The Piers Plowman Electronic Archive, Vol. 6: San Marino, Huntington Library, MS Hm 128 (Hm)
author: William Langland
edition published: 2008
language: lat; fre; ger
availability: copyright 2008, by SEENET Published in the United Kingdom by Boydell and Brewer, Ltd. Manufactured in the United States of America No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, or otherwise, without the written permission of the publisher.

[Prologue]

[...]
I N a someres[^a1] seysoun · whan set[^a2][^1] was the sunne
y schoop me in-to shrowdes · as y a sheep were
in abyte of[^a3] an heremyte · vnholy of werkes
wente wyde in þis world · wondres to here
ac on a maij mornynge · on maluerne hilles
me bifel a ferly · of fayrye me thougthe
y was wery for-wandred · and wente me to reste
vnder a brode banke · by a bornys syde
and as y lay and lenede · and loked on the watres
y slombred in-to a slepyng · it swyȝed[^a4] so merye ·

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

[^a2: set (Hm Cr) | softe (All other mss)]

[^a3: of (Hm H) | as (All other mss)]

[^a4: swyȝed (Hm Cr F) | sweyued (L C O C2 Y) | sweyed (M W)]

[^1: Hm.P.1: CrHm read set. Other B manuscripts have soft. Skeat argued that since set was written over an erasure in Hm, the error was introduced after the publication of Cr. See Skeat, xxii and n.1; and xxxiii, n. 1. However, George Kane, The Evidence for Authorship (London: Athlone Press, 1965), p. 41, n. 3, correctly points out that the first twelve lines were erased and written over by an early fifteenth-century scribe and thus could owe nothing to the Crowley editions. We cannot agree with Kane's further contention that the hand is different from that of the original scribe: the revision is probably by the original scribe. However, Kane is correct that "it is therefore indeterminable whether the agreement of HmCr in reading set resulted from vertical or lateral transmission. But that Hm acquired this reading very early is not in doubt." The fullest explanation of the causes of the erasure is by Captain R. B. Haselden, who detected no change of hand on this leaf.]

¶ Thanne gan y meetyn · a merueylows sweuene
that y was in a wyldernesse · wyste y neuere where
as y be-held into the Eest · an hye vnto[^a5] the sunne
y saw a tour on a toft · rychely[^a6] y-maked
a deep dale byneþe · a dongeoun there-ynne
wyth deep dyches and derke · and dredfull of syȝte
a fayre feeld full of folk · fond y there bytwene
of alle manere of men · the mene and the ryche
wurchynge and wandrynge · as the world asketh
Summe putten hem to the plough · pleyȝeden full selde
in settynge and in sowynge · swonken full harde[^2]
and summe putten hem to pryde · apparayleden hem there-after
in contynaunce of clothynge · comen dysgysed
in prayers and penaunces[^a7] · putten hem manye
all for the loue of our lord · leueden full streyte
in hope to haue aftyr · heuene-ryche blysse
as ancres and heremytes · that holden hem in here selles ·
that[^a8] coueytyn nouȝt in contree · to kary en a-bo wte
for no lykerouse lyflode · here lykham to plese

[^a5: vnto (Hm) | to (All other mss)]

[^a6: rychely (Hm Cr1 Cr2) | trielich (Bx)]

[^a7: penaunces (Hm W F) | penaunce (All other mss)]

[^a8: that (Hm) | And (All other mss)]

[^2: Hm.P.21: Hm omits the following line, here in the spelling of L: And wonnen that wastours with glotonye destruyeth. In view of Hm's occasional agreement with F, it is perhaps worth noting that the same line is dislocated in F, where it appears after KD.P.24.]

¶ and summe chesoun chaffare · thei cheueden the bettre
as it semyth by[^a9] our syȝt · that suche men schulde[^a10]
and summe merthes to make · a a[s][^a11] menstralles kunneth
and geten golde wyth her gle · synne les y leeue

[^a9: by (Hm) | to (All other mss)]

[^a10: schulde (Hm) | þryueþ (All other mss)]

[^a11: a a[s] (Hm) | as (All other mss)]

¶ ac iapers and iangalers iudas chyldren
feyne de hem fantasyes · and folys hem ma de ·
and han her wytt at wylle · to werke yf they schulde
that poule precheth of hem · y nel nouȝt preue it here
Qui loquitur turpeloquium · ys lucyfer his hyne

¶ bydders and beggers · faste abo wte ȝede
wyth here belyes and here bagges · of brede full crammed[^a12]
Faytede for her food · fouȝten at the nale ·
In glotanye god it woot · goo they to bedde
and rysen wyth rybawdye · þoo roberdes knaues
slepe and sory slewthe · sueth hem euere

[^a12: crammed (Hm Cr G H) | ycrammed (Most other mss)]

¶ pylgrymes and palmers · plyȝten hem to-gydre
for to seke seynt Iame · and seyntes ate Rome
they wenten forþ in here way · wyth many wyse tales
and hadden leue to lyȝen · all[^3] here lyfe after
y say summe that seyden · they hadden souȝt seyntes
to eche[^a13] tale that they tolde · her tonge was tempryd to lyȝe
more than to seye sothe · it semeth[^a14] by here speche

[^a13: eche (Hm H) | eche a (All other mss)]

[^a14: semeth (Hm) | semed (All other mss)]

[^3: Hm.P.48: All and the <en> of lyȝen have been restroked in the same darker ink as the corrections in line Hm.P.49, just below, possibly compensating for the erasures in that line having damaged these characters.]

¶ heremytes on an hep · wyth hokede staues
wenten to walsyngham · and here wenches after
grete lobyes an d longe · that loþe were to swynke
cloþeden hem in copes · to be knowe from othere
and schopen hem heremytes · to hauen her ese[^a15]

[^a15: to hauen her ese (Hm) | here ese to haue (All other mss)]

¶ I fond there freres · alle the foure ordres
prech yng the peple · for profit of hem-selfe
glosede the gospel · as hem good lykede
for couetyse of copes · construyd it as they wolde

¶ many of these mayster freres · mowen cloþe hem at lykyng
for here money and here marchandyse · macchen[^a16] to-gydres
for syþþe charyte haþ be chapman · and cheef to schryue lordes
many ferlyes han fallen · in a fewe ȝeres
but holy chyrche and they · holden bettre to-gydre ·
þe most myscheef on molde · ys mountynge wel faste

[^a16: macchen (Hm) | marchen (Most other mss) | meten (C2 H)]

¶ there prechede a pardener · as he a preest were
brouȝte forth a bulle · wyth many buschopes seales
and seyde that hym-self myȝte assoylen hem alle
of falshede of fastyng · and of a-vowes broken
lewed men lykede[^a17] hym wel · and leueden[^a18] his wordes
komen vp knelynge · to kussen hys bulles
and rauȝt wyþ hys ragaman · rynges and broches[^a19][^4]
he bunchede hem wyþ his breuet · and blessede[^a20] her yȝen[^a21]
thus thei gyven here gold · glotones to kepe
and leneþ it suche loselles · that lechery haunten
were þe buschop blessed[^a22] · and wurþ boþe his heren[^a23][^5]
his seal schulde nouȝt by sent · to disceyue þe peple
ac it ys nouȝt by the buschop · that the boy precheþ
for the paryscheprest parysche prest and the pardener · parten the seluer
that the porayle of the parysch · schulde haue if þei ne were

[^a17: lykede (Hm H) | leued (Most other mss) | belevid (F)]

[^a18: leueden (Hm H) | lyked (All other mss)]

[^a19: and rauȝt wyþ hys ragaman · rynges and broches (Hm) | He bonched hem with his breuet · & blered here eyes (All other mss)]

[^a20: blessede (Hm) | blered (All other mss)]

[^a21: he bunchede hem wyþ his breuet · and blessede her yȝen (Hm) | And rauȝte with his ragman · rynges and broches (All other mss)]

[^a22: blessed (Hm Cr H) | yblissed (Most other mss)]

[^a23: heren (Hm F) | eris (Most other mss)]

[^4: Hm.P.73-74: In relation to other B manuscripts, these lines are transposed uniquely in Hm.]

[^5: Hm.P.77: Heren, "ears," is written over an erasure, and what appears to be an otiose tilde is actually part of the material erased. Hm and F have the <-en> plural in place of the eris of most manuscripts.]

¶ parsones and parysch prestes · pleynede hem to the buschop
that here paryschenes[^a24] were pouere · sytthe the pestilence tyme
to haue a lycence and leue · at londoun to dwelle
and syngen there for symony · for syluer ys swete

[^a24: paryschenes (Hm F) | parisshes (Most other mss) | parysch (C H)]

¶ buschopes and bachilers · bothe maystres and doctorys
that han cure vndyr cryst · and crownyng in tokene
and sygne that they schulden · schryuen here pareschenes
prechen and prayȝen for hem · and the pouere feede
and nowe they lyȝen[^a25] at londoun · in lenten and Elles
sumtyme[^a26] serue the kyng · and his money[^a27] tellen
in cheker and in chauncelrye · chalengen his dettes
of wardes of wardemotys · of weyves of[^a28] streyves

[^a25: and nowe they lyȝen (Hm) | Liggen (Most other mss)]

[^a26: sumtyme (Hm) | Somme (Most other mss) | & summe (F)]

[^a27: money (Hm) | siluer (All other mss)]

[^a28: of (Hm O C2) | and (All other mss)]

¶ and summe seruen of[^a29] seruauntz · lordes and ladyes
and in stede of stewardes · sytten and demen
here masse and here matynes · and many of her oures
arn doon vndyuoutlyche · drede ys at the laste
lest cryst in consistorye · accuse[^a30] full manye

[^a29: of (Hm) | as (All other mss)]

[^a30: accuse (Hm) | acorse (Most other mss) | curse (O C2)]

¶ y parceyuede of the powere · that petur hadde to kepe
to bynden and vnbynden · as the book telleth
how he it lefte wyth loue · as our lord hyȝte
amonges foure vertues · the beste of alle vertues
that cardynals ben callede · and closynge ȝates
there cryst[^a31] in his[^a32] kyngdome · to close and to schutte
and to opene it to hem · and heuene blysse schewe

[^a31: cryst (Hm) | crist is (Most other mss)]

[^a32: in his (Hm W F) | in (All other mss)]

¶ ac of the cardynalys ate the courte · that kauȝten of the[^a33] name
and power presumede in hem · a pope to make
to han that power that petur · hadde inpungnen y nelle
for in loue and lettrure · the eleccyon bylongeth[^6]

[^a33: the (Hm) | þat (All other mss)]

[^6: Hm.P.109: Hm uniquely omits the following line, here given in the spelling of L: For-þi I can and can nauȝte of courte speke more.]

¶ than came ther a kyng · knyȝthode hym ladde
myȝt of the comenes · made hym to regne
and þanne came kyn de wytt · and clerkes he made
forto conseyle the kyng · and the comune saue
þe kyng and the[^a34] knyȝthode · and clergye bothe
kasten that the comune · schulde hem-selfe fynde
the comune tho contreued[^a35] · of kynde wytt craftes
and for profit of the peple · ploughmen ordeynede
to tyllye and to trauayle · as trewe lyfe as keþ

[^a34: and the (Hm M) | and (Most other mss) | & his (H F)]

[^a35: tho contreued (Hm) | contreued (Most other mss)]

¶ the kyng and the comune · and kyn de wytt the þrydde
schopen lawe and leaute · eche man to knowe his owne

¶ thanne lokede vp a lunatyk · a lene thyng wythalle
[...]
and knelynge to þe kyng · clergeally he seyde[^7]

[^7: Hm.P.122-133: Captain Haselden notes that lines Hm.P.122-133 "are written over an erasure, occupying the space of eleven lines of the text as it was first written. With the aid of the ultra-violet lamp the erased writing (barely visible in the facsimile) can be read in certain places, and indicates that the line omitted by the original scribe was line 5." The first six lines to the word lowed have been supplied by the original scribe (Hand1) and the remainder of the passage is the work of Hand3. See the Introduction, § II.1.3.2.]

¶ Cryst kepe þe syre kyng · and thi kyngryche
and leene the lede þy lond · so leaute þe louye
and for þy ryȝtfull rewlynge · be rewarded yn heuene

¶ and syþen yn þe ayer an hiȝe · an aungel of heuene
lowed to speke in latyn · for lewyd men ne cowde ·
iangle ne iugge þat iustefye hem schulde
but suffren and seruyn · for-thi seyde the aungel ·
Sum rex sum princeps · neutrum fortasse deinceps ·
O · qui iura regis christi specialia regis ·
Hoc vt[^a36] 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 serit ur pietas · de pietate metas

[^a36: vt (Hm G) | quod (Most other mss)]

¶ thanne greuede him a golyard .[^a37][^8] a glotoun of wurdes
and to the angel an hyȝe · answer ed after
Dum rex a regere · dicatur nomen habere
Nomen habet sine re · studeat nisi[^a38] iura tenere

[^a37: golyard . (Hm) | Goliardeys (All other mss)]

[^a38: studeat nisi (Hm G) | nisi studet (All other mss)]

[^8: Hm.P.137: It is difficult to determine what Hm's reading might have been before the erasure following the final <d> of golyard. All other B manuscripts have Goliardeys.]

¶ thanne gan alle the comune · crye in verse of latyn
to the kynges conseyl · construe who-so wolde
Precepta regis · sunt nobis vincula legis

¶ Wyth that ran ther a route · of ratones at ones
and smale Mees wyth hem · mo than a þousand
and comen to conseyl[^a39] · for the comen profit
for a kat of a contree · cam whan hym lykyde
and ouer lepe hem lyȝtly · and lauȝt hem at his wylle
and pleyȝ ed wyth hem perelously · and possede aboute
for doute of diuerse dredes · we dare nouȝt wel loke
and if we grucche of his gamen · he wolde[^a40] greue vs alle
cracche vs and clawe vs · and in his cloches holde
that vs lotheth the lyfe · ere he lete vs passe
myȝt we wyth eny wytt · his wylle to[^a41] wythstonde
we myȝte be lordes on lofte · and lyuen at our ese

[^a39: conseyl (Hm Cr H) | a conseille (All other mss)]

[^a40: wolde (Hm) | wil (Most other mss)]

[^a41: wylle to (Hm) | wille (Most other mss) | wit (C)]

¶ a ratoun of renoun · moste resonable[^a42] of tonge
seyde for a souereyn · helpe to hym-sylue
y haue seyn segges quod he · in the sytee of londoun
beren beyȝes full bryȝt · a-boute her nekkys
and summe colers of crafty werk · vncoupled they wente[^a43]
bothe in wareyne and in waast · where hym[^a44] -self lyketh
and other while they arn elles-whare · as y here telle
[...]
[^9] were þer a belle on her beye · by ihesu as me thynkeþ
men mygth wete where þey wente · and awey renne
and rygth so quod that ratoun · resoun me scheweþ
to bygge a belle of bras · or of brygth syluer
and knyttyn it on his[^a45] coler · for owr comyn profyt[^10]
where he rytt or resteþ[^a46] · or renneth to pleye
and ȝif hym lyke[^a47] forto layke · thanne loke we mowe
and apperen yn his presence · therwhile hym pleye lykeþ
and ȝif hym wraþþeþ be-war · and his weye schonye

[^a42: resonable (Hm R) | renable (All other mss)]

[^a43: wente (Hm M W Cr G) | wenden (Bx)]

[^a44: hym (Hm) | hem (All other mss)]

[^a45: his (Hm Cr) | a (All other mss)]

[^a46: resteþ (Hm O C2) | rest (Most other mss)]

[^a47: lyke (Hm H) | list (Most other mss)]

[^9: Hm.P.163-173: Hand 1 initially wrote ten lines which he erased and replaced with these eleven lines in a lighter ink.]

[^10: Hm.P.167: Cr1WHmG omit the following line present in all other B manuscripts: And hangen it vp-on þe cattes hals þanne here we mowen, here given in the spelling of L.]

¶ All þis rowte of ratouns · to this resoun assented ·
ac tho þe belle was ybrougth · and on the beye hanged ·
ther nas no[^a48] ratoun in all that[^a49] route [^11] for all the Reme of fraunce
that durste a[^a50][^12] bounden the beyȝe[^a51]  a-boute the kattys nekke
ne haue take the kat by the[^a52] hals  all Engelond to wynne
and holden[^a53] hem vnhardy  and her conseyl feeble
and leetoun her labour loste  and all her longe studye ·

[^a48: nas no (Hm) | ne was (Most other mss) | was no (H F) | nas (M G) | ne was a (Cr1)]

[^a49: that (Hm H F) | þe (Most other mss) | om. (R)]

[^a50: a (Hm F) | haue (Most other mss) | om. (Cr H)]

[^a51: beyȝe (Hm M) | belle (Most other mss) | bond (F)]

[^a52: ne haue take the kat by the (Hm) | Ne hangen it aboute þe cattes (Most beta mss)]

[^a53: holden (Hm) | helden (All other mss)]

[^11: Hm.P.174:For reasons unclear to us, the scribe begins to mark the caesura with a punctus elevatus. See the Introduction I.8]

[^12: Hm.P.175: HmF's unique reading a is an unstressed form of haue, the reading of the other B manuscripts.]

¶ a mous that moche good cowde  as men thouȝten[^a54]
stroke forthe sternely  and stood by-fore hem alle
and to the route of ratouns  rehercede thes wurdes
though we kullen[^a55] the katt  ȝet schall[^a56] ther come a-nother
to cacche vs and all our kynde  though we crepe vndur benches ·
for-thi y conseile all the comune  to late the kat wurche[^a57]
and be we neuer so bolde  the belle[^a58] to schewe ·
for y herde my syre seyn  it is[^a59] seuene ȝeer passed ·
ther the catt ys a ketoun  the court ys full elenge
that wytnesseþ holy wryt · who-so wole it rede
Ve terre vbi puer est rex
For ther[^a60] may no thyng[^a61] reste haue  for ratouns by nyȝte
ther[^a62] while the kat[^a63] kaccheth konynges  he coueyteth nought our careyne
but fedeth him wyth venysoun  dyffame we hym neuere
but[^a64] betur ys a lytyll lo s · than a long sorowe
the mase amonge vs alle  though we mysse a scherewe
for many mennys malt  we mees wolden destruye
and alle-so the route of ratouns  rende mennys clothes
nere the kat of the courte  that kan ȝowe ouer-lepe
for hadde ȝe rattes ȝour wylle  ȝe kowthe nat rewle ȝow -sylue[^13] ·
y sey for me quod the mous  y se so muche after
schall neuer kat[^a65] ne ketoun[^a66]  by my conseyl be greuyd
ne no[^a67] carpyng of his[^a68] coler  that coste me neuere
and thouȝ it hadde costed me katel  byknowe it y nolde
but suffre as hym-sylf wolde  to do as hym lyketh
coupled and vncowpled  to kacche what thei mowe
forþy eche a wyse wyȝt y warne  wyte wel his owne

[^a54: men thouȝten (Hm) | me thouȝte (All other mss)]

[^a55: kullen (Hm Cr W G Y H) | culled (Most other beta mss)]

[^a56: schall (Hm G) | sholde (All other mss)]

[^a57: wurche (Hm Cr1) | worthe (Most other beta mss)]

[^a58: belle (Hm) | belle hym (All other mss)]

[^a59: seyn  it is (Hm) | seyn is (Most other mss)]

[^a60: For ther (Hm) | For (Most other mss)]

[^a61: thyng (Hm) | renke þere (Most other mss)]

[^a62: ther (Hm) | Þe (Most other mss) | For (H F)]

[^a63: the kat (Hm) | he (All other mss)]

[^a64: but (Hm G) | For (All other mss)]

[^a65: kat (Hm G F) | þe cat (All other mss)]

[^a66: ketoun (Hm G C2 F) | þe kitoun (Most other mss)]

[^a67: ne no (Hm) | Ne (Most other mss) | Thoruȝ (W)]

[^a68: his (Hm H F) | þis (All other mss)]

[^13: Hm.P.198: There is a one space erasure between yow and sylue, probably an <e>. Part of the <w> is restroked over this erasure by hand1.]

¶ What thes metels bymeneth  ȝe men that ben merye
dyuyne ȝe for y ne dar  by dere god in heuene

¶ ȝit houed there an hundryd  in hures[^a69][^14] of selk
sergeauntes it bysemyd[^a70]  that serueden at the barre
pleteden for penyes  and poundes the lawe
and nauȝt for loue of our lord · vnlose her lyppes ones
þu myghtyst better meete the myst  on maluerne hulles
than gete a Mum of here mouthe  tyl money be schewede

[^a69: hures (Hm) | houues (All other mss)]

[^a70: bysemyd (Hm Cr W) | semed (Most other mss)]

[^14: Hm.P.208: Hures, "head coverings, caps" (OF).]

¶ barouns and burgeis  and bonde-men als
y say in this assemble  as ȝe schull here after
bakesters and brewesters  and bochers manye
wollen websters  and weuers of lynnen
taylours and tynkers  and tollere[^a71] in markatys
masouns and mynourys  and many othere kraftes
of alkyn lybbyng laborers  lopen forthe summe
and[^a72] dykers and deluers  that done here dedes ylle
and dryven forthe the longe day  wyth dieu vous saue[^15] dame Emme
kookes and her knaues  cryeden hote pyes hote
goode gees and grys  go we dyne go we
tauerners vntyl hem  tolden the same
wyth wyn of oseye  and reed wyn of gascoyne
Of the ryne[^16] and of the rochel  the roste to dyfye
all this say y slepyng  and seuene sythes more ·

[^a71: tollere (Hm) | tolleres (All other mss)]

[^a72: and (Hm) | As (All other mss)]

[^15: Hm.P.222: The word saue is perhaps written over an erasure, though it may be explicable as roughness in the vellum.]

[^16: Hm.P.227: Oddly, the final <e> appears to have been written over an erased <e>, perhaps reflecting scribal self correction?]

Passus primus de visione ·

W hat this Montayne bemeneth  and the merke dale
and the feld full of folk  y schall ȝow fayre schewe
a louely lady of lere  in lynnen y-clothed
cam doun fro a castel  and callede me full[^a73] fayre
and seide sone slepest thu  seest thu th is peple
how besy thei ben alle  a-boute the mase
the moste party of th is peple  þat passeþ on this erthe
haue thei wurschipe in this world  thei wylne no bettre
of oþer heuene than here  holde thei no tale
y was a-ferd of her face  thouȝ sche fayr were
and saide mercy madame  what ys this to mene

[^a73: callede me full (Hm) | called me (All other mss)]

¶ the tour on the tofte quod sche[^17]  trewthe ys þerynne
and wolde that ȝe wrouȝten  as his woord techeþ
for he ys fadur of feyþ  that formede[^a74] ȝow alle
bothe wyth fel and wyth face  and ȝafe ȝowe fyue wyttes
for to wurschipe hym ther-wyth  while that ȝe ben here
and therfore h e hiȝte the erþe  to helpe ȝow echone
of wullen of lynnen  of lyflode at nede
in mesurable manere  to make ȝowe at ese
and comaundede of his curtasy  in comune þre thynges
arn none nydfull[^a75][^18] but thoo  and nempne hem y thenke
and rykne hem by resoun  reherce ȝe hem after
that on ys vesture  fro chele the to saue
and mete at mele  for mesese of thi-seluen
and drynke whan thu druyest  ac do nat out of resoun
that thu wurche[^a76] the wurce  whan thu worke schuldest
for loo t in his lyfdayes  for lykyng of drynke
dide by his doughteres  that the deuel well lykede[^a77]
delytede hym in drynke  as the deuyl wolde
and lechery hym lauȝte  and lay by hem bothe
and all he wytte it the wyn  that foule[^a78] wykked dede
Inebriamus eum vino dormiamus -que cum eo · vt seruare possimus de patre nostro semen ·

[^a74: that formede (Hm G) | formed (M C O C2 Y)]

[^a75: nydfull (Hm) | nedful (Most other mss) | needfullere (F)]

[^a76: wurche (Hm) | worth (Most other mss)]

[^a77: well lykede (Hm) | lyked (Most other mss)]

[^a78: that foule (Hm) | þat (All other mss)]

[^17: Hm.1.12: A rough spot on the vellum makes quod sche appear to be written over an erasure.]

[^18: Hm.1.21: One minim is erased to make <n> of <m>.]

¶ þorough wyn and thorough wommen  there was loo t encombred
and there he gat in glotanye  gerles that were cherles
forþi drede delytable drynke  and thu schalt do the bettre
mesure ys medycyn  al- thow[^a79] þu moche ȝerne ·
it is nat all good to the goste  that the gut asketh
ne lyflode to thi lykham  for a lyȝere it hym[^a80][^19] techeþ[^20]
that ys the wrecchid world  wolde the betraye
for the fend and thi flesch  foloweth to-gydre
this and that s leth[^a81] thi soule  and seyth it in thi[^a82] herte
and for thu schuldest bewar  y wysse the þe beste
madame mercy quod y  me lykeþ well ȝour wordes

[^a79: al- thow (Hm) | þouȝ (All other mss)]

[^a80: it hym (Hm) | him (All other mss)]

[^a81: s leth (Hm) | seeþ (Other mss)]

[^a82: thi (Hm) | þin (All other mss)]

[^19: Hm.1.38: Hm uniquely adds it, perhaps in an attempt to make better sense of a line marred by an omission in his exemplar.]

[^20: Hm.1.38: LWHmC delete a b-verse and an a-verse, combining the two by eye-skip from likame to likame. Most other B manuscripts read as follows: Ne liflode to þi likam þat leef is to þi soule Leue nauȝte þi likam for a liere hym techeþ.]

¶ ac th e money on[^a83] this molde  that men so faste holdeth
telle me to wham madame  that tresour appendeþ
goo to the gospel quod sche  that god seyde hym-sylue
þo þe peple hym apposed  wyth apeny a peny in the temple
wheþyr thei schulde ther-wyth  wurschipe the kyng Cesar
and god asked of hem  of wham spak the lettrure[^a84]
and the ymage y-lyk  that ther-ynne standeth
cesares thei seiden  we seen hym wel echone
Reddite cesari quod god  that[^21] cesari be-falleth
and que sunt dei deo  or elles ȝe don ylle[^22]
for ryȝtfull resoun schulde · rewele ȝowe alle
and kynde wytt be wardeyn  ȝour welthe to kepe
and tutur of ȝour tresour  and take it[^a85] ȝow at nede
for husbondry and hy  holdeth to-gyders

[^a83: on (Hm F) | of (Most other mss) | In (G)]

[^a84: lettrure (Hm) | lettre (All other mss)]

[^a85: it (Hm) | it (Most other mss)]

[^21: Hm.1.52: There is the appearance of erasure here because of a crease in the manuscript. There is some bleed-through as well.]

[^22: Hm.1.53: A horizontal tear in the manuscript extends from the <n> of and to the end of sunt. The tear appears to have become worse since the microfilm was made in the early 1940s.]

¶ thanne y freyned her fayre  for hym that me made
that dongeoun in the dale  that dredfull ys of syȝt
what may it be to mene  madame y ȝowe by-seche
that ys the castell of care  who-so cometh ther-ynne
may banne that he born was · to body or to soule
ther-ynne wonyth a wyȝt  that wrong ys y-hote
fadyr of falshede  he[^a86] founded it hem-selue[^a87]
adam and Eue  he egged to ylle[^23]
that trysten on his tresour  by-trayeth he hem[^a88] sonest[^a89]

[^a86: he (Hm F) | and (All other mss)]

[^a87: hem-selue (Hm) | hym-selue(n) (All other mss)]

[^a88: he hem (Hm W) | he (Most other mss)]

[^a89: sonest (Hm) | sonest (Most other mss)]

[^23: Hm.1.65: The following four lines are omitted by eye-skip in Hm, here supplied in the spelling of L: Conseilled caym to kullen his brother Iudas he iaped with iuwen siluer And sithen on an eller honged hym after He is letter of loue and lyeth hem alle]

¶ thanne hadde y wondur in my wytt  what womman sche[^a90] were
that suche wyse wordes  of holy wrytt schewede
and y[^a91] asked here in the heyȝe name  er sche thennys ȝede
what sche were wyt erly · that wyssed me so fayre
holy cherche y am quod sche  thu auȝtest me to knowe
y vndyrf ong the furst  and the fey the[^a92][^24] tauȝte
and thu broughtyst me borwes  my byddyng to full-fulle
and to loue me lely  the while thi lyf endureth[^a93]

[^a90: sche (Hm R F) | it (All other beta mss)]

[^a91: and y (Hm Cr F) | And (All other mss)]

[^a92: fey the (Hm H F) | feyth (All other mss)]

[^a93: endureth (Hm) | dureth (Most other mss)]

[^24: Hm.1.72: Fey, "faith." This is the only occurrence in the manuscript of this form for "faith." A misdivision of feythe probably accounts for the form here. Cf. the similar error at Hm.10.53 where merthey þey is written for merthe þey.]

¶ than y cowryd[^a94] on my knes  and cryȝede her of grace
and prayed her pytously  to praye for my synnys
and all-so kenne me kyndely  on cryst to beleue
that y myȝt werchen his wylle  that wrouȝt me to man
teche me to no tresour  but telle me thys ylke
howe y may saue my soule  that seynt art y-holden
whan all tresourys arn tried quod sche · Trewthe ys the beste
y do it on deus carytas  to demen the sothe
yt ys all-so[^a95] derwurthi[^a96] a drury  as dere god hym-seluen

[^a94: cowryd (Hm) | courbed (Most other mss)]

[^a95: all-so (Hm) | as (All other mss)]

[^a96: derwurthi (Hm C2 F) | derworth (All other mss)]

[...]
¶ Who-so ys trewe of his tonge  and telleþ non oþer ·[^25]
and doiþ þe werkes þerwiþ and wylneþ noman ylle
he is a god by þe gospell · a ground and on lofte
and ylyk to owr lord · by seynt lukes woordys
þe clerkes þat knowen þys · schulden kenne it abowte
for crysten and vncristen · cleymen it echone
kynges and knygthes · schulden kepen it by resoun
ryden and rappen doun · in rewmes abowte
and taken transgressours · and tyen hem faste
tyl trewþe had termynyd · her trespas to þe ende
& þat is þe professioun apertly · þat appendiþ to knyȝtes
and nat to fasten a fryday  in fyue score wynter
but holden wyth hym and wyth here  that wolden alle trewthe
and neuer leuen hem forto[^a97] loue  ne for lakkyng of syluer
for dauid in his dayes  thus dubbede his[^a98] knyȝtes
and dide hem swere on his[^a99] swerd · to serue treuthe euere
and who-so passede that poynt  was apostota apost[a]ta in the ordre

[^a97: forto (Hm) | for (All other mss)]

[^a98: thus dubbede his (Hm) | dubbed (Most other mss)]

[^a99: his (Hm G H) | here (Most other mss) | a (F)]

[^25: Hm.1.84-94: The scribe has erased nine lines in the space now occupied by lines 84b-94, having skipped one line in his exemplar. There are now 41 lines on this page. The omission was caused by eye-skip from and telleþ to and wylneþ line 85). Thus telleþ none other from 88 and the a-verse of 89 were omitted. The remains of an erased lofte are visible in the margins to the right of line 85.]

¶ but cryst kyngene kyng  knyȝtede ten
cherubyn and seraphyn  suche seuene and othere
and ȝaf hem myȝt in his mageste  the meryer hem thought
and ouer his mene meyne  made hem archaungels
tauȝte hem by the trinyte  trewthe to knowe
to be buxum at his byddyng  he bad hem nought elles

¶ lucifer wyth legyouns  lernede it in heuene
but for he brak buxumnesse  his blys gan he tyne
and fel fro the[^a100] felaschipe  in-to[^a101] a fendes lyknesse
In-to a deep derk helle  to dwelle there for-euere
and mo þousandes wyth hym  than man kouthe numbre
lopen out wyth lucyfer  in loythlyche forme
for thei leueden vp-on hym  that lyȝede hem[^a102] in this manere
Ponam pedem in aquilone & similis ero altissimo ·
and alle that hopede it myȝt be so  noon heuene myȝt hem holde
but f yllen out in fendys lyknesse  nyne dayes to-gyders
tyl god of his goodnes  gan hem[^a103] stable and stynte
and gart the heuene to ste ke  and stonde[^a104] in quyete

[^a100: the (Hm F) | þat (All other mss)]

[^a101: in-to (Hm F Y) | in (All other mss)]

[^a102: lyȝede hem (Hm) | lyed (All other mss)]

[^a103: gan hem (Hm) | gan (All other mss)]

[^a104: stonde (Hm Cr H) | stonden (All other mss)]

¶ Whan these wykked wenten out  in wondyrwyse thei fullen ·
summe in eyr summe in erthe  and summe in helle depe
ac lucifer lyth lowest there[^a105]  of hem alle
for pryde that he put out  his peyne hath noon ende
and all that wurche wyth wrong  wenden thei schulle
after her deth-day thider[^a106]  and dwellen wyth that scherewe
ac tho that werken wel  as holy wrytt telleþ
and enden as y ere seide  in trewthe that ys the beste
ma y be syker that her soulys  schull wende to heuene
there trewthe sytt[^a107] in trinyte  and troneþ hem alle
forþy y seye as y seide ere  by syȝt of thes textes
whan alle tresours arn tryed  trewthe ys the beste
lereþ on this lewed men  for lettrud men it knoweth
that trewthe ys tresour  the tryest vp-on[^a108] erthe

[^a105: lyth lowest there (Hm) | lowest lith (All other mss)]

[^a106: deth-day thider (Hm) | deth-day (Most other mss)]

[^a107: sytt (Hm) | is (All other mss)]

[^a108: vp-on (Hm) | on (Most other mss) | In (G)]

¶ ȝit haue y no kynde knowyng[^a109]  ȝyt[^a110] kenne me bettre
by what crafte in my cors  it comseþ and where
thu dotede daffe quod sche  full dull[^a111] are thi wyttes
to lyte[^a112][^26] latyn thu lernedest  lewyd[^a113] in thi ȝouthe
Heu michi qui[^a114] sterilem duxi vitam iuuenilem ·

[^a109: knowyng (Hm G H) | knowing quod I (All other mss)]

[^a110: ȝyt (Hm) | ȝet mote ȝe (Most other mss) | ye mote (Cr W H)]

[^a111: full dull (Hm) | dulle (Most other mss) | to dulle (F)]

[^a112: lyte (Hm) | litel (Most other mss)]

[^a113: lewyd (Hm C2) | lede (Most other mss)]

[^a114: qui (Hm) | quia (Most other mss)]

[^26: Hm.1.136: Hm never elsewhere uses the lyte form, and may have been affected by the immediately following <l>.]

¶ it ys a kynde knowyng quod sche  that kenneth in thyn herte
for to louen thi lord  lerne[^a115] thanne thi-selue
no dedly synne to do  deyȝe though thu schuldest
this y trowe be trewthe  who kan teche the bettre
loke thu suffre him to seye  and sytthen lerne[^a116] it after[^27]
for trewthe telleth that loue  ys tryacle of heuene
may no synne be on hym sene  that vseth that spice
and alle his werkes he wrouȝt  wyth loue as hym luste
and lerned it moyses for the leuest thyng  & most lyk to heuene
and all-so the plente of pees  most precyous of vertues
for heuene myȝt nat holden it  it was so heuy of hym-selue
tyl it hadde of the erthe  eten his fulle

[^a115: lerne (Hm) | leuer (All other mss)]

[^a116: lerne (Hm Cr C2 F) | lere (Most other mss)]

[^27: Hm.1.142: CrHmC2F have lerne, where other B manuscripts have lere. The <l> of lerne is perhaps written over an erasure, but the rest of the phrase is added in a different ink over a blank space. CrWHmGH omit the following line (supplied here in the spelling of L): For thus witnesseth his worde worcheth þow þere-after.]

¶ and whan it hadde of this food[^a117]  flesch & blood taken
was neuer lef vpon lynde  lyȝtere ther-after
and portatyf and peysand[^a118][^28]  as the poynt of a nedyll
that myȝt no armure it lette  ne noon hyȝe walles
¶ for this[^a119] is loue ledere  of the lordes folk of heuene
and a mene as the meyr ys  bytwene the kyng and þe comene
ryȝt so ys loue a ledere  and the lawe schapeth
vpon aman a man[^a120] for his mysdedys  the amercyment[^a121] he taxith[^29]
and for to knowen it kyndely  it comseth by myȝt
and in the herte there ys the hed · and the heyȝe w elle
for in kynde knowyng in herte  there myȝt bygynneth
and that falleth to the fadur  that formede vs alle
lokede on vs wyth loue  and leet his sone deye
mekely for our mysdedes  to amende vs alle
and ȝit wolde he hem no wo  that wrouȝten hym that peyne
but mekely wyth mouthe  mercy he bysoughte
to haue pyte on that peple  that pynyd[^a122] hym to dethe

[^a117: food (Hm) | folde (All other mss)]

[^a118: peysand (Hm) | persant (All other mss)]

[^a119: for this (Hm) | For-þi (Most other mss)]

[^a120: aman a man (Hm C) | man (All other mss)]

[^a121: amercyment (Hm) | merciment (Most other mss)]

[^a122: pynyd (Hm M F) | peyned (All other mss)]

[^28: Hm.1.152: Hm's peysand, "powerful, forceful," is a unique form. See MED, s. v. pesaunt. Other B manuscripts have persant.]

[^29: Hm.1.157: It is not possible to determine what was erased, but F and H read askeþ.]

¶ here myȝt thu see ensamples  in hym-sylfe one
that he was myghtfull and meke  and mercy gan graunte
to hem that hungen hym an hye  and his herte thirl ed

¶ forþi y rede ȝow ryche men[^a123]  haueth rewthe on the pore
though ȝe ben myȝtfull to mote  beth meke in ȝour werkes
for the same mesure that ȝe meten  a-mysse oþer elles
ȝe schullen be weye ther-wyth  whan ȝe wende hennes
Eadem mensura qua mensi fueritis remecietur vobis ·

[^a123: ryche men (Hm H) | riche (All other mss)]

¶ for thow ȝe be trewe of ȝour tounge  and trewely wynne
and all-so[^a124] chast as achild a child that in cherche wepyth
but if ȝe louen lely  and lene the pouere
suche gode as god ȝowe sent  goodlyche departeth[^a125]
ȝe ne haue nomore meryt  in masse ne in ourys
than malkyn of her maydenhode  that no man desyreth
for Iames the gentyl  Iugede in his bokes
that feyth wyth-outen the werk[^a126][^30] · ys ryȝt no thyng wurthy
and all-so[^a127] dede as a dore-tree  but if the dedys folowe
Fides sine operibus mortua est ·
forþy chastyte wyth-outen charyte  worþ cheyned in helle
it ys all-so[^a128] lewede as a laumpe  that no lyȝt ys ynne

[^a124: all-so (Hm) | as (All other mss)]

[^a125: departeth (Hm G) | parteth (Most other mss)]

[^a126: werk (Hm) | faite (Most other mss)]

[^a127: all-so (Hm H) | as (Most other mss)]

[^a128: all-so (Hm) | as (Most other mss)]

[^30: Hm.1.182: The reading werk, added over an erasure, is unique to Hm among B witnesses, but it appears in A manuscripts Ha and U. Several other B manuscripts have faite, "deed."]

¶ many chapeleynes arn chaste  ac charyte ys aweye
arne no men aueroushere than they  whan they ben auamsed aua[un]sed[^a129]
vnkynde to her kyn  and to alle crystene
schewen her charyte  and chiden aftyr more
suche chastyte wyth-outen charite  wurth cheyned in helle

[^a129: auamsed aua[un]sed (Hm) | auaunced (All other mss)]

¶ many curatours kepen hem  clene of here bodyes
and[^a130] arn encombred[^a131] wyth couetyse  þey can nat put it away[^a132]
so harde hath auaryce  haspede hem to-gyders
and that ys no trewthe of the trinyte  but trecherye of helle
and lernyng to lewed men  the lattere for to dele
forþy thes wordes ben wryten  in the holy gospel[^a133] ·
date and dabitur vobis  for y dele ȝow alle
and that ys the lo k of loue · and leteþ owt my grace ·
to conforte the carefull  acombred wyth synne

[^a130: and (Hm) | Thei (Most other mss)]

[^a131: encombred (Hm) | acombred (Most other mss)]

[^a132: put it away (Hm) | don it fram hem (Most other mss)]

[^a133: holy gospel (Hm) | gospel (All other mss)]

¶ loue ys leche of lyf · and next our lord hym-selue
and all-so the grete[^a134] gate  that gooth into heuene
forþy y sey as y seide  here[^a135][^31] be thes[^a136] tixtes
whan alle tresours arn tryed  trewthe ys the beste
¶ now haue y tolde the what trewþe ys  þat no tresor ys betre
y may no lenger le ue[^a137] the whyþ[^32]  now loke the our lord ·

[^a134: grete (Hm C2) | graith (Most other mss)]

[^a135: here (Hm) | ere (Most other mss)]

[^a136: thes (Hm G) | þe (Most other mss)]

[^a137: le ue (Hm) | lenge (Most other mss)]

[^31: Hm.1.203: Here is a reverse spelling for ere, the reading of most other B manuscripts.]

[^32: Hm.1.206: Whyþ, "with." Hm reads whyþ, which is not an error but a reverse spelling indicating the loss of aspiration in [hw] in the scribe's dialect.]

Passus secundus de visione · [Hm.2.0: Though not legible, something, perhaps guide words for the heading, has been scraped and cropped in the right margin. Or perhaps the vellum is merely rough, for no ink shows with ultraviolet light.]

Ȝ yt y courbede on my knes  and cryede here of grace ·
and seide mercy madame  for mary loue of heuene
that bare that blysfull barn  that boughte vs on the rode
kenne me by sum craft  to knowe the false ·
¶ loke vpon thi lyfthalf lyft half  and loo where he standeth
boþe fals and fauel  and here ferys manye

¶ y loked on my lefthalf left half  as the lady me tauȝte ·
and was ware of a womman  wurthily clothed
purfyled wyth pelure  the fynest vpon erthe
crowned wyth a crowne of gold[^a138]  the kyng hath non bettre
Fetysly hure fyngres weren [^33] Frettyd wyth wyre[^a139]
and ther-on rede rubyes  all-so[^a140] rede as eny glede
and a dyamand[^a141] of derrest pris  and duble manere saphires
oryentals and ewers[^a142]  envenymes to destruye
her robe was full ryche  of rede scarlet Engrenyd ·
wyth rybane[^a143] of rede golde  and of ryche stones
here aray me rauaschide  suche rycchesse sawhe y neuere
y hadde wondyr that[^a144] sche was  and whos wyfe it[^a145] were

[^a138: crowne of gold (Hm) | corone (All other mss)]

[^a139: wyre (Hm) | golde wyre (Most other mss)]

[^a140: all-so (Hm) | as (All other mss)]

[^a141: a dyamand (Hm) | diamantz (All other mss)]

[^a142: ewers (Hm) | ewages (Most other mss)]

[^a143: rybane (Hm) | ribanes (Most other mss)]

[^a144: that (Hm) | what (All other mss)]

[^a145: it (Hm) | she (All other mss)]

[^33: Hm.2.11: The Hm scribe, like the scribes of MO, has misplaced the caesura that should have followed fyngres.]

¶ What ys this womman quod y  so wurthily atyryd
that ys meede the mayde quod sche  haþ noyed me full ofte
and y-lacked my lemman  that leau te ys hoten
and bylowen hire to lordes  that lawes han to kepe
In the popys paleys  sche ys priue as my-selue
but sothnesse wolde nat so  for sche ys a bastard
for fals was hure fadur  that hath a fykel tonge
and neuer sothe seide  sytthen he come an[^a146] erthe
and mede ys manerd aftyr hym  ryȝt as kynde asketh
Qualis pater talis filius  bona arbor bonum fructum facit ·

[^a146: an (Hm F) | to (Most other mss)]

¶ y auȝt ben herrer than sche  y kam of a betre
my fadyr the grete god ys  and ground of alle grace
o god wyth-outen gynnyng  and y his good doughter
and haþ ȝouen me mercy  to mary wyth my-selue
and what man be mercyfull  and lely me loueþ
schall be my lord and y his leef  in the hyȝe heuene
and what man taketh mede  myn hed dar y legge
þat he schall lese for her loue  a lappe of his[^a147] caritatis
how construeth Dauid the kyng  of men that taketh mede
and men of this molde  that mantayneth trewthe
and how ȝe schulle saue ȝowsylue  the Sauter bereþ wytnesse
Domine quis habita bit in tabernaculo tuo[^a148] ·

[^a147: of his (Hm) | of (Most other mss)]

[^a148: tuo (Hm) | tuo &c (All other mss)]

¶ and now wurth this mede y-maryed  vnto[^a149] amased a mased[^a150] scherewe
to on fals fykel tong  a feendes byȝete
fauel thurgh his fals[^a151] speche  full thyk hath[^a152] folk[^a153] enchaunted
and all ys lyers ledynge  that sche ys thus y-wedded
to-morowe wurth y-maad  that[^a154] maydens maryage[^a155]
and there myȝt thu wytyn if thu wylt  whiche þey ben all
þat longen to that lordschipe  the lasse and the more ·
knowen know[e][^a156][^34] hem there if thu kanst  and kepe thu thi tonge
and lakke hem noȝt but late hem wurthe  tyl leaut leaut[e][^a157] were here[^a158] Iustyce
and haue power to punsche hem  than put forthe thi resoun
now y bykenne the cryst quod sche  and his dere[^a159] moder
and late no conscience combre[^a160] the  for couetyse of mede

[^a149: vnto (Hm Cr W) | to (M G H F) | al to (L C O C2 Y)]

[^a150: amased a mased (Hm C) | a mansed (Most other mss)]

[^a151: fals (Hm F) | faire (All other mss)]

[^a152: full thyk hath (Hm) | hath (Most other mss)]

[^a153: folk (Hm) | þis folke (Most other mss)]

[^a154: that (Hm) | þe (All other mss)]

[^a155: maryage (Hm) | bruydale (All other mss)]

[^a156: knowen know[e] (Hm) | knowe (All other mss)]

[^a157: leaut leaut[e] (Hm C) | leaute (All other mss)]

[^a158: were here (Hm) | be (All other mss)]

[^a159: dere (Hm H) | clene (All other mss)]

[^a160: combre (Hm G) | acombre (All other mss)]

[^34: Hm.2.48: The error is probably caused by attraction to longen in the preceding line.]

¶ thus le et mede[^a161] that lady  lyggen and slepe[^a162]
and[^a163] mede was y-maryed  in metelles me thouȝt
þat al þe riche retenaunce  that regneth wyth fals[^a164]
were boden to the brydale  on bothe two sydes
of alle manere of men  the mene and the ryche

[^a161: le et mede (Hm) | left me (All other mss)]

[^a162: lyggen and slepe (Hm) | liggyng aslepe (All other mss)]

[^a163: and (Hm) | And how (All other mss)]

[^a164: fals (Hm C2 H) | þe false (Most other mss)]

¶ to marye this maiden  was many man assembled
as of knyȝtes and of clerkes  and other comune peple
and[^a165] sisours and sumnors  and scherreves[^a166] and her clerkys
bedelys and baylifis  and procures[^a167] of chaffare
forgoers and vytaylers  and voketys of the arches ·
y kan nouȝt rekne the route  that ran aboute meede

[^a165: and (Hm) | As (Most other mss)]

[^a166: and scherreves (Hm H F) | Shireues (All other mss)]

[^a167: procures (Hm) | brokoures (All other mss)]

¶ ac symony and Cyuyle  and cisours of contres[^a168] ·
weren most pryuey wyth mede  of any men me thought
ac fauel was the fyrst  that fette her out[^35] of boure
and as a brocour brought here  to be to[^a169] fals Iunyd[^a170]

[^a168: contres (Hm) | courtes (Most other mss)]

[^a169: to (Hm) | with (Most other mss)]

[^a170: Iunyd (Hm H) | enioigned (All other beta mss)]

[^35: Hm.2.66: An otiose mark appears above the <o>.]

¶ Whan symony and Cyuyle  syȝen her bothe wylle
thei assentide for syluer  to seye as bothe wolde

¶ than lepe lyȝere foorth  and seide lo here a charter
that gyle wyth his grete othes  ȝaf hem to-gydre
and prayed Cyuyle to see  and symony to rede it

¶ than Symony and Cyuyle  stonden forthe bothe
and vnfoldeden[^a171] that Feffement  that[^a172] fals hadde[^a173] maked ·
and thus bygynnen thes gomes  to gedren full hye
Sciant presentes & futuri · & cetera ·

[^a171: vnfoldeden (Hm) | vnfoldeth (Most other mss)]

[^a172: that (Hm) | þe (All other mss)]

[^a173: hadde (Hm G H) | hath (All other mss)]

¶ Wyteþ and wytnesseth  that wonyeth on[^a174] this erthe
that mede ys maryed  more for here goodes
than for eny vertu of fayrnesse  for[^a175] any fre kynde
falsnesse ys fayn of here  for he wote her ryche
and fauel wyth his fykyl speche  Feffeth by this chartur
to be princes in pryde  and pouerte to despyse
to bagbyten[^a176] and to bosten  and to[^a177] bere fals wytnesse
to scorne and to scolde  and sclaundyr to make
vnbuxum and bolde  to breke the ten hestes
and the erldam of envye  and wratthe to-gyders
wyth the chastelet of cheste  and chatryng out of resoun ·
the comyte[^a178] of couetyse  and alle costes[^a179] aboute
that y y[s][^a180] vsure and auaryce  alle y hem graunted[^a181]
in bargayne[^a182] and brocage[^a183]  wyth all the burgh of thefte
and all the lordschipe of lecchery  in lenghþe and in brede
In[^a184] werkes and in wordes  and in waytyng[^a185] of[^a186] yȝen
in[^a187] wedes and in wyschynges  and in[^a188] ydell thouȝtys
there as wyl wolde  and werkmanschipe fayleth

[^a174: on (Hm) | vpon (Most other mss)]

[^a175: for (Hm) | or (Most other mss)]

[^a176: bagbyten (Hm R) | bakbite (Most other mss)]

[^a177: and to (Hm Cr F) | and (Most other mss)]

[^a178: comyte (Hm C2) | counte (Most other mss)]

[^a179: costes (Hm) | þe costes (All other mss)]

[^a180: y y[s] (Hm) | is (All other mss)]

[^a181: graunted (Hm) | graunte (All other mss)]

[^a182: bargayne (Hm) | bargaines (Most other mss)]

[^a183: brocage (Hm H) | brokages (All other mss)]

[^a184: In (Hm F) | As in (Most other mss)]

[^a185: waytyng (Hm G F) | waitynges (Most other mss)]

[^a186: of (Hm G) | with (All other mss)]

[^a187: in (Hm F) | And in (Most other mss)]

[^a188: in (Hm F) | with (All other mss)]

¶ glotany he ȝaf hem eke  at dyuerse tauernes[^36]
and ther to iangle and iape  and Iuge her emcristene[^37]
and on[^a189] fastynge-dayes to frete  er ful tyme were
and than to sytten and soupen  tyl slepe hem assaile ·
and breden a[^a190] burgh swyn  and bedden hem esely
tyl slewthe and slepe  slyken her sydes
and than wanhope to awake hem so  wyth no wyl to amende
for thei[^a191] leuen to be loste  this ys her laste ende

[^a189: on (Hm G) | in (Most other mss)]

[^a190: a (Hm) | as (Most other mss)]

[^a191: thei (Hm Cr H) | he (All other mss)]

[^36: Hm.2.95: Hm, probably due to eye skip from and in the b-verse of KD.2.93 to at in the b-verse of KD.2.94, uniquely runs these two lines together, thus omitting the b-verse of KD.2.93 and the a-verse of KD.2.94, which read: and grete othes togydere | And alday to drynke.]

