other mss)]

[^a1687: downe (G Hm) | adoun (all other mss)]

[^536: G.10.23: The deletion of <a> results from a failure to recognise the need for a change of ink.]

[^537: G.10.30: G uses thynges rather than the old uninflected plural þing (found in all other manuscripts). See Introduction III.1.1.]

[^538: G.10.31: The G Cr C C2 reading "shape" (for most B manuscripts schafte) is also the reading of all A manuscripts except Ma, H and A, and is the reading adopted by Kane and Donaldson. C2 originally shared the majority reading, but this has been corrected to schape in a different ink.]

[^539: G.10.36: The bar is missing from the <f> of faciamus.]

[^540: G.10.43: M originally shared the majority reading sunt, but & cetera has been added in a different hand and in a different ink, bringing the M reading into line with that of G and Y.]

[^541: G.10.70: The two rubricated lines are bracketed together in red on the right.]

[^542: G.10.75: The -en ending of G byhouen means that G's verb must be plural, whereas the verb as it appears in the majority of B manuscripts (bihoueth) could be either singular or plural. See the Kane and Donaldson reading [hem] bihoueþ, which interprets the verb as singular and impersonal.]

[^543: G.10.77: For G's treatment of fele (the reading of the remaining B manuscripts), here appearing as G fell, see note to G.4.349.]

[^544: G.10.93: G's reading, they come, for the majority reading Þe comune, probably results in part from the scribe's use of the as a weak form of "they" (see, e.g., G.6.150, G.6.195, G.12.235).]

[^545: G.10.97: The rubricated lines are bracketed together in red on the right.]

[^546: G.10.101: G shares the reading of this line with remaining β4 manuscripts (except that all these apart from G read & þou doste wel for G doest well). The remaining B manuscripts have a two-line version.]

[^547: G.10.125: The corrector appears to have altered the last letter of wyttnes to <ce> and then changed his mind and altered it back again.]

[^548: G.10.143: For the alteration of boote to bootte, see note to G.9.30.]

[^549: G.10.143: As far as "ye" is concerned, the G scribe's usual practice means that superscript <e> implies a preceding thorn whereas an inline <e> implies a preceding <y>. The correction here therefore brings G's reading into line with that of the majority of B manuscripts (i.e. ȝe). See also note to G.3.118.]

[^550: G.10.144: The <y> of fortye has been re-outlined in black ink.]

[^551: G.10.147: The majority of A version manuscripts share the G Hm reading "cursed," which is adopted by Kane and Donaldson. Remaining B manuscripts read þat cursed.]

[^552: G.10.150: Given the occasional use of forms with <s> for <sh> in G (see Introduction III.4.1), it seems unlikely that syngled (for remaining manuscripts shyngled) is a lexical variant .]

[^553: G.10.165: At this point, β4 manuscripts lack "of/for their marriages."]

[^554: G.10.168: G's original spelling of the suffix of "conception" was presumably -youn.]

[^555: G.10.174: The <h> and the <e> of welthe have been rewritten, apparently because the originals were very faint (they are only just visible). There does not appear to be any alteration here and the hand appears to be that of the original scribe.]

[^556: G.10.187: The form of the <l> of "love" at first sight suggests a capital, but in fact it simply corresponds to the lower case form of this letter as used in the rubricated sections. See, e.g., the second letter of alterius at G.6.273 (f.20r). The G scribe does sometimes use the more formal script in the non-rubricated passages, for no evident purpose. See, e.g., the first letter of beyte at the top of f.22v (G.6.456).]

[^557: G.10.195: The two rubricated lines are bracketed in red on the right.]

[^558: G.10.202: For the G scribe's use of "this" for remaining manuscripts "thus," see note to G.4.76.]

[^559: G.10.204: Kane and Donaldson record 8 minims between the <v> and the <s> of vnuus; in fact there are only 6.]

[^560: G.10.216: The initial s of "suffer" could perhaps be interpreted as a double letter (i.e. a capital), but such usage would be unusual for the G scribe.]

Then had wytt a wyfe w as[^561] hoote dame studye
that leyne was off leyer & off lyche bothe
she was wonderly wroghe[^562] þat wytt me þus taght
&[^a1688] staryng dame studye sternelyche she sayde[^a1689]
well art thow wyse quod she to wytt[^563] any wyssdome[^a1690][^564] to tell
to flaterers or to foles that frantyke beene off wyttes
& blamed hym & banned hym & bad hym be stylle
wyth s oyche wyse wordes to wysse any sottes
& seyd noli mittere man magerye ma[r]gerye[^a1691] pearles
amongest hogges þat hawes ha ve[^a1692] Inowe[^a1693]
they doone but dry vell theron / draffe were þem leuer
then all þe preycyo vse pyrrye þat In paradyse wexethe
I sey ytt by s oyche quod she þat showen by theyre workes
that them were le ver londe & lordshype on yerthe
or ryches or rentes & rest att theyre wyll
then all þe sothe sawes that salamon seyde e ver
wyssdome & wytt nowe ys not worthe a kerse
but[^a1694][^565] ytt be carded wyth co vetyse as clothyers kemben wole
wo-so can contry ve deceytes / ande conspyre wronges
and leyde forthe a lo ve-day to lett wyth trewthe
he þat s oyche craftes can to co vnceyle ys cleped
they leyde lordes wyth leysynges & belyethe trewthe
Iob
Iob þe gentyle In hys gest[^a1695] greatly wyttnessythe
that wycked men welden þe welthe off þis worlde
and[^a1696] be lordes off eche lande þat ow t off lawe ly ven
quare impij viunt vi[v]unt[^a1697] bene est hominibus qui preuericantur & Inique agunt //
the sa vter seyethe the same by s oyche þat done yll
ecce ipsi peccatores habundantes In seculo obtinuerunt diuitias[^566]
lo sayeth holye letter vre s oyche[^a1698] lordes are thees shrewes
thylke þat god most gy vethe[^a1699] leyst good they dele y n e dele[n][^a1700]
& most vnkynd to þe comm vne þat most catell welden
que perfecisti destruxerunt Iustus autem & cetera //
herlottes for theyre herlotrye may ha ve off theyre goodes
and Iapers & Iogelers & Iangelers off gestes
but[^a1701] he þat hathe holye wrytte aye In hys mo vthe
and can tell off thobye & off the twel ve apostelles
or preychen off pennance þat pylate wroght
to Iessu þe gentyll that Iewes to-drewen
Lyt yll ys he lo ved þat s oyche a lessone shewethe
or da vnted to[^a1702] drawe forthe I do ytt on god hym-sel ve
but tho þat faynen theym fooles & wyth faytyng ly ven
ageyne þe lawe off our lorde & lyen on theym-sel ve
spytten & spewen & speyke fo vle wordes
drynken & dry vylen & do men to[^a1703] gape
kykne [l]ykne[^a1704] men and lyen on theym þat leynethe þem no gyftes
they can no more mynstrallcye ne m vsyke men to gladde
then[^567] m v nde þe mylner off / multa fecit deus. //
ne were theyre vyle harlotrye haue god my trewght
sh vld neuer kyng ne knyght ne chanon off seynt po vles
gy ve theym to theyr rewarde[^a1705] þe walew[^a1706][^568] off a groote
but[^a1707] myrthe & mynstrallcye ys among men[^a1708] nowe[^a1709][^569]
leychery & losengerye & loselles tales
glotony & greyte othes thys myrthe they lo ven
but[^a1710] yff þei carpyn off cryst clerkes[^a1711] & lewede[^a1712]
at meyte In myrthes when mynstrelles byn stylle
then tell they off þe trynyte a tale other twey
& bryng forthe a bald reason & taken bernard to wyttnes
& putten forthe a pres vmpsyon to pro ve the sothe
th vs þei dry vell att þer dynnere[^a1713] þe deyyte to knowe
& gnawen god wyth the gorge when þer g vttes er fylled[^a1714][^570]
butt[^a1715] þe carefull may crye & carpen att þe gate
bothe a-hongred & a-th vrste & for chele q vake
ys noone to nymen them[^a1716] neere hys noye to amend
but heon[^571] on hym as an ho vnde & hoten þem[^a1717] go thence
lytull lo veth he þat lorde þat lent hym all þat blysse
that thus pertethe wyth the po vre a percell when þem[^a1718] nedythe
ne were mercy In meane men more then In ryche
mendymantes meytles myght go to bedde
god ys moche In þe gorge off the[^a1719] greyte master[^a1720]
butt[^a1721] amongest[^572] meane men hys mercy & hys workes[^573]
& þus[^a1722] sayethe the sawter I haue sene ytt offte
ecce audiuimus eam In effrata : Inuenimus eam In campis silue //
clerkes & other[^a1723] men carpen off god fast
& haue hym moche yn þer[^a1724] mowthe but[^a1725] meane men In herte
freres & fayto vrs haue fonde s oyche q vestyons
to pleasse wyth pro vde men syth þe pestylence tyme
and preychen att[^a1726] poules for p vre en vye off clerkes
that folke ys not fyrmed In þe faythe ne fre off þer goodes
ne sory for theyre synnes so ys pryde wexen
In relygyon &[^a1727] all the realme bothe[^a1728] ryche & po vre
that preyers haue no power þe pest ylence to lett
& yet þes[^a1729] wrecches off thys worlde ys non y-warre by other
ne for drede off[^a1730] dethe wythdrawe noght theyre[^574] pryde
ne be plenteo vse to þe pore as p vre charyte wolde
but In gaynes & glotonye forglotte theyre goodes theyr-sel ve[^a1731]
& breykyth not to the begger as þe boke teychythe
frange esurienti panem tuum et cetera //
& þe more he wynnethe & welte welthes & ryches
and lordethe In landes the lasse goode he dealethe
thobye tellethe you not so take hede the[^a1732] ryche
how þe boke off þe byble off hym beyryth wyttnes
[^575] si tibi copia sit habundanter tribue
si autem exiguum impertire[^a1733] stude libenter //
wo-so hathe moche spende moche meanethe[^a1734] thobye
& wo-so lytle weldythe re vle hym therafter
for we haue no letter off our lyfe how long yt shall d vre
s oyche lessons lordes sh olde lo ve to here
& how[^a1735] myght moste me nne[^a1736] manlyche fynde
& nat[^a1737] to fare as a fydeler or a frere to[^a1738][^576] seke feastes
homelyche att other mens ho vses & haten theyre owne
elenge ys þe halle eche day In the weeke
there þe lord & the ladye lykethe not to sytte
now hathe eche ryche a re vle to eyte by hym-sel ve
In a pry vye parlo vr for power[^577] menes saake
or In a chambre wyth a chymney & ley ve þe cheffe halle
that was made for meales men to eyten ynne
& all to spare to spyll þat spend shall a-nother
I ha ve herd hygh men eytyng att the table
carpen as þei clerkes were off cryst & off hys myghtes
& leyden fa vtes on þe fadre that fo vrmed vs all
& carpen a geyne[^578] clerkes crabbed wordes
why wolde our sa vyo vr suffre soche a worme In hys blysse
that begyled þe woman & þe man after
thr vgh wyche wyles & wordes they wente to hell
& all theyr seede for theyre synne þe same dethe s vffered
here lyethe your loore thees lordys gan[^a1739] dysp vte
off þat þe clerkes vn v[s][^a1740] kenne off cryste by þe gospell
filius non portabit Iniquitatem patris & cetera //
why sh old we þat now beene for þe werkes off adam
roten & rende reason wold ytt neuer
vnusquisque portabit onus suum et cetera //
s oyche moty ves þei move þes masters In theyre glorye
& make men In myssbele ve þat m vse moche on þer wordes
ymagynatyve here-afterwarde shall answere to your p vrpo ce
aug vstyne[^a1741] to s oyche arg veers tellethe thys teeme
non plus sapere quam oportet et cetera //
wylneth neuer to wytt why that god wolde
s offer sathan hys seede to begyle
but[^a1742] bele veth loyally yn þe loore off holychurche
and prey theym[^a1743] off perdone & pennaunce In þi ly ve
& for hys moche marcy to amende you here
for all þat wylnethe to wytt þe /whyes[^a1744]/[^579] off god almyghty
I wold hys eye were In hys ar ce & hys fynger after
that euer wylnethe to wytt why þat god wolde
s vffer sathan hys seede to begyle
or I vdas to the Iewes Iesu bytraaye[^580]
all was[^a1745] þou woldest lorde worshyped be thowe
and all worthe as þou wolt what-so-euer[^a1746] we dysp vte
and tho þat vsen[^a1747] ha vylou vs havylou[n]s[^a1748] to blynde mennes wyttes
what ys do-well fro do-better[^581] now deefe may[^a1749] he worche[^a1750]
sythe he wylneth to wytt wyche þei beene bothe
but yff he ly ve In þe lyfe þat longethe to dowell
For I dare be hys bolde borowe þat dobetter wyll he neuere
thogh dobest drawe on hym day after other
& when þat wytt was warre[^a1751] watt þat[^a1752] dame st odye tolde
he became so conf vse he cowthe not looke
and as doumbe &[^a1753] deaffe[^a1754] & drewe hym arere
& for no carpyng I co vlde after ne knelyng to þe gro vnde
I myght gett no greyne off hys greate wyttes
but all laghynge he lowted & looked vp-on st odye
In sygne þat I sh olde beseche hyr off grace
& when I was warre off hys wyll to hys wyffe gan I lowte
& seyd mercy madame your man shall I worthe
as long as I ly ve bothe late & rathe
for to worche your wyll þe whyle my lyffe d vrethe
wyth þat ye kenne me kyndlye to knowe whatt ys dowell
For thy mekenes[^a1755] quod she & for þi mylde speche
I shall kenne þe to my cosyn þat claregy ys y-hooten[^a1756]
he hathe wedded a wyffe wyth -yn þis syx monethes
ys sybbe to þe sey ven artes scrypt vre ys hyr name
they two as I hoope after my teychyng
shall wysshen þe to do-well I dare ytt vndertake
then was I as[^a1757] fayne as fowle off fayre morowe
and gladder þen the gleeman þat gold hathe to gyfte
& axked hyr þe hye way where[^a1758][^582] clargye dwelte
& tell me some tokne quod I for tyme ys þat I wende
axe þe hye way quod st odye hence to s vffer
bothe well & wo & yff[^a1759] þou[^a1760] wylt lerne
& ryde forthe by ryche ce &[^a1761] rest not therynne
for yff þou co vple[^a1762] þe þerwyth to claregye comesthowe[^583] neuere
& also þe lycoro vs la vnde þat lechyrye hatte
ley ve ytt on þi lefte halfe a large myle & more
tyll þou come to a co vrte kepe well þi tonge
from leasynges & lyther speche & lycoro vs drynkes
þen shalthowe see / sobryete /[^584] & symplenes[^a1763] off speche
that eche wyght be In wyll hys wytt þe to shewe
þus[^a1764] shalthowe come to clargye þat kanne manye thynges
sey hym þis sygne I sett hym to scole
& þat I grete well hys wyffe I[^a1765] wroote hyr many bokes
& sett hyr to sapyence & to the sa vter glosse[^585]
logyke I lerned hyr & manye other lawes
and all þe m vsons In musyke I made hyr to knowe
plato þe poet I p vtt hym f vrste to booke
arestotell & other mo to arg ve I taght
gramere for gerles I garte furste wryte
& bett þem wyth a baleyes but[^a1766] þei wolde lerne
off alkynnes craftes I contry ved tooles
off carpenters[^a1767][^586] &[^a1768] ke r vers and compassede masons
& lerned þem ley vell & lyne thogh I looke dymme
theologie hathe tened me ten score tymes
þe more I m vse therynne þe mystyer ytt semethe
& þe depper I dy vyne þe derker me ytt thynkethe
Nota

[G.11.193: The reading Nota is that suggested by Benson and Blanchfield. The mark is, as they point out (132.IV.C), different from that on f.23v G.6.541, but see note to that line.]

ytt ys no syence forsothe / for to sotyle ynne
a full leythy thyng ytt were / yff þat lo ve nere
and for yt let best by lo ve I lo ve ytt the better
for ther þat lo ve ys / leydre /[^587] ther[^a1769] lackethe no grace
looke þou lo ve loyally yff þe lykethe dowell
for dobetter & dobest be off lo ves kynne
In other sapyence[^a1770] ytt seyethe I segh ytt In caton
qui simulat verbis nec corde est fidus amicus tu quoque fac simile sic ars deluditur arte[^588]
wo-so glosen[^a1771][^589] as gylo vrs doone do theym þe same
& so shalthowe fal ce foolke & faythles begyle
thys ys catons kennyng to clerkes þat he lerned[^a1772]
theolo gye[^a1773] teycheth noght so / wo-so taketh ȝeyme
& kennythe vs þe contrarye ageynst catons wordes
for he byd vs beene as brethren & bydde for our enmyes
& lo ven þem þat lyen on vs & leyne þem when þem nedethe
& do goode agaynst[^a1774] e vell god hym-sel ve yt hootethe
dum tempus habemus operemur bonum ad omnes maxime a vtem[^590] ad domesticos fidei[^591]
pa vle preyched the poeple þat perfettnes lo ved
to do[^592] good for godes Lo ve & gy ve men þat askene
& namlyche to s vyche as[^a1775] showen[^a1776] our byle ve
and all þat lakken vs or leynd[^a1777] vs god teycheth vs to lo ve
and not[^a1778] gre ve theym þat gre ve vs god þat forbyddethe
michi vindictam et ego retribuam & cetera //
forthy loke þou lo ve as long as þou d vrest
for ys no scyence[^593] vndre sone so souereygne for þi[^a1779] so vle
but[^a1780] astronamye ys a harde thyng & e vyll for to knowe
geomytrye & geomysye ys gylefull[^a1781] off speche
wo-so thynkethe worche wyth tho two / thry vethe full late
For sorcerye ys þe souereyge souereyg[n]e[^a1782] boke þat to that[^a1783][^594] scyence longethe
yet are ther fybyches yn forcers off felle[^a1784][^595] menes makyng
experymentes off alkanamye the poeple to decey ve
yff þou thynke to do well deale therwyth neuere
all þes scyences I my-sel ve subtyled & ordyned
& fo vnded þem formost folke to dyscey ve
tell clargye thes tokens & scrypture after
I co vnseale þe kyndlye to knowe what ys dowell
I sayd gra vnt mercy ma-dame & mekelyche hyr grette
and went wyghtlye a-way wyth -oute more lettyng
and tyll I cam to clargye I co vlde neuere stynt
and grette þe goodman well as stodye me taght
and after-warde þe wyffe & worshyphyde þem bothe
and tolde þem þe toknes þat me taght were
was neuer goome vp-on gro vnde[^a1785] sythe god made þe worlde
fayrer vnderfongen ne frendlyker att easse
then my-sel ve sothlye soone so he wyste
þat I was off wyttes ho vsse & wyth hys wyffe dame stodye
I seyde to hym sothely þat sent was I thydder
dowell & dobetter & dobest to lerne
ytt ys[^a1786] comenlye[^a1787] quod[^a1788][^596] clargye on holy ch vrche to bele ve
wyth all þe artycles off þe faythe þat fallethe to be knowe
& þat ys to bele ve loyally bothe lered & lewde
on þe greate god þat gynnyng had ne ver[^597]
and on þe sothfast sonne þat sa ved mankynde
from[^a1789] deydly dethe & þe de velles power
thr vgh helpe[^a1790] off þe holye gooste wych[^a1791] gooste ys off bothe
thre persones but[^a1792] noght In þe[^a1793] pl vrell nombre
For all ys but on god & eche ys god hym-sel ve
deus pater deus filius deus spiritus sanctus .//
god þe fadre god þe sonne god þe holy[^a1794] gost off bothe
maker off mankynd & off bestes bothe
aug vstyne[^a1795] þe olde hereoff made bookes
and hym-sel ve ordened to sadde vs In bele ve
w o[^598] was hys a wter all þe fo vre euangelystes
& cryste cleped hym-sel ve as[^a1796] þe euangelyst beyrythe wyttnes[^599]
ego in patre et pater in me est & qui videt me videt & patrem meum et cetera[^a1797] //
all þe clerkes vndre cryste ne co vlde þis assoyle
but þis[^a1798][^600] longethe[^a1799] to byle ve to men þat wole dowell
For had neuer freyke fyne wytt þe feythe to dysp vte
ne man had no meyrett myght ytt beene y-pro ved
fides non habet meritum[^601] vbi humana racio prebet experimentum .//
then ys dobett to suffer for thye so vles sake
&[^a1800] þat þe boke byddethe by holycherche teychyng
& þat ys man by þi myght for mercyes saake
loke þou worche ytt yn worke þat þi worde shewethe
s oyche as þou semest In syght be In assay fo v nde[^a1801]
appare quod es vel esto quod appares ..//
& lett no bodye be by thy beyryng begyled
but s oyche In þi so vle as þou semest wyth-owte
then ys dobest to be bolde to blame the gyltye
sythe þou seeste thy-selffe as In so vle cleane
but[^a1802] blame þou neuer bodye & þou be blame-worthye
[^602] si culpare velis culbabilis cul[p]abilis[^a1803] esse cauebis
dogma tuum sordet cum te tua culpa remordet
god yn þe gospell grymly repro vethe
all þat lakken any lyffe & lakkes haue þem-sel ve
quid consideras festucam In oculo fratris tui trabem & cetera //
why mo veste þou þi mode for a moete ys yn[^a1804] þi brothers eye
sythen a beame yn thyne owne ablyndethe þi-sel ve
eice primo trabem de oculo tuo et cetera //
wych lettethe þe to looke lesse other more
I rede eche[^a1805] blynd bosarde do boote to hym-sel ve
for abbottes & pryo vrs & all maner prelates
as persones & perysshe prestes þat preche sholde & teyche
all maner men to amend by theyre myght
the[^a1806] text was tolde you to bewarre er you[^a1807][^603] taghte
that ye were s oyche as ye seyde to sal ve wyth other
for goddes worde wolde not be lost for þat worchethe euer
yff ytt a veyled not þe comen / ytt myght a veyle your-sel ve
but[^a1808] ytt semethe sothely[^a1809] to þe worldes syght
that goddes worde worchethe not on lerede ne[^a1810] lewde
but In s oyche maner as marke me vethe[^a1811] yn þe gospell
dum cecus ducit cecum ambo In foueam cadunt //
lewde men mowe lykne you / þe[^a1812][^604] beame lyethe yn your eyne
and þe fest ve ys fallen for your defa vte
In all maner off men[^a1813] thrugh mansed preestes
the byble beyrethe wyttnes that all the folke off ysraell
bytterly[^a1814] boght þe gyltes off two bad preestes
offyne & fynees for theyre co vetyse
archa dei mysshaped[^605] & hely brake hys necke
forthy correcto vrs clowethe þer[^a1815]on correcteth[^a1816] f vrste your-sel ve
& þen may you[^a1817][^606] sa vely say as dauyd made the sa vter
[^607] existimasti inique quod ero tui similis
arguam te et statuam contra faciem tuam
þen sholde[^a1818] borell clerkes be asshamed[^a1819] to blame you or[^a1820] gre ve
& carpen noght as þei do nowe & call youdome you dome ho vndes
canes non valentes latrare : //
& drede to wrathe you In any worde your workmanshyp to lett
& be prestyer att your preyer þen for a po vnde off nobles
& all for your holynes haue you[^a1821][^608] þis In herte
In scole there ys a scorne / but yff a clerke wyll learne
& greate lo ve & lykyng for eche off þem lo vethe other
& now ys relygyon a rydre a romer by stretes
[^609]a leyder off lo vedayes & a land b ygger[^610]
[^611]a prycker on a palfray from maner to manere[^612]
A trewe

[G.11.317: The addition A trewe also appears in the top left hand corner, partially erased. It appears to be a comment on the marginal addition below. See G.11.318.m.1.]

an heype off ho vndes att hys ar ce as he a lorde were
profycy off
& but yff hys kna ve knele þat shall hym[^a1822] c vppe brynge
relygyon
he lo vrethe on hym & askethe wo taght hym co vrtysye
I

[G.11.320: This capital <I> corresponds to a similar mark in the table of contents, see f.102v, and is intended to help the reader find particular material in the text.]

lytell had lordes to done to gy ve land fro þer heyres
to relygyo vse þat haue no re vthe thogh yt reygne on þer a vters
In many places þer[^a1823] persones be / by theym-sel ve att easse
off þe po ver haue þei no pyte & þat ys theyre charyte
& þei letten them as lordes þer lond lyethe so broode
nota bene
but[^a1824] þer shall come a kyng & confesse you relygyo vse[^613]
& beyte you as þe byble tellethe for breykyng off your r velle
& amend monales monkes & chanons
& put þem to theyr pennance ad prestinum pr[i]stinum[^a1825] statum[^a1826] //
& Barons[^614] & erles[^a1827] th rugh . beatus vir . teychyng
that theyr barns[^615] cleymen / & blamen you fowle
hij in curribus & hij in equis ipsi obligati sunt[^a1828] .//
& then freres yn þeir fratour shall fynden a key
off constantynes coffer[^a1829] In[^616] wyche ys the catell
þat gregoryes good[^a1830][^617] chyldren haue e vell dyspendyde
habbott of
then[^a1831] shall þe abbott off abyndon & hys[^a1832] yss ve for euere
abyngdoun
haue a knocke wyth[^a1833] a kyng & vnc vrable[^a1834] þe wo vnde
that þis worthe sothe seke ye þat offte o ver-se þe byble
quomodo cessauit exactor / quieuit tributum contriuit dominus. baculum impiorum & virgam dominancium credencium plaga Insanabili .
but[^a1835] er þat kyng come kayem shall awake
and dowell shall dyng hym downe[^a1836] & dystroye hys myght
then ys dowell & dobett[^a1837] dominus & knygthoode
I nyll not scorne quod scrypt vre but yff scry vynors[^a1838][^618] lye
kynghoode & knygthoode by noght I can awayte
helpethe not to hey ven-ward not a[^a1839] heyres end
ne ryches ryght nat ne ryallte off lordes
paule pre vethe ytt vnpossyble[^a1840] ryche men haue hey ven
salomon sayethe also þat syl ver ys worste to lo ve
nichil impius[^a1841] quam amare peccuniam . //
& caton kennethe vs to co veyten noght but vs nedithe[^a1842]
dilige denarios[^a1843] sed perce dilige formam .//
& patryarkes & profettes & poettes bothe
wryten to wyssen vs to wylne no ryches
& preysed pouerte wyth pacyence þe appostelles wyttnessen[^a1844]
that þei haue heyrytage In hey ven & by trewe ryght
there ryche men no ryght mey cleame but off r vthe off[^a1845] grace
contra quod I by cryste that kan I repro ve
& pro ve ytt by petur & by po vle bothe
that beene baptysed ben sa ved be þei ryche or po vre
that ys In extremis quod scrypt vre among[^a1846] saresens & Iewes
they mow be sa ved so & þat ys our byle ve
then[^a1847] a vncrystyen yn þat case mey crysten a heythen
& for hys loall beleue when he þe ly ve tynethe
haue þe herytage off hey ven as any man crystene
but[^a1848] crystyen men wyth -owte more mey not come to hey ven
for þat cryst for crystyen men dyeede & confyrmed þe lawe
that wo-so wold or[^a1849] wylnethe wyth cryste to aryse
si cum cristo surrexistis & cetera //
he sholde lo ve & leynde[^a1850] & the lawe fullfyll
that ys lo ve þi lorde god le vest abo ve all thyng
& after all crystyen creat vres In comen eche man other
& th vs belongethe to lo ve þat le vethe to be sa ved
and butt we do þis[^a1851][^619] In dede or þe day off dome
ytt shall besytten vs full sore[^a1852] þe syl ver þat we kepen
and our Bagges[^a1853][^620][^621] þat moghteyten beene & se beggers go naked
or delyte vs In wyne or[^a1854] wyllfo vle[^622] & wott any In defa vte
for euery crysten creat vre sh olde be kynd to an[^a1855] -other
& sythen heypen hey[þ]en[^a1856] to helpen In hoope off amendement
god hootethe bothe hyghe & lowe þat no man h vrte other
& seyde[^a1857] sley not þat semblyable ys[^a1858] myne owne lyknes
but yff I send þe some tokne / & seyth non nechaberis[^a1859][^623]: //
ys sley not but suffer and all for the best
for I shall p v nnysshe þem In p vrgatorye or In þe pytt off hell
eche man for hys myssdedes but mercy ytt lett
thys ys a long lesson quod I & lytle am I the wyser
where dowell ys or dobetter derklyche ye shewen
many tales ye tell that theologye lernethe
& þat I man made was & myne name entred[^a1860]
In þe legend off lyffe long ere I were
or[^a1861] wryten[^a1862] for wyckednes as holy wrytt wyttnessythe
nemo ascendit ad celum nisi qui de celo descendit. //
I le ve yt well by our lord quod I & no[^a1863] letter vre better
for salomon þe sage that sapyence taght
god ga ve hym grace off wytt & all hys goodes after
he demed well & wysely as holye wrytt tellethe
arestotell & he wo wyssed men bettre
masters þat off goddes mercyes[^a1864] preychen[^a1865] men & techen[^a1866]
off theyr wordes they wyssen vs for wysest yn[^a1867] þeir tyme
& all holye churche hold þem bothe y-damned
& yff I sh olde worche by hys[^a1868] workes to wynne me hey ven
þat for þer workes & wytt now wonnethe yn payne[^a1869]
þen wroght I vnwysely what-so-euer you[^a1870][^624] preyche
and off fell[^a1871][^625] wytty In faythe lytle farlye I haue
thogh theyr gost be vnhappy[^a1872] god for to pleasse
for many beene[^a1873] on þis molde more sett theyr hertes
In good then In god sythe[^a1874] þem grace faylethe
but[^a1875] þe most myscheffe when they shall ly ve leete
as salomon dyd & s oyche other þat shewed greate wyttes
but[^a1876] hys[^a1877] workes as holye wrytte seyethe was euer þe contrarye
forthy wyse wytted men & well lettered[^a1878] clerkes
as þei seyen theym-sel ve seelde do there-after
super cathedram moysi et cetera .//
but[^a1879] I wene yt worthe off many as was In noyes tyme
tho he shoope þat shyppe off shydes & boordes
was neuer wryght sa ved that wroght þeron ne other workman elles[^626]
but bryddes & beastes & they[^a1880][^627] blyssed noy
& hys wyfe wyth hys sonnes & also theyre wy ves[^628]
god le ve[^a1881] ytt fare noght so by folke þat þe faythe teychen
off holy cherche þat harborowe ys / & goddes ho vse to sa ve
& shyld vs fro shame þerynne / as noyes shyppe dyd bestes
& men þat made ytt / amyd þe floode dreynten[^a1882]
the colo vr[^a1883] off þis cla vse curato vrs ys to meane
that be carpynters holycherche to make for cryst[^a1884] owne bestes
homines et iumenta saluabis domine[^a1885] : //
on good fryday &[^a1886] fynd a fellon was sa ved[^a1887]
that had ly ved all hys lyffe wyth leasynges & wyth thefte
& for he beknewe on þe crosse & to cryste shro ve hym
he was sonner sa ved then seynt Ihon the baptyst
and er adam or ysay or any /[^629] off thes[^a1888] profettes
that had leyne[^a1889] wyth lucyfer manye long yeres
a robber was ra vn s a eonyde[^630] rather þen they all
wyth -oute pennance off p vrgatory to perpet vall blysse
& mary magdelyne watt woman dyd wor ce[^631]
&[^a1890] wo wors þen dauyd þat vryes dethe conspyred
or poule the apostell that no pyte hadde
moche crysten kynd to kyll to the[^a1891] dethe
& nowe be[^a1892] as soueregnes & seyntes In hey ven
tho þat wroght wyckedest In worlde tho they were
and tho þat wysely wordeden & wryten many bookes
off wytt & off wyssdome wyth dampned so vles wonne
that salomon sayeth I trowe be sothe & certen off vs all
siue Iusti atque sapientes & opera eorum In manu dei sunt . //
ther er wytty & well ly vyng & there workes byn hydde
yn þe handys off allmyghty god & he woote þe sothe
wherfore wher fore lo ve a[^632] man / worthe a-lowed þer / & hys leele workes
or elles for hys e vell wyll & en vye off herte
& be alowed as he ly vede[^a1893] / forby lyther men knowe þe good
& were-by wytty[^a1894][^633] men wyche ys wyte yff all thyng blake were
& wo were a good man but yff I[^a1895] were some shrewe
forthy ly ve we forthe wyth lyther men &[^a1896] le ve fewe be good
for q vant oportet comethe In place il nad qui[^a1897] pati
& he þat m ey[^634] all amende haue mercy on vs all
þe[^a1898] sothest worde þat euer god seyde was tho he sayde nemo bonus .//
clergye tho off crystes mo vthe commendyd was lytle
for he sayde to seynt petur & to s oyche as he lo ved
dum steteritis ante reges et presides[^a1899] . //
thogh ye come before kynges & clerkes off þe lawe
beythe not abasshed for I shalbe shal be In your mo vthes
& gy ve you wytt & wyll & connyng to concl vde
them all þat ageynst you off crydendome cry[st]endome[^a1900] dysp vten
dauid makethe mencyon he spake amongest kynges
& myght no kyng ouercome hym by[^a1901] kennyng[^a1902] off speche
but wytt ne wysdome ne wanne[^a1903] neuer the mastrye
when man was att mysscheffe wythowte þe more grace
þe doghtyest doctor & dy vyno vr off the trynyte
was aug vstyne[^a1904] þe olde & þe[^a1905] hyest off þe fo vre
sayd þou[^a1906] In a sermon I segh ytt wrytten on ce
ecce Ipsi idiote rapiunt celum vbi nos sapientes in Inferno mergimur . //[^635]
& to[^a1907] meane In[^a1908] englyshe to more & to lasse
ere non rather ra vesshed fo r[^a1909] þe ryght byle ve[^636]
then plowmen & pasto vrs & other comen laborers
nota
sowters & shepperdes & s oche lewde Ideottes[^a1910]
percen wyth a pater noster[^637] þe paleyes off hey ven
& passen p vrgatorye pennanceles att þer hence partyng
In-to þe blysse off paradysse for þeir p vre byle ve
that imperfetly here knewe & eke ly ved
ye men knowe clerkes / þat ha ve c vrsed þe tyme
þat euer ye[^a1911] co vlde on þe boke more þen credo in deum
& pryncypallye theyr pater noster many[^a1912] person hath wysshed
I see ensample[^a1913] myselfe & so may many other
þat ser vantes þat ser ven lordes seylde fall yn arerage
but tho þat kepen þe lordes katell clerkes & rentes[^a1914]
ryght so lewde men & off lytle knowyng
seld fall þei so fo wle & so farre In synne
as clarkes off holychurche þat kepe crystes treasore
þe wych ys manes sowle to sa ve as god seyeth yn þe gospell
Ite vos In vineam meam et cetera //

[^a1688: & (G) | And al (most mss)]

[^a1689: she sayde (G F) | seyde (most mss)]

[^a1690: wyssdome (G F) | wysdomes (all other mss)]

[^a1691: magerye ma[r]gerye (G) | margerye (most mss)]

[^a1692: hawes ha ve (G) | han hawes (most mss)]

[^a1693: Inowe (G) | at wille (most mss)]

[^a1694: but (G M F) | But if (all other mss)]

[^a1695: gest (G) | gestes (all other mss)]

[^a1696: and (G) | And þat þei (most mss)]

[^a1697: viunt vi[v]unt (G) | viuunt (all other mss)]

[^a1698: s oyche (G) | whiche (all other mss)]

[^a1699: most gy vethe (G L Y B) | geueth moste (Cr W Hm) | moost good gyueth (O C2) | most greueth (C R F)]

[^a1700: dele y n e dele[n] (G) | deleth (all other mss)]

[^a1701: but (G F) | Ac (most mss)]

[^a1702: to (G) | or (most mss)]

[^a1703: to (G Hm F) | for to (all other mss)]

[^a1704: kykne [l]ykne (G) | Lickne (most mss)]

[^a1705: rewarde (G) | ȝeresȝiue (most mss)]

[^a1706: walew (G O C2 Y) | ȝifte (most mss)]

[^a1707: but (G F) | Ac (most mss)]

[^a1708: ys among men (G Hm) | amonges men is (all other mss)]

[^a1709: nowe (G) | nouthe (most mss)]

[^a1710: but (G F) | Ac (most mss)]

[^a1711: clerkes (G) | þis clerkis (all other mss)]

[^a1712: lewede (G) | þis lewed (most mss)]

[^a1713: dynnere (G) | deyse (most mss)]

[^a1714: fylled (G) | fulle (most mss)]

[^a1715: butt (G F) | Ac (most mss)]

[^a1716: them (G Cr23 C2 Cot) | hym (all other mss)]

[^a1717: þem (G) | hym (all other mss)]

[^a1718: þem (G O C2 F) | hym (all other mss)]

[^a1719: the (G C2) | þise (all other mss)]

[^a1720: master (G) | maystres (all other mss)]

[^a1721: butt (G F) | Ac (most mss)]

[^a1722: þus (G) | so (all other mss)]

[^a1723: other (G R F) | othere kynnes (most mss)]

[^a1724: þer (G F) | þe (most mss)]

[^a1725: but (G M F) | ac (most mss)]

[^a1726: att (G F) | at seint (all other mss)]

[^a1727: & (G) | and in (all other mss)]

[^a1728: bothe (G) | amonges (all other mss)]

[^a1729: þes (G) | þe (most mss)]

[^a1730: off (G M Hm) | of þe (all other mss)]

[^a1731: goodes theyr-sel ve (G) | goode hem-selue (most mss)]

[^a1732: the (G C) | ȝe (all other mss)]

[^a1733: impertire (G M C2 R F) | impertiri (most mss)]

[^a1734: meanethe (G) | so seiþ (W) | meþ (Bm) | semeþ (Bo Cot) | seyþ (F) | so meneth (all other mss)]

[^a1735: how (G) | how he (most mss)]

[^a1736: me nne (G) | meyn (C) | meyne (most mss)]

[^a1737: & nat (G C C2 Y) | Nouȝt (most mss)]

[^a1738: to (G Cr Hm R) | forto (all other mss)]

[^a1739: gan (G Hm) | gynneth (most mss)]

[^a1740: vn v[s] (G) | vs (all other mss)]

[^a1741: aug vstyne (G L M) | Austen (most mss)]

[^a1742: but (G F) | Ac (most mss)]

[^a1743: theym (G C Y) | hym (most mss)]

[^a1744: whyes (G M O Y) | weyes (all other mss)]

[^a1745: was (G) | was as (all other mss)]

[^a1746: what-so-euer (G) | what-so (most mss) | what-euere (F)]

[^a1747: vsen (G) | vseth þis (most mss)]

[^a1748: ha vylou vs havylou[n]s (G) | hanylowes (Cr23) | hauelounes (all other mss)]

[^a1749: may (G) | mote (all other mss)]

[^a1750: worche (G) | worthe (most mss)]

[^a1751: warre (G Cr Y F) | ywar (all other mss)]

[^a1752: watt þat (G) | what (most mss)]

[^a1753: & (G) | as (most mss)]

[^a1754: deaffe (G B) | deth (most mss)]

[^a1755: mekenes (G) | mekenesse man (all other mss)]

[^a1756: y-hooten (G Hm) | hoten (most mss)]

[^a1757: as (G M Cr R) | also (most mss)]

[^a1758: where (G F) | where þat (all other mss)]

[^a1759: & yff (G) | ȝif (all other mss)]

[^a1760: þou (G Hm) | þat þow (most mss)]

[^a1761: & (G Cr C Y B) | ac (most mss)]

[^a1762: co vple (G) | couplest (most mss)]

[^a1763: symplenes (G) | symplete (most mss)]

[^a1764: þus (G) | And þus (all other mss)]

[^a1765: I (G) | for I (most mss)]

[^a1766: but (G F) | but if (all other mss)]

[^a1767: carpenters (G Cr3 F) | carpentrie (all other mss)]

[^a1768: & (G F) | of (all other mss)]

[^a1769: ther (G W) | ne (all other mss)]

[^a1770: sapyence (G) | science (most mss)]

[^a1771: glosen (G) | gloseth (all other mss)]

[^a1772: lerned (G) | lerneth (Cr) | lerne (F) | lereth (most mss)]

[^a1773: theolo gye (G) | Ac theologye (most mss)]

[^a1774: agaynst (G B) | aȝeines (most mss)]

[^a1775: as (G W) | þat (all other mss)]

[^a1776: showen (G) | scheweth (R F) | sueth (all other mss)]

[^a1777: leynd (G) | lyeth (most mss)]

[^a1778: not (G) | nouȝt to (all other mss)]

[^a1779: þi (G M Cr) | þe (all other mss)]

[^a1780: but (G F) | Ac (most mss)]

[^a1781: gylefull (G Cr) | ginful (most mss)]

[^a1782: souereyge souereyg[n]e (G) | souereyne (most mss)]

[^a1783: that (G B) | þo (W Hm R F) | þe (most mss)]

[^a1784: felle (G M Cr C) | fele (all other mss)]

[^a1785: gro vnde (G F) | þis grounde (all other mss)]

[^a1786: ys (G Cr F) | is a (all other mss)]

[^a1787: comenlye (G) | comune (most mss)]

[^a1788: quod (G F) | lyf quod (all other mss)]

[^a1789: from (G) | Fro þe (all other mss)]

[^a1790: helpe (G) | þe helpe (all other mss)]

[^a1791: wych (G) | þe whiche (all other mss)]

[^a1792: but (G F) | ac (most mss)]

[^a1793: In þe (G) | in (all other mss)]

[^a1794: þe holy (G Cr F) | holi (all other mss)]

[^a1795: aug vstyne (G) | Austyn (most mss)]

[^a1796: as (G) | so (most mss)]

[^a1797: meum et cetera (G Bo) | meum (most mss)]

[^a1798: þis (G Cr) | þus (C) | þus it (most mss)]

[^a1799: longethe (G O C2 R F) | bilongeth (all other mss)]

[^a1800: & (G Hm B) | Al (all other mss)]

[^a1801: fo v nde (G Cr Hm O C2) | yfounde (most mss)]

[^a1802: but (G F) | Ac (most mss)]

[^a1803: culbabilis cul[p]abilis (G) | culpabilis (all other mss)]

[^a1804: ys yn (G) | in (all other mss)]

[^a1805: eche (G Hm B F) | eche a (all other mss)]

[^a1806: the (G) | This (all other mss)]

[^a1807: you (G) | ȝe (all other mss)]

[^a1808: but (G F) | Ac (most mss)]

[^a1809: sothely (G) | now sothly (most mss)]

[^a1810: ne (G C Y B) | ne on (most mss)]

[^a1811: me vethe (G) | meviþ (F) | meneth (all other mss)]

[^a1812: þe (G M F) | þat þe (all other mss)]

[^a1813: off men (G Cr23) | men (all other mss)]

[^a1814: bytterly (G Cr23) | Ful bitterli (B) | Byttere (all other mss)]

[^a1815: þer (G) | her (all other mss)]

[^a1816: correcteth (G) | and corecteth (most mss)]

[^a1817: you (G) | ȝe (all other mss)]

[^a1818: sholde (G) | shal (all other mss)]

[^a1819: asshamed (G) | abasched (most mss)]

[^a1820: or (G Cr Hm B) | or to (most mss)]

[^a1821: you (G Cr) | ȝe (all other mss)]

[^a1822: hym (G C Y) | hym þe (O C2 B) | his (all other mss)]

[^a1823: þer (G) | þer hij (most mss)]

[^a1824: but (G Hm F) | Ac (most mss)]

[^a1825: prestinum pr[i]stinum (G) | pristinum (all other mss)]

[^a1826: statum (G Hm) | statum ire (all other mss)]

[^a1827: erles (G) | Erles beten hem (most mss)]

[^a1828: sunt (G C2 Y Cot) | sunt & cetera (most mss)]

[^a1829: coffer (G) | coffres (most mss)]

[^a1830: good (G Hm F R) | god (all other mss)]

[^a1831: then (G F) | And þanne (all other mss)]

[^a1832: hys (G) | al his (most mss)]

[^a1833: wyth (G) | of (most mss)]

[^a1834: vnc vrable (G) | incurable (all other mss)]

[^a1835: but (G) | Ac (most mss)]

[^a1836: downe (G M Cr Hm F) | adoune (all other mss)]

[^a1837: dobett (G) | dobet quod I (all other mss)]

[^a1838: scry vynors (G Cr C2) | scryueynes (all other mss)]

[^a1839: not a (G) | one (all other mss)]

[^a1840: vnpossyble (G) | inpossible (all other mss)]

[^a1841: impius (G) | iniquius (all other mss)]

[^a1842: vs nedithe (G) | as nede techeth (L M Cr W Hm) | as it nedes (C O C2 Y B)]

[^a1843: denarios (G) | denarium (all other mss)]

[^a1844: wyttnessen (G) | bereth witnesse (all other mss)]

[^a1845: off (G) | and (most mss)]

[^a1846: among (G Cr Hm C B) | amonges (most mss)]

[^a1847: then (G) | Þat (all other mss)]

[^a1848: but (G F) | Ac (most mss)]

[^a1849: or (G) | and (all other mss)]

[^a1850: leynde (G) | lene (most mss)]

[^a1851: þis (G Cr1) | þus (all other mss)]

[^a1852: sore (G Cr Bo Cot) | soure (all other mss)]

[^a1853: Bagges (G C2) | bakkes (most mss)]

[^a1854: or (G Cot) | and (most mss)]

[^a1855: to an (G) | til (most mss)]

[^a1856: heypen hey[þ]en (G) | hethen (all other mss)]

[^a1857: seyde (G C) | seith (all other mss)]

[^a1858: ys (G Y) | is to (most mss)]

[^a1859: nechaberis (G L Cr23 Y) | mechaberis (W Hm C B R F) | necabis (Cr1 O C2)]

[^a1860: entred (G Cr Hm Y) | yentred (most mss)]

[^a1861: or (G) | Or elles (all other mss)]

[^a1862: wryten (G M Cr23 O C2) | vnwriten (most mss)]

[^a1863: no (G Cr) | on no (all other mss)]

[^a1864: mercyes (G) | mercy (all other mss)]

[^a1865: preychen (G) | techen (all other mss)]

[^a1866: techen (G) | prechen (all other mss)]

[^a1867: yn (G M R F) | as in (all other mss)]

[^a1868: hys (G C B) | here (all other mss)]

[^a1869: payne (G Cr C2 B) | pyne (all other mss)]

[^a1870: you (G) | ȝe (most mss)]

[^a1871: fell (G) | fele (all other mss)]

[^a1872: vnhappy (G) | vngraciouse (most mss)]

[^a1873: beene (G) | men (most mss)]

[^a1874: sythe (G) | for-þi (most mss)]

[^a1875: but (G) | At (most mss) | Ac (O Y B)]

[^a1876: but (G F) | Ac (most mss)]

[^a1877: hys (G) | her (all other mss)]

[^a1878: lettered (G Cr C2 F) | ylettred (all other mss)]

[^a1879: but (G F) | Ac (most mss)]

[^a1880: they (G) | þe (all other mss)]

[^a1881: le ve (G Cr F) | lene (all other mss)]

[^a1882: dreynten (G) | adreynten (most mss)]

[^a1883: colo vr (G Cr) | culorum (most mss)]

[^a1884: cryst (G) | crystes (all other mss)]

[^a1885: domine (G Cr) | domine & cetera (all other mss)]

[^a1886: & (G) | I (all other mss)]

[^a1887: sa ved (G Cr O C2 Y) | ysaued (all other mss)]

[^a1888: thes (G) | þe (all other mss)]

[^a1889: leyne (G Cr Hm) | yleine (most mss) | leyȝen lowe (F)]

[^a1890: & (G) | Or (all other mss)]

[^a1891: to the (G) | to (all other mss)]

[^a1892: be (G Hm F) | ben þise (all other mss)]

[^a1893: ly vede (G Cr F) | lyued so (most mss)]

[^a1894: wytty (G) | wist (most mss)]

[^a1895: I (G) | þere (all other mss)]

[^a1896: & (G) | I (most mss)]

[^a1897: qui (G) | que (most mss)]

[^a1898: þe (G) | For (most mss) | For þe (Cr Bo Cot F)]

[^a1899: presides (G) | presides & cetera (most mss)]

[^a1900: crydendome cry[st]endome (G) | crystenedome (all other mss)]

[^a1901: by (G B F) | as bi (most mss)]

[^a1902: kennyng (G) | kunnyng (all other mss)]

[^a1903: ne wanne (G M C Y B) | wan (all other mss)]

[^a1904: aug vstyne (G L M) | Austen (most mss)]

[^a1905: & þe (G) | and (all other mss)]

[^a1906: þou (G) | þus (all other mss)]

[^a1907: to (G) | is to (all other mss)]

[^a1908: In (G) | to (most mss) | on (C O C2 Y B)]

[^a1909: fo r (G) | fro (all other mss)]

[^a1910: Ideottes (G) | iottes (most mss)]

[^a1911: ye (G) | þei (most mss) | þe (W)]

[^a1912: many (G C) | many a (all other mss)]

[^a1913: ensample (G) | ensamples (most mss)]

[^a1914: rentes (G) | reues (all other mss)]

[^561: G.11.1: Kane and Donaldson read G was altered to wych, but in fact the <a> and the sigma <s> with a long riser have clearly been written over the <y>and the <ch> respectively.]

[^562: G.11.3: Spellings of the adjective "wroth" with <gh> for <th> (as G wroghe) are recorded by the OED for the fourteenth century. LALME records "earth" with the spelling <ergh> in the East Riding of Yorkshire and "north" with the spelling <norgh> in North Yorkshire (LALME 4, items 107 and 194), but since neither item is recorded for the South, it is difficult to be certain of the distribution of these spellings. Brunner suggests that the use of yogh for thorn resulted from errors by Anglo-Norman scribes; see Karl Brunner, An Outline of Middle English Grammar, trans. Grahame Johnston (Oxford: Basil Blackwell, 1963), 38, note 5.]

[^563: G.11.5: A virgule has been added at this point to separate wytt and any.]

[^564: G.11.5:The second half of wyssdome has been written in small letters, presumably because the error earlier in the line has resulted in a lack of space.]

[^565: G.11.18: Most A manuscripts and all C manuscripts share the G M F reading but (for remaining B manuscripts But if), and this is the reading adopted by Kane and Donaldson.]

[^566: G.11.28: Most of the final <s> of diuitias has been lost as a result of cropping but the very bottom of the letter is still visible.]

[^567: G.11.47: Originally the final letter of then appears to have had three minims, the last of which has been crossed out by the original scribe.]

[^568: G.11.50: All A manuscripts except K Wa J share the G O C2 Y reading "value" (for most B manuscripts ȝifte), and this is the reading adopted by Kane and Donaldson.]

[^569: G.11.51: For the G scribe's replacement of most manuscripts nouthe with nowe, see note to G.4.295.]

[^570: G.11.60: Most B manuscripts have readings with the verb "to be" followed by the adjective "full" (or, in the case of G, the past participle fylled). The readings of A and C, however, suggest an original with "full" as an active verb (as W guttes fullen="bellies grow full").]

[^571: G.11.64: For heon, see MED heuen (v.3),"to shout" or "to halloo."]

[^572: G.11.70: The bar over the <o> of amongest is only faintly visible.]

[^573: G.11.70: The last letter of workes is odd, a cross between an <e> and an <s>. It is possible that it was added after the manuscript had been bound, which would explain the awkwardness of the writing (i.e. it is in the gutter).]

[^574: G.11.83: The <r> in theyre appears to have been re-outlined. The small hook at the end of the word has been interpreted as a residual <e>, but it could be an abbreviation mark.]

[^575: G.11.92: G.11.92 and G.11.93 are bracketed together in red on the right.]

[^576: G.11.99: Kane and Donaldson adopt the G Cr Hm R reading to. Remaining B manuscripts read forto.]

[^577: G.11.104: G power is recorded by the OED as a possible spelling of "poor" (which is the reading of Bx) and this is therefore probably not a substantive variant.]

[^578: G.11.111:The <g> of ageyne has been written over a deleted letter - possibly the scribe began to write "carpen as," as in G.11.109.]

[^579: G.11.132: For the virgules here, see note to G.6.597.]

[^580: G.11.136: The G scribe writes the <ra> of "betray" out in full but he also provides an otiose superscript <a>. See note to G.3.157.]

[^581: G.11.140: The abbreviation for <er> (giving better ) is present though not recorded by Kane and Donaldson.]

[^582: G.11.165: All A manuscripts except A and K share the G F reading where, which is adopted by Kane and Donaldson. Remaining B manuscripts read where þat.]

[^583: G.11.170: A virgule has been added at this point to separate comesthowe and neuere.]

[^584: G.11.175: For the virgules here, see note to G.6.597.]

[^585: G.11.180: The letter which precedes glosse is not entirely clear and, in any case, it appears to have been crossed out. Kane and Donaldson read ?iglosse.]

[^586: G.11.188: All A version manuscripts share the G Cr3 F reading carpenters, which is adopted by Kane and Donaldson. Most C manuscripts share the majority B reading carpentrie.]

[^587: G.11.196: For the virgules here, see note to G.6.597.]

[^588: G.11.200: The two rubricated lines are bracketed together in red on the right.]

[^589: G.11.201: The G scribe, or more probably an ancestor (see Introduction III.1.4), has mistakenly read B "gloseth" as a plural verb and has replaced it with glosen.]

[^590: G.11.209: At first sight the change resulting in avtem appears to be one of the usual changes of <u> to <v>, but in fact this particular alteration seems to have been prompted by a shortage of minims, i.e. it is instead a change of <i> to <v>.]

[^591: G.11.209: The two rubricated lines are bracketed together in red on the right.]

[^592: G.11.211: The loop on the <d> of do appears to have been added later in brown ink.]

[^593: G.11.217: G's original reading conscyence as well as the correction to the majority B reading "science" are also present in Bm. The original, uncorrected reading remains in C O C2 Y.]

[^594: G.11.221: Most A manuscripts share the G B reading that, which is adopted by Kane and Donaldson. Remaining B manuscripts read þe or þo.]

[^595: G.11.222: For G's treatment of fele (the majority B reading, here appearing as G M Cr C felle), see note to G.4.349. In M, the reading fell results from correction.]

[^596: G.11.241: Although both G and F read quod rather than lyf quod (as remaining B manuscripts), the preceding -lye ending on G comenlye (most manuscripts comune) suggests that some form of "life" was in fact present in G's exemplar.]

[^597: G.11.244: The alteration of <u> to <v> in "never" has become a residual brown smudge.]

[^598: G.11.255: The scribe began to write was then realised his error and altered it to wo.]

[^599: G.11.256: There may be a vowel between the second <t> of wyttnes and the <n>.]

[^600: G.11.259: For G's use of "this" for "thus," see note to G.4.76.]

[^601: G.11.262: This letter <v> has been smudged and therefore re-written.]

[^602: G.11.274: G.11.274 and G.11.275 are bracketed together in red on the right.]

[^603: G.11.287: For G's use of "you" for remaining manuscripts ȝe, see note to G.2.180.]

[^604: G.11.295: M's original reading was þat þe (as most B manuscripts), but the word þat has been deleted, bringing M into line with G F reading þe.]

[^605: G.11.301: Most B manuscripts read myshapped, but use of a single <p> in G mysshaped does not necessarily imply a substantive variant: the G scribe was clearly aware of the possibility of using single and double consonants to indicate preceding long and short vowels, but his practice in this respect was by no means consistent. See further Introduction III.2.]

[^606: G.11.303: For G's use of "you" for remaining manuscripts ȝe, see note to G.2.180.]

[^607: G.11.304: G.11.304 and G.11.305 are bracketed together in red on the right.]

[^608: G.11.311: For G's use of "you" for remaining manuscripts ȝe, see note to G.2.180.]

[^609: G.11.315: Lines G.11.315 and G.11.316 appear in reverse order in the manuscript. Line G.11.316 has a square bracket placed round it in the left hand margin, i.e. it is marked for reversal in the original ink. The numbering of these lines and the order in which they appear in this edition reflects the intention thus indicated.]

[^610: G.11.315: In addition to the alteration from bugger to bygger, there appears to have been some attempt to alter the medial <gg> but the intention here is unclear; possibly the corrector wished to write byer.]

[^611: G.11.315: See note to G.11.315.]

[^612: G.11.315: The cross in the bottom right hand corner is in modern pencil.]

[^613: G.11.325: It seems likely that, as Benson and Blanchfield suggest (p.132.IV.B), the underlining of this line and of the following lines was carried out by the scribe who added the marginalia (i.e. by hand3). The colour of the ink, however, is not quite the same.]

[^614: G.11.329: The use of the capital <B> on "Barons" is unusual and it appears that the scribe has written an <l> and then altered it and that the capital is used for the sake of clarity.]

[^615: G.11.330: Note the Cr1 reading barons for G and remaining manuscripts barns. It seems possible that "barons" was the original G reading, either because the scribe was copying from an exemplar with this reading or because his eye was caught by "barons" in the line above (the Cr1 reading may perhaps suggest the former). There seems to have been some attempt to alter original barons by overwriting, which is why the middle letters are particularly unclear.]

[^616: G.11.333: The ink has spread in this first half line; the surface of the paper may have been damaged by the erasure process.]

[^617: G.11.334: Though the use of double and single vowels in G is not altogether consistent, the distinction between "god" with a single <o> and "good" with <oo> is normally maintained. See Introduction III.2. Hm F R share G's reading good, but remaining manuscripts read god.]

[^618: G.11.342: G's use of "scrivener" may well be due to date. According to the OED, this form replaced "scrivein" in the first half of the fifteenth century.]

[^619: G.11.372: For G's use of "this" for "thus," see note to G.4.76. Cr1 shares the G reading.]

[^620: G.11.374: Compare the form of the <g>s in Bagges with the <g> found in the marginalia on the previous page.]

[^621: G.11.374: In C2 as in G, the reading baggis (for most manuscripts bakkes) results from a later correction.]

[^622: G.11.375: For a similar spelling of "wildfowl," see the sixteenth century wyelfoyle recorded by the OED s.v. wild-fowl.]

[^623: G.11.380: In both G and L, original mechaberis (as most B manuscripts) has been altered to nechaberis by the delition of the first minim. Cr23 Y share this reading.]

[^624: G.11.401: For G's use of "you" for remaining manuscripts ȝe, see note to G.2.180.]

[^625: G.11.402: For G's treatment of fele (the reading of all other manuscripts, here appearing as G fell), see note to G.4.349.]

[^626: G.11.414: The line overruns the space available and elles is boxed in below the line proper.]

[^627: G.11.415: For G's use of "they" for "the," see note to G.6.303.]

[^628: G.11.416: A line is omitted by β4 manuscripts at this point ("Of wriȝtes þat it wrouȝte was none of hem ysaued").]

[^629: G.11.428: This virgule is smudged and may have been partially erased.]

[^630: G.11.430: The second half of this word (corresponding to modern English "ransomed") has been so comprehensively fiddled about with that it is hard to tell what is going on. Note that the original has an apparently otiose superscript <a> with a long bar over it, presumably present in the scribe's exemplar as an abbreviation, but reproduced here apparently without understanding. See note to G.3.157.]

[^631: G.11.432: Note the spelling of "worse" in the following line.]

[^632: G.11.444: The <a> here ends with a dot and it appears that a second letter may have been anticipated, but none has been written.]

[^633: G.11.447: B manuscripts have a wide variety of readings for G wytty, some the result of correction. Most, however, have some form of "witen."]

[^634: G.11.451: An additional loop has been placed on top of original <o> to form a backward facing <e> in mey.]

[^635: G.11.467: The two rubricated lines are bracketed together in red on the right.]

[^636: G.11.469: G omits two lines at this point ("Þan ar þis cunnynge clerkes · þat conne many bokes | Ne none sonner saued · ne sadder of bileue").]