[^37: Hm.2.96: Initial <e> and <m> are written over an erasure of three characters, possibly reflecting original eue(ne), the reading of all other B witnesses.]

¶ and thei to haue and to holde  and her eyres after
a dwellyng wyth the deuel  and dampned be for euere
wyth alle the purtynaunce of purgatory  in-to the pyt[^a192] of helle

[^a192: pyt (Hm) | pyne (Most other mss)]

¶ ȝeldyng this[^a193] thyng  at oo ȝeres ende ·
her soules to sathanas[^a194][^38]  to suffre wyth hym peynes
and wyth hym to wonye wyth wo  while god ys in heuene

[^a193: this (Hm) | for þis (All other mss)]

[^a194: sathanas (Hm H) | sathan (All other mss)]

[^38: Hm.2.107: HmH have the A form sathanas against sathan in all other B manuscripts.]

¶ in wytnesse of whiche thyng  wrong was the furste
and pers the pardener  of paulyns doctrine
bette the bedul  of bokyngham-schire
Reynald the Reue  of rutlond sokene
munde[^39] the mellere  and many mo othere
in[^a195] date of the deuel  this dede ys aseled
by syȝt of syre Symony  and Cyuyle[^a196] leue

[^a195: in (Hm R) | In þe (All other mss)]

[^a196: Cyuyle (Hm) | cyuyles (All other mss)]

[^39: Hm.2.113: A lower case <m> appears to have been written over initial <M>, though the priority of forms is difficult to determine.]

¶ thanne tened hym theology  whan he this tale herde
and seide to Cyuyle  Sorowe[^a197] moste thu haue[^40]
and er this weddyng be wrouȝt  woo the be-tyde
For mede ys a[^a198] Mulier  of amendys engendred
and god graunteþ to gyve  mede to trewthe
and thu haste ȝouen her to agylour a gylour  now god ȝyue the sorowe
þy tyxt telleth me[^a199] nouȝt so · trewthe wote the Sothe
for dignus est operarius  his hire to haue
and thu hast fastned[^a200] her to fals  fy on thi lawe
for all by lesynges thu leuest  and lecherouse werkes
Symony and thi-self  schend en holy cherche
the notaryes and ȝee  anoyȝeth[^a201] the peple ·
ȝe schull a-biggen it bothe  by god that me made

[^a197: Sorowe (Hm H) | now sorwe (All other mss)]

[^a198: ys a (Hm) | is (Most other mss)]

[^a199: me (Hm) | þe (Most other mss)]

[^a200: fastned (Hm Cr) | fest (Most other mss)]

[^a201: anoyȝeth (Hm) | noyeth (Most other mss)]

[^40: Hm.2.117: The following line, here in the spelling of L, is omitted in Hm: Such weddynges to worche to wratthe with treuthe.]

¶ Well ȝe wyten wernardys  but yf ȝour wytt faile
that fals ys feythles  and fykell of[^a202] werkes[^a203]
and was a bastard y-bore  of belsabub his[^a204] kenne
and mede[^a205] mulier  a mayden of goode
sche[^a206] myȝt kusse the kyng for cosyn  yf that[^a207] sche wolde
forþy wurcheth by wysdam  and by wyt al-so
and ledyth her to londoun  there it is y-schewed
if eny lawe wole loke  that thei[^a208] lygge to-gyders
and thouȝ iustices iugen here · be[^a209] iuyned to fals
ȝit be war of weddyng  for wytty ys treuþe
and conscience ys of his conseyl  and knoweth ȝow echone
and if he fynde ȝow in defaute  and wyth fals[^a210] holde
it schall by-sytte ȝour soulys  full soure at the laste ·

[^a202: of (Hm H) | in (All other mss)]

[^a203: werkes (Hm) | his werkes (Most other mss) | her werkes (Cr2)]

[^a204: belsabub his (Hm) | belsabubbes (Most other mss)]

[^a205: mede (Hm O C2) | Mede is (Most other mss)]

[^a206: sche (Hm) | And (All other mss)]

[^a207: yf that (Hm) | an (Most other mss)]

[^a208: that thei (Hm F) | þei (All other mss)]

[^a209: be (Hm) | to be (All other mss)]

[^a210: fals (Hm Cr) | þe fals (Most other mss)]

¶ here-to assenteþ Cyuyle  and symony ne wolde
tyl he hadde siluer for his seruyse  and all-so the notaryes

¶ than fette fauell forth  floreynes y-nowe
and bad gyle go gyve  golde all a-boute
and namly to the notaryes  that thei[^a211] nouȝt[^a212] fayle
and fastne[^a213] fals wytnes  wyth floreynes y-nowe
for thei may mede maystren[^a214]  and maken at her[^a215] wylle

[^a211: thei (Hm F) | hem (All other mss)]

[^a212: nouȝt (Hm) | none (Most other mss)]

[^a213: fastne (Hm) | feffe (All other mss)]

[^a214: maystren (Hm) | amaistrye (Most other mss)]

[^a215: her (Hm) | my (All other mss)]

¶ tho this gold was gyue  grete was that[^a216] thonkyng
to fals and fauell[^a217]  for her fayr gyftes
and comen to comforte  fram care the fals ·
and seiden certys sere  cessen schull we neuere
tyl mede be thi wedded wyf . thorowh wyttes of vs alle
for we han mede y-maystryed  wyth our mery speche
that sche graunteþ to gon  wyth good[^a218] wylle
to londoun to loken  if the lawe wolde
iuge ȝow iuyntly  in ioyȝe for euere

[^a216: was that (Hm) | was þe (All other mss)]

[^a217: fauell (Hm) | to fauel (All other mss)]

[^a218: good (Hm) | a gode (All other mss)]

¶ than was fals[^a219] fayn  and fauel all-so[^a220] blyue[^a221]
and lete sumne[^41] alle segges  in schires aboute
and bad hem alle be boun  beggers and ellis[^a222]
to wende wyth hem to westmester  to wytnesse this dede
and than cared thei for caples  to caryen hem thider
and fauel fett forth than  foles y-nowe
and sette mede vpon a scherrefe  schod all newe
and fals sat on a Cysour  that softyly trottede
and fauel on a flaterere  fetysly atyred

[^a219: fals (Hm) | falsenesse (All other mss)]

[^a220: all-so (Hm) | as (Most other mss)]

[^a221: blyue (Hm) | blithe (All other mss)]

[^a222: ellis (Hm) | othere (Most other mss)]

[^41: Hm.2.159: Sumne, "summon."]

¶ tho hadden notaryes none  a-noyȝed thei were ·
for symony and Cyuyle  schulden on her feet gon ·

¶ and than swore symony  and cyuyle bothe
that sumnors schulde be sadelyd  and seruen hem echone
and lete apparayle prouysours  in palfreys wyse
syre symony hym-sylf  schall sytten vpon her bakkes
denes and subdenes  drawe ȝe[^a223] to-gyderes
erchedeknes and officials  and alle ȝour regestres
and late[^a224] sadele hem wyth syluer  our synne to suffre
as voutrye[^a225] and vorsers[^a226]  and derne vsure
to bere buschopys aboute  a-brode in vysitacyouns[^a227]

[^a223: ȝe (Hm) | ȝow (Most other mss)]

[^a224: and late (Hm F) | Lat (All other mss)]

[^a225: voutrye (Hm) | auoutrie (Most other mss)]

[^a226: vorsers (Hm) | deuoses (Most other mss)]

[^a227: vysitacyouns (Hm) | visytynge (Most other mss)]

¶ paulynes prynces[^a228] for playntys in consistorie
schullen serue my-sylf  that Cyuyle ys nempned
and cartsadele the comyssare  our cart schall he lede
and fecchen vs vytaylys  at fornicatours[^a229]

[^a228: prynces (Hm) | pryues (Most other mss)]

[^a229: fornicatours (Hm G) | fornicatores (All other mss)]

¶ and makeþ of lyere a long cart  to leden all thes othere
as freres and faitours  that on her feet rennys
and thus fals and fauel  fareth forþ to-gyders
and mede in the myddes  and all these men aftyr

¶ I haue no tome to telle  the tayle that hem folowyth[^42]
ac gyle was forgoer  and gylyd[^a230] hem alle
soþnesse s aw hym wel  and seide but a lytyl
and pryked his palfray  and passed hem alle
and come to the kynges court  and conscyence it tolde
and conscience to the kyng  carpede it after

[^a230: gylyd (Hm) | gyed (Most other mss)]

[^42: Hm.2.186: Cr1WHmG omit a line found in the other B manuscripts, given here in the reading of L: Of many maner man þat on þis molde libbeth. This could have been caused by eye skip from the last three letters of KD.2.186 to KD.2.187: eth.]

¶ now by cryst quod the kyng  and y kacche myȝte
fals oþer[^a231] fauel  or eny of his ferys ·
y wolde be wroken on[^a232] tho wrecchis  that werken so ille
and done hem hange by the hals  and alle that hem maynteyneth
schall neuer man vpon[^a233] molde  manpryse the leste ·
but ryȝt as the lawe wole loke  late falle on hem alle
and comaundede a constable  that kam at the firste
to tache[^a234] tho tyrauntys  for eny thyng y hote
and fretteth[^a235] fast fals[^a236]  for eny kyn ȝiftes
and gird of gylys hede  and leteth hym go no ferther
and if ȝe lacchen lyere  leteth hym not askapen
er he be put on the pylory  for eny prayer y hote
and bryngeþ mede to me  maugre hem alle

[^a231: oþer (Hm R) | or (Most other mss)]

[^a232: on (Hm G H) | of (Most other mss)]

[^a233: vpon (Hm) | on (Most other mss) | of (Other mss)]

[^a234: tache (Hm F) | attache (Most other mss)]

[^a235: fretteth (Hm) | fettereth (Most other mss) | fetter (Cr G H F)]

[^a236: fals (Hm F) | falsenesse (All other mss)]

¶ drede at the dore stod  and the dome herde
how the kyng comaunded  constables and sergeantes
fals[^a237] and his felaschipe  to fetren and bynde[^a238]
Thanne drede wente wyghtly · and warnede fals[^a239][^43]
And bad hym fle for fere · and his felawes alle

[^a237: fals (Hm F) | Falsenesse (Most other mss)]

[^a238: bynde (Hm G) | to bynden (All other mss)]

[^a239: fals (Hm Hm2 F) | þe fals (All other mss)]

[^43: Hm.2.208: A modern hand has added "Fragment begins here," indicating where Hm2 starts. The same hand also marked this leaf as "9th" in accord with his note on 96r in Hm2, which directs the reader to the corresponding text here on Hm's 9th leaf. Hand2 begins here and continues throughout the text of Hm. See Thorlac Turville-Petre, "Putting it Right: The Corrections of Huntington Library MS Hm 128 and BL Additional MS 35287," The Yearbook of Langland Studies 16 (2002): 43-51.]

¶ Fals[^a240] for fere[^a241][^44] · fley to the freres
and gyle dooþ hym forto[^a242] go  agaste forto deye
ac marchauntes metten wyth hym  and maden hym abyde
And byschetten hym in here schoppes · to schewen here ware
Apparayleden hym as apprentys · the peple to serue

[^a240: Fals (Hm Hm2 F) | Falsenesse (All other mss)]

[^a241: fere (Hm Hm2 G F) | fere þanne (All other mss)]

[^a242: forto (Hm) | to (All other mss)]

[^44: Hm.2.210: Note that þanne appears as an addition above the line in M.]

¶ Full lyghtly[^a243] lyere tho · lepe[^a244] awey thanne
Lurkynge thorough lanes · lugged[^a245] of manye
he was nawhare welcome · for his manye tales
Oueral y-hunted · & yhote trusse
Tyl pardeners hadden pyte · and pulled hym to house
They wuschen hym and wypten hym · and wounden hym in clothes[^a246]
And senten hym wyth seles · on sonendayes to cherche
And ȝaf pardoun for pans · pound -mele aboute

[^a243: Full lyghtly (Hm Hm2 F) | Liȝtlic (All other mss)]

[^a244: tho · lepe (Hm Hm2) | lepe (All other mss)]

[^a245: lugged (Hm Hm2) | to-lugged (Most other mss)]

[^a246: clothes (Hm H R F) | cloutys (All other beta mss)]

¶ Thanne loureden leches · and lettres they sente
That he schulde wonye wyth hem · watres to loke
Spycers spooken wyth hym · to aspyen here ware
For he coude on[^a247] here craft · and knew manye gommes ·

[^a247: on (Hm Hm2 R F) | of (Most other mss)]

¶ Ac menstrals and messageres metten wyth hym ones
And helden hym an halfe ȝere and enleuene dayes

¶ Freres wyth here fayre[^a248] speche · fecched[^a249] hym thennes
and for knowynge of comers · copeden hym as a frere ·
Ac he hath leue to lepen oute · as ofte as hym lyketh ·
And is welcome whanne he woll · and woneth wyth hym[^a250] ofte ·

[^a248: here fayre (Hm C Y) | faire (All other mss)]

[^a249: fecched (Hm Hm2 F) | fetten (All other mss)]

[^a250: hym (Hm) | hem (All other mss)]

¶ Alle fledden for fere · and flowen into hernes
Saue mede the mayden · nomo dursten abyde
Ac trewly to telle · sche trembled for drede
And[^a251] wepte and wronge · whan sche was attached

[^a251: And (Hm Hm2 H) | And ek (All other beta mss)]

Passus tercius de visione ·

N Ow is mede the mayde · and nomo of hem alle
wyth Bedelles and wyth baylyfs · brougth bifore the kynge
The kyng callede a clerk · ne can y[^a252] nougth his name
To take mede the mayde · and make here at ese
I schall assaye here my-selfe  and so þli appose
what man vpon[^a253] molde · that here were leueste
And ȝif sȝe[^a254][^45] wurche by wytt . and my wyll folowe
y wol forȝyue[^a255] hyre this gylt . so me god helpe

[^a252: ne can y (Hm Hm2) | can I (Most other mss)]

[^a253: vpon (Hm Hm2 G) | of þis (Most other mss)]

[^a254: sȝe (Hm) | she (Most other mss)]

[^a255: forȝyue (Hm Hm2 B) | forgyue (Most other mss)]

[^45: Hm.3.7: Hm uniquely has the unusual form sȝe against she in most B manuscripts.]

¶ Curteysly the clerk thanne · as the kynge hyȝte
Tooke mede by the myddel · and brougth hire into chambre
And there was merthe and menstralsye [^46] mede to plese

[^46: Hm.3.11-14: The punctus elevatus in this and the following three lines has a horizontal bar between the bottom and top parts.]

¶ They that wonen in westmynstre  wurschipeden here alle
Gentylyche wyth ioye  the iustyces somme ·
buskeden hem to the boure  there the burde dwellede
To conforten hire kyndely · by clergyes leue
and seyden moorne thu nougth[^a256] · ne make thu no sorowe
for we woll wysse the kynge · and thy weye schape
to be wedded at thy wylle · and where the leef lyketh ·
for all consciences caste · or crafte as y trowe

[^a256: nougth (Hm Hm2) | nought Mede (All other mss)]

¶ Myldely mede thanne · me rcyde hem alle
of here grete goodnesse · and gafe hem echone
coupes of clene gold . and cuppes of seluer ·
rynges wyth rubies · and rycchesses manye ·
the leste man of here meyne · a motoun of golde ·
thanne laught they leue · these lordes at mede ·

¶ Wyth that comen clerkes · and conforteden[^a257] here þe same
and beden hire be blythe · for we beth thyn owne
forto wurche thy wylle · the while thy lyfe[^a258][^47] lasteth

[^a257: and conforteden (Hm Hm2) | to conforte (Most other mss)]

[^a258: thy lyfe (Hm Hm2) | þow myȝte (Most other mss)]

[^47: Hm.3.28: HmHm2 alone read thy lyfe against þow myȝte in most B manuscripts. The reading is taken from the A version which has a T-type line.]

¶ Hendely sche thanne · byhigth hem the same
to louen hem lely · and lordes to make
and in the concystorye at court . do callen her names
schall no lewednesse lette · the lede that y louye
that he ne wurth ferste auaunced · for y am by-knowen
there connynge clerkes · schull clokke byhynde

¶ Thanne come there a confessour · coped as a frere
to mede the mayden · he menede[^a259][^48] these woordes
and seyde full softly · in schryfte as it were
though lewed men and lered · hadden leye by the bothe
And fals[^a260] hadde fowled the · all this fyfty wynter
y schall assoyle the my-self . for a seem of whete
and be[^a261] thy bedeman · and bere well thy message
amonge knyghtes and clerkes · conscience to turne

[^a259: menede (Hm Hm2 W) | mellud (Bx M Cr)]

[^a260: fals (Hm Hm2 F) | falsenesse (Most other mss)]

[^a261: be (Hm Hm2) | also be (All other mss)]

[^48: Hm.3.36: The word could be either menede or meuede.]

¶ Thanne mede for here mysdedes · to that man knelede
and schorfe sch[ro]fe[^a262] here of here schrewdnesse · schameles y trowe
tolde hym a tale · and toke hym a noble
forto ben here bedeman · and here brocour al sse

[^a262: schorfe sch[ro]fe (Hm) | shroue (Most other mss)]

¶ Thanne he soyled[^a263] here sone · and seþþen he seyde
we haue a wyndow in werchinge · woll sytten vs fulhiȝe ful hiȝe
woldest þu glase that gable · and graue þerynne þyn name
ful syker[^a264] schulde þy soule be · heuene to haue

[^a263: soyled (Hm Hm2) | assoilled (All other mss)]

[^a264: ful syker (Hm Hm2 B) | Siker (Most other mss)]

¶ Wyste y that quod that womman · y wolde nougth spare
forto be ȝoure frende frere · and fayle ȝow neuere
while ȝe loue lordes · that lecchery hauntyn
and lakken nougth ladyes · that louen wel the same
yt ys a frealte of flesch · ȝe fynden yt in bookes ·
A comyn[^a265] cours of kynde · where-of we comyn alle
who may scapen that[^a266] sclawndre · the scathe ys sone amended
yt ys a[^a267] synne of the seuene · sonnest relessed

[^a265: A comyn (Hm Hm2) | And a (All other mss)]

[^a266: that (Hm Hm2) | þe (Most other mss)]

[^a267: ys a (Hm Hm2) | is (Most other mss)]

¶ God haue[^a268] mercy quod mede · on[^a269] men that yt hauntyn
and y schal couer ȝoure cherche[^a270] · ȝoure cloyster make[^a271]
and ȝoure wowes[^a272] whyten[^a273] · and wyndowes glasyn
do paynte and portraye · and paye for the makynge
that euery segge schal seye · y am suster of ȝoure hous ·

[^a268: God haue (Hm Hm2) | Haue (All other mss)]

[^a269: on (Hm Hm2 M) | of (All other mss)]

[^a270: cherche (Hm Hm2) | kirke (Most other mss)]

[^a271: make (Hm Hm2) | do maken (Most other mss)]

[^a272: and ȝoure wowes (Hm Hm2) | Wowes (Most other mss)]

[^a273: whyten (Hm Hm2) | do whitten (All other mss)]

¶ But[^a274] god to alle good folk · suche grauynge deffendith
to wryten in wyndowes · of here wel-dedys ·
yn aduenture pryde be peynted þere · and pompe of the worlde
for cryst knoweth thi conscyence · and þy kynde wylle
and þy coste and thy couetyse · and who the catel owghte ·

[^a274: But (Hm G H F) | Ac (Most other mss)]

¶ For-þy y lere ȝow lordes · leueþ suche werkes
to wryten in wyndowes · of ȝoure wel-dedys ·
or to gredyn after goddes men · whan ȝe delen doles
yn aduenture ȝe haue ȝoure huyre here · and ȝoure heuene als[^49]
Nesciat sinistra manus[^a275]  quid faciat dextra ·
late nougth thy lefte halfe · late ne rathe ·
w ete what thu werchest · wyth thy rygth syde ·
for thus byddeþ the gospel · good men do her alm esse ·

[^a275: sinistra manus (Hm Hm2 B) | sinistra (Most other mss)]

[^49: Hm.3.72: A modern librarian has written "- fragment ends here." in the right margin, referring to Hm2, which ends after the following Latin line.]

¶ Meyres and m ercers[^a276] · that menes ben bytwene
the kyng and the comune · to kepe the lawes
to punysche on pyloryes · and pynynge stoles
brewesters and baksters · bochers and cokes
for þese arne men of[^a277] this molde · that moste harme wurcheth
to the poore peple · that parcelmel beggen[^a278][^50]
wyth that the poore peple · schulde putten in here wombe
for tooke they on treuly · they tymbred nougth so hye
ne bouhten no burgages · be ȝe full certayn

[^a276: m ercers (Hm) | maceres (Most other mss)]

[^a277: of (Hm C B) | on (Most other mss)]

[^a278: beggen (Hm G) | buggen (Most other mss)]

[^50: Hm.3.82: HmG read beggen to other B witnesses' buggen. Hm omits the following two lines because of eye-skip: For they poysoun þe peple priueliche and oft Thei rychen þorw regraterye and rentes hem buggen.]

¶ Ac mede the mayde · the meyre haþ bysougth
of alle suche sullers · suluer to take
or presentes wyth-outen pans · or[^a279] peces of seluer
rynges or other rycchesse · the regratours to ma nteyne

[^a279: or (Hm) | as (Most other mss)]

¶ For my loue quod that lady · loue hem echone ·
and suffre hem to selle · somdel aȝen reson

¶ Salamon the sage a sarmoun he made
forto amende m eyres · and men that kepen lawes
and tolde hem this teme · that y telle thenke
Ignis deuorabit tabernacula eorum · qui libenter accipiunt munera ·

¶ Amonge these lettred ledes · this latyn ys to mene
that fuyr schall falle · and brenne al to blo askes
the houses and homes · of hem that desyreth
ȝyftes or ȝeres-ȝyftys · by-caus e of here offyces

¶ The kynge fro the[^a280] conseyl came · and called after mede
and of-sente hire also[^a281] blythe[^a282] · wyth sergeauntes manye
that brougth here to boure · wyth blysse and wiþ ioye

[^a280: fro the (Hm W H) | fro (Other mss)]

[^a281: also (Hm Bo Cot) | as (Other mss)]

[^a282: blythe (Hm) | swythe (All other mss)]

¶ Curteysly the kynge thanne · comsed to telle
to mede the mayden[^a283] · and meneth[^a284][^51] these woordes
vnwyttyly womman · wrougth haste thu ofte
ac wrouhtest thu neuere wurse[^a285] · than whan[^a286] thu fals tooke
but y furȝyue[^a287] the that gylt · and graunte[^a288] m y grace
hennys to thy deth-day · do so namore

[^a283: mayden (Hm M H) | mayde (All other mss)]

[^a284: and meneth (Hm) | melleth (Most other mss)]

[^a285: wrouhtest thu neuere wurse (Hm) | worse wrouȝtestow neure (Most other mss)]

[^a286: whan (Hm G F) | þo (Most other mss)]

[^a287: furȝyue (Hm) | forgyue (All other mss)]

[^a288: graunte (Hm) | graunte þe (All other mss)]

[^51: Hm.3.104: Hm's reading is clearly related to W's he meneþ and H's menyd.]

¶ Y haue a knygth conscyence · came late from byȝonde
ȝif he wylneth the to wyue · wylt thu hym haue

¶ Ȝe lord quod the[^a289] lady · lord furbede yt elles
but y be holly atte ȝoure heste · late hange me sone

[^a289: the (Hm F) | þat (All other mss)]

¶ And thanne was conscyence called · to come and appere
byfore the kynge and his conseyl · as clerkes and othre
knelynge to the kynge · conscyence[^a290] lowtede
to wyten what his wylle were · and what he do schulde

[^a290: to the kynge · conscyence (Hm) | conscience · to þe kynge (All other mss)]

¶ Wolte[^a291] wedde this womman quod the kynge · if sche[^a292] woll assente
for sche is fayn of þy felauschipe · forto be thi make

[^a291: Wolte (Hm) | Woltow (All other mss)]

[^a292: sche (Hm B F) | I (All other mss)]

¶ Quod conscyence to the kynge · cryste yt furbede[^a293]
ere y wedde suche a wyf · wo me bytyde
for sche is frele of here feyþ · and fykel[^a294] of hure speche
and makeþ men mysdo · many score tyme
trust of hure tresoure · trayeþ full manye

[^a293: furbede (Hm H) | me forbede (All other mss)]

[^a294: and fykel (Hm H R) | fykel (Most other mss)]

¶ Wyues and wydewes · wantownesse sche techeþ
and lereþ hem lechery · that louen here ȝiftes ·
ȝoure fader sche felde · thorough fals byheste
and haþ puysound popes · and appeyred[^a295][^52] holy cherche
ys naugth a bettre bawde · by hym that me made
bytwene heuene and helle · in erthe thouh men sougth ·
for sche is tykel of here tayl . tale-wys of here tunge
As comune as carteway[^a296] · to eche[^53] knaue that walketh
to monkes to menstralles · to meselles in hegges
Sysours and somnours · suche men hure preyseth
Scherreues and[^a297] schyres · were schent if sche ne were
for sche dooþ men lese here londe · and here lyf bothe
sche lateth passe prysoners · and for hem ofte payeth[^a298]
and ȝyueþ[^a299] the gaylers golde · and grotes to-gydres
& vnfetreþ fals · to[^a300] flee where hym lyketh
and taketh þe trewe by the top · and tyeth hym faste
and hangeth hym for haterede · that harme dede neuere

[^a295: appeyred (Hm F) | peired (Most other mss)]

[^a296: carteway (Hm F) | a cartwey (Most other mss)]

[^a297: and (Hm) | of (All other mss)]

[^a298: for hem ofte payeth (Hm) | payeth for hem ofte (Most other mss)]

[^a299: ȝyueþ (Hm) | gyueth (All other mss)]

[^a300: & vnfetreþ fals · to (Hm) | To vnfettre þe fals (All other mss)]

[^52: Hm.3.127: Hm and alpha read appeyred/appayreth against the apheretic form peired in most B manuscripts.]

[^53: Hm.3.131: The ascender of the <h> has been flourished.]

¶ To be cursyd in concystorye · sche counteþ nougth a bene
for sche copeþ the commissarye · and coteth his clerkes
sche ys asoyled also[^a301] sone · as here-selfe lyketh
and may almost also[^a302] muche do · in a moneth ones
as ȝoure secrete seal · in syxe score dayes ·
for sche is pryue wyth the pope · prouysours yt knoweth
for syre symony and here-selfe · selen the bulles

[^a301: also (Hm B) | as (Most other mss)]

[^a302: almost also (Hm) | neiȝe as (Most other mss)]

¶ Sche blesseþ these buschopes · thouwh they seme[^a303] lewed
prouendreth parsouns · and preestes manteyneth
to haue lemmans and lotobyes · all here lyfe-dayes ·
and bryngeth foorth barns · aȝen forbode lawes
there sche is wel wyth the kyng · wo ys that[^a304] rewme
for sche is fauourable to fals · and fouleþ trewthe ofte

[^a303: seme (Hm) | be (All other mss)]

[^a304: that (Hm) | þe (Most other mss)]

¶ By ihesu wyth hure iewelles · ȝoure yustyces ofte sche[^a305] schendeth
and lyeþ aȝen the lawe · and letteþ hym the gate
that feyth may nougth haue his foorþ · hure floreyns gone so þykke
sche ledeth the lawe as hure leste · and louedayes maketh ·
and dooth men lese for[^a306] hure loue[^54] · that lawe mygth wynne
the mase for a mene man · þouȝ he mote hure euere
lawe ys so lordlyche · and loth to make ende
wyth-oute presentes or pans · sche pleseth wel fewe ·

[^a305: ofte sche (Hm) | she (All other mss)]

[^a306: for (Hm H) | þorw (Most other mss)]

[^54: Hm.3.158: Kane and Donaldson took the scribe to have written iloue, with <il> smudged. There is damage or a stain, but the reading is clearly loue.]

¶ Barouns & burgeys · sche bryngeþ in sorowe
and al the comune in care · that lyue wolde[^a307] in trewthe
for clergyse[^a308] and couetyse · sche cowpleþ to-gydres
that[^a309] is þe lyf of þat lady · lorde[^a310] · ȝyue hure sorowe
and alle that ma ynteyne here men · schame[^a311] hem bytyde
for poore men mowe haue · no power hem to pleyne[^a312][^55] ·
tyl þey sore smerte · and lowe a-downe falle
suche a mayster is mede · a-monge men of goode

[^a307: lyue wolde (Hm) | coueyten lyue (Most other mss)]

[^a308: clergyse (Hm R) | clergye (All other mss)]

[^a309: that (Hm) | Þis (Most other mss)]

[^a310: lorde (Hm) | now lorde (Most other mss)]

[^a311: schame (Hm) | meschaunce (Most other mss)]

[^a312: hem to pleyne (Hm) | to pleyne hem (Most other mss)]

[^55: Hm.3.167: Hm divides the line here, creating a new line to follow and thus demanding the creation of a b-verse for the newly made line. Hm.3.168 takes what may have been the last three words of its exemplar's 167 tyl þey sore smerte and fills the line out with the bland, unalliterating and lowe a-downe falle.]

¶ Thanne mornyd mede · and menyd hure to the kynge
to haue space to speke · spede ȝif sȝe mygthe

¶ The kynge grauntyd hure grace · wyth a good wylle
excuse the ȝif þu canst · y can namore segge
for conscyence acuseþ the · to congeye the for-euere

¶ Nay lorde quod that lady · leueþ hym the wurse
whan ȝe wyten wytterly · where þe wronge lyggeþ
there the[^a313] myschef is gret mede may helpe
and thu knowest conscyence · y cam nougth to chyde
ne to praue[^a314] thy persone · wyth a proude herte
wel thu wost wernard · but ȝif thu wolt gabbe
thu hast hangyd on myn hals[^a315] · enleue tymes ·
and also gryped my gold . ȝyue[^a316] yt where the lyked
and why wratthest[^a317] the now . wondre me thynkeþ
ȝit y may as y mygthe · menske the wyth ȝiftes
and mant eyne thy manhode · more than thu knowest

[^a313: the (Hm) | þat (All other mss)]

[^a314: to praue (Hm H) | depraue (All other mss)]

[^a315: hals (Hm H) | half (All other mss)]

[^a316: ȝyue (Hm) | gyue (Most other mss)]

[^a317: wratthest (Hm) | þow wratthest (All other mss)]

¶ Ac thu hast defamed[^a318] me foule · byfore the kyng here
for kyllyd y neuere kyng[^a319] . ne counseyled therto[^a320]
ne dude as thu now[^a321] demeste · y do yt on the kynge ·

[^a318: defamed (Hm F) | famed (All other mss)]

[^a319: kyng (Hm M H F) | no kynge (All other mss)]

[^a320: therto (Hm) | þer-after (Most other mss)]

[^a321: thu now (Hm) | þow (All other mss)]

¶ In normandy nas[^a322] he nougth · noyhed for my sake
ac thu thy-self soþly · schamedest hym ofte
crop in[^a323] a caban · for colde on[^a324] thy nayles
wendeste that wynter · wolde haue laste[^a325] euere ·
and dreddest to haue be[^a326] ded . for a dym clowde
and hyedest homward · for hungur of thyn wombe

[^a322: nas (Hm) | was (Most other mss)]

[^a323: in (Hm F) | in-to (All other mss)]

[^a324: on (Hm) | of (All other mss)]

[^a325: laste (Hm R) | lasted (Most other mss)]

[^a326: haue be (Hm) | be (All other mss)]

¶ Wyþ-outyn pyte pylour · poore men thu robbe dest
and b ere here bras at thy bakke · to caleys to sylle
there y lafte wyth my lord · his lyfe forto saue
y made his men murye · and mornynge lette
y batred hem on the bakke · and bolded here hertes
and dede hem hoppe for hope · to haue me atte wylle
hadde y ben mareschal of his men · by marye of heuene ·
y durste haue leyde my lyfe · and no lasse wedde
he schulde haue ben lorde of that londe · in lengþe and in brede
and also kyng of that kyth · his kynrede[^a327] to[^a328] helpe
the leste brolle of his blood · a barouns pere

[^a327: kynrede (Hm) | kynne (Most other mss)]

[^a328: to (Hm F) | for to (All other mss)]

¶ Cowardly thu conscyence · conseyledest hym thennys
to leuyn his lordschipe · for a lytyl seluer ·
that ys the ryccheste rewme · that reyn ouerhoueth ·

¶ yt bycomyþ to a kynge · that kepeth a rewme
to ȝyue mede to men · that mekely hym serueth ·
to alyens and to alle men · to honoure hem wyth ȝyftes ·
mede maketh hym bylouyd · and for a man holdyn ·

¶ Emperoures and kynges /[^a329][^56] and alle manere lordes
for ȝyftes haue ȝonge men · to renne and to ryde
the pope and and and alle his[^a330] prelates · presentes vndyrfongyn
and meden men hem-selfe · to ma yntene here lawe[^a331]
sergeauntes for her seruyce · we seen wel the sothe
taken mede of here maystres · as they mowen acorde
beggers for here byddynge · asken[^a332] men mede
menstralles for here merthes[^a333] · mede they asken
the kynge hath mede of his men · to make pes in londe
men that techen chyldren · crauen of hem mede
prestes that prechen the peple · of god[^a334] asken mede
and massepans and here mete · atte the mele-tyme
alkyn crafty men · crauen mede for here prentys
marchauntes and mede · mote nede go to-gydres
no wygth as y wene · wyth-oute mede may lybbe

[^a329: kynges / (Hm) | Erlis (All other mss)]

[^a330: and and and alle his (Hm) | and alle (Most other mss)]

[^a331: lawe (Hm) | lawes (All other mss)]

[^a332: asken (Hm) | bidden (All other mss)]

[^a333: merthes (Hm B) | murthe (All other mss)]

[^a334: of god (Hm F) | to gode (Most other mss)]

[^56: Hm.3.213: The virgule metacharacter replacing the punctus elevatus was inserted after <s> was added to kynge by hand3.]

¶ Quod the kyng to conscyence · by cryste as me thynketh
mede is wel wurthy · the maystrye to haue

¶ Nay quod conscyence to the kyng · and kneled · to the erthe ·
there are two manere of medes · my lorde wyth ȝowre leue
that on god of his grace · graunteth in his blys
to tho that wel werkyn · while that[^a335] they ben here
the prophete precheth þerof · and putte yt in the sawter ·
Quis[^a336] habitabit in tabernaculo tuo · &cetera ·

[^a335: while that (Hm) | whil (All other mss)]

[^a336: Quis (Hm) | Domine quis (All other mss)]

¶ Lorde who schall wonye in thy wones · wyth thyn holy seyntes
or resten in thyn holy hul[^a337] · this asketh dauid ·
and dauid assoyleth it hym-selue · as the sauter telleth
Qui ingredit ur[^57] sine macula & operatur iusticiam &cetera[^a338] ·

[^a337: hul (Hm H) | hilles (All other mss)]

[^a338: iusticiam &cetera (Hm) | iusticiam (Most other mss)]

[^57: Hm.3.239: The dot above the first <i> is unusually elaborate, almost an <s>.]

¶ Tho that entren of one colour · and of one wylle
and haue wrougth werkes · wyth rygth and resoun[^a339] ·
and he that vseth nougth · the lyfe of vsure
and enformeþ poore men · and pursueth trewthe ·
Qui pecuniam suam non dedit ad vsuram & munera super innocentem non accepit[^a340] ·

[^a339: resoun (Hm) | with reson (All other mss)]

[^a340: non accepit (Hm Cot) | &c (Most other mss)]

¶ And alle that helpen the innocent · and holdyn wyth the rygthful
wyth-outen mede dooth hem good · and the trewthe helpeth ·
suche manere men my lord · schull haue the ferste mede
of god atte here[^a341] grete nede · whan they gon hennys ·

[^a341: here (Hm M Cr) | a (Most other mss)]

¶ There is an nothur mede mesurles · that maystres desyreth ·
to maynteyne mysdoers · mede they take ·
and there[^a342] seyth the sawter · in a psalmes ende
In quorum manibus iniquitates sunt dextra eorum repleta est muneribus · &cetera[^a343]

[^a342: there (Hm B) | þere-of (Most other mss)]

[^a343: muneribus · &cetera (Hm) | muneribus (Most other mss)]

¶ And he that grypeth hure gold · so me god helpe
schall abuyen yt b yttre · or the booke lyeth ·

¶ prestes and parsouns · that plesynge desyreth
that take mede or[^a344] moneye · for messes that they synge
take here mede here · as mathewe vs telleth ·
Amen amen dico vobis[^a345] receperunt mercedem suam ·

[^a344: or (Hm M) | and (All other mss)]

[^a345: amen dico vobis (Hm G) | amen (Most other mss)]

¶ That laborers and lewed folk taken of here maystres
yt is no manere of[^a346] mede · but a mesurable huyre

[^a346: manere of (Hm H) | manere (All other mss)]

¶ In marchaundyse ys no mede · y may it wel a-vowe
yt is a permutacyoun apertly · a peny[^a347] for an nother
ac reddest thu neuere · regum · thu recrayede mede
why the vengeaunce fel on saul · and on his chyldren
god sente to saul · by samuel the prophete
to[^a348] agag of amalek and al his peple aftyr ·
schulde deyen for a dede · that done hadde here eldres

[^a347: peny (Hm G) | penyworth (Most other mss)]

[^a348: to (Hm) | Þat (All other mss)]

¶ For-thy seyde samuel to saul · god hym-self hoteth
the to be[^a349] buxum at his byddyng · his wyll to fulfulle
wende to Amalek wyth thyn ost · and al that[^a350] thu fyndest[^a351] sle[^a352]
burwes[^a353] and bestes · brenne hem to dethe
wydewes and wyues · wommen and chyldren
mebles & vnmebles · and al that thu mygth fynde
brenne yt bere yt nougth a-way · be yt neuere so ryche
for mede nor for moneye · loke thu destruye yt ·
spylle yt spare[^a354] yt nougth · thu schalt spede the bettre

[^a349: to be (Hm O C2) | be (All other mss)]

[^a350: al that (Hm) | what (Most other mss)]

[^a351: fyndest (Hm F) | fyndest þere (All other mss)]

[^a352: sle (Hm) | slee it (Most other mss)]

[^a353: burwes (Hm) | Biernes (Most other mss)]

[^a354: spare (Hm) | and spare (All other mss)]

¶ And for he coueytede the[^a355] catel · and the kyng sparede
forbare hym and his bestes bothe · as the byble wytnesseth
oþerwyse than he was warnyd · of the prophete
god seyde to samuel · that saul · schulde dye ·
and alle his seed for that synne · schendfullyche endede[^a356]
suche a myschef mede made · saul the kynge to haue
that god hated hym for euere · and alle his eyres after

[^a355: the (Hm) | her (All other mss)]

[^a356: endede (Hm R F) | ende (All other mss)]

¶ The culorum of this caas · kepe y nougth to telle
yn aduenture yt noyȝed men  none ende woll y make
for so is this worlde wente · wyth hem that hauen powere ·
that who-so seye[^a357] hym[^a358] here sothes[^a359] · ys sonnyste y-blamyd

[^a357: seye (Hm) | seyth (All other mss)]

[^a358: hym (Hm) | hem (Most other mss)]

[^a359: here sothes (Hm F) | sothes (All other mss)]

¶ I conscyence knowe this · for kynde · wytte me yt taughte
that reson schal regne · and rewmes gouerne
and rygth as agag hadde · happe schulle summe ·
samuel schall sle hym · and saul schal be blamyd
and dauid schall be dyademyd · and dawntyn hem alle
and one crystene kynge · kepyn hem alle
Schal namore mede be mayster · as sche ys nouthe
ac loue and lownesse · and leauute to-gydre
these schulle be maystres · on molde · trewthe to saue
and who[^a360] trespaceþ aȝen treuthe · or takeþ aȝen his wylle
leaute schal done hym lawe · and no lyfe elles ·
schall none sergeaunte for here seruyce · were a selken howue ·
ne no pelure in his clooth[^a361] · for pledynge atte barre
mede of mysdoers · maketh manye lordes ·
and ouer lordes lawes · rewleþ the rewmes

[^a360: who (Hm F) | who-so (All other mss)]

[^a361: clooth (Hm) | cloke (All other mss)]

¶ Ac kynde loue schal come ȝette · and conscyence to-gydres
and make of the[^a362] lawe a laborer · suche loue schal aryse
and suche a pes amonge the peple · and a parfyte trewþe
that iewes schul wene in here wytte · and wexen glade[^a363]
that moyses or messyas[^a364] · be comen into this erthe
and haue wondre in here hertys · that men beth so trewe

[^a362: of the (Hm) | of (All other mss)]

[^a363: glade (Hm) | wonder glade (All other mss)]

[^a364: messyas (Hm G) | Messie (All other mss)]

¶ Alle that beren bazelard · brode swerd or launce
axe other hachet · or eny wepne elles ·
schall be demyd to the deeth · but[^a365] he do yt smythye
ynto sykel or sythe[^a366] · to schare or to cultur ·
Conflabunt gladios suos · in vomeres · &cetera ·

[^a365: but (Hm F) | but if (All other mss)]

[^a366: sythe (Hm H) | to sithe (Most other mss)]

¶ Eche man to pleye wyth a plouwh · pykoyse or spade
spynne or sprede donge · or spylle hym-selfe wyth slowthe

¶ Preestes and parsouns · wyth placebo to hunte ·
and dynge vpon dauid · eche daye tyl eue ·
Huntynge or haukynge · ȝif eny of hem yt vse[^a367]
his boste of his benefys · woll be[^a368] bynomyn hym aftyr
schall neuere[^a369] kynge nor[^a370] knygth · constable ne meyre
ouerlede the comune · ne[^a371] the courte somne
ne putten hem in panel · to done hem plygth here trewthe
but after the dede that ys done · oo dome schall rewarde
mercy or no mercy · as trewthe woll accorde

[^a367: yt vse (Hm F) | vse (All other mss)]

[^a368: woll be (Hm) | worth (All other mss)]

[^a369: neuere (Hm H) | neither (All other mss)]

[^a370: nor (Hm) | ne (Most other mss)]

[^a371: ne (Hm) | ne to (Most other mss)]

¶ kynges court and comune court concystorye and chap itle
al schall be but oo court · and oo baroun[^a372] iustyce
than worth trewe tonge a tydy man · that tenyd me neuere

[^a372: baroun (Hm H) | baroun be (Most other mss)]

¶ batayles schull none ben · ne noman bere wepne
and what smy th þat smythieth eny[^a373] · be smyten ther-wyth to dethe
Non leuabit gens contra gentem gladium · &cetera

[^a373: smythieth eny (Hm) | ony smyteth (Most other mss)]

¶ And ere this fortune falle · fynde men schal the wurste
by syxe sonnes and a schyppe · and halfe a schefe of Arwes
and the myddel of a moone · schall make the iewes to turne
and sarsyns for that sygth · schull synge gloria in excelsis
for makameet and mede · myshappe schull that tyme
For melius est bonum nomen quam diuicie multe · &cetera

¶ Als wroth as the wynde · wexe mede in a while
y kan no latyn quod sche · clerkes wytyn the sothe
see what salamon seyth · in sapyence bokes
they that[^a374] ȝyuyn ȝiftes · the vyctory wynneth
and moste wurschipe haue þerwyth · as holy wrytte telleth
honorem adquiret qui dat munera & cetera ·

[^a374: they that (Hm) | That hij þat (Most other mss)]

¶ I leue wel lady quod conscience · that thy latyn be trewe
ac thu art[^a375] a lady · that radde a lessoun ones
was omnia probate · and that plesyd here herte

[^a375: art (Hm) | art like (All other mss)]

¶ For that lyne was no lengour · atte the leues ende
hadde sche loked that othur half and the leef turnyd
sche schulde haue founde fele woordes · folowynge aftyr[^a376] ·
Quod bonum est tenete · trewthe that texte made

[^a376: aftyr (Hm F) | þer-after (All other mss)]

¶ And so ferde ȝe madame · ȝe couthe nomore fynde
tho ȝe loked on sapience · syttynge in ȝoure studye ·
this texte that ȝe haue told · were good for lordes
Ac ȝe[^a377] faylede a kunnynge clerk that couthe the lef haue turnyde
and ȝif ȝe sechyn sapyence efte · fynde ȝe schall[^a378] that foloweth
a fulteneful ful teneful texte · to hem that taketh mede ·
That is[^a379] animam autem aufert accipiencium · &cetera

[^a377: ȝe (Hm G F) | ȝow (All other mss)]

[^a378: ȝe schall (Hm Cr H) | shal ȝe (All other mss)]

[^a379: That is (Hm) | And þat is (Most other mss)]

¶ and that is the tayle of the texte · of that[^a380] sche[^58] schewed ·
that thow we wynne wurschipe · and wyth mede haue victorye ·
the sowle that the soude taketh · by so muche ys bounde ·

[^a380: that (Hm G Bm) | þat þat (Most other mss)]

[^58: Hm.3.357: Perhaps since Bx provided only the unfortunate þat þat where something like þat teme is required (see Kane's and Donaldson's introduction, p. 201), the scribe of Hm, thinking the doubling was wrong, omitted the second þat.]

Passus quartus de visione ·

C Ece seyde the kyng y suffre ȝowe no lenger
ȝe schulle sauȝtle forsothe · and serue me bothe
kysse here quod the kyng conscyence y hote
Nay by cryste quod conscyence · ere congeye[^a381] me for euere
but resoun rede me therto · rather wolde y[^a382] deyȝe
¶ And y comaunde the quod the kyng to conscyence thanne
rape the to ryde · and resoun thu fecche
comaunde hym to[^a383] come · my counseyl to here
for he schal rewle my rewme · and rede me the beste[^59]
and acounte wyth the conscyence · so me cryste helpe ·
how thu lerneste the peple · the lered and the lewed ·

[^a381: ere congeye (Hm) | congeye (Most other mss)]

[^a382: wolde y (Hm) | wil I (Most other mss)]

[^a383: to (Hm) | þat he (All other mss)]

[^59: Hm.4.9: Kane-Donaldson supply the following line from Cr2-3OC2Y: Of Mede and of mo oþere, what man shal hire wedde.]

¶ Y am fayn of þat forowarde · seyde the freke thanne[^60]
and called Catoun his knaue · curteys of speche
and also Tomme trewe tunge · telle me no tale[^a384]
no[^a385] lesynge to laugh of · for y loued hem neuere
and sette my sadull vpon Suffre · tyl y se my tyme
and late warrokke hym well · wyth wytty woordes gerte[^a386]
and hange on hym an[^a387] heuy brydel · to holde his heed lowe
or[^a388] he woll make we-he · twyes or[^61] he be there

[^a384: tale (Hm) | tales (All other mss)]

[^a385: no (Hm G) | Ne (All other mss)]

[^a386: gerte (Hm Bm) | gerthes (Most other mss)]

[^a387: an (Hm H) | þe (All other mss)]

[^a388: or (Hm) | For (Most other mss)]

[^60: Hm.4.12: At this point, all other manuscripts contain three lines not found in Hm, here given in the spelling of L: And ritte riȝte to resoun and rowneth in his ere And seide as þe kynge badde and sithen toke his leue I shal arraye me to ride quod resoun reste þe a while . The omission was probably caused by eye-skip because both KD.4.14 and KD.4.17 begin with and. The mistake may have been easy to miss since the line still makes sense syntactically.]

[^61: Hm.4.19: Or, "ere."]

¶ Thanne conscyence vpon his capull · caryeth foorth faste
and resoun wyth hym rygth · rownynge togydres
whiche maystryes mede · maketh on this erthe

#
¶ On waryn wysdom · and wytty his fere
folowed hym faste · for they hadde to done
yn the Eschequer[^a389] and yn[^a390] chauncerye · to be descharged of thynges ·
and ryde faste for resoun schulde · rede hem the beste
forto saue hem for seluer · fro schame and fram harmes

[^a389: Eschequer (Hm Cr) | cheker (Most other mss)]

[^a390: yn (Hm) | in þe (Most other mss)]

¶ And conscience knew hem well · they loueden couetyse
and badde resoun ryde faste · and recche of here neythur
there are wyles in h ere woordes · and wyth mede they dwellen ·[^62]
there-as wraþþe and wranglynge is · there wynne þey seluer ·
ac where is loue and leaute · they woll nougth come there
Contricio & infelicitas in vijs eorum · & cetera

[^62: Hm.4.30-38: A drypoint shield is inscribed in the right margin.]