[^637: G.11.473: What looks as if it may be a punctus after noster is in fact simply the point at which the scribe has lifted his pen from the paper.]

explicit tercius passus de dowell

Then scrypt vre scorned me & a skylle tolde
& lakked me In latyn & lyght[^638] by me sett
and sayde multi multa sciunt & se ipsos nesciunt : //
tho wept I for whoo & wrathe off hyr speche
& In a vyndyng wrathe wexe I a-slepe
a meruelio vse swe vene mett me then
that I was ra vysshed ryght there & fort vne me fette
& In-to þe londe off longyng alone she me broght
& In a myrro vr þat hyght mydleyerthe she made me beholde
sythen she sayde to me here meysthowe þou meysthowe[^a1915] see wondres
& knowe þat þou co veytyst & come þerto pera vent vre
then had fort vne folowyng too[^a1916] fayre doghters[^a1917]
concupiscencia carnis men called the elder meyde
& co vetyse off heyghtes[^a1918][^639] called was the[^a1919] other
pryde off perfytt ly vyng p vrsued theym bothe
& bad me for my co vntenance acoumpte clergy lyght
conpuciscentia con[c]u[p]iscentia[^a1920] carnis colled me abowte þe necke
& seyde þou arte yong[^a1921] & hast yeres I-nowe
for to ly ve long & ladyes to lo ve
deus
& yn þe[^a1922] myrro vr þou myghtest se myrthes f vlmany f vl many
that leyde þe w yle[^640] to lykyng all þi lyffe-tyme
þe second sayde þe same I shall shew[^a1923][^641] þi wyll
tyll þou be a lorde & ha ve lande lett þe I nyll
but[^a1924] I shall[^a1925] folowe þi felowshyppe yff fort vne ytt lyke
he shall fynd me hys frende quod fort vne here[^a1926] -after
the freyke þat folowed my wyll fayled neuer blysse
then was þer on[^a1927] heghte elde / þat he vy was off chere
man quod he Iff y mete wyth þe by mary off hey ven
þou shalt fynd fort vne þe fayle att thye most nede
and concupiscentia carnis cleyne þe forsake
b ytterly shalthowe blame[^a1928] bothe dayes & nyghtes
co vetyse off heght[^a1929][^642] þat euer þou ytt knewe
& pryde off perfytt ly vyng to moche peryll þe bryng
ye recche þe neuer quod recchles[^a1930] & stoode[^a1931] In ragged clothes
folowe forthe þat fort vne wyll þou hast[^a1932] farre to elde
a man may stowpe tyme ynoghe when he shall lose[^a1933] hys[^a1934] crowne
homo proponit quod a poett and plato he hyght
& deus disponit quod he lett god done hys wyll
yff trewthe wyll wyttnes ytt be well do fort vne to folowe
concupiscencia carnis ne co vetyse off heghtes[^a1935][^643]
shall[^a1936] not gre ve þe greatly ne begyle þe wyth -owte[^a1937] þou wolte
ye fare well phyppe quod fa vntelte & forthe gan me drawe
tyll concupiscencia carnis acorded all my workes
allas heyghe quod elde & holynes bothe
that wytt shall torne to wrecchednes for wyll to haue hys lykynge
co vetyse off heyghtes[^a1938][^644] conforted me sone after
& fowlowed me fortye wynters[^a1939] or fyftye or[^a1940] more
þat off dowell ne do-better no deynte me thoght
I had no likyng ne no lust off þem ought to knowe
co vetyse off heyghtes[^a1941][^645] came offter In my[^a1942] mynde
then dowell or dobetter amonge my dedes all
co vetyse off heyghtes[^a1943][^646][^647] comforted me offte
and seyde ha ve no conscyence how þou come to goode
go confesse þe to some frere & shewe hym þi synnes
for wyles fort vne ys þi frende / freres wyll þe lo ve
and fecche[^a1944] to þer fraternyte & for þe byseke
to theyre pryo vr pro vyncyall a pardon to[^a1945] ha ve
& prey for the pole by pole yff þou be . peccuniosus .//
sed pecia[^a1946] peccuniaria non sufficit pro spiritualibus delictis.//
by wysshyng off þis wenche I wroght theyr wordes were sweete[^a1947]
tyll I forgate yought & then[^a1948] In-to elde
& then was fort vne my foo for all hyr[^a1949] by heste
& pouerte p vrs ved me and p vtt me lowe
and I fo vnde[^a1950] þe frere a-fearde & flytyng bothe
agayn our fyrste forwarde for I seyde I nolde
be b vryed att theyre ho vse but att my peryche churche
for I herde on ce how conscyence ytt tolde
þat þer a man was[^a1951] crystened by kynd he shold[^648] be b vryed
or where he were perysshen þer[^a1952] he sh vld[^649] be gra ven
and for I seyde þus to freres / a fole þei me helden
& lo ved me þe lesse for my loyall speche
& yet I cryed on my confessour þat he[^a1953] held hym-sel ve so connyng[^650]
by my faythe frere quod I / ye fare lyke thes wowers
that wedde no wydowes but to[^a1954] welde theyr goodes
ryght so by þe roode roght ye neuer
where my body were b vryed so[^a1955][^651] ye hadde þe syl ver
I ha ve moche merueyle off you & so hathe manye other
wye your co vent co vetythe to confesse & to b vrye
rather þen to baptyze barnes / that beene katyk vmynes
ba ptyzyng[^652] & b vryeng bothe bene full nedefull
but[^a1956] moche more merytoryo vse[^a1957] me thynkethe to[^a1958] baptyze
for a baptyzed man may as masters tellen
thr vgh contrycyon come to[^a1959] hyghe hey ven
sola contricio delet peccatum & cetera[^a1960] . //
but[^a1961] a barne wyth -oute baptyme may not be sa ved
nisi quis renatus fuerit ex aqua & cetera . //
loke ye lettered men wether I lye or noght
and lealte loked on me & I lo vred after
wherfore lo vresthowe quod lealte & loked on me herde
yff I dorste[^a1962] a-monge men þes metteles a-wowe
ye by petur & by poule quod he & take[^a1963] bothe to wyttnes
non oderis fratres secrete in corde tuo sed publice argue illos . //
they wyll alegge also quod I & by þe gosspell pro ve
nolite Iudicare quemquam & cetera[^a1964] //
& wheroff ser vethe lawe quod lealte yff no lyfe vndertooke ytt
falsheyde[^a1965] &[^a1966] fayto vrye for somewhatt þe apostell seyde
non oderis fratrem & yn þe sa vter[^a1967] seyde[^a1968] dauyd þe prophete
existimasti inique quod ero tui similis et cetera //
ytt ys locutum l[i]c[i]tum[^a1969] to[^a1970] lewde me me[n][^a1971] to segge the sothe
yff þem lykethe & lyst eche[^a1972] lawe ytt g vntethe g[ra]untethe[^a1973][^653]
except persones and prestes & prelates off holyechurche
ytt fallyth not to þis[^a1974] folke tales[^a1975] to tell
thogh the tale were trew / & ytt towchyd synne
thyng þat all þis[^a1976] worlde woote wherfore sh vldesthowe spare
and redyn ytt[^654] In retoryke to arate deydly synne
but[^a1977] be neuer -more þe f vrste þe defa vte to blame
thoghe þou se e vell sey[^a1978] noght[^a1979] be sorye / ytt nere amend[^655]
a thyng[^a1980] þat ys pry vye p vblyce ytt[^a1981] neuer
nether for lo ve looue[^a1982] ytt not no[^a1983] lakke yt not[^a1984] for en vye
parum lauda vitupera parcius & cetera[^a1985] //
he sayethe[^a1986] quod scrypt vre tho & starte[^a1987] an heygh & preyched
but[^a1988] þe matter þat he me ved yff lewde men ytt knewe
the lesse as I le ve lo ve ytt þei wolde
thys was theyre[^a1989] teyme & theyre[^a1990] texte I toke full good hede
multi to a mangerye / & to þe meyte were sompnede
and when þe poeple was come[^a1991] þe porter vpynned v[n]pynned[^a1992][^656] þe gate
and p vlled[^a1993] ynne pauci pri vyleche & leete þe remnant rome[^a1994]
all for tene off þat[^a1995] texte trembled myne herte
and yn a weyrye[^a1996] gan I wexe & wyth my-selfe dysp vte
whether þei[^a1997] were chosen or noght on holy churche I thoghte
that vndrefonge me attthe att the fo vnte for on off goddes chosen
For cryste cleped vs all come yff we wolde
sarazenes & sysmatykes & so he dyd þe Iewes
O vos omnes scientes[^a1998] venite ad aquas et cetera[^a1999] //[^657]
and bad theym sowke for synne sa vely att hys brest
and drynke[^a2000] for bale bro vke ytt wo-so myght
then may all crystyen men[^a2001] quod I cleame[^a2002] þer entre
by þe bloode he[^a2003] boght vs wyth / & thr vgh baptyme after
qui credederit et baptisatus fuerit et cetera//
for thogh a crysten man co veyte[^a2004] hys crystedome to renye
ryghfullyche to renye[^658] no reason ytt wolde
for may no ch vrle chartare make / ne hys catell sell
wyth -owte ley ve off hys lord / n o[^659] lawe wyll ytt gra vnte
but[^a2005] he may renne In areragys[^a2006] & rome fro[^a2007][^660] hys owne[^a2008]
and as a renyed kayteffe recheleslye a-bowte
but[^a2009] reason shall rekne wyth hym & cast hym yn arerage
and put theym[^a2010] after In pryson In p vrgatorye to brenne
for hys arerage rewarde hym there to þe day off dome
but[^a2011] contrycyon wyll come & crye by hys ly ve
mercy for hys myssdedes wyth mo vthe or wyth herte
that ys[^a2012] quod scrypt vre may no synne lette
mercy all to amend and mekenes[^a2013] folowe
for they beene as[^a2014] bookes[^a2015] abo ve goddes workes
misericordia eius super omnia opera eius //[^661]
ye bawe for bookes on[^a2016] was broken owte off hell
hyght troianus was a[^a2017] trew knyght toke wyttnes at the pope
how he was deyde & dampned to dwellen In payne
for on vncrystyen creato vre clerkes woote þe sothe
that all the claregye vndre cryste myght hym[^a2018] cracche fro hell
but only lo ve & loyalte & hys[^a2019] la vfull domes
gregorye wyst thys well & wylnethe to my so vle
sal vatyon for sothenes þat he syeghe yn my workes
and after þat he wepte & wylned me were gra vnted
grace wyth -owte beyde[^a2020][^662] byddyng hys bone was vndrefonge
& y sa ved as ye may se wyth -owte syngyng off masses
by lo ve & by lernyng & by[^a2021] ly vyng[^a2022] In trewthe
broght me fro bytter payne þer no byddyng myght
low ye lordys watt loyalte dyd by an empero vr off rome
þat was a vncrysten creat vre as clerkes fynd In bokes
noght thrugh preyer off þe[^a2023] pope but for hys p vre trewthe
was that sarzene sa ved as gregory[^a2024] beyrythe wyttnes
well ought lordes[^a2025] þat lawes kepe thys lesson haue In mynde
and on troianus trewthe to thynke & to[^a2026] do[^663] trew[^a2027] to þe poeple
lawe wyth -owte lo ve quod troianus ley ther a beane
or any scyence vndre sonne þe sey ven artes & all
but þei be lerned for our lordes lo ve lost ys all the tyme
for no ca vse to cacche syl ver ne[^a2028] to be called a master
but all for lo ve off our lorde &[^a2029] better to lo ve the poeple
for seynt Ihon sayde ytt & sothe are hys wordes
qui non diligit manet In morte et cetera[^a2030] . //
wo-so lo vethe noght le ve me he ly vethe In dede dyenge
and þat all maner off men[^a2031] enmyes & frendes
le ven[^a2032] there ether other and leynd[^a2033] hym[^a2034] att hys nede[^a2035]
wo-so leynethe noght he lo veth noght god woote þe sothe
& comma vndethe eche creat vre to confyrme[^a2036] hym to lo ve
and souereygnlyche poere poeple & theyre enmyes after
for theym that haten vs / ys our merytt to lo ve
& poere poeple to pleasse þeir preyers may vs helpe
for our Ioy & our heale Iesu cryst off hey ven
In a po vere manes apparell p vrsuede[^a2037] vs e ver
& lokethe on vs yn[^664] theyr kyknes [l]yknes[^a2038] & þat wyth lo vely chere
to knowe vs by our kynde herte & castyng off[^a2039] eyghe
wedre we lo ve þe lordes here before þe lorde off hey ven[^a2040][^665]
& excytethe by[^a2041] the e vangylye when[^a2042] we make feastes
we sholde not clepe our kynne þerto ne no kynne[^a2043] ryche
cum facitis conuiuia nolite inuitare amicos .//
but[^a2044] call þe carefull therto the croked & the poere
for your frendes wyll feden you & fond you to q vyte
your feastyng & your fayre gyftes ech frend q vytethe other[^a2045][^666]
but[^a2046] for þe pore I shall pay & p vre well q vyte theyr tra vell
that gy vethe þem meyte or money & lo vethe þem for my sake
for þe best been some ryche & some beggers & pouere
for all we er[^a2047] crystes creat vres & off hys cofers ryche
& bretheren as off bloode as well beggers as erles
for on cal vere off crystes blode crystendome gan sprynge
and blodye bretheren we bycome[^667] off[^a2048] on bodye wonne[^a2049]
as quasi modo gen iti . & gentyll men echoone
no begger ne boy amonge vs but yff synne ytt[^a2050] made
qui facit peccatum seruus est peccati & cetera
In þe old lawe as holy letter tellethe
mennes sonnes men called vs echone
off adames[^668] yssue & e ve ay to[^a2051] god-man dyede
& after hys resurreccyon / redemptor / was hys name
& we hys brethren thr vgh hym boght bothe ryche & poere
forthy lo ve we as[^a2052] bretheren shall & eche man laghe on[^a2053][^669] other
& yff eche[^a2054] man mey forbeyre amende þer ytt nedythe
& euery man helpe other for hence shall we all
alter alterius onera portate & cetera //
& be we noght vnkynd off our catell ne[^a2055] our connyng nether
for woote no man how ytt ys to be ynome fro bothe
forthy lak no lyfe other thoghe he more laten knowe
ne vndremyne noght fo vle for[^670] ys no n wyth -o vte fa vte
For what-euer clerkes carpe off crystendome or elles
cryste to a comen woman seyd In come[^a2056] at þe feaste
that fides sua sh vlde sa ven hyr & sal ven[^671] of hyr synnes
then ys byle ve a leall helpe abo ve logyke &[^a2057] lawe
off logyk ne off lawe yn legenda sanctorum .//
ys lytle alowance made but[^a2058] byle ve them helpe
for ytt ys ouerlong er logyk[^672] any leyssone assoyle
and lawe ys lothe to lo ve but yff he lacche syl ver
bothe logyk & lawe that lo vethe noght to lye
I co vnseyle all crysten men cle ve noght þeron to sore
for some wordes I fynd wryten þat were off faythes teychyng
þat sa ved synfull men as seynt Ihon beyrythe wyttnes
eadem mensura qua mensi fueretis remecietur vobis . //
forthy lere[^a2059] we þe lawe off lo ve as our lorde taght
and as seynt gregory sayethe[^a2060] for manes so vle helpe[^a2061]
melius est scrutari scelera nostra quam naturas rerum . //
why I meeue thys matter ys most for the po vere
for In hys lycknes our lorde offt hathe beene knowe[^a2062]
wyttnes In þe pasque weeke when he yede to emaus
cleophas knewe hym noght þat he cryste were
for hys po vre aparell as[^a2063] pylgrymes wedes
tyll he blysshed & brake þe breyd þat they eyten
so by thes[^a2064] wordes[^a2065] the[^a2066][^673] wyst he[^a2067] was Iesus .
but[^a2068] by clothyng they knewe hym nothe[^674] by[^a2069] carpyng off tong
& all was In ensample to vs synfull here
that we sholde be lowe & lo velyche off speche
& apperell vs noght prowdly for pylgrymes are we all
and In[^a2070] apperell off a poere man & pylgrymes lycknes
many t yme god hathe beene mett among nedy poeple
they[^a2071] neuer segh[^a2072] hym segge[^a2073] In þe[^a2074] secte off the ryche
seynte Ihon & other seyntes were seene In po vere clothyng
& as poere pylgrymes preyed menes goodes
Iesus[^a2075] In[^a2076] a Iewes doghter a-lyght gentyll woman thogh she were
was a p vre po vere meyde & to a poere man wedded
martha on mary magdelyne[^675] an h vge pleynte she made
and to our sa vyo vr hym -sel ve[^a2077] sayd thes wordes
domine non est tibi cure quod soror mea reliquit me solam[^676] . //
and hastylyche god answered & ethers wyll folowed
bothe in matha ma[r]tha[^a2078] & In marye[^a2079] as mathew beyrethe wyttnes
but[^a2080] pouerte god p vtt before & preysed ytt þe bettre
maria optimam partem elegit que non auferetur ab ea //
&[^677] all þe wyse þat euer were by ought I can aspye
preysen pouerte for best lyffe yff pacyence[^a2081] folowe
& bothe better & blysseder by manyfolde þen ryches
& thogh ytt be so vre to suffer there commethe swete after
as an[^a2082] walnote wythoute ys a bytter barke
and after þat bytter barke be þe shell a-way
ys a kernell off conforte kynd to restore
so ys after pouerte or pennance pacyentlyche taken[^a2083]
for ytt makethe man to haue mynd In god a[^a2084] greate whyle[^a2085]
to wepe[^678] and to well bydde wheroff wexethe mercye
off wyche cryste ys a kernell to conforte þe so vle
& well sykerer he slepethe þe man þat ys poere
& lesse he dredethe dethe and yn derke to be robbed
then he þat ys ryght ryche reason beyrethe wyttnes
pauper ego ludo dum tu diues meditaris .//
all-thogh salomon sayde as folke seyne[^a2086] In þe byble
diuitias nec paupertates & cetera //
wyser þen salomon was beyren wyttnes & taght
that perfytt pouerte was no possessyon to haue
& lyffe most lykyng to god as l vke beyrethe wyttnes
si vis perfectus esse vade et vende & cetera //
and ys to meane to men þat on thys mold ly ven
wo-so wyll be p vre parfett moote possessyon forsake
or sell ytt as seyethe þe boke and the syl ver deale
to beggers þat goone & begge & bydde for godes lo ve
for fayled neuer man meyte þat myghtfull god ser ved
as dauyd sayethe In þe sa vter to s oyche as[^a2087] been In wyll
to ser ve god godelyche ne gre vethe hym no pennance
nichil impossibile volenti et cetera[^a2088]
ne lakkethe neuer ly velode lynnen ne wollen
Inquirentes autem dominum non minuentur[^679] omni bono .//
yff prestes were perfytt they wold no syleuer take
for masses ne for matyns noght þe[^a2089] mete off vs vrers
ne neyther kyrtell ne cote thoghe þei for colde shold dye
and þei þer de voyer dyd as dauyd sayeth yn þe sa vter
Iudica me deus et discerne causam meam & cetera spera in deo et cetera[^680]
spekethe off prestes þat haue no spendyng syl ver
that yff þei tra veyle tre vlyche & tr vst In god almyghtye
them shall[^a2090] lacke no ly velode neyther wollen ne lynnen
& þe tytle þei take ordre by tellethe ye been a vauncede
then nedethe not you take syl ver for masses þat ye syng
for he þat toke you your tytle shall[^a2091] take you your wages
off þe bysshope þat blysshethe you yff that ye be worthye
for made neuer kyng no knyght but he had cattell to spend
as byfell for a knyght or fond hym for hys strenght
ytt ys a carefull knyght & off kaytyffe kynges makyng
þat hathe no land ne lynage ryche ne good loos off hys handes
the same I sey forsothe by all s oyche prestes
that haue nether connyng ne kynne but a crowne onne
and a tytle a tale off noght to hys ly velode at mysscheffe
he hathe more byleue as I le ve to lacche thr vgh hys cro vne
c vre þen for connyng or knowyng or[^a2092] cleane off beyryng
I haue wondre þat[^a2093] whye & wherfore þe bysshope
makethe s oyche prestes þat lewde men betreyen
a chartre ys chalengeable afore[^a2094] a cheffe I vstece
yff fal ce[^681] latyn be In þat lettre þe lawe ytt ymp vgnethe
or peynted parentrelynarye percelles ouer -skypped
the gome þat glosethe so charters for a gokye ys holden
so ys ytt a goky by god / þat In þe[^a2095] gospell faylethe
or In masse or matyns makethe any defa vte
qui offendit In vno In omnibus est reus . et cetera . //
and also In þe sawter sayethe dauyd to ouerskyppers
psallite deo nostro psallite quoniam rex terre deus israel psallite sapienter
the bysshoppe shalbe shal be blamed a-fore[^a2096] god as I le ve
that crouned[^a2097] s oyche goddes knyghtes[^682] that kannethe nat wysely[^a2098]
syng ne psalmes rede ne segge a mas off þe day
but[^a2099] neuer nether ys blameles þe bysshoppe nethe ne the chapeleyne
for euere[^a2100] eyther ys Indyted & þat off /ignorantia .//
non episcopos excusat[^a2101] nec ydyotes prestes
thys lokyng off[^a2102] lewde prestes hathe done me leype fro pouerte
wyche I preysse theyre pacyence ys more perfytt þen ryches
& but[^a2103][^683] moche more In metyng þus wyth me gan on dyssp vte
& slepyng I seghe all þis & sythen came kynde
and neue ved neue[n]ed[^a2104] me by name & bad me nymen heede
and thr vghe þe wo vnders off thys worlde wytt for to take
& on a montagne þat mydleyerthe hyghe[^a2105] as me tho thoght
I was fet forthe by ensamples to knowe
thr vghe eche a creat vre & kynde my creato vr to lo vye
I sehe þe sonne & þe see and þe sond after
& where þat bryddes & bestes by þer makes[^a2106] yedene[^a2107]
wylde wormes in woddes[^a2108] wonderfowle fowles
wyth flecked fethers and off fell[^a2109][^684] colo vrs
man & hys make I myght bothe beholde
pouerte & plente bothe peasse & warre
blysse & bale bothe I seghe att on ce
and how men toke mede & mercy ref vsed
reason I seghe sothely sewen all bestes
In eytyng & drynkyng In[^a2110] engenderyng off kynd
and after co vr ce off conceptyon non toke kepe off other
and when þei had rydyen In rotye-tyme anon ryght þer -after
males drewen þem to males In mo vrnes[^a2111] by þem-sel ve
and In e venynges also / þe males fro females
þer was kow ne kow-kynd þat concey ved had
þat wold belwe after b vlles ne boore after sowe
bothe hors & ho vndes & all other bestes
medeled not wyth þer makes þat wyth foole were
bryddes I behelde þat In b vskes made nestes
had neuer wye wytt to worche the leaste
I had wondre att whome & where þe pye lerned
to legge þe stykkes In wyche he lyethe[^a2112] & bredethe
þer nys wryght as I wene sholde worche hyr nest to paye
yff any mason made a mold þerto moche wondre ytt were
& yet me merveled more off[^a2113] many other bryddes
hydden & hylleden theyr egges full derne
In marres & moores þat[^a2114] men shold þem not fynde
& hydden þer egges when þei þer -fro wente
for fere off other fowles & for wylde beestes
& some tradden þer makes & on trees breden[^a2115][^685]

[^a1915: meysthowe þou meysthowe (G) | myȝtow (most mss)]

[^a1916: too (G) | hir two (all other mss)]

[^a1917: doghters (G) | damoyseles (all other mss)]

[^a1918: heyghtes (G) | eyes (all other mss)]

[^a1919: the (G Cr1) | þat (all other mss)]

[^a1920: conpuciscentia con[c]u[p]iscentia (G) | Concupiscencia (all other mss)]

[^a1921: yong (G) | ȝonge and ȝepe (most mss)]

[^a1922: þe (G) | þis (all other mss)]

[^a1923: shew (G) | suwe (all other mss)]

[^a1924: but (G) | Þat (all other mss)]

[^a1925: shall (G F) | ne shal (all other mss)]

[^a1926: here (G) | þer (most mss)]

[^a1927: on (G C2 F) | one þat (all other mss)]

[^a1928: blame (G) | banne þanne (most mss)]

[^a1929: heght (G) | eyghe (most mss)]

[^a1930: recchles (G Cr F) | recchelesnes (most mss)]

[^a1931: & stoode (G) | stode forth (most mss) | & stode forth (Cr23)]

[^a1932: hast (G) | hast wel (most mss)]

[^a1933: lose (G) | tyne (all other mss)]

[^a1934: hys (G F) | þe (most mss)]

[^a1935: heghtes (G) | eyes (most mss)]

[^a1936: shall (G) | Ne shal (most mss)]

[^a1937: wyth -owte (G) | but (most mss)]

[^a1938: heyghtes (G) | eyghes (all other mss)]

[^a1939: wynters (G) | wynter (all other mss)]

[^a1940: or fyftye or (G O C2) | and a fyfte (most mss) | or fifty and (Cr23 C Y B)]

[^a1941: heyghtes (G) | eyes (most mss)]

[^a1942: In my (G Cr23 O C2 R) | in (all other mss)]

[^a1943: heyghtes (G) | eyes (all other mss)]

[^a1944: fecche (G) | fecche þe (most mss)]

[^a1945: to (G Cr) | forto (most mss)]

[^a1946: pecia (G) | pena (all other mss)]

[^a1947: sweete (G) | so swete (all other mss)]

[^a1948: then (G) | ȝarn (most mss)]

[^a1949: hyr (G) | hir faire (all other mss)]

[^a1950: I fo vnde (G) | þo fonde I (all other mss)]

[^a1951: was (G) | were (all other mss)]

[^a1952: þer (G) | riȝt þere (most mss)]

[^a1953: þat he (G) | þat (all other mss)]

[^a1954: to (G Hm) | forto (all other mss)]

[^a1955: so (G M F) | bi so (most mss)]

[^a1956: but (G F) | Ac (most mss)]

[^a1957: merytoryo vse (G) | merytorie (all other mss)]

[^a1958: to (G) | it is to (most mss)]

[^a1959: to (G F) | to þe (most mss)]

[^a1960: peccatum & cetera (G Y) | peccatum (most mss)]

[^a1961: but (G F) | Ac (most mss)]

[^a1962: dorste (G) | durste quod I (all other mss)]

[^a1963: take (G L M R) | toke (all other mss)]

[^a1964: quemquam & cetera (G Hm R) | quemquam (all other mss)]

[^a1965: falsheyde (G) | Falsenesse (most mss)]

[^a1966: & (G C B F) | ne (all other mss)]

[^a1967: sa vter (G C B) | sauter also (all other mss)]

[^a1968: seyde (G) | seithe (all other mss)]

[^a1969: locutum l[i]c[i]tum (G) | licitum (most mss)]

[^a1970: to (G) | for (all other mss)]

[^a1971: me me[n] (G) | men (all other mss)]

[^a1972: eche (G C B) | eche a (most mss)]

[^a1973: g vntethe g[ra]untethe (G) | graunteth (all other mss)]

[^a1974: to þis (G) | for þat (all other mss)]

[^a1975: tales (G) | no tales (most mss)]

[^a1976: þis (G) | þe (all other mss)]

[^a1977: but (G F) | Ac (most mss)]

[^a1978: sey (G) | sey it (most mss)]

[^a1979: noght (G F) | nouȝte fyrste (all other mss)]

[^a1980: a thyng (G Y B) | No þinge (most mss) | And thyng (C O C2)]

[^a1981: ytt (G Hm) | þow it (all other mss)]

[^a1982: looue (G) | laude (most mss)]

[^a1983: no (G) | ne (all other mss)]

[^a1984: yt not (G C2) | it (most mss)]

[^a1985: parcius & cetera (G Hm Bm) | parcius (most mss)]

[^a1986: sayethe (G) | seith sothe (most mss)]

[^a1987: starte (G) | skipte (most mss)]

[^a1988: but (G F) | Ac (most mss)]

[^a1989: theyre (G) | her (all other mss)]

[^a1990: theyre (G) | her (all other mss)]

[^a1991: come (G) | plenere comen (all other mss)]

[^a1992: vpynned v[n]pynned (G) | vnpynned (all other mss)]

[^a1993: p vlled (G) | plukked (all other mss)]

[^a1994: rome (G) | go rowme (most mss)]

[^a1995: þat (G) | her (most mss)]

[^a1996: weyrye (G) | were (all other mss)]

[^a1997: þei (G) | I (all other mss)]

[^a1998: scientes (G Cr2) | sicientes (Cr13 W Hm) | scicientes (L M C O C2 B R F)]

[^a1999: ad aquas et cetera (G Hm) | & cetera (most mss)]

[^a2000: drynke (G) | drynke bote (most mss)]

[^a2001: men (G) | come (most mss)]

[^a2002: cleame (G) | and cleyme (all other mss)]

[^a2003: he (G R F) | þat he (all other mss)]

[^a2004: co veyte (G) | coueyted (all other mss)]

[^a2005: but (G F) | Ac (most mss)]

[^a2006: areragys (G Cr B) | arrerage (most mss) | reragis (F)]

[^a2007: fro (G R F) | so fro (all other mss)]

[^a2008: hys owne (G) | home (all other mss)]

[^a2009: but (G) | Ac (most mss)]

[^a2010: theym (G) | him (most mss)]

[^a2011: but (G) | But if (all other mss)]

[^a2012: ys (G) | is soth (all other mss)]

[^a2013: mekenes (G) | mekenesse hir (most mss)]

[^a2014: as (G F) | as owre (all other mss)]

[^a2015: bookes (G) | bokes telleth (most mss)]

[^a2016: on (G) | quod one (all other mss)]

[^a2017: was a (G) | had ben a (most mss)]

[^a2018: hym (G B F) | me (most mss)]

[^a2019: hys (G F) | my (all other mss)]

[^a2020: beyde (G) | any bede (most mss)]

[^a2021: & by (G) | of (most mss)]

[^a2022: ly vyng (G F) | my lyuyng (all other mss)]

[^a2023: þe (G F) | a (all other mss)]

[^a2024: gregory (G) | seynt Gregorie (all other mss)]

[^a2025: lordes (G) | ȝe lordes (most mss)]

[^a2026: & to (G) | and (all other mss)]

[^a2027: trew (G) | treuthe (all other mss)]

[^a2028: ne (G F) | þer-by ne (most mss)]

[^a2029: & (G) | and þe (most mss)]

[^a2030: morte et cetera (G Y) | morte (all other mss)]

[^a2031: off men (G Cr F) | men (all other mss)]

[^a2032: le ven (G) | Louen (most mss)]

[^a2033: leynd (G) | lene (most mss)]

[^a2034: hym (G C Y B) | hem (most mss)]

[^a2035: att hys nede (G) | as her-selue (most mss)]

[^a2036: confyrme (G Y) | confourme (all other mss)]

[^a2037: p vrsuede (G Cr W Hm) | pursueth (most mss)]

[^a2038: kyknes [l]yknes (G) | liknesse (all other mss)]

[^a2039: off (G) | of owre (all other mss)]

[^a2040: hey ven (G) | blisse (all other mss)]

[^a2041: by (G) | vs bi (all other mss)]

[^a2042: when (G F) | þat when (all other mss)]

[^a2043: kynne (G O C2 B R) | kynnes (most mss)]

[^a2044: but (G F) | Ac (most mss)]

[^a2045: other (G M) | so other (all other mss)]

[^a2046: but (G) | Ac (most mss)]

[^a2047: all we er (G) | alle are we (most mss)]

[^a2048: off (G F) | þere of (all other mss)]

[^a2049: wonne (G Cr O C2) | ywonne (all other mss)]

[^a2050: synne ytt (G Cr F) | it synne (all other mss)]

[^a2051: to (G) | til (all other mss)]

[^a2052: as (G) | as leue (all other mss)]

[^a2053: on (G O C2 F) | of (most mss)]

[^a2054: eche (G) | þat eche (all other mss)]

[^a2055: ne (G) | ne of (most mss)]

[^a2056: come (G) | comune (most mss)]

[^a2057: & (G) | or (all other mss)]

[^a2058: but (G Cot R F) | but if (all other mss)]

[^a2059: lere (G) | lerne (all other mss)]

[^a2060: sayethe (G) | seide (most mss)]

[^a2061: helpe (G) | helthe (all other mss)]

[^a2062: knowe (G Cr Hm C) | yknowe (all other mss)]

[^a2063: as (G) | and (all other mss)]

[^a2064: thes (G Cr) | his (all other mss)]

[^a2065: wordes (G) | werkes (all other mss)]

[^a2066: the (G) | þei (all other mss)]

[^a2067: he (G) | þat he (all other mss)]

[^a2068: but (G F) | Ac (most mss)]

[^a2069: by (G) | ne by (most mss)]

[^a2070: In (G C) | in þe (most mss)]

[^a2071: they (G) | Þer (most mss)]

[^a2072: segh (G) | segge (all other mss)]

[^a2073: segge (G) | seigh (all other mss)]

[^a2074: In þe (G) | in (most mss)]

[^a2075: Iesus (G Bm) | Ihesu (all other mss)]

[^a2076: In (G) | cryste on (all other mss)]

[^a2077: hym -sel ve (G) | self (most mss)]

[^a2078: matha ma[r]tha (G) | Marthaes (all other mss)]

[^a2079: marye (G) | Maries (all other mss)]

[^a2080: but (G F) | Ac (most mss)]

[^a2081: pacyence (G Cr) | pacience it (all other mss)]

[^a2082: an (G C2) | on a (most mss)]

[^a2083: taken (G Cr Hm) | ytake (all other mss)]

[^a2084: a (G) | and a (most mss)]

[^a2085: whyle (G) | wille (all other mss)]

[^a2086: seyne (G Cot) | seeth (most mss)]

[^a2087: as (G Cr23 B F) | þat (all other mss)]

[^a2088: volenti et cetera (G Hm Y R) | volenti (all other mss)]

[^a2089: þe (G) | her (all other mss)]

[^a2090: shall (G C) | shulde (all other mss)]

[^a2091: shall (G C) | shulde (all other mss)]

[^a2092: or (G) | for (most mss) | or for (Cr23 B)]

[^a2093: þat (G) | & (most mss)]

[^a2094: afore (G) | byfor (all other mss)]

[^a2095: þe (G) | his (all other mss)]

[^a2096: a-fore (G) | bifor (all other mss)]

[^a2097: crouned (G C B) | crouneth (most mss)]

[^a2098: wysely (G) | sapienter (most mss)]

[^a2099: but (G) | Ac (most mss)]

[^a2100: euere (G Cr23 O C2 Y) | her euer (B) | her (most mss)]

[^a2101: episcopos excusat (G) | excusat episcopos (all other mss)]

[^a2102: off (G O C2 F) | on (all other mss)]

[^a2103: & but (G) | Ac (most mss) | And (Cr C C2)]

[^a2104: neue ved neue[n]ed (G) | nempned (most mss)]

[^a2105: hyghe (G) | hyȝte (most mss)]

[^a2106: makes (G Cr W F) | make (all other mss)]

[^a2107: yedene (G W O C2) | þei ȝeden (most mss)]

[^a2108: woddes (G) | wodes and (all other mss)]

[^a2109: fell (G Cr) | fele (all other mss)]

[^a2110: In (G F) | and in (all other mss)]

[^a2111: In mo vrnes (G) | a-mornynges (most mss)]

[^a2112: lyethe (G) | leythe (most mss)]

[^a2113: off (G F) | how (most mss)]

[^a2114: þat (G F) | for (all other mss)]

[^a2115: breden (G Cr23 F) | bredden (most mss)]

[^638: G.12.2: The loop on the <l> of lyght has been added in brown ink.]

[^639: G.12.14: The form resulting from this alteration (i.e. heyghtes for earlier heyghes) is the form regularly employed by the original scribe when "eyes" occurs in this particular phrase ("covetise of eyes" translating "concupiscentia oculorum;" 1.John 2:16). See G.12.32, G.12.40 etc. However, the G scribe's usual form for "eyes" is ey(e)ne and it seems likely that the spelling found here and elsewhere in this passus results from a misunderstanding. The form found in the scribe's exemplar was probably heyghes (or possibly, given the spelling at G.12.32 and the correction at G.12.52, heghes). Elsewhere in the text the scribe has, presumably, recognised this as a form of "eyes" and replaced it with his own usual spelling. There is, after all, no possibility of confusion at, for instance, G.1.74 where heyghes appearing after "bleared their" could scarcely mean anything else. However, the expression "covetise of eyes," though common in medieval pastoralia, may not have been so familiar by the sixteenth century, and there would then be nothing in the words "covetise of" to suggest that "eyes" must follow. The scribe, both in his original transcription and here as the brown ink corrector, appears to have interpreted the phrase as meaning something like "covetousness of rank or position"(see OED height, n., 7).]

[^640: G.12.21: The alteration of wole to wyle is in slightly blacker ink than the surrounding letters but no blacker than that of other sections of the original on the same page. The scribe has also re-outlined the original <l>.]

[^641: G.12.22: Given the frequent appearance in G of <s> for <sh> and vice versa G's reading shew for remaining B manuscripts suwe="follow" is not necessarily a substantive variation. See Introduction III.4.1.]

[^642: G.12.32: For G heght for most manuscripts eyghe, see note to G.12.14.]

[^643: G.12.40: For G heghtes for most manuscripts eyes, see note to G.12.14.]

[^644: G.12.46: For G heyghtes for remaining manuscripts eyghes, see note to G.12.14.]

[^645: G.12.50: For G heyghtes for most manuscripts eyes, see note to G.12.14.]

[^646: G.12.52: For G heyghtes for most manuscripts eyes, see note to G.12.14.]

[^647: G.12.52: Immediately after the first <e> of heyghtes, the scribe began to write <g> and then changed it to <y>. Compare the spelling at G.12.32.]

[^648: G.12.68: The word shold has been re-outlined in black ink.]

[^649: G.12.69: The <d> of "should" has been re-outlined by hand1.1.]

[^650: G.12.72: The scribe has run out of space and writes the last word (connyng) above the line, partly boxed in grey ink.]

[^651: G.12.76: The G M F reading so (for most manuscripts bi so), results in a b-verse without an alliterating syllable.]

[^652: G.12.80: The colour of the ink here suggests that the spelling of the word "baptizing" has been corrected by the original scribe. Note the spelling at G.12.82.]

[^653: G.12.100: G's erroneous form of Bx graunteth is probably yet another indication of the G scribe's failure fully to understand the significance of superscript <a>. See notes to G.3.157 and G.4.156 and Introduction IV.1.1.]

[^654: G.12.105: C2 shares G's original omission of ytt. The addition brings G's reading into line with that of remaining B manuscripts.]

[^655: G.12.107: G alone uses the contracted form of the past participle (amend).]

[^656: G.12.116: No abbreviation mark is visible over the initial <v> of G vpynned.]

[^657: G.12.124: The phrase ad aquas, found in G and Hm, is absent from most B manuscripts but present in all C manuscripts. However, the correspondence beween the C and G Hm readings may well, like the shared readings at G.19.268, simply be due to shared recollection of the biblical passage (Isaiah 55:1).]

[^658: G.12.131: This letter <n> has been abandoned because it was blotted.]

[^659: G.12.133: A single letter appears to have been erased here and replaced by no. It is impossible to tell what the original letter was, but a tail is faintly visible. The virgule was probably added at the time of the correction and it acts as a word separator, but its position in the line suggests that it may also have metrical significance.]

[^660: G.12.134: The G R F reading fro (for remaining manuscripts so fro) is adopted by Kane and Donaldson, and is also shared by almost all C manuscripts.]

[^661: G.12.144: The first example of eius is smudged and may possibly have been lined through.]

[^662: G.12.154: Kane and Donaldson adopt the G reading beyde. Most B manuscripts read any bede.]

[^663: G.12.163: Kane and Donaldson record cancelled <th> as the, later cancelled, but the word seems to have been abandoned before any <e> could be written.]

[^664: G.12.181: A virgule has been added between vs and yn to separate these words after the correction.]

[^665: G.12.183: The <u> to <v> alteration made to the word heyuen has faded until it just looks like a faint brown smudge.]

[^666: G.12.189: In the case of M, the reading other (as G, cf. remaining manuscripts so other) results from the erasure of original so.]

[^667: G.12.196: The second and third letters of bycome are partly obscured by a blot, but there is no doubt about the reading.]

[^668: G.12.202: It is possible that something (a minim?) has been deleted between the second <a> and the <m> of adames .]

[^669: G.12.205: The scribe originally wrote ouer . After the deletion of the abbreviation for -er the two <u> minims function as the <n> of on.]

[^670: G.12.212: The deletion of ytt is made with a thin line in black ink.]

[^671: G.12.215: The letters of original saluen have been re-outlined in black ink.]

[^672: G.12.219:There is possibly a second very tiny <o> here (giving loogyk).]

[^673: G.12.235: For the G scribe's use of the for remaining manuscripts þei, see also note to G.2.164 and readings at G.6.150, G.6.195.]

[^674: G.12.236: The spelling <nothe> for "not" probably results from the use of superscript <t> to represent both t and th, see, e.g., abbreviations for "with."]

[^675: G.12.247: The <a> of magdelyne is written above the line.]

[^676: G.12.249: The reading solam basically corresponds to that of β4 manuscripts, though the remainder add & cetera . The majority B reading is solam ministrare.]

[^677: G.12.254: The line initial ampersand, which overlaps the margin, may be an addition by the original scribe. All other B manuscripts have some form of "And."]

[^678: G.12.263:Possibly the ampersand was originally something else (or?) and the scribe has attempted to alter it, then given up and deleted.]

[^679: G.12.284: There is an otiose bar over the first letter of minuentur.]

[^680: G.12.289:The et cetera is in the gutter and may not be visible in the image.]

[^681: G.12.309: The alteration of fals to falce uses up the space between this word and latyn.]

[^682: G.12.318: The word knyghtes has been re-outlined in much blacker ink, but there does not appear to be any alteration.]

[^683: G.12.325: Despite the addition of but, there appears to have been no attempt to cross out the ampersand at the beginning of the line. Most manuscripts read Ac.]

[^684: G.12.335: For G's treatment of B fele (here appearing as G Cr fell), see note to G.4.349.]

[^685: G.12.361: In the case of G, the spelling shared with Cr23 F (i.e. breden rather than the majority B reading bredden) does not necessarily indicate a substantive variant. Although the G scribe was clearly aware of the possibility of using single and double consonants to indicate preceding long and short vowels, his practice in this respect was by no means consistent (see Introduction III.2).]

& broght forthe þer bryddes so all abo ve þe gro vnde
& some bryddes at the byll thr vghe breythyng concey ved
& some kakeled I toke kepe howe peykokes breden[^a2116][^686]
moche merueled me what mastre they had
& wo taght þem on trees to tymbre so heyghe
þat[^a2117] nether barne ne beast myght[^a2118] þer bryddes reyche
and sythen I loked on þe see & so on þe sterres
many selko vthes I segh be noght to seye nowe[^a2119][^687]
I segh flo wers[^688] In þe frytthe & þer fayre colo vrs
& how among þe grene gresse grewe so manye hewes
& some so vre & some swete selco vthe me thoght
off hyr kynd & hyr colo vre to carpe yt were to long
but[^a2120] that most meved me & my mode changed
þat reason rewarded & re vled all beastes
sa ve man & hys make many tyme & offte
no reason them folowed & þat[^a2121] I reb vked
reason & ryght to[^a2122] hym-sel ve seyde
I haue wondre off þe quod I þat wytty arte holden
whye þou ne sueste man & hys make þat þem[^a2123] no myssfayte folowe[^a2124]
& reason arated me & seyde reche þou[^a2125] neuere
why I suffer or noght suffer þi-sel ve hast noght a[^a2126] doone
amend þou yff þou myght my[^a2127] tyme ys to abyde
sufferance ys so vereygne wert ve & a swyffte wengeance
wo sufferythe more þen god quod he no goome as I le ve
he myght amend In a myn vte wyle all þat mysstandethe
but[^a2128] he sufferythe for some mannes good & so ys our better
the wyse & þe wyttye wroote þis[^a2129][^689] In the byble
de re que te non molestat noli certare & cetera[^a2130] //
for be a man fayre or fo vle ytt fallethe not to[^a2131][^690] lacke
the shappe ne þe shafte þat god shoope hym-sel ve
for all þat he dyd was weldoo wel doo[^a2132] as holy wrytt w yttnessythe
et vidit deus cunta cun[c]ta[^a2133] que fecerat & erant valde bona : //
& bad euery creat vre In hys kynd Increasse
all to m vrthe wythe man that most woo tholye
In fo vndyng off þe flesshe & the[^a2134] feende bothe
for man was made off s oyche amatter a matter he mey not well astarte
that ne some-tyme hym betyd to folowen hys kynde
caton acordethe þerwyth nemo sine crimine viuit.//
tho caght I colo vr a-non & compsed to be shamed[^a2135]
and awaked þer -wyth woo was me then
that I yn meytelles ne myght more haue y-knowen
then seyd I to my-selffe and chydde þat tyme
now I watt what dowell ys by[^a2136] dere god as me thynkethe
& as I cast vp myne eyne oone loked on me & asked
off me what thyng yt were Iwys syr I seyde
to se moche & suffer more certes quod he It[^a2137][^691] ys dowell
haddesthowe suffered[^a2138] slepyng tho thowe were
þou sholdest haue knowe n[^692] þat clargye can & concey ved more by[^a2139] reason
for reason wold haue rehersed þe ryght as clargye seyde
and for theryne[^a2140] entremetyng there[^a2141] / arthowe forsake
philosophus esses si tacuisses et cetera[^a2142] . //
adam wyles he spake not he had[^a2143] paradysse att wyll
but[^a2144] when he mameled aboute meyte & entremete hym to knowe
the wyssdome off þe wytt off god he was put fro blysse
and ryght so fared reason by the þou wyth rewde speche
lackedest & losest[^a2145] thyng that longethe noght to be done
tho had he no lykyng for to lere the more
pryde nowe & pres vmpsyon peravent vre wyll þe appeyle
þat clarge thye companye ne kepethe not to sawe[^a2146]
shall neuer chalyngyng ne chydyng chastye man[^a2147] so sone
as shall shame & shenden hym & shape hym to amend
for lett a dronken daffe In a dyche fall
lett hym lygge looke not on hym tyll hym lyst ryse[^a2148]
for thogh reason rebuked hym þen ytt were but p vre synne
& when nede nymmethe vp[^a2149] for do vte lest he ster ve
and shame[^693] shrapethe hys clothes & hys shynnes wasshethe
þen woote þe dro vnken daffe werefore he ys to blame
ye seggen sothe quod I yche haue sene[^a2150] ytt offte
þer smytt no thyng so smerte ne swellethe[^a2151] so sore[^a2152]
as shame þer he shoythe hym for euery man hym shendethe[^a2153]
whye ye wysse me þus quod I was for I reb vked reason
certes quod he þat ys sothe & shope hym for to walke
& I aroos vpryght wyth þat & folowed after[^a2154]
& preyed hym off hys co vrtesye to tell me hys name

[^a2116: breden (G Cr R) | bredden (most mss)]

[^a2117: þat (G Cr Hm) | Þer (all other mss)]

[^a2118: myght (G) | may (most mss)]

[^a2119: nowe (G Cr C) | nouthe (all other mss)]

[^a2120: but (G F) | Ac (most mss)]

[^a2121: þat (G) | þanne (all other mss)]

[^a2122: to (G Hm O C2 F) | til (all other mss)]

[^a2123: þat þem (G) | þat (most mss)]

[^a2124: folowe (G) | hem folwe (all other mss)]

[^a2125: þou (G) | þe (all other mss)]

[^a2126: a (G) | to (all other mss)]

[^a2127: my (G) | for my (most mss)]

[^a2128: but (G) | Ac (most mss)]

[^a2129: þis (G) | þus (most mss)]

[^a2130: certare & cetera (G Hm) | certare (most mss)]

[^a2131: to (G O C2) | forto (most mss)]

[^a2132: doo (G Cr O C2) | ydo (most mss)]

[^a2133: cunta cun[c]ta (G L Y Cot F) | cuncta (all other mss)]

[^a2134: the (G) | of þe (all other mss)]

[^a2135: shamed (G) | aschamed (all other mss)]

[^a2136: by (G) | quod I by (all other mss)]

[^a2137: quod he It (G) | quod I (all other mss)]

[^a2138: suffered (G) | suffred he seyde (most mss)]

[^a2139: by (G Cr Hm B F) | þorugh (all other mss)]

[^a2140: theryne (G) | þine (all other mss)]

[^a2141: there (G) | here (all other mss)]

[^a2142: tacuisses et cetera (G Cr Hm) | tacuisses (all other mss)]

[^a2143: he had (G F) | had (all other mss)]

[^a2144: but (G Cr) | Ac (most mss)]

[^a2145: losest (G C Y) | losedest (most mss)]

[^a2146: sawe (G) | sue (most mss)]

[^a2147: man (G) | a man (all other mss)]

[^a2148: ryse (G) | to ryse (most mss)]

[^a2149: vp (G) | hym vp (all other mss)]

[^a2150: sene (G Hm B F) | yseyne (all other mss)]

[^a2151: swellethe (G) | smelleth (most mss)]

[^a2152: sore (G Bm Bo F) | soure (most mss)]

[^a2153: shendethe (G) | shonyeth (most mss)]

[^a2154: after (GF) | hym after (most mss)]

[^686: G.12.364: For the use by G in particular of the form breden (as also Cr R) for most manuscripts bredden, see note to G.12.361.]

[^687: G.12.369: For G Cr C nowe for remaining manuscripts nouthe, see note to G.4.295.]

[^688: G.12.370: It is probably too early for the change of flouers to flowers to indicate a spelling distinction between the homophones "flour" and "flower," since this only appears to have taken place in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries; see Manfred Görlach, Introduction to Early Modern English (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1991), 56. The alteration is in black ink rather than the brown normally used by hand1.1, and appears to have been made at the time of writing rather than as part of the scribe's later programme of spelling corrections.]

[^689: G.12.388: For the G scribe's use of "this" for most manuscripts "thus," see note to G.4.76.]

[^690: G.12.390: The majority B reading (i.e. forto rather than to) results in a very long b-verse dip and Kane and Donaldson adopt the G O C2 reading to. See, however, Duggan, "Notes on the Metre."]

[^691: G.12.407: Kane and Donaldson state that original I is altered to he It by the main hand. Given that the original scribe and the later brown ink corrector appear to have been the same person, this may well be the case but it is clear that any such alteration must have been carried out in two stages, since the <t> of It is in pale grey ink whereas he has been added in brown ink.]

[^692: G.12.409: The added bar over the final <e> of knowe is in brown ink.]

[^693: G.12.427: The scribe has tried to emend <sha> to <shra> by overwriting and then abandoned the attempt.]

explicit quartus passus de dowell· //

I am ymagynatyve quod he Idle was I neuer
thogh I sytt by my-sel ve In syknes & yn helthe
I haue folowed þe In feythe þis fy ve & fortye wynters[^a2155][^694]
& many tymes haue mo ved the to thynke on thye end
& howe fell[^a2156][^695] fe venyeres fe[r]n[e]yeres[^a2157] ere faren & so fewe to come
& off thy wylde wantonnesse tho þou yong were
to amend þe[^a2158] In þi mydle age lest myght þe fayle
In þin old elde þat y vell can suffer
po verte or pennance or preyers bydde
s[^696] si non In prima vigilia nec In secunda[^a2159] ://
amend þe whyle þou myghteste þou hast be warned offte
wyth poostes off pestelences wyth po verte & wyth angres
& wyth thes bytter baleyzes god beytethe hys dere chyldren
quem diligo castigo ·//
for[^a2160] dauyd In the sa vter sayethe off s oyche as[^a2161] lo ve Iesus.
virga tua et baculus tuus ipsa me consolata sunt .//
allthoghe þou stryke me wyth þi staffe . wyth stycke or wyth yarde
ytt ys but m vrthe as for me to amend my so vle
and þou medelest þe wyth mastryes & myght go say[^697] the[^a2162] sa vter
& byd for þem þat gy vethe þe bred for there are bokes Inowe
to tell men whatt dowell ys dobetter & dobest bothe
& preychars to pro ve whatt yt ys / off manye[^a2163] peyre freres
I syghe well he sayde me sothe & somewhatt me to exc vse
sayd caton comforted hys sonne[^a2164] clerke thoghe he were
to solace hym some-tyme as I doo when I make
Interpone tuis Interdum gaudia curis ·//
& off holy men I herde howe[^a2165] þei other-whyle
pleyden þe perfytter to beene In manye places
butt[^a2166] yff þer were any wyght þat wold me tell
what were dowell and dobetter and dobest at þe last
wold I neuer do worke but wende to holy churche
and there bydde[^698] my beades but when I eyte or slepe
pa vle In hys epystle[^a2167] quod he pro vethe watt ys dowell
spes fides[^a2168] charitas & maior horum & cetera //
faythe hope & charyte and all beene goode
& sa ve men sondrye tymes but[^a2169] non so sone as charyte
for he dothe well wyth -oute do vte þat doethe as leallte teychethe
that ys yff þou be man maryed þi make þou lo ve
& ly ve forthe as lawe wyll whyle ye ly ven here
ryght so &[^a2170] þou be relygyo vse renne þou neuer forther
to rome ne to rochemadoure but as þi r vle teychethe
& hold þe vndre obedyence that hyghe way ys to hey ven
[^699] & yf ye[^a2171] be mey den to marye & myghtest contynewe
seke ye[^a2172] neuer seynt further for no soule he ylthe[^700]
for wat made l vcyfer to lese the hye hey ven
or salomon hys sapyence or sampson hys strenght
Iob þe Iewe hys Ioy dere ytt[^a2173] a-bo vghte
arystotell & other mo ypocras & wyrgyll
alysandre þat all wanne elenglyche endede
catell & kynde wytte was combrace combra[n]ce[^a2174] to theym all
Felyce hyr feyrnes fell hyr all to sklandre
& rosamound ryght so rewfully besette
the bea vte off hyr bodye In badnes she dyspendyd
off manye s oyche I myght rede bothe off[^a2175] men & off wymen
that wyse wordes can say & worche þe contrarye
sunt homines nequam de virtute bene loquentes . //
& ryche re n kes[^701] ryght so gardyden[^a2176] & sparden[^a2177]
& tho men þat þei most haten mynystren att þe[^a2178] lest[^a2179][^702]
& for þei sufferen & se so manye nedye folkes
& lo ven þem noght as god by d[^a2180] lesen theyre so vles
date et dabitur vobis et cetera ·//
& ryches ryght so but yff þe roote be trewe
but[^a2181] grace ys a gresse þeroff þe gre vance to abate
but[^a2182] grace ne growethe noght but amongest lowe
pacyence & pouerte þe place ys where[^a2183][^703] ytt growethe
& In leall ly vyng men & In lyfe holye
& thrughe þe gyffte off þe holyegoste holye goste as þe gosspell tellethe
spiritus vbi vult spirat et cetera
claregye & kynd wytt comethe off syght & teychyng
as þe boke beyrethe wyttnes to b vrnes þat can rede
quod scimus[^704] loquimur quod videmus[^a2184] testamur. //
off quod scimus comethe connyng & clargye[^a2185] off hey ven
& off quod vid imus[^705] commethe kynd wytt &[^a2186] syght of dyuers poeple
& grace ys a gyffte off god & off greate lo ve spryngethe
knewe neuer clerke howe ytt comethe forthe ne kynd wytt þe wayes[^706]
nescit aliquis vnde venit aud[^707] quo vadit & cetera //
&[^a2187] yett ys clargye to commend & kynd wytt bothe
& namely clarg ye for crystes lo ve þat off clargye ys roote
for moyses wytnessethe þat god wrote for to wysse the poeple
In þe olde lawe as þe lettre tellethe was[^a2188] þe lawe off þe[^a2189] I ves
þat what woman were In awowtre taken ryche other po vre
wyth stones men sh old hyr stryke & stonon hyr to dethe
a woman as we fynden was gyltyffe off þat dede
but[^a2190] cryste off hy s[^708] co vrtesy thrughe clargye hyr sa ved
For thrugh carectes þat cryste wroght[^a2191] þe Iewes knewe þem-sel ve
more gyltye[^a2192] as before[^a2193] god & gretter In synne
þen þe woman þat þer was & went a-way for shame
þe clargye þat there was comforted the woman
holye kyrke knowethe þis þat crystes wrytyng sa ved
so claregye ys comforte to creat vres þat repenten
& to mansed men myscheffe att theyre ende
for goddes bodye myght noght be off bred wyth -o vte clargye
the wyche bodye ys bothe boote to the ryghtffull
& dethe & dampnatyon to theym þat dye y vell
as crystes carectes conforted & bothe c vlpable shewed
the woman þat þe Iewes broght þat Iesus thoght to sa ve
nolite Iudicare et non Iudicabimini · & cetera.//
ryght so goddes bodye[^a2194] but ytt be worthylye taken
dampnethe vs att þe day off dome as þe carectes dyd þe Iewes
forthy I co vnseyle þe for crystes sake clargey to lo ve
for kynd wytt ys off hys kynne & nyghe cos vns bothe
to our lorde le ve me / lo ve þem forthy[^a2195] I redde
for bothe be as myrro vrs to amend our defa vtes
& leyders for lewde men & for lettered bothe
forthy lack þou neuer logyk law ne thes[^a2196] costomes
ne contrepleyde clerkes I co vnseyle þe for e ver
for as a man may noght see þat myssethe hys eyne
no more can a[^a2197] clarke but[^a2198] he caght ytt[^a2199] thrugh bokes
all-thogh men made bokes god was þe master
& seynt spyryte hys samplarye & sayde whatt men sh olde wryte
& ryght as syght ser vethe a man to see þe hye streete
ryght so leydethe lett vre[^a2200] lewde men to reason
& as a blynd man In batell beyrethe weypen to fyght
& hathe no happe wyth hys axe hys enmye to hytte
no more can a kynd wytted man but clerkes hym teyche
come for all hys kynd wytte to cr ystendome & be sa ved
whyche ys þe coffre off crystes treaso vr & clerkes kepe þe kayes
to vnlocken ytt at t[^709] t heyr lykynge[^710] & to þe lewde poeple
gyffe mercye for þer myssdedes yff men ytt wole aske
boxomeleche & benynglyche and bydden ytt off grace
archa dei / In þe old lawe le vytes ytt kepten
had neuer lewde man le ve to ley hand on þe cheyste
but he were preste or prestes sonne / patriarke /or prophete
for claregy ys keper vndre cryste off hey ven
was þer neuer no knyght but claregye hym made
butt[^a2201] kynd wytt comethe off alkynnes syghtes
off bryddes & off bestes off tastes off trewthe & of deceytes
ly vyers before[^a2202] vs vseden the[^a2203] marke
the selco vthes þat þei see þer sonnes to[^a2204][^711] teyche
and helde an[^a2205] hyghe scyence theyr wyttes to knowe
as[^a2206] thrugh theyr scyence sothely was neuer so wle sa ved
ne broght by þer bokes to blysse ne to Ioy
for all theyre kynd knowyng comethe[^a2207][^712] but off dyuers syghtes
patryarkes & prophetes repro ved theyre scyence
& seyden þer wordes ne þer wyssdomes were not[^a2208] but a folye
& as[^a2209] to þe clargy off cryste ys co vnted but a tryf vll
sapientia huius mundi stulticia est apud deum et cetera[^a2210] //
for þe hyghe holygoste holy goste hey ven shall to-cle ve
and lo ve shall leype oute after In-to þis lowe yerthe
and cleynnesses shall cacchen ytt & clerkes shall yt fynd
pastores loquebantur ad Inuicem et cetera //
he speykethe þer off ryche men noght ne off ryght wyttye
ne off lordes þat were lewdemen lewde men but[^a2211] hyeste lettered oute
Ibant magi ab oriente et cetera //
yff any frere were fond there I gy ve þe fy ve fyngers[^a2212]
ne In no beggers cote was þat barne borne
but In a burgeys place off bethelem the best
set non erat locus In diuersorio & pauper non habet diuersorium. //
to pasto vrs & to poeetes appered the angell
& bad theym go to bethelem goddes byrthe to hono vre
& song a song off sola ce / gloria in excelsis deo .//
clerkes knewen ytt well & came wyth theyr presentes
& dyd theyr homage honerably to hym þat was almyghtye
[^713]& goddys sonne þat syttethe yn hey ven & shall sa ve vs all
whye I haue tolde þe all þis I toke full good hede
howe þou contraryest clare gy wyth crabbed wordes
how þat lewde men lyghlyer[^a2213][^714]þen lettered were sa ved
then clerkes or kynd wytted men off crysten poeple
& þou seydest sothe off some but[^a2214] se ytt[^a2215] yn whatt man er ere manere[^a2216][^715]
take two strong men & In temse cast them
bothe[^a2217] naked as a nelde non[^a2218] sykerer then other
þe[^a2219] on hathe connyng & can s wymmyn & dy ven
þe[^a2220] other ys lewde off þat labour & lerned[^a2221] neuer to swymme
wyche trowesthowe off þes[^a2222] two In temse ys yn most drede
he þat neuer dy ved ne noght can off swymmynge
or þe swymmere þat ys sa ve so[^a2223] hym-sel ve lyke
therys[^a2224][^716] hys felow fletethe forthe as þe flo vde lykethe
& ys In drede to drenche þat neuer dyd swymme
þat swymme can noght ytt[^a2225] semethe to my wyttes
ryght so quod þe re vke re[n]ke[^a2226] reason ytt showethe
that he þat knowethe claregy can soner aryse
oute off synne & be sa ve thoghe he synne offte
yff hym lykethe & lyst þen any lewde leally
for yff a[^a2227] clerke be connyng he knowethe what ys synne
and how contrycyon wyth -owte confessyon confortethe þe so vle
þou[^a2228] seest yn þe sa vter In psalmes on or twey
how contrycyon ys commendyd ytt[^a2229] cacchethe away synne
beati quorum remisse sunt Iniquitates et quorum[^a2230] et cetera //
& þis confortethe eche[^a2231] clerke & couerethe hym fro whanhope
In wyche floode þe fende fondethe a man hardest
there þe lewde lyen[^a2232] styll & loken[^a2233] after lenten[^a2234]
& hathe no contrycyon er he go[^a2235] to shryfte þen[^a2236] can he lytle tell
& as hys loores man lernethe[^a2237] hym bele vethe & trowethe
& þat ys after persone or perysshe preeste & pera venture
vnconnyng to leere lewde men as luke beyrethe wyttnes
dum cecus ducit cecum et cetera ·//
wo was hym marked þat wade m vste wyth the lewde
well may þe berne blysse þat hym to boke sette
þat ly vyng[^717] after letterure sa ved hym ly ve & so vle
dominus pars hereditatis mee & cetera ys a myry versett
that hathe taken fro tyburne xxti twenti strong the ves
ther lewde the ves ben lolled vp loke how þei be sa ved
the theffe þat had grace off god on good fryday as þou spake
was for he yolde hym creante to cryste on þe cros & knew hym gylty
& grace axed off god & he ys e ver redye
þat boxomely byddethe ytt &[^a2238] In wyll to amend hym[^a2239]
and thogh þat theffe had hey ven he had no hygh blysse
as seynt Ihon & other seyntes þat deser ved ytt[^a2240] better
ryght as some men gy ve me meyte & sytt[^a2241] me amydde þe floore
Iche haue meyte more þen Inoghe but[^a2242] not so moche worshyppe
as tho þat sytten at þe table wyth[^a2243] soueregnes yn[^a2244] the hall
but sytt as beggers bredles[^a2245] by my-sel ve on the grownde
so ytt farethe by þat felon þat on goodfryday good fryday was sa ved
he syttethe not[^a2246] by seynt Ihon nether symon[^a2247] ne I vde
ne wyth meydens ne martyres confesso vrs ne wydowes
by[^a2248] hym-selfe as a soleyn and ser ved on the yerthe
for he þat ys on ce a theffe ys euer -more In da vngere
and as lawe lykethe to ly ve or to dye
de peccato propiciato noli esse sine metu & cetera[^a2249] //
and for to ser ve a seynte & s oyche a theffe to-gedders
ytt were nether reason ne ryght to reward þem bothe ylyche
and as[^a2250] troianus þe trewe knyght tylde not depe In hell
but[^a2251] our lorde had[^a2252] hym lyghtlyche oute so le ve I þe theffe[^a2253] yn hey ven[^718]
for he ys In þe lowest hey ven yff our byle ve be trewe
& well lowselyche he lollethe þer by[^a2254] law off holye churche
omnia[^a2255] reddit vnicuique Iuxta op er a[^719] sua & cetera //
& why þat on theffe on the cros creaunt[^720] hym yelded
rather then þe[^a2256] other theffe thogh þou wold apposse
all þe clarkes vndre cryste ne co vld þe skylle assoyle
quare placuit quia voluit et cetera[^a2257] //
and so I say by þe þat sekest after þe whyes
and reasonedest[^a2258] reason a rebukyng as ytt were
& off þe flo vres yn þe frythe & off þi er[^721] feyre hewes
whereoff þei cacche theyr colo vrs so fayre[^a2259] & so bryght
& wyllest of bryddes & bestes & off þeir bredyng knowe
whye some be a-lowe & some be a-lofte[^a2260] þi lykyng yt were
& off þe stones &[^a2261] sterres / thow studyest as I wene[^a2262]
how euery[^a2263] beaste or byrde hathe so breeme wyttes
clargye ne kynd wytt[^a2264] knewe neuer the ca vse
but[^a2265] kynd knowethe ytt[^a2266] hym-sel ve & no creature elles
he ys þe pyes patrone & puttethe In hys[^a2267] yere
that þer þe thorne ys thyckest to bylden & breede
& kynd kennethe þe peycocke to kauken In s oyche a kynde
& kenned adam to knowe hys pry vye membres
and taght hym & e ve to hyllen þem wyth ley ves
lewde men manye tymes masters apposen
why adam hylled not furste hys mo vthe or þat[^a2268] ete[^722] þe apple
rather then hys lykhame a-lowe / lewde axen th vs clerkes
kynd knowethe whye he dyd so & no clerke elles
but[^a2269] off bryddes & off beastes men off[^a2270] olde tyme
ensamples token & termes as tellen thees poettes
& that the fayrest sothely[^a2271][^723] þe fowlest Ingenderethe
& febelest fowle off flyght ys þat flyethe or swymmethe
that[^a2272] ys the peycock & þe powen pro vde ryche men þei betokene
for[^a2273] peycock yff[^a2274] men pursewe hym may noght flye hyghe
for[^a2275] tra vylyng[^a2276] off hys teyle o ver-taken ys he sone
& hys flesshe ys fowle flesshe & hys feete bothe
& vnlo velyche off leden / & laythe for to here
ryght so the ryche yff he hys ryches kepe
& deale[^a2277] ytt noght tyll hys dethe day hys[^a2278] tayle off all sorowe
ryght as þe pennes off þe peycock peined[^a2279] hym In hys flyght
so ys possessyon peyne off peynns or[^a2280] off nobles
to all þem þat[^a2281] holden to[^a2282] þeir taylles[^a2283] be pl vcked
& thogh þe ryche repent þen & rewe[^a2284] the tyme
þat euer he gadered so greate & ga ve þeroff so lytle
thogh he crye to cryste[^a2285] wyth kene wyll I lee ve
ys leden ys In our lordys ere[^724] lyke a peyse[^a2286][^725]
& when hys caryon[^726] shall come In ca ve to be buryed
I le ve yt fla vmbe full fowle[^a2287] all abowte
& all other[^a2288] þer he[^a2289] lyethe en venymethe thrugh hys acter a[t]ter[^a2290]
by þe poo feete ys vndrestand as I lerned In auynette
exec vtors false frendes þat fullfylnot fullfyl not hys wyll
that was wryten & þer[^a2291] wyttnes to worche as yt wolde
þis[^a2292][^727] þe poett pro vethe þat þe peycock for hys feythers ys re verensed[^728]
ryght so ys þe ryche by þe[^a2293] reason[^729] off hys goodes
the larke þat ys a lasse fowle ys more lo velyche off leden
& well away off w ynge[^730] swyfter þen the peycocke
and off flesshe by fell[^a2294][^731] folde fatter & swetter
to lowe ly vyng men þe larke ys resembeled
alyzandre[^a2295] þe greate clere cler[k]e[^a2296] s oyche tales tellethe
th vs he lykenethe yn hys logyk þe leeste soghell[^a2297][^732] o vte
& whedre he be sa ve or noght þe sothe whoote þe[^a2298] clargye
ne off sortes ne salomon no scrypture can tell
but[^a2299] god ys so good I hope þat sythen he ga ve þem wyttes
to wyssen vs wayes wyth[^a2300] þat wysen vs to be sa ved
& þe better for theyr bokes to bydde we be holden
that god for hys grace gy ve theyr so vles rest
for lettered men were lewde yet nere[^733] loore off þeir bokes
all þes clarkes quod I tho that on cryste[^734] lee ven
syggen yn þer sermones þat no sarezenes ne Iewes
ne no creature of crystes lyknes wythoute crystendome worthe sa ved
contra quod Imagynaty ve &[^a2301] comsed to[^a2302] lo vre
and seyde saluabitur vir[^a2303] Iustus in die Iudicij
ergo saluabitur quod he & sayd no more laten
troianus was a trew knyght & toke neuer crystendome
& he ys sa ve so sayethe the booke & hys so vle In hey ven
for þer ys fullyng off fonte and fullyng In bloodshedyng blood shedyng
& thrugh f yre[^735] ys fullyng and þat ys ferme byle ve
aduenit ignis diuinus non comburens set illuminans & cetera //
but[^a2304] trewthe þat tresspassed neuer ne tra versed ageynst hys lawe
and[^a2305] ly vethe as hys lawe teychethe & le vet h þer be non bettre
and yff þer were he wolde amend & In s oche wyll dyethe
ne wolde neuer trewe god but trewthe were alowed
and were ytt worthe or noght[^a2306] byle ve ys greate of trewthe
and an hope hangyng þer -yn to ha ve mede for hys trewthe
quia deus dicit[^a2307] quasi[^a2308] vitam eternam suis hoc est fidelibus
et alibi si ambulauero In medio vmbre mortis et cetera //
the glosse gra vntethe vs on[^a2309] þat vers a greate mede[^736] to trewthe
& wytt & wyssdome quod þat vyȝe[^a2310][^737] was some-tyme treysorye[^a2311]
to kepe wythe a comen no catell[^a2312] holden better
& moche m vrthe & manhoode & ryght wyth þat he wanesshed

[^a2155: wynters (G) | wyntre (all other mss)]

[^a2156: fell (G C) | fele (all other mss)]

[^a2157: fe venyeres fe[r]n[e]yeres (G) | fernȝeres (most mss)]

[^a2158: þe (G Hm Y F) | it (all other mss)]

[^a2159: secunda (G Cr O C2 F) | secunda & cetera (all othr mss)]

[^a2160: for (G) | And (all other mss)]

[^a2161: as (G) | þat (all other mss)]

[^a2162: the (G) | þi (all other mss)]

[^a2163: manye (G C) | many a (all other mss)]

[^a2164: sonne (G) | sone þat (all other mss)]

[^a2165: howe (G F) | quod I how (all other mss)]

[^a2166: butt (G) | Ac (most mss)]

[^a2167: epystle (G) | pistle (most mss)]

[^a2168: spes fides (G) | Fides spes (most mss)]

[^a2169: but (G F) | ac (most mss)]

[^a2170: & (G) | if (all other mss)]

[^a2171: ye (G) | þow (all other mss)]

[^a2172: ye (G) | þow (most mss)]

[^a2173: dere ytt (G) | dere it he (O C2) | dere he it (L M Cr Hm Y R)]

[^a2174: combrace combra[n]ce (G) | combraunce (most mss)]

[^a2175: bothe off (G F) | of (all other mss)]

[^a2176: gardyden (G) | gaderen (most mss)]

[^a2177: sparden (G Y) | sparen (most mss)]

[^a2178: att þe (G) | it atte (all other mss)]

[^a2179: lest (G C) | laste (all other mss)]

[^a2180: by d (G) | bytte (most mss)]

[^a2181: but (G F) | Ac (most mss)]

[^a2182: but (G F) | Ac (most mss)]

[^a2183: where (G) | þere (all other mss)]

[^a2184: videmus (G) | vidimus (all other mss)]

[^a2185: connyng & clargye (G) | clergye and connynge (most mss)]

[^a2186: & (G) | of (most mss)]

[^a2187: & (G Cr C C2) | Ac (most mss)]

[^a2188: was (G R) | þat was (most mss)]

[^a2189: off þe (G) | of (most mss)]

[^a2190: but (G) | Ac (most mss)]

[^a2191: wroght (G Cr1 C O C2) | wrot (most mss)]

[^a2192: more gyltye (G) | Gultier (most mss)]

[^a2193: before (G) | afor (most mss)]

[^a2194: bodye (G F) | body bretheren (most mss)]

[^a2195: lo ve þem forthy (G) | for-þi loue hem (most mss)]

[^a2196: thes (G) | his (most mss)]

[^a2197: a (G O C2) | no (all other mss)]

[^a2198: but (G C F Cot) | but if (all other mss)]

[^a2199: ytt (G F) | it first (all other mss)]

[^a2200: lett vre (G Cr) | letterure (most mss)]

[^a2201: butt (G) | Ac (most mss)]

[^a2202: before (G F) | to-forn (most mss)]

[^a2203: the (G) | to (most mss)]

[^a2204: to (G) | for to (all other mss)]

[^a2205: an (G) | it an (most mss)]

[^a2206: as (G) | Ac (most mss)]

[^a2207: comethe (G) | come (most mss)]

[^a2208: were not (G) | nas (most mss)]

[^a2209: & as (G) | And (W) | As (all other mss)]

[^a2210: deum et cetera (G Hm Y) | deum (most mss)]

[^a2211: but (G) | but of þe (all other mss)]

[^a2212: fyngers (G) | shillynges (all other mss)]

[^a2213: lyghlyer (G C2) | liȝtloker (all other mss)]

[^a2214: but (G) | ac (most mss)]

[^a2215: se ytt (G Y) | se (most mss) | se ȝit (C O C2 B)]

[^a2216: man er ere manere (G) | manere (most mss)]

[^a2217: bothe (G) | And bothe (most mss)]

[^a2218: non (G) | her none (most mss)]

[^a2219: þe (G Cr) | Þat (all other mss)]

[^a2220: þe (G Cr) | Þat (most mss)]

[^a2221: & lerned (G B) | lerned (most mss)]

[^a2222: þes (G Y) | þo (most mss)]

[^a2223: so (G) | bi so (most mss)]

[^a2224: therys (G) | Þere (all other mss)]

[^a2225: ytt (G) | I seide it (all other mss)]

[^a2226: re vke re[n]ke (G Cr) | Renke (most mss)]

[^a2227: a (G) | þe (all other mss)]

[^a2228: þou (G) | As þow (L M Cr W R F) | and þu (Hm C O C2 Y B)]

[^a2229: ytt (G) | for it (all other mss)]

[^a2230: quorum (G) | quorum tecta (all other mss)]

[^a2231: eche (G) | vch a (most mss)]

[^a2232: lyen (G) | lith (all other mss)]

[^a2233: loken (G) | loketh (all other mss)]

[^a2234: lenten (G O C2 Y) | lente (most mss)]

[^a2235: go (G) | come (all other mss)]

[^a2236: þen (G) | & þanne (most mss)]

[^a2237: lernethe (G Cr) | leres (most mss)]

[^a2238: & (G) | and ben (all other mss)]

[^a2239: hym (G Bm Bo) | hem (all other mss)]

[^a2240: ytt (G) | hadde (most mss)]

[^a2241: sytt (G) | sette (most mss)]

[^a2242: but (G F) | ac (most mss)]

[^a2243: wyth (G F) | or with (all other mss)]

[^a2244: yn (G) | of (all other mss)]

[^a2245: bredles (G) | bordelees (all other mss)]

[^a2246: not (G) | neither (all other mss)]

[^a2247: nether symon (G) | Symonde (most mss) | ne Symond (R)]

[^a2248: by (G C B) | But by (all other mss)]

[^a2249: metu & cetera (G Hm Y) | metu (all other mss)]

[^a2250: as (G Cr) | riȝt as (all other mss)]

[^a2251: but (G Cr) | Þat (all other mss)]

[^a2252: had (G Cr F) | ne had (all other mss)]

[^a2253: theffe (G) | thef be (most mss)]

[^a2254: by (G Cr23 F) | by þe (all other mss)]

[^a2255: omnia (G) | Quia (L C O C2 Y) | Qui (M Cr W Hm B)]

[^a2256: þe (G Cr23) | þat (all other mss)]

[^a2257: voluit et cetera (G Hm Y) | voluit (most mss)]

[^a2258: reasonedest (G C B) | aresonedest (most mss)]

[^a2259: fayre (G Cr23) | clere (all other mss)]

[^a2260: be a-lofte (G) | alofte (all other mss)]

[^a2261: & (G) | and of þe (most mss)]

[^a2262: wene (G) | leue (most mss)]

[^a2263: euery (G Cr C2 B) | euere (all other mss)]

[^a2264: wytt (G F) | witte ne (all other mss)]

[^a2265: but (G F) | Ac (most mss)]

[^a2266: ytt (G) | þe cause (all other mss)]

[^a2267: hys (G F) | hire (all other mss)]

[^a2268: or þat (G) | þat (most mss)]

[^a2269: but (G) | Ac (most mss)]

[^a2270: off (G) | by (all other mss)]

[^a2271: sothely (G) | foule (all other mss)]

[^a2272: that (G F) | And þat (all other mss)]

[^a2273: for (G) | For þe (all other mss)]

[^a2274: yff (G) | and (all other mss)]

[^a2275: for (G F) | For þe (all other mss)]

[^a2276: tra vylyng (G) | traillyng (most mss)]

[^a2277: deale (G) | deleth (all other mss)]

[^a2278: hys (G) | þe (most mss)]

[^a2279: peined (G L Hm C R) | paineth (all other mss)]

[^a2280: or (G C Y B) | and (all other mss)]

[^a2281: þat (G) | þat it (most mss)]

[^a2282: to (G) | til (all other mss)]

[^a2283: taylles (G) | taille (all other mss)]

[^a2284: rewe (G) | birewe (all other mss)]

[^a2285: cryste (G) | cryst þanne (most mss)]

[^a2286: peyse (G) | pyes (most mss)]

[^a2287: fowle (G) | foule þe folde (all other mss)]

[^a2288: other (G) | þe other (most mss)]

[^a2289: he (G) | it (all other mss)]

[^a2290: acter a[t]ter (G) | attere (most mss)]

[^a2291: þer (G) | þei (all other mss)]

[^a2292: þis (G) | Þus (most mss)]

[^a2293: by þe (G) | bi (most mss)]

[^a2294: fell (G Cr) | fele (all other mss)]

[^a2295: alyzandre (G) | Arestotle (most mss)]

[^a2296: clere cler[k]e (G) | clerke (all other mss)]

[^a2297: soghell (G) | foule (all other mss)]

[^a2298: þe (G O C2) | no (all other mss)]

[^a2299: but (G F) | Ac (most mss)]

[^a2300: wyth (G) | þere-with (all other mss)]

[^a2301: & (G) | þo and (all other mss)]

[^a2302: to (G) | for to (all other mss)]

[^a2303: vir (G Cr23) | vix (all other mss)]

[^a2304: but (G F) | Ac (most mss)]

[^a2305: and (G F) | But (all other mss)]

[^a2306: noght (G) | worth nouȝt þe (most mss)]

[^a2307: dicit (G) | dicitur (all other mss)]

[^a2308: quasi (G) | quasi dans (all other mss)]

[^a2309: vs on (G) | vpon (all other mss)]

[^a2310: vyȝe (G) | wye (most mss)]

[^a2311: treysorye (G) | tresore (most mss)]

[^a2312: catell (G) | katel was (all other mss)]

[^694: G.13.3: For the G scribe's replacement of remaining manuscripts wyntre (an uninflected plural) with the inflected plural wynters, see note to G.2.100.]

[^695: G.13.5: For G's treatment of B fele (here appearing as G C fell), see note to G.4.349.]

[^696: G.13.10: This letter <s> has simply been abandoned. The scribe appears to have had rather too much ink on his pen.]

[^697: G.13.19: A virgule has been added at this point to separate say from the.]

[^698: G.13.32: Both <d>s in bydde have been re-outlined in black ink. The word is very faint.]

[^699: G.13.43: Each of the following three added lines (G.13.43, G.13.44 and G.13.45) is immediately followed by a horizontal line across the margin, indicating that the line in question is complete.]

[^700: G.13.44: The line break after he- (the first two letters of "health") means that the rest of this word starts at the very edge of the page. There may possibly have been another letter before the <y> (an <l>?), but cropping makes it impossible to be certain.]

[^701: G.13.57: The brown ink corrector has altered the <n> of renkes to <v> and hand3 has then crossed this out and added a macron above the <e>. This macron is nothing like that normally used by the original scribe or WH. Compare the similar abbreviation which appears as part of the marginalia on f.96v.]

[^702: G.13.58: G C lest and remaining manuscripts laste are probably the same word, the variation in vowel simply resulting from the date of shortening (see Brunner, Outline, section 9, note).]

[^703: G.13.65: The G reading where for remaining manuscripts þere probably results from the date of the G copy. According to the OED, the use of "there" meaning "where" died out during the sixteenth century; see OED there, adv. (a., n.) II.9.]

[^704: G.13.71: The second letter of scimus is odd and could conceivably be a minim but since there is a dot over the <i> it would be impossible to read the word as sumus.]

[^705: G.13.73: G's original reading, with the present tense (videmus) instead of the perfect (vidimus, as remaining B manuscripts), parallels that found at G.13.71.]

[^706: G.13.75: The line wraps around and the last two words are boxed in grey at the end of the following rubricated line.]

[^707: G.13.76: Probably not "and" (as Kane and Donaldson) but aud, i.e. a form of "aut," (note that the word is rubricated). For this spelling, see, e.g., Mittellateinisches Wörterbuch, ed. Otto Prinz, with the assistance of Johannes Schneider (Munich: C. H. Beck, 1967), s.v. aut.]

[^708: G.13.84: The scribe anticipated more about the actions of the woman mentioned in the previous line and so began to write "her" but then altered this to the correct reading "his."]

[^709: G.13.118: Note the double-lobed <a>, in att, a letter form not normally used by the original scribe but occasionally employed for corrections (presumably because it was clearer).]

[^710: G.13.118: The final backward curving flourish on the <g> of lykynge has been interpreted as a residual <e>. The original reading of the first half line appears to have been to vnlocken ytt to ley poeple.]

[^711: G.13.129: L originally shared the G reading to for remaining manuscripts forto, but for has been added above the line.]

[^712: G.13.133: As far as the majority of manuscripts are concerned, the verb (come) is presumably in the preterite, though for some (L M Cr W Hm) where come follows a plural subject the present tense plural is possible. The G scribe, who uses -e or-en or zero for the plural, clearly intends a present tense singular.]

[^713: G.13.154: This line, found only in β4 manuscripts, is treated by Kane and Donaldson and Schmidt as spurious.]

[^714: G.13.157: For the G spelling lyghlyer (without medial <t>), see note to G.1.150.]

[^715: G.13.159: G's original manere has been re-outlined in black ink. The new version adds an unnecessary abbreviation and the mark for this is more elaborate than is usual. See note to G.13.57.]

[^716: G.13.167: Kane and Donaldson record G's reading here as an alteration of thes to ther. However, the <s> does not appear to have been deleted and the addition above the line is clearly ry (note the dot above the <y> and the tail curling round to the right). It seems likely that this is an erroneous correction and that the resultant ys duplicates following hys (cf. M There is felawe beside the L reading Þere his felaw). The scribe may have become confused because of the form of the pronoun. Forms without h- in G are clearly not his own although they do occur occasionally (as at G.13.257) and were presumably found in his exemplar.]

[^717: G.13.189: There is a vertical mark in the text between "living" and "after," possibly the first stroke of a letter which was then abandoned.]

[^718: G.13.213: The line is too long and wraps around. The last two words are written underneath the rest of the line and are boxed in grey ink.]

[^719: G.13.216: It seems probable that the need for the line through the tail of the <p> of opera was recognised by the scribe as he wrote the following line i.e. when he had already returned to his ordinary ink.]

[^720: G.13.217: For the G scribe's treatment and use of superscript <a> (the abbreviation mark here), see note to G.4.156.]

[^721: G.13.223: The spelling of þier is unusual for the G scribe ("their" usually has -ei- rather than -ie-) and the position of the <i> immediately before the supralinear abbreviation for <er> suggests that it is an afterthought and that the scribe originally read the word as þer="there."]

[^722: G.13.237: The G scribe's reading or þat (for most manuscripts þat) followed by deleted <h> suggests that he anticipates a line with the meaning "Why Adam didn't cover his mouth before he ate the apple" instead of Bx's "Why Adam didn't cover his mouth that ate the apple." The scribe writes or þat for "before" and is about to write he but realises this is not in his exemplar and changes it to ete.]

[^723: G.13.241: The <y> of G sothely, which has had to be squashed in and which is therefore very small, is clearly a later addition. It is, however, in the same ink as the original and presumably results from the scribe's attempt to make sense of sothel, a misreading of fowel.]

[^724: G.13.257: The deletion of initial <y> of yere is in black ink. It seems unlikely to be have been carried out by the original scribe since he regularly uses <yere> for "ear" (and note his addition of <y> to eyre ("ear") at G.21.131). Since hand3 uses black ink, he may have been responsible for this alteration.]

[^725: G.13.257: G's muddle over B pyes (="magpie's"), which he transcribes as peyse, probably results at least in part from the loss of the following word ("chittering" or "chattering") from a high proportion of B manuscripts (L C G O C2 Y B R). At G.13.231 G shares the majority reading pyes.]

[^726: G.13.258: The double-lobed <a> in caryon is unusual and may result from a correction (from <o>?).]

[^727: G.13.264: For the G scribe's use of "this" for most manuscripts "thus," see note to G.4.76.]

[^728: G.13.264: The cross at the bottom right hand corner of the page is in modern pencil.]

[^729: G.13.265: The word reason has been re-outlined in blacker ink.]

[^730: G.13.267: The <y> of wynge has been touched up by the brown ink corrector who has partly filled in the loop left by the original <e>.]

[^731: G.13.268: For G's treatment of B fele (here G Cr fell), see note to G.4.349.]

[^732: G.13.271: The G scribe, or an ancestor of this scribe, presumably interpreted Bx foule as a form of "soul," hence soghell.]

[^733: G.13.278: The type of abbreviation used for final <e> on nere (a bar over the <r>) is unusual for this scribe.]

[^734: G.13.279: The second, fourth and fifth letters of cryste have all been re-outlined in black ink.]

[^735: G.13.288: The two dots over the <y> of fyre are unusual but are presumably present to make it absolutely clear what letter the corrector intended.]

[^736: G.13.298: The <d> of mede has been re-outlined in grey ink.]

[^737: G.13.299: G's vyȝe may simply be a back spelling; note the frequent use of <w> for <v> (see Introduction III.4.2).]

explicit quintus passus de dowell . //

[^738] And I awaked ther-wyth wyttles nerhande
and as a freyke þat free were forthe[^739] gan I walke
In maner off a mendynant many yeres[^a2313] after
& off thys metyng many tymes[^a2314] moche thoght I hadde
furst how fort vne me faylled at my most nede
& how þat elde manesed me we myght ne ver mete
& how þat freres folowden folke þat were[^a2315] ryche
& folke þat was po vre att lytle pryce they sett
& no corps In theyre kyrkyarde ne In theyr kyrke was buryed
but q vycke he byq vethe ought[^a2316] or[^a2317] helpe q vyte þer dettes
& how co vetyse ouercame clerkes & preestes
& how þat lewde men be ladde but our lorde þem helpe
thrughe vnconnyng c vratours to vnc vrable paynes
& how þat ymagynatyve In dremles me tolde
off kynd & off connyng & how co vrteys he ys to beestes
& how lo vyng he ys to bestes on land & on water
ley vethe[^a2318] he no lyffe lasse ne more
þe creatures þat crepen off kynd beene engendered
and sythe how Imagynatyve sayde vix[^740] Iustus saluabitur . //
& when he had seyde so how sodenlyche he passed
I lye[^741] downe long yn þis thoght & at þe last I slepte
& as cryste wold[^a2319] c ame[^742] conscyence to conforte me þat tyme
& bad me come to hys co vrte wyth clargye sh vlde I dyne
& for conscyence off claregy spake / I come[^743] wyll[^a2320] þe rather
& þer I sygh a mastre what man he was I nyste
that low lowted & lo velyche to scrypture
conscyence knewe hym well & welcomede hym fayre
they wassheden & wypeden & wenten to dynner
but[^a2321] pacyence In þe paley ce stoode In pylgrymes clothes
and preyed meyte par[^a2322] charyte for a po vre heremyte
conscyence called hym yn & co vrtesslyche sayed
welcome wysse[^a2323] go & whasshe you[^a2324][^744] shallt sytt sone
thys master was made sytte & for þe most worthye
the n[^745] clargy & conscyence & pacyence cam affter
pacyence & I were put to be macches
& sytten[^a2325] by our-sel ve att a syde boorde
conscyence called after meyte & þen came scrypture
and ser ved þem þus soone wyth[^a2326] sondrye meytes manye
off austyne &[^a2327] ambros &[^a2328] off all þe foure e vangely stes
edentes et bibentes que apud eos sunt
&[^a2329] thys master ne hys man no maner flesshe eyten
but[^a2330] þei eyte meyte off more coste mortrases[^a2331][^746] & potages
off þat men mysswonne þei made them well att easse
&[^a2332] theyr sa vce was euer so vre and vnsa vourly gro vnde
In a morter post mortem off manye byttre paynes[^a2333]
but yff they syng for tho so vles & wepe salte teyres
vos qui peccata hominum comeditis nisi pro eis lacrimas & oraciones effuderitis[^747] ea que In dilicijs com edetis in tormen tis euometis ://
conscyence co vrtesly tho commanded scrypture
before pacyence bredde to bryng & me that was hys make
he sett a so vre loofe afore[^a2334] vs & sayde agite penetentiam //
& sythe he drew vs drynke diu[^a2335][^748] perseuerans //
as long quod I as y ly ve & lygham may dure[^749]
here ys propre ser vyce quod pacyence þer fareth no knyght[^a2336] bettre
& then he broght forthe other meyte off niserere [m]iserere[^a2337] mei deus :
and[^750] beati[^a2338] quorum off beatus vir makyng
et quorum tecta sunt peccata In a dysshe
off derne shryfte dixi and confitebor tibi
bryng pacyence some pytance pry vylye quod concyence
and then came to pacyence a pytance y-broghte
off pro hoc orabit ad te omnis sanctus in tempore oportuno//
and conscyence conforted vs & carped vs mery tales
cor contritum et humiliatum deus non dispicies://
pacyence was pro vde off that propre ser vyce
& made hym myrthe wyth hys meyte but[^a2339] I moned[^a2340][^751] euer
for thys doctor on þe hygh dayes dronke wyne so faste
ve vobis qui potentes estis ad bibendum vinum et cetera[^a2341] //
he eyte manye sondrye meytes mortreses[^a2342][^752] & puddynges
wombe clo vtes and wylde bra vne & egges fryed wyth greyce
þen sayd I to my-selfe so pacyence ytt herde
ytt ys not fo vr dayes þat þis freyke before þe deane of po vles
preyched off pennances þat paule þe apostle suffered
In fame & fr igore[^753] & flappes[^754] off sco vrges
ter cesus sum & a Iudeis quinquies quadragenas et cetera //
but[^a2343] on worde þei ouerhyppen at eche tyme þat[^755] þei preychen
that poule In hys pystle to all[^756] þe poeple tolde
periculum est in falsis fratribus ·//
holy wrytt byddethe men beware I wole not wryte ytt here
In englysshe I f in[^a2344][^757] a venture ytt were[^a2345] rehersed offte[^a2346]
& gre ve therwyth þat goode beene but[^a2347] gramaryens sh olde[^a2348] rede
vnusquisque a fratre suo[^a2349][^758] custodiat quia vt dicitur periculum est in falsis fratribus
I[^a2350] sagh[^a2351] ne ver freyke þat as a frere yede en englysshe byfore men[^a2352]
take ytt for hys teme & tell ytt wyth -oute glosyng
they preychen þat pennance ys profetable to the soule
and what mysscheffe & malyce[^a2353][^759] cryste for man tholed
but[^a2354] þus[^a2355][^760] goddes glotton quod I wyth hys greate chekes
hathe no pyte on vs po vre men he perfo vrmethe y vell
that he preychethe he pro vethe noght to pacyence I tolde
and wyssed[^a2356][^761] wytterly wythe wyll full egre
that dysshes & dublers before thys ylke doctor
were molten leade In hys mawe & mawho vnde yn þe mydest[^a2357]
I shall Iangell to þis Iordane wyth hys I vste wombe
to tell me whatt pennance ys off wyche he preyched rather
pacyence percey ved watt I thoght & wynked on me to be stylle
& sayd þou shalte see þis[^a2358][^762] soone when he may no more
he shall haue a pennance In hys pa vnche & puffe at eche worde
& þen shall hys g vttes grothell[^a2359] & he shall galpen after
for now he hathe dronke so deepe he wyll denye[^a2360][^763] soone
and pro ve ytt by theyre apoc vlyppes[^a2361] & passyon off seynte a veryze[^a2362][^764]
that nether bakon ne brawne blankmangere ne morteresse
ys nether fysshe ne flesshe but foode for a pena vnte
& then shall he testyfye off a trynyte & take hys felowes to wyttnes
what he fo vnde In a freyle after freres ley vyng[^a2363][^765]
but[^a2364] yff þe furste leyeffe[^a2365][^766] be lesyng le ve me neuer after
& then ys tyme to take & to appose thys doctor
off dowell & dobetter & yff dobest[^767] be[^a2366] pennance
& I sett st yll as pacyence seyde &[^a2367] soone þus[^a2368][^768] docto vr
as r vddy as a roos r vbbed hys chekes
coghed & carped & conscyence hym herde
& tolde hym off a trynyte & towarde vs he loked
what ys dowell syr docto vr quod I ys dowell any pennace penna[n]ce[^a2369]
dowell quod thys docto vr & toke þe c vppe[^769] & dranke
do non y vell to þi e ven-crystyen noght to[^a2370] thye power
by þis day syr docto vr quod I then be ye noght In dowell
for ye han harmed vs two In that ye yete þe puddyng
mortres & other meyte & we no morssell hade
& yff you[^a2371][^770] fare so In your fermyerye farlye me thynkethe
but chest[^a2372] theyre charyte sh olde be & chyldre dorste playne
I wold perm vte my pennance wyth yours[^a2373] I[^a2374] am In poynt to dowell
then conscyence co vrteslyche a co vntenance made
and preynte vp-on pacyence to prey me be styll
and seyde hym-selffe syr doctour & yff[^a2375] ytt be your wyll
whatt ys dowell dobetter[^a2376] ye de vynours knowen
dowell quod thys doctour do as clerkes teychen
& dobetter ys he þat teychethe & tra veylethe to teyche other
& do-best hym-sel ve[^a2377] so as he sayethe & teychethe[^a2378]
Nota

[G.14.126: The symbol expanded here as "Nota" corresponds to that found at G.11.193, which Benson and Blanchfield interpret as "Nota." See note to that line.]

qui facit et docuerit magnus vocabitur in regno celorum. //
now þou clargy quod conscyence carpethe[^a2379] watt ys dowell
I haue sey ven sonnes he sayed ser ven att a castell
ther þe lorde off lyffe wonnethe to lerne þem watt ys dowell
tyll I see thos[^a2380] sey ven & my-sel ve accorden
I am vnhardye quod he to any wyght to pre ve[^771] ytt
for on pyers þe plowman hathe ymp vn gned vs all
and sett all scyenses att a soppe sa ve lo ve alone[^a2381]
& no text ne takethe to meynteygne hys ca vse
but dilige deum and domine quis habitabit et cetera//
& sayethe þat dowell & dobetter are two Insermytyes In[fyn]ytyes[^a2382][^772]
wyche Inf ynytes[^773] wyth a faythe fynden oute dobeste
wych shall haue[^a2383] mannes so vle þus sayethe pyers plowman
I can not heyren[^a2384] quod conscyence but[^a2385] I knowe pyers plowman[^a2386]
he wyll nott ageynst holy wrytte speke I dare[^a2387] vndretake
þen passe we ouer tyll pyers come & pre ve we þus[^a2388] In dede
pacyence hathe bynne In manye places & pera venture knowethe
þat no clere cler[k]e[^a2389] ne can as cryste beyrethe wyttnes
pacientes vincunt et cetera
att your preyere quod pacyence þen[^a2390] so no man dyspleasse hym
disce quod he doce & dilege dil[i]ge[^a2391] inimicos
disce & dowell doce & dobetter
dilige & dobest thus taght me on ce
a leymman þat I lo ved lo ve was hyr name
wyth wordes & werkes quod she & lo ve[^a2392] off thyne herte
thow lo ve leally thye soule all thy lyffe tyme
and so þou lere þe to lo ve for þe lordes lo ve off hey ven
thyne enmye In all wyse e vene-forthe wyth thy-sel ven
cast coles on hys heyde & all kynd speches[^a2393]
both wyth worke & worde fonde hys lo ve to wynne
& ley on hym þus wyth lo ve tyll he laghe on the
& but he bowe for þis beytyng blynd mote he worthe
but[^a2394] to[^a2395] fare þus wyth thye frende folye ytt were
for he þat lo vethe þe leally lytle off thyne co vetethe
kynd lo ve co vetethe naght no catell but speche
wyth halfe a lo vnge[^a2396][^774] lyne In laten ex vi transicionis //
I bere therynne a bea vte[^a2397] fast y-bo vnde doowell
In a sygne off þe saterday þat sett furst þe kalendre
& all þe wytt off þe wensday off þe next weke after
the mydle off þe moone ys þe myght off bothe
& ther[^a2398]wyth am I welcome ther I haue ytt wyth me
vndoo ytt lett þis doctour deme yff dowell be theryn
for by hym þat me made myght neuer po verte
myssease ne myscheffe ne man wyth hys tonge
colde ne care ne companye off the ves
ne neyther heate ne haelle ne non hell po vke
ne nother fyre ne floode ne feere off thyne enmye
teene þe att any[^a2399] tyme & þou take ytt wyth the
charitas nichil timet et cetera[^a2400] //
ytt ys but a dido quod thys doctour a dyso vrs tale
all þe wytt off þis worlde & wyght menes strenght
can not confyrme[^a2401] a pea ce betwene þe pope & hys enmyes
ne betwene two crysten kynges can no wyght pea ce make
profytable to eyther poeple & put þe table fro hym
& toke claregy & conscyence to co vnseale as ytt were
that pacyence þo m vste passe for pylgrymes can[^a2402] lye
but[^a2403] conscyence carped lo vde & co vrteslyche sayde
Freendes farethe well & fayre spake to claregye
for I wyll goo wyth thys goome yff god wyll gyve me grace
& be pylgryme wyth pacyence tyll I haue pro ved more
what quod clargye to coscyence co[n]scyence[^a2404] are you[^a2405][^775] co veto vs nowe[^a2406][^776]
after yersgyfftes[^a2407] and gyfftes or yerne to rede rydylles
I shall bryng you a byble a boke off þe old lawe
& lerne[^a2408] you yff you lyke þe best poynt to knowe
that pacyence þe pylgryme perfyttly knewe neuer
nay by cryst quod conscyence to claregye god þe foryelde
For all þat pacyence me proferethe pro vde am I but lytle
but[^a2409] þe wyll off þe wyȝe & þe wyll off folke here
hathe mo ved my moode to mowne[^a2410][^777] for my synnes
þe good wyll off a wyght was neuer boght to þe full
for þer ys no treaso vr ther-to to a trewe wyll
had not mary[^a2411] magdelyne more for a box off sal ve
then sache vs for he seyde dimidium bonorum meorum do pauperibus
and þe po vere wydowe for a pay re off mytes
þen all þo þat offered yn-to gazaphilacium.//
th vs co vrteslyche conscyence conge yde the[^a2412] frere
and syth sothelyche[^a2413] he seyde In clargyes yere
me were lyuer by our lorde and I ly ve sholde
haue pacyence perfyttly þen halffe þi packe off bokes
clergye off conscyence no congye wolde take
but seyd full sobrelyche þou shalte see þe tyme
when þou arte wery for-walked wylne me to co vnseyle
thys[^a2414] ys sothe quod conscyence so me god helpe
yff pacyence be our partyng felowe & pry vye wyth vs bothe
there ys no wo In þis worlde þat we ne sh olde amende
and confyrmen[^a2415] kynges to pea ce & all kynnes landes
sarazenes & surrye & so forthe all the Iewes
torne In-to þe trew faythe & In- to[^a2416] oone byle ve
that ys sothe quod clargye I se what þou meynest
I shall do well[^a2417] as I doo my de voyer to showe
& confo vrmen[^a2418] fantykynnes & other folke lered[^a2419]
tyll pacyence haue pro ved þe & perfytt þe maked
conscyence þo wyth pacyence passed pylgrymes as þei[^a2420] were
then had pacyence as pylgrymes ha ve In hys pooke wytayles
sobreete & symple speche & sothefast byle ve
to conforte hym & conscyence yff they come In place
þer vnkyndnes & co vetyse þes are[^a2421] hongre co vntreyes bothe
& as þei went by þe way off dowell þei carped
they mett wyth a mynstrell as me tho thoght
pacyence apposed hym furste & preyede he shold th em tell
to conscyence watt craft he co vde &[^a2422] what co vntrey he wolde
I am a mynstrell quod þat man my name ys / actiua vita : /
all Idle y hate for off acty ve ys my name
a wafrere wole þe[^a2423][^778] wytt & ser ve many lordes
and fewe robes I fonge or furred gownes
co vlde I lye to do men laghe then lacchen I sholde
other mantell or money amongest lordes mynstrelles
but[^a2424] for þat I am[^a2425] nother taber ne trompe ne tell no gestes
farten ne fythelen att feastes ne harpen
Iape ne Iogle ne gentylyche pype
ne neyther salye ne sawte ne syng wyth þe gyttren
I haue no goode gyfftes off thees greate lordes
for no bred þat I bryng forthe sa ve a benyson on þe sonday
when þe preste preyeth the poeple þe theyr[^a2426] pater noster to bydde
for pyres þe plowman and þat hym profytt weyten
and þat I am acty ve &[^a2427] Idlenes hate
for all trewe tra vylours & tyllo vrs off yerthe
for[^a2428] mychylmas to mychylmas I fynd them wyth waffres
beggers & bydders off my bred cra ven
Fayto vrs & freres and folke wyth broode c ro vnes
I fynd payne for þe pope & pro vendre for hys palferey
and I had neuer off hym haue god my trewght
nother prebend[^a2429] ne personage yet off[^a2430] popes gyfte
sa ve a perdone wyth a pece off leade and two polles In þe myddes[^a2431]
ha de eche a clere cler[k]e[^a2432] þat co vde wryte I wold cast hym a byll
that he send[^a2433][^779] me vndre hys seale a sal ve for þe pestylence
and þat hys blyssyng & hys bulles bocches myght destroye
In nomine meo demonia eicient & super egros manus imponent et bene habebunt et cetera[^a2434][^780]
and then wold I be preste to þe poeple past for to make
and buxome & bysye a-bo vte breyd & drynke
for hym & for all hys / fond I that hys perdone
myght lechen a man as I bele ve ytt sholde
for sythe he hathe þe power þat petur hym-sel ve hadde
he hathe þe pott wyth þe sal ve sothely as me thynkethe
argentum et aurum non est michi quod autem habeo tibi do In nomine domini surge et ambula[^781]
but[^a2435] yff myght off myracle fayle[^a2436] yt ys for men be not worthy
to haue þe grace off god and no gylt off the pope
For may no blyssyng done vs bote but yff we wyll amend
ne mannes masse make pea ce among crystene poeple
tyll pryde be p vrelyche fordoo and þat thrughe payne defa vte
for er I haue bredde or[^a2437] meyle erst most[^a2438] I sweyte
and er þei come[^a2439] haue corne Inowe many colde mornynges[^a2440]
so er my waffres be wroght moche wo I tholye
all london I lee ve lykethe well my wafres
and lo vren when þei lacken ytt[^a2441] ytt ys not long passed
there was a carefull come n when no carte cam to towne
wyth bredde fro strettforde then[^a2442] ganne beggers wepe
& werkmen were agast a lytle þis wylbe wyl be thoght long
In þe date off our drythe In a drye aprell
a thowsand & thre h vndrethe twysse twenty & tenne
my waffres were geyson when chechester was meyre
I tooke goode kepe by cryste & conscyence bothe
off haukyn þe acty ve man and how þat he[^a2443] was clothed
he had a cyte[^a2444] off crystendome as holye churche byle vethe
but[^a2445] ytt was moled In many places wyth many sondry pl ottes[^782]
off pryde here a pl otte & þer a pl ott off vnboxome speche
off scornyng & off scoffyng & off vnscyllfull beyryng
as yn apparell and In porte pro vde amonge þe poeple
other wayes[^a2446] then he hathe wyth herte or eyghe shewyng
hym wyllyng þat all men wend he were þat he ys noght
forthy[^a2447] he bostethe & braggethe wyth many greate[^a2448] othes
and Inobeydyent to[^a2449] vndrenomme off any lyfe ly vyng
and so syng vler by hym-sel ve ne non so pope holye
habytyd[^a2450] as an herymyte an ordre by hym-sel ve
relygyon sa a n ce[^783] r vle and reysonable obeydyence
lakkyng lettered men & lewde men bothe
In lykyng off leall lyfe and a lyere In so vle
wyth yn-wytt & wyth oute-wytt ymagenyng[^a2451] & st odye
as best for hys bodye be to haue a badde name
& entermetten hym ouer all þer he hathe nothyng[^a2452] a doone[^a2453]
wylnyng þat men wend hys wytt were þe beste
and yff he gy vethe ought to þe[^a2454] po vre gomes tell whatt he deylethe
po vre yn[^a2455] possessyon yn pur ce & In cofers bothe
and as a lyon on to looke and lordlyche off speche
boldest off beggers a booster þat noght hathe
In townes[^a2456] & In tauerens tales to tell
and segge thynges[^a2457][^784] þat he sygh neuer[^a2458] & for sothe sweyre ytt
off dedys þat he neuer dyd demen & bosten
and off workes þat he well dyd seggen[^a2459] & wyttnessen[^a2460]
loo yff þou lee ve me noght or þat I lye wenest[^a2461][^785]
aske att hym or at hym and he you can tell
what y suffered & seghe & some-tymes hadde
& what I co vld & knewe & whatt kynne I cam off[^786]
all he wold þat men wyst off werkes & off wordes
wyche myght pleasse þe poeple & preysen hym-sel ve[^787]
si hominibus placerem Cristi seruus non essem
et alibi: nemo potest duobus dominis seruire[^788]
be cryst quod conscyence þo thy best cote haukyn
hathe many mooles & spottes ytt wold[^a2462] beene y-wasshen
ye wo-so tooke kepe[^a2463] quod haukyn byhynd & byfore
whatt on backe & on[^a2464] bodye and by þe two sydes
men sholde fynd many fro vnces & many foule plottes
& he torned hym as tyte and then toke I hede
yt was fowler by fell[^a2465][^789] folde that[^a2466] ytt fust fu[r]st[^a2467] semed[^790]
ytt was by-dropped wyth wrathe and wycked wyll
wyth en vye & y vell wyll[^a2468] entysyng to fyght
lyeyng & laghyng and a[^a2469][^791] lee ve tong to chyde
all þat he wyst wycked by any wyght tell ytt
and blame men byende þer backes[^a2470] & byd þem myschance
and þat he wyste by wyll / tellen ytt watt
and þat watt wyste / wyll wyste ytt after
and made off frendes foos thrugh a fal ce tonge
or wyth myght or[^a2471] mowthe or wyth[^a2472] mannes strenght
a venge me fell[^a2473] tymes or[^a2474] freyte my-sel ve
wythyn as a shepster[^a2475] shere I shrewed men & c vrsed
cuius malidictione os plenum est et amaritudo[^a2476] sub lingua eius & cetera
et alibi : filij hominum dentes eorum arma & sagitte[^a2477][^792] lingua eorum gladius acutus
there ys no lyfe þat I lo ve lastyng any whyle
for tales þat I tell no man tr vstethe to me
& when I may noght haue þe mastrye wyth malyncoly I take
that I cacche þe crampe þe cardyacle some-tyme
or an ag ve yn s oche a angre & some-tyme a fe ver
and[^a2478] takethe me all a twelmonthe tyll þat I dyspyse
lechecrafte off our lorde & take me[^a2479] to[^a2480] a wycche
and segge þat no clerke can[^a2481] ne cryste as I lee ve
to þe sowter off sothwarke off[^a2482] shordyche dame emme
and segge þat no goddes worde ga ve me neuer boote
but thrugh a charme had y chaunce & my cheffe heale
I wayted more b vsyly[^a2483] & þen was ytt soyled
wyth lykyng off leycherye and lokyng[^a2484] off hys eyghe
for eche[^a2485] meyde þat he mette he made hyr a sygne
semyng to synwarde & some-tyme he gan taste
abowte þe mowthe or bynethe begynnethe to groope
tyll ether wyll waxe[^a2486] kene & to þe werke yeden
as well In fastyngdayes fastyng dayes as frydayes & other[^a2487] forbydden nyghtes
as[^a2488] well In lent as owte off lente all tymes ylyche
s oche werkes wyth them were neuer owte off season
tyll þei myght no more & then hadde mery tales
and how þat lechero vs lo ven laghen & Iapen
& off þer harlotrye & woredome yn theyr elde tellethe
then pacyence percey ved off poyntes off hys cote
was colomy thrugh co vetyse and vnkynd desyre[^a2489]
more to good þen to god þe gome hys lo ve cast
and ymagened how he ytt myght haue
wyth fal ce meas vrs and mett & wyth fal ce wyttnes
leyned for lo ve off þe wedde & lothe to do trewthe
& awayted thrugh wyche way to begyle
and menged hys marchadyzes marcha[n]dyzes[^a2490] & made a good m vstre
þe worste wythyn was a greate wyte I leete ytt
and my neghbour had any hynde[^a2491] or any beaste elles
more profytable then myne many s leygthes I made
how I myght haue ytt all my wytt I caste
and but I hadde by other way att þe last I stale ytt
or pry vylyche hys pur ce shooke[^793] vnpyked hys lockes
or by nyght or by day a-bo vte was I e ver
thrugh gyle to geddre þe goode þat y haue
yff I yede to þe plo vgh t I pynched so narowe
that a foote land or a forowe facchen I wolde
off my next neghbour nymen off hys yerthe
and yff I reype o verreyche &[^a2492] ga ve[^794] þem rede þat ropen
& seyse to me wyth my sycle þat I sewe ne ver
& wo[^a2493] borowethe off me abo vte[^a2494] þe tyme
wyth presentes pry vylyche or payed somme certayne
so wold he or he nold wynne I wolde
& bothe to kyth & to kynne vnkynd off þat I hadde
& wo-so cheypythe[^a2495] my chaffayre chyden I wolde
but he profered me to pay a pennye or tweyne
more þen ytt was worthe & yet wolde I sweyre
that ytt coste me moche more sware manye othes
In halydayes yn[^a2496] holychurche holy churche when I herd mas
I had[^a2497] neuer wyll woote god / wytterly to byseche
mercy for my myssdedes þat I ne mo vrned more
For losse off good le ve me then for my lyghames gylte[^a2498]
and[^a2499] yff I had deydly synne done I drede noth[^795] þat so soore
&[^a2500] when I leyned I[^a2501] lee ved ytt lost / or long or yt were payed
so yff I kydde any kyndnes myne e ven-crysten to helpe
vpon a cr vell co vetyse my herte gan hange
& yff y sent ouer þe sey[^a2502] my ser vantes to brydgys
or yn-to spr vce land[^a2503] my prentyse my profytt to awayte[^a2504]
to marchandye[^a2505][^796] wyth money & make þer[^a2506] eschanges
myght neuer man me[^a2507] conforte In þe meane tyme
neyther masse ne matyns ne no nother[^a2508] syghtes
ne neuer pennance performed ne pater noster sayed
þat my mynd ne was more on my good In[^a2509] dowte
then yn þe grace off god & In[^a2510] hys greate helpes
vbi thesaurus tuus ibi et cor tuum et cetera[^a2511] //
wych beene þe branches þat bryng a man to sloghte
hys woman[^a2512] mo vrnethe noght for hys myssdedes makethe[^a2513] no sorowe
but[^a2514] pennance þat þe preste enIoygnethe perfo vrnethe y vell
doyth / non almese dede[^797] drede hym off no synne
ly vethe ageynst þe byle ve & no lawe holdethe
eche day is an[^a2515] halyday wyth hym or a hygh feyrye
and yff he oght wyll here ytt ys an harlotes tong
when men carpen off cryst or cleynnes off soule
he waxeth wrothe & wyll not here but wordes off myrthe
pennance and po vre men & þe passyon off seyntes
he hatethe to here þeroff and all þat ytt tellythe
thes be þe branches bewarre þat bryng aman a man to whanope
the[^a2516] lordes & ladyes & legates off holycherche holy cherche
that fedethe (fooles sages)[^798] flaterers and lyers
& haue lykyng to leyen[^a2517] to[^a2518] do you[^a2519] laghe
ve vobis qui r idetis & cetera //
& gy vethe meyte[^a2520] & mede & po vre men ref vse
I I[n][^a2521] your dethe dyenge I dreede me full sore
lest þe thre maner men to moche sorowe you bryng
consencientes et agentes pari pena punientur ://
patryarkes & prophetes & preychers off goddes wordes
sa ve thrugh þer sermone mannes so vle from hell
ryght so flaterers & fooles & the fendes dyscyples
to entyse men thrugh þer tales to synne & to[^a2522][^799] harlottrye
but[^a2523] clerkes þat knowe woly[^800] wrytte sholde kenne lordes
what dauyd sayethe off s oche men as þe sa vter tellethe
non habitabit in medio domus mee qui facit superbiam et qui loquitur iniqua[^801]
sholde non harlott haue a vdyence In hall ne yn chambre
ther wyse men were wyttnessen goddes wordes
ne no mysspro vde man among lordes beene alowed
but[^a2524] flaterers & fooles thr vgh theyre fowle wordes
leyden þem[^a2525] þat lo ven theym to lucyfers feaste
wyth turpiloquio a lay off sorowe & l vcyfers fydle
thys[^a2526][^802] haukyn þe acty ve man had soyled[^a2527] hys cote
tyll conscyence co vped[^a2528] hym theroff In a co vrteyse maner
why he ne hadde whasshen ytt or wyped ytt wyth a br vsshe

[^a2313: yeres (G) | ȝere (most mss)]

[^a2314: tymes (G Hm R F) | tyme (all other mss)]

[^a2315: were (G Hm O C2 F) | was (all other mss)]

[^a2316: ought (G W) | hem auȝte (most mss)]

[^a2317: or (G) | or shulde (most mss)]

[^a2318: ley vethe (G Cr) | Leneth (all other mss)]

[^a2319: wold (G Cr F) | wolde þere (all other mss)]

[^a2320: wyll (G M) | wel (all other mss)]

[^a2321: but (G F) | Ac (most mss)]

[^a2322: par (G W O Y) | for (most mss) | pur (B F) | por (C2)]

[^a2323: wysse (G) | wye (most mss)]

[^a2324: you (G) | þow (all other mss)]

[^a2325: sytten (G Cr C O C2) | seten (all other mss)]

[^a2326: wyth (G) | of (all other mss)]

[^a2327: & (G Hm F) | of (all other mss)]

[^a2328: ambros & (G Cr W Hm F) | ambrose (most mss)]

[^a2329: & (G Cr C C2) | Ac (most mss)]

[^a2330: but (G) | Ac (most mss)]

[^a2331: mortrases (G) | mortrewes (all other mss)]

[^a2332: & (G Cr C C2) | Ac (most mss)]

[^a2333: paynes (G Cr O C2) | peyne (all other mss)]

[^a2334: afore (G) | to-for (most mss)]

[^a2335: diu (G M O C2 B) | dia (most mss)]

[^a2336: knyght (G) | prynce (all other mss)]

[^a2337: niserere [m]iserere (G) | Miserere (all other mss)]

[^a2338: beati (G) | of Beati (all other mss)]

[^a2339: but (G F) | ac (most mss)]

[^a2340: moned (G) | morned (all other mss)]

[^a2341: vinum et cetera (G Hm Y) | vinum (most mss)]

[^a2342: mortreses (G) | mortrewes (all other mss)]

[^a2343: but (G F) | Ac (most mss)]

[^a2344: I f in (G) | an (most mss) | yn (Hm B) | en (F)]

[^a2345: were (G) | sholde be (all other mss)]

[^a2346: offte (G) | to ofte (all other mss)]

[^a2347: but (G F) | ac (most mss)]

[^a2348: sh olde (G Cr Hm C B) | shul (all other mss)]

[^a2349: suo (G) | se (most mss) | suo se (Hm)]

[^a2350: I (G R F) | Ac I (most mss)]

[^a2351: sagh (G) | wist (most mss)]

[^a2352: en englysshe byfore men (G) | bifor men on englissh (most mss)]

[^a2353: malyce (G) | malese (most mss)]

[^a2354: but (G F) | Ac (most mss)]

[^a2355: þus (G) | þis (all other mss)]

[^a2356: wyssed (G C) | wisshed (all other mss)]

[^a2357: yn þe mydest (G) | amyddes (all other mss)]

[^a2358: þis (G Cr23) | þus (most mss)]

[^a2359: grothell (G O C2 Y) | gothele (most mss) | godele (L R)]

[^a2360: denye (G) | dynye (Bm Bo) | deuyne (most mss)]

[^a2361: apoc vlyppes (G F) | pocalips (most mss) | apocalipsis (B)]

[^a2362: a veryze (G Cr23) | Auereys (most mss)]

[^a2363: ley vyng (G C2 R) | lyuyng (most mss)]

[^a2364: but (G M) | And but (all other mss)]

[^a2365: leyeffe (G O C2 Cot) | lyne (L M W Hm R F) | lyue (Cr) | lif (C Y Bm Bo)]

[^a2366: be (G F) | be any (most mss)]

[^a2367: & (G F) | and þus (all other mss)]

[^a2368: þus (G) | þis (most mss)]

[^a2369: pennace penna[n]ce (G) | penaunce (most mss)]

[^a2370: to (G Cr2) | by (all other mss)]

[^a2371: you (G) | ȝe (all other mss)]

[^a2372: chest (G O C2 Y) | chest be (most mss)]

[^a2373: yours (G) | ȝowre (most mss)]

[^a2374: I (G) | for I (all other mss)]

[^a2375: & yff (G) | and (all other mss)]

[^a2376: dobetter (G) | and dobet (all other mss)]

[^a2377: hym-sel ve (G) | doth hym-self (all other mss)]

[^a2378: teychethe (G F) | precheth (most mss)]

[^a2379: carpethe (G) | carpe vs (Cot) | carpest (most mss)]

[^a2380: thos (G) | þo (most mss)]

[^a2381: alone (G) | one (most mss)]

[^a2382: Insermytyes In[fyn]ytyes (G) | infinites (all other mss)]

[^a2383: haue (G) | saue (all other mss)]

[^a2384: heyren (G) | her-on (all other mss)]

[^a2385: but (G) | ac (most mss)]

[^a2386: pyers plowman (G) | pieres (most mss)]

[^a2387: dare (G O C2 Y) | dar wel (most mss)]

[^a2388: we þus (G) | þis (most mss)]

[^a2389: clere cler[k]e (G) | clerke (all other mss)]

[^a2390: þen (G) | þo (all other mss)]

[^a2391: dilege dil[i]ge (G) | dilige (all other mss)]

[^a2392: lo ve (G) | wille (all other mss)]

[^a2393: speches (G) | speche (most mss)]

[^a2394: but (G F) | Ac (most mss)]

[^a2395: to (G) | for to (all other mss)]

[^a2396: lo vnge (G) | laumpe (most mss)]

[^a2397: a bea vte (G O C2 B) | aboute (most mss) | a beaut (C)]

[^a2398: ther (G Cr F) | here (all other mss)]

[^a2399: att any (G) | eny (all other mss)]

[^a2400: timet et cetera (G W Hm Y B) | timet (all other mss)]

[^a2401: confyrme (G Cr F) | confourmen (all other mss)]

[^a2402: can (G) | kunne wel (all other mss)]

[^a2403: but (G) | Ac (most mss)]

[^a2404: coscyence co[n]scyence (G) | conscience (most mss)]

[^a2405: you (G) | ȝe (all other mss)]

[^a2406: nowe (G Cr) | nouthe (all other mss)]

[^a2407: yersgyfftes (G) | ȝeresȝyues (most mss) | yeresegyft (Cr)]

[^a2408: lerne (G Cr B F) | lere (all other mss)]

[^a2409: but (G F) | Ac (most mss)]

[^a2410: mowne (G) | mourne (all other mss)]

[^a2411: not mary (G R F) | nouȝt (all other mss)]

[^a2412: the (G M O C2 F) | fyrst þe (all other mss)]

[^a2413: sothelyche (G C B) | softliche (most mss) | sotlyche (Y)]

[^a2414: thys (G) | Þat (all other mss)]

[^a2415: confyrmen (G Cr C B) | confourmen (all other mss)]

[^a2416: to (G M Cr Hm F) | til (all other mss)]

[^a2417: do well (G) | dwelle (all other mss)]

[^a2418: confo vrmen (G R) | confermen (most mss)]

[^a2419: lered (G) | ylered (most mss)]

[^a2420: þei (G F) | it (all other mss)]

[^a2421: þes are (G) | is (most mss)]

[^a2422: & (G) | and to (all other mss)]

[^a2423: þe (G) | ȝe (all other mss)]

[^a2424: but (G F) | Ac (most mss)]

[^a2425: þat I am (G) | I can (all other mss)]

[^a2426: þe theyr (G) | her (most mss)]

[^a2427: & (G) | þat (most mss)]

[^a2428: for (G Y) | Fro (all other mss)]

[^a2429: prebend (G) | prouendre (most mss) | prebendre (Y)]

[^a2430: off (G W) | of the (all other mss)]

[^a2431: In þe myddes (G) | amydde (all other mss)]

[^a2432: clere cler[k]e (G) | clerke (all other mss)]

[^a2433: send (G B) | sent (most mss)]

[^a2434: habebunt et cetera (G C Y) | habebunt (most mss)]

[^a2435: but (G F) | Ac (most mss)]

[^a2436: fayle (G) | hym faille (all other mss)]

[^a2437: or (G) | of (most mss)]

[^a2438: most (G F) | mote (all other mss)]

[^a2439: þei come (G) | þe comune (most mss)]

[^a2440: mornynges (G) | mornyng (most mss)]

[^a2441: ytt (G L M Hm Y) | hem (most mss)]

[^a2442: then (G) | þo (all other mss)]

[^a2443: þat he (G) | he (all other mss)]

[^a2444: cyte (G C Bm Bo) | cote (most mss)]

[^a2445: but (G F) | Ac (most mss)]

[^a2446: wayes (G) | wyse (all other mss)]

[^a2447: forthy (G) | For-why (all other mss)]

[^a2448: greate (G) | bolde (all other mss)]

[^a2449: to (G) | to ben (all other mss)]

[^a2450: habytyd (G) | Yhabited (most mss)]

[^a2451: ymagenyng (G) | ymagenen (most mss)]

[^a2452: nothyng (G) | nouȝt (most mss)]

[^a2453: a doone (G) | to done (most mss)]

[^a2454: to þe (G) | to (most mss) | the (C B)]

[^a2455: yn (G Cot) | of (all other mss)]

[^a2456: townes (G) | towne (all other mss)]

[^a2457: thynges (G) | þinge (all other mss)]

[^a2458: sygh neuer (G) | neuere seigh (most mss)]

[^a2459: seggen (G) | witnesse (all other mss)]

[^a2460: wyttnessen (G) | seggen (most mss)]

[^a2461: wenest (G) | wene (OC2F) | wenen (all other mss)]

[^a2462: wold (G) | moste (all other mss)]

[^a2463: kepe (G) | hede (all other mss)]

[^a2464: on (G O C2 R F) | what on (all other mss)]

[^a2465: fell (G Cr R) | fele (all other mss)]

[^a2466: that (G) | þan (all other mss)]

[^a2467: fust fu[r]st (G) | firste (all other mss)]

[^a2468: wyll (G) | speche (all other mss)]

[^a2469: and a (G) | and (most mss)]

[^a2470: backes (G) | bakke (all other mss)]

[^a2471: or (G) | of (most mss) | or with (W)]

[^a2472: wyth (G) | þorugh (all other mss)]

[^a2473: fell (G Cr) | fele (all other mss)]

[^a2474: or (G) | other (most mss)]

[^a2475: shepster (G L C Y R) | shepsteres (most mss)]

[^a2476: amaritudo (G) | amaritudine (all other mss)]

[^a2477: sagitte (G) | sagitte & (most mss)]

[^a2478: and (G) | Þat (all other mss)]

[^a2479: take me (G) | leue (most mss)]

[^a2480: to (G) | on (most mss)]

[^a2481: can (G F) | ne can (all other mss)]

[^a2482: off (G) | or of (most mss)]

[^a2483: more b vsyly (G) | wisloker (most mss) | bisiloker (C O C2 Y B)]

[^a2484: lokyng (G Bo Cot) | by lokyng (most mss)]

[^a2485: eche (G) | vche a (most mss)]

[^a2486: waxe (G F) | waxeth (all other mss)]

[^a2487: & other (G) | and (most mss)]

[^a2488: as (G Y F) | And as (most mss)]

[^a2489: desyre (G) | desyrynge (all other mss)]

[^a2490: marchadyzes marcha[n]dyzes (G) | marchaundyse (all other mss)]

[^a2491: hynde (G Cr) | hyne (all other mss)]

[^a2492: & (G O C2) | or (most mss)]

[^a2493: wo (G F) | who-so (most mss)]

[^a2494: abo vte (G L Cr3 R) | aboughte (most mss)]

[^a2495: cheypythe (G) | cheped (most mss)]

[^a2496: yn (G O C2 F) | at (most mss)]

[^a2497: I had (G) | Hadde I (most mss)]

[^a2498: gylte (G C Y B F) | giltes (all other mss)]

[^a2499: and (G Cr23 C B) | As (all other mss)]

[^a2500: & (G Cr1) | As (all other mss)]

[^a2501: I (G) | and (most mss)]

[^a2502: þe sey (G Hm F) | see (all other mss)]

[^a2503: spr vce land (G C Cot) | Pruslonde (most mss) | sprws (F)]

[^a2504: awayte (G) | wayten (all other mss)]

[^a2505: marchandye (G) | marchaunden (most mss)]

[^a2506: þer (G) | her (most mss)]

[^a2507: man me (G) | me (all other mss)]

[^a2508: nother (G) | manere (all other mss)]

[^a2509: In (G O C2 F) | in a (all other mss)]

[^a2510: & In (G Cr Hm) | and (most mss) | or in (F)]

[^a2511: tuum et cetera (G Hm B) | tuum (most mss) | tuum est (F)]

[^a2512: hys woman (G L C Y R) | Is qwan man (B) | Is whanne a man (O C2) | He þat (M Cr W Hm by) | þat (F)]

[^a2513: makethe (G) | ne maketh (all other mss)]

[^a2514: but (G) | And (most mss) | Ac (L O Y B)]

[^a2515: is an (G M O C2 Y) | is (most mss)]

[^a2516: the (G Cr) | Ȝe (most mss)]

[^a2517: leyen (G) | lythen (most mss)]

[^a2518: to (G) | hem to (all other mss)]

[^a2519: you (G R) | ȝow to (all other mss)]

[^a2520: meyte (G) | hem mete (most mss)]

[^a2521: I I[n] (G) | In (most mss)]

[^a2522: & to (G M W) | and (all other mss)]

[^a2523: but (G F) | Ac (most mss)]

[^a2524: but (G) | Ac (most mss)]

[^a2525: þem (G) | þo (all other mss)]

[^a2526: thys (G) | Thus (all other mss)]

[^a2527: soyled (G Cr Hm R) | ysoiled (all other mss)]

[^a2528: co vped (G) | acouped (all other mss)]

[^738: G.14.1: A mark is present in the upper right hand corner, possibly a <c>. There seems to be no codicological reason for its presence.]