¶ They ne ȝyuen[^a391] nougth of god · oo gose wenge
Non est timor dei ante oculos eorum · & cetera

[^a391: ȝyuen (Hm W) | gyueth (Most other mss)]

¶ For god woote they woll do more · for a dozeyn chyknes
or as many capouns · or for a seme of otes ·
than for the loue of oure lord or alle his leue seyntys
for- thi resoun late hem ryde · tho ryche by hem-selue
for conscyence knoweth hem nougth · ne cryst as y trowe
and thanne resoun rode faste · the rygth hie gate
and[^a392] conscyence hym kennyde · tyl they come to the kyng

[^a392: and (Hm Cr G) | As (All other mss)]

¶ Curteysly the kynge thenne · cam aȝenste resoun
and bytwene hym-selue · and his sone · sette hem[^a393] on benche
and woordedyn fulwysly ful wysly[^a394] · a grete while togydres

[^a393: hem (Hm) | hym (All other mss)]

[^a394: fulwysly ful wysly (Hm) | wel wyseli (Most other mss)]

¶ And thanne cam pes into parlement and putte foorth a bylle
how wrong aȝenst his wylle · hadde hijs wyf taken
and how he rauasched rose · reynaldes loue
and Margarete of here maydenhode · mawgre here chekes
bothe my gees and my gry s · his gadlynges feccheth ·
y dare nougth for drede[^a395] of hem[^a396] · fygth ne chyde
he borowed of me baȝard and brougth hym neuere aȝen[^a397]
ne no ferþynge therfore · for ougth y couthe plede
he manteneth his men · to morthre myn hewen
forstalleth my markettes[^a398] · and fyȝteth in my chepynge
and breketh vp my bernys[^a399] doore · and bereth a-wey my whete
and taketh me but a tayle for ten quarters otys ·
ȝett[^a400] he beteth me therto · and lyggeth by my mayde
y am nougth so hardy[^a401] · for hym · vnnethe forto[^a402] loke

[^a395: drede (Hm) | fere (All other mss)]

[^a396: hem (Hm W G) | hym (Most other mss)]

[^a397: neuere aȝen (Hm H) | home neure (Most other mss)]

[^a398: markettes (Hm) | feyres (All other mss)]

[^a399: bernys (Hm L W R) | berne (Most other mss)]

[^a400: ȝett (Hm Cr G) | And ȝet (All other mss)]

[^a401: so hardy (Hm) | hardy (All other mss)]

[^a402: forto (Hm F) | to (All other mss)]

¶ The kynge knewe he seyde soth · for conscyence hym tolde
that wrong was a wykked lyfte · and wrougth moche sorowe
wrong was affered thanne · and wysdome he sougthe
to make pes wyth his pans · and profred hym manye
and seyde hadde y loue of my lorde · the kynge · lytyl wolde y recche
thouh Pes and his power · pleynede hem euere

¶ Tho wente wysdome · and sere wareyne the wytty ·
for that wrong hadde wrougth[^a403] · so wykked a dede
and warnyd wrong[^a404] wyth suche a wys tale
who-so werketh by wylle · wratthe maketh ofte
y seye it by my-selfe · thu schalt yt wel fynde
but ȝif mede it make · thy myscheefe ys vppe
for bothe thy lyf and thy londe lyeth in his grace

[^a403: wrougth (Hm Hm Cr G) | ywroȝt (Most other mss)]

[^a404: wrong (Hm) | wronge þo (All other mss)]

¶ Thanne wowed wrong wysdome ful ȝerne
to make his pes wyth his pans · handydandy payed

¶ wysdome and wytte thanne · wenten to-gydres
and tooken meede wyth hem · mercy to wynne

¶ Pes putte foorth his hed · and his panne blody
wyth-outen gult · god ytte wot gat y this scathe
conscyence and the comune · knewen[^a405] the sothe
ac wysdome and wyt · weren abowte faste
to ouercome the kyng · wyth catel ȝif they mygthe

[^a405: knewen (Hm B H) | knowen (Most other mss)]

¶ The kyng swoor by cryst · and by his crowne bothe
that wrong for his werkes · schulde wo tholye
and comawnndede a cunstable · to caste hym in yrens
and late hym nougth this seuene · ȝere · sene his feet ones

¶ God wote quod wysdome · that were nougth the beste
and he amendes mowe make · leteth[^a406] hym meynpris[^a407] haue
and be borow for his bale · and beggen hym boote
and so amende that is mysdo · and euermore the bettre

[^a406: leteth (Hm) | late (All other mss)]

[^a407: hym meynpris (Hm H) | meynprise hym (All other mss)]

¶ wytt accorded therwyth · and seyde the same ·
bettre is that bote · bale adowne brynge ·
thanne bale be ybet e · and bote neuere the bettre

¶ And thanne gan mede to mengyn here · and mercy besougthe
and profred pes a presente · all of pure golde
haue this · man of me quod sche · to amende thi scathe
for y woll wagen for wrong[^63] · he woll do so nomore

[^63: Hm.4.96: A raised point is added over the erased <e>.]

¶ Pytously pes thanne · prayede to the kynge
to haue mercy · on that man · that mysdede hym so ofte
for he hath waged me well · as wysdome hym taugthe
and y furȝiue hym that gult wyth a good wylle
so that the kyng assente · y can seye no bettre
for mede me hath[^a408] amendes maad[^a409] · y may namore aske ·

[^a408: me hath (Hm) | hath (All other mss)]

[^a409: amendes maad (Hm) | made me amendes (Other mss)]

¶ Nay quod the kyng · so[^a410] me cryste helpe
wrong wendeth nougth soaway so away · furst y woll[^a411] wyte more
for lepte he solygthly so lygthly · laughen he wolde
and eft baldere[^a412] be · to bete myn hewen ·
but resoun haue rewthe on hym · he schall reste in my stokkes ·
and that also[^a413] longe as he lyueth · but lownesse hym borowe ·

[^a410: so (Hm) | þo so (All other mss)]

[^a411: furst y woll (Hm) | arst wil I (Most other mss)]

[^a412: baldere (Hm G) | þe balder (Most other mss)]

[^a413: also (Hm) | as (Most other mss)]

¶ Summe[^a414] radde resoun tho to haue rewthe on that schrewe ·
and forto conseyle the kyng and conscyence after ·
that mede muste be maynpernour · resoun they besougthe ·

[^a414: Summe (Hm H) | Somme men (Most other mss)]

¶ Rede me nougth quod resoun · no rewþe to haue
tyl lordes and ladyes · louen alle trewthe ·
and hatyn alle harlotrye · to here or to mowthe yt ·
tyl pernell purfyl · be putte in here hucche
and chyldren cheryschynge · be chastysed[^a415] by[^a416] ȝerdes ·
and harlotes holynes · be holdyn for an hyne
tyl clerkyn couetyse · be · to cloþe poore[^a417] and fede
and relygyous romers · recordare · in her cloystres ·
a s seynte benet hem bad . bernarde and Fraunces
and tyl prechours prechynge · be preuyd on hem-selue
tyl the kynges counseyl · by[^a418] the comune profyte
tyl Buschopes bayardes · ben beggers chambres ·
here haukes and here houndes · helpe to poore relygyous
and tyl seynte Iames be sougth · there y schall assygne
that noman go to Galyce · but ȝif he go for euere
and alle rome-renners · for robbers byȝonde
bere no seluer ouer the see[^a419] · that sygne of kynge scheweþ
neyther graue nor[^a420] vngraue · golde neyþer syluer ·
vpon forfeture of that fee · who-so fynte yt[^a421] atte douer ·
but ytte be Marchaunt or his man · or messager wyþ lettris
prouysour or preste · or penaunte for his synnes ·

[^a415: chastysed (Hm H F) | chastyng (Most other mss)]

[^a416: by (Hm) | with (All other mss)]

[^a417: poore (Hm M) | þe pore (All other mss)]

[^a418: by (Hm) | be (All other mss)]

[^a419: the see (Hm H F) | see (Most other mss)]

[^a420: nor (Hm Cr) | ne (All other mss)]

[^a421: yt (Hm Cr W) | hym (All other mss)]

¶ And ȝet[^64] quod resoun by the rode · y schall no rewthe haue
while mede haþ the maystrye · in this mote-halle
ac y may schewe ensamples · as y see otherwhyle
y seye yt by my-selfe quod he · and yt so were
that y were kyng wyth corowne to kepe þe rewme
schulde neuere wrong in this world that y mygth wyte[^a422]
ben vnpunsched in my power · for peryl of my soule
ne gete my grace for ȝiftes · so god me[^a423] saue
ne for no mede haue mercy · but mekenesse yt made
for nullum malum the man · mette wyth inpugnitum inp[u]nitum[^a424] ·
and bad nullum bonum be irremuneratum

[^a422: mygth wyte (Hm) | wite myȝte (Most other mss)]

[^a423: god me (Hm) | me god (All other mss)]

[^a424: inpugnitum inp[u]nitum (Hm) | inpunitum (All other mss)]

[^64: Hm.4.133: The original scribe wrote ȝette. A corrector erased the final <te> and restroked the first <t>.]

¶ Late ȝoure confessour syre kyng · construe this vnglosed
and ȝif ȝe wurchyn this[^a425] werke[^a426] · y wedde myn eres
that lawe schall ben a laborer · and lede afelde dungge
and loue schall lede þy lond · as the leef lyketh

[^a425: this (Hm H) | it (Most other mss)]

[^a426: werke (Hm G) | in werke (All other mss)]

¶ Clerkes that weren confessours · coupled hem to-gydres
alle to construe þis clause · and for þe kynges profyte
ac nougth for profyte[^a427] · of þe comune · ne for the kynges soule
for y say mede yn þe Mothalle · on men of lawe wynke
and þey lawynge loopen to here · and lefte resoun manye

[^a427: profyte (Hm) | conforte (Most other mss)]

¶ wareyne wysdome · wynked vppon mede ·
and seyde Madame y am ȝoure man · what-so my mowth iangle
y fa yle[^a428] floreyns quod that freke · and fayle speche ofte

[^a428: fa yle (Hm M Cr) | falle in (Most other mss)]

¶ All rygthfull recordede · that resoun trewþe tolde
and wytt accordede þerwyth · and comended his woordes
and þe moste peple in þe halle · and many of þe grete
and leten mekenesse amayster a mayster · and mede mansed[^a429] schrewe

[^a429: mansed (Hm) | a mansed (All other mss)]

¶ Loue leet of here lygth · and leaute well[^a430] lasse
and seyde it so hye · that all the halle yt herde
who-so wylneþ here to wyue · for welþe of here goodes
but he be knowe for a cokewold · kutte of myn nose

[^a430: well (Hm R F) | ȝit (Most other mss)]

¶ Mede mornyd tho · and made heuy chere
for þe moste comune of þat court called here an hore
and a sysoure and a sumnoure · seweden here faste
and a scherreues clerk bysch rewyd was all[^a431] þe route
for ofte haue y quod she[^65] · holpen ȝowe atte barre
and ȝet ȝoue ȝe me neuere · þe worþ of a rusche

[^a431: was all (Hm) | al (All other mss)]

[^65: Hm.4.168: The spelling, inserted over an erasure probably by hand3, is unique in this manuscript for she. Hand1's and hand2's normal spelling is sche.]

¶ The kynge called conscyence · and aftyrward resoun ·
and recordede that resoun · hadde ryghtfully schewed
and modyly vpon mede · wyth mygth the kynge loked ·
and gan wexe wroth wyþ lawe · for mede hadde yt schent[^a432]
and seyde thorow ȝoure lawe[^a433] · y lese many enchetes[^a434]
Mede ouermaystreth lawe · and moche trewþe letteth ·
ac reson schall rykene wyth ȝow · yf eny while y reygne[^a435]
and deme ȝow by this day · as ȝe haue deseruyd ·
mede schall nougth maynprise ȝow by the marye of heuene
y woll haue leaute in lawe · and leue[^a436] all[^a437] ȝoure ianglynge
and as moste folke wytnesseþ well · wronge schal be demyd

[^a432: hadde yt schent (Hm) | almoste had shent it (Most other mss)]

[^a433: lawe (Hm) | lawe as I leue (Most other mss)]

[^a434: enchetes (Hm) | chetes (Most other mss)]

[^a435: eny while y reygne (Hm) | I regne any while (Most other mss)]

[^a436: leue (Hm F) | lete (All other mss)]

[^a437: all (Hm M F) | be al (Most other mss)]

¶ Quod conscyence to the kyng · but the comune woll assente
yt is full harde by myn hede · here to brynge yt
Alle ȝoure lyche[^a438] ledes · to lede thus euene ·
by hym that reste[^a439] on the rode · quod resoun to the kynge
but[^a440] y rewle thus ȝowre rewme · lete rende[^a441] out my guttes
ȝif ȝe bydden buxumnesse · be of myn assente

[^a438: lyche (Hm H) | lige (Most other mss)]

[^a439: reste (Hm) | rauȝte (Most other mss)]

[^a440: but (Hm B H) | But if (Most other mss)]

[^a441: lete rende (Hm) | rende (All other mss)]

¶ And y assente quod the kyng by seynt Marye my lady
by my comen conseyl[^a442] · of clerkes and of erles
ac redyly resoun thu schalt nougth ryde fram me
for also[^a443] longe as y leue · lete the y nylle ·
y am all redy quod resoun · to reste wyth ȝow euere
so conscyence be of oure conseyl · y kepe no bettre[^66] ·
also longe as oure lyfe lasteth · lyue we to-gydres ·

[^a442: comen conseyl (Hm) | conseille comen (All other mss)]

[^a443: also (Hm) | as (All other mss)]

[^66: Hm.4.192: After this line, all other manuscripts contain a line not found in Hm, here given in the spelling of L: And I graunt quod the kynge goddes forbode it faile. Perhaps the omission is due to an eye-skip, for both the omitted line and the next begin (in most manuscripts) with the letter A. Despite the omission, the lines make perfect syntactic sense, though now the final line would have to be spoken by Reason rather than the King, whose words begin the omitted line.]

Passus quintus de visione ·

T he kynge and his knyȝtes · to the cherche[^a444] wente
to here matyns of the day · and the masse after
thanne wakyd y of my wynkyng & wo was wyþ-alle
that y ne hadde slepte saddere · and y-seye more[^67]
ac er y hadde faren a furlong · feyntyse me hente
that y ne mygth ferþere a fote · for deffaute of slepyng
and y[^a445] sat softly a-doun · and seyde my byleeue
and so y babled on my bedys · þey brouhten me aslepe
¶ And þanne sawȝ y moche more · than y bifore tolde
for y sawȝ a[^a446] feld ful of folk · þat y before of seyde
and how resoun gan araye hym · all þe rewme to preche
and wyþ a cros byfore þe kyng · comsed þus to teche
¶ He preuyd that þise pestylences · weren for pure synne
and þe sowþwesterne wynd · on saturday at euyn ·
was pertlyche for pure pryde · and for no poynt elles ·
pyryes and plumtrees · weren puffed to þe erþe
yn ensaumple þat ȝe segges[^a447] · schuldyn do the betre ·
beechis and brode okes · were blowe to the grounde
turned vpwarde here tayles · in tokenynge of drode dr[e]de[^a448]
that dedly synne or domesday · schall fordone hem alle
¶ On[^a449] this matere y mygth · mamelen full longe
ac y schall seye as y saw so me god helpe
how pertly afore the peple · resoun bygan to preche ·
¶ He badd wastour go wurche · what he best co wde
and wynnyn his wastynge · wyth sum manere crafte
and prayde pernele · here purfyl to lete ·
and kepe it in here coffre · for catel at here nede
¶ Tomme stowe he taught · to take two staues ·
and fecche Felyce home · fram the wyuen pyne
he warned watte · his wyf was to blame
for[^a450] here heed was wurth halfe mark · and his hood nat agrote a grote
and badd bette to cutte[^a451] · a bowh other tweyne
and betyn betoun therwyth · but sche wolde wurche
¶ And thanne he charge d chapmen · to chastyse here children
lat no wynnynge hem forwanye · while they ben ȝonge
ne for no pouste of pestylence · plese hem nougth out of resoun
my syre seyde so to me and so dede my dame
that the leeuyr chyld the more lore behoueth ·
and salamon seyde the same · that sapyence made
Qui parcit virge · odit filium · & cetera ·
¶ The englysch of this latyn[^a452] · who-so woll yt knowe
who-so spareth the spryng · spylleth his chylde[^a453]
¶ And syþþen he prayed prelates · and preestes to-gydre
that ȝe preche to the peple · preue yt on ȝowe-sylue
and doth it in dede · yt schall drawe ȝow to goode
yf ȝe lyuen as ȝe leren vs · we schull leeue ȝow the bettre
¶ and sytthe he radde relygyoun · here reule to holde
lest the kynge and his conseyl · ȝoure comunes appeyre
and be styward of ȝoure stedes · tyl ȝe be rewled bettre
¶ And syþþen he counseyled the kyng · his comunes to louye
yt is thy tresoure ȝif resoun[^a454] ne were · and tryacle at thyn nede
¶ And sytthen he prayde the pope · haue pyte on holy cherche
and ere he ȝyue any grace · gouerne[^a455] hym-sylue
¶ And ȝe that haue lawes to kepe · lat trewthe be ȝoure couetyse
more than gold or othyr ȝiftes · ȝif ȝe wyl god plese
for who-so contraryeth trewthe · he telleth in the gospel ·
that he[^a456] knoweth hym nougth · ne no seynte of heuene ·
Amen amen[^a457] dico vobis nescio vos · & cetera ·[^a458]
¶ And ȝe that seeken seynte Iame and seyntes atte[^a459] Rome ·
seeketh seynte trewthe · for he may saue ȝow alle
Qui cum patre & filio · that fayre hem befalle
that sueth my sarmoun · and thus seyde resoun ·
¶ Thanne ran repentaunce · and reherced his teme
and made[^a460] wyll to wepe · water wyth his yȝen ·
Superbia ·
¶ Pernele proude-herte · platte here to the erthe
and laye longe or sche loked · and lord mercy cryede
and behiȝte to hym · that vs alle made ·
sche schulde vnsowyn here scherte[^a461] · and sette there an hayre ·
to affayten here Flesch · that feers was to synne
schall neuere hyȝe herte me hente · but holde me lowe
and suffre to be myssayd · and so dede y neuere
but now woll y meke me · and mercy beseche
for all this y haue · hated yn myn herte
Lu xuria
¶ Thanne seyde lechour[^a462] alas  and on oure lady cryede ·
to make mercy for his mysdedes · bytwene god and his soule .
wyth that he schulde the saturday · seuene ȝere there-aftyr
drynke but wyth the doke · and dyne but onys .
Inuidia
¶ Envye · wyth heuy herte · asked after schryfte ·
and carefully · mea culpa ·[^68] he comsed to schewe
he was also[^a463] pale as a polet[^a464][^69] · in the palsye he semyd ·
and clothed yn a caurymawry · y couthe yt nougth descreue ·
yn kertel and curtepy · and a knyf by his syde ·
of a freres frokke · were the fore-sleues ·
and as a leeke that hadde leye[^a465] · longe yn the sonne
so loked he wyth lene chekes · lowrynge fowle ·
¶ his bely[^a466] was alto bolne al tobolne[^a467] · for wratthe he[^a468] bote his lyppes
and wryngynge he ȝede wyth the fust · to wreke hym[^a469] he thougthe
wyth werkes and[^a470] wyth woordes · whan he sawh his tyme
Echa Ech a woord that he warp was of an addre[^a471] tunge
of chydynge and of ianglynge[^a472] · was his cheef lyflode
wyth bagbytynge and bysemere · and berynge of fals wytnesse
this was all his curtasye · where-so[^a473] he schewed hym ·
y woll[^a474] be schryuen quod that[^a475] schrewe · and y for schame durste
y wolde be gladdere by god · that gybbe hadde meschaunce
than þowh y hadde this wyke wonne · a wa ye of Esex chese
¶ y haue a neyȝbur nye me · y haue noyȝed[^a476] hym ofte
and lowen on hym to lordes · to make[^a477] hym lese syluer[^a478] ·
and made his frend[^a479] his foo[^a480] · thorow my fals tonge ·
his grace and his good happes · greuen me fulsore ful sore
¶ Bytwene man and man[^a481] · y make debate ofte
that bothe lyf and l eme · ys lost by[^a482] my speche
and whan y mete hym in markat · that y most hate
y halse[^a483] hym hendely · as y his frend were
for he is douhtyer than y · y dar done none othur
ac hadde y maystrye and mygth · god wote my wylle
¶ And whan y come to[^a484] cherche[^a485] · and schulde knele to the rode
and praye for the peple · as the preest techeth
for pylgrymes and palmers · and for[^a486] alle peple[^a487] after
thanne y crye on my knees · that cryst ȝyue hem sorowe
that bar awey my bolle · and my brokyn schete
¶ Awey fram the auter thanne · turne y my face[^a488]
and byholde how eleyne hath a newe cote
y wusched[^a489] thanne yt were myn · and all the we b after
¶ and of mennys lo s[^a490] y laughe · that lyketh myn herte
and for here wynnynge y wepe · and wayle þe tyme
and deme that they done ylle · there y do wel wurse
who-so vndyrnymeth me hereof · y hate dedely[^a491] aftyr ·
y wolde that echa ech a wygth · were my knaue ·
for who-so haþ more than y · that angreth me sore
and thus y lyue loueles · lyk a lythur dogge ·
that al my body bolneth · for bytter of my galle
¶ y mygth nougth etyn many ȝeeres · as a man augthe
for envye and euyl wyl · ys euyl to deffye
may no sugor no[^a492] swete thing abate[^a493] my swellynge
ne no dyapenydyon · dryue yt from myn herte
ne[^a494] schryfte ne schame · but who-so schrape my mawe
¶ ȝus redyly quod repentaunce · and radde me[^a495] the beste
sorowe for[^a496] synnes ys saluacyoun · of soules
¶ y am sory quod the[^a497] segge · y am but selde other
and þat maketh me thus megre þat[^a498] y ne may me avenge[^a499]
among burgeys y haue[^a500] ben · dwellynge atte londoun
and dude[^a501] bakbytynge by[^70] a brocour · to blame mennys ware
whan he solde and y nougth · thanne was y redy ·
to lye and lowre[^a502] on my neybour · and to lakke his chaffare
y woll amende þis ȝif y may · þorowh mygth of god almyghty ·
Ira
¶ Now awaketh wratthe · wyth two whyte yȝen ·
and snevelynge wyth the nose · wyth[^a503] his nekke hangynge ·
¶ y am Wratth quod he · y was sumtyme afrere a frere
and the couentes gardynere · forto graffyn ympes ·
on lymytours and on[^a504] lystres · lesynges y ympyd ·
tyl þey beeryn leues of lowe speche lordes to plese ·
and syþþen they blosmyd abrod · in boure to here schryftes ·
and now is fall þerof a fruyt · that folk haue wel leuere
schewen here schryfte[^a505] to hem · that tha[n][^a506] schryuen hem to here parsouns ·
¶ And now parsouns haue parseyued · that freres partyn wyth hem
these po ssessours[^a507] preche · and dyspraue[^a508] freres ·
and Freres fynde hem in deffaute · as folke bere wytnesse
that whan they preche the peple · yn many places aboute
y wratthe walke wyþ hem · and wysse hem on[^a509] my bokes ·
thus þey spekyn of my spyrtualte · that eythur despyseth oþer ·
tyl they ben boþe beggers · and by[^a510] spyrtualte lyuen
or elles alle ryche · and rydyn aboute
y wratthe reste neuere · that y ne muste folowe
these wykked folke · for suche is my grace
¶ I haue an Aunte to Nonne · and an abbesse bothe ·
here were leuere · swowe or swelte · þan suffre eny peyne
y haue ben kook in here kechene · and þe couente seruede
many month es · wyth hem · and wyþ monkes bothe
y was þe pryoresses · potager · and othur poore ladyes ·
and made[^a511] iowtes of ianglynge · that dame Iohane was bastard[^a512] ·
and dame claryce a knyhtes douhter · a cokewald was her syre ·[^71]
for sche hadde child in chyrye-tyme · all oure chaptre yt wyste
of wykked woordes in[^a513] wraþþe · y here[^a514] wurtys made
tyl thu lixte and thu lixte · lopen oute atte ones ·
and eyþer redyly hytte[^a515] oþer · vndyr the cheke
hadde þey had knyues by cryst · eyþer hadde kylled oþer
¶ Seynt Gregory was a good pope[^72] · and hadde a good forwyt
that no prioresse were preeste · for that he ordeynede
[^73] they haddyn thanne ben infames[^a516] · the ferste daye
they can so euyl helye he[yl]e[^a517] conseyl · whan they ben agreued ·
¶ Among monkes y mygth be · ac many tymes y schonye
for the r ben many felle frekes · myne feres to aspye ·
boþe pryoure and suppryour · and oure pater abbas ·
and ȝif y telle any tales · they taken hem to-gydres ·
and done me faste Frydayes · to brede and water[^a518] ·
and chalenged[^a519] in the chaptre-hous am y · as yt were a childe[^a520]
and balaysed on the bare ers · and no breeche bytwene ·
for-thy haue y no lykynge · wyth tho ledes to wonye
y ete there vnhende fysch · and feble ale drynke
ac otherwyle whan wyne · cometh · and y at eue yt drynke[^a521]
y haue a flix of a foule mouthe · fyue[^a522] dayes after
al the wykkydnesse that y wot · by eny of oure breþern
y couthe yt in oure cloyster · that alle the couente yt wote[^a523]
¶ Now repente the quod repentaunce · and reherce thu neuere
conseyl that thu knowest · by contynaunce ne rygth[^a524] ·
and drynke nougth ouer-delycatly · ne to depe neythur ·
that[^a525] wyll be cause ther-of · to wratthe mygth turne
Esto sobrius he seyde · and assoyled me after ·
and bad me wylne to wepe · my wykkydnesse to amende
Cupido ·
¶ And thanne came couetyse · can y nougth hym[^a526] discryue
so hugely[^a527] and holowhe · syre heruy hym looked ·
he was bytturbrowed[^a528] · and baburlyppyd also ·
wyth two blered yȝen · as a blynd hagge
and as a letherne purs · looked[^a529] his cheekes ·
wel syddere than his chyn · they chyueled for elde
and as a bonde-man of his bacoun · his berd was bawdy[^a530]
wyth an hood on his heed · a lousy hat aboue
and yn a tanne[^a531] tabarde · of twelue wynter age
and all[^a532] to-torne and bawdy · and full of lees · crepynge
but that[^a533] a lous couthe · haue lopyn the bettre
sche schulde nougth haue walked there[^a534] · so was yt thred-bare
¶ y haue be couetous quod this cayteef y am a-knowe[^a535] it here
for sumtyme y seruede · symme atte style
and was apprentys[^a536] y-plygth · his profyte to wayte
¶ Furst y lernyd to lye · a lef other tweye
wykkydly to weye · was my furste lessoun ·
to wyy and to wynchestre · y wente to the f eyre
wyth manye manere of marchaundyse[^a537] · as my mayster me hygth
ne hadde the grace of gyle y-go among my chaffare
yt hadde ben vnsolde · seuene[^a538] ȝere here-after[^a539]
¶ Thanne drowh y me among drapers · my donet to lerne
to drawe the lyser along · the lengre ytte semyd
among the ryche rayes · y rendred my[^a540] lessoun
to broche hem wyth a paknedele · and plyte[^a541] hem to-gydres ·
and putte hem in a presse · and pynnyde hem therynne
tyl ten ȝerdes other[^a542] twelue · hadden tolde[^a543] oute thryttene
¶ My wyf was a webbe · and wullyn cloth made ·
sche spak to spynsters · to spynnyn hit oute
ac the pound that sche payde by · weyed a quartoun quat[r]oun[^a544] more
than myn owne aunser · who-so weyed trewthe
y brougth[^a545] her barly malt · sche brew yt to selle
peny-ale and puddynge-ale · sche pouryd to-gydres ·
for laborers and for lowe folke · that lay by hym-syluyn ·
the beste ale lay yn my boure · or in my bedde-chambre
and who-so bummyd thereof · payde[^a546] ther-after[^a547]
a galoun for a grote · god yt[^a548] wote no lasse
and ȝit yt cam yn cuppe-mele · this craft my wyfe vsed ·
¶ Rose the regratour · was here rygth name
sche hath holdyn hukstry[^a549] · all here lyfe-tyme
ac y swere now so theek that synne wol y lete ·
and neuere wykkydly weye · ne wykkyd chaffare vse
but wende to walsyngham · and my wyf als ·
and bydde the rode of bromholme · brynge me out of dette
¶ Repen tedest[^a550] the euere quod repentaunce · or restytucyoun madest
ȝus ones y was herberwed quod he · a-monge[^a551] an heep of chapmen ·
and y[^a552] aros[^a553] whan they were yn reste[^a554] · and ryflyd here males ·
¶ That was none restytucyoun quod repentaunce · but robbers[^a555] thefte ·
thu hadde[^a556] ben bettre wurthy · ben hangyd therfore
than for al that thu haste · herefoorth nowe[^a557] schewyd ·
¶ I wende ryflynge were restytucyoun · for[^a558] y lernyd neuere on book ·
and y can no frensch yn feyþ · but of the ferthest[^a559] of northfolke
¶ vsedest thu euere any vsure[^a560] quod repentaunce yn all thy lyfe-tyme
nay soothly he seyde · saue yn my ȝowthe
y lernyd amonge lumbardes · and iewes a lessoun
to weye pans wyth a peys · and pare the heuyeste
and lene yt for loue of the croys · to leye wed[^a561] and lese yt
suche de ttys[^a562] y dede wryte · ȝif he is[^a563] day breke
y haue more moneye[^a564] of[^a565] arerages[^a566] · than by[^a567] miseretur & comodat ·
¶ I haue lent lordes and ladyes · my chaffare
and ben her brocour aftyr · and b ought it my-sylfe
eschaunges and chyuysaunces · wyth suche chaffare y dele
and lene folk that lese woll · a lyppe at euery noble
and wyth lumbardes lettres · y hadde[^a568] gold to rome
and tok yt by tayle here · and tolde hem there lasse
¶ lentyste thu euere to lordes[^a569] · for loue of here mayntenaunce
ȝhe y haue lent lordes · that louedyn[^a570] me neuere aftyr
and haue maad many a knygth · bothe mercer and draper ·
that payde neuere for his prentyshode · a[^a571] peyre of glouys[^a572]
¶ haste thu pyte on poore men · that motyn nedys borwe
y haue as muche pyte on poor men · as peddere[^a573] of kattes
that woold culle hem · ȝif he hem cacche[^a574] mygthe[^74]
for couetyse of here cotes · as his praye asketh ·
¶ Arte thu manlyche amonge þy neyȝbo ur urs · of þy mete and drynke
y am holde also[^a575] hende quod he[^a576] · as hounde is yn kechyne
among my neyȝbours namly · suche aname a name y haue
¶ Now god lene þe neuere quod repentaunce · but thu repente þe the rather[^a577] ·
grace[^a578] on this grounde · thy good wyl to bysette ·
ne þyne eyres after · the · haue ioye of þat þu wynnyst
ne þyne executours · wel bysette · þe moneye[^a579] that thu hem leuest
and þat was wonne quod[^a580] wrong wyþ wykkyd men be despendyd
for were y frere of that hous · þere good feyþ and ch aryte is
y nolde cope vs wyth thy catel · ne oure kyrke amende
ne haue a peny to my pytaunce · so god my sowle helpe[^a581]
for þe beste booke yn oure hous · þouȝ of brende[^a582] gold were þe leues ·
and y wyste wytturly þow were · suche as thu tellest
Seruus es alterius · cum fercula pinguia · queris
Pane tuo pocius · vescere liber eris · & cetera[^a583]
¶ Thu art an vnkynde creature · y can þe nougth assoyle
til þu make restitucioun · and rykene wyþ hem alle
and syþe þat resoun rollyd[^a584] it · in þe regystre of heuene
þat þu hast maad eche aman a man[^a585] good · y may þe nougth assoyle
Non dimittitur peccatum · donec restituatur ablatum · & cetera
¶ For alle þo þat[^a586] han of þy good · haue god my trowþe
ben holdyn at þe hyȝe doom · to helpe to þy[^a587] restitucioun[^a588]
and he þat[^a589] leeueþ nat þat þys be soiþ[^a590] · loke yn þe sawter glose
In miserere mei deus · wheþer[^a591] y mene trewþe
Ecce enim veritatem dilexisti · & cetera
¶ Schall neuer werkman yn þys world · þryue wyþ þat þu wynnest
Cum sancto sanctus eris · construe me that yn[^a592] englisch
¶ Thanne wax þat schrewe yn wanhope · & wolde haue hangyd hym-sylue
ne hadde repentaunce raþer[^a593] · conforted[^a594] hym yn þys manere
haue mercy yn þy mynde · and wyþ þy mowþ biseche[^a595]
for goddys mercy is more · þan alle his oþer werkes
and alle þe wykkednesse in þis world · þat man may[^a596] werk or þenke
nys nomore to þe mercy of god · þan in þe se a glede
Omnis iniquitas quantum ad misericordiam dei est · quasi sintilla in medio maris ·
¶ Forþy haue mercy in þy mynde · and marchaundyse leue[^a597]
for þu hast no good ground · to gete þe wyþ a wastel ·
but ȝif it were wyþ þy tonge · or elles wyþ þy two handys
for þe good þat þu hast getyn · bygan all wyþ falshede
and as longe as thu lyuest þerwyþ · þu ȝeldest nought but borwest
and ȝif thu wete neuere to whiche · ne to whom[^a598] restytewe ·
bere yt to the buschop · and bydde hym of his grace
þat he bysette[^a599] yt hym-sylf · as best be[^a600] for þe[^a601] sowle
for he schal answere for þe · at the hye dome
for þe and for many mo þat man schal ȝyue a ryknynge
what he lernyd ȝow yn le nte · lyeue ȝe none oþer
and what he lente ȝow of oure lordes good · to lette ȝow fro synne
¶ Now bygynneþ glotonye[^a602] · forto goo to cherche[^a603]
Gula ·
and caryes hym to kyrward kyr[ke]ward[^a604] · his culpe to schewe
ac betoun þe brewstere · bad hym good morowe
and axed of hym wyth that · whiderward he wolde
¶ To holy cherche quod he · forto here masse ·
and suþþyn y woll by[^75] schryue · and synne nomore
¶ I haue good ale gossyb quod sche · glotoun wolte thu assaye
haste thu augth yn thy purs · any hote spyces
y haue p epur and pyonyes · and[^a605] a pounde of garleek
a ferþynge wurþ of fenel-seed · for fastynge-dayes
¶ Thanne geth glotoun yn · and grete othes aftur
cysse the sowter[^a606] · sate on the benche
watte the warner · and his wyf bothe
symme the tynkere · and tweyne of his prentys
hykke the hakeny-man · and howe the nedlere
clarys of cokkeslane · and the clerk of the cherche
dawe þe dykere · and a dozeyn othre ·
syre peers of prydye · and pernele of Flaundres ·
a rybybour a ratoner · a rakyere of chepe
a ropere a redyng -kyng · and rose the dyschere
godfrey of garleekhythe · and gryffyn the walsche
and vpholdesters[^a607] an hepe · erly by the morowe
geuyn glotoun wyth glad chere · good ale to hancell
¶ clement the cobelere · caste of his cloke
and atte the newe feyre · he nepnyd ne[m]pned[^a608] yt to sylle
hykke the hakeneyman · hytte his hood aftur
and bad bette þe bocher · ben on his syde
there were chapmen y-chose · þis chaffare to preyse
who-so hadde the hood · schulde haue amendes of the cloke
¶ Two rysen vp yn rape · and rownyd to-gydres ·
and preysedyn these penywurþes · a-parte by hym-sylue[^a609]
they cowde nougth by her conscyence · accordyn yn trewthe
tyl robyn the ropere · arose by þe southe
and nemphym nemp hym[^a610] for a nounpere · that no debate were ·
¶ Hykke the hostler · hadde the cloke ·
yn couenant that clement · schulde the cuppe fulle ·
and haue hykkes hood the ostlere · and holde hym seruyd
and who-so repente[^a611] ratheste · schulde ryse[^a612] after
and grete glotoun[^a613] · wyth a galoun of ale[^a614] ·
¶ there was lawhynge and lowrynge · and late go the cuppe ·
and setyn so stylle tyl[^a615] euesonge · and songyn vmwhile ·
and blewhe his rounde ruet · atte his reggebonys ende ·[^76]
tyl glotoun hadde globred[^a616] · a galoun and a gylle
his guttys gonne to gotholon · as two gredy sowes ·
he pyssyd a potel · yn a pater noster while ·
and blewe his ruet [rounde] ruet[^a617] · atte his ryggebonys ende ·
that alle þat herdyn that horne · heldyn her noses after ·
and wuschedyn yt hadde be wexed · wyth a wyspe of fyrsys
¶ He mygth neyther steppe ne stonde · ere he his staf hadde
and than gan he to go lyke a gluemannys bycche
sumtyme all a-syde[^a618] · and sumtyme arere ·
as who-so leyth lynes · forto cacche[^a619] fowles ·
and whan he drowh to þe doreward[^a620] · thanne dymmyd his yiȝen
he stombled on the threschfolde · and threw to the erthe
¶ clement the cobelere · kaugth hym by the myddel ·
forto lyftyn hym on lofte · and leyde hym on his knowes ·
ac glotoun was a grete cherl · and a grym yn lyftynge[^a621]
and cowhed vp a galoun[^a622] · yn clementys lappe
there nas[^a623] none hungry[^a624] hound · yn hertfordschire
durste lape of tho[^a625] leuynges · so vnlouely yt smakkyd[^a626]
¶ Wyth all the wo of the[^a627] world · his wyf and his wenche
beryn hym hom to his bedd · and brougthen hym therynne
and aftur al this accesse · he hadde an accydye
that he slep saturday and sonynday[^a628] · tyl the sonne[^a629] ȝede to reste
thanne wakyd he of his wynkynge · and wypyde his yȝen ·
the furste woord that he spak[^a630] · was where ys the bolle
¶ his wyt gan edwyte hym tho · how wykkydly he lyuede
and repentaunce rygth so · rebukyd hym that tyme
As þow wyth woordes and werkes · hast wrougth euyl in thy lyue
schryue the and be a-schamyd þerof · and schewe yt wyþ þy mowthe
¶ I glotoun quod the grome[^a631] · gulty y me[^a632] ȝelde
that y haue trespassyd wyth my tonge · y can nougth telle how ofte
sworn goddes sowle · and so god helpe me atte þe holy dome[^a633]
there no nede was · nyne[^77] hundryd tymes ·
and ouerseyne[^a634] me at my soper · and sumtyme atte nones
that y glotoun gyrte yt vp · or y hadde gone a myle
and so[^a635] spylt that mygth be sparyd and spendyd on sum hungry
ouerdelycatly on fastyngdayes · dronkyn and ete bothe
and sat sumtyme so longe þere · þat y sleep and ete boþe[^a636] at onys
for loue of tales yn tauernes · to drynke þe more y dynede
and hiȝed to the mete or none · whan fastynge-dayes were
¶ This schewynge schryfte quod repentaunce · schall be meryte to the ·
and þanne gan glotoun to grete[^a637] · and gret doel made[^a638] ·
for his lyþer lyf · that he lyued hadde
and avowed to faste · for hungor or for thurste ·
schal þere[^a639] neuere fysch on frydayes[^a640] · deffyen yn my wombe
tyl abstynence myn Aunte · haue ȝyuyn me leue ·
and ȝet y hated[^a641] here · all my lyf -tyme
Accidia
¶ Thanne cam slewthe all beslabred · wyth two slymy eiȝen
y moste sytte quod[^a642] the segge · or elles schulde y nappe
y may nougth stonde ne stowpe · ne wyth-oute stool[^a643] knele ·
were y brougth a-bedde · but ȝif my taylende yt make[^a644]
schulde no ryngynge do me ryse · er y were rype to dyne
he bygan benedicite wyth a bolke · and his breeste knokkyde
and roxid and roryde · and rutte atte the laste
¶ What awake renke quod repentaunce · and rape the to schryfte
¶ ȝif y schulde deye by this day · me luste nougth to loke
y can nougth partfully par[fitly][^a645] my pater -noster · as the preest yt syngeth
but y can rymes of robynhood · and randolf erle of chestre ·
ac neythur of oure lord ne of oure lady the leste that euere was maked ·
¶ y haue maad a-vowes fourty · and forȝete hem on the morowe
y performyd neuere penaunce · as the preest me hygthe
ne rygth sory · for my synnys · ȝet was y neuere
and ȝif y bydde any bedes · butte ȝif yt be yn wratthe
that y telle wyth my tonge · ys two myle fro myn herte
¶ y am occupyd echa ech a[^a646] day · halyday and othre
wyþ ydel tales atte the nale · and otherwhile yn cherche[^a647] ·
goddes peyne and his passyoun · full selde thenke y ther-onne
¶ I vysyted neuere feble men · ne fettred men[^a648] yn pyttes ·
y haue leuer here an harlotrye · or a somer gamyn of sowters ·
or lesynges to laughe · at and bylyȝe my neyȝbours
than al that euere mark made · math ew Iohan and lucas ·
¶ and vygylyes and fastynges[^a649] · alle these late y passe
and lygge a-bedde yn lentyn · and my lemman yn myn armys ·
tyl masse and matyns[^a650] ben don · and thanne go to the freres ·
come y to ite missa est · y holde me y-seruyd ·
y am nougth schryuen sumtyme · but ȝif yt syknesse[^a651] make[^a652]
nougth twyes in two ȝere · and thanne vp gesse y me schryue[^a653]
¶ I haue ben preest and parsoun · passynge xxxty thyrty wynter
ȝet can y neythur solfe nor[^a654] synge · ne seyntes lyues rede
but y can fynde yn a feeld · or yn a furlonge an hare
bettre than in beatus vir · or yn beati omnes
construe oo clause wel · and kenne yt to my perschenes
y can holde louedayes · and here a reues ryknynge
ac yn canoun nor yn decretals · y can nougth rede alyne a lyne
¶ If y bygge and borowe ougth · but ȝif yt be y-tayled ·
y forȝete yt also[^a655] ȝerne · and ȝif men me yt aske
sixe sythes othur[^a656] seuene · y forsake yt wyþ othes
and thus tene y trewe men · ten hundred tymes ·
and my seruauntes sumtyme · her salary ys byhynde
reuthe is to here the rykenynge · whan we schull ȝelde[^a657] acountys
so wyth wykkyd wyl and wratthe · my werke-men y paye
¶ Ȝif eny man dooth me a byenfete · or helpeth me at nede ·
y am vnkynde aȝenste his curtesye · & can nougth vndurstonde yt
for y haue and haue had sumdele haukes maners
y am nat lured wiþ loue · but ougth lygge vndyr the thombe ·
¶ The kyndenesse that myne euyncrystyn · kydde me ferne ȝere
sixe[^a658] syþes y slewthe · haue forȝetyn ytte sythe
yn speche and yn sparynge of speche · y-spylt manye atyme a tyme
bothe flesch and fysch · and many othre vytayles
bothe bred and ale · buttre myl k and chese ·
forsleuthid yn my seruyse · tyl yt mygth serue no man ·
y ran aboute yn ȝouthe · and ȝafe me nougth to lerne[^78]
and euere sytthe haue y ben beggere · for my fowle slowthe
heu[^a659] quia sterilem · duxi vitam iuu enilem ·
¶ Repentedest thu nougth quod repentaunce · and[^a660] þerwyþ[^a661] he swownyde
tyl vigilate the veyl · fette water at his yȝen ·
and flatte hit on his face · and faste on hym cryed
and seyde ware the fro wanhope · wolde the betraye
y am sory for my synnys · seye to thy-sylue
and bete thy-sylf on the breste · and bydde hym of grace ·
for here is[^a662] no gult so[^a663] grete · that his goodnesse is more
¶ Thanne sat sleuthe vp · and seynyd hym swyþe ·
and made a vowe to-fore god · for his fowle slowþe ·
schall þer[^a664] none sonenday[^a665] be this seuyn ȝere · but ȝif[^a666] syknesse it lette
that y schal[^a667] done me er day · to the dere cherche
and here matyns and masse · as y a monke were
schal none ale aftur mete · holde me thennys
tyl y haue euesonge herd · y behote to the rode
and ȝet woll y ȝelde aȝen · yf y so muche haue
al that y wykkydly wan · sytthe y lyf[^a668] hadde
¶ And thow my lyflode lakke · lettyn y nelle
that eche man schall haue his · ere y hennys wende
and wyth the residue · and the remenaunt · by þe rode of chestyr
y schal seeke trewthe · ere[^a669] y see rome ·
¶ Rober d the robbere · on reddyte lookyd
and for ther was nougth · wherof · he wepte swythe sore
ac[^a670] the synfull schrewe · ȝit seyde[^a671] to hym- sylue
Cryst that on caluarye · vppon the croys deiȝedyst ·
tho dysmas my brothur · besougth the[^a672] of grace
and haddest mercy on that man · for memento sake ·
so rewe on me[^a673] robbere · that reddere ne hau e
ne neuere wen e to wynne · wyth craft that y vse[^a674] ·
for[^a675] þy muche[^a676] mercy · mytygacyoun y byseche
ne dampne me nougth on[^a677] domysday · for that y dude so ylle
¶ What byfel of this feloun · y can nougth fayre schewe ·
wel y wot he wepte · faste · water wyth bothe his eiȝen ·
and knowlechid his gult to cryst ȝet eft -sones
that penitencia · his pyk · he schulde pulsche newe
and lepe wyth hym ouerlond all his lyfe-tyme
for he hadde leyne by latro · lucyfers aunte ·
¶ and thanne hadde repentaunce rewthe · and radde hem alle to knele
for y schal beseche for all synful · oure sauyoure of grace
to amende vs of oure mysdedys · and do mercy to vs alle
¶ Now god quod he þat of thy goodnesse · gon the world make
and of nougth madest augth · and man most lyche to thy-sylue
and syþþen suffredust to[^a678] synne · a syknesse to vs alle
and al for the beste as y byleue · what-euere the book telleth
O felix culpa o nessessarium peccatum ade · & cetera
¶ for þorow that synne thy sone · sent was to this erthe
and bycam man of a mayde · mankynde to saue
and madust thy-sylf wyth thy sone · and vs synful yliche
Faciamus hominem ad ymaginem · & similitudinem nostram · & alibi
Qui manet in caritate · in deo manet & deus in eo · & cetera[^a679] ·
and sutthen wyth thy-sylue sone · yn oure sute deydest
on goodfryday good fryday for mannys sake · at ful tyme of the daye
There þy-sylue nor[^a680] thy sone · no sorowe yn deeth feledest
but yn oure secte was the sorowe · and þy sone yt ladde
Captiuam duxit captiuitatem & cetera
¶ The sonne for sorowe therof · lees sygth at þat[^a681][^79] tyme
a-boute mydday whan most lygth is · and meel-tyme of seyntis
feddest wyþ thy fresch blood · oure formefadres[^a682] · yn derknes
Populus qui ambulabat in tenebris · vidit lucem magnam · & cetera[^a683]
¶ And þorough þat[^a684] lygth þat leep out of the · lucyfer was blente
and blew all þy blyssyde · ynto the blysse of paradys
¶ The þrydday þryd day aftur · thu ȝedust yn oure suyte
a synful mary th e sawh · ar seynte mary th i damme
and alto al to solace þe[^a685] synful · thu suffredyst þat yt[^a686] so were
Non veni vocare iustos · sed peccatores ad penitenciam
¶ And all þat euere[^a687] mark haþ maad[^a688] · Matheu Iohan & lucas
of thyn douhty dedys · were don yn oure armes
Verbum caro factum est · & habitauit in nobis & cetera[^a689]
¶ And by so muche me semeth · þe sykerere we mowe
bydde and beseche · ȝif it be thy wylle ·
that arte oure fadur and oure brothur · be mercyable to vs
and haue reuthe on these rybaudes · þat repentyn hem here sore
þat euer wraþþed[^a690] þe in þis world · yn woord þougth or dede
¶ Than hent he vp[^a691][^80] an horn · of deus tu conuersus viuificabis ·
and blewe yt wyth Beati quorum · remisse sunt iniquitates ·
that alle the[^a692] seyntys yn heuene · songyn at onys
Homines &iumenta & iumenta saluabis · quemadmodum multiplicasti · misericordiam tuam deus · & cetera
¶ A thousand of men tho · þrongoun to-gydres ·
& cryden[^a693] vpward to cryst · and to his clene moder ·
to haue grace to go wiþ hem · trewthe to seeke
¶ Ac þer was wygth none so wys · þat þe[^a694] wey[^a695] cowde[^81]
tyl late was and longe · that they a lede mette
apparayled as a paynym · yn pylgrymes wyse
he bare a burdoun y-bounde · wyþ a brod lyeste
yn a wythe-wyndes wyse · y-boundyn[^a696] aboute
a bolle and a bagge · he bare by his syde
an hundred of ampulles · on his hatte seetyn ·
sygnes of synay · and schelles of galyce
and many a crouche on his cloke · and keyes of rome
and the vernycle byfore · for men schulde knowe
and see by his sygnes whom he sougth hadde
¶ This folk fraynede hym furst · whennes[^a697] he come
fram synay he seyde · and fro oure lordes sepulcre
yn bedleme and yn babyloyne · y haue ben yn bothe
yn heremonye[^a698] yn Alysaundre · yn manye othre places
ȝe may seen by my sygnes · that syttyn on myn hatte
that y haue walked ful wyde · yn wete and yn drye
and sougth good sentys · for my soule helþe
¶ knowest[^a699] ougth a cors-seynt that men callyn trewthe
canst þu[^a700] ougth wyssen vs the weye · where that wye dwelleþ
¶ Nay so me god helpe · seyde the gome thanne
y saw neuere palmere · wyth pyke nor[^a701] wyth scryppe
aske aftur hym ere · tyl now yn this place ·
¶ Petur quod a plowman · and putte foorþ his hede
y knowe hym as kyndely · as clerk dooth his bookes
conscyence and k ynde wy t · kennyd me to his place
and dude me suryn hym sykerly · to seruyn hym for euere
bothe to sowe and to sette · the while y swynke mygthe ·
y haue ben his folwere · all this fyfty wynter
boþe sowyn his seed · and suyd his bestes ·
wyþ-ynne and wyþ-outyn · waytoun[^a702] his profyte
y dyke and y delue · y do that trewþe hoteth ·
Sumtyme y sowe · and sumtyme y thresche
yn taylours crafte and tynkers crafte · what trewthe can deuyse ·
¶ I weue and y wynde · and do what trewthe hoteth ·
for þow y seye yt my-self y serue hym to paye
y haue myn huyre wel · and othurwhiles more
he is the prestest payere · that poore men knoweth ·
he ne wyþ-halt none h yne[^a703] his huyre · that he ne haþ it at euyn
he is also[^a704] lowe as a lombe · and louely of speche
and ȝif ȝe wylneþ to wyte · where that he dwelleth ·
y schall wysse ȝow wytturly · þe weye to his place
¶ Ȝee leue peers quod thes pylgrymes · and profred hym huyre
forto wende wyþ hem · to trewþes dwellynge place
¶ Nay by my soule helþe[^a705] quod peers · & gan forto swere
y nolde fonge a ferþynge · for seynte Thomas schryne
trewþe wolde loue me the lasse · a longe tyme þeraftur[^a706]
ac ȝif ȝe wylneþ to wende wel · this ys the weye þyder
¶ Ȝee motyn go þorow mekenesse · boþe men and wyues
tyl ȝe comyn ynto conscyence · that cryst wyte þe sothe ·
that ȝe louyn oure lord god · leuest of alle thynges ·
and þanne ȝoure neybours next · yn none wyse apeyre
oþerwyse þan þu woldest · he wrougth to thy-sylue
¶ And so boweth forby[^a707] a brook beth buxum of speche
tyl ȝe fynde a foorde ȝoure fadres honoureth ·
Honora patrem & matrem · & cetera ·
¶ Wadeþ yn þat water · and wascheeþ ȝow wel there
and ȝe schull lepe þe lyȝtloker · al ȝour lyf -tyme
and so schalt thu swere nougth · but ȝif it be for nede ·
and namly yn ydel · the name of god almyghty ·
¶ Than schalt þu come by a croft · but come þu nougth þerynne
that croft hatteth[^a708] coueyte þu nougth[^a709] · mennys catel nor[^a710] here wyues
ne none of here seruauntys · that noyȝen hem mygthte
loke ȝe breke no bowe[^a711] þere · but ȝif it be ȝoure owne
¶ Two stokkes þere stondeth · ac stynte ȝe nougth þere
þey hattyn stele nougth ne slee[^a712] · stryke foorþ by boþe
and leue hem on thy lefthalf left half · and loke nougth þer-after
and holde wel thyn halyday · hiȝe tyl it be[^a713] euyn
¶ Than schalt thu blenche at a bergh · bere no fals wytnesse
he is frythed yn wyþ floreyns · and oþir fees manye
loke þu plukke no plante þere · for pereyl of þy sowle
than schul ȝe seye[^a714] sooþ · so it be to done ·
yn no manere elles nougth · for no mannys byddynge
¶ Than schalt thu come to a court · as cleer as the sonne
the moot is of mercy · the manere aboute
and alle þe walles ben of wyt · to holdyn wyl owte
and kyrneld wyth crystyndom mankynde to saue
botrased wyþ byleue so · or thu beste nougth besauyd [y]sauyd[^a715] ·
¶ And alle þe houses ben hyled · halles and chambres ·
wyþ no led but wyþ loue · and lowe speche as bryþerne
the brygge is of bydde wel · the bet may thu spede
eche pylar ys of penaunce · and[^a716] prayers to seyntes
of almysdedys ar the hokes · that the gates hange on
¶ Grace hatteth[^a717] the gateward · a good man forsothe ·
his man hatteþ[^a718] amende ȝow · for many men hem[^a719] knoweþ
telleþ hym this tokne · that trewþe w ete[^a720] the sothe
y performed the penaunce · the preest me enioyned
and am fulsory ful sory for my synnys · and so schal y[^a721] euere
whan y þenke þeron · they y were a pope[^82]
¶ Byddeth amende ȝow meke hym tyl his mayster onys ·
to wayue vp the wyket · that the womman schette ·
to[^a722] Adam and Eue · etyn applys vnrostyd
Per euam cunctis clausa est · & cetera[^a723]
Et per mariam virginem · patefacta est · & cetera ·
¶ For he haþ the keye and the clyket · thow the kynge slepe
and ȝif grace graunte the · to goo yn this wyse
thu schalt se yn thy soule[^a724] · trewthe yn thyn herte
yn a cheyne of charyte · as thu a chylde were
to suffre hym and sugge nougth · aȝen þy syres wylle
¶ Ac bewaar than of wratthe the · that is a wykkyd schrewe
he hath enuye to hym · that yn thyn herte sytteth ·
and pookeþ foorþ pryde · to preyse thy-selue
the boldnesse of thy benfetys · makyth the blynde thanne
and than wurþest thu dryuen out as dewe · and the doore closyd ·
keyed and klykeded · to kepe the wyth-owtyn
happyly an hundred wynter · ere thu eft entre
thus myghtest thu lesen his loue · to lete well by thy-seluyn
and neuere happyly eft entre · but grace thu haue
¶ Ac þere are seuene sustren · that seruyn trewthe euere
and are porters of the posternes · that to the place longeth ·
that on hatte abstynence · and humylyte an nothur
charyte and chastyte · ben his cheef maydenys ·
pacyence and pes · muche peple they helpeth ·
largenesse the lady · schee leet yn ful manye ·
Sche haþ holpyn a thousand oute · of the deueles poustee[^a725]
and wo-so is sybbe vnto[^a726] this seuene · so me god helpe
he is wondurly welcome · and fayre vndurfongyn
and but if ȝe be sybbe · to summe of these seuene
yt is ful harde by myn heed quod peers · for eny of ȝowe alle
to getyn yngange at any gate there · but ȝif[^a727] grace be the more
¶ Now by cryst quod a kuttepurs · y haue no kyn there
nor y quod an Apeward · by augth that y can knowe
w ete god quod a wafrestere · wyste y this forsothe
schulde y neuere ferþer a fote · for no freris prechynge
¶ Ȝus quod peris the ploughman · and pokyd hem alle to goode
mercy is a mayden there · and hath[^a728] mygth ouer alle
and sche is sybbe to alle synful · and hure sone also
and þorough þe helpe of hem two · hope thu none othre
thu mygth gete grace þere · by soo thu go bytyme
¶ By seynte Poule quod a pardener · paraduenture y be nougth knowe þere ·
y woll go fecche my boxe wyth my bryuettes · & a bulle wyþ buschops letres ·
¶ By cryste quod a comyn womman · thy company woll y folwe
thu schalt seye y am thy sustur · y ne wote where þey become