[^739: G.14.2: The <r> and <t> of forthe have been re-outlined in black ink.]

[^740: G.14.19: The left hand side of the <x> of vix is faint and may have been subject to erasure (leaving vir, as in G.13.283).]

[^741: G.14.21: The form lye is a possible preterite of the verb "to lie." See G.17.266 and note to G.6.224.]

[^742: G.14.22: The top loop of the double-lobed <a> in the alteration of come to came together with the descender have been added in black ink. The alteration is very neat and it seems probable that it was carried out by the scribe who added the marginalia in an italic hand on ff.42v etc. (i.e. hand3).]

[^743: G.14.24: It appears from Kane and Donaldson's edition that G omits "come" but that is not the case.]

[^744: G.14.32: The correct reading is clearly þow (as remaining B manuscripts), but the use of inline <ou> instead of superscript <u> makes it clear that the G scribe has misread this word as "you." For scribal practice in this matter, see note to G.3.118.]

[^745: G.14.34: G's original reading the (i.e. the reading without added macron) is unique.]

[^746: G.14.42: G uses the plural mortrases (i.e. "stews" as opposed to "stew"), while the reading of the remaining manuscripts (i.e. mortrewes) is a singular (see OED mortress, n. ).]

[^747: G.14.47: The M and Hm correctors both delete the letter <n> from original effunderitis, thus bringing their reading into line with that of G and other β4 manuscripts. Remaining manuscripts have the form with <n>.]

[^748: G.14.51: In both M and Bm, the reading diu (shared with G O C2) results from correction, in the case of M from the majority B reading dia. The G M O C2 B reading is adopted by Kane and Donaldson.]

[^749: G.14.52: There is a line running from the top of the page to the place where this line should be inserted.]

[^750: G.14.55: β4 manuscripts lack "he brought vs" after "and."]

[^751: G.14.64: Kane and Donaldson interpret G's reading as moued rather than moned, but compare G's reading mowne at G.14.194.]

[^752: G.14.67: For G mortreses (for remaining B manuscripts mortrewes), see note to G.14.42.]

[^753: G.14.72: With the exception of the very first stroke, the whole of the <y> of original frygore has been crossed out and a dot added to the resulting <i>. The G scribe does not normally use spellings in <y> for Latin.]

[^754: G.14.72: The initial <s> has been provided with a cross bar, the bottom of the <h> has been deleted and an additional line through the loop of the <p> has created a double letter (all in black ink) (result: flappes).]

[^755: G.14.73: F shares G's original reading (i.e. tyme rather than tyme þat). G's corrected reading corresponds to that of remaining B manuscripts.]

[^756: G.14.75: O C2 F share G's original reading (i.e. to). The correction (to to all) brings G's reading into line with that of remaining B manuscripts.]

[^757: G.14.78: The ink used for added in suggests a correction by the original scribe, but the use of a lower case <i> suggests otherwise. However, the choice of letter may simply result from lack of room for a capital.]

[^758: G.14.80: The word suo has been crossed out in the usual greyish ink and a caret mark inserted, but the word stet has been written above the deleted word, also in grey ink. This practice presumably comes from printing and is a very early usage; the earliest instance cited by the OED is in the mid-eighteenth century (though the quotation in question clearly refers to a practice already established).]

[^759: G.14.84: Given the G scribe's spelling practices (see Introduction III.2), it is difficult to be certain that the the G reading malyce is actually a different lexical item from that of Bx malese.]

[^760: G.14.85: G's use of "thus" for remaining manuscripts "this," is probably a back formation, resulting from frequent G use of "this" for "thus." See note to G.4.76.]

[^761: G.14.88: As far as G at least is concerned, the shared G C reading wyssed (for most manuscripts wishhed) is not necessarily a substantive variant, since at some stage in the G tradition <s> was clearly often used for <sh> (see Introduction III.4.1).]

[^762: G.14.94: For the G scribe's use of "this" for most B manuscripts "thus," see note to G.4.76.]

[^763: G.14.97: The Bm Bo reading dynye may be equivalent to G denye, though it is not recorded as a spelling variant of "deny" by either the OED or the MED. Most B manuscripts read deuyne.]

[^764: G.14.98: In G Cr23, aueryze presumably means "avarice" (as far as G is concerned, note the spelling at G.15.250), but whether this should be considered a variant reading depends on the interpretation of the majority B reading Auereys. See Schmidt's note to this line.]

[^765: G.14.102: The G C2 R reading leyuyng (for most B manuscripts lyuyng) is not necessarily a substantive variant since forms of "live" in <e>/<ey> are possible. See OED live, v. 1 and LALME 1, Dot Map 467.]

[^766: G.14.103:The G O C2 Cot reading leyeffe, which is adopted by Kane and Donaldson, is also the reading of Cx. Remaining B manuscripts read lyne, lyue or lif.]

[^767: G.14.105: The end of the word dobest has been re-outlined in black.]

[^768: G.14.106: The G scribe's use of "thus" for most manuscripts "this" is probably a back formation reflecting frequent G use of "this" for "thus." See note to G.4.76.]

[^769: G.14.111: The ink colour used for the change from coppe to cvppe is not quite the same as that normally used for corrections by hand1.1, but the form and type of correction are typical of this corrector. See, e.g., the similar change at G.11.318.]

[^770: G.14.116: For the G scribe's use of you for remaining manuscripts ȝe, see note to G.2.180.]

[^771: G.14.131: The letters <nte> appear to have been crossed out more than once, both horizontally in black ink and vertically with thin lines in brown ink. Presumably the scribe originally read "preven it" as "prevent it." Note also that the form of the <p> plus bar is that normally used as the abbreviation for pro (see, e.g., prouysours at G.4.148), but the scribe must originally have intended the abbreviation here to represent <pre> (i.e. prevente rather than provente).]

[^772: G.14.136: Kane and Donaldson read G Infinytyes but the scribe has clearly written a long <s> with a slanting bar to indicate an abbreviation of er. Compare, e.g., the similar abbreviations at G.1.95 and contrast with <fy>- in fynden at G.14.137. Where the language is English, the G scribe normally uses <y> rather than <i> after <f>. Note also the apparent correction to the word Infynytes in the following line.]

[^773: G.14.137: For the G scribe's problems with the word "infinities," see previous line.]

[^774: G.14.161: Kane and Donaldson see the <g> and the <e> of G lovnge as resulting from an alteration by the main scribe. However, though the alteration of <um> to <vng> has been carried out in the brown ink used by hand1.1 (i.e. the original scribe making later spelling corrections), the final <e>, though dark, is written in the usual grey-black ink, and thus appears to be original.]

[^775: G.14.186: For the G scribe's use of you for remaining manuscripts ȝe, see note to G.2.180.]

[^776: G.14.186: For G Cr nowe for remaining manuscripts nouthe, see note to G.4.295.]

[^777: G.14.194: For G "moan" (for Bx "mourn"), compare the reading at G.14.64.]

[^778: G.14.229: The grammatical construction makes it clear that the correct reading is "will ye" (as all manuscripts except G), but the G scribe appears to have misread this as wole þe (i.e he reads the second element as either "thee" or "the"). The G scribe's practice is to use superscript letters after <þ> and inline letters after <y>. See note to G.3.118.]

[^779: G.14.251: The G B reading send (for most manuscripts sent) is ambiguous: the verb could be in the preterite or in the present tense. Note, however, that send does appear as a preterite in G in less ambiguous contexts (see G.8.23 and G.10.132).]

[^780: G.14.253: The two rubricated lines are bracketed in red on the right.]

[^781: G.14.260: The two rubricated lines are bracketed in red on the right.]

[^782: G.14.280: This and the two examples of "plots" in the following line have all been altered in the same way. Compare plottes at G.14.317 and note the different position of the line linking the vowel to the following <t>.]

[^783: G.14.290: The superscript <a> added by the brown ink corrector may be intended as an abbreviation mark (with resultant saunce). For the treatment of superscript <a> in G, see notes to G.3.157, G.4.156, and Introduction IV.1.1.]

[^784: G.14.302: Probably G interprets "thing" as an uninflected plural and therefore adds -es; see, e.g., G thynges for remaining manuscripts þyng at G.10.30.]

[^785: G.14.305: The form of the verb used by G here (i.e. wenest) is consistent with the subject "thou." Most manuscripts read "ye" but all β4 manuscripts read "thou," though the form of the verb in witnesses other than G is either wene or, less acceptably, wenen.]

[^786: G.14.308: A line from the boxed section indicates where this material is to be inserted.]

[^787: G.14.310: The words hym-selue appear to have been re-outlined in black ink, before the corrector altered <u> to <v>.]

[^788: G.14.312: The two rubricated lines are bracketed in red on the right.]

[^789: G.14.319: For G's treatment of B fele (here appearing as G Cr R fell), see note to G.4.349.]

[^790: G.14.319: A line leading from the boxed section indicates where this material should be inserted.]

[^791: G.14.322: Kane and Donaldson state that G's added <a> is "above line main ink" but in fact the ink is brown.]

[^792: G.14.332: Kane and Donaldson appear to read G's deleted <I> as an ampersand, but although some form of et is the majority reading, the mark in the text is nothing like the G scribe's usual form for <&>.]

[^793: G.14.369: The words "purse" and "shook" look as if they have been written as one, but that is just because the alteration adds a letter.]

[^794: G.14.375: The alteration of gaue to gave has been made in black ink, and therefore does not appear to be part of the G scribe's later programme of spelling corrections. It may simply result from the correction by the original scribe of a poorly formed letter.]

[^795: G.14.389: For the spelling <<noth>, see note to G.12.236.]

[^796: G.14.395: Forms of "marchandie" in -y(e are not recorded as verbs by either the MED or the OED but it seems likely that G's reading reflects the extension of such forms from the noun. Most B manuscripts read marchaunden.]

[^797: G.14.405: Deletion and subsequent addition of dede suggest that the scribe thought that he should have written drede and then realised he had been right in the first place.]

[^798: G.14.415: For the G scribe's use of brackets for highlighting, see note to G.6.597.]

[^799: G.14.425: M originally read and, as most manuscripts. The word "to" has been added above the line by hand2, bringing M's reading into line with that of G and W (& to).]

[^800: G.14.426: For forms in <who>- for earlier <ho>- (of which G's reading woly is presumably a development), see Wyld, Modern Colloquial English, 307, and see also note to G.18.208.]

[^801: G.14.428: The two rubricated lines are bracketed in red on the right.]

[^802: G.14.435: For the G scribe's use of "this" for remaining manuscripts "thus," see note to G.4.76.]

explicit passus sextus de dowell

Y[^803] haue but on hoole hater quod haukyn I am þe lasse to blame
thogh ytt be soyled and fowle I slepe þerynne on nyghtes
also[^a2529] I haue a wyffe hewene & chyldren
vxorem duxi & ideo non possum venire et cetera //
that wold be mo vlled[^a2530][^804] many tymes[^a2531] ma vgre my chekes
ytt hathe ben la ved In lent and oute off lent bothe
wyth þe soope off sycknes that sekethe wondre depe
& wyth þe losse off catell lothe for to ag vlte
god or any good man by ought þat I wyste
& was shry ven off þe preste he[^a2532] ga ve me for my synnes
to pennace penna[n]ce[^a2533] pacyence & po vre men to feede
&[^a2534] for co vetyse off my crystendome yn cleynnes to kepe ytt
& co vld I neuer by cryste kepe[^a2535] cleane an ho vre
that I ne soyled ytt wyth syght or some ydle speche
or thrugh workeoff[^a2536] worde or wyll off myne herte
but y ne slobered[^a2537] ytt fowle fro morowe to[^a2538] e ve
& I shall kenne þe quod conscyence off contrycyon to make
that shall clawe þi cote off alkynnes fylthe
cordis contricio & cetera //
dowell whasshe ytt and wryng ytt thrugh a wyse confessor
oris confessio & cetera //
dobetter shall beyten ytt & bo vke ytt as bryght as any skarlett
& engreynnen ytt wyth good wyll & goddes grace to amende the
&[^a2539] send þe satysfactyon for to sowen ytt after
satisfactio et cetera //
dobest shall neuer myst bymo vllen ne[^a2540] mooght after byten ytt
ne fende ne fal ce man defowlen ytt yn þi ly ve
shall no harr avde ne harper ha ve a fayrer garment
then haukyn þe acty ve man & yff[^a2541] þou do by my teychyng
ne no mynstrell be more worthe amonge pore & ryche
then haukyns wyffe waffrere[^a2542] wyth hys / actiua vita://
and I shall p vrwye þe paste quod pacyence þo no plowgh errye
and flower to feede folke wyth as best be for þi so vle
thogh neuer greyne growed ne grape vpon vyne
all þat ly vethe & lackethe[^a2543] ly veloode wolde I fynde
and þat ynoghe shall non Fayle thyng[^a2544] þat theym nedethe
we shold not be to b vsye abo vte our ly veloode
ne soliciti scitis sitis[^a2545] & cetera volecres vol[u]cres[^a2546] celi deus pascit & cetera pacientes vincunt[^a2547]
then laghed haukyn a lytle & lyghtlye gan sweyre
wo-so le vethe you by our lorde &[^a2548] le ve not he be blyssed
no quod pacyence pacyently & oute off hys pooke hente
wytayles off greate vert ves for all maner beastes
& seyde low here ly veloode ynoghe yff our byle ve be trewe
for lent neuer was lyffe but ly velood were shape
wheroff or wherfore or wherbye to ly ve
furst[^805] þe wylde worme vndre wheete ye rthe
Fysshe to ly ve In þe floode and In þe fyre þe krykett
þe c vrlew by kynd off þe eyre most cleane[^a2549] flesshe off byrdes
& beastes by gras & gra yne[^806] & by greene rootes
In meanyng þat all men myght do the same
lyue thrughe leall byle ve & lo ve as god wyttnessythe
quodcumque pecieritis a patre in nomine meo & cetera et alibi: non in solo pane vivit homo set in omni verbo quod procedit & cetera[^a2550]
but I loked whatt ly veloode ytt was þat pacyence so preysed
and then was ytt a pece off the pater noster: fiat voluntas tua
haue haukyn quod pacyence & eyte þis when the hongerethe
or when þou clomsest for colde or clyngest for drye
shall neuer gyves þe gre ve ne greate lordes wrathe
pryson ne payne for : pacientes vicunt vi[n]cunt[^a2551] ://
so[^a2552] þat þou be sobre off syght & off tonge
yn eytyng & yn handylyng & all thye f y ve wyttes
there the[^a2553] neuer care for corne ne lynnen clothe ne wollen
ne for drynke dreede no dethe[^a2554] but dye as god lykethe
or thrughe hongre or thrughe heyte[^807] att hys wyll be ytt
For yff thow ly ve after hys loore þe shorter lyffe þe better
si quis amat Cristum mundum[^808] non diligit istum
for[^a2555] hys breythe beastes wexen and abroode yeden
dixit et facta sunt : et cetera //
ergo thrugh hys breythe may men & beastes ly ven
as holy wrytt wyttnessythe[^809] yt when[^a2556] men sayen þer graces
aperis tu manum tuam & imples omne animal benedictione:
ytt ys fo vnden þat fo vrty wynters[^a2557] folke ly ved wyth -oute tyllyng
and oute off þe flynt sprang þe floode þat folke & beastes dronke
and In elyes tyme he ven was I-closed
that no reyne ne reyne[^a2558][^810][^811] þus rede men In bokes
that manye wynters men ly vyden & no meyte[^a2559] tyllyden
sey ven slept as sayethe[^812] þe boke seyvyne h vndrethe wynters[^a2560]
& ly vyden wyth -oute lyvelode & att þe last they woken
and yff men ly ved as measure wolde shold neuer be defa vte
amongest crysten creatures yff crystes wordes be trewe
but[^a2561][^813] vnkyndnes caristia makethe amoges amo[n]ges[^a2562] crysten poeple
& ouer pleynte makethe pryde among poere & ryche
but[^a2563] measure ys so moche worthe ytt may notgh be to dere
For þe myscheffe & þe myschance amonges men off sodome
was[^a2564] thrugh plentye off foode[^a2565] & off pure slothe
osiositas et abundantia panis peccatum turpissinum turpissi[m]um[^a2566] nutriuit[^814]
for þei measured noght þem-sel ve off þat þei eyte & drynke[^a2567]
dyden deydly synne þat the de vell lyked
so wengeance fell vpon theym for þeir fowle[^a2568] synnes
they sonken In-to hell the cytees echonne
forthy measure vs[^a2569] well & make our faythe our shyltren
& thrugh faythe commythe contrycyon conscyence woote well
wyche dry vethe a-way dedlye synne & doethe ytt to be weynyall
and thogh a man myght not speke contrycyon myght hym sa ve
and bryng hys soule to blysse so þat faythe beyre wytnes
that whyles he ly ved[^a2570] þe loore off holy cherche he bele ved[^a2571]
ergo contrycyon fayhte & coscyence co[n]scyence[^a2572] be[^a2573] kyndlyche dowell
and surgyens for deydly synnes when shryfte off mo vthe faylethe
but[^a2574] shryfte off mo vthe more worthye ys yff man be verylyche[^a2575] contryte
for shryfte off mo vthe sleyethe synne be ytt neuer so dedlye
per passionem[^a2576] to a preeste peccata occiduntur
there contrycyon dothe but dry ve[^a2577] ytt[^a2578] to[^a2579] a venyall synne
and dauyd sayethe yn þe sa vter . et quorum tecta sunt peccata ://
but[^a2580] satysfactyon sekethe oute þe roote & bothe sleyethe & woydethe
and as ytt neuer had y-be to noght bryngethe deydly synne
that ytt ys neuer efte seene ne soore but semethe a wo vnd heyled
where wonnethe charyte quod haukyn I wyst neuer In my ly ve
man þat wyth hym spake as wyde as I haue passed
there perfytte trewthe & pore herte ys & pacyence off tonge
ther ys charyte þe cheffe chambre for god hym-sel ve
whether pacyence[^a2581] pouerte quod haukyn be more plesant to our lorde[^a2582][^815]
then ryches ryghtfullyche wonne & resonable[^a2583][^816] spente
ye quis est ille quod pacyence quyk et laudabimus[^a2584] eum :
thogh men rede off ryches ryght to þe worldes ende
I wyst neuer re vke re[n]ke[^a2585] that ryche was þat when he rekne sholde
when he drewe to hys deyd day þat he ne drad hym sore
and att þe[^a2586] rekenyng yn a-rerage fell rather þen ovte off dette
there þe pore dare pleade & pro ve by p vre reason
to haue alowance off hys lorde by[^a2587] lawe he ytt claymethe
Ioy þat neuer Ioy had off ryghtfull I vge he askethe
& sayethe low bryddes & beastes þat no blysse ne co vthe
and wylde wormes yn woddes thrugh wynters þou þem gre vest[^817]
and after þou sendest them somer that ys theyr so veregne Ioy
and blysse to all þat be bothe wylde & tame
then may beggers & beastes after heate[^a2588] weyten
that all þeir lyffe haue ly ved In lang vor &[^a2589][^818] defa vte
but god send[^a2590][^819] them some-tyme some maner Ioy[^820]
for to ouer moche wo[^a2591] was he wroght þat neuer was Ioy shapen
angelles þat In hell nowe beene had Ioy some-tyme
and diues yn dentyes ly ved & yn (dovce vie)
ryght so reason shoythe þat þo men þat were ryche
and theyr makes also ly ved In moche[^a2592] myrthe
but[^a2593] god ys off a wondre but[^a2594] þat kynd wytt shewythe
to gyve many man[^a2595] hys mercymoney or he ytt haue deser ved
ryght so farethe god by s oyche[^a2596] ryche re vthe me yt thynkethe
for þei haue theyre hyre here and hey ven as ytt were
and ys greate lykyng to ly ve wyth -oute l abour off bodye
and when he dyethe be dyssalowed as dauid sayeth yn þe sa vtre
dormierunt et nichil inuenerunt
and In a-nother stydde also velut sompnum surgentium domine://
In ciuitate tua et ad nichilum rediges://
alas þat ryches shall re ve & robbe mannes soule
fro þe lo ve off our lorde att hys last end
hewen þei[^a2597] haue theyr hyre before[^a2598] / ere euermore nedy
selden[^a2599] dyeth he ovte off dett þat dyne th or he deser ve ytt
& tyll he haue done hys de voyre & hys dayes Io vrney
&[^a2600] when a werkman hathe wroght þen may men se þe sothe
what he were worthy for hys worke & what he hathe deser ved
and not to fong before for drede off dyssalowyng
so I say by you ryche ytt semethe noght þat ye shall
haue hey ven here yn your beyryng[^821] & hey ven ther[^a2601]after
ryght as a ser vant takethe hys salarye before / & sythen wold cleym more[^822]
as he þat had[^a2602] & hathe hyre att the last
ytt may noght be ye ryche men or mathew on god lyethe
de delicijs ad dilicias difficile est transire ://
and yff þe[^a2603] ryche haue r vthe & rewarde well þe pore
and ly vethe as lawe teychethe doone l oyalte to þem all
cryste off hys co vrtysye shall conforte you att[^a2604] laste
and rewarde all do vble ryches þat re vfull hertes haue
and as an hyne þat had hys hyre or he to worche beganne[^a2605]
& when he hathe done hys de voyre well men done þem[^a2606] other bo vnte
gy vethe hym a cote aboue hys counaunt ryght so cryst gy vethe hey ven
bothe to ryche & to noght ryche þat re vfullyche ly ven
& all þat done þeir de voyr well haue do vble hyre for þeir tra veylle
forgyvnes[^a2607] off hys[^a2608][^823] synnes and hey ven blysse after
but[^a2609] ytt ys but selde seene as by holysayntes holy sayntes bokes
that god rewarded do vble rest to any ryche wyght[^a2610]
for moche m vrthe ys amonges þe ryche[^a2611] as[^a2612] meyte & clothyng
& moche myrthe yn may ys amongest wylde beastes
and so forthe whyle somer laste the þeir solace endurethe[^a2613]
but[^a2614] beggers aboute mydsomer bredles they so vpe
& yett ys wynter for them wor ce for wettshodde þei gange
a-thurste soore & a-hongered & fo vlyche rebuked
& arated off ryche men þat re vthe ytt ys[^a2615] to here
now lorde send them somer and some maner Ioy
hey ven after theyre hence goyng þat here haue s oyche defa vte
for all myghtest þou haue made non meaner then other
and y-lyche wyttye & wyse yff thy wyll had lyked
and haue re vthe off thes ryche men þat rewarde not thye prysoners
off thy[^a2616] good þat þou theym gy vest ingrati beene manye
but[^a2617] god off þi goodnes gy ve þem grace to amend
For may no derthe be them dere drought ne wete
nether[^a2618] heate ne heyle haue they theyre heale
off that þei wylne & wolde þem wantethe[^a2619] noght here
but[^a2620] po vre poeple &[^a2621] prysoners lorde yn þe pytt off myscheffe
comforte þo creatures þat moche woo[^a2622] sufferen
thrughe derthe & dr vght all theyr dayes here
wo In wynter tymes for wantyng off clothes
& In somer tyme selde so vpe to the full
comfort thye carefull chryste In thy ryche
for[^a2623] þou comfortest all creatures clerkes beyren wyttnes
conuertimini ad me et salui eritis ..//
th vs In genere off gentryse Iesu cryste sayed
to robbers & to rey vers to ryche & to poere
thow taghtest þem yn þe trynyte to take baptesme
and be cleane thrugh þat crystynyng off alkynnes synnes
and fell[^a2624] thrughe folye to fall In synne after
confessyon & knolegyng & cra vyng thy marcye
shold amend vs as many sythes as man wold desyre
but[^a2625] yff þe pope wolde pleyde there[^a2626] -ageyn & punnysshe vs In conscyence
he sh old take þe q vyttance[^a2627] as q vyke / & to þe q vede shewed[^a2628] ytt
pateat & cetera per passionem domini et cetera //
and p vtten of þe po vke & pynnen[^a2629] vs vndre borowe
but[^a2630] þe perchemyn off thys patent off po verte be m vste
and off pure pacyence & perfytt byle ve
off pompe & off pryde þe perchemyn decowrethe
& prynsypallyche off all poeple but they be po vre In[^a2631] herte
elles ys all In[^a2632] Idle all þat e ver we wryten
pater noster and pennance & pylgrymages[^a2633] to rome
but our spenses & spendyng spryng off a trew w ell
elles ys all. our labo vr lost loo howe men wryten
In fenestres att[^a2634] freres yff fal ce be þe fo vndment
for þe[^a2635] crystyen sh olde be en comen ryche / non co veyte for hym -sel ve
for sey ven synnes þer be þat[^a2636] assaylen man[^a2637] e ver
the fende folowethe theyme all & fo vndethe þem to helpe
but[^a2638] wyth ryches þat rybalde rathest theym[^a2639] begylethe
for þer þat ryches reygnethe re verence folowethe
& þat ys pleasant to pryde In po vre & yn ryche
& þe ryche ys reuerensed by þe[^a2640] reason off hys ryches
there þe poere ys putt byynde & pera venture can more
off wytt & off wyssdome þat farre a-wa y[^824] ys better
then ryches or ryalte and rather herde In hey ven
for þe ryche haue[^a2641][^825] moche to rekne off[^a2642] and ryght softe walken[^a2643]
the ryght[^a2644] way to hey ven-warde ofte ryches lettethe
Ita possibile diuiti et cetera //
there the pore pressythe before þe ryche wyth a packe at hys rygge
opera enim illorum sequntur eos[^a2645]//
bantalyche bata[n]tlyche[^a2646] as beggers doone & baldelyche he cra vethe[^826][^827]
for hys po verte & pacyence a perpetuall blysse
beati pauperes spiritu[^a2647] quoniam ipsorum est regnum celorum ://
& pryde yn ryches reygnethe rather þen In po verte
arste In þe master then In þe man some mansyon he hathe
but[^a2648] yn pouerte þer pacyence ys pryde hathe no myght
ne non off þe sey ven synnes sytt mow[^a2649] þer long
ne haue power In pouerte yff pacyence ytt folowe
For þe pore ys ay prest to pleasse þe ryche
& buxome att hys byddyng for hys broken lo ves
and buxomnesse & booste are euer -more att warre
and either hatethe other In all maner workes
yff wrathe wrestelethe[^a2650] wyth þe po vre he hathe þe wor ce end
for yff þei bothe pleyne the po vre ys but feble
& yff he chyde or chattre hym che vethe þe w ar ce[^828]
& yff co vetyse cacche þe po vre þei may noght come togeddres
& by ne[^a2651] neck namlye non[^a2652] may hent other
for men knowe well þat co vetyse ys off a kene wyll
and hathe handes & armes off a long lenghte
and po verte ys but a petyt thyng / ytt perethe[^a2653] not to hys na vell
and lo vely layke was neuer betwene þe long and[^a2654] shorte
and thogh a varyse wold angre þe po vre he hath but lytle myght
for po verte hathe but pookes to putten yn hys goodes
ther a varyze hathe almbyryes and yren bond coffres
& whether be lyghter to breyke lasse bost ytt makethe
a beggers bagge þen an yren bo vnden coffer
leycherye lo vethe hym not he[^a2655] gy vethe but lytle syl ver
ne do i t he[^829] hym noght dyne dylycately ne drynke wyne offte
a strawe for þe stewes ytt stoode noght I trowe
had þei noght[^a2656] but off po vre men / theyre ho vses stoode vntyled
thogh[^a2657] slo vght sewe pouerte & ser ve not god to pay
mescheyffe ys hys master & makethe hym to thynke
that god ys hys greatest helpe & no gome elles
and hys ser vant as he sayethe and off h ys seutes[^a2658] bothe
and wheydre he be or noght be[^a2659] / he beyrethe þe sygne off pouerte
and In that secte our sa vyo vre sa ved all man-kynd
forthy all pouerte þat pacyent ys may cleymen & asken
after theyr endyng here hey ven-ryche blysse
moche hardyer may he asken þat here myght haue hys wyll
In lond & In lordshyppe and lykyng off bodye
& for goddes lo ve ley vethe all & ly vethe as a begger
and as a meyde for mannes lo ve hyr modre forsakethe
hyr fadre & all hyr freendes & folowethe hyr[^830] make
moche ys a[^a2660] meyde to lo ve off hym þat s oche on takethe
more þen a meyden ys þat ys maryed thrugh brogage
and by assent off sondrye partyes & syl ver to boote
more for co vetyse off good þen kynd lo ve off bothe
so ytt farethe by a[^a2661] persone þat possessyon forsakethe
& p vttethe hym to be pacyent & pouerte weddethe
the wyche ys sybbe to god hym-sel ve & so to hys seyntes
haue god my trought quod haukyn ye preyse fast pouerte
whatt ys pouerte wyth pacyence quod he properlye to meane
paupertas quod pacience est odibile bonum : remocio curarum : possessio sine calumpnia : donum dei: sanitatis mater :absque solicitudine semita : sapiencie temperatrix : negotium sine dampno incta inc[er]ta[^a2662] : fortuna absque solicitudine felicitas :[^831]
I can not constrewe þis quod haukyn ye moste say[^832] en englysshe
In englysshe quod pacyence ytt ys well harde to[^a2663] expo vnd
but[^a2664] somedeale I shall say ytt so[^a2665] þou vndrestande
pouerte ys þe furst poynt þat pryde most hatethe
then ys ytt[^833] good by good skyll all þat agastethe pryde
ryght as contrycyon ys comfortable[^a2666] conscyence woote well
and a sorowe to[^a2667] hym-sel ve / and solas to þe so vle
so pouerte properlyche pennance & Ioy
ys to the bodye pure spyrytuall healthe
ergo paupertas est odibile bonum
& contrycyon conforte and cura animarum þe second
selde syttethe pouerte þe sothe to declare
or as I vstece to I vgge men enIoyned ys no pouerre poure[^a2668][^834]
ne to be meyre aboue men ne mynystre vndre kynges
seld ys any pore put to punnysshe the[^a2669] poeple
remocio curarum :
ergo po verte & po vre men perfourmen þe commandementes[^a2670]
nolite Iudicare quemquam : the thyrde
seld ys any pouerte[^a2671][^835] ryche off any[^a2672] ryghtfull herytage
wynnethe he noght wyth fal ce weyghtes[^a2673] ne vnsealed meas vres
ne borowethe off hys neghbo vrs but þat he may well pay
possessio sine calumpnia
the forthe ys a fort vne þat flo vresshethe þe so vle
wyth sobreyete from all synne & also yet more
ytt affaytethe þe flesshe from folyes full manye
a colaterall conforte crstes cr[y]stes[^a2674] owen gyfte
donum dei :
the fyfte ys mother off helthe a frende In all fondynges
& for þe lewde euer a leche a lemman off[^a2675] cleannes
sanita ti s mater :
þe syxt ys a pathe off pea ce þe[^a2676][^836] thrughe paasse[^a2677] to[^a2678] aulton
pouerte myght pas wyth -oute perylle off robbyng
for þer þat po verte passethe peas folowethe after
and euer þe lasse þat he beyrethe þe harder[^a2679][^837] he ys off herte
forthy seyethe / seneca paupert as[^838] est absque solicitudine semita :
& an hardye man off herte amonge an heape off the ves
cantabit paupertas coram latrone viator :
þe sey venthe ys well off wyssdome & fewe wordes shewethe
For lordes alowen hym lytle or lystenethe to hys reason
he temperythe þe tong to trewthwarde & no treasure co vetythe
sapientie temperatrix
the eghte a[^a2680] leele laboure and loothe to take more
then she[^a2681] may well deser ve In somer or In wynter
and yff he chaffere he chargethe / no losse mey he charite wynne
negotium sine dampno:
þe neynthe ys swete to þe so vle & no[^a2682] suger swetter
for pacyence ys payn for pouerte hym-sel ve
and sobryete sweete drynke and good leche In sycknes
thys[^a2683][^839] lered me a lettered man for our lordys lo ve
seynt augustyne had[^a2684] a blyssed ly ve wyth -oute b vsynes
for body & soule / absque sollicitudine felicitas ://
now god þat all good gy vethe gra vnt hys so vle rest
that þus furst wroote to wysse men what pouerte was to meane
alas quod haukyn þe acty ve man þen[^a2685] / þat after my crystendome
I ne had be dede & dol ven for dowell[^a2686] sake
so hard ytt ys quod haukyn to ly ve & to doo well[^a2687]
synne sewethe vs e ver quod he and sory gan wexe
& wepte water wyth hys eyene & wayled the tyme
that euer he dyd dede þat he[^a2688] deere god dyspleased
swowned & sobbedde & sykedde full offte
that euer he had land or lordshyppe lasse or[^a2689] more
or mastrye ouer any man mo þen off hym-sel ve
I were not worthye quod haukyn to weyre anye clothes
ne neyther shurte ne shoone sa ve for shame oon
to couer my carryon quod he & cryed fast mercye
& wepte & wayled & therewyth I waked[^a2690]

[^a2529: also (G) | And also (all other mss)]

[^a2530: be mo vlled (G) | bymolen it (most mss)]

[^a2531: tymes (G Cr23 R F) | tyme (most mss)]

[^a2532: he (G) | þat (all other mss)]

[^a2533: pennace penna[n]ce (G) | penaunce (most mss)]

[^a2534: & (G) | Al (most mss)]

[^a2535: kepe (G) | kepen it (all other mss)]

[^a2536: off (G) | or (all other mss)]

[^a2537: slobered (G) | flober (most mss) | slober (Cr) | flobered (F)]

[^a2538: to (G) | tyl (all other mss)]

[^a2539: & (G F) | And sithen (all other mss)]

[^a2540: ne (G Y) | it ne (all other mss)]

[^a2541: & yff (G) | and (all other mss)]

[^a2542: waffrere (G) | þe wafrere (all other mss)]

[^a2543: lackethe (G) | loketh (most mss)]

[^a2544: thyng (G) | of þinge (most mss)]

[^a2545: scitis sitis (G) | sitis (all other mss)]

[^a2546: volecres vol[u]cres (G) | volucres (all other mss)]

[^a2547: vincunt (G Cr) | vincunt & cetera (all other mss)]

[^a2548: & (G) | I (all other mss)]

[^a2549: cleane (G) | clennest (all other mss)]

[^a2550: & cetera (G C Y B) | de ore dei (most mss)]

[^a2551: vicunt vi[n]cunt (G) | vincunt (all other mss)]

[^a2552: so (G) | Bi so (all other mss)]

[^a2553: there the (G) | Darstow (all other mss)]

[^a2554: dreede no dethe (G) | ne deth drede (most mss) | deþ drede (F)]

[^a2555: for (G) | For þorw (all other mss)]

[^a2556: yt when (G) | whan (most mss)]

[^a2557: wynters (G) | wynter (all other mss)]

[^a2558: reyne (G) | rone (most mss) | reynyd (Hm C F)]

[^a2559: meyte (G F) | mete ne (most mss)]

[^a2560: wynters (G) | wynter (most mss)]

[^a2561: but (G F) | Ac (most mss)]

[^a2562: amoges amo[n]ges (G) | amonges (all other mss)]

[^a2563: but (G) | Ac (most mss)]

[^a2564: was (G F) | Wex (all other mss)]

[^a2565: foode (G) | payn (all other mss)]

[^a2566: turpissinum turpissi[m]um (G) | turpissimum (all other mss)]

[^a2567: drynke (G F) | dronke (all other mss)]

[^a2568: fowle (G F) | vyle (all other witnesses)]

[^a2569: vs (G) | we vs (most mss)]

[^a2570: ly ved (G Hm) | lyuede he bileued (most mss) | be-levede (F)]

[^a2571: cherche he bele ved (G) | cherche (most mss) | chirche he leevede (F)]

[^a2572: coscyence co[n]scyence (G) | conscience (most mss)]

[^a2573: be (G) | is (most mss)]

[^a2574: but (G F) | Ac (most mss)]

[^a2575: verylyche (G) | iliche (most mss) | ynliche (M O Y R)]

[^a2576: passionem (G) | confessionem (most mss)]

[^a2577: dry ve (G Cr Cot) | dryueth (all other mss)]

[^a2578: ytt (G C B) | it doun (most mss)]

[^a2579: to (G) | in-to (most mss)]

[^a2580: but (G F) | Ac (most mss)]

[^a2581: pacyence (G C C2 Y) | pacyence or (Hm B) | pacience and (R F) | paciente (all other mss)]

[^a2582: lorde (G R) | driȝte (most mss)]

[^a2583: resonable (G) | resonablelich (all other mss)]

[^a2584: et laudabimus (G) | laudabimus (all other mss)]

[^a2585: re vke re[n]ke (G Cr) | renke (most mss)]

[^a2586: att þe (G M R) | þat atte (most mss)]

[^a2587: by (G F) | by þe (all other mss)]

[^a2588: heate (G) | bote (most mss)]

[^a2589: & (G B) | and in (all other mss)]

[^a2590: send (G) | sent (most mss) | wold sende (F)]

[^a2591: ouer moche wo (G Cr23 O C2 Y) | wrotherhele (most mss)]

[^a2592: In moche (G) | her lyf in (most mss)]

[^a2593: but (G F) | Ac (most mss)]

[^a2594: but (G) | wille by (all other mss)]

[^a2595: man (G Cr W F) | men (all other mss)]

[^a2596: s oyche (G) | some (all other mss)]

[^a2597: þei (G) | þat (all other mss)]

[^a2598: before (G Cr3) | afore (most mss)]

[^a2599: selden (G) | And selden (most mss)]

[^a2600: & (G) | For (all other mss)]

[^a2601: ther (G R) | her (most mss) | also þer (W)]

[^a2602: had (G) | none hadde (most mss)]

[^a2603: þe (G L M Cr1 F) | ye (all other mss)]

[^a2604: att (G) | atte (all other mss)]

[^a2605: to worche beganne (G) | bygonne (most mss) | bygonne to wurche (Hm) | his werk bygynne (F)]

[^a2606: þem (G) | hym (all other mss)]

[^a2607: forgyvnes (G C B) | Here forȝyuenesse (most mss)]

[^a2608: hys (G) | her (all other mss)]

[^a2609: but (G) | Ac (most mss)]

[^a2610: wyght (G) | wye (most mss)]

[^a2611: þe ryche (G) | riche (all other mss)]

[^a2612: as (G) | as in (all other mss)]

[^a2613: endurethe (G Hm) | dureth (all other mss)]

[^a2614: but (G F) | Ac (most mss)]

[^a2615: ytt ys (G F) | is (all other mss)]

[^a2616: thy (G) | þe (all other mss)]

[^a2617: but (G F) | Ac (most mss)]

[^a2618: nether (G B F) | Ne noyther (all other mss)]

[^a2619: þem wantethe (G) | wanteth hem (most mss)]

[^a2620: but (G) | Ac (most mss) | But þe (F)]

[^a2621: & (G) | þi (most mss) | in (F)]

[^a2622: woo (G) | care (all other mss)]

[^a2623: for (G) | For how (most mss)]

[^a2624: fell (G) | vs fel (most mss)]

[^a2625: but (G) | And (most mss) | Ac (L M O Y B)]

[^a2626: there (G R F) | here (all other mss)]

[^a2627: q vyttance (G) | acquitance (most mss)]

[^a2628: shewed (G) | schewe (most mss)]

[^a2629: pynnen (G) | preuen (all other mss)]

[^a2630: but (G F) | Ac (most mss)]

[^a2631: In (G) | of (all other mss)]

[^a2632: In (G Hm) | an (most mss)]

[^a2633: pylgrymages (G Cr W) | pilgrimage (most mss)]

[^a2634: att (G) | atte (all other mss)]

[^a2635: for þe (G) | For-þi (most mss)]

[^a2636: þer be þat (G W B F) | þat þere ben (L M Cr Hm R) | ther be (C O C2 Y)]

[^a2637: man (G) | vs (most mss)]

[^a2638: but (G F) | Ac (most mss)]

[^a2639: theym (G) | men (all other mss)]

[^a2640: by þe (G) | by (all other mss)]

[^a2641: haue (G) | hath (all other mss)]

[^a2642: rekne off (G) | rekene (all other mss)]

[^a2643: walken (G) | walketh (all other mss)]

[^a2644: ryght (G R F) | heigh (most mss)]

[^a2645: eos (G) | illos (most mss)]

[^a2646: bantalyche bata[n]tlyche (G) | Batauntliche (most mss)]

[^a2647: pauperes spiritu (G F) | pauperes (most mss)]

[^a2648: but (G F) | Ac (most mss)]

[^a2649: mow (G Cot) | ne mowe (all other mss)]

[^a2650: wrestelethe (G) | wrastel (all other mss)]

[^a2651: ne (G) | þe (all other mss)]

[^a2652: non (G) | her none (most mss)]

[^a2653: ytt perethe (G) | appereth (most mss)]

[^a2654: and (G F) | and þe (all other mss)]

[^a2655: he (G) | for he (most mss)]

[^a2656: noght (G) | no þing (most mss)]

[^a2657: thogh (G) | And þough (all other mss)]

[^a2658: seutes (G) | sute (all other mss)]

[^a2659: noght be (G) | be nouȝte (most mss)]

[^a2660: a (G) | suche a (most mss)]

[^a2661: a (G) | eche a (most mss)]

[^a2662: incta inc[er]ta (G) | Incerta (all other mss)]

[^a2663: to (G Cr Hm F) | wel to (all other mss)]

[^a2664: but (G F) | Ac (most mss)]

[^a2665: so (G) | by so (all other mss)]

[^a2666: comfortable (G) | confortable þinge (all other mss)]

[^a2667: to (G F) | of (most mss)]

[^a2668: pouerre poure (G) | pore (all other mss)]

[^a2669: the (G F) | any (all other mss)]

[^a2670: commandementes (G Cr23 C2) | comaundement (all other mss)]

[^a2671: pouerte (G) | pore (all other mss)]

[^a2672: off any (G) | but of (most mss)]

[^a2673: fal ce weyghtes (G) | weghtes fals (most mss) | weight false (Cr)]

[^a2674: crstes cr[y]stes (G) | crystes (all other mss)]

[^a2675: off (G F) | of al (all other mss)]

[^a2676: þe (G) | ȝe (all other mss)]

[^a2677: paasse (G) | þe pas (most mss)]

[^a2678: to (G) | of (most mss)]

[^a2679: harder (G Cr1 C) | hardyer (all other mss)]

[^a2680: a (G) | is a (most mss)]

[^a2681: she (G) | he (all other mss)]

[^a2682: & no (G) | no (all other mss)]

[^a2683: thys (G) | Þus (all other mss)]

[^a2684: augustyne had (G) | austyn (most mss) | austyn ledde (Hm)]

[^a2685: þen (G) | þo (most mss)]

[^a2686: dowell (G C) | doweles (most mss) | de wel (Y)]

[^a2687: well (G) | synne (all other mss)]

[^a2688: þat he (G) | þat (all other mss)]

[^a2689: or (G Cr Cot) | other (all other mss)]

[^a2690: waked (G Cr C) | awaked (all other mss)]

[^803: G.15.1: For the interpretation of the first letter in the line as a <Y>, see note to G.7.260.]

[^804: G.15.5: Kane and Donaldson record G's reading as bemoulled but there is a clear break after be.]

[^805: G.15.46: An otiose superscript <2>appears above the <r> of furst. In the scribe's exemplar this may well have been an abbreviation for <ur>, but, though he copies it, the scribe does not appear to grasp its significance (for similar treatment of superscript <a>, see note to G.3.157 and Introduction IV.1.1). Alternatively, it is possible that the scribe originally omitted the <r> and squashed it in later - the letters appear to be crammed together - and, if this is the case, the superscript 2 might simply be present to make sure that the reading is unambiguous.]

[^806: G.15.49: The first four letters of grayne were originally gran but the scribe then added a tail to the minims of the <n> to form the letter <y>.]

[^807: G.15.63: The loop of the <h> of heyte has been re-outlined in brown ink.]

[^808: G.15.65: There were originally too many minims in the first part of the word mundum; the first two have been blocked in by the original scribe to form one.]

[^809: G.15.69: A virgule has been added at this point to separate wyttnessythe and yt.]

[^810: G.15.74: Kane and Donaldson read G reynd rather than reyne, but the second <e> is exactly the same as those elsewhere in the line.]

[^811: G.15.74: According to the OED, forms such as rone (preterite of rine and the reading found most B manuscripts) were not used after the end of the fourteenth century, hence the G reading (see OED rine v. 2 ).]

[^812: G.15.76: The final <e> on sayethe appears to have been an afterthought and is not continuous with the <h>. Compare hundrethe later in the line. The addition of the <e> has filled the space between words and the following thorn has therefore been deleted and rewritten.]

[^813: G.15.80: Though G and F share the reading but (for most manuscripts Ac), in all other respects F has a completely different a-verse.]

[^814: G.15.85: The two rubricated lines are bracketed together on the right in red.]

[^815: G.15.110: In the case of G, the G R variant lorde (for most manuscripts driȝte) may reflect the manuscript's late date: according to the OED, the word dright(en was no longer used after the end of the fifteenth century.]

[^816: G.15.111: The -le ending on G resonable could be a form of -ly, in which case G too would have the adverb (cf. remaining manuscripts resonablelich and see LALME 4, item 278).]

[^817: G.15.121: G omits a line at this point ("And makest hem welnyegh meke · and mylde for defaute").]

[^818: G.15.125: All C manuscripts except Dc and Nc share the G B reading &, and this reading is adopted by Kane and Donaldson. Remaining B mansucripts read and in.]

[^819: G.15.126: G's send (for most B manuscripts sent) could be read as a present subjunctive (cf. F's periphrastic reading wold sende), but G does in fact have forms of "send" in -d for the preterite (see note to G.14.251). The majority of C manuscripts have forms with <d>.]

[^820: G.15.126: G omits a line at this point ("Other here or elles-where · kynde wolde it neuere").]

[^821: G.15.150: Scribes had difficulty with this a-verse and there are various versions. The Kane and Donaldson a-verse reads as follows: "Haue heuene in youre her[berw]yng." G's reading of the a-verse is also found in Hm.]

[^822: G.15.151: The line wraps round and the last two words are written below it and boxed in grey.]

[^823: G.15.164: Kane and Donaldson do not record G hys as a variant, but the last letter is definitely a sigma <s>.]

[^824: G.15.220: There is evidence of improvement of the left side of the head of the <y> in a different ink.]

[^825: G.15.222: As far as G haue for remaining manuscripts hath is concerned, it is often the case that G has an -e(n verb ending for other manuscripts -eth where this is simply a matter of accidentals, i.e. where both verbs are plural. However, the expected plural form for "have" in L etc. would be habbeth or han and it seems to be the case here that, while G treats the subject ryche as a plural, the remaining manuscripts treat it as singular.]

[^826: G.15.227: Probably the original G reading was grauethe and the corrector altered the <g> to <c> and then simply re-outlined the <r>.]

[^827: G.15.227:The alteration brings G's reading into line with the remaining B manuscripts.]

[^828: G.15.241: This and the following line (where erroneous and lined-through "worse" also has <o> altered to <a>) are the only places where G has a form of "worse" with this spelling. As this is also one of only two places where the B manuscript C has "worse" with medial <a>, it seems possible that there may be some connection.]

[^829: G.15.254: The <i> of doithe is formed by dotting the first minim of the original <n> of done. The <t> is added above the line with a caret mark and the <h> is written over the remainder of the <n>.]

[^830: G.15.269: The third example of the word hyr has been re-outlined in black ink.]

[^831: G.15.279: The final word appears on the right hand side of the page beneath solicitudine and is boxed in red to separate it from G.15.280. These rubricated lines are bracketed in red on the right.]

[^832: G.15.280: B manuscripts have a wide variety of readings for G say: kenne þis (L M Cr), kenne me þis (W R), telle þis (Hm), seye it (O C2 B), kenne it (F), and say (G C Y).]

[^833: G.15.284: C shares G's original reading (ys for most manuscripts is it).]

[^834: G.15.292: There is an otiose abbreviation mark over the <u> of poure; presumably the scribe anticipated pouerte. See G.15.298 and G.16.158 and compare with other B manuscripts.]

[^835: G.15.298: For the G reading pouerte for remaining manuscripts pore, see also G.15.292 and G.16.158.]

[^836: G.15.310: The use of superscript rather than inline <e> indicates that the scribe has misread ye as þe, as at G.14.229. For the G scribe's treatment of thorn and <y> and the letters which follow, see note to G.3.118.]

[^837: G.15.313: C2 originally shared the G Cr1 C reading harder but in C2 this has been corrected to the majority reading hardyer.]

[^838: G.15.314: In order to make his correction to paupertas clear, the scribe has used a double lobed <a>.]

[^839: G.15.328: For the G scribe's use of "this" for remaining manuscripts "thus," see note to G.4.76.]

explicit septimus et vltimus passus de dowell

Incipit primus passus de dobetter

But[^a2691] after my wakyng ytt was wondre long
er I co vlde kyndly knowe whatt was dowell
and so my wytt vexe & vanyed tyll I a foole were
and some lacked my l yve & alowed[^a2692] ytt fewe
and leten for a lorell & lothe to reuerensen
lordes or ladyes or any lyffe elles
as psouns p[er]souns[^a2693] In pelo vr wythe pendantz off syl ver
to sergeantes ne to s oyche seyde noght oon ce
god looke you lordes &[^a2694] lo vted fayre
that folke helde me a foole & In that folye I ra ved
tyll reason had re vthe on me and rocked me a-slepe
tyll I seyghe[^840] as ytt sorcerye were a subtyle thyng wyth -all
oon wythoute tong & teethe tolde me whydre I sholde
& wheroff I came & what kynd I con Ivred hym at þe last
yff he were crystes creature for crystes lo ve me to tell
I am crystes creature quod he & crysten In many[^a2695] places[^a2696]
In crystes co vrte I-knowe well & off hys kynne aparte a parte[^a2697][^841]
ys nether petur þe porter ne poule wyth hys fawchoune
that wole defend me þe doore dyng I neuer so late
att mydnyght att mydday my voyce[^a2698] ys well[^a2699] I-knowe
that eche[^a2700] creature off hys co vrte welcomethe me fayre
what are ye called In þat co vrte quod I amogest amo[n]gest[^a2701] crystes poeple
wyle[^a2702] I quycke was In þe corps quod he called am I anima
and when I wylne & wold animus I hatte
for[^a2703] I can & knowe called am I mens
& when I make moone to god memoria ys my name
& when I deme domes & doo as trewthe teychethe
then ys ratio my ryght name and[^a2704] reason In[^a2705] englysshe
& when I feele þat folke tellethe me my[^a2706] name[^a2707] ys :sensus:
& þat ys wytt & wyssdome þe well off all craftes
and when I chalenge or chaleng noght cheape or ref vse
then am I conscyence called goddes clerke & hys notarye
and when I lo ve leally our lord & all other
then ys leall lo ve my name and In latyn amor
& when I flee fro þe Flesshe and forsake þe caroygne
then am I spyryte specheles /spiritus/ þen I hatte
augustyne[^a2708] & Isodorus & eyther[^a2709] off theym bothe
neue ved neue[n]ed[^a2710] me þus to name now thowe may[^a2711] chosse
how þou co vetyst to call me nowe knowesthowe my[^a2712] names
anima pro diuersis accionibus diuersa nomina sortitur /: dum vivificat corpus anima est : dum vult animus est : dum scit mens est: dum recolit memoria[^a2713]: dum Iudicat ra tio est: dum sentit sensus est: dum amat amor est: dum negat vel conscentit conscientia est: dum spirat spiritus est:
ye been as[^842] a bysshoppe quod I all bo vrdyng that tyme
for bysshops y-blessedd beyre many names

[G.16.43: A scribe has added [an arabic <5> with a line through it, followed by ten medieval forms of this number] as pen trials. See Benson and Blanchfield p.43.]

presul and pontifex and metropolitanus
and other names an heape as[^a2714] episcopus and pastor
that ys sothe seyde he nowe I see þi wyll
thow woldest knowe & konne þe ca vse off all þeir names
& off myne yff þou myghtest me thynke[^a2715] by thye speeche
ye syr he[^a2716] sayde so[^a2717] þat no[^a2718] man were gre ved
all þe scyences vndre sonne & all þe subtyle craftes
I wold knowe[^a2719] & konne[^a2720] perfytelyche[^a2721] In my herte
then arte thow vnperfytt quod he & on off prydes knyghtes
for s oche a l vst & lykyng[^843] lycyfer fell from hey ven
ponam pedem meum in aquilone et similis ero altissimo :
ytt were ageynst kynd quod he & alkynnes reason
that any creature sh olde konne all except cryste a-lone[^a2722]
ageynst s oche salamon speykethe & dyspysethe theyre wyttes
and seyethe / sicut qui mel comedit multum non est ei bonum :
sic qui scrutator est magestatis opprimitur a gloria[^844]
to englysshe men thys ys to meane þat may speake & here
the man þat moche hony eytethe hys mawe ytt englaymethe
and þe more þat a man off good matter heyrethe
but he do therafter ytt dothe hym do vble skathe
beatus vir[^a2723] sayethe se y nte[^845] bernarde qui scripturas legit
et verba vertit in opera fullyche to hys power
co vetyse to konne & to knowe scyence
put oute off paradyse adam & e ve
scientie appetitus hominem immortalitatis gloriam spoliauit
but[^a2724] ryght as hony ys y vell to defye & engleymethe þe mawe
ryght so þat thrughe reason wolde þe roote knowe
off god & off hys myghtes hys grace ytt lettethe
for yn þe lykyng lyethe a pryde & In a lykehames co vetyse
ageynst crystes co vnseyle & all clerkes teychyng
that ys non plus sapire sap[e]re[^a2725] quam oportet sapere :
freres &[^a2726] other masters that to þe lewed men preychen
mo ven matters vnmeysurables[^a2727] to tellen off þe trynyte
that offte tymes þe lewde poeple off þeir byle ve dowten
bettre to ley ve were many docto vrs s oyche teychyng
& tell men þe[^a2728] tenne commandementz & to vche þe sey ven synnes[^846]
& how þat folk In folyes myspenden theyr fy ve wyttes[^847]
as well freres as other folke folysshlyche[^a2729] spenden
In howsyng yn hatteryng yn[^a2730] hygh claregye shewyng
more for pompe[^848] the n for pure charyte þe poeple woote þe sothe
that I lye noght loo / for lordes[^849] ye pleysen
and re verensen þe ryche the rather for theyr syl ver
confundantur omnes qui adorant sculptilia & cetera
et alibi: vt quid diligis dilig[it]is[^a2731] vanitatem & queritis mendatium[^850]
go ye[^a2732] to the glose off the werse ye greate clerkes
&[^851] yff[^a2733] I lye on you to my lewde wytt leydethe me to brynnyng
for as ytt semethe ye forsake no mannes almes
off vserers off hoores off a varouse chapmen
& lo vten to thes lordes þat may le ve[^a2734] you nobles
ageyne your r vle & relygyon I take recorde off Iesus
that seyde to hys descyples ne sitis personarum acceptores:
off thys mattyer I myght make a long byble
but[^a2735] off curato vrs off crystyen poeple as clerkes beyren wytnes
I shall tell ytt for trewthe[^a2736] sake take hede wo-so lokethe[^a2737]
as holynes and honeste owte off holy churche spreydethe
thrugh leall ly vyng men / that goddes lawe teychen
ryght so owte off holy churc he all e vell[^a2738][^852] spreydethe
there ymperfytt preesthoode ys preycho vrs & teycho vrs
and se ytt by ensample In somer tyme on trees
there some bowes beene ley ved and some beyre non
there ys a myscheffe In the more off s oyche maner bowes
ryght so persones & prestes and preycho vrs off holycherche holy cherche
that are rootes[^a2739] off the[^a2740] faythe to re vle þe poeple
but[^a2741] there þe roote ys roten reason woote þe sothe
shall neuer flower ne fr vyte ne fayre leyffe be grene
for-thy wold ye lettered ley ve / þe leccherye off clothyng
and be kynd as fell[^a2742] for clarkes & co vrteyse of crystes gooddes
trewe off your tonges[^a2743] & off your tales[^a2744] bothe
& hate to here harlottrye & not to vndrefong
tythes off trewe[^a2745] thyng tylyed[^a2746] &[^a2747] chaffered
loothe were lewde men but they your r vle[^a2748] folowed
and amende þem þat myssdoone more thrugh[^a2749] your ensamples
then for to preyche & pro ve ytt noght ypocrasy ytt semethe
for ypocrysy yn latyn / ys lykened to a d vnghyll
that were bysnowed wyth snowe & snakes wythynne[^853]
ryght so many preestes preychers & preelates
ere enbla vnchede wyth ( beale paroles)[^854] & wyth clothes also
but[^a2750] your werkes & wordes thervndre be vnlyche[^a2751][^855]
Iohannes crisostomus off clerkes speykethe & preestes
sicut de templo omne bonum egreditur / sic de templo omne malum procedit si sacerdotium integrum fuerit tota floret ecclesia : si autem corruptum fuerit omnis[^a2752][^856] fides martida est : si sacerdotium fuerit In peccatis totus populus couertitur co[n]uertitur[^a2753] ad peccandum : si[^a2754] cum videris arborem martidam et pallidam intelligis quod vicium habet I n radice: Ita cum videris populum indisciplinatum & irreligiosum sine dubio sacerdotium eius non est sanum://
yff lewde men wyst what þis laten meanethe
and wo was myne a vtore moche wondre me thyn kethe
but yff manye a preeste beyre for hys baselard[^a2755] & hys[^a2756] brooches
a payre beydes In hys[^a2757] hand & a boke vndre hys[^a2758] arme
syr Ihon & syr geffrey ha ve a gyrdell off syl ver
a baselarde & a ballock knyffe wyth botons ouer -gylte
but[^a2759] a port vos sholde[^a2760] be hys plowe placebo to sygge
had he neuer ser vyce to sa ve syl ver þerto / seyethe ytt wyth ydle wyll
alas ye lewde men moche leese they[^a2761] on preestes
but[^a2762] þing þat wyckedlyche ys wonne & wyth fal ce sleyghtes
wold neuer off wytty god þe wyt / but wyked men ytt hadde
wyche[^a2763] are preestes ymperfytt and preycho vrs after syl ver
secto vrs & so vth deanes somono vrs & theyre lemmanes
thys that wyth gyle was gotten vngracyo vslye ys spended
so harlotes and hoores ere helpen wyth s oyche gooddes
& goddes folke for defa vte theroff forfaren and spyllen
c vrato vrs off holychurche holy churche as clerkes þat beene a varous
lyghtlyche þat they ley ven loselles ytt ha vethe
or dyethe Intestate & þen the bysshoppe enterethe
and makethe myrthe therwythe & hys men bothe
and say he was a nygarde that no goode myght spare
to frend ne to frembde the fende haue hys so vle
for a wrecched hoo vse he helde all hys lyffe tyme
and þat he spared & byspared spend we yn myrthe
by lered & by[^a2764] lewde þat lothe are[^a2765] to spende
thys[^a2766][^857] goon theyre gooddes / by[^a2767] the goost faren
but[^a2768] for goode men god woote greate doole men[^858] maken
& by-meannen good meyte-gy vers & In mynd ha ven
ye[^a2769] prears &[^a2770] pennance and yn perfytt charyte
whatt ys charyte quod I tho / a chyldysshe thyng he sayde
nisi efficiamini sicut paruuli non intrabitis in regn vm celorum
wythoute fa vntelte or folye a fre lyberall wyll
where sholde men[^a2771] s oche a frende wyth so fre an harte
I haue ly ved In londe quod I my name ys long wyll
and fo vnde I neuer full charyte byfore ne beynde
men beene mercyable to mendynantz & to pouerre poure bothe[^a2772][^859]
& wyll leane there þei le ve leally to be payde
but[^a2773] charyte þat paule preysethe best & most pleasethe our sa vyour
non[^a2774][^860] inflatur non est ambiciosa non querit que sua sunt
I seygh neuer s oche a man so me god helpe
that he ne wolde aske after hys & other-whyle co veyte
thyng þat nedythe hym noght & nyme yt yff he myght
clerkes kenne me that cryste ys In all places
but[^a2775] I seghe[^861] hym neuer sothely but as my-selfe yn a myrro vr
Ita in enigmate tunc facie ad faciem:
& so I trowe trewly by þat men tell off charyte
ytt ys no[^a2776][^862] champyons fyght / ne chaffayre as I trowe
charyte quod he ne chafferethe noght ne chalegethe chale[n]gethe[^a2777] ne cra vethe
as pro vde off a peny as off a po v nd off golde
& ys as glade off a gowne off a grey r vssett
as off a t vnycle off tarce or off tryed[^a2778] skarlett
he ys gladde to[^a2779] all gladde & goode to[^a2780] all wycked
& le vythe[^a2781] & lo vethe all þat our lorde made
c vrsethe he no creature ne he can beyre no wrathe
ne no lykyng hathe to lye ne la vghe men to scorne
& all[^a2782] þat men seyne he letethe[^a2783] sothe & yn solace takethe
& all maner myscheffes In myldenes he sufferethe
co vetethe he non yerly[^a2784][^863] goode but hey ven -ryche blysse
hathe he any rentes or ryches or any[^a2785] frendes
off rentes ne off ryches recchethe he ne ver
for a frende þat fyndethe hym fayled hym neuer at nede
fiat voluntas tua : fynt hym e ver-more
& yff he so vpe he eytethe but a soppe off spera in deo
he can pourtrye well þe pater-noster & paynte yt wyth a vees
& other-wyle he wont[^a2786] to wend[^a2787] pylg rymages
there pore men & prysoners lyggen ther perdone to haue
thogh he beyre theyme no[^864] bred he beyrethe[^a2788] swetter ly veloode
lo vethe as[^a2789] our lorde byddythe & lokethe how they fare
& when he ys wery off that worke þen wole he some-tyme
laboren yn la vendrye well þe lenght off a myle
and yerne In-to tro vght[^a2790] & ȝepelyche speke
pryde wyth all þer[^a2791] app vrtenancys & packen þem to-gydders
& bo vken theym att hys brest & bowken[^a2792] theym cleyne
& lyggen[^a2793] on long wyth laboraui in gemitu meo :
& wyth warme water att hys eyen wasshen theym after
& þen he syngethe when he doethe so & some-tyme sayethe wepyng
cor contritum et humiliatum deus non dispicies :
but[^a2794] cryst I wolde I[^a2795] knewe hym no creature le vere
wyth -oute helpe off pyers plowman quod he hys person seeste þou neuer
where clerkes knowe hym quod I þat kepen holy cherche
clerkes haue no knowyng quod he but by workes & wordes
but[^a2796] pyers þe plowman percey vethe more depper
where ys þe wyll & wherfore þat many a[^a2797][^865] wyght sufferythe
et vidit deus cogitationes eorum ://
for þer are full pro vde herted men pacyent off tong
and buxome as off beyryng to burgesys & to lordes
& to po vre poeple haue peppur In þe nose
and as a lyon he lokethe ther men lakken hys workes
for þer are bugeysys bu[r]geysys[^a2798][^866] & bydders beydemen as ytt were
loken as lambren & semyn lyffe-holy
but[^a2799] ytt ys more to haue þer meyte In s oyche maner[^a2800]
then for pennance or perfyttnes the po v erte þat s oche takethe
therfore by colo vr ne by clargy knowe shalt þou hym neuer
nether thrugh wordes ne workes but thrugh wyll alone[^a2801]
& þat knoethe no clerke ne creature yn yerthe
but pyers þe plowman : :petrus id est cristus :
for he ys noght yn lollers ne yn lewde[^a2802] lepers hermytes
ne at ankers there a box hangethe all s oyche þei fayten
Fye vp-on[^a2803] Fayto vrs and on[^a2804] fautores suos
for charyte to[^a2805] goddes champyon & as a goode chylde hende
& þe meryest off mo vthe att meyte wher he syttethe
the lo ve þat l yethe yn hys herte makethe hym lyght of speche
& ys compaygnable & confortyve[^a2806] as cryst bytt hym-sel ve
nolite fieri sicut ipocrite tristes ://
for I haue seene hym in sylke & some-tyme In[^867] r vssett
bothe yn grey & yn grys and yn gylte harnes
and as gladlyche he ytt gaffe to goomes þat ytt neded
edm v nd & edward ether were kynges
and seyntes y-sett tyll charyte theym folowed
I haue seene charyte also syngen & reden
bydden[^a2807] & rennen yn ragged weedes
for[^a2808] byddyng as beggers doone[^a2809] byheld I hym neuer
but[^a2810] In ryche roobes rathest he walkethe
y-called & crymaylled[^a2811] & hys crowne sha ve
& clenlyche y-clothed In cypres & In tartaryne
and In a freres frocke he was fo vnde oon ce
but[^a2812] ytt ys fare a-goo In seynte franceyes tyme
and In þat secte sythe to selde hathe he be knowen
ryche men he recommendythe &[^a2813] theyre robes takethe
that wythowten wyles leyden theyre ly ves
beatus est diues qui et cetera//
yn þe[^a2814] kynges co vrte he comethe oft þer þe counseyll ys trewe
but[^a2815] yff co vetyse be off[^a2816] co vnseyle he wyll not comme þerynne
In co vrt among Iapers he comethe but[^a2817][^868] selde
For bra vlyng & backbytyng & beyryng off fal ce wyttnes
In[^a2818] consystorye before þe commyssorye he comethe not full ofte
for þer lawe d vrethe ouer long but yff þei lacche syl ver
& matrymoygne for money maken & vnmaken
and þat coscyence co[n]scyence[^a2819] & cryste hathe knytt[^a2820] faste
they vndone yt vnworthylye þes[^a2821] docto vrs off lawe
but[^a2822] I ne lack no lyffe but lord amend vs all
& gyve vs grace good god charyte to folowe
for wo[^a2823] myght mete wyth hym s oche maners hym aylethe
nether he bannethe ne blamethe ne bostethe[^a2824] ne preysethe
[^869]cra vethe ne co vetythe ne cryethe after more
lackethe ne losethe ne lookethe vp sterne
In pace inidipsum in idipsum dormiam et requiescam[^a2825] ://
þe most l y veloode he ly vethe by ys lo ve yn goddes passyon
nether he byddethe ne beggethe ne borowethe to yelde
myssdoethe he no man ne wyth hys mo vthe gre vethe
amongest crystyen men thys myl dnes sh olde laste
In all maner angres haue þis In[^a2826] herte
that thogh þei suffered all thys god[^870] suffered[^871] for vs more
In ensample we sh olde do soo and take no wengeance
off our foos þat doone vs falssnes that ys our fadres wyll
for well may euery man wytte yff god[^a2827] wolde hym-sel ve
shulde neuer Iudas ne Iewe haue Iesu doone on roode
ne haue martered petur ne poule In[^a2828][^872] pryson holden
but[^a2829] he suffered yn ensample þat we[^a2830] suffre also
and seyde to s oyche þat suffer wolde þat pacientes vincunt :
verbi gracia quod he & verrey ensamples manye
In ligenda sanctorm sanctor[u]m[^a2831] the lyffe off holy seyntes
what pennance & po verte & passyon the[^a2832][^873] suffered
yn hongre & yn heate yn all maner angres
antony & egydy & other holy fadres
woneden In wyldernes amongest wylde beastes
monkes & mondynantz m[e]ndynantz[^a2833] men by theym-sel ve
In spekes & speklo vkes spelo[n]kes[^a2834][^874] seelde speke to-gyddres
but[^a2835] neuer[^a2836] antonye ne egydy ne herymytes[^a2837] þat tyme
off lyons ne[^a2838] leopardes no ly veloode ne tooke
but off fo vles þat flyghen þus fynd men In bookes
except þat egyde after an hynde cryed
and thrughe þe mylke off þat mylde beaste þe man was susteyned
and day by day had he hyr noght hys hongre for to slake
but selde[^a2839] & sondrye tymes as sayethe þe boke & teychethe
antonye a dayes abo vte noone tyme
had a bryd þat broght hym breyd þat he by ly ved
& thoghe þe goome had a gest : god fond theym bothe
poul primus heremita had parrokked hym-sel ve
that no man myght hym see for mosse & for ley ves
Fo vhles hym fedde fell[^a2840][^875] wynters wythe all
tyll he fownded freres off a vg vstynes[^a2841] ordre
poule after hys preychyng panȝers he made
and wanne wyth hy s[^876] handys þat hys wombe nedethe[^a2842]
petur fysshed for hys foode & hys felowe andrewe
some þei solde & some they soothe / & so they ly ved bothe
& also marye magdalyne by moores ly ved & dewes
but[^a2843] most thrughe de votyon and mynd off god almyghtye
I shold not thys sey ven dayes seggen theym all
that ly vyden thys[^a2844][^877] for oure lordys lo ve many long yeres
but[^a2845] there ne was lyon ne leoparde that on landes[^a2846][^878] wenten
nether[^a2847] ne borre ne other beaste wylde
that ne fell to theyre feete and fa vned wyth þer[^a2848] tayles
and yff þei co vlde haue carped[^a2849] by cryste as I trowe
they wold haue feedde[^a2850] þat folke byfore wylde fowles
but[^a2851] god send þem foode by foughles & by no wylde[^a2852] beastes
In meanyng þat meke thyng / mylde thyng sholde feede
as wo seyethe relygyo vse ryghtfull men sholde fynde
and lawfull men to lyffholy men ly veloode bryng
& þen wolde lordes & ladyes be lothe to agylte
& to take off theyre tenantes more then trowgh wolde
Fond þei þat freres wold forsake theyre almes
& bydden them beyre ytt þer ytt was y-borowed
for we be goddes fowheles & abyden al way
tyll bryddes bryng vs meate þat we sh olde ly ve by
For had ye potage & payne &[^a2853] penny ale y-noghe[^a2854]
and a meyse þer -mydde off any maner kynd
ye had ryght ynowghe ye rylyg yo vse so[^a2855] your re vle me tolde
numquam dicit Iob rugit onager cum herbam habuerit : aut : mugiet bos cum ante se[^a2856] plenum presepe steterit: brutorum animalium natura te condemnat: quia cum eis pabulum comune sufficiat ex adipe prodijt iniquitas tua://
[^879] yff lewde men knewe thys laten: þei wolde loocke to[^a2857] gy ve
and auyse þem a-fore[^a2858] fy ve[^a2859] dayes or syxe
er they amortysed to monkes &[^a2860] chanons þer rentes
WH nota hic
alas lordes & ladyes lewde co vnceyle haue ye
de Religione
to gy ve fro your heyres þat your ayeles had[^a2861]
and gy vethe to bydde for you to s oche þat beene ryche
and beene fo vnded & feasted[^a2862] eke to bydde for other
who perfo vrnethe þis profecye off þe poeple þat nowe ly vethe
dispersit dedit pauperibus://
nota de fratribus