[^a444: cherche (Hm) | kirke (All other mss)]

[^a445: and y (Hm) | And (Most other mss)]

[^a446: a (Hm) | þe (All other mss)]

[^a447: þat ȝe segges (Hm W) | ȝe segges ȝe (Most other mss)]

[^a448: drode dr[e]de (Hm) | drede (All other mss)]

[^a449: On (Hm) | Of (Most other mss)]

[^a450: for (Hm W) | Þat (Most other mss)]

[^a451: to cutte (Hm) | kut (Most other mss)]

[^a452: latyn (Hm Cr) | latyn is (All other mss)]

[^a453: chylde (Hm B H) | children (Most other mss)]

[^a454: resoun (Hm) | tresoun (Most other mss)]

[^a455: gouerne (Hm) | gouerne firste (Most other mss)]

[^a456: he (Hm) | god (All other mss)]

[^a457: Amen amen (Hm C B) | Amen (All other mss)]

[^a458: vos · & cetera · (Hm Y) | vos (All other mss)]

[^a459: atte (Hm Cr G) | of (All other mss)]

[^a460: made (Hm H F) | gert (Most other mss)]

[^a461: scherte (Hm) | serke (Most other mss)]

[^a462: seyde lechour (Hm) | lecchoure seyde (Most other mss)]

[^a463: also (Hm B) | as (Most other mss)]

[^a464: polet (Hm) | pelet (Most other mss)]

[^a465: leye (Hm) | yleye (Most other mss)]

[^a466: bely (Hm) | body (Most other mss)]

[^a467: alto bolne al tobolne (Hm) | to-bolle(n) (Most other mss)]

[^a468: he (Hm B F) | þat he (Most other mss)]

[^a469: hym (Hm B H) | hym-self (Most other mss)]

[^a470: and (Hm G) | or (All other mss)]

[^a471: addre (Hm R F) | addres (Most other mss)]

[^a472: ianglynge (Hm H F) | chalangynge (All other mss)]

[^a473: where-so (Hm) | where þat euere (Most other mss)]

[^a474: woll (Hm) | wolde (All other mss)]

[^a475: that (Hm H) | þis (All other mss)]

[^a476: noyȝed (Hm Cr F) | ennuyed (Other mss)]

[^a477: make (Hm) | don (Most other mss)]

[^a478: syluer (Hm B) | his siluer (All other mss)]

[^a479: frend (Hm Cr) | frendes be (Most other mss)]

[^a480: foo (Hm Cr Bm) | foon (All other mss)]

[^a481: man and man (Hm) | many and many (Most other mss)]

[^a482: by (Hm) | þorw (All other mss)]

[^a483: halse (Hm Cr C2) | hailse (Most other mss)]

[^a484: to (Hm H F) | to þe (All other mss)]

[^a485: cherche (Hm R F) | kirke (All other mss)]

[^a486: and for (Hm Cr) | for (Most other mss)]

[^a487: peple (Hm) | þe poeple (Most other mss)]

[^a488: face (Hm) | eyghen (Most other mss)]

[^a489: wusched (Hm C2 F) | wisshe (All other mss)]

[^a490: lo s (Hm) | lesynge (Most other mss)]

[^a491: dedely (Hm) | hym dedly (All other mss)]

[^a492: no (Hm) | ne (Most other mss)]

[^a493: abate (Hm) | asswage (Most other mss)]

[^a494: ne (Hm H) | Ne noyther (Most other mss)]

[^a495: me (Hm) | hym to (All other mss)]

[^a496: for (Hm Cr H F) | of (All other mss)]

[^a497: the (Hm Bo Cot) | þat (Most other mss)]

[^a498: þat (Hm) | for (All other mss)]

[^a499: avenge (Hm O C2 F) | venge (Most other mss)]

[^a500: y haue (Hm) | haue I (Most other mss)]

[^a501: dude (Hm) | gert (Most other mss)]

[^a502: lowre (Hm Cr2 Cr3) | to loure (Most other mss)]

[^a503: wyth (Hm) | and (All other mss)]

[^a504: and on (Hm F) | and (All other mss)]

[^a505: schryfte (Hm Y F) | schriftes (All other mss)]

[^a506: that tha[n] (Hm) | þan (Most other mss)]

[^a507: po ssessours (Hm Cr C2) | possessioneres (All other mss)]

[^a508: dyspraue (Hm) | depraue (Most other mss)]

[^a509: on (Hm) | of (All other mss)]

[^a510: by (Hm R F) | by my (All other mss)]

[^a511: made (Hm) | made hem (Most other mss)]

[^a512: bastard (Hm F) | a bastard (All other mss)]

[^a513: in (Hm) | I (All other mss)]

[^a514: y here (Hm) | here (All other mss)]

[^a515: redyly hytte (Hm) | hitte (Most other mss)]

[^a516: infames (Hm Bm Bo) | infamis (Most other mss)]

[^a517: helye he[yl]e (Hm) | hele (Most other mss)]

[^a518: water (Hm F) | to water (All other mss)]

[^a519: chalenged (Hm G) | am chalanged (Most other mss)]

[^a520: am y · as yt were a childe (Hm) | as I a childe were (All other mss)]

[^a521: y at eue yt drynke (Hm) | I drynke wyn at eue (All other mss)]

[^a522: fyue (Hm) | wel fyue (All other mss)]

[^a523: yt wote (Hm) | wote it (Most other mss)]

[^a524: rygth (Hm) | bi riȝte (All other mss)]

[^a525: that (Hm) | Þat þi (Most other mss)]

[^a526: nougth hym (Hm C F) | hym nouȝte (All other mss)]

[^a527: hugely (Hm) | hungriliche (Most other mss)]

[^a528: bytturbrowed (Hm B) | bitelbrowed (Most other mss)]

[^a529: looked (Hm) | lolled (Most other mss)]

[^a530: bawdy (Hm) | bidraueled (Most other mss)]

[^a531: tanne (Hm Bo Cot) | tauny (Most other mss)]

[^a532: and all (Hm) | Al (All other mss)]

[^a533: that (Hm) | if þat (Most other mss)]

[^a534: there (Hm C B) | on þat welche (Bx)]

[^a535: am a-knowe (Hm) | biknowe (Other mss)]

[^a536: apprentys (Hm) | his prentis (All other mss)]

[^a537: of marchaundyse (Hm F) | marchandise (Most other mss)]

[^a538: seuene (Hm) | þis seuene (All other mss)]

[^a539: here-after (Hm) | so me god helpe (All other mss)]

[^a540: my (Hm F) | a (All other mss)]

[^a541: plyte (Hm Cr2) | plaited (Other mss)]

[^a542: other (Hm) | or (All other mss)]

[^a543: hadden tolde (Hm) | tolled (Other mss)]

[^a544: quartoun quat[r]oun (Hm) | quarteroun (All other beta mss)]

[^a545: brougth (Hm) | bouȝte (All other mss)]

[^a546: payde (Hm) | bouȝte (Most other mss)]

[^a547: ther-after (Hm) | it þer-after (All other mss)]

[^a548: god yt (Hm) | god (All other mss)]

[^a549: hukstry (Hm Cr3 F) | hokkerye (Most other mss)]

[^a550: Repen tedest (Hm) | Repentestow (Most other mss)]

[^a551: a-monge (Hm) | with (All other mss)]

[^a552: and y (Hm) | I (All other mss)]

[^a553: aros (Hm B) | roos (All other mss)]

[^a554: yn reste (Hm) | arest (Most other mss)]

[^a555: robbers (Hm Cr) | a robberes (All other mss)]

[^a556: hadde (Hm) | haddest (All other mss)]

[^a557: herefoorth nowe (Hm) | here (Most other mss)]

[^a558: for (Hm M) | quod he for (Bx Cr W)]

[^a559: ferthest (Hm) | ferthest ende (All other mss)]

[^a560: any vsure (Hm) | vsurie (All other mss)]

[^a561: wed (Hm) | a wedde (Most other mss)]

[^a562: de ttys (Hm) | dedes (All other mss)]

[^a563: is (Hm M) | his (All other mss)]

[^a564: moneye (Hm) | maneres (All other mss)]

[^a565: of (Hm) | þorw (Most other mss)]

[^a566: arerages (Hm) | rerages (All other mss)]

[^a567: by (Hm) | þorw (All other mss)]

[^a568: hadde (Hm) | ladde (All other mss)]

[^a569: to lordes (Hm) | lordes (All other mss)]

[^a570: that louedyn (Hm O) | loued (Most other mss)]

[^a571: a (Hm Cr) | nouȝte a (All other mss)]

[^a572: of glouys (Hm Cr C) | gloues (Most other mss)]

[^a573: peddere (Hm F) | pedlere hath (All other mss)]

[^a574: hem cacche (Hm) | cacche hem (Other mss)]

[^a575: also (Hm B) | as (All other mss)]

[^a576: also hende quod he (Hm C Y O C2 B F) | quod he as hende (Other mss)]

[^a577: the rather (Hm) | rather (All other mss)]

[^a578: grace (Hm Cr) | Þe grace (Most other mss)]

[^a579: moneye (Hm) | siluer (All other mss)]

[^a580: quod (Hm) | with (All other mss)]

[^a581: helpe (Hm Cr G) | hele (Most other mss)]

[^a582: of brende (Hm) | brent (Most other mss)]

[^a583: & cetera (Hm) | nil (All other mss)]

[^a584: rollyd (Hm) | rolle (All other mss)]

[^a585: aman a man (Hm) | man (Most other mss)]

[^a586: þo þat (Hm F) | þat (All other mss)]

[^a587: to þy (Hm) | þe to (Most other mss)]

[^a588: restitucioun (Hm) | restitue (Most other mss)]

[^a589: he þat (Hm) | who-so (Most other mss)]

[^a590: nat þat þys be soiþ (Hm) | nouȝte þis be soth (Most other mss)]

[^a591: wheþer (Hm Cr) | where (Most other mss)]

[^a592: yn (Hm Cr G) | on (All other mss)]

[^a593: raþer (Hm G) | þe rather (All other mss)]

[^a594: conforted (Hm G R) | reconforted (Most other mss)]

[^a595: biseche (Hm F) | biseche it (Most other mss)]

[^a596: may (Hm Cr F) | myȝte (All other mss)]

[^a597: leue (Hm F) | leue it (All other mss)]

[^a598: to whom (Hm F) | whom to (Most other mss)]

[^a599: þat he bysette (Hm) | Bisette (All other mss)]

[^a600: be (Hm) | is (All other mss)]

[^a601: þe (Hm Y Cot) | þi (All other mss)]

[^a602: glotonye (Hm) | glotoun (All other mss)]

[^a603: cherche (Hm) | schrifte (All other mss)]

[^a604: kyrward kyr[ke]ward (Hm) | kirke-ward (Most other mss)]

[^a605: and (Hm) | quod (s)he and (Other mss)]

[^a606: sowter (Hm) | souteresse (Most other mss)]

[^a607: vpholdesters (Hm) | vpholderes (Most other mss)]

[^a608: nepnyd ne[m]pned (Hm) | nempned (Most other mss)]

[^a609: hym-sylue (Hm R F) | hem-selue (Most other mss)]

[^a610: nemphym nemp hym (Hm) | nempned hym (Most other mss)]

[^a611: repente (Hm) | repented (Most other mss)]

[^a612: ryse (Hm F) | arise (Most other mss)]

[^a613: glotoun (Hm) | sire glotoun (Most other mss)]

[^a614: of ale (Hm Cr G) | ale (All other mss)]

[^a615: stylle tyl (Hm) | til (Most other mss)]

[^a616: globred (Hm) | yglobbed (Other mss)]

[^a617: ruet [rounde] ruet (Hm) | rounde ruet (All other mss)]

[^a618: all a-syde (Hm) | aside (Most other mss)]

[^a619: cacche (Hm G) | lacche (Most other mss)]

[^a620: doreward (Hm) | dore (All other mss)]

[^a621: lyftynge (Hm Cr3 C2) | þe liftynge (Most other mss)]

[^a622: galoun (Hm) | caudel (Most other mss)]

[^a623: there nas (Hm) | Is (Most other mss)]

[^a624: hungry (Hm Cot) | so hungri (All other mss)]

[^a625: tho (Hm M Cr) | þat (Most other mss)]

[^a626: smakkyd (Hm C2) | smauȝte (Other mss)]

[^a627: the (Hm M F) | þis (All other mss)]

[^a628: sonynday (Hm) | sonday (All other mss)]

[^a629: the sonne (Hm B) | sonne (Most other mss)]

[^a630: spak (Hm) | warpe (Most other mss)]

[^a631: grome (Hm Cr1 W G) | gome (All other mss)]

[^a632: y me (Hm B) | me (All other mss)]

[^a633: god helpe me atte þe holy dome (Hm) | god me help and halidom (Other mss)]

[^a634: ouerseyne (Hm W F) | ouer-seye (Most other mss)]

[^a635: and so (Hm) | And (Most other mss)]

[^a636: ete boþe (Hm) | eten (Most other mss)]

[^a637: to grete (Hm B R) | grete (Most other mss)]

[^a638: made (Hm O C2 F) | to make (Most other mss)]

[^a639: schal þere (Hm) | Shal (Most other mss)]

[^a640: frydayes (Hm G) | fryday (All other mss)]

[^a641: y hated (Hm) | haue I hated (Most other mss)]

[^a642: quod (Hm) | seyde (Most other mss)]

[^a643: stool (Hm G R F) | a stole (Most other mss)]

[^a644: make (Hm) | made (All other mss)]

[^a645: partfully par[fitly] (Hm) | parfitly (Most other mss)]

[^a646: echa ech a (Hm R) | eche (Most other mss)]

[^a647: cherche (Hm Cr1 W G R F) | cherches (Most other mss)]

[^a648: men (Hm M G) | folke (All other mss)]

[^a649: fastynges (Hm) | fastyng-dayes (All other mss)]

[^a650: masse and matyns (Hm) | matynes and masse (Most other mss)]

[^a651: ȝif yt syknesse (Hm) | but if sekenesse (Other mss)]

[^a652: make (Hm) | it make (All other mss)]

[^a653: me schryue (Hm) | I schryue me (Most other mss)]

[^a654: nor (Hm) | ne (All other mss)]

[^a655: also (Hm B) | as (All other mss)]

[^a656: othur (Hm Bm Bo) | or (All other mss)]

[^a657: ȝelde (Hm) | rede (Most other mss)]

[^a658: sixe (Hm Cr) | Sixty (All other mss)]

[^a659: heu (Hm) | Heu michi (All other mss)]

[^a660: and (Hm G) | and riȝte (All other mss)]

[^a661: þerwyþ (Hm) | with þat (Most other mss)]

[^a662: here is (Hm) | is (Most other mss)]

[^a663: so (Hm) | here so (All other mss)]

[^a664: schall þer (Hm B) | Shal (All other mss)]

[^a665: sonenday (Hm) | sondaye (All other mss)]

[^a666: but ȝif (Hm M R) | but (All other mss)]

[^a667: schal (Hm B F) | ne shal (All other mss)]

[^a668: lyf (Hm) | wytte (All other mss)]

[^a669: ere (Hm) | arst ar (Most other mss)]

[^a670: ac (Hm F) | Ac ȝet (Other mss)]

[^a671: ȝit seyde (Hm) | seyde (Most other mss)]

[^a672: the (Hm) | ȝow (Most other mss)]

[^a673: me (Hm F) | þis (All other mss)]

[^a674: vse (Hm) | owe (Most other mss)]

[^a675: for (Hm) | But for (Most other mss)]

[^a676: muche (Hm) | muchel (All other mss)]

[^a677: on (Hm G) | at (Most other mss)]

[^a678: to (Hm G) | for to (Other mss)]

[^a679: & cetera (Hm) | nil (All other mss)]

[^a680: nor (Hm) | ne (Most other mss)]

[^a681: at þat (Hm G) | for a (Most other mss)]

[^a682: formefadres (Hm) | forfadres (Most other mss)]

[^a683: & cetera (Hm M) | nil (All other mss)]

[^a684: þat (Hm F) | þe (Most other mss)]

[^a685: solace þe (Hm) | solace (All other mss)]

[^a686: þat yt (Hm) | it (All other mss)]

[^a687: þat euere (Hm) | þat (Most other mss)]

[^a688: maad (Hm Cr G) | ymade (Most other mss)]

[^a689: & cetera (Hm) | nil (All other mss)]

[^a690: wraþþed (Hm) | þei wratthed (All other mss)]

[^a691: Than hent he vp (Hm) | Þanne hent hope (All other mss)]

[^a692: alle the (Hm G Y F) | alle (All other mss)]

[^a693: & cryden (Hm B F) | Criede (Most other mss)]

[^a694: þat þe (Hm) | þe (All other mss)]

[^a695: wey (Hm) | wey þider (All other mss)]

[^a696: y-boundyn (Hm) | ywounden (Most other mss)]

[^a697: whennes (Hm F) | fro whennes (All other mss)]

[^a698: heremonye (Hm) | ermonye (Most other mss)]

[^a699: knowest (Hm Cot) | Knowestow (Most other mss)]

[^a700: canst þu (Hm C2) | Coudestow (Most other mss)]

[^a701: nor (Hm Cr) | ne (All other mss)]

[^a702: waytoun (Hm) | wayted (Most other mss)]

[^a703: h yne (Hm G) | hewe (Other mss)]

[^a704: also (Hm B) | as (All other mss)]

[^a705: my soule helþe (Hm Cr2 Cr3) | my soules helth (Other mss)]

[^a706: þeraftur (Hm L W R) | after (Most other mss)]

[^a707: forby (Hm) | forth bi (All other mss)]

[^a708: hatteth (Hm Bm) | hat (Most other mss)]

[^a709: þu nougth (Hm F) | nouȝte (All other mss)]

[^a710: nor (Hm Cr2 Cr3) | ne (All other mss)]

[^a711: bowe (Hm) | bowes (All other mss)]

[^a712: slee (Hm) | slee nouȝte (Most other mss)]

[^a713: tyl it be (Hm) | til (All other mss)]

[^a714: seye (Hm R) | se sey (All other mss)]

[^a715: besauyd [y]sauyd (Hm) | ysaued (Bx M Y)]

[^a716: and (Hm F) | of (Most other mss)]

[^a717: hatteth (Hm B) | hatte (Most other mss)]

[^a718: hatteþ (Hm B) | hatte (Most other mss)]

[^a719: men hem (Hm G) | man him (Other mss)]

[^a720: w ete (Hm) | wite (Most other mss)]

[^a721: schal y (Hm Cr) | I shal (Most other mss)]

[^a722: to (Hm Y Bm) | Tho (Most other mss)]

[^a723: & cetera (Hm) | nil (All other mss)]

[^a724: soule (Hm) | selue (All other mss)]

[^a725: poustee (Hm) | ponfolde (All other mss)]

[^a726: vnto (Hm) | to (All other mss)]

[^a727: but ȝif (Hm) | but (Most other mss)]

[^a728: and hath (Hm B) | hath (All other mss)]

[^67: Hm.5.4-17: The original scribe scraped the text from the beginning of line four through the end of the leaf and recopied the passage over this erasure. A whole line must have been deleted, almost certainly on the basis of eye-skip prompted by six lines within the passage beginning with and. The page accordingly has forty-one lines in place of the usual forty.]

[^68: Hm.5.79: The Latin mea culpa here is clearly in display text, given the clubbed minims on the <m>, but the scribe has also written such an <m> in the English word comsed which follows.]

[^69: Hm.5.80: Hm alone reads polet, "pullet," against the pelet, "pellet, cannon ball" of most B manuscripts.]

[^70: Hm.5.132: By, "be."]

[^71: Hm.5.161: After this line, all other B manuscripts contain the following line, here given in the spelling of L: And dame Peronelle a prestes file Priouresse worth she neuere. The error, obviously caused by an eyeskip, changes the subject of Hm.5.162 by giving dame Claryce the child that belongs to dame Pernele in the Bx archetype.]

[^72: Hm.5.167: A latter hand has partially erased the word pope.]

[^73: Hm.5.169-170: Hm has expanded into two lines what exists as one long line in most other B manuscripts. Kane and Donaldson's 5.168 is a reconstruction of Bx, but most B manuscripts read Þei had þanne ben infamis þe firste day þei can so yuel hele conseille, here given in L's spelling. Hm uniquely adds whan they been agreved as the b-verse to the newly created Hm.5.170.]

[^74: Hm.5.261-262: Hm uniquely divides the line after mygthe, thus creating a new line, adding as his praye asketh as the b-verse. For the newly created a-verse of 262, the scribe has replaced the Bx archetype's skynnes with the alliterating cotes. The one line in Kane and Donaldson reads as follows: That wolde kille hem if he cache hem myȝte for coueitise of hir skynnes.]

[^75: Hm.5.314: By, "be."]

[^76: Hm.5.350: After Hm.5.349, the scribe has written an entire line out of order (KD.5.342), which he will repeat in its proper place four lines below at Hm.5.354. The lines differ in spelling, and in its second appearance, Hm's line uniquely omits rounde before ruet, which the misplaced line at Hm.5.350 does not do. Therefore, the version of the misplaced line is closer to the B archetype. The error in Hm must come from dittography since Hm.5.349 and Hm.5.353 end with while. It is surprising that the scribe corrected his sequence, but did not strike out the extra line.]

[^77: Hm.5.382: A scribe has retraced the word in a darker ink.]

[^78: Hm.5.451: A word of perhaps five characters appears to have been erased from the right margin.]

[^79: Hm.5.508: Hm, as the result of erasure, and G read at þat against for a in most other B manuscripts.]

[^80: Hm.5.526: Hm alone reads he vp against hope in all other B manuscripts. Kane and Donaldson thought he was added by a different hand, but the addition consists of three words.]

[^81: Hm.5.533: Following this line, Hm alone omits a line found in all other B manuscripts, here given in the spelling of L: But blustreden forth as bestes ouer bankes and hilles.]

[^82: Hm.5.621: The reading pope was partially erased but is still legible.]

Passus sextus de visione ·

T his were awykkyd a wykkyd wey . but who-so hadde a guyde
that wolde folowyn vs ylke a fote · þus this folke hem menyd ·
Quod perkyn the ploughman · by seynt peter of rome
y haue an halfe acre to erye · by the hye weye
hadde y eryed this half acre · and sowyn yt aftur
y wolde wendyn wyth ȝow · and the weye teche
¶[^83] This were a longe lettynge · quod a lady yn a sclayre
what schulde we wommen · werche the whiles ·

[^83: Hm.6.7: The rubricating scribe failed to note the paraph indicator in the left margin.]

¶ Summe schull sowe the sakke quod peers · for schedynge of the whete
and ȝee louely ladyes · wyth ȝoure longe fym g errys fy[n]gerrys[^a729]
that ȝe haue sylke and sendal · to sowe whan tyme is
chysybles for chaplaynes · cherches to honoure

[^a729: fym g errys fy[n]gerrys (Hm) | fyngres (All other mss)]

¶ wyues and wydewes · wolle and flax spynneth ·
maketh cloth y conseyl ȝow and kenneth so ȝoure douhtres
the nedy and the nakyd · nymeth hede how þey lygge n
and casteeth hem cloþes · for so comaundeth treuthe
For y schall lenyn hem lyflode · but ȝif the londe fayle
flesch and brede bothe · to ryche and to pouere
als longe as y leue · for the lordys loue of heuene
and al manere of men · that by[^a730] mete and drynke lybbeth
helpeth hym to wurche wygthly · and[^a731] wynnyth ȝoure food

[^a730: by (Hm) | þorw (Most other mss)]

[^a731: and (Hm) | þat (Most other mss)]

¶ By cryst quod a knygth tho · he kennyth vs the beste
ac on the teme trewly · taugth was y neuere
ac kenne me quod the knygth · and by cryste y wol assaye

¶ By seynt poule quod perkyn · ȝe profre ȝow so fayre
that y schal swynke and swete · and sowe for vs bothe
as oþ er laborers[^a732] do for thy loue al my lyfe-tyme
yn couenaunt that thu kepe · holy cherche[^a733] and my-sylue
fro wastours and fro wykkyd men · that þis world stroye n
and go hunte hardylyche · to harys and to foxes
to bores and to brokkes · that breken adown myn hegges
and goo affayte thy faucouns · wylde fowlys to kulle
for suche comyn to my croft · and croppeth my whete

[^a732: as oþ er laborers (Hm) | And oþer laboures (Most other mss)]

[^a733: cherche (Hm G Cot R) | kirke (All other mss)]

¶ curteysly this[^a734] knygth thanne · comsyd these woordes
by my power peers quod he · y plygth the my trewthe
to fulfulle þys forwarde · þow y fygth schulde ·
as longe as y lyue · y schall the ma ynteyne

[^a734: this (Hm) | þe (All other mss)]

¶ ȝe and ȝit a poynte quod peers · y praye ȝow of more
loke ȝe tene no tenaunt · but trewthe woll assente
and þo wh ȝe mowe amercyen hem · late mercy be taxour
and mekenesse thy mayster · mawgre medes chekes ·
and þow h poore men profre ȝow presentes and ȝiftes
nyme it nougth yn aduenture · ȝe mowe it nougth deserue
for ȝe[^a735] schal[^a736] ȝelde it aȝen · atte one ȝeres ende
yn a ful perelous place · purgatory it hatte[^84]

[^a735: ȝe (Hm Cr) | þow (Most other mss)]

[^a736: schal (Hm Cr G) | shalt (All other mss)]

[^84: Hm.6.45: The <e> is retouched in a different ink.]

¶ And mysbede nougth thy bonde-m an ·[^a737] the bettre may the[^a738] speede
thow he be thyn vndurlynge here · wel may happe yn heuene
that he wurthier sytte[^a739] · and wyth more blysse
Amice ascende superius · & cetera ·[^a740]

[^a737: bonde-m an · (Hm R F) | bonde-men (All other mss)]

[^a738: the (Hm) | þow (All other mss)]

[^a739: sytte (Hm C G O C2) | sette (Most other mss)]

[^a740: superius · & cetera · (Hm G Y) | superius (All other mss)]

¶ For yn a[^a741] charnel atte[^85] cherche · c herles ben euyl to knowe
or a knygth fram a knaue there · knowe this yn thyn he rte[^86]
and that thu be trewe of thy tonge · and tales that thu hatye
but ȝif they ben of wysdome or of wytte · thy werkmen to chaste
hold wyth none harlottes · ne here nougth here tales
and namly at the mete · suche men eschue
for it ben the deueles dysours · y do the to vndurstonde

[^a741: yn a (Hm R F) | in (Most other mss)]

[^85: Hm.6.50: Though Hm appears to agree with LM in reading atte, "at the," against at or & in in other B manuscripts, usually Hm means only "at."]

[^86: Hm.6.51: The scribe's "2" form of <r> has been overwritten with hand3's anglicana form.]

¶ I assente by seynte iame · seyde the knygth thanne ·
forto wurche by thy woordes · the while my lyf dureth

¶ And y schal apparayle me quod perkyn · yn pylgrymes wyse
and wende wyth ȝow y woll · tyl we fynde trewthe
and caste on my clothes · y-clowtyd and hole
my kokeres and my cuffes · for colde of my n ayles ·
and hange myn hoper · at myn hals · yn stede of a scryppe
a buschel of bredcorn · brynke wiþ me[^a742] ther-ynne
for y wolde[^a743] sowe it my-sylf · and sutthyn woll y wende
to pylgrymage as palmers doon · pardon forto haue

[^a742: brynke wiþ me (Hm) | brynge me (Most other mss)]

[^a743: wolde (Hm Cr) | wil (All other mss)]

¶ Ac who-so helpeth me to erye · or sowyn here or y wende
schall haue leue by oure lord · to lese h eere yn heruest
and make hem merye therwyth[^a744] · magre who-so gruccheth
and alkyn crafty men · that kunnyn[^a745] lyue yn trewthe
y schal fynde hem food · that feythfully lybbeth ·

[^a744: therwyth (Hm C) | þere-mydde (Most other mss)]

[^a745: kunnyn (Hm O B) | konne (All other mss)]

¶ Saue iakke the iogolour · and ionet of the stywes
and danyel the d yes pleyere · and denote the bawde
and frere the faytour · and folke of his ordre
and robyn the rybaudour · for his rusty woordes[^87]
Deleantur de libro viuencium · y schulde nougth dele wyth hem ·
for holycherche is hote of hem no tythe to take
Quia cum iustis non scribantur · & cetera[^a746]
They ben a-scapid good aduenture · god hem amende

[^a746: & cetera (Hm B) | nil (Most other mss)]

[^87: Hm.6.75: Following this line, Hm omits the line Treuthe tolde me ones and bad me tellen it after, customarily found in all other B manuscripts and here given in the spelling of L.]

¶ Dame wurche whan tyme is peers wyf higthe
his doughter higth do rygth so · or thi dame schall þe bete
his sone higth suffre thy souereynes · to haue her wylle
deme hem nougth for ȝif thu doost · thu schalt it dere abugge
lat god y-wurthe wyth all · for so his woord techeth ·
for now y am olde and hore · and haue of myn owne
to penaunce and to pylgrymage · y woll passe wyth[^a747] othre
for-thy y woll or y wende · do wryte my byqueste
¶ In dei nomine amen · y make it my-sylue
he schal haue my sowle · that best hath deseruyd it ·
and fro the f end it deffende · for so y byleue
tyl y come to his accountes · as my crede me telleth
to haue a reles and aremyssyoun a remyssyoun · on that rental y leue

[^a747: wyth (Hm M G Y F) | with þise (All other mss)]

¶ The kurke[^88] schal haue my careyne · and kepe my bonys
for of my corn and catel · he crauyd the tythe
y payde it hym prestyly · for peryl of my soule
forþy is[^a748] holdyn y hope · to haue me in his masse
and myngyn yn his memorye · amonge alle crystene

[^a748: is (Hm) | is he (M W C O C2 Y B)]

[^88: Hm.6.93: This unusual spelling probably reflects the scribe's intent. He manifests a tendency to avoid the /k/ forms with just six instances in the poem to the twenty-one in L, nineteen in M, and twenty in W. The form probably is by analogy with rounded forms in church.]

¶ My wyf schal haue of that y wan · wyth trewthe and nomore
and dele among my doughtres · and my dere children ·
for þow y deye to-day · my dettys are quytte
y bar home þat y borwyd · er y to bedde ȝede

¶ And wyth the residue and the remenaunt · by the rode of lukes
y woll wurschip ther-wyth · trewthe by my lyue ·
and ben his pylgrym at the plough for poore mennys sake
my ploughfote schall be my pyked staf[^a749] · and plucche[^89][^a750] a-two þe rotes
and helpe my cultur to kerue · and clense the furwys

[^a749: pyked staf (Hm B) | pyk-staf (All other mss)]

[^a750: plucche (Hm) | picche (Most other mss)]

[^89: Hm.6.105: Plucche, "pull" <OE plyccan.]

¶ Now is perkyn and his pylgrymes · to the plough faren
to erye this half acre · helpyn[^a751] hym manye
dykers and deluers · dykyd[^a752] vp the balkes
ther-wyþ was perkyn a-payde · and preysydyn hym[^a753] faste
oþer werkmen ther were · that wrouhten ful ȝerne
echeman eche man yn his manere · made hym-sylfe to done
and summe to plese perkyn · pykyd vp the wedes

[^a751: helpyn (Hm Cr C B) | holpyn (All other mss)]

[^a752: dykyd (Hm) | digged (Most other mss)]

[^a753: hym (Hm) | hem (Most other mss)]

¶ Atte hie prime perys · leet the plough stande ·
to ouerseen hem hym-sylf · and who-so best wrougthe
he schulde be huyred theraftur · whan heruest-tyme come ·

¶ Thanne[^a754] setyn & songyn · summe[^a755] atte the nale ·
and holpyn erye his halfacre · wyth how trolly-lolly

[^a754: Thanne (Hm F) | And þanne (All other mss)]

[^a755: & songyn · summe (Hm) | somme and songen (Most other mss)]

¶ Now by the perel of my soule quod peers · al yn pure tene
but ȝe aryse the rathur · and rape ȝow to wurche
schall no greyne that groweth · glade ȝow at nede
and thow ȝe deye for doel · the deuyl · hym haue[^a756] that recche

[^a756: hym haue (Hm B) | haue (Most other mss)]

¶ Tho were faytours afferd · and feyned hem blynde
summe leydyn here legges a-lyry · as suche losell kunnyth
and madyn here mone to peers · and prayde hym of grace
for we haue no lymes to labour wyth · lorde of grace bydde we[^a757] the[^a758]
ac we praye for ȝow peers · and for ȝoure plow bothe
that god of his grace · ȝoure grayn multyplye
and ȝelde ȝow for ȝoure almesse · that ȝe ȝyuyn vs here ·
for we may nougth swynke nor[^a759] swete · suche syknesse vs eyleth ·

[^a757: of grace bydde we (Hm) | ygraced be (Most other mss)]

[^a758: the (Hm W) | ȝe (Most other mss)]

[^a759: nor (Hm) | ne (All other mss)]

¶ ȝif it be sooþ quod peris · that ȝe seyn · y schall it sone aspye ·
ȝe ben wastours y wote wel · and treuthe wote the sothe
and y am his olde hyne · and hygth hym to warne
whuche they were yn this world · his werkemen appeyryd ·

¶ ȝe wastyn that me n wynnyn · wyþ trauayle and wyþ tene
ac trewthe schall teche ȝow · his teme to dryue ·
for[^a760] ȝe schull ete barlybrode · and of the brooke drynke ·
but ȝif he be blynde or brokelegged · or bolted wyth yrens ·
he schall ete whetebred · and drynke wyth my-sylue
tyl god of his goodnesse · amendement hym sende

[^a760: for (Hm) | Or (All other mss)]

¶ Ac ȝe þat mygth[^a761][^90] trauayle as trewthe wolde · and take mete and huyre
to kepen kyen yn the feelde · the corn from the bestys ·
dyken or deluyn · or dyngyn vpon scheuys
or helpe make morter · or bere mukke afelde
yn lecherye and yn losengerye · ȝee lyuen and yn slauthe
and all is thorow suffraunce · that vengeaunce ȝow ne taketh ·

[^a761: þat mygth (Hm) | myȝte(n) (All other mss)]

[^90: Hm.6.141: Since Ac extends into the left margin, the first three words may have been inserted over an erasure.]

¶ Ac ancres and heremytes · that etyn nougth but at nonys ·
and namore tyl on the[^a762] morowe · myn almus schul they haue
and of catel to kepe hem wyth · that han cloystres and cherches ·

[^a762: tyl on the (Hm) | er (Most other mss)]

¶ Ac robard rennaboute · schall nougth haue of myne
ne postles but they preche kunne · and haue power of the buschop ·
they schull haue payn and potage · and make hem-sylf at ese
for it is an vnresonable relygyoun · that hath rygth nougth at[^a763] certayn ·

[^a763: at (Hm) | of (All other mss)]

¶ And thanne gan a wastour to wratthe hym · and wolde haue fougthe ·
and to peris the ploughman · he profryd his gloue
a brytoneer a bragger · abostyd peris als ·
And badde hym go pissyn wyth his plough · for-pynyd schrewe
wylte thu or nylte thu · we wyln[^a764] haue oure wylle
of thy flour and of thy flesch · fecche whan vs lyketh
and makyn vs mery ther-wyth · maugre thy chekes

[^a764: wyln (Hm) | wil (Most other mss)]

¶ Thanne peris the ploughman · playned hym to the knygth ·
to kepyn hym as couenaunt was · fro cursyd schrewes ·
and fro wastourus[^a765] wolueskynnys · þat maketh þe world dere
for þo wastyn and wynnyn nougth · and that ylke while
wurth neuer plente among the peple · þe while my plough lyggeth

[^a765: wastourus (Hm) | þis wastoures (Most other mss)]

¶ Curteysly the knygth thanne · as his k ynde wolde
warnyd wastour · and wyssyde hym bettre
or thu schalt a-bugge by the lawe · by the ordre that y bere

¶ I was nougth wont to wurche quod wastour · & now wol y nat bygynne
and l eet lygthly[^a766] of the lawe · and lasse of the knygth ·
and sette peris at a pese · and his plough bothe
and manaced peers and his men · ȝif þey mette eft -sone

[^a766: lygthly (Hm R F) | liȝte (All other mss)]

¶ Now by the pereyl of my sowle quod peers · y schal appeyre ȝow alle
and houpyd aftur hongour · that herde hym at the furste
a-wreke me on these[^a767] wastours quod he · that the[^a768] world schendeth

[^a767: on these (Hm M) | of þise (All other mss)]

[^a768: the (Hm) | þis (All other mss)]

¶ hungor yn haste tho · hente wastour by the mawe
and wrong hym so by the wombe · that bothe his yȝen watryd ·
he buffetyd the brytoneer · aboute the cheekys
that he loked lyke a lanterne · all his ly f aftur
he b eet hem so bothe · he barst nere her guttys
ne hadde peris wyth a pese-lof prayde hungor to cese
they hadde be doluyn · ne deme thu none othre

¶ Suffre hem lyue he seyde · and late hem ete wyth hogges ·
or elles benys and bren · y-bakyn to-gydres
or elles mylke and mene ale · þus prayde peers for hem ·

¶ Faytours for fere herof · flowyn ynto bernys
and flattyn[^a769] on wyth flayles · fro morowe tyl euyn ·
that hungor was nougth so hardy · on hem forto loke
for a potfull of pesyn · that peers hadde y-makyd ·

[^a769: flattyn (Hm) | flapten (Most other mss)]

¶ An hep of heremytys · hentyn hem spades
and kuttyn h ere[^91] copes · and curtepyes hem made
and wentyn as werkmen · wyþ spades and wyth schoueles ·
and doluyn and dyggedyn[^a770] · to dryue awey honger

[^a770: dyggedyn (Hm) | dykeden (Most other mss)]

[^91: Hm.6.191: The final character is malformed.]

¶ blynde and bedrede · were botenyd a thousande
that setyn to begge syluer · sone were they helyd
for that was bake for bayard · was bote for many hongry ·
and many a begger for benys · buxum was to swynke
and eche poore man wel apayd to haue pesyn for his huyre
and what peers prayde hem to do · as preste as a sperhauk
and þerof was peris proude · and put hem to werke
and ȝaf hem mete as he mygth aforthe · and mesurable huyre

¶ Thanne hadde peers pyte · and prayde hungor to wende
home yn-tyl[^a771] his owne ȝerde[^a772] · and holdyn hym there
for y am wel a-wroke of wastours · thorow thy mygth
ac y praye the or thu passe · quod peers to hungour
of beggers and of bydders · what beste ben to done
for y wote wel be thu went · they wyln[^a773] don[^a774] full ylle
for myscheef it maketh · they beth so meke nowthe
and for defaute of her food · this folk is at my wylle
they are my blody bretherne · quod peers for god b owgth vs alle
treuthe taugth me ones to louen hem echone
and to helpen hem of alle thyng · ay as hem nedyd[^a775] ·
and now wolde y wyten of the · what were the beste
and how y mygth amaystryen hem · and make hem to werche

[^a771: yn-tyl (Hm) | in-to (Most other mss)]

[^a772: ȝerde (Hm M W) | erd (Bx)]

[^a773: wyln (Hm) | wil (Most other mss)]

[^a774: don (Hm O C2) | worche (Most other mss)]

[^a775: nedyd (Hm) | nedeth (All other mss)]

¶ Here now quod hongour · and hold it for a wysdome
bolde beggers and bygge · that mowyn her breed byswynke
wyth houndys brede · and hors brede · holde vp her hertys
abayte hem wyth benys · for bolnynge of her herte[^a776]
and ȝif the gomes grucche · bydde hem go swynke
and he schal sowpe swettere · whan he it haþ deseruyd ·

[^a776: herte (Hm) | wombe (Most other mss)]

¶ And ȝif thu fynde any frek that fortune hath apeyryd
or eny maner febul[^a777] man · fonde thu suche to knowe
conforte hym[^a778] wyth thy catel · for crystes loue of heuene
loue hem and lene hem · so lawe of god techeth ·
Alter alterius onera portate · & cetera

[^a777: febul (Hm) | fals (Most other mss)]

[^a778: hym (Hm Cr1 W L) | hem (Most other mss)]

¶ and al manere of men · that thu mygth aspye
that nedy ben and nougthty · helpe hem wyth thy goodes
loue hem and lakke hem nougth · and lat[^a779] god take the vengeaunce
thouȝ they done euele · lat god y-wurthe
Michi vindictam & ego retribuam · & cetera[^a780]

[^a779: and lat (Hm M) | late (Most other mss)]

[^a780: & cetera (Hm G) | nil (Most other mss)]

¶ And ȝif thu wolt be gracyous to god · do as the gospel techeth ·
and byloue th e among lewyd[^a781] m en · so schalt thu lacche grace
Facite vobis amicos de mammona iniquitatis · & cetera[^a782]

[^a781: lewyd (Hm W G) | low (All other mss)]

[^a782: & cetera (Hm G) | nil (All other mss)]

¶ y wolde nougth greue god quod peris · for all the good on grounde
mygth y synneles do as thu seyst · seyde peris thanne

¶ Ȝee y behote the quod hungor · or ellys the byble lyeth ·
go to genesis the gyaunte · the engendrour of vs alle
In sudore & in swynk thu schalt thi mete tylye
and labour for thi lyflode · and so oure lord higthe
and sapience seith the same · y say it yn the byble
pyger pro frigore · no felde wold e[^a783] tylye in wynter[^a784]
and therfore he schall · begge in somer[^a785] · and no man bete his hunger

[^a783: wold e (Hm M Cr R F) | nolde (All other mss)]

[^a784: tylye in wynter (Hm) | tilye (All other mss)]

[^a785: in somer (Hm) | and bidde (Most other mss)]

¶ Matheu wyth mannys face · mowthed these woordes
that seruus nequam · hadde a Mnam · id est · besaunt & for he nolde nougth chaffare
he hadde mawgre of his mayster · euermore after
and bynam hym his mnan · for he ne wolde werche
and ȝaf that mnam · to hym · that ten mnames hadde
and wyth that he seide · that holy cherche it herde
he þat hath schall · haue · and helpe there it nedeth
and he that nougth hath nougth schal[^a786] haue · and no man hym helpe
and that he weneth wel to haue · y wol hym[^a787] byreue

[^a786: nougth schal (Hm G F) | shal nouȝt (Most other mss)]

[^a787: wol hym (Hm) | wil it hym (Most other mss)]

¶ kynde wyt wolde that eche wygth · wel[^a788] wrougth
or yn dykynge or yn deluynge · or yn[^a789] trauayle[^a790] of prayers[^a791]
contemplatyf lyf[^a792] · cryst wolde they wrougthe
the sauter seith yn the psalme · of beati omnes
the freke that fedeth hym-sylf wyth his feythfull labour
he is blyssed by the book · yn body and in sowle ·
Labores manuum tuarum · & cetera

[^a788: wygth · wel (Hm) | a wyght (Most other mss)]

[^a789: or yn (Hm) | or (All other mss)]

[^a790: trauayle (Hm Cr G) | trauaillynge (Most other mss)]

[^a791: of prayers (Hm Cr2 Cr3) | in preyeres (Most other mss)]

[^a792: contemplatyf lyf (Hm) | Contemplatyf lyf or actyf lyf (All other mss)]

¶ ȝit y praye ȝow quod peris · pur charite and ȝe kunne
ony leef of lechecrafte · lerne[^a793] it me my dere
for summe of my seruauntes · and my-sylf bothe
of al a wyke werke nougth · lord so[^a794] our wombe aketh ·

[^a793: lerne (Hm) | lere (All other mss)]

[^a794: lord so (Hm) | so (All other mss)]

¶ I wot wel quod hunger · what syknesse ȝow eyleth ·
ȝe haue manged ouermuche · and that maketh ȝow grone
ac y hote the quod hunger · as thu thyn hele wylneste
þat þu drynke no day · er thu dyne sumwhat ·
ete nougth y hote the · er hungour the take
and sende the of his sauce · to sauour wyth ȝoure[^a795] lyppes
and kepe sum tyl soper tyme · and sytte nougth to longe
and ryse vp or appetyt · haue eten his fulle
lat nougth sire surfayt · syttyn at thi boord ·
leue hym nougth for he is leccherous · and lykerous of tonge
and aftur many maner of metys · is[^a796] mawe is affyngryd
and ȝif thu diete the thus · y dare legge myn eres
that Fysyk schal his furrud hoodes · for his food selle
and his cloke of calabre · wyth alle the knoppes of golde
and be fayn by my feyth · his fysyke to sulle[^a797]
and lerne to labour wyth londe · forlyflode for lyflode is swete
for murtheres are many leches · lorde hem amende
they don men deye wyþ[^a798] here drynkes · ar destyne it wolde

[^a795: ȝoure (Hm) | þi (All other mss)]

[^a796: of metys · is (Hm) | metes his (Most other mss)]

[^a797: sulle (Hm) | lete (Most other mss)]

[^a798: wyþ (Hm) | þorw (Most other mss)]

¶ By seynt poule quod peers · these are profetable woordes
wend now hunger whan thu wolt · þat wel be þe euere
for this is a louely lessoun · lord it the furȝelde

¶ Byhote god quod hunger · hennes ne woll y wende
tyl y haue dynyd by this day · and y-dronke bothe

¶ I haue no peny quod peers · pullettes to bugge
noþer[^a799] gees ne gris · but two grene cheses ·
a fewe cruddes and crem · and an hauerkake
and two loues of benys and bran · y-bake for my fawntys
and ȝit y seie by my soule · y haue no salt bacoun ·
ne none kokeneys[^a800] by cryst coloppis of[^a801] to makyn
ac y haue percyle and porrettes · and many cole plontys
and eke a cowe and a calf · and a carte mare
to drawe a-felde my dong the while the drougth lasteth
and by this lyflode we mot lyue · tyl lammasse tyme
and by that y hope to haue · heruest yn my crofte
and þanne may y dygth þy dyner · as me dere lyketh

[^a799: noþer (Hm) | Ne neyther (Most other mss)]

[^a800: kokeneys (Hm) | kokeney (All other mss)]

[^a801: of (Hm) | for (Most other mss)]

¶ Alle the poore peple tho · pescoddes fette
benys and bakyn apples · they broughtyn yn her lappes
chibolles and cheruell · and rype chiries manye
and profryd peers this present · to plese wyth hunger

¶ Al hunger eet yn haste · and askyd aftur more
thanne poor folke for fere · feddyn hunger ȝerne
wyth grene porret and pesyn · to poysoun hym they thougth
by that it neyȝhed neer heruest · newe corn cam to chepynge
thanne was folk fayn · and feddyn hunger wyth the beste
wyþ good ale as glotoun taugth · and gart hunger to slepe

¶ And tho wolde wastour nougth wurche · but wandred aboute
ne no beggere ete bred that benys ynne were
but of koket or clermatyn or elles of clene whete
ne none halpenyale halpeny ale · yn none wyse drynke
but of the beste and of the brownyste · that yn the burgh[^a802] is to sulle

[^a802: the burgh (Hm) | borgh (M W G O R)]

¶ Laborers that han no londe to lyuen on · but her handes
deynen[^a803] nougth to dyne a-day · nygth-olde wortys
may no peny-ale hem paye · ne no pece of bacoun
but ȝif it be fresch flesch othur fysch · fryed othur bake ·
and that chaw d and plus cha wd for chyllynge of her mawes[^a804]
and but he be hielyche huyred · elles woll he chide
and that he was werkman wrougth · wayle the tyme
aȝenst catouns counseyl · comseth he to iangle
Paupertatis onus · pacienter ferre memento · & cetera[^a805] ·

[^a803: deynen (Hm) | Deyned (Most other mss)]

[^a804: mawes (Hm) | mawe (All other mss)]

[^a805: & cetera (Hm) | nil (All other mss)]

¶ He greueth hym aȝenst god · and gruccheth aȝenst resoun ·
and curseth also[^a806] the kyng and[^a807] his counseyl aftur
suche lawes to loke · laborers to greue
ac whiles hungour was her mayster · ther wolde none of hem chide
ne stryue aȝenst his statut · so sternlyche he lokede

[^a806: curseth also (Hm) | curseth he (M Cr W)]

[^a807: and (Hm) | and al (Most other mss)]

¶ Ac y warne ȝow werkmen · wynnyth while ȝe mowe
for hunger hiderward · hyeth[^a808] hym faste
he schall a-wake wyth water · wastours to chaste
er fyue ȝere be fulfuld · suche famyn schall aryse
thorowȝ flodes and thorowh[^a809] fowle wedres · frutes schul fayle
and so seyde saturne · and sente ȝow to warne
whan ȝe see the sonne amys · and two monkes hedes
and amayde a mayde haue the maystrye · and multyply by eiȝht

[^a808: hyeth (Hm) | hasteth (All other mss)]

[^a809: and thorowh (Hm W L) | and (All other mss)]

¶ Than schal deeþ wyþ-drawe · and derthe be iustyse
and dawe the dykere · deye schal[^a810] for hunger
but ȝif god of his goodnesse grawnte vs a trewe

[^a810: deye schal (Hm) | deye (Most other mss)]

Passus septimus de visione ·

T rewthe herde telle her-of · and to peris sente
to takyn his teme · and tyllyen his[^a811] erthe
and purchacyd hym a pardoun · a pena & a culpa ·
for hym and for his eyres · euermore[^a812] aftur
and bad hym holdyn hym at hom and eryen his leyes
and alle þat holpyn hym to erye · to sette or to sowe ·
or eny oþer mystyer · that mygth peris auayle
pardoun wyth peris ploughman · trewthe hath hem[^a813] grauntyd

[^a811: his (Hm G) | þe (All other mss)]

[^a812: euermore (Hm) | for euermore (All other mss)]

[^a813: hath hem (Hm) | hath (Most other mss)]

¶ kynges and knyghtes · that kepyn holy cherche
and rygthfully in rewmes · reulyn the peple
han pardoun þorowȝ purgatorye · to passen full lyghtly
wyth patryarkes and prophetys · yn paradys to be felawe

¶ Buschoppes yblessid ȝif þey ben as they schulde
legistres of bothe lawes · the lewyd þerwyþ to preche
and[^a814] as muche as they mowe · amende alle synfull
arn peres wyþ þe apostles · this pardoun peris scheweth
and at the day of dome · at the hiȝe deys to sytte

[^a814: and (Hm) | And in (Most other mss)]

¶ Marchauntes yn the margyn · haddyn many ȝeres ·
ac non a pena & a culpa · the pope nolde hem graunte
for they holdyn nougth her holydayes · as holy cherche techeth ·
and for þey swere by her sowle · & so god mote[^a815] hem helpe
aȝen clene conscyence · her catell to sulle

[^a815: mote (Hm B) | moste (Most other mss)]

¶ Ac vndyr his secrete seal · trewthe sente hem a lettre
that they schulde b ugge boldly · that hem best lykede
and sytthen it sulle[^a816] aȝen · and saue the wynnynge
and amende mesondieux ther-myd · and mysese folke helpe
and wykkyd weyes · wightly hem amende
and do bote to brugges · that to-brokyn were
maryen maydnes or makyn hem nonnys
pore peple and prysones · fyndyn hem her foode
and settyn scolers to scole · or to summe oþere craftes
releue relygyoun · and rentyn hym[^a817] bettre
and y schall sende ȝow my-sylf seynt mychael myn Aungel[^a818]
that no deuel schall ȝow dere · ne fere ȝow at[^a819] ȝowr deyȝyng
and wyte ȝow fro wanhope · ȝif ȝe woln thus werche
and sende ȝowr sowles yn saufte · to my seyntes yn ioye

[^a816: it sulle (Hm) | selle it (Most other mss)]

[^a817: hym (Hm Cr1) | hem (All other mss)]

[^a818: Aungel (Hm F) | archangel (All other mss)]

[^a819: at (Hm) | in (All other mss)]

¶ Thanne were marchauntes · merye · many weptyn for ioye
and preysedyn peers the ploughman · that purchacyd this bulle

¶ Men of lawe lest pardoun hadde · that pledyn[^a820] for mede
for the sauter saueth hem nougth · suche as takyn ȝyftes
and namlyche of ynnocentes · that non vuel kunnyn
Super innocentem munera non accipies · & cetera[^a821]

[^a820: pledyn (Hm Cr) | pleteden (Bx M)]

[^a821: & cetera (Hm) | nil (All other mss)]

¶ Pledours schulde peyne hem to plede · for suche and helpe hem[^a822] ·
prynces and prelates · schulden p aye for her trauayle
A regibus & a[^a823] principibus · erit merces eorum · & cetera[^a824] ·

[^a822: helpe hem (Hm) | helpe (Most other mss)]

[^a823: & a (Hm) | & (All other mss)]

[^a824: & cetera (Hm) | nil (All other mss)]

¶ Ac many a Iustice and iorrour · wolde for iohan do more ·
than pro dei pietate · leue thu none othur

¶ Ac he that spendeth[^92] his speche · and speketh for the pouere
that is ynnocent[^93] and nedy · and noman appeyreth
conforteth hym in that caas · wyþ-outyn couetys of ȝiftes
and scheweþ lawe for oure lordes loue · as he it haþ y-lernyd[^a825]
schal no deuyl at his deth-day · dere hym amy te a myte
that he ne wurth saufe & his soule · þe sawter beryth wytnesse
Domine quis habitabit in tabernaculo tuo & cetera

[^a825: y-lernyd (Hm W R) | lerned (Most other mss)]

[^92: Hm.7.48: The first four letters of spendeth are badly rubbed or partially erased.]

[^93: Hm.7.49: The letters <s ynn> are badly rubbed or partially erased.]

¶ Ac to bygge water ne wynd ne wyt ne fyer the fierthe
these foure the fadur of heuene made · to his folde yn comyn ·
these ben trewthes tresours · trewe folke to helpe
that neuer schull wexe ne wanye · wyth-owtyn god hym-sylue ·

¶ whanne they drawe vnto deth[^a826][^94] · and yndulgences wolde haue
her pardoun is full petyt at her partynge hennys
that eny mede of mene men · for her motynge taketh

[^a826: deth (Hm R) | þe deþ (O C2 Y B F)]

[^94: Hm.7.59:There is wide variation at this locus. HmR omit the before deþ. L and W confused thorn with <y> but also omit þe.]

¶ ȝee legystres and lawyers · holdeth this for trowthe
that ȝif þat y lyȝe · matheu is to blame
for he bad me make ȝow this · and this prouerbe me tolde
Quodcumque vultis vt faciant vobis · homines facite eis · & cetera[^a827]

[^a827: & cetera (Hm M) | nil (All other mss)]

¶ Alle lybbynge laborers · that lyuen wyth her hondys ·
that trewlyche takyn · and trewlyche wynnyn
and lyue yn loue and yn lawe · for her lowe hertys
haue þe same abs olucyoun · that sente was to peris

¶ Beggers ne bydders · beth[^a828] nougth yn the bulle
but ȝif the sugestyoun be sooth · that schapeth hem to begge ·
for he þat beggeþ or byt · but ȝif he haue nede ·
he is fals wyth the fende · and deffraudeth the nedy
[^95]and also he bygyleth the gyuere · aȝenste his wylle
for if he wyste he were nougth nedy · he wolde ȝeue þat another
that were more nedy than he · so the nedyeste schulde ben holpe
catoun kenneth me thus · and the clerke of storyes
Cui des videto · is catouns techynge

[^a828: beth (Hm) | ne beþ (Most other mss)]

[^95: Hm.7.74: The scribe's usual indicator for the rubricated paraph was ignored by the rubrisher, perhaps canceled by two horizontal lines through it.]

¶ And yn the storyes he techeth · to bystowe thyn alm esse
Sit elemosina tua in manu tua donec studes cui des · & cetera[^a829] ·

[^a829: & cetera (Hm) | nil (All other mss)]

¶ Ac gregorye was a good man · and bad vs gyuyn alle
that asketh for his loue · that vs alle leneth ·
Non eligas cui miseriaris · ne forte preterearis[^a830] illum qui meretur accipere ·
Quia incertum est pro quo deo magis placias · & cetera[^a831] ·

[^a830: preterearis (Hm) | pretereas (Most other mss)]

[^a831: & cetera (Hm) | nil (All other mss)]

¶ For wot ȝe neuere who is wurthy · ac god wote who hath nede
yn hym that taketh is the treccherye · ȝif any tresoun walke
for he that ȝyueth ȝeldeth · and ȝarketh hym to reste
and he that byddeth borweth · and bryngeþ hym-sylfe yn dette
for beggers borwyn euermore · and her borow is god almyghty
to ȝelde hem that ȝyuyn hem · and ȝit vsure more ·
Quare non dedisti pecuniam meam ad mensam
vt ego veniam[^a832] cum vsuris exigere · & cetera ·

[^a832: veniam (Hm W) | veniens (Most other mss)]

¶ Forthy byddeth nougth ȝe neyȝbours[^a833] · but ȝif ȝe haue grete nede
for who-so hath to byggyn hym breed · the book beryth wytnesse
he hath ynow that hath breed ynow þow he haue nougth elles ·
Satis diues est · qui non indiget pane · & cetera[^a834]

[^a833: neyȝbours (Hm) | beggeres (All other mss)]

[^a834: & cetera (Hm) | nil (All other mss)]

¶ Lat vsage be ȝoure solace · of seyntes lyues redynge
the book bannyth beggers[^a835] · and blameth hem on[^a836] this manere ·
¶[^96] Iunior fui etenim senui · & non vidi iustum derelictum nec semen eius querens panem · & cetera ·

[^a835: beggers (Hm F) | beggarie (All other mss)]

[^a836: on (Hm F) | in (All other mss)]

[^96: Hm.7.99: The rubricating scribe overlooked a paraph indicator.]

¶ For ȝe lyuyn yn no loue · ne no lawe holde
many of ȝow ne wedde nougth · the womman that ȝe wyth delyn
but as wylde bestes wyth wehe · wurthyn vp and wurchyn
and bryngeþ foorth barnes · bastardes that[^a837] men calleth ·
or the bakke or sum bone · he breketh yn his ȝouthe
and syþþyn gon faytyn wyth ȝoure fauntes · for euermore aftur
ther is more mysschape peple · amonge these beggers ·
than of alle maner of men · that on this molde reignyn[^a838]
and they that lyuen thus her lyf mown lothe the tyme
that euere thei were men[^a839] wrougth · whan they schull hennys fare

[^a837: bastardes that (Hm) | þat bastardes (All other mss)]

[^a838: reignyn (Hm) | walketh (Most other mss)]

[^a839: thei were men (Hm Cr W) | he was man (Most other mss)]

¶ Ac olde men and hore · that helpeles ben of strenkthe
and wymmen wyth childe · that werchen ne mowe
blynde and bedred · and brokyn her membrys
that takyn these myschefes[^a840] · as meselles and othre
han as playn pardoun · as the ploughman hym-syluyn ·
for loue of here lowe hertys · oure lorde hath hem grauntyd ·
her penaunce and her purgatorye · here on this erthe ·

[^a840: myschefes (Hm) | myschief(es) mekelych (All other mss)]

¶ Peris quod a preest tho · thi pardoun muste y rede
for y woll construe eche clause · and kenne it the on englysch ·

¶ And peers at his prayer · the pardoun vnfoldeth
and y byhinde hem bothe · byhulde all the bulle
al yn two lynes it lay · and nougth a lefe more
and was wryten rygth thus · yn wytnesse of trewthe ·
Et qui bona egerunt · ibunt in vitam eternam · & cetera[^a841] ·
Qui vero mala in ignem eternum · & cetera[^a842] ·

[^a841: & cetera (Hm) | nil (All other mss)]

[^a842: & cetera (Hm) | nil (All other mss)]

¶ Peter quod the prest tho · y can no pardoun fynde
but do wel and haue wel · and god schall haue thi sowle
[...]
and do euele and haue euele · hope thu non oþer[^97]
but after þy deþ-day · the deuyl schall haue þy sowle
and peris for pure tene · pullyd it a-twynne[^a843]
and seyde · si ambulauero in medio vmbre mortis
non timebo mala quoniam tu mecum es · & cetera[^a844]

[^a843: a-twynne (Hm C2) | atweyne (Most other mss)]

[^a844: & cetera (Hm) | nil (All other mss)]

[^97: Hm.7.127-138: The scribe omitted a line on initial copying. He erased the final eleven lines on the page and overwrote the space with twelve lines, thus producing 41 lines to this page. Kane and Donaldson note that the new lines are in a different ink, but the hand is the same.]

¶ I schal cese of my sowyng quod peris · & swynke nougth so harde
ne abowt my bely ioyȝe · so besy be nomore
of prayers and penaunce · my plough schal ben her-after
and wepyn whan y schuld slepyn · þowȝ whetebrede me fayle
þe prophete his payn eet · yn penaunce and yn sorowe
by þat þe sauter seiþ · so dedyn oþer manye
þat louen god lely · his lyflode is full esy ·
Fuerunt michi lacrime mee panes die ac nocte · & cetera[^a845] ·

[^a845: & cetera (Hm) | nil (All other mss)]

¶ And but ȝif luke lye · lereþ[^a846] vs by fowles
we schuldyn nougth be to besy · aboutyn this[^a847] worldys blysse
ne soliciti sitis · he seith yn the gospel
and scheweth vs by ensampull vs-sylf forto[^a848] wysse
the foules yn the felde · who fynt hem mete yn[^a849] wynter ·
haue they no gerner to go to · but god fynt hem alle

[^a846: lereþ (Hm) | he lereth (Most other mss)]

[^a847: this (Hm) | þe (Most other mss)]

[^a848: forto (Hm) | to (All other mss)]

[^a849: yn (Hm Cr B F) | at (Most other mss)]

¶ What quod the preest to perkyn · peter as me thynketh ·
thu art lettryd a lytyll · who lernyd the on booke
abstynence the abbesse quod peris · myn · a · b · c · me taugth ·
and conscyence cam afturward · and kennyd me moche more
were thu a preest peers quod he · þumyste þu myste preche where thu schuldest ·
as dyuynour yn diuinite · wyth dixit in sipiens to thi teme ·
lewyd lorel quod peers · lytyl lokest thu on the bible
on salamones sawes · seldom thu beholdest ·
Ecce dirisores & iurgia cum eis non[^a850] crescant & cetera ·

[^a850: non (Hm) | ne (All other mss)]

¶ The prest and perkyn · apposedyn either othur
and y þorowh her woordes a-wooke · and waytede a-boute
and say the sonne yn the south · sytte that tyme
meteles and moneyles · on maluerne hulles ·
musynge on thes metels · and my wey yȝede

¶ Many tyme thes metels · haue[^a851] makyd me studye[^a852]
of þat y saw slepynge · ȝif it so be mygthe
and also for peris the ploughman · ful pensyf yn herte
and whiche a pardoun peris hadde · all the peple to conforte
and how the preest ynpungnyd it · wyth two propre woordes
ac y hano sauour yn sowngewarye · for y se it ofte fayle
catoun and canonystres · conseylen vs to leue
to settyn sadnesse yn sowngewarye · for sompnia ne cures

[^a851: haue (Hm G) | hath (Most other mss)]

[^a852: studye (Hm Cr O C2 F) | to studye (All other mss)]

¶ ac for the book of the byble · beryth wytnesse
how daniel dyuynyd · the drem[^a853] of a kynge ·
that was Nabygodonosor · nempnyd of clerkes
daniel seide sure s[i]re[^a854] kynge · thi dremes betokneth
that vncowth knygthes schull come · thi kyngdom to cleyme
among lower lordes thi londe schall be departyd ·
and as danyel dyuynyd · yn dede it fel aftur
the kynge les his lordschipe · and lower men it hadde ·

[^a853: drem (Hm W R) | dremes (All other mss)]

[^a854: sure s[i]re (Hm) | sire (Most other mss)]

¶ and Ioseph mette merueylously · how þe mone and the sonne
and[^a855] enleuene sterres · worschipede[^a856] hym alle
than iacob Iuged · Iosephis sweuene ·
beaufys quod his fader · for deffaute we schullyn
y my-selfe and my sones · seche tho[^a857] for nede
It beffel as his fader seyde · in pharaoes tyme
that Iosep whas iustyse · egypte to lokyn
and tho[^a858] as his fader tolde · his frendes there hym sougthe ·
and all this maketh me · on thes metels to þenke

[^a855: and (Hm) | And þe (All other mss)]

[^a856: worschipede (Hm) | hailsed (Most other mss)]

[^a857: tho (Hm) | þe (All other mss)]

[^a858: and tho (Hm) | It bifel (Most other mss)]

¶ And how the preest · prouede no pardon to dowel
and demyd that do wel · indulgences passyd
biennals and tryanals and buschopes seales[^a859]
and how do-wel at the day of dome is dignylyche vndurfongyn
and passeth all the pardoun · of seynt petres of rome[^a860]

[^a859: seales (Hm) | lettres (All other mss)]

[^a860: of rome (Hm) | cherche (All other mss)]

☞ pardon
¶ Now hath the pope power · pardoun to graunte the peple
wyth-outyn any penaunce · to passe ynto heuene
this is oure byleue · as lettryd men vs techeth
Quodcumque ligaueris super terram erit ligatum & in celis · & cetera

¶ And so y leue lely · oure lorde[^a861][^98] forbode elles
that pardoun and prayers · and penaunce[^a862] don saueth sauyn[^a863]
soules that han synnyd · seuene sythes dedly ·
ac to truste to these triennals · trewly me thynketh
is nougth so syker for[^a864] soules[^a865] · certys as is do-wel

[^a861: oure lorde (Hm G F) | lordes (Most other mss)]

[^a862: prayers · and penaunce (Hm F) | penaunce and preyeres (All other mss)]

[^a863: saueth sauyn (Hm) | saue (Most other mss)]

[^a864: for (Hm) | for þe (All other mss)]

[^a865: soules (Hm Cr1 C G B) | soule (All other mss)]

[^98: Hm.7.194: HmGF read oure lorde against lordes in most B manuscripts, though Hm initially had the genitive form.]

¶ For-thi y rede ȝow renkes · that ryche ben on this erthe ·
vppon trust of ȝour tresour · triennals to haue
be ȝe neuere the boldere · to breke the ten hestes
and namely ȝe maystres · mayres and Iuges
that han the welthe of þis world and for wyse men ben holdyn ·
to purchace ȝow pardoun · and the popes bulles ·

¶ At the dredful dome · whan the dede[^a866] schulle aryse
and comyn alle to-fore[^a867] cryst acountys to ȝelde
how ȝe[^a868] ladde[^a869] ȝour[^a870] lyfe there[^a871] · and his lawys kepte[^a872]
and how ȝe[^a873] dedyn[^a874] day by day · the doom schall[^a875] reherce ·
a pokeful of pardoun · þere · ne prouyncyales lettrys
they ȝe be fowndyn in the Fraternyte · of all þe foure ordres ·
and haue indulgences dowblefold · but ȝif dowel ȝow helpe
y sette ȝour patentes and ȝour pardoun · at one pyes hele

[^a866: the dede (Hm Cr B) | ded (Most other mss)]

[^a867: to-fore (Hm Cr W) | bifore (Most other mss)]

[^a868: ȝe (Hm F) | þow (All other mss)]

[^a869: ladde (Hm) | laddest (Most other mss)]

[^a870: ȝour (Hm F) | þi (All other mss)]

[^a871: there (Hm) | here (Most other mss)]

[^a872: kepte (Hm) | keptest (Most other mss)]

[^a873: ȝe (Hm F) | þow (All other mss)]

[^a874: dedyn (Hm) | dedest (Most other mss)]

[^a875: schall (Hm) | wil (All other mss)]

¶ for-þy y conseyl alle crystene · forto[^a876] crye god mercy
and mary his moder · be oure mene bytwene
that god ȝyue vs grace · here or we gon hennes
suche werkes to wurche · while we ben here
that aftur our deth-day · do-wel reherce
at the day of dome · we dude as he higth ·

[^a876: forto (Hm) | to (All other mss)]

Passus octauus de visione · & primus de do-weel ·

T hus ro bed[^a877] yn russat · y romed aboute
all a somer cesoun · forto seke do-wel
And frayned fulofte ful ofte · of folk that y mette
ȝif eny wygth wyste · where do-wel was at ynne
and what man he mygth be of many man y askede

[^a877: ro bed (Hm Cr2 Cr3) | yrobed (Most other mss)]

¶ was neuer wyth[^99] as y wente · that me wysse cowde
where this lede lenged lasse ne more
tyl it befell on a Fryday · two frerys y mette
maystres of the menours · men of grete wytte
y halzed[^100] hem hendely · as y hadde lerned
and prayde hem pur charyte · er they passyd ferther
ȝif þey knewe any cuntre · or cost[^a878] as they wente
wher þat do-wel dwelleth · dooþ me to wyten
for þey ben men of this molde þat most wyde walkyn
and knowyn contres and courtes · and many kynne places
boþe princes palays · and pore mennys cotes ·
and do-wel and do-euyl · where they dwelle bothe

[^a878: cost (Hm Cr1) | costes (Most other mss)]

[^99: Hm.8.6: Wyth, "person, anyone."]

[^100: Hm.8.10: Halzed, "hailed." Kane-Donaldson interpret <z> as <ȝ>.]

¶ Amonges vs quod the menours · that man is dwellynge ·
and euer haþ as y hope · and euere schall here-aftyr

¶ Contra quod y as a clerk · and comsed to despute
and seyde hem soothly · sepcies in die cadit iustus

¶ Seuene sythes quod[^a879] the book · synnyth the ryghtfull
and who-so synnyth as y seyde[^a880] · dooþ euyl as me thynketh
and do-wel and do-euele · mowe nougth dwelle togydres
ergo he is nougth alway · amonge ȝow frerys
he is oþerwhile elles-where · to wysse the peple

[^a879: quod (Hm) | seith (Most other mss)]

[^a880: as y seyde (Hm) | I seyde (Other mss)]

¶ y schall seye þe my sone · seyde the frere thanne
how seuene sythes þe sadman sad man · on a day synneth
by a forbisene quod the frere · y schall the fayre schewe
lat brynge aman a man yn a bote · amydde the brod water
and þe[^a881] wynde and þe water · and þe bote waggynge
makeþ þe man many a tyme · to falle and to stonde
for stonde he neuere so styffe · he stomblyth ȝif he meue
and ȝit is[^a882] saufe and sound · and so hym byhoueth
for ȝif he ne aryse þe rathur · and rauȝt to the sterne[^a883] ·
the wynde woold wyþ þe water · the bote ouerþrowe
and þanne were his lyf loste · þorough lacches of hym-sylue

[^a881: and þe (Hm) | Þe (All other mss)]

[^a882: is (Hm) | is he (All other mss)]

[^a883: sterne (Hm C2 R F) | stiere (All other mss)]

¶ And þus it falleth quod þe frere · by folk here on erthe
the water is lyknyd to þe world þat wanyeþ and wexeth
the goodes of þis grounde · are lyk to þe grete wawes[^101]
the bote is lyknyd to our body · þat brotel is of kynde
that thorough the fende and þe flesch · and the frele worlde
synneth the sadman sad man on the day[^a884] · seuene tymes[^a885]

[^a884: on the day (Hm) | a day (Most other mss)]

[^a885: tymes (Hm Cr G) | sythes (All other mss)]

[^101: Hm.8.40: After this line, Hm uniquely omits the line Þat as wyndes and wederes walweth aboute found in all other B mss, and here given in the spelling of L. The omission is perhaps caused by eye-skip, for the scribe omitted the third line in a five-line sequence that begins each line as follows: the, the, that, the, and that.]

¶ Ac dedly synne dooth he nougth · for dowel hym kepeth ·
and þat is charyte the champyon · chief helpe aȝenst synne
for he strenkthet man to stonde · & stereth mannys soule
and þowh þe[^a886] body bowe · as boot dooþ yn the water
ay is þe[^a887] soule saufe · but ȝif thi-self woll ·
doo a dedly synne · and drenche so thi soule
god woll suffre[^a888] thy soule[^a889] · ȝif þy-sylfe[^102] lyketh
for he ȝaf þe to ȝeres-gyue · to ȝeme well þy-sylue ·
and þat is wyt and fre wyll · euery[^a890] man[^a891] aporcyon a porcyon ·
to fleynge fowlys to fysches and to bestes
ac man hath most þerof · and most is to blame
but ȝif he wurche wel þerwyth · as do-wel hym techeth

[^a886: þe (Hm W G) | þi (Most other mss)]

[^a887: þe (Hm M G) | þi (All other mss)]

[^a888: suffre (Hm) | suffre wel (All other mss)]

[^a889: soule (Hm R F) | sleuthe (All other mss)]

[^a890: euery (Hm) | to euery (All other mss)]

[^a891: man (Hm) | wyȝte (All other mss)]

[^102: Hm.8.50: The final <e> has been partially erased.]

¶ I haue no k ynde knowynge quod y · to conceyue all ȝour wordes
ȝif[^a892] y may lyue and loke · y schall go lerne bettre
y bekenne the cryst quod þat on[^a893] · þat on the cros deyed
and y seyde þe same · saue ȝow fro meschaunce
and ȝiue ȝow grace on this grounde · good men to wurthe
and thus y wente wyde-where · walkynge myn one
by a wyde[^a894] wyldernesse · and by a wode syde
blysse of tho[^a895] bryddes · brougth me a-slepe
and vndur a lynde vpon a launde · lenyd y a stounde
to lustyn[^a896] the layes · the louely fowlys madyn
murþe of her mouthes · made me there to slepe
the merueyluste[^a897] metels · mette me thanne
that euere dremyd wygth · yn world as y wene

[^a892: ȝif (Hm) | Ac if (Other mss)]

[^a893: þat on (Hm) | he (Most other mss)]

[^a894: wyde (Hm) | wilde (All other mss)]

[^a895: tho (Hm Bx) | þe (All other mss)]

[^a896: lustyn (Hm F) | lythe (Most other mss)]

[^a897: merueyluste (Hm) | merueillousest (Most other mss)]

¶ A muche man as me þougth · and lyk to my-sylue
com and callyd me · by my kuynde name

¶ What art thu quod y tho · þat thu myn name knowest
that thu wost wel quod he · and no wight bettre
wote y what þu art · þougth seyde he thanne ·
y haue sued the þis seuene ȝere · seiȝe thu me no rather
art þu þougth quod he[^a898] tho · thu cowdest me wysse ·
where that do-wel dwelleth · and do me that knowe[^a899] ·

[^a898: he (Hm) | I (All other mss)]

[^a899: knowe (Hm) | to knowe (Most other mss)]

¶ Do-wel and do-bet · and do-beste the thrydde quod he ·
ar thre fayre vertues · and beth nougth fer to fynde
who[^a900] is trewe of his tonge and of his two handys ·
and thorough his labour or þurgh his lond · his lyflode wynnyth ·
and ys trusty of his taylende · taketh but his owen
and is nougth drunkelewe · ne dysdeynous · do-wel hym folweth ·

[^a900: who (Hm) | Who-so (Most other mss)]

¶ Dobet dooþ rygth þus · ac he dooþ muche more
he is also[^a901] lowe as a lombe · and louely of speche
and helpeth alle men · aftur that hem nedeth ·
the bagges and þe bygerdles · he hath brokyn hem alle
that the erl auarous · helde and his eyres ·
and thus wyþ mammonaes moneye · he hath made hym frendys ·
and is ronnyn to relygyoun · and hath rendred the bible
and precheth to þe peple · seynte poulys wordys
Libenter suffertis insipientes · cum sitis ipsi sapientes · & cetera[^a902] ·

[^a901: also (Hm) | as (Most other mss)]

[^a902: & cetera (Hm) | nil (All other mss)]

¶ And suffreth the vnwyse · wyth ȝow forto lybbe ·
and wyth glad wylle dooþ hem good · for so god ȝow hoteth

¶ Dobest is aboue bothe · and beryþ a buschops cros ·
ys hokyd on þat on ende · to halyȝe men fro helle
a pyke is on þat potente · to putte a-doun the wykkyd
that wayten eny wykkydnesse · do-wel to tene
and do-wel and do-be t amonges hem haue ordeynyd[^a903] ·
to crownyn oon to be kyng · to rewlyn hem bothe ·
that ȝif do-wel or do-be t · dude aȝenst do-best ·
than schal þe kyng come · and castyn hym[^a904] yn yrnys ·
and but ȝif dobest preye[^a905] for hym[^a906] · they two be there · for euere

[^a903: haue ordeynyd (Hm W Cr) | ordeigned (Other mss)]

[^a904: hym (Hm) | hem (All other mss)]

[^a905: preye (Hm) | bede (Other mss)]

[^a906: hym (Hm C B) | hem (All other mss)]

¶ Thus do-wel and do-bet · and do-best the thrydde ·
crownyd on to be kyng to kepen hem alle
and to reule the reme · by her thre wyttys
and none oþerwyse · but as they thre assentyd ·

¶ y þonkyd þougth · that[^a907] he me thus taugthe
ac ȝit sauoureþ me nougth thi seiȝinge · y coueyte to lerne ·
how do-wel do-bet and do-beste · don amonge the peple ·
but wytte konne wysse the quod þougth · where þoo þre dwelle
elles wote y none that can · that now ys on lyue ·

[^a907: that (Hm) | þo þat (All other mss)]

¶ Thouth and y thus · thre dayes we ȝedyn
dysputynge vppon do-wel · day aftur othur
and ar we wer waar · wyth wyt gon we mete ·
he was long and lene lyk to non othre
was no pryde vppon[^a908] his apparayle · ne pouerte neythre
sadde of his semblaunt and of softe chere ·
y durste meue no matere · to make hym to iangle ·
erfley

[Hm.8.119:In the lower right margin appears a cursive pen trial that appears to be a family name or place name, written on the vertical axis, reading from top to bottom: erfley.]

but as y bad þougth thoo · be mene bytwene ·
and putte foorth sum purpos · to preuyn his wyttes
what was dowel · fro dobet · and do-best fram hem bothe

[^a908: vppon (Hm B) | on (All other mss)]

¶ Thanne þought yn that tyme seyde thes woordes
where do-wel · do-bet and do-best ben yn londe ·
here is wil wolde wyte · ȝif wyt co wde teche hym
and wheþer he be man or womman · this man wolde aspye ·
and wurchyn as þey thre wolde · þus[^a909] ys his entent

[^a909: þus (Hm W Cr1) | þis (All other mss)]

Passus nonus de visione · & secundus de do-weel ·

S ire dowel dwelleþ quod wyt · nougth a day hennys ·
yn a castel that kynde made · of fourkyn four kyn thynges ·
of erþe and aer it is[^a910] maad · medlyd to-gydres
wyþ wynd and wyþ water · wytterly en ionyd ·
k ynde hath closed þeryn · craftyly wyth-alle
a lemman that he loueth · lyk to hym-sylue
Anima sche hatteth · ac enuye her hateth
a proud priker of Fraunce · princeps huius mundi ·
and wolde wynne her a-way · wyth wyle[^a911] and he mygthe ·

[^a910: it is (Hm O C2 F) | is it (All other mss)]

[^a911: wyle (Hm) | wyles (All other mss)]

¶ Ac k ynde knoweth this wel · and kepyth her the bettre ·
and dooþ her wyth sire dowel · is duk of these marches ·

¶ Dobet is her damysele · sire dowel-is[^103] doughter
to serue the[^a912] lady lely · bothe late and rathe ·
dobest is a-boue bothe · a bysshopes pere
that he byt moot be do · he rewleth hem alle ·

[^a912: the (Hm) | þis (Most other mss)]

[^103: Hm.9.12: For the his -genitive, see Tauno F. Mustanoja, A Middle English Syntax, Part I: Parts of Speech (Helsinki, 1960), 159-162. See also Hm.19.54.]

¶ Anima that lady · is ladde by his lerynge
ac þe constable of þat castel · þat kepeþ al the wacche ·
ys a wys knygth wyth-alle · sire Inwyt he hatteth ·
and hath fyue fayre sonys · by his furste wyue ·
syr seewel and saywel · and herewel the ende
sir wurche wel wyth thyn hand · a wygth man of strenkthe ·
and sir godfrey gowel · grete lordes forsothe ·
these fyue ben sette · to saue this lady · Anima
tyl kynde come or sende · to haue[^a913] her for euere

[^a913: haue (Hm) | saue (Most other mss)]

¶ What kyn thynge ys kynde quod y · canst thu me telle ·
kynde quod wytt[^a914] a creature · of all kyn thynges
fadur and furmour · of all þat euere was maked ·
and that is þe grete god · that gynnynge hadde neuere ·
lord of lyf and of lygth · of lysse and of peyne
aungels and alle þyng · arn at his wylle
ac man is hym most lyk · of mark and of schaft
for þurgh þe woord þat he spak wexen foorþ bestes ·
Dixit & facta sunt & cetera ·

[^a914: wytt (Hm) | witte is (Most other mss)]

¶ And made furst Adam man[^a915] · lykest to hym-sylf one ·
and eue of his rybbe bon · wyth-outyn eny mene
for he was synguler hym-selfe · and seyde faciamus
as who seith more moot herto · than my woord one
my mygth moot helpe now wyth my speche ·
rygth as a lord schulde make lettres · and hym lakkyd parchemyn ·
thouw he cow de wryte neuere so wel · ȝif he hadde no penne ·
the lettre for all the lordschipe · y leue were neuere ymakyd ·

[^a915: furst Adam man (Hm) | man (Most other mss)]

¶ And so it semeþ by hym · as the bible telleth ·
there he seyde · dixit & facta sunt ·
he moot werche wyth his woord · and his wytte schewe
and yn this manere was man maad · thorow mygth of god almyghty ·
wyþ his woord and werkmanschipe · and wyth his lyf[^a916] to laste ·
and thus god gaf hym a goost · of the godhed of heuene
and of his grete grace · grauntyd hym blysse ·
and þat is lyf that ay schall laste · to alle lynage aftur
and þat is the castel · that kuynde made · caro it hatteth
and is also[^a917] muche to mene · as man wyth a soule ·
and that he wrougth wyth werke · and wyth woord bothe ·
thurgh mygth of the mageste · man was y-makyd ·

[^a916: his lyf (Hm) | lyf (All other mss)]

[^a917: also (Hm) | as (All other mss)]

¶ Inwyt and alle wyttes · closyd ben therynne ·
for loue of þat[^a918] lady anima · that lyf is y-nempnyd ·
oueral yn mannys body · ȝhe[^a919][^104] walketh and wandreth ·
and yn the herte is her hoom · and her most reste ·
ac ynwyt is yn the hed · and to the herte he loketh ·
what anima is leef or loth · he lat her at his wylle ·
for aftur the grace of god · þe grettyst is ynwyt

[^a918: þat (Hm) | þe (All other mss)]

[^a919: ȝhe (Hm) | he (Bx M R)]

[^104: Hm.9.56: Ȝhe, "she."]

¶ Moche wo wurþ th o[^a920] m en[^a921] · þat mysrewleth h er[^a922] ynwyt
and[^a923] beth glotouns gluberous[^a924] · her god is her wombe ·
Quorum deus venter est · & cetera[^a925] ·
for they seruyn sathan · her soules schal he haue ·
that lyueth synful lyf[^a926] · her soule is lyk the deuyl
and alle þat lyuen good lyf · arn lyk to god almyghty
Qui manet in caritate in deo manet · & cetera ·

[^a920: th o (Hm) | þat (Most other mss)]

[^a921: m en (Hm) | man (Most other mss)]

[^a922: h er (Hm) | his (All other mss)]

[^a923: and (Hm) | And þat (Most other mss)]

[^a924: gluberous (Hm) | globbares (Most other mss)]

[^a925: & cetera (Hm G Y B) | nil (Most other mss)]

[^a926: lyf (Hm F) | lyf here (All other mss)]

¶ Alas þat drynke schall fordo · þat god dere bougth ·
and dooþ god forsakyn hem · that he schoop to his lyknesse ·
Amen dico vobis · nescio vos & alibi ·
Et dimisi eos secundum desideria eorum · & cetera ·

¶ Folys þat faylyn[^a927] ynwyt · y fynde þat holy cherche ·
schulde fynde hem that they[^a928] faylen[^a929] · and faderles childryn ·
and wydewes that haue nougth · wherwyth to wynnyn[^a930] her food ·
madde men and maydenes · that helples were
alle þese lacken ynwytt · and lore byhoueth

[^a927: faylyn (Hm B) | fauten (Bx M R)]

[^a928: they (Hm) | hem (Most other mss)]

[^a929: faylen (Hm) | fauteth (G O C2 Y B R) | fauted (L M W)]

[^a930: wynnyn (Hm G F) | wynnen hem (All other mss)]

¶ Of þys mater y mygth · makyn a longe tale
and fyndyn fele wytnesses · among þe four doctours ·
and þat y lye nougth of that y lerne[^a931] the · luke beryþ wytnesse

[^a931: lerne (Hm Cr) | lere (All other mss)]

¶ Godfadur and godmodur · that seen her godchildryn ·
at mysayse and at myscheef · and mowyn · hem amende ·
schull haue penaunce yn purgatory · but ȝif they hem helpe ·
for more bylongeth to the lytyl barn · er he the lawe conne[^a932] ·
than nempnynge of aname a name · and he neuere the wysere ·
schulde no crystene creature · cryen at the ȝate ·
ne faylen payn and[^a933] potage · and prelatys dudyn as þey schuldyn
a iew wolde nougth seen a iew go ianglynge for deffaute ·
for alle þe nobles[^a934] on this molde · and he amende it mygth

[^a932: conne (Hm) | knowe (All other mss)]

[^a933: and (Hm G R F) | ne (All other mss)]

[^a934: nobles (Hm R) | moebles (Most other mss)]

¶ alas þat a crystene creature · schall be vnkynde tyl another ·
Syþþe iewes that we Iuge · Iudas felawes ·
eythur of hem helpeth othre · of that[^a935] h em[^a936] nedeth ·
whi ne woll[^a937] we crystene · of crystes good ben also[^a938] kynde ·
as iewes þat ben our lores-men · schame to vs alle ·
the comoun for her vnkyndenes · y drede me schull a-bye ·

[^a935: that (Hm) | þat þat (Most other mss)]

[^a936: h em (Hm Cr W G F) | hym (All other mss)]

[^a937: ne woll (Hm B R) | nel (Most other mss)]

[^a938: also (Hm B F) | as (All other mss)]

¶ Busschopes schull be blamyd · for beggers sake ·
he is wurse than iudas · that ȝyueth a iaper syluer
and byddeth the begger go · for his brokyn clothes ·
Proditor est prelatus cum iuda qui patrimonium christi minus distribuit · & alibi · perniciosus dispensator est qui res pauperum christi inutiliter consumit ·

¶ He dooth nougth well þat doth þus · ne dredeþ[^a939] nougth god almyghty ·
he[^a940] loueþ nougth salamones sawes · that sapience made[^a941] ·
Inicium sapiencie timor domini · & cetera[^a942] ·

[^a939: dredeþ (Hm Cr G C2 F) | drat (All other mss)]

[^a940: he (Hm Cr W F) | Ne (All other mss)]

[^a941: made (Hm) | tauȝte (Most other mss)]

[^a942: & cetera (Hm Y) | nil (All other mss)]

¶ That dredeþ god he doth well · þat dredeth hym for loue ·
and nougth for drede of vengeaunce · dooþ þerfore þe bettre ·
he doth best þat wyþdraweþ hym · by day and by nygthe ·
to spille any speche · or any space of tyme ·
Qui offendit in vno in omnibus reus est[^a943] · & cetera[^a944] ·

[^a943: reus est (Hm F) | est reus (Most other mss)]

[^a944: & cetera (Hm B) | nil (All other mss)]

¶ Lesynge of tyme · trewth e wote the sothe
is moste hatyd vpon erþe · of hem þat ben yn heuene ·
and suþþe to spille speche · þat spicere[^a945] is of grace ·
and a[^a946] goddes gluman · and a gamyn[^a947][^105] of heuene ·
wolde neuere þe feythfull fader · h ys f ythele were vntempryd ·
ne his glewman a gadelynge · a goere to tauernes ·

[^a945: spicere (Hm) | spyre (Most other mss)]

[^a946: and a (Hm) | And (Most other mss)]

[^a947: gamyn (Hm) | game (Most other mss)]

[^105: Hm.9.110: Hm alone has the dissyllabic and thus unmetrical spelling gamyn against the game of other manuscripts. F also has gamen, but the line is substantially rewritten there.]

¶ To alle trewe tydymen · that trauayle desyryn ·
our lord loueþ hem and leneth hem[^a948] · lowde oþer stylle ·
grace to go to hem · and a-gon her lyflode ·
Inquirentes autem dominum non minuentur omni bono · & cetera[^a949] ·

[^a948: leneth hem (Hm) | lent (All other mss)]

[^a949: & cetera (Hm) | nil (All other mss)]

¶ Trewe weddyd lyuynge folk yn þys world ys dowel ·
for þey moot werche and wynne · and þe world susteyne ·
for of her kynde · þey come · þat confessoures ben nempnyd
kynges and knyghtes · caysers and cherles
maydens and martyres · out of oo man come ·

¶ the wyf was maad þe wey · forto helpe werche ·
and þus was wedlok y-wrougth · wyth amene a mene persone ·
fyrst by the fadres wylle and þe frendys conseyl ·
and suþþyn by the[^a950] assent of hem-self as þey two mygth accorde ·
and þus was wedlok y-wrougth · and god hym-sylf it made ·
yn erthe the heuene ys · hym-sylfe was the wytnes

[^a950: by the (Hm Cr C2) | bi (All other mss)]

¶ ac fals folk feythles · theuys and lyers
wastours and wrecchis · oute of wedlok y trowe ·
conceyuyd ben yn euyl tyme · as caym was on eue ·
of suche synfull schrewys . þe sauter makyth mynde .
Concepit dolorem[^a951] · & peperit iniquitatem · & cetera ·

[^a951: dolorem (Hm R F) | in dolore (All other mss)]

¶ And alle þat comyn of that caym · comyn to euil ende
for god sente to seem · and seyde by an Aungel ·
th yn yssue in thyn yssue · y woll þat þey be weddyd
and nougth þy kynde wyþ caymes · y-cowplyd ner[^a952] spousyd

[^a952: ner (Hm) | ne (Most other mss)]

¶ Ȝit summe aȝen the sonde · of our saueour of heuene ·
caymes kynde and his kynde · couplyd to-gydres
tyl god wratthid for her werkes · and suche a woord seyde ·
that y made man · now it me furthynketh ·
Penitet me fecisse hominem · & cetera[^a953] ·

[^a953: & cetera (Hm G Y B) | nil (All other mss)]

¶ And com to noe anoon · and bad hym nougth lette ·
swythe go schape a schip · of schydes and of boordys ·
thy-sylf and þy sonys thre · and sutthyn ȝour wyues
buske ȝow to þat boot · and abydeth[^a954] ȝe ther-ynne ·
tyl fourty dayes ben fulfulde · þat flood haue ywaschyn ·
clene awey þe cursyd blood · þat caym hath y-makyd ·

[^a954: abydeth (Hm F) | bideth (Most other mss)]

¶ bestys þat now ben · schull banne the tyme ·
that euere cursyd[^a955] cayme · com to[^a956] this erthe
Alle schall deye for his dedys · by dalys and by hylles ·
and þe fowles that fleen · foorþ wyth oþre bestys ·
eccepte onlyche · of eche kynde a couple ·
that yn thy schynglyd schip · schull be sauyd[^a957] ·

[^a955: cursyd (Hm G) | þat cursed (All other mss)]

[^a956: to (Hm) | on (Most other mss)]

[^a957: sauyd (Hm Cr1) | ysaued (All other mss)]

¶ Here abougthe þe barn · the belsyres gultys ·
& alle for her forfadres · þey feerdyn the wurse
the gospel is heragayn · yn oo degre y fynde ·
Filius non portabit · iniquitatem patris · & pater non portabit iniquitatem filij · & cetera[^a958]

[^a958: & cetera (Hm L M W) | nil (All other mss)]

¶ Ac y fynde ȝif þe fader be · fals and a schrewe
that sumdel the sone · schall haue the syres tecchis
ympe vpon[^a959] an ellerne tre[^a960] · and ȝif the[^a961] appul be swete
muche meruayl me thynketh · and more of a schrewe
that bryngeþ foorþ any barn · but ȝif he be the same
and haue a sauour after þe syre · selde seest thu oþer
Nunquam colligitur de spinis vua[^a962] · nec de tribulis ficus · & cetera[^a963] ·

[^a959: vpon (Hm R F) | on (All other mss)]

[^a960: ellerne tre (Hm B) | ellerne (All other mss)]

[^a961: the (Hm) | þine (All other mss)]

[^a962: vua (Hm M Cr W) | vuas (All other mss)]

[^a963: & cetera (Hm) | nil (All other mss)]

¶ And thus þurgh cursyd caym · cam care vpon erthe ·
and all for þey wrougth wedlokes · aȝenst goddes wylle
forthy haue þey maugree of her maryages þat maryen so her childryn
for summe as y se now · the sothe to[^a964] telle ·
for couetyse of catel · vnkyndely ben weddyd ·
and[^a965] carfull concepcyoun · cometh of suche maryages
as byfel of þe folk · þat ybyfore y byfore of tolde
for goode schuldyn wedde goode  þouȝ her neyther[^a966] good hadde ·
y am via & veritas seyth cryst · y may auaunce alle ·

[^a964: the sothe to (Hm) | soth forto (All other mss)]

[^a965: and (Hm Cr2 Cr3 C2 C) | As (Other mss)]

[^a966: her neyther (Hm) | hij no (All other mss)]

¶ It is an vncomely couple · by cryst as me thynketh
to ȝyuen aȝonge a ȝonge wenche · to an olde feble man[^a967] ·
or wedde any wedywe · for welthe of her goodes
þat neuere schal barn bere · but it be yn armys
many a peyre syth pestylence[^a968] · han plygth hem to-gydres
the frute þat þey brynge foorth · arn fowl woordes
In ielosye ioyles · and iangly nge ab edde
haue þey no childryn but cheste · and carpynge[^a969] hem betwene
and þouw þey doon hem to dunmowe · but ȝif þe deuel helpe ·
to folwyn aftur the flykke · fecche they it neuere ·
and but þey bothe ben forsworn · þat bacoun þey tyne
forthi y conseyle all crystyn men[^a970] · coueyte nougth be wedded ·
for couetyse of catel · ne of kynrede ryche

[^a967: feble man (Hm B) | feble (Most other mss)]

[^a968: pestylence (Hm B) | þe pestilence (All other mss)]

[^a969: carpynge (Hm) | choppyng (Bx C G O C2)]

[^a970: crystyn men (Hm B) | crystene (Most other mss)]

¶ ac maydens & maydens · macche ȝow to-gydres ·
wydwes and wydwes[^a971][^106] · wurcheth the same
for none[^a972] londys but for loue · loke ȝe be wedded
and þanne gete ȝe the grace of god · & good y-now to lyue wyth ·
and euery maner seculer · þat may nougth conteyne ·
wysly go wedde and war hym fro synne ·
for lecchery yn lykynge · is lymȝerde of helle
whiles þu art ȝonge · and þy wepne kene
wreke þe wyþ wyuynge · ȝif þu wolte ben excused
Dum sis vir fortis · ne des tua robora scortis · Scribitur in portis · meretrix est ianua mortis ·

[^a971: wydwes and wydwes (Hm Cr) | Widwes and widwers (Most other mss)]

[^a972: none (Hm B) | no (All other mss)]

[^106: Hm.9.188: CrHm read wydwes and wydwes. The verse caused the scribes some difficulty, but alpha reads Wydeweres and wydewes (in the spelling of R) against beta's Widwes and widwers.]