[This marginal comment is in the same hand as the addition by WH at the bottom of the previous page. A vertical line in the same ink runs from G.16.333 to G.16.347.]

yff any poeple perfome perfo[r]me[^a2863] þis texte ytt are þe pore freres
For þat þei beggen aboute In beeldyng they spende[^a2864][^880]
on[^a2865] theyre[^a2866] -sel ve some & on[^a2867] s oche as beene þeir laboro vrs
& off[^a2868] þat haue þei taken and gyve theym þat ne ha vethe
but[^a2869] clerkes & knyghtes & com vners þat beene ryche
feele how[^a2870][^881] you faren / &[^a2871] yff I a forest hadde
that were full off fayre trees & y fo vnded & caste[^882]
how I myght moo therynne amonges þem sett
ryght so ryche[^a2872] ye robbe þem þat[^a2873] be ryche
& helpen þem þat helpen you & gy vethe there no nede ys
as wo-so fyllede a tonne off a fresshe ry ver
& went forthe wyth þat water / to awoke[^a2874] wyth te msse
ryght so ye ryche robbethe[^883] & fedethe
them þat haue as ye haue ye[^a2875] make att ease
butt[^a2876] relygyo vse þat ryche beene sh olde rather feaste beggers
then burgesys þat ryche beene as þe booke teychethe
quia sacralegium est res pauperum non pauperibus dare: Item peccatoribus dare est demonibus immolare : Item: monache si indiges & accipis pocius das quam accipis: si autem non eges et accipis rapis : porro non indiget: monacus si habeat quod nature sufficit ://[^884]
forthye I co vnseyle all crystyen to confo vrme them to charyte
For charyte wythoute chalyngyng vnchargethe þe so vle
& many a prysoner[^a2877] fro p vrgatorye thrugh hys preyers delyuerythe
but[^a2878] þer ys a defa vte yn þe folke þat the lawe[^a2879] kepe
wherfore folke ys the febylyer & not fyrme off byle ve
and In l vsburwes a[^a2880] lyther a-lay / a[^a2881] yete lokethe he lyke a sterlyng
the merke off þat money ys good / but[^a2882] þe meytell ys feble
& so ytt farethe by some folke nowe þei haue a fayre speche
crowne & crystendome the kynges merke off hey ven
but[^a2883] þe mettell þat ys mannes so vle wyth synne ys fowle alayed[^885]
that no lyfe ne[^a2884] lo vethe other ne our lorde as ytt semethe
for thrugh warre & wycked workes & wedders vnreasonable
wyther[^a2885] wysse shyppmen & wytty clerkes also
haue no byle ve to þe lyst[^a2886] / ne to þe loore off phylossophers
astronomyens all day In theyre artes[^a2887] fayllen
that wyllhome warned byfore what sh olde fall after
shypmen & sheppardes that wyth shypp & shepe wenten
wysten by þe welkne what sholde betyde
as off wedders wyndes[^a2888] they warned men ofte
tylyers þat tylyed þe yerthe toolden theyre masters
by þe seede þat þei shewe[^a2889][^886] / what they sell myght
& what to ley ve & what to ly ve by þe lande was so trewe
now faylethe þe folke off the floode & off the land bothe
shepperdes & shypmen & so do thes tylyers
nether[^a2890] konne ne knowen[^887] oon co vrse a-fore[^a2891] a-nother
astromonyens also are att theyr wyttes ende
off þat was calclede off þe elymentes þe contrary þei fynde
gramere þe grounde off all bygylethe now chyldren
For ys non off þes newe clerkes who-so nymmethe hede
that canne versyfye fayre or[^a2892] fo vrmelyche endyte
ne not on amonge an h vndrethe an[^a2893] a vtour can constrewe
ne rede a l etter In any langage but latyn & eng lysshe
go now to any degre but[^a2894] yff gyle be mastre
& flatterer hys felowe vndre hym to fo vrme
moche wondre me thynkethe among vs all
docto vrs off decrees / & off dyuynyte masters
that sholde konne & knowe alkynnes clargye
and answere to arg vmentes and also to a quodlibet
I dare not segge ytt for shame yf s oche were apposed
they sholde fayle yn[^a2895] þeir phylosophy & yn þeir[^a2896] physyck bothe
wherfore I am a-ferde off folke off holy churche
lest þei ouerhyppen as other done yn offyce & yn ho vrs
but[^a2897] yff þei ouerhyppe as I hope noght our byle ve suffysethe
as clerkes yn corpus cristi feaste syngen & reden
that sola fides sufficit to sa ve s oche[^a2898] lewde poeple
and so may sarazenes be sa ved scrybes & Iewes
alas þen but our loorsmen ly ven as þei teyche[^a2899] vs
þat[^a2900] for þeir ly vyng[^a2901] lewdmen lewd men be[^a2902] lother god to agylte[^a2903]
For sarazenes haue somewhat semyng to our byle ve
For þei lo ve & byle ve In on person almyghty
and we lered & lewde In on god byle ve
and on (macomethe)[^888] a man yn myssbyle ve
broght sarazenes off surre and see In whatt maner
th ys macomethe was crystyen & for he myght[^a2904] not be p ape[^889]
In-to surre he soght & thrugh hys subtyle wyttes
he davn ted[^a2905] a dove and day & nyght hyr fedde
the corne þat she cropped / he cast ytt yn h ys eyre
and yff he among þe poeple preyched / or yn place came
then wolde þe c vl ver come In-to[^a2906] the clerkes eyre
menyng as after meyte (þus macomethe) hyr enchanted
and dyd folke[^a2907][^890] fall on knees / for he sware In hys preychyng
that þe c vl ver þat came so came from god off hey ven
as mesenger to macomethe men for to teyche
& þus thrugh wyles off hys wytt and a whyte dowe
macchomett yn myssbyle ve men & wemen broght
þat lered & lewde yett leeuen on hys lawes
& sythe our sa vyour suffered þe sarazenes so begyled
thrugh a c vrsed[^a2908] clerke ac vrsed In hys soule
nota bene

[Marginal nota bene has clearly been written by WH. For an initialled marginal addition in this hand, see G.16.325.m.1.]

& for drede off dethe[^a2909] I dare nott tell þe trewthe[^a2910]
how englysshe clerkes a col ver feden þat co veto vse[^a2911] hatte
& bynne manered after macomethe þat no man vsethe trewthe
ancres & heremytes moonkes[^a2912] & freres
peren to appostels thrugh þeir perfytt ly vyng
wold neuer þe feythfull father þat hys mynysters sholde
off tyrantes þat teene trew men taken any almesse
but doone as antony dyd domynycke & fraunceys
benett & bernard wyche[^a2913] theym furst taght
to ly ve by ly ttulle[^891] & yn lowe howses / by leelle menes almesse
grace shold growe & be greene thrugh þeir good ly vyng
& folkes sholde fynde þat been In greate[^a2914] sycknes
the better for theyr byddyng[^a2915] In bodyes[^a2916] & yn so vles[^a2917]
theyr preyers & theyre pennances to pea ce sholde brynge
all þat bynne att debate and redemen been[^a2918] trewe
petite et accipietis & cetera//
salt sa vethe catell seggen thes wy ves
vos est is sal terre et cetera
the beydes[^a2919] off holy churche and þei holye were
cryste callethe þem salt for crysten soules
et si sal euanerit in quo salietur :
but[^a2920] fresshe fless he other fysshe when ytt salt faylethe
ytt ys vnsauery for-sothe y-soothe or bake[^a2921]
so ys mannes soule sothely þat seethe no good ensample
off theym off holycherche þat þe hyghe way sholde teyche
and be gyde & go before as a goode baner
& hardye þem þat be beynde[^a2922] / & gy ve þem goode e vydence
elleuene holye men all þe worlde t vrned
In-to leele byle ve þe lyghtlyer[^a2923] me thynkethe
shold all maner men / we haue so many masters
prestes & preycho vrs & a pope above
that goddes salte sholdbe shold be / to sa ve mannes soule
all was hethenes some-tyme england & wales
tyll gregory made[^a2924] clerkes to go & to preyche
aug vstyne[^a2925] att cant vrbury crystyned þe kyng
& thrugh myracles as men mowe rede all þat marche to vrned[^a2926]
to cryste & to crystendome þe[^a2927] cros to honore
and fulled folke fast and þe faythe taghte
more thrugh myracles þen thrugh moche preychyng
as well thrughe hys werkes as wyth hys woly wordes
& seyde þem what fullyng & faythe was to meane
clothe þat commethe fro wetyng[^a2928] ys not comelye to weyre[^892]
tyll ytt be fulled vndre foote or yn fullyng stockes
whassen well wyth water & wyth taseles cracched
y-to vked & y-teynted & vndre teylyo vrs hande
& soo ytt farethe by a barne þat borne ys off wombe
tyll yt be crystyned In crystes name & consermed con[f]ermed of[^a2929] bysshope
ytt ys heythen as to hey venwarde & helples to þe soule
heythen ys to meane after hethe & vntyled yerthe
as In wylde wyldernes wexen wylde beastes
r vde & vnreysonable rennyng wyth -owte crepres[^a2930]
ye nymmethe[^a2931] well what[^a2932] mathew sayethe how a man made a feaste
he fedde þem wyth no weneson ne pheysandes y-bake
but wyth fouheles þat from hym nolde but folowed hys wystylyng
ecce altilia mea et omnia parata sunt et cetera :
& wythe cal ves flesshe he fedde þe folke þat he lo ved
the calffe betokenethe cleynnes In theym þat kepe þe[^a2933] lawes
for as þe kowe thrughe kynd mylke þe calffe norysshethe to[^a2934] an oxe
so lo ve & lealte lewde[^a2935] men susteyane
and meydens & mylde men marcy desyren
ryght as þe kowe kalffe coueytythe sweete mylke
so doone ryghfull men mercy & trewthe[^893]
but[^a2936] who beene þat exc vsen þem / þat are persones & preestes
that hedes off holye churche beene / þat haue þeir wyll here
wythoute tra vell þe tythe dole[^a2937] / þat trewe men byswynken
they wylbe wyl be wrothe þat I wroote[^a2938] þis[^a2939][^894] / but[^a2940] to wyttnes I take
bothe mathewe & marke & memento domine dauid://
what pope or prelate nowe perfo vrmethe þat cryste hyght
Ite in vniuersum mundum et predicate et cetera ://
alas þat men so longe on machomethe shoolde byle ve
so many preelates to preche as þe pope makethe
off nazarethe off nyny ve off neptalyn off[^a2941] damaske
that þei ne went as cryst wyssethe sythe þei wyll ha ve name
to be pasto vrs & preyche þe passyon off :Iesus :
& as hym-selffe sayde to[^a2942] ly ve & dye
bonus pastor animam suam ponit & cetera //
and seyde ytt yn sal vatyon off sarazenes & Iewes[^a2943]
for crystene & vncrystene cryst sayde to preychers
Ite vos in vineam meam et cetera
& sythe þat þes sarazenes scrybes and Iewes
haue a lyppe off our byle ve / þe lyghtlyer me thynkethe
þei sholde torne wo[^a2944] tra veyle wolde to teyche þem off þe trynyte
querite et inuenietis et cetera //
ytt ys re vthe to rede howe ryght- wysmen wys men ly vyden
how þei defo vlled þeir flesshe forsooke theyr owen wyll
farre fro kythe & from kynne y vell clothed[^a2945] yeden
badly clade[^a2946] no booke but conscyence
ne no ryches but þe roode to re Ioyce theym ynne
absit nobis gloriari nisi in cruce domini nostri et cetera //
and þo was pleynte & pea ce among po vre & ryche
and now ys re vthe to rede how þe redde noble
ys reuerensed are þe roode receyued for þe worthyer
then crystes cros þat ouercame dethe & deadly synnes[^a2947]
WH prophycie

[WH also adds the bracket around the following six lines.]

& nowe ys warre & wo & who-so whye askethe
For co vetyse after cros þe crowne stand In golde
bothe ryche & relygyo vse that roode they honoren
that yn þe grote[^a2948] ys I-grauae[^895] / & yn þe[^a2949] gold nobles
For co vetyse off þat cros men off holye kyrke
shall torne as templers dyd þe tyme approchethe fast
wote ye nat ye wysse[^a2950] men howe þo men honored
more treasure þen trewthe I dare not tell þe sothe
reason & ryghtfull dome þo relygyo vse demed
ryght so ye clerkes for your co vetyse er long
shall þei deemen / dos ecclesie / & your pryde depoosse[^896]
deposuit potentes de sede & cetera //
yff kynghthoode k[ny]ghthoode[^a2951] & kynd wytt & com vne conscyence
to-geddres lo ve leely le vethe ytt well ye bysshopes
the lordshyppe off lande[^a2952] for e ver ye shall lese
and ly ven as le vytes[^a2953] as our lorde you teychethe
per primitias et decemas[^897] & cetera
when constantyne off co vrtesye holy cherche dowed
wyth landes & leedes lordshyppes & rentes
an angell men herd an hyghe att rome crye
dos ecclesie thys day hathe dronke[^a2954] wenome
and þo þat haue peturs power are empoysoned[^a2955] all
nota bene
a medycyne m vste þerto þat may amend preelates
pro episcopis
that shold pray for þe peas possessyon þem lettethe
take theyre landes ye lordes & lett þem ly ve by þeir dymes[^a2956]
yff possessyon be poysone & ymperfytt þem make
good were to dyschare dyschar[g]e[^a2957] þem for holy cherches sake
& p vrgen þem off poyson er more peryll fall
yff preesthoode were perfytt þe poeple wold[^a2958] amend
that contraryen crystes lawe & crystendome despyse
for all paynemes preyen & perfyttlye byle ven
In þe holy greate god and hys grace þei asken
& make þeir moone to macomethe þeir message to shewe
thus In a faythe lee ve þat folke / & yn a fal ce meane
& þat ys re vthe for ryghtfull men þat yn þe realme won nen[^898]
& yn[^a2959] perell for[^a2960] þe pope & preelates þat he makethe
that beyre bysshoppes names off bethelem & off babylon
that hyppe a-bowte en englande to halowe mennes awtres
& crepe amonge curato vrs confessyon[^a2961] / ageynst þe lawe
nolite mittere falcem in messem alienam ://
many man for crystes lo ve was martered yn romaygne
er any cr ystendome was knowe þ er / or any cros hono vred
euery bysshoppe þat beyrythe cros by that he ys holden
thrugh hys pro vynce to passe & to hys poeple shewe hym
tellen þem & teychen þem on þe trynyte to byle ve
& feden þem wyth gostlye foode & gy ve there ytt nedethe
In domo mea non est panis neque vestimentum
et ideo nolite constituere me in regem[^899]
ozias sayethe þat for[^a2962] s oyche as[^a2963] seeke bene & feble
Inferte omnes decimas in orreum meum vt cibus in domo & cetera//
but[^a2964] we crysten creatures þat on þe cros byle ven
are fyrme en[^a2965] þe feythe god[^a2966][^900] forbyde[^a2967] elles
& haue clerkes to kepe vs therynne / & þem þat[^a2968] comethe[^a2969] after
and Iewes l y ven[^901] In leele lawe / our lorde wrote hym-sel ve
In stonne for ytt stydfaste ys & stand shall[^a2970] for euer[^a2971]
dilige deum et proximum : ys perfytt Iewes lawe
he[^a2972][^902] toke ytt moyses to teyche men tyll messye came
& on þat lawe þei lee ven yett & letten ytt þe best
& yett knowe þei cryste þat crystendome taghte
for a perfytt prophete þat moche poeple sa ved
off selco vthe soores þei seyen ytt offte
bothe[^a2973] myracles & merweles & howe he men feasted
wyth two fysshes & fy ve looves fy ve thowsand poeple
& by þat mangerye men myght see[^a2974] þat messye he semed
& when he lyffte vp lazar that leyde was yn gra ve
and vndre stonne deyde & stanke wyth styffe woyce &[^a2975] called
lazare veni foras :
dyde hym ryse & ro vne rov[m]e[^a2976][^903] ryght before þe Iewes
but[^a2977] þei seyden & sware wyth sorcyrye he wroght
and st vdyeden hym to stroye[^a2978] and stroiden þemsel ve
and thrugh pacyence[^a2979] þeir powere to p vre noght he broght
pacientes vincunt :
danyell off þeir vndoyng dy vyned & seyde
cum sanctus sanctorum veniat cessabit vnccio vestra :
& yett wenen þo wrecches þat he were pheudo p[s]eudo[^a2980] -propheta :
and þat ys loore be leysynges & lakken ytt all
& hoope þat he be to come þat shall þem rele ve
mosyes efte or messye theyr masters þei dy vynen[^a2981]
but[^a2982] sarazenes pharaseyes[^a2983] scrybes & greekes
ere folke off on faythe þe fadre god they hono vren
& sythe þat þe sarazenes & also þe Iewes
cane þe furste cla vse off our byle ve credo In deum patrem[^a2984]
prelates and[^a2985] crysten pro vyncez sholde pro ve yff þei myght
lere þem by[^a2986] lytle[^a2987] & lytle[^a2988] et in Iesum cristum filium eius & cetera:
tyll þei co vlde speeke & spell et in spiritum sanctum & cetera
& reden[^a2989] & recorden ytt wyth remissionem peccatorum
carnis resurrexionem et vitam eternam amen

[^a2691: But (G) | Ac (most mss)]

[^a2692: & alowed (G) | allowed (most mss)]

[^a2693: psouns p[er]souns (G) | persones (all other mss)]

[^a2694: & (G) | ne (most mss)]

[^a2695: many (G R Cot) | many a (all other mss)]

[^a2696: places (G) | place (all other mss)]

[^a2697: aparte a parte (G) | a partye (all other mss)]

[^a2698: voyce (G) | voice so (most mss)]

[^a2699: ys well (G F) | is (most mss)]

[^a2700: eche (G) | eche a (most mss)]

[^a2701: amogest amo[n]gest (G) | amonges (all other mss)]

[^a2702: wyle (G) | Þe whiles (most mss)]

[^a2703: for (G) | And for þat (all other mss)]

[^a2704: name and (G O C2 Y) | name (all other mss)]

[^a2705: In (G Cr23) | an (all other mss)]

[^a2706: me my (G) | my (all other mss)]

[^a2707: name (G C B) | firste name (all other mss)]

[^a2708: augustyne (G) | Austyn (all other mss)]

[^a2709: & eyther (G) | ayther (most mss)]

[^a2710: neue ved neue[n]ed (G) | Nempned (most mss)]

[^a2711: may (G) | myȝte (all other mss)]

[^a2712: my (G W) | alle my (all other mss)]

[^a2713: memoria (G) | memoria est (all other mss)]

[^a2714: heape as (G) | hepe (all other mss)]

[^a2715: thynke (G Cr) | þinketh (all other mss)]

[^a2716: he (G) | I (most mss)]

[^a2717: so (G) | by so (most mss)]

[^a2718: þat no (G B) | no (all other mss)]

[^a2719: knowe (G C O C2 B) | I knewe (all other mss)]

[^a2720: konne (G O C2) | couth (most mss)]

[^a2721: perfytelyche (G) | kyndely (all other mss)]

[^a2722: a-lone (G) | one (most mss)]

[^a2723: vir (G) | est (most mss)]

[^a2724: but (G) | And (all other mss)]

[^a2725: sapire sap[e]re (G) | sapere (all other mss)]

[^a2726: & (G R F) | and fele (all other mss)]

[^a2727: vnmeysurables (G R) | inmesurables (most mss)]

[^a2728: þe (G R) | of þe (most mss)]

[^a2729: folysshlyche (G) | folilich (most mss) | folich (C2 Y) | folish (Cr3)]

[^a2730: yn (G) | into (R F) | and in-to (L M Cr W Hm) | and (C O C2 Y B)]

[^a2731: diligis dilig[it]is (G) | diligitis (all other mss)]

[^a2732: go ye (G) | Go (all other mss)]

[^a2733: & yff (G) | If (all other mss)]

[^a2734: le ve (G) | lene (all other mss)]

[^a2735: but (G F) | Ac (most mss)]

[^a2736: trewthe (G L R F) | truthes (all other mss)]

[^a2737: lokethe (G C) | lyketh (all other mss)]

[^a2738: e vell (G Y B) | yueles (all other mss)]

[^a2739: rootes (G) | rote (all other mss)]

[^a2740: the (G F) | the riȝte (all other mss)]

[^a2741: but (G F) | Ac (most mss)]

[^a2742: fell (G O C2) | bifel (most mss)]

[^a2743: tonges (G) | tonge (all other mss)]

[^a2744: tales (G) | taille (all other mss)]

[^a2745: trewe (G Cr W R F) | vntrewe (all other mss)]

[^a2746: tylyed (G Cr) | ytilied (all other mss)]

[^a2747: & (G) | or (all other mss)]

[^a2748: r vle (G) | lore (all other mss)]

[^a2749: thrugh (G) | for (all other mss)]

[^a2750: but (G) | Ac (most mss)]

[^a2751: vnlyche (G) | ful vnlouelich (most mss)]

[^a2752: omnis (G) | omnium (all other mss)]

[^a2753: couertitur co[n]uertitur (G L) | conuertitur (all other mss)]

[^a2754: si (G) | Sicut (all other mss)]

[^a2755: hys baselard (G) | here baselardes (most mss)]

[^a2756: hys (G) | here (most mss)]

[^a2757: hys (G) | her (all other mss)]

[^a2758: hys (G) | her (all other mss)]

[^a2759: but (G F) | Ac (most mss)]

[^a2760: sholde (G) | þat shulde (most mss)]

[^a2761: they (G) | ȝe (most mss)]

[^a2762: but (G) | Ac (most mss)]

[^a2763: wyche (G) | Þe which (most mss)]

[^a2764: & by (G Cr) | by (most mss)]

[^a2765: are (G) | is (most mss) | ben (F)]

[^a2766: thys (G) | Þus (all other mss)]

[^a2767: by (G C Y) | be (most mss)]

[^a2768: but (G F) | Ac (most mss)]

[^a2769: ye (G) | In (all other mss)]

[^a2770: & (G) | and in (all other mss)]

[^a2771: men (G C B) | men fynde (all other mss)]

[^a2772: pouerre poure bothe (G) | pore (all other mss)]

[^a2773: but (G) | Ac (most mss) | But not for (F)]

[^a2774: non (G C B) | As non (L O C2 Y R F) | Is non (M Cr W Hm)]

[^a2775: but (G F) | Ac (most mss)]

[^a2776: no (G Hm F) | nouȝt (all other mss)]

[^a2777: chalegethe chale[n]gethe (G) | chalengeth (all other mss)]

[^a2778: tryed (G Cr C O C2) | trye (most mss)]

[^a2779: to (G) | with (all other mss)]

[^a2780: to (G Cr C2 B F) | til (most mss)]

[^a2781: le vythe (G Cr) | beleviþ (F) | leneth (all other mss)]

[^a2782: & all (G) | Al (all other mss)]

[^a2783: letethe (G) | let it (all other mss)]

[^a2784: yerly (G) | erthly (most mss) | erly (F)]

[^a2785: any (G) | any riche (all other mss)]

[^a2786: he wont (G) | he is woned (W C Bo F) | is his wone (L M Hm) | he is wonne (Cr O C2 Y Bm)]

[^a2787: wend (G C Y) | wend on (most mss)]

[^a2788: beyrethe (G M Cr F) | bereth hem (most mss)]

[^a2789: as (G) | hem as (most mss)]

[^a2790: tro vght (G) | þout (B) | ȝouthe (most mss)]

[^a2791: þer (G) | þe (most mss)]

[^a2792: bowken (G) | beten (all other mss)]

[^a2793: lyggen (G Cr C) | leggen (most mss)]

[^a2794: but (G) | By (all other mss)]

[^a2795: I (G Cr Y F) | þat I (all other mss)]

[^a2796: but (G F) | Ac (most mss)]

[^a2797: many a (G O C2) | many (all other mss)]

[^a2798: bugeysys bu[r]geysys (G) | beggeres (all other mss)]

[^a2799: but (G) | Ac (most mss)]

[^a2800: maner (G) | esy manere (all other mss)]

[^a2801: alone (G) | one (all other mss)]

[^a2802: lewde (G) | lande (all other mss)]

[^a2803: vp-on (G) | on (most mss)]

[^a2804: on (G C Y F) | in (most mss)]

[^a2805: to (G) | is (all other mss)]

[^a2806: confortyve (G C Y) | confortatyf (most mss)]

[^a2807: bydden (G) | Ryden (most mss)]

[^a2808: for (G) | Ac (most mss)]

[^a2809: beggers doone (G) | beggeres (most mss)]

[^a2810: but (G F) | Ac (most mss)]

[^a2811: crymaylled (G C Y) | ycrimiled (most mss)]

[^a2812: but (G F) | Ac (most mss)]

[^a2813: & (G B) | and of (all other mss)]

[^a2814: yn þe (G F) | In (all other mss)]

[^a2815: but (G) | Ac (most mss)]

[^a2816: off (G Cr) | of þe (most mss)]

[^a2817: but (G L M R) | not but (most mss)]

[^a2818: In (G B F) | In þe (all other mss)]

[^a2819: coscyence co[n]scyence (G) | conscience (all other mss)]

[^a2820: knytt (G Cr23 C F) | yknitte (most mss)]

[^a2821: þes (G Y) | þo (most mss)]

[^a2822: but (G F) | Ac (most mss)]

[^a2823: wo (G) | who-so (all other mss)]

[^a2824: ne bostethe (G Y F) | bosteth (all other mss)]

[^a2825: et requiescam (G Cr) | & cetera (most mss) | & requiescam & cetera (Hm)]

[^a2826: In (G Cr) | at (most mss)]

[^a2827: god (G R F) | god hadde (all other mss)]

[^a2828: In (G) | ne in (all other mss)]

[^a2829: but (G F) | Ac (most mss)]

[^a2830: we (G C B) | we shulde (all other mss)]

[^a2831: sanctorm sanctor[u]m (G) | sanctorum (all other mss)]

[^a2832: the (G) | þei (all other mss)]

[^a2833: mondynantz m[e]ndynantz (G) | mendynauntz (all other mss)]

[^a2834: speklo vkes spelo[n]kes (G C Y B) | spelonkes (most mss)]

[^a2835: but (G F) | Ac (most mss)]

[^a2836: neuer (G) | noyther (all other mss)]

[^a2837: herymytes (G) | heremite (all other mss)]

[^a2838: ne (G F) | ne of (all other mss)]

[^a2839: selde (G Cr C Y) | selden (all other mss)]

[^a2840: fell (G Cr) | fele (all other mss)]

[^a2841: a vg vstynes (G) | austines (most mss)]

[^a2842: nedethe (G) | neded (all other mss)]

[^a2843: but (G F) | Ac (most mss)]

[^a2844: thys (G) | þus (all other mss)]

[^a2845: but (G) | Ac (most mss)]

[^a2846: landes (G Cr B) | laundes (most mss) | londe (F)]

[^a2847: nether (G) | Noyther bere (most mss)]

[^a2848: þer (G Cr Hm B F) | þe (all other mss)]

[^a2849: carped (G Cr Hm) | ycarped (all other mss)]

[^a2850: feedde (G L Cr Hm) | y-fed (all other mss)]

[^a2851: but (G F) | Ac (most mss)]

[^a2852: wylde (G F) | fierse (all other mss)]

[^a2853: & (G O C2 F) | ynough and (all other mss)]

[^a2854: y-noghe (G) | to drynke (all other mss)]

[^a2855: so (G Cr) | and so (all other mss)]

[^a2856: ante se (G) | ante (all other mss)]

[^a2857: to (G) | whom þei (most mss)]

[^a2858: a-fore (G Cr) | bifore (all other mss)]

[^a2859: fy ve (G O C2 R F) | a fyue (all other mss)]

[^a2860: & (G) | or (most mss)]

[^a2861: had (G C B) | ȝow lefte (most mss)]

[^a2862: feasted (G) | feffed (most mss)]

[^a2863: perfome perfo[r]me (G) | perfourme (all other mss)]

[^a2864: spende (G C2 B R) | spene (L M O Y) | spend it (Cr W C) | it spende (Hm F)]

[^a2865: on (G) | And on (most mss)]

[^a2866: theyre (G) | hem (most mss)]

[^a2867: & on (G B F) | and (all other mss)]

[^a2868: off (G C B) | of hem (all other mss)]

[^a2869: but (G F) | Ac (most mss)]

[^a2870: feele how (G) | Fele of (all other mss)]

[^a2871: & (G) | as (all other mss)]

[^a2872: ryche (G) | ȝe riche (most mss)]

[^a2873: þem þat (G F) | þat (all other mss)]

[^a2874: awoke (G) | woke (most mss)]

[^a2875: ye (G Y) | hem ȝe (all other mss)]

[^a2876: butt (G F) | Ac (most mss)]

[^a2877: prysoner (G Cr1 C2 Cot F) | prisone (most mss) | prisoners (Cr23)]

[^a2878: but (G F) | Ac (most mss)]

[^a2879: lawe (G) | faith (all other mss)]

[^a2880: a (G) | is a (most mss)]

[^a2881: a (G) | and (most mss)]

[^a2882: but (G F) | ac (most mss)]

[^a2883: but (G F) | Ac (most mss)]

[^a2884: lyfe ne (G) | lyf (all other mss)]

[^a2885: wyther (G Cot) | Weder (most mss)]

[^a2886: lyst (G Cr23) | lifte (most mss)]

[^a2887: artes (G) | arte (most mss)]

[^a2888: wyndes (G) | and wyndes (most mss)]

[^a2889: shewe (G) | sewe (all other mss)]

[^a2890: nether (G) | Noither þei (all other mss)]

[^a2891: a-fore (G) | bi-for (most mss)]

[^a2892: or (G) | ne (all other mss)]

[^a2893: an (G F) | þat an (most mss)]

[^a2894: but (G) | and but (all other mss)]

[^a2895: yn (G L M R F) | of (all other mss)]

[^a2896: yn þeir (G M O C2) | in (most mss)]

[^a2897: but (G F) | Ac (most mss)]

[^a2898: s oche (G) | with (most mss)]

[^a2899: teyche (G) | leren (most mss)]

[^a2900: þat (G) | And (all other mss)]

[^a2901: ly vyng (G) | lyuynge þat (all other mss)]

[^a2902: be (G) | be þe (all other mss)]

[^a2903: to agylte (G) | agulten (most mss)]

[^a2904: myght (G Cr) | moste (most mss)]

[^a2905: he davn ted (G W Hm F) | Daunted (all other mss)]

[^a2906: In-to (G O C2) | to (all other mss)]

[^a2907: folke (G Cr Y F) | folke þanne (all other mss)]

[^a2908: c vrsed (G) | crystene (all other mss)]

[^a2909: dethe (G Cr Y) | þe deth (all other mss)]

[^a2910: þe trewthe (G M) | treuthe (most mss)]

[^a2911: co veto vse (G) | coueityse (all other mss)]

[^a2912: moonkes (G M Cr) | and monkes (all other mss)]

[^a2913: wyche (G) | þe which (all other mss)]

[^a2914: greate (G) | dyuerse (all other mss)]

[^a2915: byddyng (G) | byddynges (all other mss)]

[^a2916: bodyes (G) | body (all other mss)]

[^a2917: so vles (G) | soule (all other mss)]

[^a2918: redemen been (G) | bedemen were (all other mss)]

[^a2919: beydes (G C2) | heuedes (most mss)]

[^a2920: but (G) | Ac (most mss)]

[^a2921: bake (G Cr R) | ybake (all other mss)]

[^a2922: be beynde (G O C2) | bihynde ben (all other mss)]

[^a2923: lyghtlyer (G C2) | liȝtloker (all other mss)]

[^a2924: made (G) | gerte (most mss)]

[^a2925: aug vstyne (G) | Austyn (all other mss)]

[^a2926: to vrned (G) | he torned (all other mss)]

[^a2927: þe (G) | and (all other mss)]

[^a2928: wetyng (G) | þe weuyng (all other mss)]

[^a2929: of (G Cr23 Hm) | of þe (all other mss)]

[^a2930: crepres (G L O C2 Y) | keperes (R) | cropiers (W) | cropers (M Cr Hm C B)]

[^a2931: nymmethe (G L Y Bm Bo) | take (C R) | menen (Cr Hm O C2) | mennen (Cot) | mynnen (all other mss)]

[^a2932: what (G R) | how (all other mss)]

[^a2933: kepe þe (G) | kepeth (all other mss)]

[^a2934: to (G C2) | til (all other mss)]

[^a2935: lewde (G) | lele (most mss)]

[^a2936: but (G) | Ac (most mss)]

[^a2937: dole (G) | del (all other mss)]

[^a2938: þat I wroote (G) | for I write (all other mss)]

[^a2939: þis (G Cr) | þus (all other mss)]

[^a2940: but (G) | ac (most mss)]

[^a2941: off (G F) | and (most mss)]

[^a2942: to (G W Y F) | so to (most mss)]

[^a2943: Iewes (G) | other (all other mss)]

[^a2944: wo (G F) | who-so (all other mss)]

[^a2945: clothed (G M Cr Y) | yclothed (all other mss)]

[^a2946: clade (G) | ybedded (most mss)]

[^a2947: synnes (G) | synne (all other mss)]

[^a2948: þe grote (G) | grotes (all other mss)]

[^a2949: yn þe (G) | in (most mss)]

[^a2950: ye wysse (G Cr W Hm) | wyse (all other mss)]

[^a2951: kynghthoode k[ny]ghthoode (G) | knyȝthod (most mss)]

[^a2952: lande (G) | londes (all other mss)]

[^a2953: le vytes (G) | leuitici (most mss)]

[^a2954: dronke (G Cr Hm C2) | ydronke (all other mss)]

[^a2955: empoysoned (G M) | apoysoned (most mss)]

[^a2956: þeir dymes (G) | dymes (most mss)]

[^a2957: dyschare dyschar[g]e (G) | dischargen (all other mss)]

[^a2958: wold (G) | shulde (most mss)]

[^a2959: yn (G O C2) | in a (C Y B) | a (all other mss)]

[^a2960: for (G) | to (most mss)]

[^a2961: confessyon (G C2 B) | confessen (most mss)]

[^a2962: þat for (G) | for (all other mss)]

[^a2963: as (G Cr3) | þat (all other mss)]

[^a2964: but (G F) | Ac (most mss)]

[^a2965: en (G Cr23) | as in (all other mss)]

[^a2966: god (G M Cr23 Hm) | goddes (all other mss)]

[^a2967: forbyde (G Hm Cot) | forbode (all other mss)]

[^a2968: þat (G Cr) | þat shal (all other mss)]

[^a2969: comethe (G) | come (all other mss)]

[^a2970: shall (G Cr O C2 Y) | sholde (all other mss)]

[^a2971: for euer (G) | eure (all other mss)]

[^a2972: he (G) | And he (C) | Ac he (B) | And (all other mss)]

[^a2973: bothe (G) | Bothe of (all other mss)]

[^a2974: see (G Cr O C2 F) | wel se (all other mss)]

[^a2975: & (G) | hym (most mss)]

[^a2976: ro vne rov[m]e (G) | rowme (all other mss)]

[^a2977: but (G F) | Ac (most mss)]

[^a2978: hym to stroye (G) | to stroyen hym (most mss)]

[^a2979: pacyence (G) | his pacyence (all other mss)]

[^a2980: pheudo p[s]eudo (G) | pseudo (all other mss)]

[^a2981: þei dy vynen (G) | ȝet deuyneth (most mss)]

[^a2982: but (G F) | Ac (most mss)]

[^a2983: sarazenes pharaseyes (G) | sarazens and pharasees (C O C2 Y B) | pharesewes and sarsenes (all other mss)]

[^a2984: patrem (G Cr C Y B) | patrem omnipotentem (most mss)]

[^a2985: and (G) | of (all other mss)]

[^a2986: þem by (G) | hem (all other mss)]

[^a2987: lytle (G Cr) | litlum (most mss)]

[^a2988: lytle (G Cr) | lytlum (most mss)]

[^a2989: reden (G) | reden it (most mss)]

[^840: G.16.12: There is a faint otiose bar over seyghe.]

[^841: G.16.17: For G parte for "party," see note to G.2.7.]

[^842: G.16.41: Bo Cot share G's original omission of as.]

[^843: G.16.52: There appears to have been an attempt to add an upright stroke altering the <b> of bucy to an <l> but this attempt has been abandoned.]

[^844: G.16.58: The two rubricated lines are bracketed together in red on the right.]

[^845: G.16.63: The first three letters of seynte were originally sen- but the scribe has added a tail to the <n> and a bar above.]

[^846: G.16.78: G, C and B omit a line at this point ("And of þe braunches þat burgeouneth of hem · and bryngeth men to helle").]

[^847: G.16.79: The cross in the bottom right hand margin is in modern pencil.]

[^848: G.16.82: The final <e> of pompe, though in the original ink and in the hand of the original scribe, has been squashed in as an afterthought; a virgule has then been added to separate pompe from the following word.]

[^849: G.16.83: The word lordes has been re-outlined, apparently in the original ink and by the original scribe.]

[^850: G.16.86: The two rubricated lines have been bracketed together in red on the right.]

[^851: G.16.88: The ampersand is clearly in the hand of the original scribe, but it may be an addition as it appears in the margin.]

[^852: G.16.99: In Bm, the shared G Y B reading "evil" (for remaining manuscripts yueles) may result from a correction, since the word is followed by an erasure.]

[^853: G.16.117: G Hm C B omit a line at this point ("Or to a wal þat were whitlymed · and were foule wyth-inne").]

[^854: G.16.119: For the G scribe's use of brackets for highlighting, see note to G.6.597.]

[^855: G.16.120: Most manuscripts read ful vnlouelich for G vnlyche. Y Bo Cot share G's omission of ful but no manuscripts apart from G read vnlyche.]

[^856: G.16.122: Kane and Donaldson do not record G "omnis" (for remaining manuscripts omnium) as a variant.]

[^857: G.16.148: For the G scribe's use of "this" for remaining manuscripts "thus," see note to G.4.76.]

[^858: G.16.149: The word replaced by men is barely visible, but it seems possible that a small mark beneath the <n> may represent the remains of a <y>, in which case it may have been "they."]

[^859: G.16.158: There is an otiose expansion mark over the <u> of poure as if the scribe anticipated "pouerte." See note to G.15.292 and the reading at G.15.298.]

[^860: G.16.161: C shares the G C B reading non, which is adopted by Kane and Donaldson. Remaining B manuscripts read As non or Is non.]

[^861: G.16.166: The words I seghe have been re-outlined in darker ink.]

[^862: G.16.169: Hm's reading no, shared with G F, is over an erasure. Remaining manuscripts read nouȝt.]

[^863: G.16.180: Since in G an initial letter <y> is often added to words beginning with <e> (see Introduction III.4.4), it seems likely that G's reading yerly (for most manuscripts erthly) is effectively the same as the reading in F (i.e. erly).]

[^864: G.16.189: The G reading here could possibly be ne rather than no.]

[^865: G.16.205: C2 originally shared the majority B reading many, but a superlinear a has been added, bringing C2's reading into line with that of G O (i.e. many a).]

[^866: G.16.211: For the G spelling bugeysys, see also G.4.164.]

[^867: G.16.227: Capital <I> plus abbreviation mark is unusual as a spelling of "in" in this manuscript, and it seems likely that the scribe anticipated a clause with I as subject.]

[^868: G.16.246: Kane and Donaldson emend to the G L M R reading but, which is also the reading of Cx, though the latter has a different a-verse. Most B manuscripts read not but.]

[^869: G.16.257: This and the following line appear in reverse order in Bx. All β4 manuscripts share G's order.]

[^870: G.16.265: The form of the <d> in god resembles that used in the rubricated sections of the text.]

[^871: G.16.265: Possibly the initial letter of suffered was originally <ff>. In any case, this letter has been blocked in so that the cross-bar is no longer visible.]

[^872: G.16.270: M originally shared G's reading In, but supralinear ne has been added by M's hand2, giving ne in, which corresponds to the reading of remaining B manuscripts.]

[^873: G.16.275:The G scribe regualarly uses the weak form of the pronoun, "the," for remaining B manuscripts "they." See note to G.6.195.]

[^874: G.16.280:The original shared G C Y B misreading (speklonkes for spelonkes) has been corrected in Cot.]

[^875: G.16.293: For G's treatment of B fele (appearing here as G Cr fell), see note to G.4.349.]

[^876: G.16.296: A curved stroke has been added to the bottom of the <n> of original hyn, forming a loop, and this then continues upwards to form the riser of a sigma <s>.]

[^877: G.16.302: For the G scribe's use of "this" for remaining manuscripts "thus," see note to G.4.76.]

[^878: G.16.303: The G Cr B reading landes may simply be a variant spelling of the majority reading laundes. See OED laund.]

[^879: G.16.322: The following nine lines have been bracketed by WH, who has added a note in the margin. See G.16.325.]

[^880: G.16.332: Kane and Donaldson emend to the G C2 B R reading "spend." Remaining B manuscripts read spene, spend it or it spende.]

[^881: G.16.336: For G's treatment of B fele (appearing here as feele), see note to G.4.349.]

[^882: G.16.337: Parts of the last two words of this line appear to have been re-outlined in black ink.]

[^883: G.16.343: The majority of manuscripts share G's reading "robbeth," but the correct reading is clearly "robeth," i.e. "clothe." The G scribe himself was clearly aware of the possibility of indicating long and short vowels by means of single and double consonants, but his practice in this respect was by no means consistent and it is therefore unclear which word he intended (see Introduction III.2).]

[^884: G.16.347: The rubricated section is bracketed in red on the right. Although some of the line breaks coincide with the end of a quotation, this is not true of all and the arrangement therefore does not seem to be deliberate.]

[^885: G.16.358: G C B F omit a line at this point ("Bothe lettred and lewede · beth allayed now with synne").]

[^886: G.16.368: Given the variation beween <s> and <sh> spellings in G (see Introduction III.4.1), G shewe for remaining manuscripts sewe may be a spelling variant rather than a separate lexical item.]

[^887: G.16.372: The last two words of this half line are in a slightly more formal script: the riser of the <k> in particular resembles those of letters used in the rubricated sections.]

[^888: G.16.399: For the G scribe's use of brackets, see note to G.6.597.]

[^889: G.16.401: The scribe uses an unusual double-lobed <a> for the alteration to pape.]

[^890: G.16.408: Manuscript O originally shared the G Cr Y F reading folke (for remaining manuscripts folke þanne), but supralinear þanne has been added in O.]

[^891: G.16.425: The first <t> of "little" apparently started out as another letter; the upright stroke rises above the usual level and the top has been lined through in brown ink.]

[^892: G.16.457: What may appear to be an extra character at the end of the line is red ink transferred from the opposite page.]

[^893: G.16.477: Fourteen lines which appear at this point in Kane and Donaldson's edition (KD.15.472-85) are found only in R.]

[^894: G.16.481: Once again, in the case of G at least, it is possible that "this" (for remaining manuscripts "thus") is simply a spelling variant. See note to G.4.76.]

[^895: G.16.512: For the G scribe's treatment of superscript <a>, see note to G.3.157.]

[^896: G.15.519: The original <o> of deposse is blotted so the supralinear <o> may simply be there to replace it. There is no caret mark.]

[^897: G.16.525: G's original reading diuitias is also the reading of C Y B. Remaining B manuscripts share G's corrected reading decemas.]

[^898: G.16.543:The tail of the <y> of original wonyen (altered to wonnen) is faintly visible. For other class II weak verbs in G, see Introduction III.4.3.]

[^899: G.16.556: These two rubricated lines have been bracketed together in red on the right.]

[^900: G.16.560: M originally shared the majority B reading goddes, but the genitive inflexion -us has been deleted, giving god, as also G Cr23 Hm.]

[^901: G.16.562: For original G leuen, compare C2 leuen , F beleven. Most B manuscripts have lyuen. See also note to G.14.102.]

[^902: G.16.565: Kane and Donaldson do not record G's variant he; presumably they read it as <&>. In fact it is a careless <h> followed by a backwards facing <e>. Contrast with the two ampersands immediately below.]

[^903: G.16.576: The corrector has written <v> over the second <o> of original roome and the first minim of the <m>, but the intention was probably to end up with rovme.]

explicit primus passus de doobetter

Nowe fayre fall you quod y þo / for your fayre shewyng
for haukyns lo ve þe acty ve man euer I shall you lo ve
but[^a2990] yett I am In a were / whate charyte ys to meane
ytt ys a full tryed[^a2991] tree quod he trewly to tell
mercy ys þe more þeroffe þe mydle stokke ys re vthe
þe ley ves beene leele wor des[^904] / þe lawe off holy cherche
þe blossomes beene buxome speche & benyng lokyng
pacyence hatt þe p vre tree & p vre symple off herte
& so thrugh god & good men growethe þe fr vte charyte
I wold tra vell quod I þis tree to se xxti twenti honderethe myles[^a2992]
& to haue my wyll[^a2993] off þat fr vyte forsake all other sa vlees[^a2994]
lorde quod I yff any wyght wytte whydre owte ytt growethe
ytt growethe yn a garden quod he þat god made hym-sel ve
amyddes mannes bodye the more off[^a2995] þat stocke
herte hatte þat herbo vre / þat yn ytt[^a2996] growethe
and liberum arbitrium: hathe þe lande to ferme
vndre pyers þe plowman to pyken ytt & weden ytt
pyers þe plowman quod I þo & all for p vre Ioy
that I harde nyuy ve nyuy[n]e[^a2997] hys name anon I swoned after
& lay long yn a lo ve dreame & at þe last me thoght
that pyers þe plowman all þe place me shewede
& bad me toten on þe tree on top & on roote
wyth iij thre[^905] pyles was ytt pyght vndre[^a2998] I percey vyd ytt soone
pyers quod I I pray þe wh y stand thes pykes[^a2999] here
for wyndys wyllthowe wytte quod he to wytten ytt from fallyng
cum ceciderit Iustus non collidetur quia dominus supponit manum suam
and yn bloowyng tyme abyte the flowers but yf þes pyles helpe
the worlde ys a wycked wynde to þem þat wyllen trewthe
co vetyse comethe off þat wynde & crepethe amonge þe ley ves
and forfreytethe neghe þe fr vyte thrugh many fayre syghtes
then wyth þe f vrste pyle I pull hym downe potentia[^a3000] dei patris:
the flesshe ys a fell wynd & yn floweryng tyme
thrugh lykyng & l vstes so lowde he gynnethe blawe
þat norysshyng[^a3001] nyce syghtes & some-tyme wordes
& wycked werkes theroff wormes off synne
and forbytethe þe blossomes ryghte so the bare ley ves
then sett y to þe second pyle sapientia dei : filijj[^a3002]
that ys þe passyon & þe power off our prynce Iesu
thrugh prears & pennances & goddes passyon yn mynd
I sa ve ytt tyll I se ytt rype & somedeale y-fr vyted
& þen fondethe þe fende my fr vyte to dystroye
wyth all þe wyles þat he can & wacchethe[^a3003] the roote
& castethe vp yn-to[^a3004] þe croppe vnkynd neghbo vrs
bakbyters breyke-c heste bra vlers & chydres
& leyethe a ladder therto off leysynges are þe longes[^a3005]
and facchethe a-way my flowers[^a3006] before[^a3007] bothe myne eyne
but[^a3008] liberum arbitrium lettethe hym some-tyme
that ys le vetenaunt[^906] to loke ytt well by ley ve off my-sel ve
videatis qui peccat in spiritum sanctum numquam remittetur et cetera hoc est idem qui peccat per liborum arbitrium non renpugnat repugnat[^a3009] :[^907]
but[^a3010] when þe fende & þe flesshe & forth[^a3011] wyth þe worlde
manasethe[^908] byhynde me my fr vyte for to fecche
then liberum arbitrium lacchethe þe f vrste plante
and pallothe downe[^a3012] þe pouke p vrelyche thr vghe grace
and helpe off þe holye gooste and þus ha ve I the mastrye
now fayre fall you pyers quod y so fayre you[^a3013][^909] dyscry ve
the power off þes postes & theyre propre myght
and y haue thoghtes a Feve[^a3014] off thes thre pyles
In what woode þe[^a3015][^910] wexen[^a3016][^911] & where þat they growed
for all[^a3017] ylyche longe non lasse then other
& to my mynde as me thynkethe on oone more þei growe[^a3018]
& of oon gre ytnes & grene of greyne they semen
that ys sothe quod pyers so[^a3019] myght[^a3020] byfalle
I shall tell þe as tyte whatt þis tree hatte
the grownde þer ytt growethe goodnes ytt hyght
I[^a3021] haue tolde þe whatt ytt hyght[^a3022] þe trynyte ytt meaneth
& egrelyche he loked on me & þerfore y spared
to aske hym any more þeroff & bad hym full fayre
to descry ve þe fr vte þat so fayre hangethe
here[^a3023] byneythe quod y[^a3024] þo / yff y nede hadde
& matrymoygne[^a3025] I may nymme a moyst fr vyte wythall
þat[^a3026] conscyence[^a3027] ys nere þe croppe as kalawey basterde
then beyrythe þe croppe kynde fr vyte & cleynnes[^a3028] off all
mayden-heyde angeles pyeres & rathest wylbe wyl be rype
& swete wyth -oute swellyng sore[^a3029] worthe ytt ne ver
I preyed pyers to pull downe[^a3030] an app vll & he wolde
& suffer me to assay what sa voyre ytt hadde
& pyeres cast to þe croppe / & þen comsed ytt to crye
& wagged wydowhoode & ytt wepte after
& when ytt mo ved matrymoygne ytt made a fowle noyse
that y hadde r vethe when pyers rogged yt greade[^912] so rewfullyche
for euer as þei dropped downe[^a3031] þe de vell was redye
& gadered theyme all to-gedders bothe greate & smale
adam & e ve[^a3032] & ysaye þe prophete
sampson & sam vell & seynte Ihon the baptyst
bare theym forthe boldly no bodye theym[^a3033] letted
& made off holye men myne[^a3034] hoorde in limbo inferni :
there ys derknes & d rede & the de vell master
& pyers for p vre teene þat oone pyle he la vghte
& hent[^a3035] after hym h appe howe ytt myght
filius by the fadre wyll & frenesse off spiritus sanctus[^a3036][^913] :
to go robbe þat ragman & rey ve þe fr vyte from hym
& then spake spiritus sanctus : In gabryelles mowthe
to a mayde þat hyght marye a meke thyng wyth -all
that oon Iesu a I vstyce sonne most Ioy vke yn hyr chambre
tyll plenitudo temporis fully come were
that pyers fr vyte flo vred & fell to be rype
and then sholde Iesu I vst therfore by I vgment off armes
whether sholde fong þe fr vyte the fende or hym-sel ve
the mayden[^a3037] myldelyche þo / þe messangre graunted[^914]
& seyde hendlyche to hym lowe me hys hand meyden
for to worchen hys wyll wyth -owte any synne
ecce ancilla domini fiat mihi secundum verbum tuum :
& yn þe wombe off þat wenche was he fo vrty wekes
tyll he wexe a fa vnte thr vgh hys[^a3038] flesshe & off fyghtyng co vthe
to haue foght wyth þe fende ere full tyme came
& pyers the plowman percey ved plenere tyme
& lered hym lechecrafte hys lyve for to sa ve
þat thogh he were wo vnded wyth hys enmye to warrysshe hym-sel ve
& dyd hym assay hys s vrgerye on þem þat syke were
tyll he were[^a3039] perfytt practyso vr yff any perell fell
& soght owte þe syke & synnfull bothe
& sa ved[^a3040] sycke & synnfull bothe blynde & croked
& commen women conuerted & to good to vrned
non est sanis opus medicine[^a3041] set in & cetera:
bothe mesels & dombe[^a3042] & yn þe menycen blodye
oft he heyled s oyche he ne held ytt no[^a3043] mastrye
sa ve tho þat he had[^a3044] leched lazar þat had lye[^a3045] yn gra ve
quatriduanus q velt q vyk dyd hym walke
but[^a3046] as he made þe mastrye mestus cepit esse
& wepte water wyth hys eyene / þer syhen ytt many
some þat þe syght seen / seyd that tyme
that he was leche off lyfe & lorde off hygh hey ven
Iewes Iangeled þerageynst and I vgged lawes
& sayed he wroght[^915] wyth wychcrafte & wyth the de veles myght
demonium habes[^a3047]:
then are ye cherles quod y & your chyldre[^916] bothe
& sathan your sa vyoure / your-sel ve nowe ye wyttnes
for y haue sa ved your-selfe seyethe cryste & yo vr sonnes after
your bodyes your beastes & blynd men holpen
& fedde you wyth fysshes & wyth fy ve lo ves
& lafte baskettes full off brooke bredde beyre a-way wo-so wolde
& myssayede þe Iewes manlyche & manaced þem to beyte
& knocked on theym wyth a corde & cast downe[^a3048] theyre stalles
that yn cherche chaffereden or chalenged[^a3049] any money
& sayed yn[^a3050] syght off theym all so þat all harden
I shall ouer -torne thys temple & adowne throwe
& yn thre dayes after edyfye ytt newe
& make as[^a3051] moche or[^a3052] more yn all maner poyntes
as euer ytt was & as wyde wherfore I hoote you
off preyers &[^a3053] perfyttnes thys place þat ye call
domus mea domus orationis vocabitur://
en vy & y vell wyll was yn þe Iewes
þei cast & contry vyden to kyll hym when þei myght
eche day after other theyre tyme they wayted[^a3054]
tyll ytt byfell on a fryday a lytle byfore þe pasque[^a3055]
the thursday byfore there he made h ys ma vnde
syttyng att hys[^a3056] supper he sayde thes wordes
I am sold thrugh on off you he shall[^a3057] tyme rewe
that euer he hys sa vyour solde for syl ver or elles
Iudas Iangled þer -ageynst but[^a3058] Iesu hym tolde
hytt was hym-sel ve sothely & sayed tu dicis
then went forthe þat wykked man and wyth þe Iewes mette
& tolde t hem a token to[^a3059][^917] k nowe wyth Iesu
& wyche token to thys day ys to moche[^a3060] vsed
that ys kyssyng & fayre co vntenance & vnkynd wyll
& so was wyth I vdas tho he Iesu betrayede
ave raby: quod þat rybavde & ryght to hym he yede
& kyst hym to be ca vght þerby / & kylled off þe Iewes
then Iesu to I vdas & to the Iewes seyde
falssne ce I fynde yn thye fa yre[^918] speche
& gyle yn thye gladde chere / & gall yn[^a3061] þi laghyng
thow shalt be myrro vr to manye men the poeple to[^a3062] decey ve
but[^a3063] þe wor ce for[^a3064] thy wyckednes shall worthe on[^a3065] thy-sel ve
necesse est vt veniant scandula scand[a]la[^a3066] ve homini illi & cetera[^a3067] //
thogh I by treason be take att your owne wyll
sufferethe myne apposteles yn pea ce[^a3068] and yn pea ce gang
on a thrusday yn thesternesse / th vs was he taken
thrugh Iudas & Iewes Iesu was hys name
that on þe fryday folowyng for mankynd sake
I vsted yn Ier vsalem a Ioy for[^a3069] vs all
on cros vp-on caluarye cryste toke þe battayle
ageynst dethe & þe de vell to dystroye[^a3070] bothe theyr[^a3071] myghtes
deyde & dethe fordyd & day &[^a3072] nyght made
& I awaked therwyth & wyped myne eyene
& after pers plowman pryed & stared
estwarde & westwarde I wayted after faste
& yede forthe as an Ideotte yn contrey to aspye
after pyers þe plowman many a place y[^919] soght

[A scribe has drawn a [scroll-like pattern] in the right-hand margin extending downwards for approximately 7 lines.]