¶ Whan ȝe han wyued be waar · and wurche yn tyme
nougth as Adam and Eue · whan tyme[^a973] was engendred
for yn vntyme trewly · bytwene man and womman
ne schulde no berde yn[^a974] bedde be · but ȝif þey were boþe[^a975] clene
bothe of lyf and of soule and yn parfyt charyte ·
that ylke derne dede do · noman ne schulde
and ȝif þey ledyn thus her lyf it lyketh god all-myghty
for he made wedlok furst · and hym-sylf it seyde
Bonum est vt vnusquisque vxorem suam habeat propter fornicacionem · & cetera[^a976]

[^a973: tyme (Hm) | caym (All other mss)]

[^a974: berde yn (Hm) | bourde on (Most other mss)]

[^a975: were boþe (Hm) | bothe were (Most other mss)]

[^a976: & cetera (Hm) | nil (All other mss)]

¶ And þey þat oþergatys were[^a977] getyn · for gadelynges ben holdyn ·
als fals folk foundlynges · faytours and lyers
vngracyous to gete good · or loue of the peple ·
wandryn and wastyn · what they cacche mowe
aȝenst do-wel þey don euyl · and þe deuel serue ·
and aftur her deþ-day · schull dwell wyth þe same ·
but god gyue hem grace here · hem-sulf to amende ·

[^a977: were (Hm) | ben (All other mss)]

¶ Dowel my frend is · to don as lawe techeth
to loue þy frende and þy fo · leue me þat is do-bet
to ȝyuen and to ȝemyn · bothe ȝonge and olde
to helyn and to helpyn · is dobest of alle ·
and dowel is to drede god · and do-bet to suffre ·
and so cometh do-best of bothe · and bryngeþ doun[^a978] þe mody
and that is wykkyd[^a979] þat many werke schendeth
and dryueth a-wey dowel · þurgh dedly synnys

[^a978: doun (Hm G) | adoun (All other mss)]

[^a979: wykkyd (Hm) | wikked wille (All other mss)]

Passus xus decimus · de visione · & iijus tertius · de do-weel ·

T hanne hadde wyt a wyf · was hotyn dame studye ·
þat lef[^a980] was to[^a981] lere[^107] · And of lyche boþe
sche was wondurly wroth · þat wytt þus me[^a982] taugthe
and al starynge dame studye · sternly seyde ·

[^a980: lef (Hm) | lene (Most other mss)]

[^a981: to (Hm) | of (All other mss)]

[^a982: þus me (Hm) | me þus (Most other mss)]

[^107: Hm.10.2: Hm's lef was to lere is unique, involving a misinterpretation of lere as the verb "learn." The archetypal reading is lene was of lere, "was lean of face," though Cr1 prints leue for lene.]

¶ Wel art thu wys quod sche to wytt · eny wysdomes to telle
to flaterers or to folys · þat frentyk ben of wyttes
and blamyd hym · and bannyd hym · and bad hym ben stylle
wyþ suche wyse wordes · to wyssyn eny sottes ·
and seydyn noli mittere man · margery perles ·
amonge hogges · that han hawes at wylle
þey done but dreuelyn þeron · draf were hem leuere
than al þe precyous perrey · þat yn paradys wexeth
y seye it by suche quod sche · þat scheweþ by her werkys
that h em were leuer · lond and wurschip[^a983] on erthe
or rycchesse or rentys · or[^a984] reste at her wylle
þan all þe soþsawes soþ sawes · þat salamon seyde euere

[^a983: wurschip (Hm) | lordship (All other mss)]

[^a984: or (Hm) | and (All other mss)]

¶ Wysdom and wyt now · is nougth wurþ a kerse
but ȝif it be cardyd wyþ couetyse · as kembsters[^a985] kembyn her wolle
who-so can contreue dysceytes · and conspyre wronges ·
and lede foorþ a loueday · to lette wyþ trewthe ·
he þat suche craftes can · to counseyl is clepid
they ledyn lordes wyþ lesynges · and bylyeþ trewþe

[^a985: kembsters (Hm) | clotheres (Most other mss)]

¶ Iob þe gentyle · yn his gestys wytnesseth ·
þat wykkyd men weldyn ·[^108] þe welþe of þys worlde
and that they be lordys in[^a986] ylke alonde a londe · þat out of lawe lybbeth
Quare impij viuunt · bene est omnibus · qui preuaricantur · & inique agunt · & cetera[^a987]

[^a986: in (Hm R) | of (All other mss)]

[^a987: & cetera (Hm) | nil (All other mss)]

[^108: Hm.10.24: Weldyn and the punctus are written over an erasure of at least ten letters ending with <n>; the initial <w> has a splayed lead-in stroke to fill some of the extra space created by the erasure. Kane and Donaldson reasonably surmise the original reading may have been archetypal þey weldyn.]

¶ The sauter seyþ þe same · by suche þat don ylle
Ecce impij[^a988][^109] peccatores habundantes · in seculo obtinuerunt diuicias ·

[^a988: impij (Hm) | ipsi (All other mss)]

[^109: Hm.10.28: The scribe picked up impij from Hm.10.26.]

¶ Loo seith holy lettrure · whiche woordes[^a989] be these[^a990] ·
þulke that god gyueþ most · lest good þey deleth ·
and most vnkynde to þe comoun · þat most catel weldeþ ·
Que perfecisti destruxerunt iustus autem · & cetera ·

[^a989: woordes (Hm) | lordes (Most other mss)]

[^a990: these (Hm) | þis shrewes (All other mss)]

¶ Harlotes for her harlotrye · may haue of her go odes
and iapers and iugolours[^110] · and ianglers of gestys ·
Ac he þat hath holy wrytt · ay yn his mowth ·
and can telle of Thobye · and of þe twelue apostles ·
or prechyn of þe penaunce · þat pylat wrougth
to ihesu þe gentyle · that iewes to-drowe ·
lytil is he louyd · that suche a lessoun scheweth ·
or dauntyd or drawe foorþ · y do it on god hym-sylue ·

[^110: Hm.10.34: Kane and Donaldson misread as iungolours.]

¶ But tho that feynyn hem foles · and wyþ faytynge lybbeþ
aȝen the lawe of our lord · and lyen on hem-sylue ·
spyttyn and spewyn · and spekyn fowle woordes ·
drynkyn and dreuelyn · and do men to gape ·
lykne men and lyȝe on hem · that leneþ hem no ȝiftes
they conne nomore mynstracy · ne musyk men to glade ·
than munde the myller · of multa fecit deus
ne were her vyle harlotrye · haue god my trewthe ·
schulde neuere kyng ne knygth · ne chanoun of seynt poules
ȝyue hem to her ȝeresȝyue · ȝee the[^a991] ȝifte of a grote
ac merthe and mynstracy · is amonge men nouthe
lecchery and losengerye · and losels tales
glotany and grete othes · þis merthey merthe[^a992] þey loueth

[^a991: ȝee the (Hm) | þe (Most other mss)]

[^a992: merthey merthe (Hm) | murthe (Bx M Cr R F)]

¶ Ac ȝif they carpyn of cryst · these clerkes and þyse lewyd
at þe mete yn her merthe · whan mynstrales ben stylle ·
than ne tellen[^111] they of[^a993] trynyte · a tale other tweyne ·
and bryngeþ foorth a ballyd resoun · & takyn bernard to wytnesse
and puttyn foorþ a presumpcyoun · to preue the sothe

[^a993: of (Hm) | of þe (All other mss)]

[^111: Hm.10.56: The correcting scribe wrote ne to complete þanne and then they, but failed to supply the verb. He later added tellen in the right margin, but failed to indicate its placement.]

¶ thus þey dreuelyn at her deys · þe deite to knowe
and gnawyn god wyþ þe gorge · whan þe[^a994] guttys fyllyn ·
ac þe carful may carpe · and cryȝen[^a995] at the ȝate
boþe an-hungred and a-þurst and for chele quake
ys noon to nymen hym neer · his noyȝe to amende
but huntyn hym as an hound · and hotyn hym go thennys

[^a994: þe (Hm) | her (All other mss)]

[^a995: carpe · and cryȝen (Hm) | crye · and carpen (All other mss)]

¶ lytyl loueþ he þat lorde · þat lent hym all þat blysse ·
that þus parteth wyth þe poore · a parcel whan hym nedeth
[^112]ne were mercy yn mene men · more than yn ryche ·
mendynauntes meteles · myghten go to bedde ·
god is muche yn þe gorge · of þese grete maystres
ac amonges mene men · his mercy and his werkes
and so seith þe sauter · y haue seen it ofte ·
Ecce audiuimus eam in effrata · inuenimus eam in campis silue · & cetera[^a996] ·

[^a996: & cetera (Hm) | nil (All other mss)]

[^112: Hm.10.67-69: A crude line drawing (or pen trials) appear in the left margin.]

¶ Clerkes and oþerkyn oþer kyn men · carpyn of god faste
and hauyn moche yn þe mouþ · ac mene men yn herte
frerys and faytours · han foundyn suche questyouns
to plese wyþ proud men · sytthe þe pestylence tyme
and prechyn at seynt poules · for pur enuye of clerkes
that folk is nougth f ermyd yn the feyþ · ne fre of her goodes
ne sory for her synnys · so ys pryde woxen ·
yn relygyoun and yn all þe reme · among ryche and pouere
that prayers han no power · the pestylence to let te
and ȝit þe wrecchis of þys world is noon waar by other
ne for drede of deeþ · wyþdrawyn nougth her pryde
ne beþ plentyfous to þe pouere · as pure charyte wolde
but yn gaynesse and yn glotanye · forgluttyn her good hem-sylue ·
and brekyn nougth to þe beggere · as þe book techeþ
Frange esurienti panem tuum · & cetera

¶ And þe more he wynneth and welt welþes and rycchesse ·
and lordes yn londes · the lesse good he deleth ·
Hm.10.90-104 betoun brygges
thobye telleth ȝow nougth so · taketh hede ȝe ryche
how þe book of þe byble · of hym bereþ wytnesse
Si tibi sit copia habundanter tribue ·
Si autem exiguum · illud impertiri stude libenter · & cetera[^a997] ·

[^a997: & cetera (Hm) | nil (All other mss)]

¶ Who-so haue[^a998] muche spende manlyche so meneth thobye ·
and who-so lytyl weldeth · reule hym þere-aftur
for we haue no lettre of our lyf how longe it schall endure[^a999] ·
suche lessouns lordes · schuldyn louye to here ·
and how þey[^a1000] mygth most meyne · manly fynde

[^a998: haue (Hm) | hath (All other mss)]

[^a999: endure (Hm B Cr) | dure (All other mss)]

[^a1000: þey (Hm B) | he (Most other mss)]

¶ Nougth to fare as a fytheler · or a frere to seke festes
homlyche at othre mennyshouses mennys houses · and hatyn her owen ·
elenge is the halle · eche day yn the wyke ·
ther þe lord ne þe lady · lykeþ nougth to sytte ·
now haþ eche ryche arewle a rewle · to etyn by hem-sylue ·
yn a priue parlour · for poore mennys sake ·
or yn a chambre wyþ a chymneye · & leue þe chefe halle ·
that was maad for melys · men to etyn ynne
and al to spare to spille · that spende schall an nother

¶ I haue herd hiȝe men · atte the table etynge[^a1001] ·
carpyn as they clerkes were · by[^a1002] cryst and of his myghtes
and leyden fawtes vpon þe fader · þat formed vs alle
and carpen aȝen clerkys · crabbyd woordes
why wolde our saueour · suffre suche a worm yn his blysse ·
that bygylyd so the[^a1003] womman · and þe man aftur
thorow whiche wyles and woordes · þey wente to helle ·
and all her seed for her synnys[^a1004] · þe same deeþ suffryd ·

[^a1001: atte the table etynge (Hm) | etyng atte table (Most other mss)]

[^a1002: by (Hm) | of (All other mss)]

[^a1003: so the (Hm) | þe (All other mss)]

[^a1004: synnys (Hm) | synne (All other mss)]

¶ Here lyeþ ȝour lore · lordes[^a1005] gonne despute ·
of þat þe clerkes vs kennyth · by cryst of[^a1006] the gospel
Filius non portabit iniquitatem patris · & cetera

[^a1005: lordes (Hm) | þise lordes (Most other mss)]

[^a1006: by cryst of (Hm) | of cryst by (Most other mss)]

¶ Why schulde we þat now ben · for þe werkes of adam ·
be roten[^a1007] and to-rent[^a1008]  resoun wolde it neuere
Vnusquis que portabit onus suum · & cetera ·

[^a1007: be roten (Hm) | Roten (Most other mss)]

[^a1008: to-rent (Hm Cr2 Cr3) | (to)rende (Most other mss)]

¶ Suche mootyues they meue · þese maystres yn her glorye
and makyn men yn mysbyleue · þat musyn mochyl on her woordes
ymagynatyf her-aftyrward · schall answere to ȝour purpos
austyn to suche arguers · he telleþ hem þys teme ·

¶ Non plus sapere quam oportet & cetera ·
wylneþ neuere to w ete[^a1009][^113] · why that god wolde
suffre so[^a1010][^114] sathan · his seed to be-gyle
ac byleue lely · yn the lore of holy cherche
and praye hym of pardoun · and penaunce yn thy lyue
and for his mechyl[^a1011] mercy · to amende ȝow here

[^a1009: w ete (Hm) | wite (Most other mss)]

[^a1010: suffre so (Hm) | Suffre (Most other mss)]

[^a1011: mechyl (Hm B F) | moche (All other mss)]

[^113: Hm.10.127: Hm is the only manuscript to read wete, and that is the result of a scribal correction. Other B manuscripts read wite.]

[^114: Hm.10.128: The same variation occurs at Hm.10.135.]

¶ for alle þat wylneþ to wyte · þe weyes of god almyghty ·
y wolde his eiȝe were yn his ers · & his fyngor aftyr
that euere wylneth to wyte · why þat god wolde
suffre so[^a1012][^115] sathan · his seed to begyle
or iudas to the iewes · ihesu bytraye
al was as þu woldest · lorde y-wurschipyd be thu
and wurth[^a1013] as thu wolt · what-so we despute

[^a1012: suffre so (Hm) | Suffre (Most other mss)]

[^a1013: wurth (Hm C) | al worth (All other mss)]

[^115: Hm.10.135: The same variation appears in Hm.10.128.]

¶ And þo þat vsyn þese hauylouns · to blende mennys wyttes
what is do-well fro do-bet ·[^116] deef mote he[^117] worþe
sytthe he wylneþ to wyte whiche þey ben boþe[^118]
but he lyue yn the lyf · that longeth to do-wel
for y dar ben his bolde bo rwh þat do-bet woll he neuere
for þouȝ[^a1014] dobest drawe on hym · day after oþere

[^a1014: for þouȝ (Hm) | Þeigh (Most other mss)]

[^116: Hm.10.140: The erased and is visible under ultra violet light, and would have agreed with & in Cr1 against now in most B manuscripts.]

[^117: Hm.10.140: The words mote he are partially erased but legible.]

[^118: Hm.10.141: The words ben boþe are partially erased but legible.]

¶ And whan þat wyt was y-waar · what dame studye tolde
he bycam so confused[^a1015] · he cowde nougth loke
and as doumbe as deeþ · and drowh hym arere
and for no carpynge þat y[^a1016] couthe aftyr ne knelynge to the grounde ·
y mygth gete no greyn · of his grete wyttys
but al lauȝhynge he lowted · and lokyd vpon studye
yn sygne þat y schulde · beseche hure of grace

[^a1015: confused (Hm) | confus (All other mss)]

[^a1016: þat y (Hm) | I (Most other mss)]

¶ And whan y was war of his wyl · to his wyf gan y loute
and seyde mercy madame · ȝour man schall y wurthe
as longe as y leue bothe late and rathe
forto wurche ȝour wyll · whil[^a1017] my lyf dureth
so[^a1018] þat ȝe kenne me kyndely · to knowe what ys dowel

[^a1017: whil (Hm F) | þe while (Most other mss)]

[^a1018: so (Hm F) | With (Most other mss)]

¶ for þy mekenesse man quod sche · and for þy mylde speche
y schal kenne þe to my cosyn that clergye is y-hotyn[^a1019]
he haþ weddyd a wyf wyth-ynne these sixe monthes
þat is[^a1020] sybbe to þe seuene artz · scripture ys her name
they two as y hope · aftur my techynge
schull wysse þe to dowel · y dar it vndurtake ·

[^a1019: y-hotyn (Hm G) | hoten (Most other mss)]

[^a1020: þat is (Hm B) | Is (All other mss)]

¶ Thanne was he[^a1021] also fayn · as foul of fayr morwe
and gladder þan þe glewman · þat gold haþ to ȝifte
and askyd here þe hiȝe way · where þat glergye [c]lergye[^a1022] dwelleþ[^a1023]
and telle me by[^a1024] sum tokne quod y for tyme ys þat y wende

[^a1021: he (Hm W) | I (Most other mss)]

[^a1022: glergye [c]lergye (Hm) | clergye (Most other mss)]

[^a1023: dwelleþ (Hm) | dwelte (Most other mss)]

[^a1024: me by (Hm) | me (All other mss)]

¶ Aske þe hiȝe way quod sche · hennys to suffre ·
boþe weel and eke[^a1025] woo · ȝif[^a1026] thu wylte lerne ·
and ryde foorþ by rycchesse · ac reste þu nougth þerynne
for ȝif þu couplest the þerwyth · to clergye comest þu neuere

[^a1025: and eke (Hm) | and (All other mss)]

[^a1026: ȝif (Hm G) | ȝif þat (All other mss)]

¶ And also þe lykerous launde · þat lecchery hatteth ·
leef hym on þy lefthalf left half a large myle or more ·
tyl þu come to a court · kepe well þy tonge
fro lesynges and lyther speche · and lykerous drynkes
¶ Thanne schalt thu see soberte · and symplesse[^a1027] of speche ·
that eche wygth be yn wylle · his wyt þe to schewe
and þus schalt þu come to clergye þat can many thynges
seiȝe hym þys sygne · y sette hym to scole ·
and þat y grete well his wyf for y wrote her many bookes
and sette her to sapience · and to þe sauter glosyd ·
logyk y lernyd here · and many othur lawes ·
and alle þe musouns of[^a1028] musyke · y made her to knowe ·
plato the poiete · y putte hym furst to booke ·
arystotle and othre moo · y taugth hem argue[^a1029] ·
gramer for gerles · y gart ferst to wryte ·
and beet hem wyth a balays · but ȝif þey wolde lerne ·

[^a1027: symplesse (Hm) | symplete (Most other mss)]

[^a1028: of (Hm C2 O) | in (All other mss)]

[^a1029: y taugth hem argue (Hm) | to argue I tauȝte (Most other mss)]

¶ Of allekyn craftes · y contreuyd toolys
of carpuntry of keruers · and compaced masouns ·
and lernyd hem to leuel[^a1030] and lyne þow y looke dymme ·
ac theologie haþ tenyd me · ten score tymes ·
the more y muse þerynne · þe mystyere it semeth ·
and þe depper y dyuyne · þe derker me it þenkeþ
yt is no scyence forsothe · forto sotyle ynne ·
a full eþ y ful l eþ y[^119] þyng it were · ȝif þat loue nere ·
ac for it leet best by loue · y loue it þe bettre
for þere þat loue is ledere · ne lacked neuere grace ·
looke þu loue lely · ȝif the lyke[^a1031] do wel ·
for dobet and dobest · ben of loues kynne ·
yn othre science it seyth · y say it yn catoun
Qui simulat verbis · nec in[^a1032] corde est fidus amicus
Tu quoque fac simile · sic ars d eluditur arte · & cetera[^a1033]

[^a1030: to leuel (Hm F) | leuel (All other mss)]

[^a1031: lyke (Hm) | lyketh (Most other mss)]

[^a1032: nec in (Hm R) | nec (All other mss)]

[^a1033: & cetera (Hm) | nil (All other mss)]

[^119: Hm.10.194: Hand3 in correcting <y> to <e> adds his characteristic flourish to word-terminal <y>.]

¶ Who-so gloseþ as gylours don · go me to þe same ·
and so schalt þu fals folk · and feithles bygyle
this is þe[^a1034] catoun[^a1035] kennynge · to folk[^a1036] þat he lereth

[^a1034: is þe (Hm) | is (Most other mss)]

[^a1035: catoun (Hm) | catones (All other mss)]

[^a1036: folk (Hm) | clerkes (Most other mss)]

¶ Ac theologye techeþ nougth so · who-so taketh ȝeme
he kenneþ vs þe contrarye · aȝenst catouns woordes
for he byt vs be as bretherne · and bydde for our en e mys
and louen hem þat lyen on vs · and lene hem whan hem nedeth ·
and do good aȝen[^a1037] euel · for god[^a1038] hym-self it hoteth
Dum tempus habemus · operemur bonum ad omnes maxime autem ad domesticos fidei · & cetera

[^a1037: aȝen (Hm W) | aȝeines (Most other mss)]

[^a1038: for god (Hm) | god (All other mss)]

¶ Poule preched the peple · that par fitnesse louede
to do good for goddys loue · and gyue men that askyn ·
and namly to suche that sewyn oure byleue
and alle þat lacketh vs or lyeth · our lord techeþ vs to louye
and nougth to greuen hem þat greueth vs · god hym-sylf forbad it ·
Michi vindictam & ego retribuam · & cetera ·

¶ for-þy lok thu louye · as longe as thu durest ·
for is no science vndur sonne so souereyn for þe soule ·
ac astronomye is an hard thynge · and euel forto knowe ·
geometrye and geomesye · so[^a1039] gentyl[^a1040] of speche
who-so thenkeþ wurche wyth tho two · þryueth ful late
for sorcery is the souereyn booke · that to tho scyences longeth

[^a1039: so (Hm Cr W) | is (All other mss)]

[^a1040: gentyl (Hm) | ginful (Most other mss)]

¶ Ȝit are ther fybycches yn forcers · of fele mennys makynge
experementes of alkenemye · the peple to desceyue
ȝif thu thenke to do wel · dele þerwyth neuere
alle þese scyences y my-self sotylyd and ordeyned
and foundyd hem formyst · folk to desceyue
telle clergye þese tokenes · and scrypture aftur
to conseyle þe kyndely · to knowe what is do-wel

¶ I seyde gramercy madame · and mekely her grette
and wente wyghtly awey · wyþ-outyn more lettynge ·
and tyl y com to clergye · cowde y[^a1041] neuere stynte
and grette þe goodman · as studye me tolde[^a1042]
and aftyrward þe wyf and wurschiped hem bothe ·
and tolde hym[^a1043] the tokenes · that me taugth were
was neuere gome on[^a1044] þys grounde · syþ god makyd þe worlde
fayrer vndurfongyn ne frendloker at ese ·
than my-sylf sothly · sone so he wyste ·
that y was of wyttes hous · and wyth his wyf dame studye

[^a1041: cowde y (Hm F) | I couthe (All other mss)]

[^a1042: tolde (Hm) | tauȝte (All other mss)]

[^a1043: hym (Hm) | hem (All other mss)]

[^a1044: on (Hm Cr) | vppon (All other mss)]

¶ I seide to hem sothly · that sent was y thider
dowel and dobet · and dobest to lerne

¶ yt is acomoun a comoun lyf quod clergye · on holy cherche to beleue ·
wyþ alle the articules of þe feyth · þat falleþ to byknowe[^a1045]
and þat is to beleue · lely · both leryd and lewyd ·
on þe grete god · that gynnynge hadde neuere ·
and on þe soþfast sone · þat saued mankynde
fro þe dedly deeþ · and þe fendys[^a1046] powere
thurgh þe helpe of þe holy gost · þe whiche gost is of bothe
thre persones · ac nougth yn plurel noumbre
for alle is but o god · and eche is god hym-sylue
Deus pater deus filius deus spiritus sanctus · & cetera[^a1047]
God the fader god þe sone · god holygoost of bothe
maker of mankynde · and of bestys bothe ·

[^a1045: byknowe (Hm) | be knowe (All other mss)]

[^a1046: fendys (Hm) | deueles (All other mss)]

[^a1047: & cetera (Hm) | nil (All other mss)]

¶ Austyn the olde · herof maade bookes
and hym-sylf ordeyned · to sadde vs yn byleue
who was his autour · alle þese[^a1048] four euaungelystes
and cryst clepyd hem-self[^a1049] so · þe euaungelistes bereþ wytnes
alle þe clerkes vndur cryst · ne cowdyn þys assoyle ·
but þus it bylongeth to byleue · to lewyd þat wolen dowel ·
for hadde neuere freke fyn wyt · þe feith to despute
ne man hadde no meryte · mygth it ben y-preuyd ·
Fides non habet meritum · vbi humana racio prebet experimentum · & cetera[^a1050] ·

[^a1048: þese (Hm) | þe (All other mss)]

[^a1049: hem-self (Hm) | hym-self (All other mss)]

[^a1050: & cetera (Hm R) | nil (All other mss)]

¶ Thanne is dobet to suffre · for the[^a1051] soules helthe ·
and[^a1052] þat þe book byt · by holy cherches techynge ·
and þat is man by thy mygth · for mercyes sake ·
loke thu werche it yn werke · þat þy woord scheweth ·
suche as þu semyst yn sygth · be yn assaye founde[^a1053] ·
Appare quod es vel esto quod appares · & cetera[^a1054]

[^a1051: the (Hm Cr1 W) | þi (All other mss)]

[^a1052: and (Hm B G) | Al (All other mss)]

[^a1053: founde (Hm Cr G) | yfounde (All other mss)]

[^a1054: & cetera (Hm) | nil (All other mss)]

¶ And lat no-body be · by thy berynge be[^a1055] bygylyd
but be suche yn thy soule · as þu semest wyth-oute ·
than is do-best to be bolde · to blame the gulty ·
syþnes thu semest[^a1056] thy-sylf · as yn soule clene ·
ac blame thu neuere body · and thu be blame-wurthy ·
Si culpare velis · culpabilis esto[^a1057] cauebis ·
Dogma tuum sordet · cum te tua culpa remordet · & cetera[^a1058]

[^a1055: be (Hm R) | nil (Most beta mss)]

[^a1056: semest (Hm) | seest (All other mss)]

[^a1057: esto (Hm W) | esse (Most other mss)]

[^a1058: & cetera (Hm) | nil (All other mss)]

¶ God yn the gospell greuously[^a1059] repreueth
alle þat lacken eny lyf · and lackles han hem-sylue
Qui consideras festucam in oculo fratris tui · trabem in oculo tuo · & cetera ·

[^a1059: greuously (Hm Cr W F) | grymly (All other mss)]

¶ Why meuest thu thy mood for a mote · yn thy broþers eiȝe ·
syþen a beem yn thy owen · all blyndeth[^a1060] thy-sylue ·
Eice primo trabem in[^a1061] oculo tuo & cetera ·
whiche letteþ þe to looke · lesse other more ·

[^a1060: all blyndeth (Hm) | ablyndeth (Most other mss)]

[^a1061: in (Hm Cr W) | de (All other mss)]

¶ I rede eche[^a1062] blynd bosard · do bote on[^a1063] hym-sylue ·
for abbotes and for priores · and for alle manere prelates
and parsouns and paresch preestes · þat preche schulde and teche ·
alle manere of men · to amende · by her myghtes
this tixt was told ȝow · to be war er ȝe taugthe
that ȝe were suche as ȝe seyde · to saue[^a1064] wyth othre ·
for goddes woord wolde nougth be lost · for þat wercheþ euere
ȝif it a-vayled nougth the comoun · it mygth a-vayle ȝow-sylue ·

[^a1062: eche (Hm B G F) | eche a (All other mss)]

[^a1063: on (Hm) | to (All other mss)]

[^a1064: saue (Hm B) | salue (Most other mss)]

¶ Ac it semeþ now soþly · to the worldes sygth
þat goddes woord wurcheth nougth · on lewyd nor yn leryd[^a1065]
but yn suche aman ere a manere as marke meneth yn the gospel ·
Dum cecus ducit cecum · ambo in foueam cadunt · & cetera[^a1066] ·

[^a1065: lewyd nor yn leryd (Hm) | lered ne on lewede (Most other mss)]

[^a1066: & cetera (Hm) | nil (All other mss)]

¶ Lewyd folk[^a1067] may lykne ȝow thus · þat[^120] þe beem lyeth yn ȝour eiȝe ·
and þe festu is fallyn · for ȝowr owen[^a1068] deffaute
yn alle manere men · þurgh mansyd preestes
the byble bereþ wytnesse · þat all þe folk of ysrael ·
byttre abouȝtyn the gultes · of two badde preestes
ofn y and phynees · for her couetyse
archa dei myshappyd · and ely brak his nekke ·
forþy ȝe correctours · claweþ her-onne & correcteþ fyrst ȝow-sylue ·
and þanne mowe ȝe sauely seye · as dauid made the sauter ·
Existim asti inique quod ero tui similis · arguam te & statuam contra faciem tuam · & cetera

[^a1067: folk (Hm) | men (Most other mss)]

[^a1068: ȝowr owen (Hm F) | ȝowre (All other mss)]

[^120: Hm.10.295: The scribe began to write the abbreviated form of þat using a superscript <a>, but then erased that character and wrote the word out normally.]

¶ And þanne schull burrel clerkes · ben abaschid to blame ȝow or greue ·
and carpe nougth as þey carpe now · and calle ȝow doumbe houndys
Canes non valentes latrare & cetera[^a1069] ·

[^a1069: & cetera (Hm B Y) | nil (All other mss)]

¶ And drede to wratthe ȝow yn eny woord · ȝour werkmanschip to lette
and be prestyer at ȝour prayer · than for a pound of noblys ·
and al for ȝour holynesse · haue ȝe þys yn herte ·

¶ In scole þere is scorn · but ȝif a clerk woll lerne
and gret loue and lykynge for eche of hem loueth othre ·
ac now is relygyoun arydere a rydere · aromere a romere by stretys
and[^a1070] ledere of louedayes · and a lond-byggere
a prykyere on a palfray · fro maner to maner
an hep of houndys at her[^a1071] ers · as a lord he[^a1072] were
and but ȝif his knaue knele · þat schall his cuppe brynge
he loureþ on hym and lackeþ[^a1073] hym · who taugth hym curtasye ·
lytyl hadde lordes to done · to ȝyue londe fro her heyres
to relygyous that haue no rewthe · þowȝ it reyne on her auters

[^a1070: and (Hm) | A (All other mss)]

[^a1071: her (Hm) | his (All other mss)]

[^a1072: a lord he (Hm) | he a lorde (All other mss)]

[^a1073: lackeþ (Hm) | axeth (Most other mss)]

¶ In many places þere þey parsouns ben · by hem-sylf at ese ·
of þe poore haue þey no pyte · and þat is her charyte ·
and þey letyn hem as lordes · her londes lyn[^a1074] so brode
but[^a1075] þer schal come a kynge and confesse ȝow relygyou s
and bete ȝow as þe byble telleth · for brekynge of ȝour reule ·
and amende monyales · monkes and chanouns ·
and puttyn hem to her penaunce · ad pristinum statum[^a1076]
and barouns wyþ erlys betyn hem · þurgh beatus virres techyng ·
that her barnys cleymyn · and blamyn ȝow fowle ·
Hij in curribus & hij in equis ipsi obligati sunt · & cetera ·

[^a1074: londes lyn (Hm Cr W F) | londe lith (Most other mss)]

[^a1075: but (Hm G F) | Ac (Most other mss)]

[^a1076: statum (Hm G) | statum ire (All other mss)]

¶ And þanne frerys yn her freytours[^a1077] · schul fynde a keye ·
of costantynes cofrys · yn whiche is the catel ·
that grygoryes good[^a1078] childryn · han euel despendyd
and þan schall the habbot of habyndoun · & al his yssue for euere
haue a knok of of [of][^a1079] a kyng and incurable ys[^a1080] the wounde

[^a1077: freytours (Hm) | freitoure (All other mss)]

[^a1078: good (Hm G R F) | god (Most other mss)]

[^a1079: of of [of] (Hm) | of (Most other mss)]

[^a1080: ys (Hm) | nil (All other mss)]

¶ That this wurth · sooth seke ȝe · þat ofte ouerseen · the byble
Quando[^a1081] cessauit exactor quieuit tributum contriuit dominus baculum impiorum & virgam dominancium ·[^a1082] plaga insanabili & cetera[^a1083] ·

[^a1081: Quando (Hm Bo Cot) | Quomodo (All other mss)]

[^a1082: dominancium · (Hm) | cedencium (R)]

[^a1083: & cetera (Hm L) | nil (All other mss)]

¶ Ac er þat kyng come · caym schall awake ·
ac dowel schal dynge hym doun · and destruyen his mygth

¶ Than is do-wel and do-bet quod y · dominus and knygth[^a1084]
y woll[^a1085] nougth scorne quod scrypture · but ȝif scryueynes lye ·
kynghod ne knygthhod · by nougth y can wayte[^a1086] ·
helpeþ nougth to heuenward · on he res ende ·
ne rycchesse rygth nougth · ne realte of lordes
poule prechith[^a1087] it impossible[^121] · ryche men haue heuene ·

[^a1084: knygth (Hm) | kniȝthode (Most other mss)]

[^a1085: woll (Hm Cr F) | nel (All other mss)]

[^a1086: wayte (Hm) | awayte (All other mss)]

[^a1087: prechith (Hm) | preueth (All other mss)]

[^121: Hm.10.345: Only the first minim of <m> is overwritten.]

¶ Salomoun seith also · that syluer is wurst to louye ·
Nil[^a1088] iniquius quam amare pecuniam · & cetera[^a1089] ·

[^a1088: Nil (Hm) | Nichil (All other mss)]

[^a1089: & cetera (Hm) | nil (All other mss)]

¶ And catoun kenneþ vs to coueytyn it · nougth but as nede techeþ
Dilige den arium sed parce dilige formam · & cetera[^a1090]

[^a1090: & cetera (Hm Y) | nil (All other mss)]

¶ And patryarkes and prophetes · and poetys bothe ·
wrytyn to wyssyn vs · to wylne no rycchesse ·
and preysedyn pouerte wyþ pacyence · þe apostles bere wytnes
that they han erytage yn heuene · and by trewe rygth
ther ryche men no rygth may cleyme · but of reuþe & grace ·

¶ Contra quod y by cryst · that can y preue[^a1091] ·
and preue it by peter · and by poule bothe ·
that is baptysed deth[^a1092] saueth[^a1093] · be he ryche or pouere ·
that is yn extremys quod scrypture · among sarsyns & iewes
they mowe be sauyd so · and that is oure byleue
that an vncrystene yn this[^a1094] caas · may crystyne an hethyne ·
and for his lely[^a1095] byleue · whan he the lyf tyneth ·
haue þe herytage of heuene · as eny man crystene ·

[^a1091: preue (Hm) | repreue (Most other mss)]

[^a1092: deth (Hm) | beth (Most other mss)]

[^a1093: saueth (Hm) | sauf (Most other mss)]

[^a1094: this (Hm B C) | þat (All other mss)]

[^a1095: lely (Hm Cr) | lele (All other mss)]

¶ Ac crysten men wyth-oute more · mowyn nougth come to heuene ·
for that cryst for crystyn men · deyde and confermed þe lawe
that who-so wolde and wylneth · wyth cryst to aryse ·
Si cum christo surrexistis · & cetera ·
He schulde louye and lene · and þe lawe fulfulle ·
that ys loue þi lord god · leuest abouen alle
and aftur alle crystene creatures · yn comoun echeman eche man othre
and þus bylongeth to louye · that leueth to be sauyd
and but we don þus yn dede · er the day of dome
It schall bysyttyn vs fulsour ful sour · þe syluer þat we kepyn ·
and our barkes þat motthes etyn[^a1096] · and seen beggers go nakyd ·
or delytyn yn wyn · and wyldefoul · and woot eny yn deffaute

[^a1096: motthes etyn (Hm B) | moth-eten be (Most other mss)]

¶ for euery crystene creature · schulde be kynde to[^a1097] othre
and syþþen heþen to helpe · yn hope of amendemente
god hoteþ hyȝe and lowe · þat noman hurte othre
and seith sle nougth þat semblable · is to my owen lyknes
but ȝif y sende þe sum tokne · and seyth non mecaberis
ys sle nougth but suffre · and all for the beste
y[^a1098] schall punysche hem yn purgatorye or in the pyt of helle ·
eche man for his mysdedes · but mercy it lette

[^a1097: to (Hm Cr F) | til (All other mss)]

[^a1098: y (Hm) | For I (All other mss)]

¶ This is a long lessoun quod y · and lytyl am þe wysere ·
wher dowel is or dobet · derkly ȝe schewyn ·
many tales ȝe tellyn · þat theologye it lerneth[^a1099] ·
and þat y man maad was · and my name entryd ·
yn þe legende of lyf · long or y were
or ellys vnwrytyn for sum wykkydnesse · as holy wryt wytnesseþ
Nemo ascendit ad celum · nisi qui de celo discendit[^a1100] · & etera ·
¶ I leue it wel quod y be our lord · & on no lettrure bettre
for salamon the sage · that sapyence taugthe
god gaf hym grace of wytte · and alle his goodes aftur
he demyd wel and wysly · as holy wryt telleth
arystotle and he · who wyssyd men bettre
maystres of[^a1101] goddes mercy · techyn men and prechyn
of her woordes þey wyssyn vs · for wysest as in her tyme
and all holycherche holdeth · hem boþe y-dampnyd ·
and ȝif y schulde werke by her werkes · to wynne me heuene ·
that for her werkes and wytt · now cometh[^a1102] yn peyne ·
than wrougth y vnwysly · what-so-euere ȝe preche ·

[^a1099: it lerneth (Hm) | lerneth (Most other mss)]

[^a1100: discendit (Hm) | descendit (Most other mss)]

[^a1101: of (Hm) | þat of (All other mss)]

[^a1102: cometh (Hm) | wonyeth (All other mss)]

¶ Ac of fele wytty yn feyth · lytyl ferly y haue ·
thowȝ he he[r][^a1103] gost be vngracyous · god forto plese
for many men on þys moolde · more settyn her hertes
yn good þan yn god · forþy hem grace fayleth ·
at her most myscheef · whan þey schul þe lyf[^a1104] lete
as salamon dude and suche oþre · þat schewdyn gret wyttes
ac her werkes as holy wryt seyth · were[^a1105] euere þe contrarye ·
forþy wyse wyttyd men · and well y-lettred clerkes
as they seyn hem-syluen · seldom don · þerafter
Super cathedram moysy · & cetera ·

[^a1103: he he[r] (Hm) | her (All other mss)]

[^a1104: þe lyf (Hm B) | lyf (All other mss)]

[^a1105: were (Hm Cr W) | was (All other mss)]

¶ Ac y wene it wurth of manye as was of[^a1106] noes tyme
tho he schoop that schipp · of schydes and boordes
was neuere wrygth saued that wrougth þeron · ne other werkman elles
but bryddes and bestys · and the blessyd noe ·
and his wyf wyth his sonys · and also her wyues
of wyghtes[^a1107] that it wrougthe was noon of hem ysaued ·

[^a1106: of (Hm) | in (All other mss)]

[^a1107: wyghtes (Hm Cr W) | wriȝtes (Most other mss)]

¶ God leue it fare nougth so wyth[^a1108] folk[^122] · þat the feith techyn ·
of holy cherche that herb orgh is · and goddys hous to saue
and schildyn vs fro schame þerynne · as noes schypp dede bestys
and men that madyn it · amydde the flood a-dreynten
the culorum of this clause · is curatoures[^a1109] to mene
that ben carpenteres holy cherche to make · for crystes owen bestys
Homines & iumenta saluabis domine · & cetera

[^a1108: wyth (Hm) | bi (All other mss)]

[^a1109: is curatoures (Hm M) | curatoures is (Most other mss)]

[^122: Hm.10.417: Erasure of <e> is only partial.]

[Hm.10.424-426: Illegible pen trials appear in the right margin.]

¶ On good fryday y fynde · a feloun was ysaued
that hadde lyued all his lyf wyth lesynges and[^a1110] thefte
and for he bykned to[^a1111] the cros · and to cryst schrof hym ·
Mavde
he was sonner sauyd · than seynt iohan baptyst[^a1112] ·
deþ

[Hm.10.428: Above the line and before the word adam, a contemporary scribe wrote deþ, now only partially legible, but no insertion mark is present.]

and er adam or ysaye · or eny of the prophetys
that hadde leyn[^a1113] wyth lucyfer · manye longe ȝeres
a robbere was y-raunsomyd · rathur than they alle ·
wyþ-outyn eny penaunce of purgatory · to perpetual blysse

[^a1110: and (Hm F) | and wiþ (Most other mss)]

[^a1111: bykned to (Hm Cr W) | biknew on (Most other mss)]

[^a1112: baptyst (Hm C2 L) | þe baptyst (Most other mss)]

[^a1113: leyn (Hm Cr G) | yleine (Most other mss)]

¶ Than mary magdalene · what womman dede wurse ·
or who wurse than dauid · that vrryes deth conspyryd ·
or poule the apostle · that no pyte hadde ·
moche crystene kynde · to kylle to dethe ·
and ȝit[^a1114] been[^a1115] as souereyns · wyth seyntes yn heuene
tho þat wroughtyn · wykkydlokest · yn world tho they were

[^a1114: ȝit (Hm) | now (Most other beta mss)]

[^a1115: been (Hm G F) | been þise (Most other mss)]

¶ And tho that wysly woordydyn · and wryten many bookes
of wytt and of wysdom · wyþ dampnyd soules wonye
that salamon seith y trowe be sooth · and certayn of vs alle ·
Siue iusti atque sapientes · & opera eorum in manu dei sunt · & cetera

¶ Ther were wytty and wel lybbynge · ac her werkes ben hudde
yn the hondes of almyghty god · and he wote the sothe
wherfore loue aman a man wurth alowyd þere · and his lele werkes
or elles for his euel wyl · and for[^a1116] enuye of herte
and be alowyd as he lyued so · for by ly there · men knoweth the goode

[^a1116: and for (Hm Cr W) | and (Most other mss)]

¶ And wherby w ete[^123] · men whiche is w hyt · ȝif alle þynge blake were
and who w ere a good man · but ȝif þer were sum scherewe
forþy lyue we foorþ wyþ oþre[^a1117] men · y leue fewe ben goode
For quant oportet vient en place il nad que pati & cetera[^a1118]
and he þat may alle amende haue mercy on vs alle ·
for sothest woord þat euere god seyde · was þat[^a1119] he seyde nemo bonus

[^a1117: oþre (Hm Cr W) | lither (All other mss)]

[^a1118: & cetera (Hm) | nil (All other mss)]

[^a1119: þat (Hm) | þo (Most other mss)]

[^123: Hm.10.447: With the corrections, Hm alone reads wete against, variously wote, wite(n) and wiste.]

¶ Clergie þo of crystes mouth · comendyd was it lytyl
for he seyde to seynt peter and to suche as he louede
Cum[^a1120] steteris[^a1121] ante reges & presides · & cetera ·

[^a1120: Cum (Hm Cr W) | Dum (All other mss)]

[^a1121: steteris (Hm) | steteritis (All other mss)]

¶ Thow ȝe come · byfore kynges · and clerkes of the lawe
beþ nougth abaschid · for y schall be yn ȝoure mowthes
and ȝyue ȝow wyt and wyll · and cunnynge to conclude ·
hem alle þat aȝenst ȝow · of crystyndom desputyn

¶ Dauid maketh mencyoun · he spak amonges kynges
and mygth no kyng ouercome hym · as by connynge speche[^a1122]
but wytt and[^a1123] wysdom · wan euere[^a1124][^124] the maystrye
whan man was at myscheef · wyþ-out þe more grace ·

[^a1122: speche (Hm Cr) | of speche (All other mss)]

[^a1123: and (Hm Cr W F) | ne (All other mss)]

[^a1124: euere (Hm F) | neuere (All other mss)]

[^124: Hm.10.462: HmF alone read euere against neuere in all other B manuscripts. Hm's error is possibly caused by the final <n> at the end of the preceding word wan.]

¶ The douhtiest doctour · ad a[n]d[^a1125] dyuysour of þe trynyte ·
was austyn þe olde · and heiȝest of þe foure
seyde þus yn a sarmoun · y say it wrytyn ones
Ecce ipsi idioti rapiunt celum vbi nos sapientes in inferno mergimur · & cetera[^a1126] ·

[^a1125: ad a[n]d (Hm) | and (All other mss)]

[^a1126: & cetera (Hm) | nil (All other mss)]

¶ And is to mene to englisch men · more no[^a1127] lasse ·
arn none rathur y-rauaschid · fro þe rygth byleue ·
than arn þese kunnynge clerkes · that conne so many[^a1128] bookes
ne none sonner saued · ne saddere of byleue ·
than ploughmen and pastoures · & poore comoun laborers
souters and schepheerdes · and suche lewyd iuttes
pa ssen[^a1129] wyth a pater noster · þe paleys of heuene ·
and passyn purgatory penaunceles · at her hennys partynge
ynto þe blysse of paradys · for her pure byleue ·
that ynparfytly here · knewyn and eke lyuedyn ·

[^a1127: no (Hm R) | ne (Bx Cr M W)]

[^a1128: so many (Hm) | many (Most other mss)]

[^a1129: pa ssen (Hm) | persen (All other mss)]

¶ Ȝhee men knowe clerkes · þat han cursyd þe tyme ·
that euere þey cow de[^125] knowe[^a1130][^126] · more þan credo in deum
and princypally her pater noster · many a parsoun haþ it[^a1131] wusschid

[^a1130: knowe (Hm) | or knewe (Bx L M W)]

[^a1131: haþ it (Hm) | hath (All other mss)]

[^125: Hm.10.479: The <d> was re-inked after partial erasure.]

[^126: Hm.10.479: Hm alone reads knowe against on þe boke in most B manuscripts, although Bx (LMCrWR) reads or knewe.]

¶ I see ensamples by my-sylf[^a1132] · and so[^a1133] many another
þat seruauntes þat seruyn lordes · seldom falle yn arerages ·
but þo þat kepyn my[^a1134] lordes catel · clerkes and reuys
rygth so lewyd men · and of lytyl knowynge
seldom falle þey so foule · and so fer yn synne ·
as clerkes of holy cherche · þat kepyn crystes tresour
the whiche is mannys soule · to saue · as god seith yn þe gospel ·
Ite vos in vineam meam · & cetera

[^a1132: by my-sylf (Hm) | my-self (Most other mss)]

[^a1133: so (Hm) | so may (Most other mss)]

[^a1134: my (Hm) | þe (Most other mss)]

Passus xius undecimus · de visione · & iiijus quartus · de do-weel ·

T hanne scripture scornyd me · & a skyll tolde
and lackyd me yn latyn · & lygth by me sche sette
and seyde multi multa sciunt · & seipsos nesciunt ·
tho wepte y for wo · and wratthe of her speche
and yn wynkynge[^a1135] wratthe · wex y a-slepe ·
a merueyl us metels · mette me þanne ·
that y was rauaschid rygth þere · & fortune me fette
and ynto longynge[^a1136] · alone sche me brougth ·
and yn a myrrour þat higth myddel erthe · sche made me to byholde
sytthyn sche seyde to me · here mygth þu se wondres
and knowe þat þu coueytest · & come þerto paraduenture ·
¶[^127] Than had fortune folwynge here · two fayre damysels
concupiscencia carnis · men callyd þe elder mayde ·
and couetyse of eiȝen · y-callyd was þat other
pryde of parfit lyuynge · pursuyd hem bothe
and bad me for my contynaunce · counte[^a1137] clergye ligthte[^128] ·
¶ concupiscencia carnis · collyd me aboute the nekke
and seyde thu art ȝong & ȝeep · & hast ȝeres ynowe ·
forto lyue longe · and ladyes to louye ·
and yn þys myrour þu mygth see · myght es ful manye
that ledyn þee wylle to lykynge al thy lyf tyme
the secunde seyde þe same · y schall sue þy wylle
tyl thu be a lord & haue londe · lete þe y nylle
þat y ne schall folowe þy felaschipe · ȝif fortune it lyke ·

[^a1135: wynkynge (Hm) | a wynkyng (Most other mss)]

[^a1136: longynge (Hm) | þe lond of longynge (All other mss)]

[^a1137: counte (Hm) | acounte(n) (All other mss)]

[^127: Hm.11.12: The rubricator failed to notice the paraph marker in the left margin.]

[^128: Hm.11.16: The initial <l> has been created through the partial erasure of an original <h>. The remaining <h> has been retouched in the process of adding <te>.]