& þen mette I wyth a man on mydlenten sonday
as hoore as an hawthorne & habraham he hyght
y frayned hym furste from when ce he came
& off when ce he were & wedre he[^a3073] thoght
I am faythe quod þis freyke ytt fallethe not to lye
& off abrahams house an hara vde off armes
I seke after a segge þat y seghe oon ce
a ful bolde bacheler I knowe[^a3074] hym by hys blasen
what beyrethe þat barne quod y tho so blysse þe betyde
thre leedes on oone lyethe non lengre then other
off oone mochell & myght[^920] & maIeste yn[^a3075] meas vre &[^a3076] lenght
that oon doethe all doone & eche doethe by hym[^a3077] owene
the fyrst hathe myght & mageste maker off all thynge es[^921]
pater ys hys name oone persone by hym-sel ve
the second ys off that syre sothefastenes filius
wardeyn off þat wytte[^a3078] was euer wythe-owte gynnyng
þe thyrde hatte þe holye gost a person by hym-sel ve
þe lyght off all þat ly ve haue[^a3079] on land & on watre
confo vrtor off creat vres off hym cometh all blysse
so thre bylongen for a lorde þat lordshyppe cleamethe
myght and a meane to knowe hys owene myght
off hym & off hys ser vant & what þei suffer bothe
so god þat gynnyng had neuer but tho hym goode thoght
sent forthe hys sonne as for ser vante þat tyme
to ocupyen hym here tyll ysse ve were spronge
that ys chyldren off charyte & holye cherche þe modre
patryarkes and prophetes & apposteles were þe chyldrene
& cryste & crystendome and crysten holy cherche
yn meanyng þat man moste on oon god byle ve
& there hym lyked & lo ved yn thre persones hym shewed
& þat[^922] ytt may be so & sothe manhoode ytt shewethe
wedlocke & wydowed wyth virgynyte I-neue ved I-neue[n]ed[^a3080]
In tokenyng off þe trynyte was taken owte off[^a3081][^923] man
adam our aller father e ve was off hym-sel ve
& þe yss ve þat he had ytt was off theym bothe
& ether ys other[^a3082] Ioy yn thre sondrye persones
and yn hey ven & here on syng vler name
& þus ys mankyd manky[n]d[^a3083] or manhoode off matromoygne y-sprong[^924]
myght ys matromoygne þat m vltyplyethe þe yerthe
and bytokenethe tre vly tell ytt yff y dorste
he þat furste fo vrmed all þe father off hey ven
þe sonne ys yff I dorste say resembelant to þe wydowe
deus meus deus meus vt quid dereliquisti me :
that ys creato vr was[^a3084] creat vre to knowe what was bothe
a[^a3085] wydow wyth -owte wedlock was neuer yete y-say
no more myght god be man but yff he modre hade
so wydowe wyth -oute wedlocke may noght well stande
ne matromoygne wyth -oute m vlyere ys not moche to preyse
malidictus homo qui non reliquit semen in israell :
th vs yn thre persones ys perfyttlyche manhoode
that ys a[^a3086] man & hys make & m vlyere chyldren
ytt[^a3087] ys not but gendred[^a3088] off generatyon byfore Iesu In[^a3089] hey ven
so ys þe fadre forthwythe þe sonne & frewyll fre wyll off bothe
spiritus procedens a patre et filio et cetera //
wyche ys þe holye gost off all & all ys but on god
th vs yn[^a3090] somer y hym syghe as y satte yn my porche
y rose vp & reuerensed hym & ryght fayre hym grette
thre men to my syght I made well att easse
wysshe þeir feete & wyped theym & afterwarde þei eyten
cal ves flesshe & kakebred & knewe what y thoght
full trewe tokens betwene vs are[^a3091] to tell when me lykethe
furste he fonded me yff y lo ved better
hym or ysacke myne heyre þe wyche he bad[^a3092] me kyll
he wyst my wyll by hym he wyll ytt[^a3093] alowe
I am full syker yn so vle þeroffe & my so vle[^a3094] bothe
I cyrcumsysed my sonne sythe for hys sake
my-sel ve & my menye & all þat males[^a3095] were
bleden[^a3096][^925] bloode for þat lordes lo ve & hope to blysse þe tyme
my affyance & my faythe ys fyrme yn þis byle ve
for hym-sel ve byhyght to me & to myne ysseu bothe
lond & lordshyppe & lyffe wythowten ende
to me & to myne yssue more yett he me gra vnted
mercy for our myssdedes as many tymes[^a3097] as we askene
quam olim abrahe promisti prom[is]isti[^a3098] & semini eius ://
and sythe he send me to saye I sholde do sacrafyce
& done hym worshyppe wyth bredde & wyth wyne bothe
& called me stott[^a3099] off hys faythe hys poeple[^a3100] to sa ve
& defendyd[^a3101] þem from þe fende folke þat on me le ved
th vs haue y beene hy s hara vde here & yn hell
& conforted many carefull þat after hys commyng wayten
& þus y seeke hym he seyde for y harde sey late
off a barne þat baptysed hym Iohn ba ptyst was hys name
that[^a3102] patryarkes & prophetes & other poeple yn derknes
sayde þat he seghe hym[^a3103] þat sholde sa ve vs all
ecce agnus dei et cetera
I had wondre off hys wordes & off hys wyde c lothes
for yn hys bosome he bare a thyng þat he blessed e ver
and y loked on hys lappe a lazare lye[^926] therynne
among patryarkes & prophetes pleyeng there[^a3104] to-gedders
what weytesthowe[^a3105] quod he & wote[^a3106] woldesthowe ha ve
I wold wytt quod y tho what ys yn your lappe
loo quod he & lett me see lorde mercye y seyde
thys ys a present off moche pryce what pryce[^a3107] shall ytt haue
ytt ys a precyo vse present quod he but[^a3108] þe po vke ytt hathe atta ched[^927]
& me þer - wyth[^a3109] quod þat man may no wedde vs q vyte
ne no barne be our borowe ne bryng vs fro hys danger
oute off þe po vkes pynfolde ne no meynpryce may vs facche
tyll he come þat y carpe off cryste ys hys name
that shall dyleuer vs some day owte off þe de veles power
and better wedde for vs lygge[^a3110] þen we be all worthye
that ys ly ve for ly ve or lygge þus euer
lollyng yn my lappe tyll s oche a lorde vs facche
alas y seyde þat synne so long sholde[^a3111] lett
the myght off goddes mercy þat myght vs all amend
I wept wyth thes[^a3112] wordes wyth þat y saghe[^a3113] an-other
rapelyche renne forthe þe ryght way he went
and y[^a3114] frayned hym furste from whence he came
& whatt he hyght & whedre he wolde & wyttelyche[^a3115] he tolde

[^a2990: but (G F) | Ac (most mss)]

[^a2991: tryed (G Cr O C2) | trye (most mss)]

[^a2992: myles (G) | myle (all other mss)]

[^a2993: wyll (G) | fylle (most mss)]

[^a2994: sa vlees (G W) | saulee (most mss)]

[^a2995: off (G) | is of (all other mss)]

[^a2996: yn ytt (G) | it in (most mss)]

[^a2997: nyuy ve nyuy[n]e (G) | nempne (most mss)]

[^a2998: pyght vndre (G) | vnder-piȝte (all other mss)]

[^a2999: pykes (G C) | piles (most mss)]

[^a3000: potentia (G) | þat is potencia (most mss)]

[^a3001: norysshyng (G) | it norissheth (all other mss)]

[^a3002: : filijj (G) | patris (all other mss)]

[^a3003: wacchethe (G) | waggeth (most mss)]

[^a3004: yn-to (G) | to (most mss)]

[^a3005: longes (G B) | ronges (most mss)]

[^a3006: flowers (G F) | floures sumtyme (most mss)]

[^a3007: before (G C Cot R F) | afor (most mss)]

[^a3008: but (G F) | Ac (most mss)]

[^a3009: renpugnat repugnat (G) | repugnat (most mss)]

[^a3010: but (G F) | Ac (most mss)]

[^a3011: & forth (G) | forth (all other mss)]

[^a3012: downe (G) | adown (all other mss)]

[^a3013: you (G) | ȝe (all other mss)]

[^a3014: Feve (G) | threve (most mss)]

[^a3015: þe (G) | þei (all other mss)]

[^a3016: wexen (G M Y) | woxen (most mss) | waxen (Hm O C2)]

[^a3017: all (G O C2 Y) | alle ar þei (all other mss)]

[^a3018: growe (G O C2 Y) | growed (most mss) | grewe (F)]

[^a3019: so (G R) | so it (all other mss)]

[^a3020: myght (G O C2) | may (all other mss)]

[^a3021: I (G) | And I (all other mss)]

[^a3022: ytt hyght (G) | hiȝte þe tree (all other mss)]

[^a3023: here (G) | Here now (all other mss)]

[^a3024: y (G Hm) | he (all other mss)]

[^a3025: & matrymoygne (G) | Matrymonye (all other mss)]

[^a3026: þat (G O C2 Y) | Þanne (most mss)]

[^a3027: conscyence (G) | contenence (most mss)]

[^a3028: cleynnes (G) | clenneste (all other mss)]

[^a3029: sore (G) | soure (most mss)]

[^a3030: downe (G Cr C2 F) | adown (all other mss)]

[^a3031: downe (G Cr) | adown (all other mss)]

[^a3032: e ve (G O C2 Y) | abraham (all other mss)]

[^a3033: theym (G O C2 Y R) | hym (most mss)]

[^a3034: myne (G) | his (all other mss)]

[^a3035: hent (G) | hitte (all other mss)]

[^a3036: sanctus (G) | sancti (all other mss)]

[^a3037: mayden (G M Hm O C2) | mayde (all other mss)]

[^a3038: hys (G C2) | her (all other mss)]

[^a3039: were (G) | was (all other mss)]

[^a3040: sa ved (G) | salued (all other mss)]

[^a3041: medicine (G) | medicus (most mss)]

[^a3042: dombe (G C) | mute (most mss)]

[^a3043: no (G) | for no (most mss)]

[^a3044: tho þat he had (G) | þo he (most mss)]

[^a3045: lye (G Cr Hm B) | yleye (most mss)]

[^a3046: but (G F) | Ac (most mss)]

[^a3047: habes (G Cr) | habes & cetera (most mss)]

[^a3048: downe (G Cr13 F) | adown (most mss)]

[^a3049: chalenged (G) | chaungeden (all other mss)]

[^a3050: yn (G O C2) | it in (most mss)]

[^a3051: as (G) | it as (most mss)]

[^a3052: or (G M Cr B F) | other (all other mss)]

[^a3053: & (G O C2) | and of (all other mss)]

[^a3054: wayted (G C B F) | awaited (all other mss)]

[^a3055: þe pasque (G C B) | Paske (all other mss)]

[^a3056: att hys (G) | atte (most mss)]

[^a3057: shall (G) | shal þe (most mss)]

[^a3058: but (G) | ac (most mss)]

[^a3059: to (G) | how to (most mss)]

[^a3060: ys to moche (G O C2) | to moche is (most mss)]

[^a3061: yn (G Cr O C2) | is in (all other mss)]

[^a3062: the poeple to (G) | to (most mss)]

[^a3063: but (G F) | Ac (most mss)]

[^a3064: for (G) | and (all other mss)]

[^a3065: on (G O C2 F) | vpon (all other mss)]

[^a3066: scandula scand[a]la (G) | scandala (most mss)]

[^a3067: & cetera (G) | per quem scandalum venit (most mss)]

[^a3068: pea ce (G Cr W C F) | pays (all other mss)]

[^a3069: for (G) | to (all other mss)]

[^a3070: to dystroye (G) | destruyed (most mss)]

[^a3071: bothe theyr (G M Cr) | her botheres (most mss)]

[^a3072: & (G) | of (most mss)]

[^a3073: he (G O C2 Y) | þat he (most mss)]

[^a3074: knowe (G Cr23 C O C2) | knewe (all other mss)]

[^a3075: & maIeste yn (G C Y B) | in (all other mss)]

[^a3076: & (G C Y B F) | and in (all other mss)]

[^a3077: hym (G Y F) | his (all other mss)]

[^a3078: wytte (G) | witte hath (all other mss)]

[^a3079: haue (G Cot) | hath (all other mss)]

[^a3080: I-neue ved I-neue[n]ed (G) | ynempned (most mss)]

[^a3081: off (G M Cr W F) | of o (most mss)]

[^a3082: other (G C2) | otheres (all other mss)]

[^a3083: mankyd manky[n]d (G) | mankynde (all other mss)]

[^a3084: was (G Cr F) | wex (all other mss)]

[^a3085: a (G) | As (all other mss)]

[^a3086: ys a (G C Y B) | is (all other mss)]

[^a3087: ytt (G) | And (all other mss)]

[^a3088: gendred (G C) | gendre (all other mss)]

[^a3089: In (G F) | cryst in (most mss)]

[^a3090: yn (G Hm O C2 Y) | in a (all other mss)]

[^a3091: are (G) | ben (Cr O C2) | is (all other mss)]

[^a3092: bad (G) | hiȝte (most mss)]

[^a3093: ytt (G) | me it (most mss)]

[^a3094: so vle (G Y) | sone (most mss)]

[^a3095: males (G F) | male (all other mss)]

[^a3096: bleden (G C2 Y) | Bledden (all other mss)]

[^a3097: tymes (G M Cr B) | tyme (all other mss)]

[^a3098: promisti prom[is]isti (G) | promisisti (all other mss)]

[^a3099: stott (G C Y B) | fote (most mss)]

[^a3100: poeple (G) | folke for (all other mss)]

[^a3101: defendyd (G Hm O C2 F) | defende (all other mss)]

[^a3102: that (G) | Þat to (all other mss)]

[^a3103: hym (G O C2) | here (most mss)]

[^a3104: pleyeng there (G) | pleying (most mss)]

[^a3105: weytesthowe (G Hm C2) | awaytestow (most mss)]

[^a3106: wote (G) | what (all other mss)]

[^a3107: pryce (G Y) | Prynce (all other mss)]

[^a3108: but (G F) | ac (most mss)]

[^a3109: wyth (G Hm C R F) | myde (all other mss)]

[^a3110: lygge (G Cr) | legge (all other mss)]

[^a3111: sholde (G) | shal (all other mss)]

[^a3112: wyth thes (G) | for his (all other mss)]

[^a3113: y saghe (G M Cr) | sawe I (all other mss)]

[^a3114: and y (G) | I (most mss)]

[^a3115: wyttelyche (G) | wightlich (most mss)]

[^904: G.17.6: The correction of work- to word- has affected the <s> of speche in the line below.]

[^905: G.17.23: It looks as if some attempt may have been made to overwrite (i.e. to alter theyr to thre) but this has been abandoned and iij has been added above the line.]

[^906: G.17.48: For the G scribe's treatment of superscript <a> (here used as an abbreviation for <n>), see note to G.4.156.]

[^907: G.17.49: The rubricated lines are bracketed together in red on the right.]

[^908: G.17.51: The <s> of manasethe is heavily filled in in black ink and there may be some overwriting here.]

[^909: G.17.55: For the G scribe's use of you for remaining manuscripts ȝe, see note to G.2.180.]

[^910: G.17.58: For the G scribe's use of the weak form of the third person plural pronoun (i.e. "the" for remaining manuscripts "they"), see note to G.6.150.]

[^911: G.17.58: The verb as it appears in G M Y (i.e. wexen, for most manuscripts woxen) could be in either the preterite (as Bx) or the present tense.]

[^912: G.17.80: For the G scribe's treatment of superscript <a>, see note to G.3.157.]

[^913: G.17.90: It is difficult to be certain what is intended here. Both "spiritus" and "sanctus(?)" end with the same abbreviation (a backward curve rising from the bar of the <t>).]

[^914: G.17.99: For the G scribe's treatment of superscript <a> (here treated as an abbreveiation for <n>), see note to G.4.156.]

[^915: G.17.124: The word wroght has been re-outlined, apparently in the original ink. See also G.17.126.]

[^916: G.17.126: The word chyldre appears to have been re-outlined in black ink.]

[^917: G.17.153: G's reading "to" is clearly preferable to most manuscripts "how to," and this is the reading adopted by Kane and Donaldson.]

[^918: G.17.160: F shares G's original reading false. G's corrected reading fayre corresponds to the reading of remaining B manuscripts.]

[^919: G.17.178: The loop of the <h> of deleted he has been erased and the <e> may also have been subject to erasure (though as it was already very faint erasure may have been thought unnecessary). It seems likely, in fact, that the original reading was y and that this has been partially altered to he and then changed back again. The <e> seems to have been squashed in between the <y> and soght, while he is written in the margin, apparently by the original scribe (for the form of the <h>, see he at G.17.180), in order to indicate the required correction.]

[^920: G.17.189: The word myght looks at first sight as if it may have been altered but in fact it appears more likely that the paper has not taken the ink well (because the surface was greasy?) and that some re-outlining has been necessary.]

[^921: G.17.191: β4 manuscripts and R share G's original reading "thing." Remaining B manuscripts share the form with plural inflexion which results from G's correction. For the G scribe's treatment of uninflected plurals, see Introduction III.1.1.]

[^922: G.17.209: Kane and Donaldson record that G has the word þat twice, but the second of these is very definitely lined through.]

[^923: G.17.211: Though G M Cr W and F all read of for most manuscripts of o, Cr and W have a different word order from that found in G, and F has mankynde for G man. G's closest relationship here is therefore with M.]

[^924: G.17.216: β4 manuscripts omit a line at this point ("And bitokneth þe Trinite · and trewe bileue").]

[^925: G.17.246: Although the G scribe was clearly aware of the possibility of using single and double consonants to indicate preceding long and short vowels, his practice in this respect is by no means consistent (see Introduction III.2), and it is therefore difficult to be certain whether the G scribe considered bleden to be in the present tense or (like remaining manuscripts Bledden) in the preterite.]

[^926: G.17.266: The verb lye may be a preterite. See G.14.21 and note to G.6.224. Remaining manuscripts read lay.]

[^927: G.17.273: The deleted line appears below. See G.17.276.]

explicit secundus passus de dobetter

Y[^928] am spes quod he a spye & spur after a knyght
þat toke me a mandement vp-on þe mo vt mo[n]t[^a3116] off synay
to re vle all realmes wyth y beyre þe wrytt here
y s y tt[^929] ensayled he[^a3117] sayde may men se þe letters
nay he sayethe[^a3118] y seeke hym þat hathe þe seale to kepe
& þat ys cros & crystendome & cryst þeron to hange
& when ytt ys ensaeled[^a3119] so / I wote well þe sothe
þat lucyfers lordshyppe shall last[^a3120] no lengre
lett vs[^a3121] se þe[^a3122] letters quod I we myght þe lawe knowe
then pl vcked he forthe a patent a pece off an harde roche
wheron were wryten two wordes on thys wyse glosed[^a3123]
dilige deum et proximum tuum et cetera
thys was þe texte trewly I tooke full goode ȝeme
the glose was gloryo vsly wryten wyth a gylt penne
In hijs duobus mandatis tota lex pendet et prophete ://
beene þer[^a3124] all thye lordes lawes quod y / ye le ve me[^a3125][^930] he sayede
who-so worchethe after þis wrytt I wyll vndretake
shall neuer de vell hym deere ne dethe yn so vle gre ve
for thoghe y say ytt my-sel ve y haue sa ved wyth þis charme
off men & off women many score thowsandes
he sayethe sothe sayde þe hara vde I haue fo vnden ytt ofte
loo here yn my lappe þat le ved on þat charme
Ios ve & I vdethe & I vdas machabe vs
ye & and and[^a3126] syxtye thowsand bysyde forthe þat beene noght seene here
your wordes beene wondrefull quod y / wyche off you ys trewest
& leelest to lee ve on for ly ve & For so vle
habraham sayethe þat he see holye the trynyte
thre persones yn percelles depertable from other
& all thre but on god thus abraham me taght
& hathe sa ved þat bylee ve[^a3127] so / & sorye for þer synnes
he can not segge þe some & some are yn hys lappe
what nedethe ytt þen / a new lawe to begynne
sythe þe furste suffysethe to sal vatyon & to blysse
& now comethe spes & speykethe þat aspyed[^a3128] þe lawe
& tellethe noght off þe trynyte þat toke hym þes[^a3129] lettres
to byle ve & lo ve yn on lord allmyghtye
& sythe ryght as þi[^a3130] -sel ve so lo ve all poeple
the goome þat goethe wyth a staffe he semethe yn greater heale
then he þat goethe wyth two sta ves to syght off vs all
and ryght so by þe roode reason me shewethe
ytt ys lyghter to lewde men a lessone to knowe
then for to teychen þem two & harde[^a3131] to lere þe lest
ytt ys full harde for any man on abraham to[^a3132] byle ve[^931]
& wellaway wor ce yet for to lo ve a shrewe
ytt ys lyghlyer[^a3133][^932] to lee ve / yn thre lo velye persones
then for to lo ve & lee ve[^a3134] aswell as well lorelles as leales
go thy gate quod I spes so me god helpe
tho þat lernen þi lawe[^a3135] lytle wyle wsen ytt
& as we went þus by[^a3136] þ e way wordyng togeddres
then seghe we a samarytan syttyng on a m vle
rydyng full rapely þe ryght way we yedene
comyng fro a contrey þat men called Ierico
to a I vstyce[^a3137] yn Ierusalem he chased a-way faste
bothe þe hera vde & hope & he mette at oon ce
where a man was wo vnded & wyth the ves y-take[^a3138]
he myght nether steppe ne stand ne styrre foote ne handes
ne helpe hym-sel ve sothely / for semyvyf / he semed
& as naked as a nedle & noon helpe abowte hym
feythe had furst seght off hym but[^a3139] he flygh on syde
& wold[^a3140] not nyghe hym by nyen landes lenghte
hoope came hyppyng after / &[^a3141] had so y-boosted
howe he wyth moyses mandement had many man[^a3142] yholpe
but[^a3143] when he had syght off þat segge asyde he gan[^a3144] drawe
dredfully by þis day as ducke doethe fro þe fawkon
but[^a3145] so sone so þe samarytane had syght off þis leede
he lyght downe[^a3146] off lyarde & lad hym yn hys hand
& to the way[^a3147] he went hys wo vndes to beholde
& percey ved by hys pouce / he was yn perell to dye
& but he had recouere[^a3148][^933] the rather ryse[^a3149] shold he neuer
wyth wyne & wyth oyle hys wo vndes he wasshed
enbalmed hym & bond hys heyde & yn hys lappe hym leyde
& lad hym so forthe to[^a3150] lyarde to lex cristi a gra vnge
well syx myle or sey ven fro[^a3151] þe new markett
harbored hym at an hostrye & to þe hosteler called
& seyde haue kepe þis man tyll I come fro þe I vstece[^a3152]
& loo here syluer he sayde for sal ve to hys wo vndes
& he toke hym too pence to ly velode as ytt were
& sayde what he spendethe more I make þe goode hereafter
for y may not lett quod þat leede and l yarde he bestroode
& raped hym to Ierusalem-warde þe ryght way to ryde
faythe folowed after fast and fo vnded to mete hym
and spes spaklyche hym spedde / spede yff he myght
to ouer -take hym & talke to hym er þei to towne came
& when I seye þis / I soio vrned nat / but shoope me to renne
and s ved þat samarytan / þat was so full off pyte
& gra vnted hym to be hys goome[^a3153][^934] / gra vnt mercy he sayede
but[^a3154] thy frende &[^a3155] felowe thowe fyndest me att nede
& y thanked hym tho & sythen he me[^a3156] tolde
howe þat feythe flede a-way and spes hys felowe bothe
for syght off þe sorowfull man / þat robbed was wyth the ves
haue theym exc vsed quod he / theyr helpe may lytle a vayle
may no medycyne on molde / þe man to heale bryng
nether faythe ne fyne hoope / so festered beene hys wo vndes
wyth -oute þe bloode off a barne borne off a meyde
& he be bathed yn þat bloode baptysed as ytt were
& þen plastered wyth pennance[^935] & passyon off þat body[^a3157]
he sholde stande & steppe but[^a3158] stallworthe worthe he neuer
tyll he haue eyten all þe berne & hys bloode y-dronke
for went neuer wyȝe In þis world thrugh þat wyldernes
that he ne was robbed or ryfelde / rode he þer or yede
sa ve faythe & hys felow spes & y my[^a3159] -sel ve
and thy-sel ve nowe & s oyche as s vene our workes
for owtlawes yn þe woodde & vndre bancke lowtethe[^a3160]
& mowe eche man see & good marke take
who ys behynd & who ys[^a3161] before & who beene on horse
for he þat[^a3162] holdethe hym herdyer on hors þen he þat ys on foote
for he seythe[^a3163] me a[^a3164] samarytan sewe faythe & hys felowe
on my caple þat hette caro off mankynd I tooke ytt
he was vnhardye þat harlott & hydde hym in inferno :
but[^a3165] are thys day thre dayes I dare vndretake
þat he worthe fettered þat fellone fast wyth cheynes
& neuer efte gre ve goome þat goethe by thys[^a3166] gate
& then shall faythe be forster here & yn þis frythe walke
and kenne comune[^a3167] men þat knowe not þe contrey
wyche ys þe way þat I went & wherforthe to Ierusalem
& hoope þe hostelers mane shalbe shal be / þer þe man lyethe to[^a3168] heale[^a3169]
& all þat fyeble & faynte beene / þe[^a3170] faythe may not teyche
hoope shall leyde theym forthe wyth lo ve / as hys letter tellethe
& hostyle þem & heale them[^a3171] / & þen shall I retorne[^a3172][^936]
tyll y haue sal ve for al syk & þen I shall[^a3173][^937] retorne[^938]
& come agayne by þis contrey & conforte all sycke
that cra ven ytt or co veyten ytt & cryen therafter
for þe barne was borne yn bethelem[^939] on[^a3174] a cleane meyde
[^940]that shall wyth hys bloode sa ve all þat ly ven yn faythe[^941]
& folowen þe teychyng off hoope that ys hys felowe[^a3175][^942]
a swete syr seyde y[^a3176] tho where shall y byle ve
and[^a3177] faythe & hys felow enfo vrmethe me bothe
In thre persones depertables[^a3178] / þat perpet vell were e ver
& all thre but on god th vs abraham me taght
& hoope afterwarde bad[^a3179] me to lo ve
on god wyth all my good / & all my[^a3180] goomes after
lo ve theym lyke my-sel ve but[^a3181] our lorde abowe all
after abraham quod he þat hara vde off armes
sett faste thye faythe & fyrme byle ve
& as hoope hyght þe I hoote þat þou lo ve
thyne e vyncrysten euer -more e ven forthe wyth thy-sel ve
& yff conscyence carpe cherysshym[^a3182] / or kynd wytt other
or herytykes wyth arg vmentes thyn hand þou hym showe
for god ys after an hand y-here nowe & knowe ytt
the fadre was furst a fyst wyth on fynger foldyng
tyll hym lo ved & lyst to vnlosen hys fynger
& profer forthe[^a3183] as wyth a pavme to what place yt sholde
the pavme ys p verly þe hand & proferethe forthe þe fynger[^a3184]
to mynyste er & to make þat myght off hand knowethe
& betokenethe tre vly tell who-so lykethe
the holy gost off hey ven he ys as þe pavme
the fyngers þat fre beene to folde & to ser ve
bytokenethe sothely þe sonne þat sent was to þe[^a3185] yerthe
þat towched & tasted all þe[^a3186] teychyng off þe pavmbe
seynt mary a meyde & mankynd kaght[^a3187]
qui conceptus est de spiritu sancto natus et cetera[^a3188] //
the fadre ys then as a fyst wyth fyngre to to vche
quia omnia traham ad meipsum et cetera//
all þat þe pavme percey vethe profytable to feele
th vs are they all but on as ytt an hand were
& thre sondrye syghtes yn on shewyng
the pavme for he puttethe forthe fyngers & þe fyst bothe
ryght so redylye reason me[^a3189] shewethe
how he þat ys holy gost syre & sonne pro vethe
& as þe hand holdeth hard & all thyng fast
thrugh four fyngers & a thombe forthe wyth the pavme
ryght so þe father & þe sonne & seynt spyryte þe thyrde
holdethe all þe wyde worlde wythe-ynne þem thre
bothe þe[^a3190] welkyn & þe wynd water & yerthe
hey ven & hell & all þat þerynne ys
thys[^a3191][^943] ytt nedethe no man trow non other
that thre thynges b ylongen In our lorde off hey ven
and ere sereples sere[l]e[p]es[^944] by theym-sel ve sondr ye[^a3192] were they neuer
no more þen myne hand may move wyth -ovte my fyngers
and as my fyst ys full hand folden[^a3193] to-gedders
so ys þe fadre a full god fo vrmore & shaper
tu fabricator omnium & cetera//
all þe myght wyth[^a3194] hym ys yn makyng off all thynges
the fyngers fo vrmen a full hand to po vrtrey or paynte
ker vyng & compassyng as crafte off þe fyngers
ryght so ys þe sonne þe scyence off the fadre
& full god as ys þe fadre no febelre ne no better
the pavme ys purelyche þe hand hathe power by hym-sel ve
otherwyse þen þe whrythen fyst or workmanshyppe off fyngers
for þe pavme hathe power to putt ovte all þe Ioyntes
& to vnfo lden þe folden fyst as[^a3195] þe fyngers wyll
so ys þe holy gost god nether greater ne lasse
then ys þe syre & þe sonne & yn þe same myght
& all they are[^a3196] but on god as[^a3197] myne hand & my fyngers
vnfolden or folden my fyst & my pavme
all ys but on hand e vene In the myddes[^945]
for þe fyngers þat folde sholde & the fyst make
for payne off the pavme power them faylethe
to cl vche or to clawe to clyppe or to holde
were þe myddell off myn hande ymaymed or perysshydde
y shold recey ve ryght noght off þat I[^946] reyche myght
but[^a3198] thogh my thombe & my fyngers bothe were to-sh vllene
& þe mydle off myne hand wythe-oute male-easse
In many kynnes maner[^a3199] I myght my-sel ve helpe
bothe moeue & amend / thogh all my fyngars oke
by thys skyll me thynkethe y see an e vydence
that wo-so synnethe yn / sente spyryte / assoyled worthe he neuere
nether here ne elles-where as y herd tell
qui peccat in spiritu sancto et cetera//
for he pryckethe god yn[^a3200][^947] þe pavme þat peccat in spiritu sancto://
for god þe fadre ys as þe[^a3201] fyste þe sonne as[^a3202] a fynger
the holye goste off hey ven ys / as ytt were þe pa vme
&[^a3203] wo[^a3204] synneth yn seynt spyryte ytt semethe þat he gre vethe
god þat he grypethe wyth and wold hys grace q venche
and to a torche or a taper þe trynyte he[^a3205] lykened
as waxe & a weyke were twyned to-geddres
& then a fyre flamyng forthe oute off bothe
and as waxe & weyke & woote[^948] fyre to-geddres
fostr en[^949] forthe a fla vmbe and a fayre lyght[^a3206]
so done þe syre & þe sonne & also spiritus sanctus:
fostren forthe amonges folke lo ve & leele byle ve[^a3207]
that alkynnes crysten clenseth off synnes
& as þou seest some-tyme sodenlyche a torche
the blasse þeroff blowen[^a3208] owte yet brynnethe þe weyke
wyth -oute leye or lyght that þe smacche[^a3209] swelethe[^a3210]
so ys þe holy gost god and grace wyth -oute mercye
to all vnkynd creat vres þat co veten to dystroye
leele lo ve other lyffe þat our lord gave[^a3211]
& as a glowyng gleede ne gladen[^a3212] þes workmen
that worchen & walken[^a3213] In wynters nyghtes
as doethe a kex or a candell þat ca vght[^950] hathe fyre & blasethe
no more dothe syre ne sonne ne seynt spyryte to-geddres
gra vnt no grace ne forgyvenes off synnes
tyll þe holy gost gynne to glowe & to blasse
so þat þe holy gost glowede[^a3214] but as a glede
tyll þat leele lo ve lygge on hym & blowe
& then flamethe he as fyre on pater[^a3215] & on filius
& meltethe theyr myght to[^a3216] mercy as men may see yn wynter
yse-ykeles yn e veysynges thrugh heate off þe sonne
meltethe yn a myn vte whyle to myste & to water
so grace off þe holye goste / þe greate myght off þe trynyte
meltethe to mercye to marcyable & to non other
and as waxe wyth -oute more / on a warme gleede
wyll brenne & blasse be they to-geddres
& solacen þem þat may se þat sytten yn derknes
so wyll þe fadre forgyve / folke off mylde hertes
þat rufullyche repenten & resytutyon make
In as moche as þei mowen / amenden & payen
for[^a3217] yff ytt suffyce noght for a seght[^a3218] / þat yn s oyche wyll dyethe
mercy for hys mekenes wyll make good þe remnant
& as þe weyke & fyre wyll make a warme flammbe
for to myrthe men wyth þat yn marke sytten
so wyll cryste off hys co vrtysye yff[^a3219] men crye hym mercye
bothe forgy ve / & forgett / & yett byd for vs
to þe fadre off hey ven forgyvenes to haue
but[^a3220] hewe fyre att a flynt fo vre hondrethe wynters[^a3221]
but þou haue towe to take ytt wyth / tyndre or broches
all þi labo vr ys lost & all þi long tra vayle
for may no fyre fla vmbe make / fayle yt hys kynd
so ys þe holy gost god / & grace wyth -owte mercye
to all vnkynd creatures / cryste hym-sel ve wyttnessythe
amen dico vobis /[^951] nescio vos & cetera //
be vnkynd to thyne e ven-crystyen & all þat þou canst bydde
deylen or do pennance day & nyght e ver
& p vrchace all þe perdone off pampylyon & rome
and Indulgences y-nowe / & be ingratus to thy kynde
the holy gost herethe the noght / ne helpe may þe by reason
for vnkyndnes q venchethe hym / þat he ne cane[^a3222] shyne
ne bre n ne ne blasse clere / for blowyng off vnkyndnes
paule þe apostle pro vethe where y lye
si linguis hominum loquar & cetera
forthy beethe warre ye wyse men þat wyth þe worlde dealen
þat ryche beene & reason knowen / re vlethe well your soule
beethe noght vnkynd I co vnseale you to your e vencrystyen
for many off you ryche men / by my so vle men tellen
ye brenne but ye blase noght / that ys a blynd beyken
non omnis qui dicit domine domine & cetera//
diues dyed dampned for hys vnkyndnes
off hys meyte & off hys money to men þat ytt neded
eche[^a3223] ryche I redde[^a3224][^952] / rewarde att hym take
& gy vethe your good to þat god / þat grace off arysethe
for þei þat beene vnkynd to hys / hoope I non other
but þei shall[^a3225] dwell þer diues ys dayes wyth -owten ende
thus ys vnkyndnes þe con trarye / þat q venchethe as ytt were
the grace off þe holye gost goddes owne kynde
for þat kynd doethe vnkynd fordoethe / as thes c vrsed the ves
vnkynd crysten men for co vetyse &[^953] en vye
sleyethe a man for hys moebles / wyth mo vthe &[^a3226] wyth handes
for þat þe holy gost hathe to kepe / the[^a3227] harlottes destroyen
the wyche ys lyffe & lo ve / þe lyght[^a3228] off mannes bodye
for euery maner good man / may be lykened to a torche
or elles to a taper / to re verence þe trynyte
& wo-so morderethe a good man / me thynkethe by my wytte[^a3229]
he fordoethe þe le vest lyght / þat our lorde lo vethe
for[^a3230] yet yn many mo maners men offend þe holy goste
but[^a3231] þis ys þe worst wayes[^a3232] þat any wyght myght
synnen ageyne seynt spyryte / assenten to destroye
for co vetyse off any thyng off[^a3233] / that cryste dere boght[^954]
that wyllfullyche[^a3234] & wyckedlyche[^a3235] / wold mercy anyentyce
Innocence ys next god / and nyght & day ytt cryethe
Wengeance Wengeance / forgyve be ytt ne ver
that shent vs & shedde our bloode forshapte vs as ytt were
[^955] vindica sanguinem Iustorum & cetera[^a3236] ///
th vs wengeance wengeance verray charyte askethe
& sythe holy cherche & charyte / chargethe thys so sore
le ve y neuer þat our lorde wyll lo ve / þat charyte lakkethe
ne haue pyte for any preyer / there þat he pleynethe
I pose I had synned so / & shold dye
& now am sory þat y so / þe seynt spyryte agylte
confesse me & crye hys grace / god þat all made
& my ldelyche hys mercye aske / myght y not be sa ved
thus[^a3237] sayde þe samarytan so well / þou myght repente
that ryghtyo vsnes thrughe repentance to re vthe myght torne
but[^a3238] ytt ys but seldome seene / þer sothenes beyrethe wyttenes
any creature þat ys c vlpable afore a kynges I vstece
be ra vnsomed for hys repentance / þer all reason hym dampnethe
for þer þat partye p vrs vethe þe poeple ys so h vge
that þe kyng may do no mercy to[^a3239] bothe men acorde
& ether haue eq vyte as holy wrytte tellethe
nunquam dimittitur peccatum et cetera / /
th vs ytt farethe by s oche folke / þat falsly all þeir ly ves
y vell ly ven & leete noght tyll lyfe theym forsake
goode hoope þat[^956] helpe sholde / to whanhoope to vrnethe
noght off þe non-power off god / þat he ne ys myghtfull
to amend all þat amys ys / and hys mercy greater
then all our wycked werkes / as holy wrytte tellethe
misericordia eius super omnia opera eius & cetera / /
but[^a3240] er þis[^a3241] ryghtfulnes to re vthe torne some restyt vtyon beho vethe
hys sorowe ys satysfacyton for hym þat may noght pay
thre thynges there beene / þat done a man by strenght
fleen[^a3242] hys owne ho vse / as holye wrytte shewethe
that on ys a wycked wyffe þat wyll not be chastysed
hyr feere flyethe from hyr / for fere off hyr tong
& yff hys ho vse be vnhylled & reyne on hy s[^957] bedde
he sekethe all abovte tyll he lygge[^a3243] drye
& when smoke or smodre[^a3244] / smytethe yn hys syght
ytt doethe hym wors þen hys wyffe / or wete to slepe
for smoke & smoldre smytethe[^a3245][^958] hys eyne
tyll he be bleyre-eyed or blynd / & hoos[^959] yn þe throte
he coghethe[^a3246] & cursethe / þat cryst gyue hym sorowe
þat shold bryng yn better wode / or blowe[^a3247] tyll ytt brent
thes thre þat y tell off beene þis[^a3248][^960] to vndrestande
the wyffe ys our wyked flesshe / þat wyll not be chastysed
for kynd cle vethe on hym euer / to contrarye þe so vle
& thogh ytt fall ytt fyndethe skylles / þat freylte ys[^a3249] made
& þat ys lyghtlyche forgy ven & forgeten bothe
to a[^a3250] man þat mercy askethe / and amend thynkethe
the reyne þat reynethe þer we rest sholde
been sycknes & sorowes þat we sufferen offte
as paule þe apostell to þe poeple taght
virtus in infirmitate perficitur et cetera //
& thogh þat men make moche dole yn theyre angre
and ympacyentz[^a3251] yn þer pennance pure reason knowethe
that they haue ca vse to þe[^a3252] contrarye by kynd off þer syknes
& lyghtlyche our lorde att our[^a3253] ly ves ende
hathe mercy on s oyche men þat so y vell may suffer
but[^a3254] þe smoke & þe smoldre þat smyte yn oure eyne
ys co vetyse & vnkyndnes þat q venchethe goddes mercy
for vnkyndnes ys þe contrarye / off alkynnes reason
for þer nys sycke ne sory ne non so moche wreche
þat he ne may lo ve & hym lyke / and le ve[^a3255] off hys herte
good wyll & good worde bothe wysshen & wyllen
all maner men mercy & forgyvenes
and lo vethe[^a3256] them lyke hym-sel ve / & hys lyve amend
I may no lenger lett quod he & harde prycked
& went a-way as þe[^a3257] wynd & therwyth I waked[^a3258]
explicit tercius passus de doobetter[^961]

[^a3116: mo vt mo[n]t (G) | mounte (all other mss)]

[^a3117: he (G) | I (all other mss mss)]

[^a3118: sayethe (G) | sayde (all other mss)]

[^a3119: ensaeled (G Cr W) | asseled (all other mss)]

[^a3120: shall last (G Cr R) | laste shal (all other mss)]

[^a3121: lett vs (G Cr) | Late (all other mss)]

[^a3122: þe (G Cr) | þi (most mss)]

[^a3123: glosed (G C2) | yglosed (most mss)]

[^a3124: þer (G) | here (all other mss)]

[^a3125: me (G Cr R F) | me wel (most mss)]

[^a3126: & and and (G) | and (all other mss)]

[^a3127: bylee ve (G C2 R F) | bileued (all other mss)]

[^a3128: aspyed (G W) | hath aspied (all other mss)]

[^a3129: þes (G) | his (all other mss)]

[^a3130: þi (G) | my (all other mss)]

[^a3131: harde (G) | to harde (all other mss)]

[^a3132: abraham to (G Hm) | abraham (all other mss)]

[^a3133: lyghlyer (G) | liȝtor (all other mss)]

[^a3134: lee ve (G cr) | lene (all other mss)]

[^a3135: lawe (G O C2) | lawe wel (most mss)]

[^a3136: by (G) | in (most mss)]

[^a3137: I vstyce (G Cr1 B) | iustes (all other mss)]

[^a3138: y-take (G) | taken (most mss)]

[^a3139: but (G F) | ac (most mss)]

[^a3140: wold (G Cr C F) | nolde (all other mss)]

[^a3141: & (G O C2 Y) | þat (all other mss)]

[^a3142: man (G R) | men (all other mss)]

[^a3143: but (G F) | Ac (most mss)]

[^a3144: gan (G) | gan hym (most mss)]

[^a3145: but (G F) | Ac (most mss)]

[^a3146: downe (G Cr F) | adown (all other mss)]

[^a3147: way (G C2 B R F) | wye (all other mss)]

[^a3148: recouere (G Cr23 C2) | recouerer (most mss)]

[^a3149: ryse (G F) | þat rise (all other mss)]

[^a3150: to (G) | on (all other mss)]

[^a3151: fro (G) | biside (all other mss)]

[^a3152: I vstece (G Cot) | iustes (all other mss)]

[^a3153: goome (G R F) | grome (all other mss)]

[^a3154: but (G) | Ac (most mss)]

[^a3155: & (G O Y) | and þi (all other mss)]

[^a3156: he me (G) | I hym (all other mss)]

[^a3157: body (G Y) | babi (most mss)]

[^a3158: but (G F) | ac (most mss)]

[^a3159: y my (G) | my (all other mss)]

[^a3160: lowtethe (G Cr) | lotyeth (most mss) | lowten (C)]

[^a3161: who ys (G B) | who (most mss)]

[^a3162: he þat (G) | he (all other mss)]

[^a3163: seythe (G C2 R F) | seeth (Cr23) | seigh (all other mss)]

[^a3164: a (G) | þat am (most mss)]

[^a3165: but (G F) | Ac (most mss)]

[^a3166: by thys (G) | þis ilke (most mss)]

[^a3167: comune (G C C2 Y) | out comune (most mss)]

[^a3168: to (G C C2 B) | an (most mss)]

[^a3169: heale (G) | helynge (all other mss)]

[^a3170: þe (G) | þat (all other mss)]

[^a3171: heale them (G C Bm Bo) | hele hym (Cot) | hele (all other mss)]

[^a3172: & þen shall I retorne (G) | þorw holicherche bileue (most mss)]

[^a3173: I shall (G) | shal I (all other mss)]

[^a3174: on (G) | of (C C2 Y B)]

[^a3175: þe teychyng off hoope that ys hys felowe (G C C2 B) | his felawes techynge (most mss)]

[^a3176: seyde y (G Cr Hm B F) | I seyde (all other mss)]

[^a3177: and (G) | As (most mss)]

[^a3178: depertables (G) | departable (all other mss)]

[^a3179: bad (G) | he bad (most mss)]

[^a3180: all my (G Hm) | alle (all other mss)]

[^a3181: but (G F) | ac (most mss)]

[^a3182: cherysshym (G) | þere-aȝein (all other mss)]

[^a3183: forthe (G) | it forth (all other mss)]

[^a3184: fynger (G) | fyngres (all other mss)]

[^a3185: to þe (G Cr) | til (most mss)]

[^a3186: all þe (G) | at (most mss)]

[^a3187: kaght (G) | lauȝte (all other mss)]

[^a3188: natus et cetera (G C Y B) | et cetera (most other mss)]

[^a3189: me (G) | it (all other mss)]

[^a3190: bothe þe (G Cr Hm B F) | Bothe (all other mss)]

[^a3191: thys (G) | Þus (all other mss)]

[^a3192: sondr ye (G) | asondry (most mss)]

[^a3193: folden (G Cr) | yfolde (most mss)]

[^a3194: wyth (G C) | myd (all other mss)]

[^a3195: as (G C Y B) | atte (most mss)]

[^a3196: they are (G F) | ar þei (most mss)]

[^a3197: as (G Hm C2 Y) | as is (all other mss)]

[^a3198: but (G F) | Ac (most mss)]

[^a3199: maner (G) | maneres (all other mss)]

[^a3200: yn (G C C2 F) | as in (all other mss)]

[^a3201: þe (G) | a (all other mss)]

[^a3202: as (G) | is as (most mss)]

[^a3203: & (G Cr Y) | So (all other mss)]

[^a3204: wo (G C2) | who-so (most mss)]

[^a3205: he (G) | is (all other mss)]

[^a3206: lyght (G C2) | leye (most mss)]

[^a3207: leele byle ve (G C2) | bileue (all other mss)]

[^a3208: blowen (G Cr C2) | yblowe (all other mss)]

[^a3209: smacche (G C2 Y) | macche (all other mss)]

[^a3210: swelethe (G C2) | brenneth (all other mss)]

[^a3211: gave (G C2) | shapte (all other mss)]

[^a3212: gladen (G) | gladieth nouȝte (all other mss)]

[^a3213: walken (G) | waken (most mss)]

[^a3214: glowede (G) | gloweth (most mss)]

[^a3215: pater (G C2 Y) | fader (all other mss)]

[^a3216: to (G C2 Y B) | in-to (most mss)]

[^a3217: for (G) | And (all other mss)]

[^a3218: a seght (G) | assetz (all other mss)]

[^a3219: yff (G) | and (all other mss)]

[^a3220: but (G C2 F) | Ac (most mss)]

[^a3221: wynters (G) | wyntre (all other mss)]

[^a3222: ne cane (G) | can nouȝte (most mss)]

[^a3223: eche (G B) | Vch a (most mss)]

[^a3224: redde (G) | rede (all other mss)]

[^a3225: þei shall (G C C2 Y F) | þei (most mss)]

[^a3226: & (G) | or (all other mss)]

[^a3227: the (G W Hm C2) | þo (all other mss)]

[^a3228: lyght (G) | leye (most mss)]

[^a3229: wytte (G) | Inwyt (most mss)]

[^a3230: for (G) | Ac (most mss)]

[^a3231: but (G C2 F) | Ac (most mss)]

[^a3232: wayes (G) | wyse (all other mss)]

[^a3233: thyng off (G) | þyng (all other mss)]

[^a3234: wyllfullyche (G) | wykkedlich (most mss)]

[^a3235: wyckedlyche (G) | willefullich (most mss)]

[^a3236: Iustorum & cetera (G Hm C2 C B) | iustorum (most mss)]

[^a3237: thus (G Hm C B) | Ȝus (all other mss)]

[^a3238: but (G F) | but ȝet (C2) | Ac (most mss)]

[^a3239: to (G) | til (all other mss)]

[^a3240: but (G C2 F) | Ac (most mss)]

[^a3241: þis (G Cot) | his (most mss)]

[^a3242: fleen (G C2) | Forto fleen (most mss)]

[^a3243: lygge (G C Y B) | liggith (C2) | slepe (most mss)]

[^a3244: smodre (G) | smolder (all other mss)]

[^a3245: smytethe (G L C) | smyteth in (most mss)]

[^a3246: he coghethe (G R) | Than Coughethe he (C2) | þan kenely he (F) | Cougheth (most mss)]

[^a3247: blowe (G Hm B) | blowe it (all other mss)]

[^a3248: þis (G) | þus (all other mss)]

[^a3249: ys (G Cr23 C C2 Y) | it (all other mss)]

[^a3250: to a (G) | To (all other mss)]

[^a3251: ympacyentz (G) | inpacient (most mss)]

[^a3252: to þe (G) | to (all other mss)]

[^a3253: our (G) | her (all other mss)]

[^a3254: but (G C2 F) | Ac (most mss)]

[^a3255: le ve (G Cr) | lene (all other mss)]

[^a3256: lo vethe (G) | louye (all other mss)]

[^a3257: as þe (G C2 F) | as (all other mss)]

[^a3258: waked (G M Cr R) | awaked (most mss)]

[^928: G.18.1: For the interpretation of the first letter of this line as a <Y>, see note to G.7.260.]

[^929: G.18.4: Cr C2 Cot share G's original reading ytt ys. Remaining manuscripts share G's corrected reading ys ytt.]

[^930: G.18.16: Most C manuscripts share the G Cr R F reading me (for majority B me wel), and this is the reading adopted by Kane and Donaldson.]

[^931: G.18.43: The cross in the bottom of the right hand margin is in modern pencil.]

[^932: G.18.45: For the spelling of "lightlier" without a <t>, see note to G.1.150.]

[^933: G.18.69: The G Cr23 C2 reading recouere may well result from a failure to notice an abbreviation, but, in any case, as far as G and Crowley are concerned, it is worth noting that, according to the OED, the use of "recoverer"="remedy" dies out during the fifteenth century (see OED recoverer, n. 1 ).]

[^934: G.18.86: Bm also originally shared the G R F reading goome, but in Bm this has been corrected to grome, as all other manuscripts.]

[^935: G.18.96: A downward stroke, possibly that of the <p> of passyon but also possibly the downward stroke of a thorn (see the F reading with þe passioun ), has been written and deleted after deleted wyth .]

[^936: G.18.119: G's b-verse is taken from the following line (KD.17.122b).]

[^937: G.18.120: The G scribe has the correct word order (shall I rather than I shall) in his erroneous use of this b-verse in the previous line (G.18.119).]

[^938: G.18.120: A line extending from the box indicates the place where this material should be inserted.]

[^939: G.18.123:The remainder of this line in the majority of manuscripts reads þat with his blode shal saue, material which does not appear in G until the following line. G's reading of the b-verse is shared, with some minor differences, with C C2 Y and B. The result of added material both here and later means that these manuscripts have three lines instead of two.]

[^940: G.18.124: For G's a-verse (the b-verse of KD.17.125), see note to previous line (G.18.123).]

[^941: G.18.124: G's b-verse here is the a-verse of KD.17.126. G's reading of this line is shared with C C2 Y B. See note to G.18.123.]

[^942: G.18.125: The G C C2 B reading expands on most manuscripts his felawes techynge in order to turn what was originally only a half line (the b-verse of KD.17.126) into a full line; the a-verse found in most manuscripts has already been used in G.18.124. See also note G.18.123. Y also shares the G C C2 B reading, except that Y has holpe for G C C2 B hoope.]

[^943: G.18.166: For the G scribe's use of "this" for remaining manuscripts "thus," see note to G.4.76.]

[^944: G.18.168: The G scribe's erroneous spelling sereples is shared by Hm C C2 Y B (Hm by correction). Cr23 have Serples. Only L and M have the correct spelling.]

[^945: G.18.186: The b-verse of KD.17.186 and the a-verse of KD.17.187 ("how-so I torne it Ac who is herte in þe hande") are omitted by G W Hm C C2 Y B (as a result of eyeskip on hand). This omission was originally also present in M but has been corrected. KD.17.188 ("He may receyue riȝt nouȝte · resoun it sheweth") is omitted by G C C2 Y B.]

[^946: G.18.191: A virgule has been added to separate I from reyche.]

[^947: G.18.200: C originally read as in, as most manuscripts. However, as has been cancelled, bringing C's reading into line with that of G C2 F. The line in C is, however, so different from that of other B manuscripts, including G, that it seems unlikely that this change indicates a relationship.]

[^948: G.18.208: G's spelling of "hot" here (i.e. woote) results from the extension (from the fifteenth century onwards) of wh- spellings to words with initial h- followed by an o sound, a spelling retained in words such as whole. See note to G.14.426, and OED under wh. For the use of <w> for wh, see Dobson, English Pronunciation, section 414 (Dobson sees it as a dialect development), and note also G's use of <wo> for "who" at, e.g., G.2.146.]

[^949: G.18.209:The deletion of the original e of fostren is not intentional; the original <e> has been blotted and the addition has been made to clarify the reading.]

[^950: G.18.221: The alteration of <u> to <v> in "caught" is in a different colour ink from the usual hand1.1 corrections, but the form is exactly the same.]

[^951: G.18.251: This may be a deleted letter rather than a virgule.]

[^952: G.18.270: The G form redde (for remaining manuscripts rede) does not necessarily imply a substantive variant. The G scribe was clearly aware of the possibility of using single and double consonants to indicate preceding long and short vowels, but his own practice in this respect was by no means consistent (see Introduction III.2).]

[^953: G.18.277: G's original reading off is also found in C2. G's corrected reading & is that of the rest of the B manuscripts.]

[^954: G.18.288: G W Hm C C2 Y B omit a line at this point ("How myȝte he axe mercy · or any mercy hym helpe").]

[^955: G.18.293: The first stroke of the <v> of vindica has been written in grey-black ink and then cancelled and rewritten in red.]

[^956: G.18.313: The scribe clearly noticed the omission of þat when he was in the process of transcribing the rubricated material at G.18.317, and he has corrected in red ink.]

[^957: G.18.324: The original alteration (replacement of long <r> of hyr by supralinear sigma <s>) is in the main scribe's usual grey ink. However, the crossed-out <r> has later been erased and replaced with an inline sigma <s> in brown ink which partly encroaches on the supralinear <s>.]

[^958: G.18.328: M originally shared the G L C reading smytethe, but supralinear in has been added after the verb, bringing M's reading into line with that of remaining B manuscripts.]

[^959: G.18.329: Kane and Donaldson too read G hoos but there is a mark above this word, possibly a later addition, which may be intended as an abbreviation for -er-. While β4 manuscripts read hoos; other manuscripts read hors.]

[^960: G.18.332: For the G scribe's use of "this" for remaining manuscripts "thus," see note to G.4.76.]

[^961: G.18.356: There is a small <e> in the right hand margin. There appears to be no codicological reason for this, but note the small <c> in the same position at the beginning of G14 (f.55r).]