¶ He schall fynde me his frend . quod fortune þerafter
þe freke that folwyd my wylle · faylyd neuere blysse

¶ Thanne was þer oon þat higth elde · þat heuy was of chere
man quod he ȝif y mete wyth the · be marye of heuene ·
thu schalt fynde fortune þe fayle · at þy moste nede
and concupiscencia carnis · clene the fursake ·
bytterly schalt þu banne þanne · bothe dayes and nyhtes
couetyse of eiȝe þat euere thu her knewe
and pryde of parfyt lyuynge · to muche peryl the brynge

¶ Ȝit[^a1138] recche þu[^a1139] neuere quod recchelesnesse · stod forth yn raggyd clothys
folowe forth that fortune · wylle · þu hast wel fer to elde ·
a man may stoupe tymes ynowȝ · whan he schal tyne þe crowne ·
homo proponit quod a poete · and plato he higth ·
and deus disponit quod he · lat god don his wylle ·
ȝif trewthe woll wytnes it be wel don · fortune to folwe
concupiscencia carnis · ne couetyse of eiȝen ·
ne schall nougth greue the gretly · ne bygyle þe but thu wolt

[^a1138: Ȝit (Hm) | yee (All other mss)]

[^a1139: þu (Hm) | þe (All other mss)]

¶ Ȝe farwel phippe quod fawntelte · and forþ gan me drawe ·
tyl concupiscencia carnis · accorded alle my werkes ·

¶ Alas eiȝe quod elde · and holynesse bothe ·
þat wytt schal turne to wreccydnesse for wyl to haue his lykynge

¶ Couetyse of eiȝen · confortyd me anon aftur
and folwyd me fourty wynter · and a fyfte more ·
that of do-wel ne dobet · no deynte me þougthe ·
y had no lykynge leue me ȝif thu lyst[^a1140] · of hem ougth to knowe ·
for couetyse of eiȝen · came ofter yn mynde ·
than dowel or dobet · amonge my dedys alle

[^a1140: ȝif thu lyst (Hm) | if þe leste (Beta M)]

¶ Couetyse of yȝen · conforted me ofte
and seyde haue thu no[^a1141] conscyence · how thu come to good
go confesse the to the[^a1142] frere · and schewe hym þy synnes ·
for whiles fortune is thy frend frerys woln þe louye ·
and fecche the to her fraternite · and for the beseche ·
to her pryour prouyncyal · a pardoun forto haue ·
and preyen for the pol by pol · ȝif þu pecuniosus be[^a1143] ·
Set pena pecuniaria · non sufficit pro spiritualibus delictis[^129] · & cetera[^a1144]

[^a1141: thu no (Hm F) | no (most mss)]

[^a1142: the (Hm) | sum (Most other mss)]

[^a1143: pecuniosus be (Hm) | be peccuniosus (Most other mss)]

[^a1144: & cetera (Hm) | nil (All other mss)]

[^129: Hm.11.59: The <e> is ill-formed, and may be an <i>.]

¶ By wyssynge of þys wenche y wrougth · her woordys were so swete ·
tyl y furȝat ȝougthe · and ran[^a1145] ynto elde
and þanne was fortune my foo · for al her fayr beheste
and pouerte pursuyd me · and putte me lowe ·
and þo fond y the frere · affer d and flyttynge bothe ·
aȝenst our furst forward · for y seyde y nolde ·
be buryed at her hous · but at my paresch chyrche
for y herde ones · how conscyence it tolde
þat þere a man were crystnyd · by kynde he schulde be buryed
or where he were parschen · rygth þere he schulde be grauyn ·
and for y seyde thus to frerys · afool a fool þey me heldyn
and louedyn me þe lasse · for my lele speche
¶ Ac ȝit y cryed on my confessour · þat helde hym-self so konnynge
by my feiþ frere quod y · ȝe faryn lyke þese wowers
þat weddyn none wydewys · but[^a1146] to welde her goodys
rygth so by þe rode · rougth ȝe neuere ·
where my body were buryed · by so ȝe haddyn my syluer
y haue moche meruayl of ȝow · & so haþ many another
why ȝour couent coueyteþ · to confesse and to burye
rather than to baptyse barnys · that byn catecomlynges
baptysynge and buryynge and bothe[^a1147] full nedyfull[^a1148]

[^a1145: ran (Hm R) | ȝarn (Most other mss)]

[^a1146: but (Hm G) | but for (All other mss)]

[^a1147: and bothe (Hm) | boþe ben (Most other mss)]

[^a1148: nedyfull (Hm) | nedeful (All other mss)]

¶ Ac moche more meretorye · me thynkeþ is to baptise ·
for a baptysed man may · as þese maystres telleþ
thurgh contrycyon come · to þe hyȝe heuene
Sola contricio delet peccatum ·[^130]
ac a barn wyth-oute bapteme · may nougth so be sauyd
Nisi quis renatus fuerit · & cetera
looke ȝe lettryd men · wher y lye or do nougth ·

[^130: Hm.11.84: The line is added in the margins of LMHmOC2 and is truncated to Sola contricio in several witnesses.]

¶ And lewte lokyd on me · and y louryd aftur
wherfor lourest thu quod lewte · and lokyd on me harde ·
¶[^131] If y durste quod y amonges men · this metels a-vowe ·
ȝis by peter and by poule quod he · & tooke hem bothe to wytnesse ·
Non oderis Fratres secrete in corde tuo · sed publice argue illos · & cetera[^a1149] ·

[^a1149: & cetera (Hm) | nil (All other mss)]

[^131: Hm.11.90: The rubricator failed to notice the paraph marker here.]

¶ They woln a-legge also quod y · and by the gospel preuyn ·
Nolite iudicare quemquam · & cetera ·

¶ And wherof serueth lawe quod lewte · ȝif no lyf vndurtook yt ·
falsnesse ne faytrye · for sumwhat þe apostle seyde ·
Non oderis fratrem · and yn þe sauter also · seyþ dauid þe prophete ·
Existimasti inique quod ero tui similis · & cetera

¶ It is licitum for lewyd men · to synge[^a1150] the sothe ·
yf hem lykeþ and luste · echa ech a lawe it graunteth ·
except persouns and preestys · and prelates of holy cherche
yt falleþ nougth for þat folk no talys to telle
thouȝ þe tale were trewe · and it touche synne
¶ Thyng þat all þe world wot · wherfor schuldest thu spare
to redyn it yn retoryke · to arate dedly synne
ac be thu[^a1151] neuer[^a1152] þe furste þe defaute to blame ·
þowȝ þu see euyl seye it nougth furst · be sory it nere amendyd
no þyng þat is priue · publysche[^a1153] it neuere
no neyþer[^a1154] for loue laud yt nougth · ne lacke it for enuye
Parum lauda · vitupera parcius · & cetera ·

[^a1150: synge (Hm) | segge (Most other mss)]

[^a1151: be thu (Hm F) | be (All other mss)]

[^a1152: neuer (Hm B C) | neuere-more (All other mss)]

[^a1153: publysche (Hm G) | publice þow (All other mss)]

[^a1154: no neyþer (Hm) | Neyther (All other mss)]

¶ he seith sooþ quod scrypture tho · and scyppyd an hiȝe and prechid ·
ac þe mater þat sche meuyd · ȝif lewde men yt knewe ·
the lasse as y leue · louyn it they wolde ·[^132]

[^132: Hm.11.113:As Hm is written, this line is followed by KD.11.425; then 104 lines follow, including the rubric heading, running through Hm.12.88; this line is followed by KD.11.218, and the text proceeds in sequence till KD.11.424 (Hm.12.294), which is followed by KD.11.111; after 101 lines in Hm's count, KD.11.217 is followed by KD.12.82, and all then proceeds as it should; Kane and Donaldson (p. 10) describe and explain this dislocation in notes 63 and 64, but they cite the old foliation of Hm, their count being one too high in each case. In their analysis of the problem, they appear to be following the unpublished notes on the manuscript put together by Captain R. B. Haselden in 1931. Haselden, R. W. Chambers, "The Manuscripts of Piers Plowman in the Hungtington Library, and Their Value for Fixing the Text of the Poem," The Huntington Library Quarterly 8 (1935): 15, and Kane-Donaldson alike agree that the scribe's exemplar had mistakenly bound leaves in the quire. See our discussion above in the Introduction II.1.2 Dislocation.]

schall neuyr chalengynge · no chydynge · chastyse[^a1155] aman a man so sone ·
as schame and schende hym · and schape hym to amende ·
for late a dronkyn daffe · yn a dyke falle ·
lat hym lygge loke nougth on hym · tyl hym lust to ryse ·
for þowȝ reson rebukyd hym þanne · it nere[^a1156] but pure synne ·
ac whan nede is[^a1157] nymeþ hym vp · for doute laste he sterue ·
and schame schrapeþ his cloþes and his schynes wascheþ
thanne wote the dronkyn daffe · wherfor he is to blame

[^a1155: chastyse (Hm C2 O F) | chaste (Most other mss)]

[^a1156: nere (Hm) | were (All other mss)]

[^a1157: nede is (Hm) | nede (All other mss)]

¶ Ȝe seyn sooth quod y · y haue seen it ofte
þer smyt no thyng so smerte · ne smelleþ so sowre
as schame þere he schewyth hym · for euery man hym schonyeth ·
why ȝe wysse me þus quod y · was for y rebukyd resoun ·
certys quod he þat is sooþ · and schoop hym forto walke
and aros[^a1158] vprygth wyþ þat · and folwyd hym aftur
and prayde hym for[^a1159] his curtasye · to telle me his name

[^a1158: aros (Hm) | I aros (All other mss)]

[^a1159: for (Hm) | of (Most other mss)]

Passus xijus duodecimus · de visione · & vus quintus · de do-weel ·

I am ymagynatyf quod he · ydel was y neuere ·
thow y sytte by my-sylfe · yn syknes and yn helþe
y haue folwed þe yn feith · þys fyue and fourty wynter
and many tymes y haue[^a1160] meuyd þe · to þenke on þyn ende
and how fele fernyers · arn faryn & so fewe to come ·
and of þy wylde wantownes · þo þu ȝonge were ·
to amende þe yn þy myddel age · lest mygth þe faylyd
yn þyn olde age[^a1161] · that euyl canst[^a1162] suffre
pouerte or penaunce · or prayer bydde
Si non in prima vigilia · nec in secunda · & cetera ·

[^a1160: y haue (Hm) | haue (Most other mss)]

[^a1161: age (Hm) | elde (All other mss)]

[^a1162: canst (Hm F) | can (All other mss)]

¶ Amende the whil thu mygth · thu hast ben warnyd ofte ·
wyþ poustees and pestylences · wyth pouerte & wyþ angres
and wyþ þese bytter balayses · god betyþ his dere chyldren ·
Quem diligo castigo · & cetera ·

¶ And dauid yn the sauter seyth · of suche that loueþ ihesu
virga tua & baculus tuus ipsa me consolata sunt · & cetera

¶ All þouȝ thu stryke me wyth þy staf · wyth styke or wyþ ȝerde
yt nys[^a1163] but murþe as for me · to amende my soule ·
and thu medlest þe wyþ makynges · & myste[^133] go seye thy sauter
and bydde for hem þat ȝyue[^a1164] þe breed · for þere ar bokes y-nowe ·
to telle men what dowel is · dobet and dobest bothe
and prechours to preue what it is · of many a peyre frerys ·

[^a1163: nys (Hm) | is (All other mss)]

[^a1164: ȝyue (Hm Cr F) | ȝiueth (All other mss)]

[^133: Hm.12.19: Myste, "might" (2nd sg). Most other B manuscripts have myȝtest.]

¶ I say wel he seyde me sooþ · and sumwhat me to excuse
seyde catoun conforted me his[^a1165][^134] sone · þat clerk þow he were
to solacyn hym sumtyme · as y do whan ymake y make ·
Interpone tuis interdum gaudia curis · & cetera

[^a1165: me his (Hm Cr1 W) | his (All other mss)]

[^134: Hm.12.24: The confusion is owed to the common ancestor of Cr1WHm which added me before his.]

¶ And holy[^a1166] men y herde quod y · how þey oþerwhile
pleyȝedyn þe parfytere · to be yn many places
ac ȝif þere were any wygth · þat wolde me telle ·
what were dowel and dobet · and dobest at the laste
wolde y neuere do werke · but wende to holycherche
and þere bydde my bedes · but whan y ete or slepe
poule in his pystel quod he · preueth what is do-weel ·
Nunc autem manent fides · spes · & caritas · Maior autem horum est caritas[^135] ·

[^a1166: holy (Hm R) | of holy (All other mss)]

[^135: Hm.12.34: The Latin line appears in Hm alone as Nunc autem manent fides spes & caritas Maior autem horum est caritas against Fides spes caritas & maior horum &c in other B manuscripts, with much variation.]

¶ Feyth hope and charyte · and alle ben go ode ·
and sauyn men sundry tymes · ac none so sone as charyte ·
for he dooþ well wyþ-oute doute · þat dooþ as lewte techeth
that is ȝif thu be man maryed · thy make þu louye
and lyueþ foorþ as lawe woll whyl ȝe lyuen boþe
¶ Rygth so ȝif þu be relygyous · renne thu neuere ferther
to rome ne to rochemadore · but as thy reule techeth
and holde þe vnder obedyence · þat hyȝe wey is to heuene ·
¶ And ȝif þu be mayden to marye · and mygth wel contynue
seke neuere no[^a1167] seynt ferþer · for no soule helthe
for what made lucyfer · to lese þe hyȝe heuene ·
or salamon his sapyence · or sampson his strengthe ·
iob the iewe his ioye · dere he it bougth[^a1168] ·
arystotle and othre mo · ypocras and virgylye ·
Alisaundre that all wan · elengenlyche[^a1169] elengelyche endyde ·
catel and kynde wytte · was combraunce to hem alle ·
¶ Felyce her fayrnesse · fel her all to sclaundre ·
and rosamounde rygth so · reufullyche to beleue[^a1170] ·
the beaute of her body · yn baddenes sche spendyd[^a1171] ·
of many suche y may rede · of men and of wommen
that wyse woordys wooldyn schewe · & werche þe contrarye
Sunt homines nequam · bene de virtute loquentes · & cetera[^a1172]

[^a1167: neuere no (Hm Cr) | þow neuere (Most other mss)]

[^a1168: bougth (Hm Cr) | abouȝte (All other mss)]

[^a1169: elengenlyche (Hm) | elengelich (Most other mss)]

[^a1170: to beleue (Hm Cr W) | bysette (Most other mss)]

[^a1171: spendyd (Hm) | dispended (Most other mss)]

[^a1172: & cetera (Hm) | nil (All other mss)]

¶ And ryche renkes rygth so · gadryn and sparen ·
and tho men that they moste hatyn mynystren it atte laste ·
and for þey suffryn and seen · so many nedy folkes
and louyn hem nougth as our lord byt · lesyn her soulys
Date & dabitur vobis · & cetera ·

¶ And rycches[^136] rygth so · but ȝif þe rote be trewe
ac grace ys a graas þerof · tho greuaunces to abate ·
ac grace ne groweth nougth · but amonge lowe ·
pacyence and pouerte · the place is þere it groweth ·
and yn lele lyuynge men · and yn lyfe holy
and þorowgh þe gyfte of þe holygost · as þe gospel telleth
Spiritus vbi vult spirat · & cetera

[^136: Hm.12.62: The ink spot here appears accidental.]

¶ Clergye and kynde · wytt · cometh of sygth and techynge
as þe book bereþ wytnesse · to b arnys that konnyn[^a1173] rede
s sou..aign
Quod scimus loquimur · & quod[^a1174] vidimus testa mur · & cetera[^a1175]

[^a1173: konnyn (Hm) | can (All other mss)]

[^a1174: & quod (Hm F) | quod (All other mss)]

[^a1175: & cetera (Hm) | nil (All other mss)]

¶ Of quod scimus cometh clergye · & kunnynge of heuene
and of quod vidimus cometh kynde wytt · of sygth of dyuerse peple ·
a c grace is a gyfte of god · and of grete loue spryngeþ
knewe neuere clerke how it cometh forþ · ne kynde wytt þe weyes ·
Nescit aliquis vnde venit · aut quo vadat[^a1176] · & cetera ·

[^a1176: vadat (Hm) | vadit (All other mss)]

¶ Ac ȝit is clergye to comende · and k ynde wytt bothe ·
and namly clergye for crystes loue · þat of clergye ys rote ·
for moyses wytnesseth that god wrot · forto wysse þe peple ·
yn þe olde lawe as þe lettrure[^a1177] telleþ · þat was þe lawe of iewys ·
þat what womman were yn aduoutrye takyn · were sche ryche or pouere
wyþ stonys men schuldyn her stryke · & stone her to deþe ·

[^a1177: lettrure (Hm) | lettre (All other mss)]

¶ A womman as we fyndyn · was gulty of þat dede ·
ac cryst of his curtesye thorow clergye her sau ede ·
and[^a1178] þurgh carectys that cryst wrot · þe iewys knewe hem-sylue ·
gyltyfere[^a1179][^137] as tofore[^a1180] god · and gretter yn synne ·
þan þe womman þat there was · & wentyn a-weye for schame ·
the clergye that there was · confortyd þe womman
that fides sua schulde sauyn here · & saluyn her of all synnes ·

[^a1178: and (Hm) | For (All other mss)]

[^a1179: gyltyfere (Hm Bm) | gultier (Most other mss)]

[^a1180: tofore (Hm) | afor (Most other mss)]

[^137: Hm.12.86: HmBm alone read gyltyfere against synonymous Gultier in most other B manuscripts. MED lists no other instances of the comparative of giltif.]

¶ than ys byleue a lele helpe · aboue logyke or lawe ·
of logyke or of lawe · in legenda sanctorum ·
ys lytyll alowaunce maad · but ȝif byleue hem helpe ·
for itus[^a1181][^138] ouerlonge · or logyke any lessoun assoyle ·
and lawe is loth louye[^a1182] but ȝif he lacche syluer
bothe logyke and lawe · that loueth nougth to lyȝe ·
y conseyle alle crystene men · cleue nougth þeron to sore ·
for summe woordes y fynde wrytyn · were of feythes techynge ·
that sauyd synfull men · as seynt iohan bereth wytnesse ·
Eadem mensura qua mensi fueritis · rem ecietur vobis · & cetera[^a1183] ·
forþy lerne we þe lawe of loue · as our · lord taugth e
and as seynt grygory seyde for mannys soule helþe
Melius est scrutari scelera nostra · quam naturas rerum · & cetera[^a1184] ·

[^a1181: itus (Hm) | it is (All other mss)]

[^a1182: louye (Hm) | to louye (All other mss)]

[^a1183: & cetera (Hm Y) | nil (All other mss)]

[^a1184: & cetera (Hm) | nil (All other mss)]

[^138: Hm.12.93: The scribe has written itus in the display script in which his Latin is normally written. He may have taken the reading to be the Latin noun itus, "a departure" or "an introduction to an argument." More probably, he may simply have made a minim error.]

¶ Why y meue þys mater · is most for the pouere ·
for yn her lyknesse our lord · hath ofte[^a1185] be knowe[^a1186] ·
wytnesse yn þe pasque wyke · whan he ȝede to Emaus
cleophas ne knewe hym nougth · that he cryste were
for his pouere apparayle and pylgrymes wedys
tyl he blessyd and brak · the breed that þey etyn ·
so by his werkes þey wystyn · þat he was ihesus
ac by cloþynge þey knewyn hym nougth · ne by carpyng of tongge ·
¶ And all was yn ensample · to vs synfull here
that we schulde be lowe · and louely of speche
and apparayle vs nougth · ouerproudly · for pylgrymes ar we alle
and yn þe apparayle of a pouere man · and pylgrymes lyknesse ·
many tymes[^a1187] god hath ben met · amonge nedy peple ·
there neuere segge hym seiȝe · yn secte of þe ryche ·

[^a1185: hath ofte (Hm) | ofte hath (Most other mss)]

[^a1186: knowe (Hm G) | yknowe (Most other mss)]

[^a1187: tymes (Hm Cr) | tyme (All other mss)]

¶ Seynt iohan and oþer seyntes · were seyn yn pouere cloþynge
and as pouere pylgrymes · preysedyn[^a1188] mennys goodys
ihesu cryst on a iewys douhter alygth · gentyl womman þouȝ sche were ·
sche was[^a1189][^139] a pure pouere mayde · and to a pouere man weddyd ·
martha on mary magdaleyne · an huge pleynt sche made ·
and to our saueour syluen · seyde these woordys
Domine non est tibi cure quod soror · mea reliqui t me solam ministrare & cetera

[^a1188: preysedyn (Hm) | preyed (Most other mss)]

[^a1189: sche was (Hm) | Was (Most other mss)]

[^139: Hm.12.120: Hm alone among beta witnesses adds sche was to begin the line, although R has synonymous A was and Y offers Yet was she; all other B manuscripts have Was alone.]

¶ And hastylyche god answeryd · and eyþres wyll folwyd ·
bothe marthaes and maryes · as mathew bereþ wytnesse ·
ac pouerte put[^a1190] byfore · and preyseth[^a1191] that the bettre ·
Maria optimam partem elegit · que non auferretur ab ea · & cetera ·

[^a1190: put (Hm) | god put (Most other mss)]

[^a1191: preyseth (Hm) | preysed (All other mss)]

¶ And alle þe wyse þat euere were · by augth þat y[^a1192] can aspye ·
preysen pouerte for best lyf · ȝif pacyence it folwe ·
and boþe bettre and blysseder · by many folde þan rycchesse
and þow it be sour to suffre · þerafter[^a1193] cometh swete[^a1194] ·
as on a walnote wyþ-oute · ys a bytter barke ·
and aftyr þat bytter barke · be þe schelle a-weye ·
ys a kyrnel of conforte · kynde to restore

[^a1192: þat y (Hm) | y (All other mss)]

[^a1193: þerafter (Hm) | there (Most other mss)]

[^a1194: swete (Hm Cr W) | swete after (Most other mss)]

¶ So ys aftyr pouerte or penaunce · pacyently take ·
for it makeþ aman a man haue[^a1195] mynde · yn god & a gret wylle
to wepe and to wel bydde · wherof wexeþ mercy ·
of whiche cryst is a kyrnel · to conforte the soule ·
and wel sykerer he slepeth · the man that ys pouere ·
and lasse he dredeth deth · and yn derk to be robbyd ·
than he þat is rygth ryche · resoun bereth wytnesse ·
Pauper ego ludo · dum tu diues meditaris · & cetera[^a1196] ·
all-þouȝ salamon seyde · as folk seeth yn the byble ·
Diuicias nec paupertates · & cetera ·

[^a1195: haue (Hm C2 F) | to haue (Most other mss)]

[^a1196: & cetera (Hm Y) | nil (All other mss)]

¶ Wyser than salamon was · bereth wytnesse and taugthe
that parfyt pouerte was · no poscessyoun to haue ·
and lyf most lykynge to god · as luk beryþ wytnesse ·
Si vis perfectus esse · vade & vende & cetera

¶ And is to mene to men · that on this molde lyuyn ·
who-so woll ben pure parfit · moot poscessyoun forsake ·
or sylle it as seyth þe book · and þe syluer dele
to beggers that gon and begge · & bydde syluer[^a1197] for crystes[^a1198] loue
for faylyd neuere man mete · that mygthfull god serueth ·
as dauid seith yn þe sauter · to whiche[^a1199] þat ben yn wylle
to serue god goodlyche · ne greueþ hym no penaunce
Nichil impossibile volenti · & cetera

[^a1197: syluer (Hm) | good (Most other mss)]

[^a1198: crystes (Hm) | goddes (All other mss)]

[^a1199: whiche (Hm) | suche (All other mss)]

¶ Ne taketh[^a1200] neuere lyflode · lynnyn ne wollyn
Inquirentes autem dominum non minuentur omni bono · & cetera[^a1201]

[^a1200: taketh (Hm) | lakketh (All other mss)]

[^a1201: & cetera (Hm) | nil (All other mss)]

¶ Ȝif preestys were parfyte · they woldyn no syluer take
for masses ner ne[^a1202] for matynes · ne nougth[^a1203] her mete of vsurers
no neyþer kyrtel ne cote · þow þey for colde schulde deye
and þey her deuer dedyn · as dauid seith yn þe sauter ·
Iudica me deus & discerne causam meam · & cetera ·
Spera in deo speketh of prestes · þat han no spendyng syluer ·
that ȝif þey trauaylen trewly · and trustyn yn god almyghty ·
hem schulde lacke no lyflode · neyther lynnyn ne wollyn ·
and þe tytle þat þey[^140] takyn ordres by · telleþ ȝe ben auauncyd ·
thanne nedeþ nougth ȝow to take syluer · for masses þat ȝe syngge ·
for he þat took ȝow ȝour tytle · schulde take ȝow ȝour wages
or þe busschop þat blesseþ ȝow · ȝif þat ȝe ben wurþy ·

[^a1202: ner ne (Hm) | ne (All other mss)]

[^a1203: ne nougth (Hm) | nougth (Most other mss)]

[^140: Hm.12.167: The <y> is written over an imperfection in the vellum.]

¶ For made neuere no kyng[^a1204][^a1205][^141] knygth · but he hadde catel to spende
as byfell for a knygth · or fond hym for his strenkthe ·
it is a carfull knygth · and of a kayteuyd kayteu[e][^a1206] kynges makynge ·
that hath no londe nor[^a1207] lynage · ryche ne good los of his hondys ·

[^a1204: no kyng (Hm) | kyng (All other mss)]

[^a1205: om. (Hm) | no (All other mss)]

[^a1206: kayteuyd kayteu[e] (Hm) | caytyue (Most other mss)]

[^a1207: nor (Hm) | ne (All other mss)]

[^141: Hm.12.171: Kane and Donaldson's claim that the erased word was ne is unfounded.]

¶ The same y sygge forsothe · by alle suche preestys ·
þat han neyþer kun yngge ne kyn · but a crowne one ·
and a tytle a tale of nougth · to his lyflode at his myscheef ·
he haþ more byleue[^a1208] yleue y leue · to lacche þurgh his corowne ·
cure þan for connynge · or knowyn for clene of berynge ·
y haue wondur and why · and wherfore þe busschop ·
makeþ suche preestys · that lewyd men betrayen ·
a chartre is chalengeable · byfore a cheef iustyce ·
ȝif fals latyn be yn þat lettre · þe lawe it ynpungneth ·
or peyntyd parauntre · lynarye · or parcell ouerskyppyd ·
the gome that so[^a1209] gloseþ[^142] chartres for a goky is holdyn ·

[^a1208: byleue (Hm Cr) | bileue as (All other mss)]

[^a1209: that so (Hm) | that (All other mss)]

[^142: Hm.12.185: Having added so earlier in the line, Hm (and F as well) omit the so that precedes chartres in most B manuscripts.]

¶ So ys it a goky by god · þat yn his gospel fayleth
or yn masse or yn matynes · makeþ any deffaute ·
Qui offendit in vno in omnibus est reus · & cetera ·

¶ And also yn þe sauter · seyth dauid to ouerskyppers
Psallite deo nostro psallite · quoniam rex omnis terre[^a1210] deus[^a1211]  psallite sapienter ·

[^a1210: omnis terre (Hm) | terre (All other mss)]

[^a1211: deus (Hm M) | deus Israel (All other mss)]

¶ The busschop schall be blamyd · byfore god as y leue ·
that crowneþ suche goddys knygthes · þat kunyn nat sapienter
synge ne psalmys rede · ne sygge a masse of þe day ·
ac neuere neyþer is blameles · þe busschop nor[^a1212] þe chapleyn ·
for her eyþer is endytyd · & þat is ignorancia ·
Non excusat episcopos · nec ydiotes preestes · & cetera[^a1213] ·

[^a1212: nor (Hm) | ne (Most other mss)]

[^a1213: & cetera (Hm) | nil (All other mss)]

¶ Thus[^a1214] lokynge on lewyd preestes · han don me lepe fro pouerte ·
þe whiche y preyse þere pacyence is · more parfyt þan rycche sse

[^a1214: Thus (Hm) | This (Most other mss)]

¶ Ac muche more yn metynge thus · wyþ me gan on dyspute ·
and slepyng y sauȝ all this · and syþþyn cam kynde ·
and nempnyd me by myn name · and dude[^a1215] me nemen hede ·
and þurgh the wondres yn[^a1216] þys worlde · wytte forto take ·
and vp on[^a1217][^143] a mountaygne · þat myddel-erþe higth · as me þougth ·
y was fet foorth · by ensamples to knowe ·
þurgh echa ech a creature and kynde · no[^a1218] creature creat[or][^a1219][^144] to louye ·

[^a1215: dude (Hm) | bad (All other mss)]

[^a1216: yn (Hm) | of (All other mss)]

[^a1217: vp on (Hm) | on (All other mss)]

[^a1218: no (Hm) | my (All other mss)]

[^a1219: creature creat[or] (Hm C2) | creatoure (All other mss)]

[^143: Hm.12.203: Even with ultraviolet light it is not possible to make out what has been erased. A contemporary scribe, perhaps the original scribe who wrote this section, erased a word about seven spaces long and wrote vp on as two words.]

[^144: Hm.12.205: For the scribe's spelling, see Hm.16.223 creator wex creature.]

¶ I seiȝe þe sunne and þe se · and þe sond aftur
and where þat bestys and bryddys[^a1220] · by her make they ȝedyn ·
wylde wormys yn wodys · and wondurfull foules ·
wyth fleckyd fethres · and of fele colourys ·

[^a1220: bestys and bryddys (Hm) | bryddes and bestes (All other mss)]

¶ Man and his make · y mygth bothe byholde ·
pouerte and plente · boþe pes and werre ·
blysse and bale boþe · y sauȝ all at onys[^a1221] ·
and how men tokyn mede · and mercy refusyd ·

[^a1221: all at onys (Hm Cr W) | at ones (Most other mss)]

¶ Resoun y seyȝe sothly · suen alle bestys ·
yn etynge and drynkynge · and yn engendrynge of kynde ·
and aftur cours of concepcyoun · non took kepe of of of[^a1222] oþer ·
and whan þey hadde rydyn yn roteye-tyme · anon rygth þerafter ·
males drowyn hem to males · all mornynge[^a1223] by hem-selue ·
and yn euenynges also · the malys ben fro females ·
ther nas[^a1224] cow nor no female yn kynde[^a1225] · þat conceyuyd hadde ·
that wolde belwe after boles · ne bore aftur sowe ·
boþe hors and houndys · and alle othre bestys ·
medlyd nougth wyþ her makys · þat wyþ fole were ·

[^a1222: of of of (Hm) | of (All other mss)]

[^a1223: all mornynge (Hm) | amorwenynges (Most other mss)]

[^a1224: nas (Hm) | ne was (Most other mss)]

[^a1225: cow nor no female yn kynde (Hm) | ne cowkynde (Most other mss)]

¶ Bryddys y behelde · þat yn buskes made nestys ·
hadde neuere wye þe wyt[^a1226] to wurche þe leste ·
y hadde wondre at whom · and where þe pye lernyd
to legge þe stykkys yn whiche sche leyeþ · and bredeþ
ther nys wrygth as y wene · schulde werche her nest to paye ·
ȝif any masoun made a molde þerto · muche wondur yt were ·
and ȝit me merueyled more · how many othre bryddys ·
huddyn and helyeden · here egges full derne
yn mareys and mores · for men schulde hem nougth fynde
and huddyn her egges · whan they þerfro wente
for fere of othur foules · and for wylde bestys

[^a1226: þe wyt (Hm) | wit (All other mss)]

¶ And summe trodyn her makes · and on trees breddyn ·
and brougthen foorþ her bryddes · all[^a1227] aboue þe grounde
and summe bryddes at the byl · þurgh breþyng conceyued
and summe kauked y took kepe · how pecokkes breddyn ·
muche meruayled me · what mayster they hadde
and who taugth hem on trees · to tymbre so hye
that[^a1228] neythur bierne ne beest may her bryddys reche ·

[^a1227: all (Hm F) | so all (Most other mss)]

[^a1228: that (Hm) | There (All other mss)]

¶ And sytthen y lokyd · vpon the see · and so foorth yn[^a1229] · the sterrys
many selcouthes y saye that beth[^a1230] nougth · to seye nowthe

[^a1229: yn (Hm) | vp on (Bx)]

[^a1230: that beth (Hm) | that (Most other mss)]

¶ I saye flourys yn the fryth · and her fayre coloures
and how amonge the grene gras · growyn[^a1231] so manye hewes
and summe soure · and summe swete · selcouthe me thougth
of her kynde and her colour to carpe yt were to longe ·
ac þat moste meuyd me · and my mood chaungyd ·
that resoun rewarded · and rewlyd alle bestys ·
saue man and his make · many tyme and ofte ·
no resoun hem folwyd · and thanne y rebukyd ·
resoun and rygth · to hym-syluen y seyde ·
y haue wondur of the quod y · þat wytty art holdyn ·
why þu ne suest man and his make · þat no mysfayte hem folwe ·

[^a1231: growyn (Hm) | grewe (Most other mss)]

¶ And resoun aratyd me · and seyde recche the neuere ·
why y suffre or nougth suffre · thy-sylfe hath[^a1232] nougth to done ·
amende it þu[^a1233] ȝif thu mygth · for my tyme is to abyde ·

[^a1232: hath (Hm) | hast (All other mss)]

[^a1233: it þu (Hm) | þow (Most other mss)]

¶ suffraunce is a souereyn · vertu · and a swyfte vengeaunce
who suffreþ more than god quod he · no gome as y wene[^a1234] ·
he mygth amende in a mynut-while · al þat mys-standith ·
ac he suffreth for sum mannys good · and so ys our bettre ·
the wyse and the wytty · wrot thus yn the byble
De re que te non molestat · noli certare & cetera[^a1235]

[^a1234: wene (Hm) | leue (All other mss)]

[^a1235: & cetera (Hm G) | nil (All other mss)]

¶ For be aman a man fayr or foul · it falleþ nougth forto lacke
the schaft ne the schap[^a1236][^145] · that god schoop hym-sylue ·
for all þat he dude was wel y-do · as holy wrytt wytnesseþ
Et vidit deus cuncta que fecerat · & erant valde bona · & cetera[^a1237] ·
And badde euery creature · yn his k ynde encrese ·
all to murþe wyþ man · þat muste wo tholye ·
yn fondynge of þe flesch · and of þe fende boþe ·
for man was maad of suche[^a1238] matere · he may nougth wel asterte
that ne sumtyme hym betydeþ[^a1239] · to folwyn his kynde ·
catoun accordeþ þerwyth · nemo sine crimine viuit ·

[^a1236: schaft ne the schap (Hm) | shappe ne schafte (Most other mss)]

[^a1237: & cetera (Hm) | nil (All other mss)]

[^a1238: suche (Hm Cot F) | suche a (All other mss)]

[^a1239: betydeþ (Hm) | bitit (Most other mss)]

[^145: Hm.12.265: The apparently meaningless flourish over the final <p> is suggestive in view of Cr's nonsensical shampe for schap.]

¶ And tho[^a1240] caugth y colour anon · & comsyd to ben a-schamyd ·
and awakyd þerwyth · woo was me thanne ·
þat y yn metels mygth[^a1241] · more haue yknowyn ·
and þanne seyde y to my-sylfe · and chidde that tyme ·
now y wote what do-wel is quod y · by dere god as me thynketh
and as y keste vp myn eiȝen · on lokyd on me and askyde ·
of me what thyng it were y-wis sere y seyde ·
to see muche and suffre more · certys quod y is dowel ·

[^a1240: And tho (Hm) | Tho (All other mss)]

[^a1241: mygth (Hm) | ne mygth (All other mss)]

¶ Haste thu suffryd he seyde slepynge tho thu were ·
þu schuldyst haue knowyn þat clergye can · & contreuyd[^a1242] more by resoun ·
for resoun wolde haue rehercyd to the[^a1243] · rygth as clergye seyde ·
ac for thyn entermentynge · here art thu forsakyn ·
Philosophus esses si tacuisses · & cetera[^a1244] ·

[^a1242: contreuyd (Hm) | conceiued (Most other mss)]

[^a1243: to the (Hm) | þe (All other mss)]

[^a1244: & cetera (Hm Cr G) | nil (All other mss)]

¶ Adam whiles he spak nougth · hadde paradys at wylle
ac whan he mameled aboute mete · & entermentyd to knowe ·
the wysdom and the wytt of god · he was put fro blysse
and rygth so ferde resoun by the · thu wyth thy rude speche ·
lackedest and losedest thyng that longyd nougth to be don ·
tho hadde he no lykynge · forto lere the more ·
pryde[^a1245] and presumpcyoun · paraduenture woll the appele ·
that clergye to thy[^a1246] companye · kepeþ nougth to sue ·
¶ this was her teme and her texte · y tooke full good hede ·
multi to amangerye a mangerye and to the mete were sompnyd
and whan the peple was planere[^146] comyn · þe porter vnpynnyd þe ȝate ·
and plukkyd yn pauci priueylyche · and lete the remenant go rome
all for tene of her text · tremblyd myn herte ·
and yn a were gan y wexe · and wyth my-self desputyd[^a1247] ·
wheþer y were chosyn or nougth chosyn · on holy cherche y þougth ·
þat vndurfenge me atte the fonte · for on of goddys chosen ·
for cryst clepyd vs alle · come ȝif we wolde ·
sarasenys and scysmatykes · and so he dude the iewys ·
O vos omnes sicientes venite ad aquas · & cetera[^a1248] ·
¶ And bad hem souke for synne · saufly atte his breeste ·
and drynke bote for bale · brouke hit who-so mygthe ·
thanne mowe alle crystene · come[^a1249] and cleyme · þere entree[^147] ·
by the blood þat he bougth vs wyþ · and þurgh bapteme after
Qui crediderit · & baptizatus fuerit · & cetera ·

[^a1245: pryde (Hm) | Pryde now (All other mss)]

[^a1246: to thy (Hm) | þi (Most other mss)]

[^a1247: desputyd (Hm F) | dispute (Most other mss)]

[^a1248: & cetera (Hm) | nil (All other mss)]

[^a1249: come (Hm) | come quod I (Most other mss)]

[^146: Hm.12.297: Planere, "fully, completely." MED lists no other instance of this spelling for the adjectival or adverbial forms, but the spelling variation <e> and <a> is unremarkable.]

[^147: Hm.12.308: Neither of the midline raised points in this line is correctly placed to mark the caesura, and either might be an unintentional flourish. On the other hand, such raised points following a word-terminal <e> are common. See the preceding line.]

¶ For þow acrystyn a crystyn man coueytyde · his crystendom to ren eye
rygthfully to reneye · no reson yt wolde
for may no cherl chartre make · ne his catel sylle
wyþ-outyn leue of his lord no lawe woll it graunte
ac he may renne yn arerage · and rome so from home
and as areneyed a reneyed cayteef · recchelesly rennyn aboute ·
and resoun schall rykne wyth hym · and castyn hym yn arerage
and puttyn hym aftur yn aprisoun a prisoun[^148] · yn purgatory to brenne ·
for his areragys rewardyn hym þere · to the day of dome ·
but ȝif contrycyoun woll come · and crye by his lyue ·
mercy for his mysdedys · wyth mowth and[^a1250] wyth herte ·

[^a1250: and (Hm) | or (Most other mss)]

[^148: Hm.12.318: An otiose curl appears on the final graph.]

¶ That is sooþ quod scripture · may no synne lette ·
mercy alto al to amende · and mekenesse here folweþ[^149] ·
for þey beþ as oure bokes · telleth · aboue goddys werkes
Misericordia eius super omnia opera eius · & cetera ·

[^149: Hm.12.323: The slant on the thorn is distinctly odd, more characteristic of hand3 than hand2, but nothing else suggests it is added here.]

¶ Ȝee baw for bookys quod on · was brokyn oute of helle ·
higth troianus that hadde[^a1251] ben a trewe knygth · took wytnesse of[^a1252] apope a pope ·
how he was deed and dampnyd · to dwelle yn pyne ·
for an vncrystene creature · clerkys wytyn the sothe ·
that all the clergye vndur cryst · ne mygth me cracche fro helle ·
but onlyche loue and lewte · and my lawefull domes

[^a1251: that hadde (Hm) | hadde (Most other mss)]

[^a1252: of (Hm F) | at (All other mss)]

¶ Grygory wyste this well · and wylnyd to my soule ·
sauacyoun for soþnes · that he seye yn my werkes ·
and aftur þat he wepte · and wylnyd me were grauntyd
grace wyþ-outyn eny bede-byddynge · his bone was vndyrfongyn ·
and y sauyd as ȝe see · wyth-oute syngynge of masses ·
by loue and by lernynge · of my lyuynge yn trewthe ·
brougth me fro bytter peyne · þere no byddynge mygthe

¶ Loo ȝe lordys þat[^a1253] lewte dude · by an emperour of Rome ·
þat was an vncrystene creature · as clerkys fyndyn yn bookes ·
nougth þurgth prayere of a pope · but for his pure trewthe ·
was þat sarazyn sauyd · as seynt grygory bereth wytnes ·
wel augth ȝe lordys the[^a1254] lawes kepe · &[^a1255] þys lessoun to haue yn mynde ·
and on troianus trouþe to þenke · and do treuþe to þe peple ·

[^a1253: þat (Hm) | what (All other mss)]

[^a1254: the (Hm Cr3) | þat (Most other mss)]

[^a1255: & (Hm) | nil (Most other mss)]

¶ lawe wyþ-oute loue quod troianus · leye þere abene a bene ·
or eny scyence vndur sonne · þe seuene ars and alle ·
but they ben lernyd for our lordys loue · loste is all þe tyme ·
for no cause to cacche syluer þerby · ne to be callyd amayster a mayster ·
but all for loue of our lord · and the bet to loue the peple ·
for seynt iohan seyde yt · and sooth arne hys woordes ·
Qui non diligit  manet in morte ·

¶ Who-so loueþ nougth me[^a1256] · he lyueþ in deeth deynge ·
and þat alle maner men · enemys and frendes ·
louyn her eyþer other · and lene hem as hem-sylue ·
who-so l eneþ nougth · he loueþ nougth · god wot þe sothe ·
and comaundeþ echa ech a creature · to conforme hym to louye
and souereynly pore peple · and her enemys after
for hem þat hatyn vs · is our meryt to louye ·
and pore peple to plese · her prayers mowyn vs helpe
and our ioye and our hele · ihesu cryst of heuene ·
yn apore a pore mannys apparayle pursuyd vs euere ·
and lokeþ on vs yn her lyknes · and þat wyþ louely chere
to knowyn vs by our kynde herte · & castyng of our eiȝyn ·
wher[^a1257] we loue the lordes here · byfore þe lorde of blysse
and exciteþ vs by þe euaungelye · þat whan we mak iþ festys
we schulde nougth clepe our kyn þerto · ne no kynnys ryche ·
Cum facitis conuiuia · nolite inuitare amicos · & cetera[^a1258] ·

[^a1256: me (Hm Cr) | leue me (Most other mss)]

[^a1257: wher (Hm) | Wheþer (Most other mss)]

[^a1258: & cetera (Hm Y) | nil (All other mss)]

¶ Ac calleþ þe carful therto · the crokyd and þe pore ·
for ȝour frendys wolen fede ȝow · and fonde ȝow to quyte ·
ȝour festynge and ȝour fayr ȝifte · eche frende quyteþ so othre ·

¶ Ac for þe pore y schall paye · and pur wel quyte her trauayle ·
þat ȝyueþ hem mete or moneye · and loueþ hem for my sake ·
for þe beste ben summe ryche · and summe beggers and pouere ·
for alle ar we crystes creatures · and of his coffres ryche ·
and breþerne as of oo blood · as wel beggers as erles ·
for on caluarye of crystes blood · crystyndom gan sprynge
and blody bretherne we bycome there · of oo body ywonne
as quasi modo geniti · and gentyl men echone
no begger no[^a1259] boy amonges vs · but ȝif it synne made ·
Qui facit peccatum · seruus est peccati · & cetera

[^a1259: no (Hm) | ne (Most other mss)]

¶ In the olde lawe · as holy lettre telleth ·
mennys sones · men callyd vs echone ·
and[^a1260] adammes yssue and eue · ay tyl god man deyed ·
and aftur his resurrexcioun · redemptor was his name ·
and we his bretherne thorowh hym ybougth · boþe ryche and pouere ·
forthy loue we as leue breþerne schal · and eche man laugh of othre ·
and of þat[^a1261] eche man may forbere · amende there that nedeth
and euery man helpe othre · for henne[^a1262] schull we alle ·
Alter alterius onera portate · & cetera ·

[^a1260: and (Hm) | Of (All other mss)]

[^a1261: þat (Hm F) | it (All other mss)]

[^a1262: henne (Hm) | hennes (All other mss)]

¶ And be we nougth vnkynde of our catel · nor[^a1263] of our connyng neyther
for wot no man how ny ȝ yt is · to be ynome fro boþe ·
forþy lacke no lyf othre · þouh · he more latyn knowe ·
ne vndurnyme nougth foule · for is noon wyþ-outyn deffaute ·
for what-euere clerkes carpe · of crystendom or elles
cryst to acomoun a comoun womman seyde · yn comoun atte þe feste ·
[^150] holy cherche knoweth this · þat crystys wrytynge sauyd here ·
so clergye is conforte · to creatures that repentyn hem[^a1264] ·
and to ma nsed men · meschief atte her nede[^a1265] ·

[^a1263: nor (Hm) | ne (All other mss)]

[^a1264: repentyn hem (Hm) | repenten (All other mss)]

[^a1265: nede (Hm) | ende (All other mss)]

[^150: Hm.12.396: This is the final rupture caused by the dislocation of text described above and in the introduction; from this point the text of the poem proceeds properly.]