Wollward and whettshode went y forthe after
& as a reccheles re vke re[n]ke[^a3259] / þat off no wo recched[^a3260]
& yede forthe lyke a lorell all my lyfe tyme
tyll y were[^a3261] wery off þe worlde / and wylned efte to slepe
& leyned me to[^a3262] lenten & long tyme y slepte
& off crystes passyon & pennance þe poeple þer[^a3263] off taght
rest me þer and r vtt fast tyll ramis palmarum
off gerles & off gloria laus greatly me dreymed
and how ozanna by orgonye old folke[^962] songen
on sembleable to þe samarytan / & somedeale pyers[^a3264] plowman
barefoote on an asse backe booteles gan prycke
wyth -oute sp vrres other speyre / spakelyche he loked
as ys þe kynd off a knyght þat comethe to be dowbbed
to gett hym gylt spurres / and galoches y-coweped
then was feythe a in[^a3265] a fenystre / & cryed[^a3266] fili dauid
as doethe an hara vde off armes / when a vnterers[^a3267] comethe to I vstes
old Iewes off / Ierusalem /[^963] for Ioy they songe
benedictus qui venit in nomine domini & cetera //
þen I frayned att faythe / what all þat fare ment[^a3268]
& who sholde I vst In Ierusalem Iesus he sayde
& fecche þat þe fende cleymethe / pyers fr vyte þe plowman
ys pyers In thys place quod I . and he preynte on me
thys Iesu In[^a3269] hys gentryes / wole I vst In pyers armes
In hys helme &[^a3270] hys habergynne / humana natura
that cryste be noght y-knowe here for consumatus est
In pyers paltock þe plowman þis prycker shall ryde
for no dynt shall hym dere as yn deitate patris
wo shall I vst wyth Iesus Iewes[^a3271] or scrybes
nay quod he þe fo vle feende / & also[^a3272] doome & deathe
deethe seethe[^a3273] he shall fordoo / & downe[^a3274] bryng
argumentt
all þat ly vethe or lokethe yn land or yn watre
off lyf &
lyfe sayethe þat he lyethe & leyethe hys lyffe to wedde
dethe
that for all þat dethe can doo wythynne thredayes thre dayes / /
to walke & to[^a3275] fecche fro þe fende pyers fr vyte þe plowman
to[^a3276] legge hym[^a3277] þer hym lykethe / & lucyfer bynd
& for to beyte & downe bryng bale &[^a3278] deathe for euer
o mors ero mors tua & cetera //
then came pilatus wyth poeple sedens pro tribunali //
to se how doghtely dethe shuld doo / & deme þer brothers[^a3279] ryght
the Iewes & the I vstece ageynst Iesu were[^a3280]
& all þe co vrte on hym cryed crucyfige sharpe
tho put hym forthe a pylo vr pylate[^a3281] & sayede
thys Iesus off oure Iewes temple Iaped & despysed
to fordoone ytt yn[^a3282] on day & yn thre dayes after
edyfye ytt efte newe / here he standethe þat seyde ytt
& yet maken[^a3283] as moche / yn all maner off[^a3284] poyntes
bothe as long & as large / by lofte & by gro vnde
crucifige quod a cacche-polle / I warrant hym a wycche
tolle tolle quod an-other / and tooke / of kene thornes
& byganne off kene thorne / a garland to make
& sett ytt sore on hys heyde / and seyde yn en vye
ave raby / quod þat ryba vde & threwe reedes att hym
nayled hym wyth thre nayles / naked on the roode
and poyson on a polle þei putt vp to hys lyppes
& bad hym drynke hys deathe y vell / hys dayes were doone[^964]
& yff þat þou subtyle be / help now þi-sel ven /
yff þou be cryst & kynges sonne / come downe off þe roode
then shall we le ve þat lyffe þe lo vethe / & wole not lett þe dye
consummatum est quod cryste & comsed for to swowne
pytyo vslyche & pale as a prysoner[^a3285] þat dyethe
þe lorde off lyffe & off lyght / þer[^a3286] leyde hys eyne to-geddres
þe day for drede wythdrewe / & darke bycame þe sonne
þe wall wagged & cla ve & all þe worlde q va ved
deade men for þat dy m me[^a3287] / came owte off[^a3288] gra ves
& told why þat tempest so long tyme d vred
for a bytter battayle þe deade bodye seyed
lyve & dethe yn thys derknes on[^a3289] fordooethe a-noþer[^a3290]
shall no wyght wytt wytterly who shall haue þe mastrye
er sonday abowte sonne rysyng / and sanke wyth that t yll[^965] yerthe
some sayde þat he was goddes sonne þat so fayre dyed
vere filius dei erat iste & cetera
& some sayde he was a wycche / good ys þat we assey
where he be deyd or noght deyde downe or he be take
two the ves also tholyed deathe that tyme
vpon a cros bysyde cryste / so was þe comm vne lawe
a cacche-polle cam forthe & cracked bothe theyre legges
& þer armes after off ether off tho the ves
but[^a3291] was no body[^a3292] so bold goddes body to toche
for he was knyght & kynges sonne / kynd forgave þat tyme
that non herlott were so hardye to ley hand vpon hym
but[^a3293] there came forthe a knyght wyth a kene speare y-gro vnde
hyght longeus as þe letter tellethe / & long had loore hys syght
before pylate & other poeple yn þe place he ho ved
maugre hys[^a3294] teethe he was made þat tyme
to take þe speyre In hys hand & I vsten wyth Iesu[^a3295]
for all þei weren vnhardy / þat ho ved on hors & stoode
to to vchen hym or tasten hym / or take hym downe off roode
but þis blynd bacheler then / bare hym thr vgh þe herte
the bloode sprange downe by þe speyre / & vnsperred hys eyne
then fell þe knyght vp-on knees / & cryed hym mercye
ageyne my wyll ytt was lorde / to wo vnd you so sore
he seghed & seyde / sore ytt me athynkethe
for þe dede þat I haue doone I do me yn your grace
haue on me re vthe ryghtfull Iesus[^a3296] / & ryght wyth þat he wepte
then gan feyet[^966] felly &[^a3297] the fal ce Iewes despyce
called þem caytyffes y-c vrsed[^a3298] for euere
for þis fo vle wyllany wengeance to you fall
to do þe blynd beate hym y-bo vnde ytt was a boyes co vnseale
c vrsed cayteffe knyghthoode was ytt ne ver
to myssdoo a deade bodye by day or by nyght
the gree yet hathe he goten / for all hys greate wo vnde[^967]
for your champyon chy valo vr cheffe knyght off you all
yelt hym recreant rynnyng ryght as[^a3299] Iesus wylle
for be thys derknes I-doo hys deathe worthe a venged
and þe[^a3300][^968] l vrdeanes haue y-lost / for lyffe shall haue þe mastrye
& your francheys þat free was / fallen ys yn thraldome
& ye ch v rles[^969] & your chydrene chy[l]drene[^a3301] che ve shall ye ne ver
ne haue lordshyppe yn land ne no land tylye
but all barreyne be & vsurye to vsen[^a3302]
wych ys lyfe þat our lorde yn all lawes ac vrsethe
now your goode dayes are done / as danyell prophesyed
when cryste came þier kyngdome / & crowne sholde ceasse
cum veniat sanctus sanctorum cessabit vnccio vestra ://
what for feere off thys ferlye / and off þe fal ce Iewes
I drewe me yn that derknes to discendit ad inferna
& þer I saghe sothely secundum scripturas ://
oute off þe west coste / a wenche as me thoght
come walkyng by[^a3303] the way / to hellward she loked
mercy hyght þat meyde / a meke thyng wyth -all
a full benyng b yrde / and buxome off speche
hyr suster as ytt semed came softlye walkyng
e ven owte off þe est / and westwarde[^970] she loked
a full comely creature / tre vthe she hyght
for þe wertue þat hyr folowed / afered was she neuer
when þes meydens mett mercy & trewthe
eyther asked other off thys greate wondre
off þe dynne & þe derknes & how þe day rowed
& wyche a lyght & a leyme / le e[^a3304][^971] before hell
I haue farlye off þis fare y faythe sayed trewthe
& am wendyng to wytt whatt þis wondre meanethe
haue no mervayle quod mercy / myrthe ytt betokenethe
a meyde[^a3305] þat hett marye / and modre wyth -oute felyng
off any kynnes creature / concey ved thrugh speche
& grace off þe holy gost wexed[^972] greate wyth chylde
wythoute wemme yn[^a3306] thys worlde she broght hym
& þat my tale be trewe / I take god to wyttnes
sythe þis barne was borne / been xxxti" thritti wynters[^a3307] passed
wyche dyed & deathe tholed / þis day abovte mydday
and þat ys ca vse off thys clypse / þat closethe now þe sonne
In meanyng þat man shall / froo merkenes be drawe
the whyle thys lyght & þis leame shall lucyfer ablynd
for patryarkes & prophetes haue preyched þer[^a3308] off often
that man shall man sa ve / thrugh a meydens helpe
and þat was tynt thrugh tree / tree shall ytt wynne
& þat dethe downe broght deathe shall rele ve
þat þou tellest quod trewthe / ys but a tale off waltrotte
for adam and e ve & abraham &[^a3309] other
patryarkes & prophetes þat yn payne lyggen
lee ve þou neuer þat yon der[^a3310][^973] lyght / a-lofte shall bryng
ne haue þem ovte off hell holde þi tong mercye
ytt ys a[^a3311][^974] tryfull þat þou tellest / I trogh t wootte[^975] þe sothe
for þat ys on ce yn hell owte comethe ytt ne vere
Iob þe prophete patryarke repro vethe thy sawes
quia in inferno nulla est redemcio://
then mercy full myldlye mo vthed thes wordes
thrughe experyence quod she / I hoope þei shalbe shal be sa ved
for wen ome fordoethe wen ome & þat I pro ve by reason
For off all ven omes fo vlest ys þe scorpyon
may no medecyne helpe þe place there he styngethe
tyll be[^a3312] deyde & done therto / þe y vell he destroyethe
the furste wenomythe[^a3313] thrughe wen ome off hymsel ve
so shall þis dethe fordoo I dare my lyffe lygge[^a3314]
all þat dethe dyd furste thrughe þe de veles entysyng
and ryght as thrughe gyle / man was begyled
so shall grace þat byganne make a good end[^a3315]
ars vt artem falleret & cetera[^a3316] //
nowe suffer me[^a3317] sayde trewthe / I se as me thynkethe
owte off þe nyppe off þe northe[^976] not farre from[^a3318] hence
ryghtyo vsnes come r vnnyng / rest we þe wyle
for he woote more þen we / he was er we bothe
that ys sothe quod[^a3319] mercy & y se here by so vthe
where peasse comethe pleyng / yn pacyenche y-clothed
[...][^977] lo ve hathe co veytyd hyr long / le ve I noon other
but he sent hyr some lettre / what þis lyght bymeanethe
that o vere-ho vethe hell th vs / she shall vs[^a3320] tell
when peasse yn pacyence clothed approochet de[^978] negh þem tweyne
ryghtyo vsnes hyr re verensed for hyr ryche clothyng
and preyed peasse to tell hyr / to what place she[^979] wolde
and yn hyre gay garmentes / whom she grete thoght
my wyll ys to wend quod she & welcome þem all
þat many a[^a3321] day myght y noght see / for merkenes off synne
adam & e ve & other mo yn hell
moses & many mo mercye shall ha ve
I shall da vnce therto / do[^a3322] so suster[^980]
ad vesperum demorabitur fletus & ad matutinum leticia//
lo ve þat ys my lemman s oyche lettres me sent
that mercy my s yster & I mankynd sholde sa ve
& þat god hathe forgy ven & graunted me pea ce & mercy
to be mannes meynperno vr / for euer -more after
lo here þe patent quod pea ce In pace in idipsum
and þat þes[^a3323] dedes[^a3324] shall dure dormiam et requiescam
what ra vestowe quod repentance[^a3325] or þou arte halfe[^a3326] dronke
le vestowe[^a3327] yonder[^a3328][^981] lyght vnlo cke myght hell
and sa ve mannes so vle / s yster wene ytt ne ver
att þe gynnyng[^a3329] god gave þe dome hym-sel ve
þat adam & e ve & all þat þem s vede
sholde dye downe-ryght / & dwell yn pyne after
yff[^a3330] þei to vched a tree / & þe fr vyte eyte
adam afterwarde agenste hys defence
freyte off þat fr vyte & forsooke as ytt were
the lo ve off your[^a3331] lorde / & hys loore bothe
& folowed þat þe fende ta vght / & hys felowes wyll
agenst reason & ryghtwyssne ce recorde þis[^a3332][^982] wyth trewthe
þat þer payne be perpetuall / & no preaer þem helpe
forthye lett þem chewe as þei chase / & chyde we nat sustre
for ytt ys bootles bale / þe bytt that þei eyten
& I shall pro ve quod pea ce / þeir payne m vste ha ve end
& wo yn-to weale may wende att þe last
for had þei wyst off no wo well had þei not knowen
for no wyght wootte[^983] what weale ys / þat neuer wo suffered
ne what ys wootte[^984][^985] hongre þat ne ver had[^a3333] defa vte
yff no nyght ne were no man as I lee ve
sholde wytt wytterly / what day ys to meane
shold neuer ryght ryche man þat ly vethe In rest & ease
wytte where[^a3334] wo ys / ne were þe deathe off kynd
so god þat bygan all off hys good wylle
bycame man off a meyde / mankynd to sa ve
& suffered to be solde / to se þe sorow[^986] off dyenge
the wyche vnknyttethe all care / and comsyng ys off rest
for tyll modicum / mett wyth vs I may ytt well awowe
woote no wyght as I wene what ys y-noghe to name[^a3335]
forthy god off hys goodnes þe furste goome adam
sett hym yn solace & yn souereygne m vrthe
& sythe he suffered hym synne / sorowes[^a3336] to fele
&[^a3337] wytt what weyle was / & kyndlyche[^a3338] knowe[^a3339] ytt
& after god gra vnted hym-sel ve & tooke adams kynd
to wytt what he hathe suffe red / yn þe[^a3340] sondrye places
bothe yn hey ven & yn yerthe / & now tyll hell he thynkethe
to wytte what all woo ys / þat woote what[^a3341] all Ioy ys[^a3342]
so ytt shall fare by þis folke / theyre folye & theyre synne
shall leeren þem what lang vore ys / and blysse[^a3343] wythowten end
whatt[^a3344][^987] no wyght what warre ys þer þat pea ce reygnethe
ne what ys wytterly weale / tyll wellaway hym teyche
then was þer a wyght wyth two broode eyne
booke hyght þat bea vpere / a bolde man off speche
by goddes body quod þis booke I wyll beyre wyttne ce
that þo þis barne was borne[^a3345] / there blased a sterre
that all þe wyse off þis worlde / yn oone wytt acorden
that s oyche a barne was borne / yn beythelem cete
that mannes[^988] soule shold sa ve / & synne destroye
& all þe elementes quod þe booke hereoff beyren wyttne ce
tha t he was god þat all wroght / þe welkene furste shewed
tho þat were yn hey ven / tooken stella cometa com[a]ta[^a3346]
and tenteden hyr as a torche / to re verence hyr[^a3347] b vrthe
the lyght folowed þe lorde yn-to þe lowe yerthe
that þe[^a3348] water wyttnessythe þat he was god þat[^a3349] he went on[^a3350]
peter þe apostell percey ved hys gate
& as he went on þe water well knewe he hym[^a3351] & seyde
Iube me venire ad te super aquas://
and lo howe þe lyght[^a3352] gan lo vke / þe[^a3353] lyght yn hym[^a3354] -sel ve
when he seyghe hym suffer / þat sonne & see made
the yerthe for hey vynes þat he wold suffer
q vaked as q vycke thyng / & all byq vassethe[^a3355] þe roche
lo hell myght not hold but opened þer[^a3356] god tholed
and lete owte symondes sonnes / to seene hym hang on roode
& now shall lucyfer ley ve ytt / thogh hyn hy[m][^a3357] lothe thynke
for gygas þe gya vnte wythe a gynne engyned
to breake & to beate downe[^a3358] that beene ageynst Iesus
and I booke wylbe wyl be brent but Iesus ryse to ly ve
In all myghtes off man / and hys modre gladye
and conforte all hys kynne & owte off care bryng
and all þe Iewes Ioy vnloken[^a3359] and vnbynden[^a3360]
and but þe[^a3361][^989] reuerence hys roode & hys resurextyon
and le ven on a new lawe beene lost lyffe & so vle
[^990] all þis I boke wyttne ce & yett moche more
sufferre we sayed trewthe / I here & se bothe
how a spyryte speykethe to hell / & byd vnsparre þe gates
attollite portas principes vestras[^a3362] et cetera[^991] //
a woyce lowde yn þat lyght to lucyfer cryed[^a3363]
pry n ce ce[^a3364][^992] off þis place vnpynnethe & vnlockethe
for he[^a3365] comethe wyth crowne þat kyng ys off glorye
then syked sathan & seyde to theym all
s oche a lyght ageynst our ley ve lazare yt fett
care & combrance ys come to vs all
yff thys kyng come ynne mankynd wyll he fecche
& leyde ytt þer hym lykethe / & lyghtlyche vs[^a3366] bynde
patryarkes & prophetes haue parled þer[^a3367] off long
þat s oyche a lorde & a lyght sholde leyde þem all hence
lystynethe quod lucyfer for I þis lorde knowe
bothe þis lorde & þis lyght / ys longe a-goo I knewe hym
may no dethe hym deere ne no de velles q veynt an ce[^a3368]
& where he wyll ys hys way but[^a3369] warre hym off the perelles
yff he rey ve me my ryght / he robbethe me wyth[^a3370] mastrye
by[^a3371] ryght & by reason / tho re vkes re[n]kes[^a3372] þat been here
bodye & so vle been myne / bothe good & yll[^993]
yff adam eyte þe apple all shold dye
and dwell wyth vs de velles / thys th reytyng he made
and he þat sothenes ys / sayed thes wordes
and sythen ys[^a3373] ysayde[^a3374] / sey ven hondrethe wynters[^a3375]
I lee ve þat þat[^a3376] lawe wole[^a3377] nat / letten hym þe leaste
þat ys sothe sayd sathan / but I me sore drede
for þou gett þem wyth gyle / & hys garden brakest[^a3378]
and yn semblant[^a3379] off a serpent / sattest[^a3380] on þe apple tree
and eggest[^a3381] þem to eyte / and e ve[^a3382] by hyr-sel ve
and toldest hyr a tale / off treason were þe wordes
& so þou haddest þem owte & hyddre att[^a3383] last
ytt ys not greathelye gotten / þer gyle ys þe rote
For god wyll not be bygyled quod gobolyn ne by-Iaped
we haue no trewe tytle to theym / thrugh[^a3384] t reason were þei dampned
certe ce I drede me quod þis[^a3385] de vell / lest tr vgh wyll þem fecche
[^994] owte off our po vste / & leyden þem hen ce[^995]
thys thurty wynter as I wene / hathe he goone & preached
I haue assayled hym wyth synne / & some-tyme asked[^a3386]
where he were god or goddes sonne / he gaue me short answere
& th vs hathe[^a3387] trolled forthe þis xxxijti thritti-two wynters[^a3388]
& when I seghe ytt was soo / slepyng I went
to warne pylates wyffe / what doo mes[^a3389] man was Ihesus
for þe[^a3390] Iewes hateden hym / & haue done hym to deathe
I wold haue lengthed hys lyfe / for I le ved yff he dyed
that hys soule wold suffer no synne yn hys syght
for þe bodye wyle ytt on bones yede / aboute was e ver
to sa ve men from synne yff þem-sel ve wolde
& nowe I se where a soule comethe hydderwarde seyllyng
wyth glorye & wyth greate lyght / god ytt ys I woote well
I red we fle quod he fast a-way[^a3391] hence
for vs were better not be / then byden hys syght
for thy leasynges lucyfer / lost ys all our preaye
furste thrugh þe we fellen fro hey ven so heghe
for þat[^a3392] we le ved þi leasynges / yloore we ha ve adam
and all our lordshyppe I le ve /a lond & on watre
nunc primceps pri[n]ceps[^a3393] huius mundi eicietur foras :
efte þe lyght bad vnlo cke / & lucyfer answeyred
what lorde art þou quod lucyfer quis est iste
rex glorie / the lyght sone sayede
& lord off myght & off mayne / & all maner wertues
dominus virtutum & cetera[^a3394] //
d vkes off þis dymme place / anon vndo þes gates
þat cryste may come ynne / þe kynges sonne off hey ven
& wyth þat breythe hell brake / wyth belyall barres
for any wysse[^a3395] or warde / wyde open þe gates
patryarkes & profetes / populus in tenebris
songen seynt Iohans songe ecce agnus dei //
lucyfer loke ne myght / so lyght hym ablente
& tho þat our lord lo ved / yn-to hys lyght he laght
& sayd to sathan / lo here my soule to amend[^a3396]
for all synfull so vles / to sa ve tho þat be worthye
myne þei been & off me I may þe better þem cleame
all-thoghe reason recorde / & ryght off my-sel ve
that yff þei eyte þe apple all sholde dye
I byhyght þem not here / hell for e ver
for þe dede þat þei dyd þi deceate ytt made
wyth gyle þou þem gatteste[^a3397] / agenst all reason
for yn my place[^a3398] paradyse / In lykne ce[^a3399] off an naddre
falsly þou fattest þer / thyng þat I lo ved
th vs lyke[^a3400] a lysard wyth a ladyes[^a3401] vysage
the velyche þou me robbedest: þe old lawe grauntethe
that gylo vrs be begyled / & þat ys good reason
dentem pro dente et oculum pro occulo ://
ergo soule shall soule q vyte & synne to synne wende
& all þat man hathe myssdo / I man wyll amend
membre for membre / by þe old law was amendes
& lyffe for lyffe also / & by þat lawe I cleame ytt
adam & all hys ysse ve att my wyll here-after
& þat deathe yn theym fordyd / my deathe shall relee ve
& bothe q vyk & q vyte / þat q veynte was thrugh synne
and þat grace gyle destroye / good faythe ytt askethe
so lee ve þ ou[^a3402][^996][^997] not lucyfer ageynst þe lawe y facche theyme
but by ryght & reason / ra vn some my[^a3403][^998] lyeges
non veni soluere legem set a dimplere[^999]://
thowe fettest myne yn my place agenst[^a3404] all reason
falslyche & felonysslyche[^a3405] / good faythe me ytt taght
to recouer þem thrughe / ra vnsome & by no reason elle ce
so þat thrughe gyle þou gett / thrughe grace ys[^a3406] wonne
þou lucyfer yn lyknes off a lyther nadder
gettedest[^a3407] by gyle / tho that god lo ved
and yn lyknes off a leede / þat lorde am In[^a3408] hey ven
gracyo vslyche thy gyle haue q vytte / go gyle ageyn gyle
& as adam & all / thrugh a tre dyeden
adam & all thrugh a tre / shall torne agayne to ly ve
& gyle ys begyled & In hys gyle fallen
et cecidit in foueam quam fecit et cetera[^a3409] //
now begynnethe thy gyle / ageyne /[^1000] to the[^a3410] torne
& my grace to growe[^a3411] / greater & wydder
the bytternes þat þou brewe / bro vke ytt thy-sel ve
that art docto vr off deathe / drynk þat þou madest
for y þat am lord off lyffe / lo ve ys my drynke
& for þat drynk to-day / I dyed vpon yerthe
I fo vght so me thr vsted[^a3412] / for[^a3413] mannes soule sake
may no drynk me moyste / ne my thr vst slake
tyll þe vendage falle / yn þe wale off Iosaphath
that I drynk ryght rype m vste / resurreccio mortuorum
then[^a3414] shall I come as a kyng crowned wyth angelles
& haue owte off hell / all mennes soules
fendes & fendkynnes / byfore me shall stand
& beene att my byddynges[^a3415] where-so-euer me lykethe
& to be mercyable to man / then my kynd ytt askethe
for we beene brethren off bloode / but not yn baptysme all
but[^a3416] all þat beene my hole brethren yn bloode & yn baptysme
shall not be dampned to þe deathe / þat ys wythowten end
tibi soli peccaui et cetera//
ytt ys not vsed yn yerthe to hongen a fellon
ofter þen oon ce[^1001] / thogh he were a treytour
and yff þe kyng off þat kyngdome come yn þat tyme
there þe felon tholed[^a3417] sholde / dethe or other I o vn esse[^a3418][^1002]
law wold he ga ve[^a3419] hym lyffe / yff he loked vpon[^a3420] hym
& y þat am kyng off kynges / shall come soche a tyme
where doome to þe dethe dampnethe all wykked
& yff lawe wole I loke on þem / ytt lyethe yn my grace
wether þei dye or dye not / for þat þei dyden yll
be ytt any thyng[^a3421] þe boldnes off þer synnes
I do mercy thrugh ryghtyo vsnes / & all my wordes trewe
& thoghe woly wrytte wole I[^a3422] be wroke / off þem þat dyd yll
nullum malum impunitum & cetera //
they shalbe shal be wasshen[^a3423] clerelyche / & clensed[^a3424] off þer synnes
In my pryson purgatory / tyll parcye parce[^a3425] ytt hote
& my mercy shalbe shal be showyd to many off my brethren
for blood may suffer bloode bothe hongre[^a3426] & colde[^a3427]
but[^a3428] blood may not se blood / blede but hym rewe
audiui archana verba que non licent[^a3429] homini loqui & cetera[^a3430] //
but[^a3431] my ryghtyo vsnes & ryght shall r vle all hell
and mercye all mankynd before me yn hey ven
for I were an vnkynd kyng but I my kynd holpe
& namelyche at s oche a nede / þer nedes helpe beho vethe
non intres in iudicium cum seruo tuo & cetera
thys[^a3432][^1003] by lawe quod our lorde / leyde I wyll hence[^a3433]
tho þat me lo ved & le ved yn my co myng[^1004]
& for þi leysyng lucyfer / þat þou leygh to[^a3434] e ve
þou shalt abye ytt bytterly[^a3435] / & bo vnd hym fast[^a3436] wyth chenes
astarothe & all þi[^a3437] ro vte / hydden þem yn hernes
þei dorste not loke on our lorde / þe boldest off þem all
but lett hym leyde forthe what hym lyked & lete[^1005] what hym lyst
many .c.ethe. hundrethe off angelles harpeden & songen
culpat caro purgat caro regnat deus dei caro
then pyped pea ce / off a[^a3438] poyse a note
clarior est solito post maxima nebula ph e bus[^1006]
post inimicitias clarior est et amor :[^1007]
after sharpe showres quod pea ce clere[^a3439] ys þe sonne
ys no weddre warmer / þen after watyrye clowdes
ne no lo ve le ver / ne le vere frendes
then after warre & wo when lo ve & pea ce be masters
was neuer warre yn þis worlde ne wyckednes so kene
that ne lo ve & hym lyst / to laghyng ne broght
& pea ce thrugh pacyence all perelles stopped
trewe ce quod trewght thow tellest vs sothe by Iesus
clyppe we yn conuenaunt couenaunt[^a3440] / & eche off vs kysse other
& lett no poeple quod pea ce percey ve þat we chyde
for ympossyble ys nothyng to hym þat ys almyghty
þou seyest sothe quod ryghtyousnes / & reuerentlyche hyr kyste
pea ce & pea ce there[^a3441] per omnia[^a3442] secula seculorum/
misericordia & veritas obuiauerunt sibi : Iusticia et pax osculate sunt & cetera//
trewght tromped tho & song te deum laudamus & cetera[^a3443] //
& then luted lo ve / In a lowde note
ecce quam bonum et quam Iocundum et cetera //
tyll þe day dawed þes damoseles dawnced
þat men rong to þe resurreccyon / & ryght wyth þat I waked
& called kytt my wyfe / & calott my doghter
aryse & re verence goddes resurreccyon
& crepe to þe cro ce on knees / & kysse ytt for a I vell
for goddes blessed body / ytt bare for our boote
& ytt afferethe þe fende / for s oche ys þe myght
may no grysslye goste glyde þer ytt shadowethe

[^a3259: re vke re[n]ke (G Cr) | renke (most mss)]

[^a3260: recched (G) | roughte (W B) | reccheth (all other mss)]

[^a3261: were (G) | wex (all other mss)]

[^a3262: to (G) | to a (all other mss)]

[^a3263: þer (G B F) | þat (most mss)]

[^a3264: pyers (G) | to Piers (most mss)]

[^a3265: a in (G) | in (all other mss)]

[^a3266: cryed (G) | cryde a (most mss)]

[^a3267: a vnterers (G) | aunturos (most mss)]

[^a3268: ment (G F) | be-mente (all other mss)]

[^a3269: In (G) | of (all other mss)]

[^a3270: & (G M C O B) | & in (all other mss)]

[^a3271: Iewes (G) | quod I iuwes (most mss)]

[^a3272: also (G) | fals (all other mss)]

[^a3273: seethe (G) | seith (all other mss)]

[^a3274: downe (G C2) | adown (most mss)]

[^a3275: & to (G Hm) | and (most mss)]

[^a3276: to (G) | And (most mss)]

[^a3277: hym (G) | it (all other mss)]

[^a3278: bale & (G Hm O C2 Y) | bale (most mss)]

[^a3279: brothers (G Cr23 C C2 B) | botheres (most mss)]

[^a3280: were (G) | þei were (all other mss)]

[^a3281: pylate (G) | bifor pilat (most mss)]

[^a3282: yn (G M B R F) | on (all other mss)]

[^a3283: maken (G) | maken it (all other mss)]

[^a3284: maner off (G Cr F) | manere (all other mss)]

[^a3285: prysoner (G Cr C2 F) | prisoun (all other mss)]

[^a3286: þer (G) | þo (most mss)]

[^a3287: dy m me (G) | dyne (most mss)]

[^a3288: off (G) | of depe (most mss)]

[^a3289: on (G) | her one (most mss)]

[^a3290: a-noþer (G) | her other (most mss)]

[^a3291: but (G C2) | Ac (most mss)]

[^a3292: body (G W Cot) | boy (all other mss)]

[^a3293: but (G C2 F) | Ac (most mss)]

[^a3294: hys (G Bm Cot) | his many (most mss)]

[^a3295: Iesu (G) | ihesus (all other mss)]

[^a3296: Iesus (G) | ihesu (most mss)]

[^a3297: felly & (G) | felly (all other mss)]

[^a3298: y-c vrsed (G) | acursed (most mss)]

[^a3299: as (G) | at (most mss)]

[^a3300: þe (G C2) | ȝe (most mss)]

[^a3301: chydrene chy[l]drene (G) | children (all other mss)]

[^a3302: to vsen (G) | vsen (most mss)]

[^a3303: by (G) | in (all other mss)]

[^a3304: le e (G) | lay (all other mss)]

[^a3305: meyde (G Cr C2 R F) | mayden (all other mss)]

[^a3306: yn (G Y) | in-to (all other mss)]

[^a3307: wynters (G) | wynter (all other mss)]

[^a3308: þer (G) | her (most mss)]

[^a3309: & (G M Cr F) | with (all other mss)]

[^a3310: yon der (G) | ȝone (most mss)]

[^a3311: ys a (G) | is but a (most mss)]

[^a3312: be (G) | he be (all other mss)]

[^a3313: wenomythe (G C2) | venymouste (most mss)]

[^a3314: lygge (G Cr) | legge (most mss)]

[^a3315: end (G C2 Y) | sleighte (most mss)]

[^a3316: falleret & cetera (G Hm B) | falleret (most mss)]

[^a3317: me (G) | we (all other mss)]

[^a3318: farre from (G) | ful fer (all other mss)]

[^a3319: quod (G) | seyde (all other mss)]

[^a3320: shall vs (G Cot) | vs shal (most mss)]

[^a3321: many a (G Cr C2 F) | many (all other mss)]

[^a3322: do (G) | do þow (all other mss)]

[^a3323: þes (G) | þis (most mss)]

[^a3324: dedes (G) | dede (all other mss)]

[^a3325: repentance (G) | riȝtwisnesse (all other mss)]

[^a3326: halfe (G) | riȝt (most mss)]

[^a3327: le vestowe (G) | Leuestow þat (most mss)]

[^a3328: yonder (G Hm O B) | ȝonde (all other mss)]

[^a3329: gynnyng (G) | bygynnynge (most mss)]

[^a3330: yff (G) | If þat (all other mss)]

[^a3331: your (G) | owre (all other mss)]

[^a3332: þis (G) | þus (all other mss)]

[^a3333: ne ver had (G M Cr) | had neuere (all other mss)]

[^a3334: where (G) | what (all other mss)]

[^a3335: name (G) | mene (all other mss)]

[^a3336: sorowes (G) | sorwe (all other mss)]

[^a3337: & (G C2) | To (all other mss)]

[^a3338: & kyndlyche (G F) | kyndelich (all other mss)]

[^a3339: knowe (G C2) | to knowe (most mss)]

[^a3340: þe (G C Y) | þre (most mss)]

[^a3341: what (G) | of (most mss)]

[^a3342: Ioy ys (G) | ioye (all other mss)]

[^a3343: blysse (G Y R) | lisse (most mss)]

[^a3344: whatt (G) | Wote (all other mss)]

[^a3345: borne (G Cr O C2 Y) | ybore (all other mss)]

[^a3346: cometa com[a]ta (G Cr23 W Hm) | comata (all other mss)]

[^a3347: hyr (G) | his (all other mss)]

[^a3348: that þe (G C2) | Þat (L M Hm C Y B) | The (all other mss)]

[^a3349: þat (G) | for (most mss)]

[^a3350: on (G) | on it (all other mss)]

[^a3351: knewe he hym (G) | hym knewe (most mss)]

[^a3352: lyght (G) | sonne (all other mss)]

[^a3353: þe (G) | her (all other mss)]

[^a3354: hym (G) | her (all other mss)]

[^a3355: byq vassethe (G) | biquasht (most mss)]

[^a3356: þer (G C2) | þo (all other mss)]

[^a3357: hyn hy[m] (G) | hym (all other mss)]

[^a3358: downe (G L Cr) | a-doun (all other mss)]

[^a3359: vnloken (G C2) | vnioignen (most mss)]

[^a3360: vnbynden (G C2) | vnlouken (most mss)]

[^a3361: þe (G) | þei (all other mss)]

[^a3362: portas principes vestras (G Hm) | portas (most mss)]

[^a3363: cryed (G C O) | cryeth (most mss)]

[^a3364: pry n ce ce (G) | Prynces (most mss)]

[^a3365: he (G) | here (all other mss)]

[^a3366: vs (G C2) | me (all other mss)]

[^a3367: þer (G) | her (all other mss)]

[^a3368: q veynt an ce (G) | queyntise (all other mss)]

[^a3369: but (G C2 F) | ac (most mss)]

[^a3370: wyth (G) | by (all other mss)]

[^a3371: by (G C2) | For by (all other mss)]

[^a3372: re vkes re[n]kes (G Cr) | renkes (most mss)]

[^a3373: ys (G O C2 Y) | I (most mss) | y was (F)]

[^a3374: ysayde (G) | seised (most mss)]

[^a3375: wynters (G) | wyntre (all other mss)]

[^a3376: þat þat (G C2) | þat (all other mss)]

[^a3377: wole (G O B F) | nil (all other mss)]

[^a3378: brakest (G) | breke (all other mss)]

[^a3379: semblant (G C2 B F) | semblaunce (most mss)]

[^a3380: sattest (G) | sat (most mss)]

[^a3381: eggest (G C Y) | eggedest (all other mss)]

[^a3382: and e ve (G) | Eue (all other mss)]

[^a3383: att (G) | atte (all other mss)]

[^a3384: thrugh (G F) | for þorwgh (all other mss)]

[^a3385: þis (G Cr23 O C2 Y) | þe (all other mss)]

[^a3386: asked (G Cr C2 B) | yasked (most mss)]

[^a3387: hathe (G) | hath he (most mss)]

[^a3388: wynters (G) | wyntre (all other mss)]

[^a3389: doo mes (G) | dones (L O) | done (most mss)]

[^a3390: for þe (G F) | For (all other mss)]

[^a3391: a-way (G) | alle (all other mss)]

[^a3392: for þat (G) | For (all other mss)]

[^a3393: primceps pri[n]ceps (G) | princeps (all other mss)]

[^a3394: virtutum & cetera (G) | virtutum (most mss)]

[^a3395: wysse (G) | wye (most mss)]

[^a3396: amend (G C2) | amendes (all other mss)]

[^a3397: gatteste (G) | gete (all other mss)]

[^a3398: place (G Cr1 O Y B) | paleys (most mss)]

[^a3399: lykne ce (G Cr2) | persone (all other mss)]

[^a3400: lyke (G Cr) | ylyke (most mss)]

[^a3401: ladyes (G Cr F) | lady (all other mss)]

[^a3402: þ ou (G M) | I (most mss)]

[^a3403: my (G C2) | here my (all other mss)]

[^a3404: agenst (G Cr Hm B) | aȝeines (most mss)]

[^a3405: felonysslyche (G Hm) | felounelich (most mss)]

[^a3406: ys (G) | it is (most mss)]

[^a3407: gettedest (G Cr1 Y) | Getest (most mss) | Gettistdest (C2) | Gete (B R)]

[^a3408: In (G) | of (most mss)]

[^a3409: fecit et cetera (G Hm) | fecit (all other mss)]

[^a3410: to the (G) | þe to (most mss)]

[^a3411: growe (G) | growe ay (most mss)]

[^a3412: thr vsted (G) | þrestes (most mss)]

[^a3413: for (G) | ȝet for (all other mss)]

[^a3414: then (G) | And þanne (all other mss)]

[^a3415: byddynges (G) | biddynge (all other mss)]

[^a3416: but (G Hm C2 F) | Ac (most mss)]

[^a3417: tholed (G) | thole (most mss)]

[^a3418: I o vn esse (G) | wyse (most mss) | Iuwise (Bx)]

[^a3419: ga ve (G M O C2 R) | ȝeue (all other mss)]

[^a3420: vpon (G C2) | on (all other mss)]

[^a3421: thyng (G O C2 Y) | þyng abouȝte (most mss)]

[^a3422: I (G R) | þat I (most mss)]

[^a3423: wasshen (G) | clensed (all other mss)]

[^a3424: clensed (G) | wasshen (all other mss)]

[^a3425: parcye parce (G) | parce (all other mss)]

[^a3426: hongre (G Cr3 C C2) | hungry (most mss)]

[^a3427: colde (G Cr23 C2) | akale (most mss)]

[^a3428: but (G C2 F) | Ac (most mss)]

[^a3429: licent (G) | licet (all other mss)]

[^a3430: loqui & cetera (G Hm C2 Y) | loqui (all other mss)]

[^a3431: but (G C2 F) | Ac (most mss)]

[^a3432: thys (G) | Þus (all other mss)]

[^a3433: hence (G) | fro hennes (all other mss)]

[^a3434: to (G Cr23 C2 R F) | til (all other mss)]

[^a3435: bytterly (G O F) | bittre (most mss)]

[^a3436: hym fast (G) | hym (all other mss)]

[^a3437: þi (G) | þe (all other mss)]

[^a3438: off a (G) | of (all other mss)]

[^a3439: clere (G) | clene (B) | moste shene (all other mss)]

[^a3440: conuenaunt couenaunt (G) | couenaunt (all other mss)]

[^a3441: there (G) | here (all other mss)]

[^a3442: per omnia (G Cr) | per (all other mss)]

[^a3443: laudamus & cetera (G C C2 Bm) | laudamus (all other mss)]

[^962: G.19.9: An attempt has been made to alter the word song instead of crossing it out, but this has been abandoned.]

[^963: G.19.17: For the G scribe's use of virgules for highlighting, see note to G.6.597.]

[^964: G.19.55: The line is too long and doone appears underneath were, boxed in grey to distinguish it from G.19.56.]

[^965: G.19.69: Cr C2 share G's original reading to. G's corrected reading tyll corresponds to that of most B manuscripts.]

[^966: G.19.95: The deletion affecting feyethe is a little careless and it is difficult to be certain exactly which letters are supposed to have been crossed out.]

[^967: G.19.101: The reading here is clear in spite of the damage to the manuscript. Note that the spilled ink appears to be the same colour as that used for the various spelling changes.]

[^968: G.19.105: Kane and Donaldson apparently interpret G's reading as ye rather than þe but superscript <e> is normally only used after a thorn. See note to G.3.118.]

[^969: G.19.107: C Y B read clerkes for Bx cherles but G's original reading appears to have been cheles. The corrector appears to have added a very small <e> to replace that deleted by the addition of <r> before replacing this in turn with a <v>.]

[^970: G.19.123: The <s>, <t> and part of the second <w> of westwarde have been re-outlined in darker ink.]

[^971: G.19.128: The form lee is not recorded as a preterite of "lie" by either the OED or the MED but it is difficult to imagine what else the corrector intended.]

[^972: G.19.134: All other manuscripts share G's original strong preterite wexe.]

[^973: G.19.149: Note the alteration of "yonde" to "yonder" at G.19.193.]

[^974: G.19.151: For G ys a, most manuscripts is but a, Kane and Donaldson adopt the reading is (found in the majority of C manuscripts).]

[^975: G.19.151: A brown ink descender has been added, crossing the line joining the <t> and the <e> of original woote and thus forming a second <t>.]

[^976: G.19.168: There may possibly be a virgule after northe, obscured by the red ink stain.]

[^977: G.19.173: A line of verse, possibly in blacker ink than the main body of the text, has been written and erased at the top of the page i.e. outside the normal writing space.]

[^978: G.19.176: The alteration from "approacheth" to "approached," which appears to have been made by hand1.1, brings G's reading into line with that of Bx.]

[^979: G.19.178: R and F share G's original reading he. G's corrected reading she corresponds to that of the remaining B manuscripts. For G's treatment of the feminine pronoun, see Introduction III.1.3.]

[^980: G.19.184: G and C2 omit a line at this point ("For ihesus iusted wel · ioye bygynneth dawe").]

[^981: G.19.193: Note the similar, isolative alteration to "yonder" at G.19.149.]

[^982: G.19.203: For the G scribe's use of "this" for remaining manuscripts "thus," see note to G.4.76.]

[^983: G.19.210: For the correction to wootte, see note to G.19.151, and compare woote without alteration at G.19.221.]

[^984: G.19.211: For the correction to wootte, see note to previous line.]

[^985: G.19.211: For the spelling of what appears in other manuscripts as hoot/hot(e (= "hot" or "is called") with initial <w>, see note to G.18.208. In this particular instance, there may also be some influence from the verb in the previous line. G's spelling may have influenced that found in Cr (i.e. whote); see Introduction II.2.1.2.]

[^986: G.19.218: The initial letter of sorrow was originally a 2-shaped <r>.]

[^987: G.19.232: Given G's spelling practice and dialect, the G reading whatt (for remaining manuscripts Wote) may not actually be a substantive variant. For "woot" with medial <a> see G.12.404, and for the use of <wh> for <w>, see the forms of "wash" at G.14.32 and G.15.20.]

[^988: G.19.240: The <s> of mannes is in browner ink. It seems possible that the corrector erased original <s> with the intention of replacing it with <ce> but that he realised his error and reinstated it. Compare pryncece (for "princes") at G.19.270.]

[^989: G.19.263: For the G scribe's use of the weak form of the pronoun ("the") for remaining manuscripts "they," see note to G.6.150.]

[^990: G.19.265: This line is only present in β4 manuscripts.]

[^991: G.19.268: A number of C manuscripts share the G Hm reading portas principes vestras (most B manuscripts just read portas), but once again, as with the correspondence at G.12.124, these shared readings may simply result from shared recollection of biblical material (in this case, Psalm 23:9).]

[^992: G.19.270: The spelling change from prynces to pryncece is probably an error on the part of hand1.1, since plurals in <s> are not normally altered to <ce>. See the apparent correction of a similar alteration at G.19.240.]

[^993: G.19.285: β4 manuscripts omit a line at this point ("For hym-self seyde þat sire is of heuene").]

[^994: G.19.301: This line is only present in Cr23 and β4 manuscripts.]

[^995: G.19.301: The ink colour suggests that the alteration from hens to hence was probably made by the original scribe. Forms of "hence" in -s were probably present in his examplar and occur occasionally in the early part of the text (thus hennes at G.4.110 and henns altered to hence by hand1.1 at G.7.285) but by this stage the spelling is regularly hence. According to the OED, forms in -s died out in the sixteenth century.]

[^996: G.19.357: In G, the letter now read as the initial thorn of þou must originally have been intended as a <y> (for "I," as most B manuscripts).]

[^997: G.19.357: M originally shared the majority reading I, but this has been crossed out and thow added above the line in a different ink, bringing M's reading into line with G's own corrected reading.]

[^998: G.19.358: M originally shared the G C2 reading my, but here has been added above the line to give here my, as remaining B manuscripts.]

[^999: G.19.359: The change to "adimplere" results in an otiose minim before the <i>.]

[^1000: G.19.372: It is difficult to be sure of the reason for the two virgules on either side of ageyne. Possibly they were intended to indicate the necessity for a change in word order, but if so they have not been written in quite the right place (immediately following this, G has to the for remaining manuscripts þe to).]

[^1001: G.19.392: The alteration from oones to oonce has not been made very effectively, and the original is more clearly visible than is usually the case.]

[^1002: G.19.394: According to the OED, the word "juise" (= "judicial punishment") was uncommon after the fifteenth century (the only instances recorded after that are in Cockeram's English Dictionary), and the scribe clearly does not know what to make of it.]

[^1003: G.19.415: For the G scribe's use of "this" for remaining manuscripts "thus," see note to G.4.76.]

[^1004: G.19.416: Y shares G's original reading connyng. G's corrected reading comyng corresponds to that of all remaining B manuscripts.]

[^1005: G.19.421:The last three words of this line appear below on the right hand side of the page, boxed in grey to distinguish them from G.19.422.]

[^1006: G.19.425: The emendation to phebus is in ordinary grey ink.]

[^1007: G.19.426: The two rubricated lines are bracketed together in red on the right.]

[^1008] explicit quartus passus de dobetter

[^1008: trailer: The deletion of ex- may have been necessary because the ink had run.]

Th vs I awaked and wroote what I had d reamed
& dyght me deerly / & dyd me to cherche
to here hooly þe masse /[^1009]tho men yede to offerryng[^1010]
that pyers þe plowman / was peynted all bloody
& came ynne wyth a cros / byfore þe comm vne poeple
and ryght lyke yn all lymmes / to our lorde Iesu
then called y conscyence / to kenne me þe sothe
ys þis Iesus the I vster quod y / þat Iewes dyd to deathe
or ys ytt[^a3444] pyers þe plowman / wo peynted hym so redde
quod conscyence & kneled tho / thes are pyers armes
hys colo vrs & hys cote armore / but[^a3445] he þat comethe so blodye
ys cryst wyth hys cros / conq vero vr off crystene
why call ye hym cryste quod I / sythe Iewes called hym Iesus
patryarkes & prophetes profycyed byfore
that alkynnes creat vres / shold knelen & bowen
anon as men nyuy ved nyuy[n]ed[^a3446] / þe name off god Iesu
ergo there ys[^a3447] no name / to þe name off Iesus
ne noone so nedefull to neue ve neue[n]e[^a3448] / by nyght ne by day
for all derke de velles / ere dradde[^a3449] to here ytt
& synfull are solaced & sa ved by þat name
& ye callen hym cryste / for what ca vse tellethe me
ys cryste more off myght / & more worthye name
then Iesu or Iesus / þat all our Ioye came off
thow knoest well quod conscyence / & þou knowest[^a3450] reason
that knyght kyng conq verour / may be on persone
to be called a knyght ys fayre / for men shall knele to hym
to be called a kyng ys feyrer / for he may knyghtes make
& to be conq verour called / þat comethe off speycyall graace[^1011]
& off herdynes off herte / & off hendenesse
to make lordes &[^a3451] lydyes l[a]dyes[^a3452] off land that he w onnethe[^a3453]
& fre men foule thralles / that folowe hys[^a3454] lawes
the Iewes þat were gentylmen / Iesu they dyspysed
bothe hys loore & hys lawe / nowe are þei lowe cherles
as wyde as þis[^a3455] worlde ys / wonnethe þer noon
but vndre trybute & tallyage / as tykes & cherles
& tho that bycome crystyene / by co vnseyle off þe baptysme
are frankeleyns fre men / thrughe fully[^a3456] þat they tooke
and gentylmen wyth Iesu for Iesus was y-fulled
& vp-on cal verye on cros / crowned[^a3457] kyng off Iewes
ytt bycomethe to a kyng / to kepe & to defend
& conq vero vr[^1012] off conq vest / hys lawes & hys large
& so dyd Iesus þe Iewes / he I vstyfyed & taght theym
the lawe off lyfe þat last shall e ver
and fend ytt[^a3458] fro fo vle y velles / fe vers & flyxes
& from feendes that yn theym were / and falsse byle ve
tho was he Iesus off Iewes called gentyll prophete
& kyng off theyre kyngdome / & crowne beyre off thornes
& tho conq vered he on cros / as conq vero vr noble
myght no deathe hym fordoo / ne adowne bryng
that he ne rose[^a3459] & regned / and ra vesshed hell
& tho was he conq vero vr called / off q vycke & off deyde
for he ga ve adame & e ve & other mo blysse
that long had lyene byfore / at[^a3460] lycyfers cherles
& sythe he ga ve largely / all hys leele lyeges
places In paradysse / att theyr partyng hence
he may be[^a3461] called conq vero vr / & þat ys cryste to meane
but[^a3462] þe ca vse þat he comethe th vs / wyth cros off passyon
ys to wyssen vs ther-wyth / þat when þat we be tempted
therwyth to fyght & fenden vs / fro fallyng yn-to synne
& se by hys sorow þat wo lo vethe Ioy
to pennance & to pouerte he m vst putt hym-sel ve
& moche wo yn þis worlde / wyllen & sufferen
but[^a3463] to carpe more off cryste / & howe he cam to þat name
feythfully[^a3464] for to speyke / hys furste name was Iesus
tho he was borne yn bethelem as the boke tellethe
& came to make[^a3465] mankynd kynges & angelles
re verenced hym fayre wyth ryches off yerthe
angelles owte off hey ven came / knelyng & sange
gloria in excelsis deo & cetera //
kynges came after / kneled & offerred
myrre and moche golde / wythe-owte mercye askyng
or any kynnes catell / but knoleched[^a3466] hym so vereygne
bothe off sond sonne & see / & sythen þei went
In-to theyr kyngdomes[^a3467][^1013] / by co vnseyle off angelles
& þer was þat word fulfylled / þe wyche þou off spake
omnia celestia terrestria flectantur In hoc nomine Iesu : //[^1014]
for all þe angeles off he ven / att hys byrthe kneled
& all þe wytt off thys[^a3468] worlde was yn tho thre kynges
reason & ryghttyo vsnes / and[^1015] re vthe they offered
wherfore & whye wyse men þat tyme
masters & lettered men magi theym called
that on kyng came wyth reason offerryd[^a3469] vndre sense
the second kyng eke[^a3470] sothely offered
ryghtyo vsnes vndre redde golde / reasons felowe
gold ys lykened to loyalte / þat last shall e ver
& reason to ryche golde / to ryght & to trewe[^a3471]
the thyrde kyng tho / can ca[m][^a3472] knelyng to Iesu
& presented hym wyth pyte / apperyng by myrre
for myrre ys mercye to meane / & myld speche off tong
thre ylyche honest thynges / were offered vp[^a3473] att oon ce
thrugh iij thre kynne kynges / knelyng to Ihesu
but[^a3474] for all þes precyo vse / presentes /[^1016] our lord prynce Iesus
was nether kyng ne conq verour / tyll he gan to waxe
In þe maner off a man / & þat by moche sleyght
as ytt bycomethe a conq vero vr / to konne many sleyghtes
and many whyles & wytt / þat wole been a leyder
and so dyd Iesu In hys dayes / wo[^a3475] had tyme to tell ytt
some-tyme he s offerred and some-tyme he hyd hym
& some-tyme faght[^a3476] fast / & fleyghe other whyle
& some-tyme he ga ve goode / & graunted heale bothe
ly ve & lymme / as hym lyst / he wroght
as kynd ys off a conq vero vre / & so[^a3477] compsed Iesu
tyll he had all þem / for whome þat he[^a3478] bledde
In hys Innocence[^a3479] thys Iesus / att Iewene feaste
water In-to wyne he torned[^a3480] / as holy wrytt tellethe
and þer bygan god off hys grace dowell
for wyne ys lykened to lawe / & lyfe off holynes
& lawe lacked tho / for men lo ved not theyr enmyes
and cryste co vnseylythe vs / & commandethe bothe
bothe to lered & to lewde / to lo ve our enmyes
so att þe feast furst / as I byfore tolde
bygan god off hys grace / & goodnes to do well
& tho was he cleped & called / not holy cryst but Iesus[^a3481]
a fa vnt fyn full off wytt filius marie : //
for byfore hys modre mary / made he that wondre
that she furst & formest / ferme shold byle ve
that he thrughe grace was gette / & no goome elles
he wroght þat by no wytt / but thrugh worde alone[^a3482]
after þe kynd þat he came off / ther comsed he dowell
& when he was waxen more / In hys moders[^a3483] absence
he made lame to leype / & gaffe syght[^a3484] to blynde
& fedde wyth two fysshes / & wyth fy ve loo ves
sore of h on gered[^1017][^1018] folke / mo then fy ve thowsandes[^a3485]
th vs he confo vrted carefull / & ca vght a gretter name
the wyche was dobetter / where þat he went
for deaffe thrugh hys doynges / to here / & dombe speke he made
& all he healed & halpe / þat hym off grace asked
& tho was he called yn contre / off þe comm vne poeple
for tho[^a3486] dedes that he dyd Iesu fili dauid //
for dauid was doghtyest / for[^a3487] dedes yn hys tyme
the byrdes þat songe saul interfecit mille & dauid decem millia .//
forthy þe contrey ther Iesu came / called hym fili dauid //
& nyue ved nyue[n]ed[^a3488] hym off nazarethe / & no man so worthye
to be cesare[^a3489] or kyng / off þe kyngdome off Iuda
ne ouer Iewes I vstyce / as Iesus was theym thoght
wheroff cayphas had en vye / & other off the Iewes
& for to doone hym to deathe / day & nyght they cast
kyllede hym on crosse wyse / att cal varye on fryday
and sythe buryed hys bodye / and badde þat men sholde
kepen ytt fro nyght-comers / wyth knyghtes y-armed
for no frendes shold hym fecche / for prophetes þem tolde
that þat blyssed bodye / fro[^a3490] byryales shold ryse
and goone In-to galylye / to[^a3491] gladen hys appostelles
& hys modre marye þus men byfore demed
the knyghtes þat kept hym / byknewe ytt theym-sel ve
that angelles & arkangelles ere þe day sprange
came knelyng to þe corps / & songe cristus resurgens
verray man byfore þem all / & forthe wyth theym he yede
the Iewes preyed theym pea ce / & byso vght the knyghtes
tell þe comm v ne þat þer came / a company off hys apostelles
and bywycched þem as they wooke / & away stolen ytt
but[^a3492] marye magdelyne mett hym / by the way
goyng toward galylye / yn godhed & manhoode
and aly ve[^a3493] & lokyng / & she alowde cryed
yn eche[^a3494] company ther sh e came cristus resurgens
thys[^a3495][^1019] came ytt owte / þat cryste ouercame / reco vered & ly ved
sic oportet Christum pati et intrare & cetera //
for þat[^a3496][^1020] women wootethe /[^1021] may not well be co vnseale
petur percey ved all þis / & p vrsued after
bothe Iames & Iohn / Iesu for to seke
thadde & ten moo / wyth thomas off Indye
&[^a3497][^1022] all thes wyse wyghtes[^a3498] / / weren to-geddres
In an ho vse &[^a3499] bysett[^a3500] / and þer dore y-sparred
cryst cam ynne all closed / bothe dorres[^a3501] & gates
to petur & to hys appostelles / & sayde / pax vobis
& toke thomas by þe hand / & taght hym to grope
& fele wyth hys fyngers / hys flessly / herte[^1023]
deus meus & dominus meus et cetera[^a3502] //
þou arte my lorde I byle ve / god lord Iesu
þou dyedest & deathe tholest[^a3503] / & dome[^a3504] shall vs all
& now arte ly vyng & lokyng & last shalt e ver
cryst carped þen / & co vrtyeslyche sayede
thomas for þou trowest th vs[^a3505][^1024] / & trewlyche bele vest ytt
blessed mote þou be / & be shalt e ver[^a3506]
& blessed mote þei be[^a3507][^1025] In bodye & yn soule
þat neuer shall see me yn syght / as þou doest nowe[^a3508][^1026]
and leallyche bylee ve all þis / I lo ve þem & blysse theym
beati qui non viderunt & crediderunt & cetera //
& when þis dede was done dobest he taght
& ga ve pyers power / & perdone he grauntted
to all maner men / mercye & forgy venes
hys[^a3509] myght may[^a3510] men assoyle[^a3511] off all maner off synnes[^a3512]
In counaunt þei[^a3513] come & knolege to pay
to pers perdone[^1027] þe plowman / redde quod debes:
thys[^a3514][^1028] hathe pyers power / bee hys perdone payde
to bynd & vnbynd / bothe here & elles-where
[^1029] & assoyled[^a3515] men off all synnes / sa ve off dett alonne[^a3516]
anoone after on heygh / vp to þe[^a3517] hey ven
he went & wonnethe there / & wole come at þe last
and wyll[^a3518] reward hym ryght well / þat reddit quod debet
& payeth[^a3519] perfyttly / as p vre trewthe wolde
& what persone payethe ytt noght to p v nnysshe[^a3520] he thynkethe
& domen[^a3521] theym on[^a3522] domesday bothe q vyck & deade
the good to þe godhed / & to greate Ioy
and wyked to wonye / yn wo wythowten end
th vs conscyence off cryste / & off þe cros carped
& co vnsealed me to knele there[^a3523] / & then came me thoght
on spiritus paraclitus to pyers & to hys felowes
In lykenes off a lyghnynge / he lyght on þem all
& made þem konne & knowe / all maner[^a3524] langages
I wondred what þat was / & wagged conscyence
& was a-ferde off þat lyght / for yn fyres lykenes
spiritus paraclitus o ver-sp redde theym all
quod conscyence & kneled þis ys crystes meyssenger
& comethe fro þe greate god / & grace ys hys name
knele nowe quod conscyens / & yff þou can syng
welcome hym & worshyp hym wyth veni creator spiritus:/
þen song I þat song / & so dyd many hondrethe
& cryden wyth conscyence / helpe vs / god off grace
& tho[^a3525] bygan grace to god[^a3526] / wyth pyers plowman
& co vnseylyd hym & conscyence / þe comm vn e[^1030] to somond
for I wyll deale to-day / & de vyde grace
to alkynnes creat vres / þat haue theyr fy ve wyttes
treasore to ly ve by / to theyre ly ves end
[^1031]and weypen to fyght wyth / when antecryste you asseylethe
& gaffe eche man a grace / to go wyth hym-sel ve
that Id vlnes encombre hym noght / en vye ne pryde
diuisiones gratiarum sunt & cetera //
some he gafe wytte / wyth wordes to shewe
wyth[^a3527] to wynne þeir ly velode wyth / as þe worlde askethe
as preycho vrs & preestes / & preynteces off the[^a3528] lawe
they leally to ly ve / by labo vr off theyr[^a3529] tong
& by wytt to wyssen other / as grace þem wold teache
& some he[^1032] kenned crafte / and konnyng off syght
wyth sellyng & byggyng / theyr b yle ve to wynne
[^1033] & some he lered labour[^a3530] / a lele ly ve & trewe
& some he taght to tyllye / to dyche & to hegge
to wynne wyth theyre ly veloode / by loore off hys teachyng
& some to dy vyne & dy vyde / nombres to kenne
& some to compa ce craftylye / & colo vrs to make
and some to se & some to sey / what shold byfalle
bothe off well & off wo / telle ytt ere ytt fell
as astr omyens thrugh astronomye / & phylosophers wyse
& some to ryde & some to recouer / þat vnryghtfully was wonne
he wyssed þem wynne ytt ageyn / thrugh ryghtyo vsnes[^a3531] off handes
& fecchen ytt fro fal ce men / wyth f vlwyles[^a3532][^1034] lawes
and some he lerned[^a3533] to ly ve / yn longyng to be hence
In pouerte & yn pennance / to pray for all crystyen
and all he lered to be lele / & eche[^a3534] crafte lo ve other
& forbedde þem all debate / that non were among theym
thogh some be cleynner þen some / ye se well quod grace
þ at he þat vsethe þe fayrest crafte / to þe fowlest I co vld ha ve put hym
looke þat non lacke other / but lo ve to-geddre[^a3535] as bretheren
& wo þat most mastryes can / be myldest off beyryng
& crowne conscyence kyng / & maketh crafte your st verde
& after craftes co vnseyle / clothe you & fede
for I make pyers[^a3536] plowman / my proc vrato vr & my re ve
& regester to recey ve redde quod debes :/
my purwyo vr & my plowman / pyers shalbe shal be on yerthe
and for to tylye trewthe / a tyme[^a3537] shall he ha ve
grace ga ve pyers a teame / four greate oxen
the[^a3538] on was / luke /[^1035] a large beast & a lowe chered
& marke & mathewe þe thyrde / myghty beastes bothe
& Ioyned to theym on Ihon / most gentell off all
þe pry ce of þe[^a3539] neyte off pyers plowe / passyng all other
& grace ga ve pyers / off hys goodnes fo vre stottes
that all[^a3540] hys oxen eryed / þei harrowed[^a3541] after
on hyght augustyne[^a3542] / & ambrose an-nother
gregory þe greate clerke / and Ierome þe goode
thyesse fo vre þe faythe to teyche / folowen pyers teame
and harowed yn an handwyle / all holy scrypture
wyth two harrowes þat þei had an old & a newe
vetus testamentum et novum .///
& grace gaffe greanes / þe cardynales wert ves
and sewe yn ytt[^a3543] mannes soule / & sythen told þer names
spiritus prudentie the furst seyde hyght
and wo-so eyte þat / ymagyne he sholde
er he dyd any dede / avyse[^a3544] well the ende
& lered[^a3545] men a ladell bygge wyth a longe steale
that cast for to kepe a crocke / to sa ve þe fatt abo ve
the second he seyed[^a3546] hyght spiritus temperantie
he þat eyte off þat sede / hadde s oche a kynde
shold neuer meyte / ne moche drynk / make hym to swelle
ne shold no skorner ne skolde / hym[^a3547] ovte off skyll bryng[^a3548][^1036]
wast word off Idulne ce / ne no[^a3549] wycked speche move
shold no c vryous clothe / comen on hys rygge
ne no meyte yn hys mo vthe[^1037] but[^a3550] mestre Iohan spyced
the thyrd sede þat pyers sewe / ys[^a3551] spiritus fortitudinis : /
& wo-so eyte off that sede / hardye was e ver
to suffer all that god sent / sycknes & angers
myght no leysynges ne lyer / ne losse off worldlye[^1038] cattell
make hym for any mournyng / but euer[^a3552] merye yn soule
and bold & abydyng / busyne ce[^a3553] to suffer
and pleayethe all wyth pacyen ce / and perce michi domine ://
& co ver hym vndre co vnseale / off caton þe wyse
esto forti animo cum sis dampnatus inique : //
þe forthe sede þat pyers sewe was spiritus Iusticie :
& he þat eyte of þat sede shold be e ver trewe
wyth god & noght agaaste / but off gyle alone[^a3554]
for gyle goethe so pry vylye / þat good feythe other wyle
may noght been espyed / for spiritus Iusticie
/ spiritus Iusticie sparethe noght to spylle
theym þat been gyltye / and for to correcte
the kyng / yff þat he[^a3555] fall yn gylt or yn any[^a3556] tresspa ce
for co vntethe he no kynges wrathe / when he yn co vrt syttethe
to demen as a domes-man / dradde[^a3557] was he ne ver
nether off d vke ne off deathe / that he ne dyd lawe
for preysent or for preyare / or any pryncys letters
he dyd eq vyte to all / e vene-forthe to hys[^a3558] power
thes four seedes pers sewe / & sythe he dyd theym harrowe
wyth old lawe & new lawe / þat lo ve myght waxe
among þe fo vre wert ves / and vyces destroye
for com vnelyche yn contreys / cammokes & wedes
fo vlethe the fr vte yn þe felde / þer þei growe to-geddres
so[^a3559] done vyces / wert ves worthye
quod pyers harowethe all þat can kyndlye wytt / by co v nseyle off doctours[^a3560]
and tylyethe after hys[^a3561] teychyng / þe cardynall wert ves
ageynst þi greynes quod grace to pyers / bygynnethe[^a3562] to[^a3563] rype
ordeyne þe an ho vse / to herbo vre yn thy corne[^a3564]
by god / grace quod pyers / ye m vst[^a3565] gy ve tymbre
and ordeyne þat ho vse or ye hence wende
and grace gaffe hym þe cros / wyth þe crowne off thornes
that cryst vp-on cal verye / for mankynd on pyned
and off hys baptysme & bloode / þat he bledde on roode
he made a manere morter / and mercye yt hyght
and þerwyth grace bygan to make a good fo vndement
and watteled ytt & walled ytt / wyth hys peynes & hys passyon
and off all holy wrytte / he made a rooffe after
& called þat ho vsse vnyte / holy churche en englysshe
& when þis dede was done / grace anon[^a3566] de vysed
a carte hyght crystendome / to carye pyers shea ves
& gaffe hym caples to hys carte / contrycyon & confessyon
and made preesthoode heyward / whyle[^a3567] hym-sel ve went
as wyde as þe worlde ys / wyth pyers / to tylye trewthe
nowe ys pyers to þe plowght / & pryde ytt aspyed
and gedered hym a greate host / to gre ve hym he[^a3568] thynkethe[^1039]
blew[^a3569] theym downe & breke þem / & byte atwo þe mores
and sent forthe / surquidous /[^1040] hys sergeant off armes
& hys spye spyll-lo ve / oon speyke y vell byh ynd[^1041]
thes two came to conscyence / & to crystyen poeple
& told theym tythynges / þat tyne they sholde the seedes
that pyers ther had y-sowen / the carydynall wert ves
& pyers byerne worthe broke & þei þat been yn vnyte
shall come owte & conscyence / & your two caples
confessyon & contrycyon / and your carte the bele ve
shalbe shal be coloured so q vyentlye / & couered vndre our sophestrye
that conscyence shalt not / knowe by contrycyon
ne by confessyon who ys crystyen or heythen
ne no maner marchant þat wyth money dealethe
where he wynne wyth ryght / wyth wrong / or wyth vsurye
wyth s oche colo vrs & q ventyse / comethe pryde yarmed[^1042]
wyth the lorde þat ly vethe / after lust[^a3570] off hys bodye
to wasten on wellfare / &[^a3571] wycked kepyng
all the world yn a whyle / thrugh our wytt off[^a3572] pryde
quod conscyence to all crysten tho / my co vnseale ys to wende
hastylyche yn-to vnyte / & hold vs well[^a3573] þer
& preye we þat a pea ce were / yn pyers byerne þe plowman
for wytterly I woote well / we be not off strenght
to goone ageynst pryde / but grace were wyth vs
then came kynd wytt / conscyence to teache
and cryed & commanded / all crystyen poeple
for to del ven a dyche depe / a-bowte vnyte
that holye churche stoode yn vnyte / as ytt a pyle were
coscyence co[n]scyence[^a3574] commanded tho / all crystyen to del ve
& make a moche mootte / þat myght be off[^a3575] strenght
to helpe holy churche / & theym / þat ytt kepen
that[^a3576] alkynne crystyen / sa ve com vne women
repenteden & ref vsed synne / sa ve þei alone[^a3577]
and fal ce men flaterers / vsurers & the ves
lyers & q vestmongers / þat were forswore offte
wyttyngly[^a3578] & wyllfully / wyth the fal ce helden
and for syl ver were / forswore / sothely they wyst ytt
there nas no crystyen creat vre / þat kynd wytt had
sa ve shrewes &[^a3579] s oche / as I spake off
that he ne halpe a quantyte / holynes to waxe
some thrughe beades byddyng / & some thrughe pylgrymage
& other pry vye pennaunce / & some thrugh pennaunce[^a3580] dealyng /
& then welled water / for wycked workes
egrelyche rennyng / owte off mennes eyne
clenne ce off þe comm vne / & clerkes cleane ly vyng
made vnite holy cherche / In holyne ce to stonde
I care not quod conscyence / thogh pryde come nowe[^a3581][^1043]
the lorde off l vst / shalbe shal be letted / all þis lent I hoope
comethe quod conscyence / ye crystyen & dynethe
that ha ve labored loyally / all thys lent tyme
here ys bred blessed[^a3582] / and goddes bodye therevndre
grace thrugh goddes worde / gaffe pyers power
myghtes to maken ytt / and mete[^a3583] to eyte ytt after
In helpe off theyre heale / oon ce yn a monythe
or as ofte as they had nede / they[^a3584] þat had y-payed
to pyers perdone the plowman redde quod debes
how quod all þe comm vne / þou co vnseylest vs to yelde
all þat we owen any wyght / ere we goon to howsell
that ys my co vnseyle quod conscyence / & cardynall wert ves
that eche man forgyve other / that[^a3585] wole þe pater noster
et dimitte nobis debita nostra & cetera //
and so to been assoyled & sythen to be howseled
ye how[^a3586][^1044] quod a brewer / I wyll not be rewled
by Iesu for all your Iangylyng / wyth spiritus Iusticie
ne after conscyence by cryst / whyle I can sell
bothe dregges & draffe / & drawe ytt att on hoole
thycke ale & thynne ale / for þat ys my kynd
& not hakke after holynes / hold thye tonge conscyence
off spiritus Iusticie þou spekest moche yn[^a3587] Idle
caytyfe quod conscyence / c vrsed wrecche
vnblyssed arte thowe brewer / but yff þe god helpe
but thow ly ve by loore / off spiritus Iusticie
þe cheffe seede þat pyers sewe / ysa ved worthestowe ne ver
but conscyence þe come come[n][^a3588] seede[^a3589] / and cardynall wert ves
lee ve ytt well they be lost / bothe[^1045] lyfe & so vle
then ys many a man lost / quod a lewde wykorye
I am a c vratour off holy kyrke / & cam neuer In my tyme
man to me þat co vlde[^a3590] tell / off cardynall wert ves
or þat co vnted conscyence / att a cockes fether or a hennes
I knewe neuer cardynall / þat he ne came fro the pope
& we clerkes when þei came[^a3591] / for theyr commyns payen
for theyre pell vre & theyre palfreyes meyte / & pyllo vrs þat theym folowen
the comm vne clamant[^a3592] cotidie eche[^a3593] man to other
the contrey ys the cursyder / that cardynalles come ynne
& there they lygge & lenge / most leychyrye ther reygnethe
forthy quod thys wycorye / by verray god I wolde
that no cardynall come amonge þe comm vne poeple
but yn theyr holynes / healden theym stylle
att auyon among þe Iewes cum sancto sanctus eris & cetera //
or yn rome as þeir re vle wyll / releq ves[^a3594] to kepe
& thow conscyence yn kynges co vrte / & sholdest neuer come thence
& grace þat þou gredest so off / g vy dor[^a3595][^1046] off vs[^a3596] all clerkes
& pyers wyth hys newe plowe / & eke wyth hys olde
empero vre off all þe worlde / that all men were crysten
ymperfytt ys þat pope / þat all þe poeple sholde helpe
and sendethe theym þat sleyethe / s oyche as he shold sa ve
& well worthe pyers[^a3597] plowman that p vrsuethe god yn doyng
qui pluit super Iustos & Iniustos / att oones
& sent þe sonne to sa ve a c vrsed mannes tylthe
as bryght as to the best man / & to þe best woman
ryght so pyers the plowman / peynethe hym to tylye
as[^1047] well to[^a3598] a wasto vre / and wenches off the stewes
as for hym-sel ve or[^a3599] hys ser vantes / sa ve he ys furst ser ved
& tra vylethe & tylyethe / for a treato vr also soore
as for a trewe tydye man / all tymes ylyke
& worshypphed be he þat all wroght[^a3600] / bothe good & yll[^a3601]
& suffer[^a3602] þat synfull be / tyll some-tyme they[^a3603] repente
& god amend þe pope / that pyllethe holye cherche
& cleamythe byfore þe kyng / to be keper o ver crystyen
& co vntethe noght / thogh crystyen be kylled or[^a3604] robbed
& fyndethe folke to fyght / & crystyen bloode to spylle
ageynst þe old lawe & newe lawe / as luk þeroff wyttnessythe
non occides & cetera. michi[^a3605] vindictam et cetera //
ytt semethe so he[^a3606][^1048] hym-sel ve / hadde[^1049] hys wyll
that he ne recchethe noght[^a3607] / off all the remnaunte
& cryste off hys co vrtysye / þe cardynalles sa ve
& torne theyre[^1050] wytt to wysdome / & to weale off so vle
for þe comm vne quod þis c vrato vr / co vnten full lytull
the co vnseale off conscyence / or cardynall wert ves
but yff they se[^a3608] as by syght / some-what to wynnyng
off gyle ne off gabbyng / gyve they no[^a3609] tale
for spiritus prudencie among þe poeple ys gyle
and all the f ovre[^a3610] wert ves as wyces they semed
eche man subtylethe a sleyght / synne for to hyde
& colo vrethe ytt wyth konnyng[^a3611] / & a cleane ly vyng
then loghe there a lorde / & by thys lyght sayede
I hold ytt ryght & reason / off my ree ve to take
all þat myne audytour / or elles my st verde
co vnseylythe me / by theyr acompte / & my clerkes wrytyng
wyth spiritus .[^1051] intellectus to seeke þe ree ves rolles
and wyth spiritus fortitudinis fecche ytt I wyll
& then came þer a kyng / & by hys crowne seyede
a profecy
I am a[^a3612] kyng wyth crowne the comm vne to re vle

[G.20.459: An [X-like sign] has been added in the margin. This corresponds to a similar sign in the table of contents. See f.103r and for the possibility that these marks were made by WH, see Introduction I.10 and I.12.]

and holy churche & claregye / fro cursed men to defend
& yff me lackethe to ly ve by / by[^a3613] þe lawe wole I take ytt
there I may hastylyche[^a3614] ha ve ytt[^a3615] / for I am heyde off lawe[^1052]
for þei[^a3616] beene but membres / & I aboven all
& sythe I am your aller heyde / I am your aller heale
& holy cherche cheffe helpe / & chefteyne off þe comm vne
& what I take off you two / I take ytt at þe teachyng
off spiritus Iusticie for I I vgge you all
so I may bowldlye be howseled / for I borowed[^a3617] neuer
ne craue off my comm vne / but as my kynd askethe
In condycyon quod conscyence / þat þou konne defend
& re vle þi realme yn reason / ryght well / & yn trewth
take þou maest In reason / as thy lawe askethe
omnia tua sunt ad defendendum set non ad opprimendum[^a3618]
the vy kerr hadde farre home / & fayre toke hys lea ve
& I awaked þerwyth / and wrote as me mette
explicit quintus & vltimus passus de dobetter[^1053]

[^a3444: ys ytt (G Cr23 C2) | it is (most mss)]

[^a3445: but (G C2) | ac (most mss)]

[^a3446: nyuy ved nyuy[n]ed (G) | nempned (most mss)]

[^a3447: there ys (G B F) | is (all other mss)]

[^a3448: neue ve neue[n]e (G) | nempne (most mss)]

[^a3449: dradde (G) | adradde (all other mss)]

[^a3450: knowest (G) | konne (most mss)]

[^a3451: & (G Hm F) | of (most mss)]

[^a3452: lydyes l[a]dyes (G Cr Hm F) | laddes (all other mss)]

[^a3453: w onnethe (G) | wynneth (most mss)]

[^a3454: hys (G) | nouȝt his (all other mss)]

[^a3455: þis (G Hm F) | þe (all other mss)]

[^a3456: fully (G) | fullyng (all other mss)]

[^a3457: crowned (G Cr C2) | & korouned (F) | ycrouned (most mss)]

[^a3458: fend ytt (G C2) | fended (most mss)]

[^a3459: ne rose (G Hm O) | naroos (most mss)]

[^a3460: at (G) | as (all other mss)]

[^a3461: be (G) | wel be (all other mss)]

[^a3462: but (G C2 F) | Ac (most mss)]

[^a3463: but (G C2 F) | Ac (most mss)]

[^a3464: feythfully (G Bm Bo) | feyfuly (Cot) | Faithly (all other mss)]

[^a3465: make (G) | take (all other mss)]

[^a3466: knoleched (G F) | knowlechyng (most mss)]

[^a3467: kyngdomes (G) | kyngene kyth (Bx)]

[^a3468: thys (G F) | þe (all other mss)]

[^a3469: offerryd (G) | keuered (most mss)]

[^a3470: eke (G C C2 B) | sitthe (most mss) | ech (Y)]

[^a3471: trewe (G C2) | treuthe (all other mss)]

[^a3472: can ca[m] (G) | cam (all other mss)]

[^a3473: vp (G) | þus (all other mss)]

[^a3474: but (G C2) | Ac (most mss)]

[^a3475: wo (G F) | who-so (all other mss)]

[^a3476: faght (G) | he fauȝte (most mss)]

[^a3477: & so (G C2 Y) | so (all other mss)]

[^a3478: for whome þat he (G) | þat he fore (all other mss)]

[^a3479: Innocence (G Hm C C2 B) | iuuente (most mss)]

[^a3480: he torned (G C2) | tourned (most mss)]

[^a3481: Iesus (G C2) | Ihesu (all other mss)]

[^a3482: alone (G) | one (most mss)]

[^a3483: moders (G Cr Hm C2) | moder (all other mss)]

[^a3484: syght (G) | liȝte (all other mss)]

[^a3485: thowsandes (G) | thousande (all other mss)]

[^a3486: tho (G) | þe (all other mss)]

[^a3487: for (G) | of (all other mss)]

[^a3488: nyue ved nyue[n]ed (G) | nempned (most mss)]

[^a3489: cesare (G) | kaisere (all other mss)]

[^a3490: fro (G) | of (all other mss)]

[^a3491: to (G) | and (all other mss)]

[^a3492: but (G C2) | Ac (most mss)]

[^a3493: aly ve (G Cr O C2 Y) | lyues (most mss)]

[^a3494: eche (G) | eche a (most mss)]

[^a3495: thys (G) | Þus (all other mss)]

[^a3496: þat (G L Cr) | þat þat (all other mss)]

[^a3497: & (G B) | And as (all other mss)]

[^a3498: wyghtes (G) | wyes (most mss)]

[^a3499: & (G) | al (all other mss)]

[^a3500: bysett (G C C2 Y) | bishet (all other mss)]

[^a3501: dorres (G Cr3 F) | dore (all other mss)]

[^a3502: meus et cetera (G Hm Bm Bo) | meus (most mss)]

[^a3503: tholest (G Cr12) | þoledest (all other mss)]

[^a3504: dome (G) | deme (all other mss)]

[^a3505: th vs (G) | þis (most mss)]

[^a3506: e ver (G) | for euere (all other mss)]

[^a3507: be (G C2 F) | alle be (all other mss)]

[^a3508: nowe (G Cr C C2 B) | nouthe (all other mss)]

[^a3509: hys (G C2 Y) | Hym (most mss)]

[^a3510: myght may (G C2) | myȝte (most mss)]

[^a3511: assoyle (G Hm C2 Y B) | to assoille (all other mss)]

[^a3512: off synnes (G Cr F) | synnes (most mss)]

[^a3513: þei (G C2) | þat þei (all other mss)]

[^a3514: thys (G) | Thus (all other mss)]

[^a3515: assoyled (G) | soilled (C) | assoille (all other mss)]

[^a3516: alonne (G) | one (most mss)]

[^a3517: to þe (G C C2 B) | in-to (most mss)]

[^a3518: and wyll (G L) | And (all other mss)]

[^a3519: & payeth (G Cr23 O C2 F) | Payeth (all other mss)]

[^a3520: to p v nnysshe (G) | punysshen (most mss)]

[^a3521: domen (G) | demen (all other mss)]

[^a3522: on (G) | at (most mss)]

[^a3523: there (G Cr23 C2) | þer-to (all other mss)]

[^a3524: maner (G) | kyn (all other mss)]

[^a3525: tho (G C2) | þanne (most mss)]

[^a3526: god (G) | go (all other mss)]

[^a3527: wyth (G Bm Bo) | Witte (most mss)]

[^a3528: off the (G F) | of (all other mss)]

[^a3529: off theyr (G C2 F) | of (all other mss)]

[^a3530: labour (G C2) | to laboure (all other mss)]

[^a3531: ryghtyo vsnes (G) | rithwyssnese (C2) | wightnesse (most mss)]

[^a3532: f vlwyles (G) | foluyles (Bx)]

[^a3533: lerned (G Cr Hm F) | lered (all other mss)]

[^a3534: eche (G B F) | eche a (all other mss)]

[^a3535: to-geddre (G) | alle (all other mss)]

[^a3536: pyers (G Cr3 F) | Pieres þe (all other mss)]

[^a3537: tyme (G) | teme (all other mss)]

[^a3538: the (G F) | Þat (all other mss)]

[^a3539: pry ce of þe (G) | prys (all other mss)]

[^a3540: that all (G) | Al þat (all other mss)]

[^a3541: harrowed (G) | to harwe (all other mss)]

[^a3542: augustyne (G) | Austyne (all other mss)]

[^a3543: yn ytt (G) | it in (all other mss)]

[^a3544: avyse (G B) | deuyse (all other mss)]

[^a3545: lered (G Hm) | lerned (most mss)]

[^a3546: he seyed (G) | heed (C2) | þat he sew (F) | seed (all other mss)]

[^a3547: skolde / hym (G) | scolde (most mss)]

[^a3548: bryng (G) | hym brynge (all other mss)]

[^a3549: ne no (G C Y B) | ne (all other mss)]

[^a3550: but (G) | þat (all other mss)]

[^a3551: ys (G) | was (all other mss)]

[^a3552: but euer (G) | þat he nas (most mss)]

[^a3553: busyne ce (G) | bismeres (all other mss)]

[^a3554: alone (G) | one (all other mss)]

[^a3555: þat he (G) | he (most mss)]

[^a3556: yn any (G C2) | in (all other mss)]

[^a3557: dradde (G) | adradde (all other mss)]

[^a3558: to hys (G Cr3) | his (all other mss)]

[^a3559: so (G) | And so (most mss)]

[^a3560: doctours (G) | þis doctours (most mss)]

[^a3561: hys (G C) | her (most mss)]

[^a3562: to pyers / bygynnethe (G C C2 Y) | bigynneth (most mss) | to Peris þat þi greyneþ (B)]

[^a3563: to (G Y) | for to (most mss)]

[^a3564: corne (G Cr C C2 Y) | cornes (all other mss)]

[^a3565: m vst (G C B) | moten (most mss)]

[^a3566: grace anon (G C2) | grace (all other mss)]

[^a3567: whyle (G M Cr Y) | þe while (most mss)]

[^a3568: hym he (G Cr C2 F) | he (all other mss)]

[^a3569: blew (G C B F) | Blowe (all other mss)]

[^a3570: lust (G) | þe luste (most mss)]

[^a3571: & (G C2 F) | and on (most mss)]

[^a3572: off (G) | quod (all other mss)]

[^a3573: vs well (G C2) | we vs (all other mss)]

[^a3574: coscyence co[n]scyence (G) | Conscience (all other mss)]

[^a3575: off (G F) | a (all other mss)]

[^a3576: that (G C2) | Thanne (all other mss)]

[^a3577: alone (G F) | one (most mss)]

[^a3578: wyttyngly (G Cr O C2) | Wytynge (all other mss)]

[^a3579: & (G O) | one (most mss)]

[^a3580: pennaunce (G C2) | penyes (most mss)]

[^a3581: nowe (G Cr) | nouthe (all other mss)]

[^a3582: blessed (G Cr) | yblessed (all other mss)]

[^a3583: mete (G) | men (all other mss)]

[^a3584: they (G Y) | þo (all other mss)]

[^a3585: that (G) | and þat (all other mss)]

[^a3586: how (G C2 B) | bawe (most mss)]

[^a3587: yn (G Hm) | an (all other mss)]

[^a3588: come come[n] (G) | comune (all other mss)]

[^a3589: seede (G O) | fede (most mss)]

[^a3590: co vlde (G Cr C2 Y) | me couth (most mss)]

[^a3591: came (G) | come (all other mss)]

[^a3592: clamant (G Hm F) | clamat (all other mss)]

[^a3593: eche (G O F) | eche a (most mss)]

[^a3594: releq ves (G) | þe reliques (most mss)]

[^a3595: g vy dor (G Cr) | gyour (most mss)]

[^a3596: off vs (G) | of (all other mss)]

[^a3597: pyers (G Cr3 C2 F) | piers þe (all other mss)]

[^a3598: to (G) | for (all other mss)]

[^a3599: or (G) | & (all other mss)]

[^a3600: all wroght (G C2) | wrouȝte al (all other mss)]

[^a3601: yll (G Cr23 O C2) | wykke (most mss)]

[^a3602: suffer (G) | suffreth (all other mss)]

[^a3603: they (G) | þat þei (all other mss)]

[^a3604: or (G C2) | & (all other mss)]

[^a3605: & cetera. michi (G O C2) | michi (most mss)]

[^a3606: so he (G) | by so (most mss)]

[^a3607: noght (G) | riȝte nouȝte (all other mss)]

[^a3608: se (G Cr O) | seie (most mss)]

[^a3609: no (G C2) | neuere (all other mss)]

[^a3610: f ovre (G) | faire (most mss)]

[^a3611: konnyng (G Cr23 C2 F) | a kunnynge (all other mss)]

[^a3612: am a (G M Cr) | am (all other mss)]

[^a3613: by / by (G F) | by (all other mss)]

[^a3614: hastylyche (G) | hastlokest (most mss)]

[^a3615: ha ve ytt (G F) | it haue (most mss)]

[^a3616: þei (G B) | ȝe (all other mss)]

[^a3617: borowed (G C2) | borwe (all other mss)]

[^a3618: opprimendum (G) | depredandum (most mss) | deprehendendum (Bx)]

[^1009: G.20.3: At this point β4 manuscripts omit the second half of KD.19.3 and the first half of KD.19.4 (i.e. "& to be houseled after In myddes of þe masse").]

[^1010: G.20.3: β4 manuscripts omit the following line ("I fel eftsones a-slepe · & sodeynly me mette").]

[^1011: G.20.28: For the G scribe's treatment of superscript <a>, see note to G.3.157.]

[^1012: G.20.41: There is a blot over the <n> and the <q> of "conqueror."]

[^1013: G.20.74: Bx kyngene kyth gives rise to a large number of variants in addition to G kyngdomes: see Cr kingdome kyth, C kyngenelich, O kyngnelith, Y kyngenlith, C2 kyngelich, B kyngriche.]

[^1014: G.20.76: The cross in the bottom right hand margin is in modern pencil.]

[^1015: G.20.79: The mark which follows and could be either a deleted letter or an ink blot.]

[^1016: G.20.92: The two virgules may possibly be intended as a highlighting device. See note to G.6.597.]

[^1017: G.20.123: A brown horizontal line has been added to the bottom of the initial <a> of original G afungered. The loop on the third letter and the tail are in brown ink, turning it into an <h>. The colour of the ink of the tail makes it clear that this letter was not originally a <y>. The original <n> has been altered to <o> and an abbreviation bar added above it.]

[^1018: G.20.123: The OED and MED record afingered and ofhungered as separate lexical items but it seems likely that they are in fact simply spelling variants (both from OE ofhingrod).]

[^1019: G.20.156: For the G scribe's use of "this" for remaining manuscripts "thus," see note to G.4.76.]

[^1020: G.20.158: Kane and Donaldson adopt the G L Cr reading þat, a reading also found in a number of C manuscripts. Remaining B manuscripts read þat þat.]

[^1021: G.20.158: The virgule here replaces one overwritten by the added <the> of wootethe.]

[^1022: G.20.162: C2 originally shared the G B reading &, but the word as has been added above the line, bringing its reading into line with that of most remaining B manuscripts (i.e. And as).]

[^1023: G.20.167: G omits a line at this point ("Thomas touched it · & with his tonge seyde").]

[^1024: G.20.173: For the G scribe's use of "this" for most manuscripts "thus" and the corresponding back spelling "thus" for "this," see notes to G.6.653 and G.4.76.]

[^1025: G.20.175: All C manuscripts share the G C2 F reading be. Remaining B manuscripts read alle be.]

[^1026: G.20.176: For the G scribe's use of "now" (as also Cr C C2 B) for most manuscripts "nowthe," see note to G.4.295.]

[^1027: G.20.184: There has been an attempt to overwrite the original word (þ?), but this has been abandoned.]

[^1028: G.20.185: For the G scribe's use of "this" for remaining manuscripts "thus," see note to G.4.76.]

[^1029: G.20.187: The writing which is visible at the top of the page and which has been cropped was probably the original folio number.]

[^1030: G.20.211: The original form of commvne had either too many minims or too few, depending on whether the word was spelled with double or single <m>.]

[^1031: G.20.215: β4 manuscripts omit the second half of KD.19.218 and the first half of KD.19.226, together with the lines in between.]

[^1032: G.20.224: The word he is followed by either a deleted letter or a blot.]

[^1033: G.20.226: All β manuscripts omit the second half of KD.19.236 and the first half of KD.19.237 ("on londe & on watre & lyve by þat labour").]

[^1034: G.20.236: G folwyles may simply be a spelling variant of Bx foluyles, but the change of <o> to <v>> suggests that the scribe may not have recognised the word.]

[^1035: G.20.252: For the G scribe's use of virgules for highlighting, see note to G.6.597.]

[^1036: G.20.274: β4 manuscripts omit a line at this point ("Ne wynnynge ne welthe · of wordeliche ricchesse").]

[^1037: G.20.277: The original scribe uses <v> here for the purpose of correction, possibly because it is clearer than <u>.]

[^1038: G.20.281: The word catell was probably erased because it had been smudged.]

[^1039: G.20.326: β4 manuscripts omit a line at this point ("Conscience and al crystene · and cardinale vertues").]

[^1040: G.20.328: For the G scribe's use of virgules for highlighting, see note to G.6.597.]

[^1041: G.20.239: It is difficult to be certain whether byhend has been changed to byhynd or vice versa. However, the tail of the <y> suggests a form used for correction, not for continuous writing.]

[^1042: G.20.341:A brown ink virgule has been added after the initial <y> of yarmed, presumably to make it clear that the <y> is not simply an initial consonant (i.e. that it should not be pronounced /j/).]

[^1043: G.20.372: For G's use of "now" (as also Cr) for remaining manuscripts "nowthe," see note to G.4.295.]

[^1044: G.20.388: Y reads bow for G C2 B how, and this, according to Kane and Donaldson, was the original reading of C, then altered to how. The direction of the alteration in C is, however, unclear. The majority B reading is bawe.]

[^1045: G.20.400: It is possible that the scribe originally started to write body instead of lyfe (as in the C manuscripts T H2 Ch Sc) and that he attempted to correct this and then abandoned the attempt.]

[^1046: G.20.417: The G Cr variant reading "guider" is probably the result of date: according to the OED, "guyour" (as most manuscripts) died out at the end of the fourteenth century.]

[^1047: G.20.427: Kane and Donaldson record G as having as twice but the first word is clearly either al or als and has been lined through.]

[^1048: G.20.439: Kane and Donaldson see the correction from so by to by so as being by the main scribe and the subsequent alteration to so he as being by another hand. It seems likely, however, that the original scribe was responsible for all these alterations. As far as the <h> of he is concerned, compare, for instance, that in semethe at the beginning of the line.]

[^1049: G.20.439: Note that the lining through of added he is done in red ink and therefore clearly at the time of rubrication and most probably by the original scribe.]

[^1050: G.20.442: Added willfull appears to have been lined through but it may just have been smudged.]

[^1051: G.20.455: The unclear material may well have been the first two minims of intellectus, abandoned because the ink ran too freely.]

[^1052: G.20.461: The line wraps around and the words off lawe appear below, boxed in grey.]

[^1053: G.20.474: The word dobetter has been wrapped around to the end of previous line and is boxed in red. The explicit is indented so the usual centering was probably intended but the line in this case proved to be too long.]

Incipit primus passus de dobest //

Then as I went by þe way / when I was th vs awaked
hey vy chered I yede / and elenge yn herte
I ne wyst where to eyte / ne yn[^a3619] what place
& yt nyghed nere þe none / & wythe nede I mette
that afro vnted / me fo vle / and sayto vr [f]aytour[^a3620] me called
kansthowe not exc vse þe / as dyd þe kyng & other
that þou tooke to thye bylee ve / to clothes & to sustenance
& by teachyng & tellyng / off spiritus temperancie//
and þou nome no more / then nede the taght
and nede ne hathe no lawe / &[^a3621] neuer shall fall yn dett
for thre thynges he takethe / hys lyffe for to sa ve
that ys meyte when men yt[^a3622] warnethe / & he no money weldethe
ne no[^a3623] wyght[^a3624] wylbe wyl be hys borowe / ne wedde hathe non to lygge[^a3625]
& he be[^a3626] kaght yn þat ca ce / & come therto by sleyght
he synnethe not sothelyche / þat so wynnethe hys foode
& thoghe he come to[^a3627] a cloothe / & cane no better che vysance
nede anon ryght / nymmethe hym vndre maynprysse
& yff hym lyst to lappe[^1054] the lawe off kynd wolde
that he dranke att eche dyche / or he for thr vst dyed
so nede att greate nede / may nymmen as for hys owne
wythowte co vnseale off conscyence / and[^a3628] cardynall wert ves
so þat he sewe & sa ve spiritus temperantie
spiritus
for ys no wert ve by farre to spiritus temperantie
nether spiritus fortitudinis[^a3629] ne spiritus Iustitie[^a3630]
for spiritus fortitudinis sufferethe[^a3631] full ofte
he shall do more[^1055] then measure / many tymes[^a3632] & ofte
& beyte men ouer bytterly / & some off theym to lytle
and gree ve men greater / then good faythe wolde
and spiritus iustitie shall I vgge wyll or[^a3633] nyll he
after þe kynges co vnseale / & þe com vne lyke
and spiritus prudentie In manye a poynte shall fayle
off þat he wenethe wolde fayle[^a3634] / yff hys wytt ne were
wenyng ys no wyssdome / ne wyse ymagynatyon
homo proponit & deus disponit & gouernethe all good wert ves
&[^a3635] nede ys nexte hym for a-nonne[^1056] he mekethe
& as low as a lambe / for lacke[^a3636] off þat hym nedethe
wysse men forsoke wealthe[^a3637] for they wold be nedye
& woneden In wyldernes / & wold not be ryche
& god all thes[^a3638] greate Ioyes[^a3639] / goostlye he lafte
& came & toke mankynd / and bycame nedye
so nedy he was as seyethe the booke / yn manye sondr ye places
that he seyede yn hys sorowe / on þe sel ve roode .
bothe fox & fowle / may fle / & go[^a3640] to hole & creepe
& þe fysshe hathe fynne / to flete wyth to[^1057] rest
there nede hathe ynome me / þat I mot nede abyde
and suffer sorowes full sore[^a3641] / þat shall to Ioy torne
forthy be not abasshed / to bydde[^1058] & to be nedye
sythe he þat wroght all the worlde / ys[^a3642] wylfullyche nedy
ne neuer non so nedye / ne so[^a3643] poere[^a3644][^1059] dyed
when nede had vndrenome me th vs / anon I fell on slepe
& mette[^a3645] meruyo vslyche meruy[ll]ouslyche[^a3646] / þat yn mannes fo vrme
ipsa papa

[G.21.52:The gloss ipsa papa has been added in black ink above the word antecryst.]

[^1060] antecryst came then / & all the croppe off trewthe
torned[^a3647] vp so downe / & ouer -tylde the roote
ipsa papa

[G.21.52:The gloss ipsa papa has been added in black ink above the word "false." The addition is smudged and may have been added in the wrong place and then partially deleted. See G.21.52 above.]

& fal ce sprang[^a3648][^1061] & spredde[^a3649] / & spedde[^a3650] mennys nedys
yn eche[^a3651] contrey þer he came &[^a3652] cut a-way trewthe
& gerte gyle growe there / as he a god were
Nota howe
freres folowed þat fende / for he gave þem coopes
fallshedd
& relygyo vse reuerenced hym / & rong þer belles
fyrst krept
& all the co vent forthe came / to welcome þat tyrant
In by the pope
& all thes[^a3653] as well as thes[^a3654] / sa ve onelyche fooles
and his flock
wyche fooles were[^a3655] le vere / to dye then to ly ve
lenger sythe lenten / was so sore[^a3656] rebuked
& a fal ce frend[^a3657] antecryste ouer all folke reagned
& that were mylde men & holy[^1062] / þat no myscheffe dreden
defyed all falsne ce / & folke þat ytt vsed
& what kyng þat þem conforted / knowyng þem any whyle
they c vrsed all[^a3658] theyr co vnseale / were yt clerk or lewde
antecryste had þus sone / h vndrethes att hys banere
& pryde ytt bare / boldlye a-bovte
wyth a lorde þat ly vethe after lykyng off hys[^a3659] b odye
þat came ageynst conscyence þat keper was & g vydour[^a3660][^1063]
ouer kynd crysten / & cardynall wert ves
I co vnseale quod conscyence ye[^a3661] come wyth me you[^a3662][^1064] fooles
In-to vnyte holy churche / and hold we vs there
& crye we to kynd / þat he come to[^a3663] defend vs
fooles fro þe[^a3664] feendes lymes / for pyers lo ve þe plowman
& crye we to all þe communes[^a3665] / þat theye come to vnyte
and there abyde & byker / ageynst baylyalles chyldren
kynd conscyence tho harde / & came owte off þe planettes
& send forthe hys forr v nners[^a3666] / fe vers & fl yxes
coghes & cardyacles crampes & tothehaches
rewmes & radego vndes / & r vynose[^1065] scalles
byles & bocches / and brennyng ag ves
fe vers[^a3667] & fo vle y velles / forgoers[^a3668] off kynd
had yprycked & preyed / polles off the poeple
that largely a legyon / losten þeir ly ve sone
ther was harrowe & helpe / here comethe kynde
wyth deathe þat ys dredfull / to vndone vs all
the lord þat ly ved after l vst / tho alowde cryed
after conforte a knyght / to come & beyre hys banere
alarum alarum quod þat lorde / eche man[^a3669] kepe hys owne
& þen mett þes men / er mynstrelles myght pype
& er harr avdes off armes / had descry ved lordes[^1066]
kynd came after / wyth m any[^1067] keene sorowes[^a3670]
as pockes & pestylence[^a3671] / & moche poeple shente
so kynd thrugh corr vptyons / kylled full many
deathe came dry vyng after / & all to d vst passhed
kynges & knyghtes / kaysers & popes
lered ne lewde / he lett no man stande
that he hytt e ven[^a3672] / styrryd ne ver after[^1068]
many a lo vely ladye / & lemmans off knygtes
swoned & swelted for / sorowe off deathes dyntes
conscyence off hys co vrtysye / to kynd he besoght
to cesse & suffer / & se where they wolde
lea ve pryde pry vylye & be perfytt crystyen
& kynd ceassed tho / to see the poeple amend
fort vne gan flateren / then / tho fewe þat were aly ve
& byhyght theym long / ly ve / & lechery he sent
amonges all maner / men wedded & vnwedded
and geydered a greate host / all agaynst conscyence
th vs[^a3673][^1069] leychery leyde on / wyth a laghyng chere
as[^a3674] wyth pry vye speche / & paynted wordes
& armed hym yn Id vlnes / & yn hyghe beyryng
he bare a bowe In hys hande / & many blodye arrowes
fethered[^a3675] wyth fayre speche[^a3676] / & many a fal ce tre vthe
wyth hys vntydye tales / he tened me full[^a3677] ofte
conscyence & hys company / off holy cherche þe teachers
then came co vetyse & cast howe he myght
ouercome conscyence / & cardynall wert ves
& armed hym yn a varyse / and hongerlyche ly ved
hys weypen was all wyles / to wynnen &[^a3678] hyden
wyth glosynges & gabbynges / he gyled the poeple
symony hym sent / to assayle conscyence
& preached to þe poeple / & prelates þei þem made
to holden wyth antecryste / theyr temperalytyes to sa ve
& came to þe kynges co vnseale / as a kene baron
& kneled to conscyence In co vrte byfore þem all
& gert good faythe flee / and fal ce to abyde
& boldlyche bare a-downe / wyth many a bryght noble
moche off þe wytt & wysdome / off westmy n stre halle
he I vgged tyll a Iustyce / & Iusted yn hys yeyre[^1070]
& ouertylt all[^a3679] tre vthe / wyth take þis to[^a3680] amendement
& to þe arches yn hast / he yede a-non after
& tourned cy vyle to[^a3681] symonye / & sethe toke[^a3682] þe offycyall
for a mantell off myny vere / he made leele matrymoynge
deperten ere deathe came / and dyuorse shapen[^a3683]
alas quod conscyence & cryed / tho wold god[^a3684] off hys grace
that co vetyse were crysten / þat ys so kene[^a3685] fyghter
and bold & byddyng[^a3686][^1071] / whyle hys bagge lastethe
& then loghe lyfe / & lett dagge hys clothes
and armed hym In hast / yn herlottes wordes
& held holynes a Iape / & hendenes a wasto vre
& lett loyalte a cherle / & lyer a fre man
conscyence & co vnseale / he co vnted ytt folye
th vs reyled[^a3687] lyfe / for a lytle fort vne
& prycked forthe wyth pryde / preysed[^a3688] he no wert ve
he carethe not how kynd slowe / & shall come at þe laste
& kyll all yerthely creato vrs / sa ve conscyence alone[^a3689]
lyfe leepe a-syde / & laght hym a leymman
heale & I quod he / & hyghnes off herte
shall do þe noght drede / nether deathe ne elde
& to forgett sorowe / & gyve noght off synne
th vs[^a3690][^1072] lyked lyffe / & hys leymman fort vne
& gatten[^1073] yn theyre glorye / a gadelyng at þe last
on þat moche wo wroght / slewghe was hys name
sleugh[^1074] wexe wondre yerne / & soone was off age
and wedded on whanhoope / a wenche off the stewes
hyr syre was a sysor / that neuer sware trewthe
oon thom two tonged[^a3691] / atteynte att eche a q vest
thys sl ovgthe wexed[^1075] werre off warre / & a slyng made
& threw drede off dyspayre / a dowsen myle abowte
for care conscyence tho / cryed vp-on elde
and bad hym fonde to fyght / & afere whanhoope
& eld hent good hoope / & hastylyche he shyffte hym
& wayued a-way wanhoope / & wyth lyfe he fyghted
& lyffe fleethe[^a3692] for feere / to physyke after helpe
& bysoght hym off soco vr / & off hys sal ve hadde
& gave hym golde good wone / þat gladed hys herte
& they gy ven hym ageyne / a glasen howue
lyfe lee ved þat lechecrafte / lett shold elde
& dry ven a-way deathe wyth diapenidion[^a3693][^1076]
and eld a vntred hym on lyfe / & att þe last he hytt
a physysyon wyth a f vrred hoode / þat he fyll yn a palsey
and ther dyed þe[^a3694] docto vr / ere thre dayes after
now I see sayed lyffe / þat s vrgyens ne physycke
may not a myte a vayle[^1077] / to medle ageynst elde
and yn hoope off hys heale / good herte he hent
& rode so to re vell to a[^a3695] ryche place & a myrrye
that was þe[^a3696] companye[^1078] off co vrte / men cleped[^a3697] some-tyme
& elde anon after me / & o ver myne heyde yede
and made me balde byfore / & bare on the crowne
so herde he yede ouer myne heyde / yt wole be seene e ver
syr y vell taght[^a3698] elde quod I / vnhende go wyth the
sythe when was thy[^a3699] way / o ver mennes heyddes
haddesthow been hend quod I / þou woldest haue asked lea ve
ye lea ve lordayne quod he / & layed on me wyth age
& hytt me vndre þe eyere / vnnethe may I here
he buffeted me aboute þe mo vthe / & bett me on þe tethe
& g vyded[^a3700] me yn gowtes / I may not goone att large
& off þe wo þat I was ynne / my wyfe had re vthe
and wysshed full wytterly / þat I were yn hey ven
for þe lymme þat she lo ved me for / & leefe was to feele
off[^a3701] nyghtes namely / when we naked were
I ne myght In no maner / make ytt att hyr wyll
so elde & she sothely / hadden ytt forbeyten
& as I satt yn þis sorowe / I sawe how kynd passed
& deathe drewe nyghe me / for dreede gan y q vake
& cryed to kynd owte off / care /[^1079] me bryng
lo elde þe hoore / hathe me byseged[^a3702]
wreke[^a3703] me yff thye[^a3704] wylbe wyl be / for I wold beene hence
yff þou wylte been y-wroke / wende In-to vnyte
& hold þe there e ver / tyll I send for the
& looke þou konne some crafte / or þou come thence
co vnseale me kynd quod y what crafte ys best to lere[^a3705]
lerne to l o ve quod kynd / & lee ve off all other
how shall I come to catell so / to clothe me &[^a3706][^1080] fede
and þov lo ve leally quod he / lacke shall þe ne ver
meate ne worldly wede / whyle thy lyfe lastethe
& there by co vnseale off kynd / I comsed to roo nne[^a3707][^1081]
thrugh contrycyon and confessyon / to[^a3708] I came to vnyte
& þer was conscyence constable / crysten to sa ve
& byseged sothely / wyth sey ven / greate gyantes
that wyth antecryste helden / herde ageyne conscyence
sl ovthe wyth hys slyng / an hard assa vte made
pro vde preestes came wyth hym / mo then a thowsand
In paltockes & pyked shewes / and gypsers[^a3709] long kny ves
comen ageynst conscyence / wyth co vetyse they helden
by marye quod a mansed preest / off þe marche off yreland
I co vnt hitt[^a3710][^1082] no more conscyence / so[^a3711] I cacche syl ver
then I do to drynke / a draught off good ale
and so sayde syxtye / off the seyd[^a3712] contrey
and shoten ageyn wyth shotte / wyth many sheaffe off othes
& brod hoked arues / wyth[^a3713] goddes herte & hys nayles
& hadden almost vnite / and holynes vndone[^a3714]
conscyence cryed helpe claregy / or elles I fall
thrughe[^1083] ym-perfett preestes / & preelates off holy cherche
freres herden hym crye / & comen hym to helpe
& for þei co vld not well theyre crafte / conscyence forsooke theym
nede nyghed þo nere / & conscyence he tolde
that they came for co vetyse to ha ve c vre off so vles
& for þei are po vre pera vent vre / for patrymones[^a3715] þem faylethe
they wyll flatter to fare well /[^1084] folke / þat been ryche
& seyen þei chosen chylle / & chaytyffe po verte
they[^a3716] þem chewe as þei ha ve chosen[^a3717] / & charge þem wyth no c vre
for lo ngere[^a3718][^1085] he lyethe / þat ly velood mot bygge[^a3719]
then he þat laborethe for ly veloode / & lenethe ytt beggers
and sythe freres forsooke / fylycyte[^a3720] off the[^a3721][^1086] yerthe
lett them be as beggars / &[^a3722] ly ve by angeles foode
conscyence off thys co vnseale tho comsed to[^a3723] laghe
and co vrtyslyche conforted þem / & called yn all freres
& sayed syrs sothelyche / welcome be ye all
to vnyte & holy cherche / but[^a3724] on thyng y you praye
holdethe you yn vnyte / & ha vethe non en vye
to lered ne to lewde / but ly vethe after your r vle
& I wylbe wyl be your brogh / ye shall ha ve bred & clothes
& other necessaryes ynowe / you shall no thyng fayle
wyth þat ye lea ve logyck / & lernethe for to lo ve
for lo ve þei lafte[^a3725] lordshyppe / bothe land & scole
frere franceys & domynyk / for lo ve to been holye
& yff ye co veteythe c vre / kynd wytt[^a3726] wyll you teache
that yn measure god made / all maner thynges
and sett ytt yn[^a3727] a certeyne / & yn[^a3728] syker[^a3729] nombre
and neue ved neue[n]ed[^a3730] names newe / & nombered þe preestes[^a3731]
qui numerat multitudinem stellarum & omnibus eis & cetera
kynges & knyghtes / that kepen & defenden
haue offycers vnder theym / & eche off þem certeyne
and yff þei wage men warre[^a3732] / þei wryte þem yn nombre
wole no treysorer þem pay / tra veyle þei neuer so long[^a3733]
all other yn batelles[^a3734][^1087] / been yholden brybo vrs
pylo vrs & pyke-hernes / In eche[^a3735] place acorsed
monkes & monyales / & all men off relygyon
[^1088] theyr ordre & þer r vle wyll / to haue a certeyne nombre
off lewde & off lered / þe lawe wole & askethe
a certayne for a c erteyne / sa ve onlyche off freres
forthy quod conscyence by cryste / kynd wytt me tellethe
ytt ys wycked to wage you / you[^a3736][^1089] wax oute off nombre
hey ven hathe e ven nombre / & hell ys wyth -owte nombre
forthy I wold wytterly / þat ye were yn þe regestre
& your nombre vndre notarye[^a3737] sygne / nother[^a3738] mo ne lasse
en vy herd þis / & hyght freres goo to scole
& lerned[^a3739] logyck & lawe / & eke contemplatyon
and preyche men off plato & pro ve ytt by seneca
that all thynges vndre hey ven / oght to be[^1090] en com vne
& yet he lyethe as I lee ve / þat to þe lewde so preachethe
for god made to men a lawe & moses ytt taght
non concupisces rem proximi tui & cetera //
& y vell ys þis to hold[^a3740] / yn perysshys en[^a3741] england
for persones & perysshe preestes / þat sholde þe poeple shry ve
beene c vrato vrs called / to knowe & to heale
all þat been þeir perysshens / pennance to enIoynge
& shold be shamed[^a3742] yn þer shryfte / but[^a3743] shame makethe þem wende
& fleen to the freres / as fal ce folke to westmynster
that borowen & beyre thydre / & then bydden freendes
yeres[^a3744] off forgy venes / or lengere yeres loone
but[^a3745] whyle he ys yn westmy n ster / he wylbe wyl be byfore
and maken the r[^a3746] merye / wyth other mennes gooddes
and so[^a3747] farethe wyth moche folke / þat to þe freres shry ven
as syrovrs sy[s]ovrs[^a3748] & exec vtours / they wyll gy ve the freres
a percell to prey for þem / and make þem-sel ve merye
wyth þe resydewe & the remnant / þat other men byswonke
& suffer þe dead yn dett / byfore[^a3749] the day off dome
en vy ther[^a3750]fore / hated conscyence
& freres to phylosophye / he fo vnde þem to scole
the whyles co vetyse & vnkyndnes / conscyence assayled
In vnyte holye cherche / conscyence held hym
& made pea ce porter / to vnpynne[^a3751] the gates
off all tale tellers / and tycyrers to[^a3752] Idle
ypocrysy & he / hard[^a3753] assa vte they made
ypocrysy att þe gate / hard gan fyght
& wo vnded full[^a3754] wyckedly / many wysse teachers
that wyth conscyence acorded / and cardynall wert ves
conscyence called a leche / þat well co vlde shryve
go sal ve þou[^a3755] þat syk beene / thrugh synne y-wo vnded
shryft shoope sharpe sal ve / & made men do pennance
for theyre myssdedes / þat þei wroght hadde
& that pyers were payed redde quod debes
some lyked not thys leche / & letters they sent
yff any surgeon were þe segge / þat fofter [s]ofter[^a3756] co vlde plaster
syr ley ve to ly ve yn leycherye / lye[^1091] there & groned
for fastyng off a fryday he fared as he wolde dye
there ys a surgyon yn thys / sege[^1092] /þat softe[^1093] can handle
and more off physyk by farre / & fayrer he plasterethe
on frere flaterer / ys physycyon & surgyen
quod contrycyon to confessyon[^a3757] / do hym come to vnyte
for here ys many[^a3758] man / hurte / thrugh ypocrysye
we haue no nede quod conscyence / I woote no better leche
then persone or perysshe preeste / penytanser or bysshope
sa ve pyers þe plouman / þat hathe power o ver all[^a3759][^1094]
& ynd vlgence may do but yff dette lett ytt
I may well suffer sayed conscyence / sythen ye desyren
that frere flaterer be fette / & physyke you seke
the frere ther[^a3760]off herd / & hyed faste
to a lorde for a lettere / lea ve to ha ve c vres[^a3761]
and as a c vratour he were / & came wyth hys letters
boldely to the bysshope / & hys bre ves[^a3762] hadde
In contreys þer he came ynne / confessyons to here
& came þer conscyence was & knocked att þe gate
pea ce vnpynned ytt / þat was[^a3763] porter off vnyte
& yn hast asked / what hys wyll were
In faythe quod þis frere / for profytte & for healthe
carpe I wyll[^a3764] wyth contrycyon / & þerfore came I hydder
he ys seeke sayde pea ce / & so are many other
ypocrysye hathe[^a3765] hym[^a3766] / full herd ys yff þei co ver
I am a surgyen sayde þe segge / & sal ves can make
conscyence knowethe me well / & what I can do bothe
I praye þe quod pea ce þo / are thow pas fortherer[^a3767]
what h ettest[^1095] þou I pray þe / heale not thye name
[^1096] certes he sayde[^a3768] felowe / syr penetrans domos
ye go þi gate quod pea ce / by god for all thye physyke
but þou konne some crafte / þou comest not hereynne
I knewe s oyche on on ce[^1097] / not eyght wynters[^a3769] hence[^a3770]
came ynne þus y-coped / att a co vrte þer I dwelte
& was my ladyes leeche / & my lordes bothe
& at þe last thys lymytoure / tho my lorde was owte
he sal ved so our women / tyll some were wyth chylde
hende speche heete pea ce / open[^1098] þe gates
lett yn þe frere & hys felowe / & make þem fayre chere
he may se & here / so ytt may befall
þat lyffe thrughe hys loore / shall lea ve co vetyse
& be adradde off deathe / & wythdrawe hym from pryde
& acorde wyth conscyence / & kysse[^a3771] ether other
th vs thrughe hend speche / entered the frere
& came yn to conscyence / & co vrteyslyche hym grette
þou arte welcome quod conscyence / cansthowe heale þe sycke
here ys contrycyon quod conscyence / my cos vne y-wo vnded
conforte hym quod conscyence / & take kepe off[^a3772] hys soores
the plasters off þe persoune / & poudres byten soore[^a3773][^1099]
he lett þem lygge o ver-long / & lothe ys to change theyme
fro lenten to lenten / he lett hys plasters byte
that ys ouer -long quod þis lymytour / I lee ve I shall amend ytt
& goethe & gropethe contrycyon / & gy vethe[^a3774] hym a plastere
off a pry vye payment / & I shall prey for you
& for all þat ye been hold to / all my lyve tyme
and make you my ladye / yn masse & yn maten ce
as freres off our fraternyte / for a lytle syl ver
th vs he goethe & gedderethe / & glosethe þer he shry vethe
tyll contrycyon had forgetten[^a3775] / to crye & to wepe
& wake for hys wycked workes / as he was wo vnte to done
for comforte off hys confessoure / contrycyon he leffte
that ys þe so veregnest sal ve / for alkynnes[^a3776] synnes
sl owthe seethe[^a3777] þat / & so dyd pryde
& came wyth a kene wyll / conscyence to assayle
conscyence cryed efte / & bad claregye helpe
& also contrycyon / for to kepe the gate
he lyethe & dreamethe sayde pea ce / & so do many other
the frere wyth hys physyke / folke[^a3778] hathe encha vnted
& plastered þem so easely / they drede no synne
by cryst quod conscyence tho / I wyll bycome a pylgrymme
& walken as wyde / as all þe worlde lastethe
to seeke pyers þe plowman / þat pryde may destroye
& þat freres had a fyndyng / that for nede flateren
& co vterpleydethe co[n]terpleydethe[^a3779] me conscyence / nowe kynd me awenge
& send me happe & heale / tyll I ha ve pyers þe plowman
& sythe he gradde after grace / tyll I gan awake

[^a3619: yn (G C2) | at (all other mss)]

[^a3620: sayto vr [f]aytour (G) | faitour (most mss)]

[^a3621: & (G) | ne (all other mss)]

[^a3622: yt (G) | hym (all other mss)]

[^a3623: ne no (G) | Ne (most mss)]

[^a3624: wyght (G Cot) | wyght none (most mss)]

[^a3625: lygge (G Cr) | legge (all other mss)]

[^a3626: he be (G C2) | he (all other mss)]

[^a3627: to (G) | so to (all other mss)]

[^a3628: and (G) | or (most mss)]

[^a3629: fortitudinis (G) | iusticie (all other mss)]

[^a3630: Iustitie (G) | fortitudinis (all other mss)]

[^a3631: sufferethe (G) | forfaiteth (all other mss)]

[^a3632: tymes (G F) | a tyme (Cr) | tyme (all other mss)]

[^a3633: or (G) | he or (O C2) | he (all other mss)]

[^a3634: fayle (G Cr) | falle (all other mss)]

[^a3635: & (G Cr R) | Ac (most mss)]

[^a3636: lacke (G C2) | lakkyng (all other mss)]

[^a3637: wealthe (G C2 R F) | wele (all other mss)]

[^a3638: thes (G) | his (all other mss)]

[^a3639: Ioyes (G C2) | ioye (most mss)]

[^a3640: fle / & go (G) | fle and (M Cr) | go (B) | fleighe (all other mss)]

[^a3641: sore (G Hm B) | sowre (all other mss)]

[^a3642: ys (G) | was (all other mss)]

[^a3643: ne so (G Hm) | ne (most mss)]

[^a3644: poere (G Cr Hm C) | pouerere (all other mss)]

[^a3645: mette (G) | mette ful (all other mss)]

[^a3646: meruyo vslyche meruy[ll]ouslyche (G) | merueillously (most mss)]

[^a3647: torned (G Cr C F) | Torned it (most mss)]

[^a3648: sprang (G Cr23 O C2) | sprynge (most mss)]

[^a3649: spredde (G O C2) | sprede (most mss)]

[^a3650: spedde (G Cr C O C2 B) | spede (Bx)]

[^a3651: eche (G Hm) | eche a (most mss)]

[^a3652: & (G) | he (all other mss)]

[^a3653: thes (G) | hise (all other mss)]

[^a3654: thes (G) | hym (all other mss)]

[^a3655: were (G R F) | were wel (all other mss)]

[^a3656: so sore (G) | so (most mss) | sore (F)]

[^a3657: frend (G O C2 Y) | fende (all other mss)]

[^a3658: all (G) | and (most mss)]

[^a3659: off hys (G M Cr C2) | of (all other mss)]

[^a3660: g vydour (G Cr) | gyoure (all other mss)]

[^a3661: ye (G) | þo (most mss)]

[^a3662: you (G) | ȝe (all other mss)]

[^a3663: to (G) | & (all other mss)]

[^a3664: þe (G Hm O C2 F) | þis (all other mss)]

[^a3665: communes (G) | comune (all other mss)]

[^a3666: forr v nners (G) | foreioures (all other mss)]

[^a3667: fe vers (G) | Frenesyes (most mss)]

[^a3668: forgoers (G) | forageres (most mss)]

[^a3669: man (G F) | lyf (most mss)]

[^a3670: sorowes (G) | sores (all other mss)]

[^a3671: pestylence (G C2) | pestilences (all other mss)]

[^a3672: e ven (G Hm) | euene þat (most mss)]

[^a3673: th vs (G) | This (all other mss)]

[^a3674: as (G) | And (all other mss)]

[^a3675: fethered (G C2) | Weren fethered (most mss)]

[^a3676: speche (G C2 F) | biheste (all other mss)]

[^a3677: me full (G) | ful (all other mss)]

[^a3678: & (G) | & to (all other mss)]

[^a3679: all (G F) | al his (all other mss)]

[^a3680: to (G) | vp (most mss)]

[^a3681: to (G C2 F) | in-to (most mss)]

[^a3682: toke (G Hm) | he took (all other mss)]

[^a3683: shapen (G) | shupte (most mss)]

[^a3684: god (G) | criste (all other mss)]

[^a3685: kene (G M) | kene a (most mss)]

[^a3686: byddyng (G) | bidyng (most mss)]

[^a3687: reyled (G Cr3) | relyed (most mss)]

[^a3688: preysed (G M Cr Y) | preyseth (most mss)]

[^a3689: alone (G) | one (most mss)]

[^a3690: th vs (G) | This (all other mss)]

[^a3691: tonged (G) | tonge (most mss)]

[^a3692: fleethe (G Cr C2) | flieth (Y) | fleigh (most mss)]

[^a3693: diapenidion (G) | dyas and dragges (most mss)]

[^a3694: þe (G) | þat (all other mss)]

[^a3695: to a (G C2) | a (most mss)]

[^a3696: that was þe (G C2) | The (all other mss)]

[^a3697: cleped (G C2) | cleped it (all other mss)]

[^a3698: taght (G Cr) | ytauȝte (all other mss)]

[^a3699: thy (G O C2) | þe (most mss)]

[^a3700: g vyded (G) | gyued (most mss)]

[^a3701: off (G) | On (all other mss)]

[^a3702: byseged (G) | biseye (most mss)]

[^a3703: wreke (G) | Awreke (all other mss)]

[^a3704: thye (G) | ȝowre (all other mss)]

[^a3705: lere (G) | lerne (all other mss)]

[^a3706: & (G M Hm F) | and to (all other mss)]

[^a3707: roo nne (G Cr) | rowme (most mss)]

[^a3708: to (G) | tyl (all other mss)]

[^a3709: gypsers (G C2) | pisseres (most mss)]

[^a3710: co vnt hitt (G) | counte (most mss)]

[^a3711: so (G) | bi so (most mss)]

[^a3712: seyd (G) | same (most mss)]

[^a3713: arues / wyth (G F) | arwes (all other mss)]

[^a3714: vndone (G) | adowne (all other mss)]

[^a3715: patrymones (G) | patrimoigne (all other mss)]

[^a3716: they (G) | Lat (all other mss)]

[^a3717: ha ve chosen (G) | chese (Bx) | chosen (M Cr C O C2 Y B)]

[^a3718: lo ngere (G) | lomer (most mss)]

[^a3719: bygge (G O) | begge (most mss)]

[^a3720: fylycyte (G R F) | þe felicite (all other mss)]

[^a3721: off the (G Cr) | of (all other mss)]

[^a3722: & (G) | or (all other mss)]

[^a3723: to (G M Cr C2) | for to (all other mss)]

[^a3724: but (G C2 F) | ac (most mss)]

[^a3725: þei lafte (G C2) | laft þei (most mss)]

[^a3726: kynd wytt (G C2) | kynde (all other mss)]

[^a3727: yn (G C2 F) | at (all other mss)]

[^a3728: yn (G F) | at (most mss)]

[^a3729: syker (G C) | a syker (all other mss)]

[^a3730: neue ved neue[n]ed (G) | nempned (all other mss)]

[^a3731: preestes (G C O Y B) | prestes sterrez (C2) | sterres (all other mss)]

[^a3732: warre (G) | to werre (all other mss)]

[^a3733: long (G) | sore (most mss)]

[^a3734: batelles (G Bm Bo) | bataille (all other mss)]

[^a3735: eche (G C Y B) | eche a (most mss)]

[^a3736: you (G) | ȝe (all other mss)]

[^a3737: notarye (G L Hm R F) | notaries (all other mss)]

[^a3738: nother (G F) | & noyther (all other mss)]

[^a3739: lerned (G) | lerne (all other mss)]

[^a3740: to hold (G) | yholde (most mss)]

[^a3741: en (G C2) | of (all other mss)]

[^a3742: shamed (G) | ashamed (all other mss)]

[^a3743: but (G C2) | ac (most mss)]

[^a3744: yeres (G) | Ȝerne (most mss)]

[^a3745: but (G C2) | Ac (most mss)]

[^a3746: the r (G) | hym (all other mss)]

[^a3747: so (G) | so it (all other mss)]

[^a3748: syrovrs sy[s]ovrs (G) | sysours (all other mss)]

[^a3749: byfore (G) | to (most mss)]

[^a3750: ther (G Cr) | her (all other mss)]

[^a3751: vnpynne (G C2) | pynne (all other mss)]

[^a3752: tycyrers to (G) | tyterers in (most mss)]

[^a3753: hard (G) | an hard (most mss)]

[^a3754: full (G) | wel (all other mss)]

[^a3755: þou (G) | þo (all other mss)]

[^a3756: fofter [s]ofter (G) | softer (most mss)]

[^a3757: confessyon (G C2) | conscience (all other mss)]

[^a3758: many (G C2 Cot) | many a (all other mss)]

[^a3759: all (G R F) | hem alle (all other mss)]

[^a3760: ther (G) | her (all other mss)]

[^a3761: c vres (G) | curen (most mss)]

[^a3762: bre ves (G) | brief (most mss)]

[^a3763: þat was (G F) | was (all other mss)]

[^a3764: wyll (G) | wolde (all other mss)]

[^a3765: hathe (G) | hath herte (all other mss)]

[^a3766: hym (G M Cr C2 F) | hem (all other mss)]

[^a3767: fortherer (G) | ferther (all other mss)]

[^a3768: he sayde (G C2) | seyde his (most mss)]

[^a3769: wynters (G Cr) | wynter (all other mss)]

[^a3770: hence (G W) | passed (most mss)]

[^a3771: kysse (G Cr C2 B F) | kisse her (all other mss)]

[^a3772: off (G) | to (all other mss)]

[^a3773: soore (G Hm) | to sore (most mss)]

[^a3774: gy vethe (G) | gaf (all other mss)]

[^a3775: forgetten (G) | clene forȝeten (all other mss)]

[^a3776: kynnes (G Cr) | kyn (all other mss)]

[^a3777: seethe (G) | seithe (C2) | seigh (most mss)]

[^a3778: folke (G) | þis folke (most mss)]

[^a3779: co vterpleydethe co[n]terpleydethe (G) | contrepleteth (all other mss)]

[^1054: G.21.18: The apparent virgule here is in red ink and may not be deliberate.]

[^1055: G.21.26: G's original reading no more is shared with B, but Bm and Cot, as well as G, cancel no. G's corrected reading is shared with remaining B manuscripts.]

[^1056: G.21.35: The second <n> of nonne has been re-outlined in brown ink.]

[^1057: G.21.44: Kane and Donaldson read & to, but the & is clearly lined through.]

[^1058: G.21.47: Though the G scribe was clearly aware of the possibility of using single and double consonants to indicate preceding long and short vowels, his own practice in this respect was by no means consistent and it is therefore unclear whether G bydde should be interpreted as "bid" or "bide." The remaining β4 manuscripts read "bid" (which may well be the G scribe's intention); most other manuscripts read "bide."]

[^1059: G.21.49: Both agreements between G and Hm in this line (ne so for most manuscripts ne, and poere (as also Cr C) for remaining manuscripts pouerere ) result from correction in Hm.]

[^1060: G.21.52: A line in black ink, clearly written by hand3, is present in the left hand margin, and extends from this point downwards for seven lines (or possibly originally further).]

[^1061: G.21.54: The preterites in this line result from the loss in β manuscripts of RF made (compare F & made fals springe etc.). All C manuscripts have "made".]

[^1062: G.21.64: The deletion of the final <e> of holye is in black ink. It seems likely that it was carried out by the original scribe since, though at the beginning of the text he regularly writes "holy" with final <e> forms without the <e> gradually begin to dominate.]

[^1063: G.21.71: For G Cr "gydour" for remaining manuscripts "gyour," see note to G.20.417.]

[^1064: G.21.73: For the G scribe's use of you for remaining manuscripts ȝe, see note to G.2.180.]

[^1065: G.21.82: The spelling change which results in rvynose is of the usual type but the ink is black instead of brown and the shape of the letter <v>is more formal than usual.]

[^1066: G.21.93: β4 manuscripts omit two lines at this point ("Elde þe hore · he was in þe vauntwarde And bare þe banere bifor deth · by riȝte he it claymed").]

[^1067: G.21.94: The ink beneath the <n> of many has been transferred from added sore at G.21.62, i.e. from the previous page.]

[^1068: G.21.100: The mark in the bottom right hand margin is just a smudge.]

[^1069: G.21.111: For G "thus" for remaining manuscripts "this," see note to G.6.653.]

[^1070: G.21.131:A virgule has been added to separate the words hys and yeyre after the addition of the <y>.]

[^1071: G.21.139: Although the G scribe was clearly aware of the possibility of using single and double consonants to indicate preceding long and short vowels, his practice in this respect is by no means consistent and G byddyng may therefore simply be spelling variant of most manuscripts bidyng. See Introduction III.2.]

[^1072: G.21.153: For the G scribe's use of "thus" for remaining manuscripts "this," see note to G.6.653.]

[^1073: G.21.154: The brown-ink <t> added to original gaten is formed by a downstroke crossing the line joining the original <t> and the <e>.]

[^1074: G.21.156: There is a black ink mark on the <e> of sleugh which may possibly have been intended to alter this letter to an <o>.]

[^1075: G.21.160: Only G has the weak form of the preterite (wexed). Remaining B manuscripts have either wex (β4 manuscripts) or was.]

[^1076: G.21.171: The G scribe clearly did not understand the majority B reading dyas and dragges and he makes use of another technical medical term which he has already encountered, i.e. diapenidion, defined by Kane as a "medical confection of sugar candy." See G.6.125, and George Kane, Piers Plowman Glossary: Will's Visions of Piers Plowman, Do-Well, Do-Better and Do-Best, A Glossary of the English Vocabulary of the A, B, and C Versions as Presented in the Athlone Editions (London and New York: Continuum, 2005).]

[^1077: G.21.176: The first part of the <w> of original awayle has been blocked in.]

[^1078: G.21.179: The centre of the <o> of companye is inked in, but there is no evidence of any letter change.]

[^1079: G.21.198: Possibly the two virgules are present to highlight the word care. See note to G.6.597.]

[^1080: G.21.206: M originally shared the majority B reading and to, but erasure of to has brought M's reading into line with that of G Hm F.]

[^1081: G.21.209: Since the change from roome to roonne simply involves the addition of a minim, it is difficult to be certain who made it, but the ink colour suggests hand1.]

[^1082: G.21.219: Added hitt is in black ink. It is possible that it may be by the original scribe, but note that the form of the <h> in particular resembles that used by WH (see, e.g., the marginalia in the right-hand margin of f.103r ).]

[^1083: G.21.226: The loop of the second <h> of thrughe has been re-outlined in brown ink.]

[^1084: G.21.232: This virgule may have been added to separate words, but it could equally represent a correction of the punctation provided by the original scribe (virgule after folke).]

[^1085: G.21.235: The alteration from lomere to longere does not appear to have been made by the original scribe. Hand3 seems the most likely candidate.]

[^1086: G.21.237: Though M originally shared the G Cr reading off the, the corrector has erased þe, thus bringing M's reading into line with that of all remaining B manuscripts (i.e. of).]

[^1087: G.21.259: G's reading batelles is not recorded as a variant by Kane and Donaldson but the abbreviation for es is definitely present.]

[^1088: G.21.262: The mark in the left hand margin is just a smudge.]

[^1089: G.21.266: For the G scribe's use of you for remaining manuscripts ȝe, see note to G.2.180.]

[^1090: G.21.273: Added be is in ink darker than that normally used by the original scribe and the script is more formal and upright. The addition appears to have been made by WH. See marginalia on f.71v and f.103r.]

[^1091: G.21.309: The form lye is a possible preterite. See G.14.21, G.17.266 and note to G.6.224. Remaining manuscripts read lay.]

[^1092: G.21.311: The initial letter of sege was possibly originally an <f>, but it has been overwritten in black ink (probably by the main scribe, though the ink is darker). See the similar alteration by the main scribe later in this line.]

[^1093: G.21.311: The downstroke of the original <f> has been thickened, thus hiding the bar and providing the first letter of softe. Compare the similar mistranscription at G.21.308, and the similar alteration earlier in this line.]

[^1094: G.21.318: The majority of C manuscripts share the G R F reading "all," which is adopted by Kane and Donaldson. Remaining B manuscripts read hem alle.]

[^1095: G.21.337: The letters <ette> of hettest appear to have been written over a partial erasure, but the <s> and the <t> seem to be written over a space (the result is that the ink looks slightly different). It does not seem likely that the word was originally "hightest" (as M and possibly originally Hm), since the second letter seems most likely to have been an <a>. The third letter had a tail which is still visible and it seems probable that the original reading was hast (see the C manuscript Ch, though the readings are probably coincidental).]

[^1096: G.21.338: Kane and Donaldson read the initial letter here as sir , but it is definitely deleted. The scribe may have decided to write "sir" (as does BB) but if so he changed his mind. It is also possible that this is just a spelling change and that the scribe began to write the word "certes" with initial <s> and then decided to spell with a <c> as is his usual practice.]

[^1097: G.21.341: The letters <o> and <n> of "once" have been re-outlined in brown ink.]

[^1098: G.21.346: A virgule has been added at this point to separate open from þe.]

[^1099: G.21.357: W originally shared the G Hm reading soore, but supralinear to has been added, bringing W's reading into line with that of most B manuscripts (to sore).]

explicit hic diolagus petri plowman