¶ For goddes body mygth nougth ben of breed · wyþ-outyn clergye ·
the whiche · body is boþe b oote to þe rygthfull
and deeþ and dampnacyoun · to hem that deyen euele ·
as crystes caracte conforted · and boþe coupable schewyd
the womman þat þe iewes brougth · þat ihesu þougth to saue
Nolite iudicare & non iudicabimini · & cetera ·
¶ Rygth so goddes body breþerne · but ȝif[^a1266] it be worþyly takyn ·
dampneþ vs atte þe day of dome · as þe caractes dudyn þe iewys ·

[^a1266: but ȝif (Hm) | but (All other mss)]

¶ Forþy y conseyle the for crystes sake · clergye that thu louye ·
for kynde wytt is of his kyn · and ny ȝ cosynes bothe ·
to our lord leue me · for þy loue hem y rede ·
for bothe ben as myrrours · to amende oure deffautys
and leders for lewyd men · and for lettryd bothe ·
¶ forþy lacke thu neuere logyke · lawe nor his customes
ne counturplede clerkes · y counseyl the for euere ·
for as a man may nougth see · that mysseth his eiȝyn ·
nomore can no clerke · but ȝif he caugth it ferst þurgh bookes
al-þouwh men made bookes · god was the mayster
and seynt spiryt the samplarye · and seyde what men schulde wryte ·[^151]
¶ Rygth so ledeth lettrure · lewyd men to resoun ·
and as a blynd man yn batayle · beryþ wepne to fygthe
And hath non hap wiþ his ax · his enemye to hitte
nomore can a kynde wyttyd man · but ȝif clerkes hym teche ·[^152]
come fo r al his k ynde wyt to crystendom · and besauyd be sauyd ·
whiche is þe coffre of crystes tresour · and clerkes kepe the keyes
to vnloukyn it atte her lykynge · and to þe lewyd peple ·
ȝyue mercy for here mysdedes · ȝif men yt woll aske ·
buxumlyche and benynglyche · and byddyn it of grace ·
¶ Archa dei yn the olde lawe · leuytes yt keptyn ·
hadde neuere lewyd man leue · to leyn hond on that cheste
but he were preeste or prestys sone · patriark or propheet
for clergye is kepere · vndur cryst of heuene
was þer neuere no knygth · but clergye hym made ·
ac kynde wytt cometh · of alle kyn syghtes
of bryddes and of bestys · of tastys of trewthe and of deceytes
¶ Lyuer s toforen vs · vsydyn to marke ·
for[^a1267] selcouthes that they seyȝyn · her soules[^a1268] forto teche ·
and heldyn yt an hye scyence · her wyttes to knowe ·
ac þurgh her scyence sothly · was neuere no soule y-sauyd ·
ne brougth by her bookes · to blysse no[^a1269] to ioye
for alle her kynde knowynges come · of[^a1270] dyuerse sygthes
patriarkes and prophetys · repreuyd here scyences[^a1271] ·
and seydyn her woordes nor[^a1272] her wysdomes · nas but folye[^a1273] ·
as to þe clergye of cryst · countyd it but a tryfle ·
Sapiencia huius mundi · stulticia apud deum · & cetera[^a1274] ·
¶ For the heiȝest[^a1275] holy gost · heuene schall to-cleue ·
and loue schall lepe out after · ynto þys lowe erthe
and clennesse schall cacchyn yt · and clerkes schullyn it fynde ·
Pastores loquebantur adinuicem ad inuicem · & cetera ·
¶ he spekeþ there of ryche men rygth nougth · ne of rygth wytty ·
ne of lordes that were lewyd men · but of þe heyȝest lettryd oute ·
Ibant magi ab oriente · & cetera
¶ Ȝif eny frere were foundyn þere · y ȝyue the fyue schillynges
nor yn noon beggers cote · was that barn born ·
but yn a burgeys place · of bethleem the beste ·
Sed non erat ei locus in diuersorio · & pauper non habet diuersorium · & cetera[^a1276]
¶ To pastours and to pore men[^a1277] · apperyd the aungel ·
and bad hem gon to bedlem · goddes burthe to honoure ·
and songyn a song of solace · Gloria in excelsis deo ·
¶ Clerkes knewyn it well / and comyn wyþ here presentys
and dudyn her homage honourably · to hym þat was almyghty
¶ Whi y haue tolde all þys · y took ful good hede ·
how thu contraryedest clergye · wyþ crabbed woordes
how that lewde men lygthlokere · þan lettryd were sauyd
than clerkes or kynde wyttyd men · of crystyn peple[^153] ·
and thu seydest sooþ of summe · ac see yn what manere ·
¶ tak two strong men · and yn tem se caste hem ·
and boþe nakyd as a nedle · her noon[^154] sykerer þan other
that on haþ kunnynge and can · swymmyn and d yue
that oþur is lewyd of þat labour · lernyd neuere to swymme ·
whiche trowest thu of tho two yn temyse · ys yn moste drede ·
he þat neuere dyued · ne nougth can of swymmynge
or the swymmer þat is sauf · by so hym-sylf lyke ·
there his felowe fleteþ forþ · as the flood lykeþ ·
and ys yn drede to drenche · þat neuere dede s wymme ·
that swymme can nougth y seyde · yt semeþ to my wyttys ·
¶ Rygth so quod þe renke · resoun it scheweth ·
that he þat knoweþ clergye · can sonner aryse ·
out of synne and be sauf þowh he synne ofte
ȝif hym lykeþ and lust · than any lewyd lely ·
for ȝif þe clerk be connynge · he knoweþ what is synne ·
and how contrycyoun wyþ-out confessyoun · conforteþ þe soule ·
and þu seste yn the sauter · yn psalmys one or tweyne
how contricioun is commendyd · for it caccheþ awey synne ·
Beati quorum remisse sunt iniquitates · & quorum tecta sunt peccata · & cetera[^a1278] ·
¶ And this conforteþ eche aclerk a clerk and keuereþ hym fro wanhope ·
yn whiche flood þe fend · fondeþ aman a man hardeste ·
there the lewyd lyeþ stylle · and lokeþ aftur lente ·
and haþ no contrycioun or he come to schryfte · & þan gan[^a1279] he lytel telle
but as his lores-man leryþ hym · byleueth and troweth ·
and þat is after parsoun or parosch preest · and paraduenture ·
vnconnynge to lere lewyd men · and[^a1280] luke berith wytnes ·
Dum cecus ducit cecum · & cetera ·
¶ Woo was hym marked · þat wade moot wyth the lewyd ·
wel may the barn blysse · that hym to book sette ·
þat lyuynge after lettrure · sauyd hym lyf and soule ·
Dominus pars hereditatis mee ys a mery versette ·
that hath take fro tyburne · twenty stronge theuys
there lewyd theuys ben lollyd · vp · look how they ben sauyd
the theef that hadde gret[^a1281] grace of god · on good fryday as þu spekest[^a1282]
was for he ȝelde hym creaunt[^a1283] on þe cros · and knowlechid hym gulty
and grace askyd of god · and he is euere redy ·
that buxumlyche byddeþ it · and ben yn wyll to amende hem ·
¶ ac þouȝ þat þeef · hadde heuene · he hadde non hiȝe blysse ·
a s seynt iohan and othre seyntes · that deseruyd alle[^a1284] bettre ·
¶ rygth as summe men ȝyuen me mete · and settyn me amyd þe floor ·
y haue mete more þan ynow · ac nougth so muche wurschipe ·
as þo þat sytte[^a1285] at[^a1286] syde table · or wyþ þe souereyns of þe halle ·
but sytt e as a begger boordles · by my-sylf on þe grounde ·
so it farith by þat feloun · that on good fryday was sauyd ·
he sytteþ neyþer wyth seynt iohan symonde ne Iude ·
ne wyth maydenes ne wyth martyres · confessour[^a1287] ne wydewes
but by hym-self as a soleyn · seruyd[^a1288] on erthe ·
for he that is onys a theef · ys euermore yn daungere ·
and as lawe lykeþ · to lyue or to deye ·
De peccato propiciato · noli esse sine metu & cetera[^a1289] ·
and forto seruyn a seynte · and suche a theef togydres
yt were neyther resoun ne rygth · to rewardyn hem bothe y-lyche ·
and rygth as troianus þe trew knygth · dwelte[^a1290] nouȝt depe yn helle
that our lord ne hadde hym lyȝtlyche out · so leue y the thef be yn heuene
for he is yn the lowyste of heuene · ȝif our byleue be trewe ·
and well losellyche he lolleþ þere · by the lawe of holy cherche ·
Qui reddit vnicuique iuxta opera sua · & cetera ·
¶ And why þat on theef on the cros · creaunt hym ȝald
rather than that other theef · thow þu woldest appose ·
alle þe clerkes vndur cryst · ne koudyn þys[^a1291] skyll assoyl e ·
Quare placuit quia voluit · & cetera[^a1292] ·
¶ And so y seye by the · that sekest after[^a1293] whies
and aresonedest resoun · arebukynge a rebukynge as yt were ·
and of the floures yn the fryth · and of her fayre hewes ·
wherof they cacche her colours · so cleer and so brygth
and wylnest[^a1294] of bryddes and of[^a1295] bestys · and of her bredynge knowe ·
whi summe ben alowhe and summe alofte · thy lykynge it were ·
and of þe stonys and of the sterrys · thu studyest as y leue ·
how euere beest or bryd · hath so breme wyttys ·
¶ Clergye ne kynde wyt ne knewe neuere the cause ·
ac kynde knoweth þe cause hym-self no creature elles ·
he is the pyes patroun · and putte it yn her ere
that there þe thorn ys thykkest · to bulde and to[^a1296] brede
and kynde kenneþ þe pekok · to caukyn yn suche akynde a kynde
and kennyd adam to knowe · his pryue membrys ·
and taugth hym and eue · to helyen hem wyth leuys ·
¶ Lewyd men many tymes · maystres they apposyn ·
whi Adam helyed nougth ferst · his mowþ that ete þe appull
rathur than his lykam alowe · lewyd men[^a1297] askyn thus clerkes ·
kynde knoweth whi he dude so · ac no clerke elles ·
ac of bryddys and of bestys · men by olde tyme ·
ensaunples tookyn and termys · as tellyn the poetys ·
and þat þe fayrest foul · fouleste engendreth
and feblest foul of flygth is · that fleeth or swymmeth
and that the pecok and the pohen · proud ryche men bytokneth ·
for þe pekok and men pursuen hym · may nougth flee hiȝe
for þe traylynge of his tayl · ouertakyn is he sone
and his flesch is foul flesch · and his feet bothe ·
and vnlouely of ledne · and l ooþ forto here
¶ Rygth so þe ryche · ȝif he his rycchesse kepe ·
and deleth it nougth tyl his deþ-day · the tayl of all sorowe ·
rygth as þe pennys of the pekoc · peynyd hym yn his flyght ·
so is poscessioun peyne of pans · and of nobles ·
to alle men[^a1298] þat it holdeþ · tyl her tayl be plukkyd ·
and þouȝ the ryche repente thanne · and byrewe the tyme
þat euere he gadred so grete · and gaf þerof so lytyl ·
thowh he crye to cryst thanne · wyþ kene wyll y leue
his ledyn be yn our lordys ere · lyk a pyes chatrynge[^a1299]
and whan his careyne schall come · yn caue to be buryed
y leue yt flambe full foule · the folde all aboute
and alle þe oþer þere it lyth · enuenemeþ þurgh his attre
¶ By the po cok[^a1300] is[^a1301] vndurstonde · as y haue lernyd yn auenet
excecutours false frendys · þat fulfulleþ nougth his wylle
that was wrytyn and þey wytnesse · to wurche rygth as it wolde
thus þe poete preueþ that the pecok · for his fethrys is reuerensyd ·
rygth so is þe ryche · by resoun of his godes ·
¶ The larke þat is a lasse foul · is more louelyche of ledne
and well away of wenge · swyfter than the pecok
and of flesch[^a1302] felefolde · fatter and swettere ·
to lowe lybbynge men · the larke is resemblyd ·
¶ Arystotle the grete clerk · suche talys he telleth ·
thus he lykneth yn his logyk[^155] · the le ste foul oute
and wher he be sauf or nougth sauf · þe sothe wote no clergye ·
ne of sortes ne of salamoun · no scrypture can telle
ac god is so good y hope · þat syþþe he gaf hem wyttys
to wyssen vs weyes þerwyþ · that wyssyn vs to besauyd be sauyd
and þe bettre for her bookes · to byddyn we byn holdyn ·
þat god for his grace · gyue her soules reste ·
for lettryd men were lewyd men ȝit · ne were lore of her bookes
¶ Alle the[^a1303] clerkes quod y thoo · that on cryst leuyn ·
seggyn in her sarmones · that neyþer saresenys ne iewys ·
ne no creature of crystes lyknesse · wyth-out crystendom wurþ sauyd
Contra quod ymagynatyf þoo · and comsyd forto loure
and seyde saluabitur vix iustus · in die iudicij ·
Ergo saluabitur quod he · and seyde nomore latyn ·
¶ Troianus was a trewe knygth · and took neuere crystendom
and he is sauf so seith the book · and his soule yn heuene
for þere is fullynge of fonte · and fullynge of[^a1304] blood schedynge ·
and þurgh fi er ys fullynge · and that is ferme byleue
Aduenit ignis diuinus · non comburens · sed illuminans · & cetera
¶ Ac trewthe that trespacyd neuere · ne trauersyd aȝenst his lawe
but lyueþ as his lawe techeth · and leueþ þer be no bettere ·
and ȝif þer were he wolde · amende · and yn suche wyll deieþ
ne wolde neuere trewe god · but trewthe were alowyd ·
and wher it be worth[^a1305] or worth nougth · þe byleue is gret of trewþe
and anhope an hope hangynge þerynne · to haue amede a mede for his trewþe
For deus dicitur quasi dans vitam eternam suis · hoc est fidelibus et alibi · si ambulauero in medio vmbre mortis · & cetera ·
¶ The glose graunteth vpon þat vers · a gret mede to trewthe ·
and wytt and wysdom quod that wye · was sumtyme tresore
to kepe wyþ a comoun · no catel was holde bettre
and muche myrthe and manhede · and rygth wyþ þat he vanschid

[^a1267: for (Hm W) | Þe (All other mss)]

[^a1268: soules (Hm) | sones (All other mss)]

[^a1269: no (Hm) | ne (All other mss)]

[^a1270: of (Hm) | but of (All other mss)]

[^a1271: scyences (Hm) | science (All other mss)]

[^a1272: nor (Hm) | ne (Most other mss)]

[^a1273: folye (Hm Cr Y F) | a folye (All other mss)]

[^a1274: & cetera (Hm G Y) | nil (All other mss)]

[^a1275: heiȝest (Hm) | heihe (All other mss)]

[^a1276: & cetera (Hm) | nil (All other mss)]

[^a1277: pore men (Hm) | poetes (All other mss)]

[^a1278: & cetera (Hm) | nil (All other mss)]

[^a1279: gan (Hm) | kan (All other mss)]

[^a1280: and (Hm) | as (All other mss)]

[^a1281: hadde gret (Hm) | hadde (All other mss)]

[^a1282: spekest (Hm W) | speke(n) (Most other mss)]

[^a1283: creaunt (Hm) | creaunt to crist (All other mss)]

[^a1284: alle (Hm) | hadde (Most other mss)]

[^a1285: sytte (Hm Cr) | seten (All other mss)]

[^a1286: at (Hm) | at þe (All other mss)]

[^a1287: confessour (Hm) | confessoures (Most other mss)]

[^a1288: seruyd (Hm) | and serued (Most other mss)]

[^a1289: & cetera (Hm G Y) | nil (All other mss)]

[^a1290: dwelte (Hm Cr W) | tilde (Most other mss)]

[^a1291: þys (Hm) | þe (Most other mss)]

[^a1292: & cetera (Hm) | nil (All other mss)]

[^a1293: after (Hm) | after þe (All other mss)]

[^a1294: wylnest (Hm M F) | willest (All other mss)]

[^a1295: of (Hm M W R) | and (Most other mss)]

[^a1296: and to (Hm C) | and (All other mss)]

[^a1297: lewyd men (Hm) | lewed (Most other mss)]

[^a1298: men (Hm) | hem (All other mss)]

[^a1299: chatrynge (Hm Cr) | chiteryng (Most other mss)]

[^a1300: po cok (Hm) | po (Most other mss)]

[^a1301: is (Hm) | feet is (Most other mss)]

[^a1302: flesch (Hm) | flesch by (All other mss)]

[^a1303: the (Hm) | þise (All other mss)]

[^a1304: of (Hm M) | in (All other mss)]

[^a1305: be worth (Hm) | worth (All other mss)]

[^151: Hm.12.417: CrWHm omit the following line, found in all other manuscripts: And riȝt as syȝte serueth a man to se þe heighe strete, here given in the spelling of L.]

[^152: Hm.12.421: An entire line here is left blank. No text was lost.]

[^153: Hm.12.463: The first <e> is poorly executed, but there is no reason to suppose that the scribe intended anything other than his customary <e>.]

[^154: Hm.12.466: her noon, "neither of them."]

[^155: Hm.12.576: There is an ink blot above logyk.]

Passus xiijus terciodecimus · de visione · & vjus sextus · de do-weel ·

A nd y awakyd þerwyth · wytles nere hande ·
and as a freke that free were · foorþ gan y walke ·
yn manere[^156] of amendynaunt a mendynaunt · many aȝere a ȝere after
and of þese metynges[^a1306] many tymes[^a1307] · muche þouȝt y hadde
furst how fortune me fayled · at my moste nede ·
¶[^157] And how þat elde manasyd me · mygth we euere mete ·
and how þat frerys folwyd · folk that were[^a1308] ryche
and folk þat were pouere · atte lytyll prys þey sette ·
and none cors yn her kyrke-ȝerde · ne yn her kyrk was buryed
but quyk he byquaþ hem ougth · or schulde helpe quyte her dettys
and how þys couetyse ouercom · clerkes and preestys
and how[^a1309] lewyd men ben ladde · but our lorde hem helpe
thurgh vnkunynge creatures[^a1310] · to yncurable[^158] peynes ·

[^a1306: þese metynges (Hm) | þis metyng (All other mss)]

[^a1307: tymes (Hm G R F) | tyme (All other mss)]

[^a1308: were (Hm G O C2 F) | was (Most other mss)]

[^a1309: how (Hm) | how þat (All other mss)]

[^a1310: creatures (Hm Cr) | curatoures (All other mss)]

[^156: Hm.13.3: What appears to be either an ink trail or stray mark appears above the first <e> of manere.]

[^157: Hm.13.6: The rubricator ignored a paraph marker.]

[^158: Hm.13.13: An otiose mark appears above the final <e> in yncurable. The same mark appears in the same position in kunynge in Hm.13.15.]

¶ And how that ymagynatyf · yn dremes[^a1311] me tolde
of kynde and of his kunynge[^159] · and how curteys he ys to bestys
and how louynge he is to bestys · on londe and on watre ·
leeneth he no lyf · lasse nor[^a1312] more ·

[^a1311: dremes (Hm Cr C) | dremeles (Most other mss)]

[^a1312: nor (Hm) | ne (All other mss)]

[^159: Hm.13.15: See Hm.13.13 above for an otiose mark similar to the one here over the final <e> in kunynge.]

¶ The creatures that crepyn of kynde · they ben[^a1313] engendryd
and sytthen how ymagynatyf seyde · vix saluabitur iustus ·
and whan he hadde seyde so · how sodeynly he passyd ·

[^a1313: they ben (Hm Cr) | ben (All other mss)]

¶ I lay doun longe yn þys thougth · and atte the laste slepte[^a1314] ·
and as cryst wolde þercome þer come conscyence · and conforted[^a1315] me þat tyme ·
and bad me come to his court · wyþ clergye y schulde[^a1316] dyne
and for conscyence of clergye spak · y com well þe rather
and þere y seiȝe amayster a mayster · what man he was y nyste ·
þat lowe loutyd and louelyche · vnto[^a1317] scrypture

[^a1314: slepte (Hm) | I slepte (All other mss)]

[^a1315: and conforted (Hm) | to conforte (Most other mss)]

[^a1316: y schulde (Hm) | sholde I (All other mss)]

[^a1317: vnto (Hm Y) | to (All other mss)]

¶ Conscyence knewe hym well · and welcomyd hym fayre ·
they wesschen and wypedyn · and wenten to þe dyner
ac pacyence yn þe paleys stood · yn pylgrimes clothes
and prayde mete for charyte · for a poore heremyte ·
conscyence callyd hym yn · and curteysly seyde ·
welcome wy go and wasch · thu schalt sytte sone

¶ This mayster was maad sytte · and for þe moste wurthy
and thanne clergye and conscyence · and pacyence com after
pacyence and y · weren putte to be macchis
and setyn by our-sylue · atte the[^a1318] syde-boord
conscyence callyd after mete · and þanne cam scripture
and seruyd hym[^a1319] thus sone · of sundry metys manye ·
of austyn and[^a1320] ambrose · and of[^a1321] þe foure euaungelystes
Edentes & bibentes · que apud eos sunt · & cetera[^a1322]

[^a1318: the (Hm) | a (Most other mss)]

[^a1319: hym (Hm B R) | hem (All other mss)]

[^a1320: and (Hm G F) | of (All other mss)]

[^a1321: and of (Hm W Cr) | of alle (Most other mss)]

[^a1322: & cetera (Hm) | nil (All other mss)]

¶ Ac this mayster ne his man · nomaner no maner flesch etyn ·
ac þey etyn mete of more cost · mortrelles and potages
of that men myswonnyn · they madyn hem well at ese ·
ac her sauce was ouersour · and vnsauourly groundyn ·
yn a morter post mortem · of many bytter peyne
but ȝif they synge for þe soules · and wepe salte teres ·
Vos qui peccata hominum comeditis · nisi pro eis lacrimas & orationes effuderitis[^160]  ea que in delicijs · comeditis in tormentis euometis · cetera

[^160: Hm.13.47: The correcting scribe erased a nasal in both commeditis and effunderitis, in both instances filling the space left by the erased character with two horizontal marks resembling an equal sign.]

¶ Conscyence full curteysly þoo · comaundyd scrypture
byfore pacyence breed to brynge · & me þat was his macche ·

¶ He sette a soure loof before[^a1323] vs · & seyde agite penitenciam
and sytthe he brougth[^a1324] vs drynke · dya perseuerans ·
as longe quod y as y leue[^a1325] · and lykam may endure[^a1326]

[^a1323: before (Hm Cr) | to-for (Most other mss)]

[^a1324: brougth (Hm W Cr) | drough (Most other mss)]

[^a1325: leue (Hm C) | lyue (Most other mss)]

[^a1326: endure (Hm) | dure (All other mss)]

¶ There[^a1327] is propre seruyce quod pacyence · þerfaryth þer faryth no prin ce bettre ·
and þanne he brougth forth other mete of miserere mei deus ·[^161]
and he brought us of beati quorum · of beatus virrys makynge
Et quorum tecta sunt peccata · & cetera[^a1328] yn a dysch ·
Of derne schryfte dixi · and confitebor tibi

[^a1327: There (Hm) | Here (All other mss)]

[^a1328: & cetera (Hm) | nil (All other mss)]

[^161: Hm.13.54: The erased phrase is partially visible under ultra-violet light, and probably agreed with Bx. Hand3's correction agrees with beta4 family witnesses: And þanne he brouȝt vs forth.... For the stemma currently in use by the Archive , see Robert Adams, "The Kane-Donaldson Edition of Piers Plowman: Eclecticism's Ultima Thule," TEXT 16 (2006), 141.]

¶ bryng pacyence sum pytaunce priuylyche quod conscyence ·
and þanne hadde pacyence a pytaunce · pro hac orabit ad te omnis sanctus[^a1329] ·
and conscyence confortyd vs · and carpyd þus[^a1330] mery talys ·
Cor contritum & humiliatum deus non despicies · & cetera[^a1331] ·

[^a1329: sanctus (Hm Cr) | sanctus in tempore oportuno (All other mss)]

[^a1330: þus (Hm) | us (Most other mss)]

[^a1331: & cetera (Hm Y) | nil (All other mss)]

¶ Pacyence tho was[^a1332] proud · of þat propre seruyce ·
and made hym merthe wyth his mete · ac y moornyd euere ·
for þys doctor on this[^a1333] hyȝe benche[^a1334] · drank wyn so faste
ve vobis qui potentes estis · ad bibendum vinum · & cetera[^a1335] ·

[^a1332: tho was (Hm) | was (All other mss)]

[^a1333: this (Hm R) | þe (All other mss)]

[^a1334: benche (Hm) | dese (All other mss)]

[^a1335: & cetera (Hm G Y) | nil (All other mss)]

¶ He eet many sundry metys · morterels and puddynggys
wombecloutys wombe cloutys and wylde braun · and egges fryed wyth grece ·
than seyde y to my-sylf so · pacyence yt herde ·
it is nougth four dayes that this frek · byfore þe deen of poules ·
prechid of penaunces · that poule the apostle suffryde ·
in fame & frigore · and flappys of scourgys
Ter cesus sum & a iudeis quinquies quadragenas · & cetera ·

¶ Ac oo woord they ouerhyppyn · at eche tyme þat þey preche ·
that poule yn his pystyll · to alle the peple tolde ·
Periculum est in falsis fratribus · & cetera[^a1336] ·

[^a1336: & cetera (Hm Y B) | nil (All other mss)]

¶ Holy wrytt byddeþ men be war · y wol naugth wryte it here
on englysch yn[^a1337] auenture · yt schulde be rehercyd to ofte ·
and greue þerwyþ good men[^a1338] · ac gramaryens schulde rede ·
vnusquisque a fratre suo se[^a1339] custodiat · quia vt dicitur
Periculum est in falsi s fratribus · & cetera[^a1340] ·

[^a1337: yn (Hm B) | on (Most other mss)]

[^a1338: good men (Hm) | þat good men ben (Bx R)]

[^a1339: suo se (Hm) | se (Most other mss)]

[^a1340: & cetera (Hm) | nil (All other mss)]

¶ For[^a1341] y wyste neuere freke · þat[^a1342] a frere ȝede · byfore men on englysch ·
takyn it for his teme · and tellyn[^a1343] · wyþ-oute glosynge ·
they prechyn þat penaunce is · prophitable to the soule ·
and what myscheef and malese · cryst for man þoled

[^a1341: For (Hm) | Ac (Most other mss)]

[^a1342: þat (Hm) | þat as (All other mss)]

[^a1343: tellyn (Hm) | telle it (All other mss)]

¶ Ac þis goddys glotoun quod y · wyth his grete chekes ·
haþ no pyte on vs pouere · he performeth euele
þat he precheþ he preueþ nougth · to pacyence y tolde
and wusschid full wytterly[^a1344] · wyth wylle full egre
þat dysches and dobelers · byfore þys ylke doctor ·
were moltyn leed yn his mawe · and mahound amyddys
y schall iangle to this yurdan wyth his iuste wombe
to telle me what pacyence[^a1345] is · of whiche he prechid raþer ·

[^a1344: full wytterly (Hm) | witterly (All other mss)]

[^a1345: pacyence (Hm) | penaunce (All other mss)]

¶ Pacyence parceyuyd þat[^a1346] y þougth · & wynkyd on me to be stylle ·
and seyde thu schalt se thus sone · whan he may nomore ·
he schall haue a penaunce yn his paunce · and puffe at eche woord ·
and þanne schull his guttys gothelyn · and he schal galpyn after
for now he haþ dronkyn so depe · he woll dyuyne sone ·
and preuyn it by her pocalyps · and passyon of seynt auereynes[^a1347]
that noþer bacoun ne braun · blamanc blaman[ger][^a1348] no morterels
ys nother fysch nor[^a1349] flesch · but food for a penaunt ·
and þanne schall he testifye · it of[^a1350] þe trynyte · & take his felaw to wytnes
what he fonde yn a frayel · after a frerys lyuynge
and but he[^a1351] furste lyue by[^a1352] lesynge · leue me neuere after
and þanne is tyme to take · and to oppose þys doctor
of do-wel and dobet · and ȝif do-best be any penaunce
and y sat stylle as pacyence seyde · and þus sone this doctor ·
also[^a1353] rudy as a rose · ruddud[^a1354] his chekys
coughed and carpide · and conscyence hym herde
and tolde hym of a trynyte · and toward vs he lokede

[^a1346: þat (Hm) | what (All other mss)]

[^a1347: auereynes (Hm) | Auereys (Most other mss)]

[^a1348: blamanc blaman[ger] (Hm) | blancmanger (Most other mss)]

[^a1349: nor (Hm W) | ne (Most other mss)]

[^a1350: it of (Hm) | of (All other mss)]

[^a1351: he (Hm W Cr) | þe (Most other mss)]

[^a1352: by (Hm Cr) | be (Most other mss)]

[^a1353: also (Hm B) | As (All other mss)]

[^a1354: ruddud (Hm) | rubbed (All other mss)]

¶ What is dowel sere doctor quod y · is dowel any penaunce

¶ Dowel quod this doctor · and took the cuppe and drank
doo noon euyl to thy euencrystyne · nougth by þy powere

¶ by this day sere doctor quod y · þan be ȝe nougth yn dowel ·
for ȝe han harmyd vs two · yn þat ȝe ete þe puddyng
morterellys and oþer mete · and we no morsel hadde ·
and ȝif ȝe fare so yn ȝowr fermorye · ferly me þynketh ·
but cheste be þere as[^a1355] charyte schulde be · & ȝong chyldryn durst playne
y wolde permute my penaunce · wyþ ȝoure · for y am yn puynt to dowel ·

[^a1355: þere as (Hm) | þere (Most other mss)]

¶ Thanne conscyence curteysly · a contynaunce he made ·
and preynte vpon pacyence · to praye me to be stylle
and seyde hym-sylf sire doctour · and it be ȝour wylle ·
what is dowel and do-bet · ȝhe dyuy nes[^a1356] knoweth ·
dowel quod þis doctor · do as clerkys techeth
and dobet ys he that techeth · and trauayleþ to teche oþre
and doiþbest[^a1357] dooþ hym-self so · as he seyth and preueth[^a1358] ·
Qui facit & docuerit · magnus vocabitur in regno celorum · & cetera

[^a1356: dyuy nes (Hm) | deuynours (All other mss)]

[^a1357: doiþbest (Hm) | dobest (All other mss)]

[^a1358: preueth (Hm) | precheth (Most other mss)]

¶ Now thu clergye quod conscyence · carpyst what is dowel ·
y haue seuene sonys he seyth · seruyn yn a castel ·
þere þe lord of lyf wonyeþ · to lerne hem what ys dowel
tyl y see þoo seuene · and my-sylf accordyn ·
y am vnhardy quod he · to any wygth to preue yt
for on peris the ploughman · haþ ynpugnyd vs alle
and sette alle scyences atte a sop · saue loue one
and no texte ne takeþ · to ma yntene his cause
but diligo[^a1359] deum and domine quis habitabit ·
and seith that dowel and dobet ar two ynfynytes
whyche ynfynytes wyth a feith · fyndyn oute dobest
whiche schall saue mannys soule · þys[^a1360] seyþ peris ploughman ·

[^a1359: diligo (Hm) | dilige (All other mss)]

[^a1360: þys (Hm) | þus (All other mss)]

¶ I can nougth her-onne quod conscyence · ac y knowe wel peris
he wyll nougth aȝen holy wrytt spekyn · y dar wel vndurtake
thanne passe we ouer tyl perys come · and preue þys yn dede
pacyence hath ben yn many place · and peraduenture moutheþ[^a1361][^162] ·
that no clerke ne can · as cryst bereþ wytnesse
Pacientes vincunt · & cetera ·

[^a1361: moutheþ (Hm) | cnoweth (All other mss)]

[^162: Hm.13.142: Hm alone reads moutheþ against cnoweth in other B manuscripts, though CrW have mouþed.]

¶ Ac ȝour prayer quod pacyence tho · so noman dysplese hym ·
disce quod he & doce · & dilige inimicos ·
disce and dowel doce and dobet dilige and dobest · þus taugth me onys
a lemman that y louyde · loue was her name ·[^163]
wyþ woordys and wyþ werkys quod sche and wyll of þyn herte ·
thu loue lely thy soule · all þy lyf -tyme ·
and so þu lere the to louye · for þe lordes loue of heuene
thyn enemy yn alle wyse · euene foorþ wyth þy-sylue
caste colys on his hed · of alle kyn[^a1362] speche
boþe wyþ werkys and wyþ woordys · fonde his loue to wynne
and leye on hym þus wyþ loue · tyl he laugh on thee
and but he bowe for his[^a1363] betyng · blynde moot he worthe

[^a1362: kyn (Hm) | kynde (All other mss)]

[^a1363: his (Hm) | þis (Most other mss)]

[^163: Hm.13.147-148: Hm.13.147-148 appear as two lines in OC2 also, although they are divided differently there. Most other B manuscripts divide these two verses into three.]

¶ Ac forto fare þus wyþ þy frende · fol ye it were
for he þat loueþ þe lely · lytyl of thyn coueyteþ
kynde loue coueyteþ nougth · no catel but speche
wyþ half a launpe lyf[^a1364][^164] yn latyn · ex vi transiscionis
y bere þerynne abou ute[^165] · faste y-bounde dowel ·
yn a sygne of þe saturday · þat sette ferst þe calender
and all · þe wytt of þe wednysday · of þe next wyke after
þe myddel of þe mone · as[^a1365] þe nygth of boþe
and herwyth am y welcome · þere y haue it wyþ me

[^a1364: launpe lyf (Hm) | laumpe lyne (Most other mss)]

[^a1365: as (Hm W Cr) | is (Most other mss)]

[^164: Hm.13.160: Hm alone reads launpe lyf against laumpe lyne in most B manuscripts. The form lyf would have arisen from lyne misread as lyue and rendered lyfe.]

[^165: Hm.13.161: Kane and Donaldson read HmY as having produced abounte, but <u> and <n> are not distinguished in this hand. Compare hand2's forms in Hm.3.205, Hm.14.218, and Hm.20.58. Most B manuscripts read aboute.]

¶ Vndo it late þys doctor deme · ȝif dowel be þerynne
for by hym þat me made · mygth neuere pouerte
mysayse ne myscheef · ne man wyþ his tonge
colde ne care ne companye of the uys ·
ne neyþer hete ne hayl · ne none helle powke
ne neyþer fuyre ne flood · ne fere of þyn enemy
tene þe any tyme · and thu take it wyth þe
Caritas nichil timet · & cetera

¶ It is but a dydo quod þis doctor adysours a dysours tale
al þe wytt of þys world and wygth mennys strenkþe ·
can nougth conformen a pees · bytwene þe pope & his enemys
ne bytwene two crystyn kynges · can no wygth pees make
prophitable to eyþer peple · and putte þe table from hym ·
and took clergye and conscyence to counseyl as it were
þat pacyence tho moste passe · for pylgrimes connyn wel lye

¶ And conscyence carpid wyde[^a1366] · and curteysly seyde ·
frendes fareþ wel · and fayre spak to clergye
for y woll go wyth þys gome · ȝif god woll gyue me grace ·
and be pylgrym · wyþ pacyence · tyl y haue preuyd more ·

[^a1366: wyde (Hm) | loude (Most other mss)]

¶ What quod clergye to conscyence · are ȝe coueytous nowthe ·
after ȝeresȝyues or ȝiftes · or ȝernyn to rede redels ·
y schall brynge ȝow abyble a byble · a book of þe olde lawe
and lere ȝow ȝif ȝow lyke the leste poynt to knowe ·
þat pacyence the pylgrym · parfytly knewe euere[^a1367] ·

[^a1367: euere (Hm R) | neuere (All other mss)]

¶ Nay by cryst quod conscyence to clergye · god þe furȝelde
for all that pacyence me profreþ · proud am y lytyl
ac the wylle of þe wye · and þe wylle of folke here ·
haþ meuyd my mood · to moorne for my synnys
þe good wylle of a wygth · was neuere bouȝt to þe fulle
for þere is no tresor þerto · vnto[^a1368] a trewe wylle

[^a1368: vnto (Hm) | to (Most other mss)]

¶ Hadde nougth magdaleyn more · for a box of salue ·
than zacheus for he seyde · dimidium bonorum meorum do pauperibus
and the pore wydewe · for a peyre of mytes ·
than all tho that offredyn · ynto gazophilacium

¶ Thus curteysly conscyence · congeyed furst the frere ·
and suþþyn softly he seyde · yn clergyes ere ·
me were leuer by our lord · and y lyue schulde
Haue pacyence parfytly · þan half þy packe of bookes ·

¶ Clergye to conscyence · no congeye woold take ·
but seide full sobrely · thu schalt see þe tyme ·
whan thu art wery for-walkyd · wyl me to counseyle ·

¶ That is sooþ seyde conscyence · so me god helpe
ȝif pacyence be our partynge felawe · & priuee wyþ vs boþe ·
ther is no woo yn this world · þat we ne schulde amende
and conformyn kynges to pees · and alkyn londys
sarrasenys and surres[^a1369] · and so foorþ alle the iewys
turne into þe trewe feyth · and ynto oon byleue

[^a1369: surres (Hm) | surre (All other mss)]

¶ That is sooþ quod clergye · see[^a1370] what thu meneste
y schall dwelle as y do · my deuer to schewyn
and conferme fauntekyns · & oþer folke y-leryd
tyl pacyence haþ preuyd þe · and parfit þe makyd ·

[^a1370: see (Hm) | I see (All other mss)]

¶ Conscyence þo wyþ pacyence passyd · pylgrimages[^a1371] as it were ·
þan had pacyence as pylgrymes han · yn his poke vytayles
soberte and symple speche · and soþfaste byleue
to confortyn hym and conscyence · ȝif þey come yn place ·
there vnkyndenesse and couetyse · arn[^a1372] hungry contrees bothe ·

[^a1371: pylgrimages (Hm) | pilgrymes (All other mss)]

[^a1372: arn (Hm) | is (Most other mss)]

¶ And as they wentyn by the weye · of dowel they carpid
þey mettyn wyþ amenstrel a menstrel · as me thoo thougth ·
pacyence opposyd hym ferst · and prayde he schulde hym telle
to conscyence what craft he cou de · & to what contre he wolde

¶ y am a mynstral quod þat man · myn name is actiua[^a1373]
alle ydelnesse[^a1374] y hate · for of actif is myn name
a wafrer woll ȝe wyte · and serue many lordes ·
and fewe robys y fonge · or furryd gownys
coude y lyȝe to don men laughe · þan lacchyn y schulde
oþer mantell oþer[^a1375] moneye amonges lordys mynstrals
ac for y can nougth noþer[^a1376] tabour ne trumppe · ne telle none Iestys
fartyn nor[^a1377] fythelyn · and atte[^a1378] festys[^a1379] iapyn[^a1380] ·
harpyn[^a1381] nor[^a1382] iogoloun[^a1383] · ne gentelly pypyn ·
neyþer[^a1384] saylyn ne sauten · ne synge wyþ þe gyterne ·
y haue noone good ieftys[^a1385][^166] · of these grete lordys
for breed[^a1386] that y brynge foorth · saue a benysoun on þe sonynday ·
whan þe preest preyȝeþ þe peple · her pater noster to bydde ·
for pers the ploughman · and þat hym profyte w aytyn ·
and þat am y actyf · that ydelnesse hateth
for alle trewe traueylours · and tylyers of erthe
fro myȝhelmasse to myȝhelmasse · y fynde hem wyth wafres

[^a1373: actiua (Hm Y) | actiua vita (All other mss)]

[^a1374: ydelnesse (Hm) | ydel (Most other mss)]

[^a1375: oþer (Hm) | or (All other mss)]

[^a1376: nougth noþer (Hm) | noiþer (All other mss)]

[^a1377: nor (Hm) | ne (All other mss)]

[^a1378: and atte (Hm) | at (Most other mss)]

[^a1379: festys (Hm) | festes ne (All other mss)]

[^a1380: iapyn (Hm) | harpen (Most other mss)]

[^a1381: harpyn (Hm) | Iape (Most other mss)]

[^a1382: nor (Hm) | ne (All other mss)]

[^a1383: iogoloun (Hm) | iogly (Most other mss)]

[^a1384: neyþer (Hm) | Ne noyther (All other mss)]

[^a1385: ieftys (Hm) | gyftes (All other mss)]

[^a1386: breed (Hm) | no bred (All other mss)]

[^166: Hm.13.236: Hm uniquely reads ieftys against other B manuscripts' gyftes. The original scribe appears to have written geftys, and the corrector to have taken the <ft> ligature to be <st> and intended iestys, "gestes, heroic stories." That reading appears in Cot.]

¶ Beggers and bydders · of my breed crauyn ·
faytours and frerys · and folk wyþ brode crownys
y fynde payn for þe pope · and prouendre for his palfray
and y hadde neuere of hym · haue god my trowthe
neyþer prouendre ne personage · ȝit of þe popes ȝifte ·
saue a pardoun wyth a peys of lede · and two pollys amyddys
hadde y a clerke þat cowde wryte · y wolde castyn hym a bylle
that he sente me vndur his seal · a salue for þe pestylence ·
and þat his blessynge and his bulles · bocches myghten destruye ·
In nomine meo demonia eicient super[^a1387] egros manus imponent & bene habebunt ·

[^a1387: super (Hm) | & super (All other mss)]

¶ And þanne wolde y be preest to peple[^a1388] · pa ast forto make
and buxum and besy · a-boute breed and drynke ·
for hym and alle[^a1389] hyse · fonde y þat his pardoun
myght lechyn a man · as y byleue it schulde
for seþþe he haþ þe power · þat peter hym-self hadde
he haþ the potte wyþ þe salue · soþly as me þynkeþ
Argentum & aurum non est michi quod autem habeo tibi do in nomine domini surge & ambula & cetera[^a1390]

[^a1388: peple (Hm L) | þe peple (All other mss)]

[^a1389: alle (Hm) | for alle (All other mss)]

[^a1390: & cetera (Hm B) | nil (All other mss)]

¶ Ac ȝif mygth of myracle hym fayle · it is for men be nougth wurþy
to haue the grace of god · and no gulte of the pope
for may no blyssynge don vs bote · but ȝif we woln amende
ne mannys masse make pes · amonge crysten peple
tyl pryde be purly fordo · and þat þurgh p ayn deffaute ·
or[^a1391] y haue breed of mele · efte[^a1392] moot y swete ·
and or þe comoun haue corn ynow · many a colde mornynge
so er my wafrys ben y-wrougth · moche wo y þolye ·

[^a1391: or (Hm) | For ar (All other mss)]

[^a1392: efte (Hm) | ofte (Bx M W)]

¶ Ac[^a1393] londone y leeue · lyketh well my wafrys
and louryn whan þey lackyn it · it is nougth longe passyd
ther was a carfull comoun · whan no cart cam to toune
wyþ breed fro stratford · tho g un beggers wepe
and werkmen were agast alytyl a lytyl · þis wyl ben þouht longe
yn the date of our dryȝtne[^a1394][^167] · yn a dryȝe apryle ·
· 1 369 ·
a thowsand and thre hundryd syxty and nyne[^168].
my wafres were þere[^a1395] gesene · whan chichestre was mayre

[^a1393: Ac (Hm) | Alle (All other mss)]

[^a1394: dryȝtne (Hm) | dryȝte (Most other mss)]

[^a1395: were þere (Hm F) | þere were (M Cr W R)]

[^167: Hm.13.273: Hm reads dryȝtne against dryȝte in all B manuscripts except F which has the related dryghten.]

[^168: Hm.13.274: Hm alone reads sixty and nyne against tweis twenty and ten in most B manuscripts. On the text of this line and the insertion of the date 1369 as a gloss in Arabic numerals, see R. W. Chambers, "The Manuscripts of Piers Plowman in the Huntington Library, and Their Value for Fixing the Text of the Poem," Huntington Library Bulletin 8 (1935): 8-9, who explains their origins and history. He suspects that the original, erroneous line in Hm's exemplar was a thousand and thre hundryd twice twenty and ten, displaying the widely attested error "20" for authorial and historical "30" (thretty) attested in LR. The Hm 128 scribe (hand2) wrote something which is now partly legible, under an erasure: th[ries twenty] & [n]yne. (Conjectured characters are inside square brackets.) The corrector erased this correctly alliterating line (though LR's twies thretty obtains more common alliteration than Hm's thries twenty) and wrote in the current sixty & nine for unknown reasons. Chambers notes that the events depicted actually occurred in 1370. In sum, Chambers as well as Kane and Donaldson think that the poet wrote: A thousand three hundred, twice thirty and ten (in Chamber's spelling). For Ralph Hanna's attribution of this date to John Bale see the Introduction, I.11 Provenance.]

¶ I took keep good[^a1396] by cryst · and conscyence bothe
of haukyn þe actyf man · and how he was y-clothid
he hadde a cote of crystendom · as holycherche byleueth
ac it was molyd yn many placys · wyþ many sundry spottys[^a1397]
of pryde · here a spot and þere a spot a spot[^a1398][^169][^170] · of vnbuxum speche ·
of scornynge and of of[^a1399] of scoffynge · and of vnskylfull berynge
as yn apparayle and yn porte · proud amonges þe peple
oþerwyse þan he haþ · wyth herte or sygth schewynge ·
hym wyllynge that all men wende he were þat he is nougth
forwhi he bosteþ and braggeþ · wyþ many bolde othes
and ynobedyent to ben vndurnome · of eny lyf lyuynge
and so synguler by hym-self noon[^a1400] so pomp[^a1401] holy ·
y-abytyd as an heremyte · an ordre by hem-selue[^a1402]
religyoun sanz reule · and resonable obedyence
lackynge lettryd men · and lewyd men bothe
yn lykynge of lele lyfe · and a lyȝere yn soule
wyþ ynwytt and wyþ out-wytt · ymagynen and studye
as best for his body be · to haue a badde name
and entermentyn ouer al[^a1403] · þere he haþ nougth to done
wylnynge þat men wolde[^a1404] · his wytt were þe beste
and ȝif he ȝyueþ ouȝt to poore gomes · telle what he deleþ
poore of poscessioun yn purs · and yn coffre boþe
and as a lyoun on to looke · and lordlyche of speche

[^a1396: keep good (Hm) | gode kepe (Most other mss)]

[^a1397: spottys (Hm F) | plottes (All other mss)]

[^a1398: spot (Hm F) | plotte (All other mss)]

[^a1399: of of (Hm) | of (All other mss)]

[^a1400: noon (Hm) | ne none (All other mss)]

[^a1401: pomp (Hm W L) | pope (All other mss)]

[^a1402: hem-selue (Hm M) | hym-selue (Most other mss)]

[^a1403: ouer al (Hm) | hym ouer al (All other mss)]

[^a1404: wolde (Hm) | wende (Most other mss)]

[^169: Hm.13.280: In both instances, spot in this line is unique to Hm, but is the result of a correction; all other B manuscripts but F read plotte in both instances. F has spoot for the whole phrase.]

[^170: Hm.13.280: The <o> in spot has been re-inked.]

¶ Baldest of beggers · a bostere þat nougth haþ
yn towne and yn tauernys · tales to telle ·
and segge thynge þat he neuere saw · & for a[^a1405] sooþ sweryn yt
of dedys þat he neuere dude · demyn and bosten ·
and of werkes that he well dude · wytnesse and syngyn[^a1406]
Loo ȝif ȝe leeue me nougth · or þat y lyȝe ȝe wenen[^a1407] ·
askeþ at hym or at hym · and he ȝow can telle ·
what y suffryd and seyȝe · and sumtyme hadde
and what y cou de and knew · and what kyn y com of
all he wolde þat men wyste · of werkes and of woordes
whiche mygthen plese þe peple and preysen hym-selue
Si hominibus placerem christi seruus non essem · & alibi · nemo potest duobus dominis seruire ·

[^a1405: for a (Hm M) | for (All other mss)]

[^a1406: syngyn (Hm) | seggen (Most other mss)]

[^a1407: ȝe wenen (Hm) | wenen (All other mss)]

¶ By cryst quod concyence tho · thi beste cote haukyn ·
hath many molys and spottys · it muste ben y-wasche

¶ Ȝee who-so took hede quod haukyn · byhynde and byfore
what on bakke and what on body half · and by the two sydes ·
men schuldyn fynde many frounsys · and many foule plottes
and he turnyd hym all so[^a1408] tyt · and thanne took y hede
yt was fouler[^a1409] felefolde · þan it furst semyde
yt was by-droppid wyth wratthe · and wykkyd wylle
wyþ enuye and euyll speche entysynge to fygthe ·
lyȝinge and lauhinge · and leefe tongge to chide[^171]
all þat he wiste wikked be eny wyght it telle[^a1410]
and blamen men byhynd her bak · and byddyn hem meschaunce
and þat he wyste by wylle · tellyn it to watte
and þat watte wyste · wylle wyste it after
and made of frendys fos · þurgh a fals tongge
or wyþ mygth of mouþ · or þurgh mennys strengþe
auenge me fele tymes · other frete my-sylue
wyþ-ynne as a schepsters schere · y scherewyd[^a1411] men and cursyd hem[^a1412] ·
Cuius maladiccione os plenum est · & amaritudine sub lingua eius labor & dolor · & alibi · Filij hominum dentes eorum arma et sagitte & lingua eorum gladius acutus · & cetera[^a1413] ·

[^a1408: all so (Hm B) | as (All other mss)]

[^a1409: fouler (Hm) | fouler by (All other mss)]

[^a1410: it telle (Hm F) | tellen it (Most other mss)]

[^a1411: y scherewyd (Hm) | I-shrewed (All other mss)]

[^a1412: cursyd hem (Hm) | cursed (All other mss)]

[^a1413: & cetera (Hm) | nil (All other mss)]

[^171: Hm.13.320-322: The vellum is rough and stained over the middle of this line and the next two.]

¶ There is no lyf þat y loue · lastynge any while
for tales þat y telle · noman trosteþ to me ·
and whan y may nougth haue þe maystry · swich[^172] malencolye y take
that y cacche þe crompe · the cardyacle sumtyme
or an augue ague[^a1414] yn such a manere[^a1415] · & sumtyme a feuere
þat heldeþ[^a1416] me all a twelue monthe tyl þat y despyse
lechecrafte of our lord · and leeue on a wycche
and sygge þat no clerke ne can · ne cryst as y leeue ·
to þe souter of southwerke · or of schordych dame Emme ·
and sugge that[^a1417] goddes woord · gaf me neuere bote
but þurgh a cha rm hadde y hele · & of þe feuere[^a1418] bote ·

[^a1414: augue ague (Hm Y) | ague (All other mss)]

[^a1415: a manere (Hm) | an angre (All other mss)]

[^a1416: heldeþ (Hm) | taketh (Most other mss)]

[^a1417: that (Hm) | þat no (Most other mss)]

[^a1418: hele · & of þe feuere (Hm) | chaunce & my chief hele (All other mss)]

[^172: Hm.13.332: As in M, swich is written over an erasure.]

¶ y waytede wyseloker · and thanne was yt soylyd
wyþ lykynge of leccherye and by lokyng of his yȝe ·
for echa ech a mayde þat he mette · he made here a sygne
semynge to synnewarde · and sumtyme he gan taste ·
aboute þe mouþ or by-neþe · bygynneþ to grope
tyl eyþres wylle wexeþ kene · & to þe werke ȝede
as well on[^a1419] fastynge -dayes and frydayes · & forbod nyȝtes ·
and as wel yn lent as out of lente · al tymys ylyche
such werkys wyþ hem · were neuere out of seysoun ·
tyl þey myghtyn nomore · and þan[^a1420] mery talys ·
& how þat lecchours louyen · laughtyn laughyn[^a1421] and iapen ·
& of her harlotrye & hordom · yn her elde tellyn ·

[^a1419: on (Hm Cr1) | in (Most other mss)]

[^a1420: þan (Hm Cr W) | þan had (Most other mss)]

[^a1421: laughtyn laughyn (Hm) | lauȝen (Most other mss)]

¶ Than pacyence parceyuyd · of poyntes of this[^a1422] cote
was comely[^a1423] þurgh couetyse · and vnkynde desyrynge
more to good þan to god · the goom his loue caste ·
& ymagyned how · he yt mygth haue ·
wyþ fals mesurys and met and wyþ fals wytnes
lenyd for loue of þe wed and looþ to do trewþe ·
& awaytyd yn[^a1424] whiche weye · his neyhbours[^a1425] tobegyle to begyle[^173]
& mengyd his marchaundyse & made a good moustre
þe werst wyþ-ynne was y-stuffyd[^a1426] · a gret wytt y let it
& if my neyhbour hadde any hyne · or elles eny beest[^a1427]
more prophitable þan myne · many sleyhtes y made ·
how y mygth haue it · and all[^a1428] my wytt y keste
& but y hadde it by[^a1429] other weye · at þe last y stal it
or priuylyche his purs schook · vnpykyd his lockes
or by nygth or by daye · aboutyn was y euere
þurgh gyle to gadryn · the good that y haue ·

[^a1422: this (Hm Cr W) | hys (Most other mss)]

[^a1423: comely (Hm) | colomy (Most other mss)]

[^a1424: yn (Hm) | þorwgh (Most other mss)]

[^a1425: his neyhbours (Hm) | nil (All other mss)]

[^a1426: y-stuffyd (Hm) | nil (All other mss)]

[^a1427: elles eny beest (Hm) | any beste elles (All other mss)]

[^a1428: and all (Hm) | all (All other mss)]

[^a1429: it by (Hm) | by (Most other mss)]

[^173: Hm.13.359: The vellum is rough and stained over the end of this line and the next.]

¶ Ȝif y ȝede to the plough · y pynchid so narwe
þat a foot lond or a forowe · fecchyn y wolde
of my nexte neyhbour · nymyn of his erþe ·
& if y repe y ouerreche[^a1430] · or ȝ eue h em[^a1431] red þat ropen
to sese me[^a1432] wyþ her sykell · þat y ne sew neuere ·

[^a1430: y ouerreche (Hm B) | ouerreche (All other mss)]

[^a1431: ȝ eue h em (Hm) | ȝaf hem (All other mss)]

[^a1432: me (Hm F) | to me (All other mss)]

¶ And who-so borweþ of me · abouthte the tyme
wyþ presentys priuylyche · or payde sum certayn ·
so wolde he or nouht wolde he · wynnyn y · wolde
and boþe to kyth and to kyn · vnkynd of þat y hadde

¶ And who-so cheped my chaffare · chidyn y wolde ·
but he profered me to paye a peny or tweyne
more þan yt was wurth · and ȝit wolde y swere
that it coste me moche more · y swoor[^a1433] many oþes

[^a1433: y swoor (Hm) | swore (All other mss)]

¶ In holydayes at holycherche · whan y herd masse
had y neuere wyl god wote[^a1434] · wyttyrly to beseche ·
mercy for my mysdedys · that y ne mornyd more
for los of good leeue thu me[^a1435] · þan for my lykamys gultes ·
as if y hadde dedly synne doon · y drede nougth þat so sore ·
as whan y lent and leuyd it lost · or longe or it wer payed
so ȝif y kydde any kyndenesse · myn euencrystyn to helpe
vppon a cruel couetyse · myne herte bygan to[^a1436] hange ·

[^a1434: god wote (Hm B F) | wot god (All other mss)]

[^a1435: thu me (Hm) | me (All other mss)]

[^a1436: bygan to (Hm) | gan (All other mss)]

¶ & if y sent ouer þe see[^a1437] · my seruauntys to Brugge s
or ynto pruce-londe my prentys · my profite to wayte
to marchaunt yn wyþ moneye · & make her eschaunges
mygth neuer thyng conforte me[^a1438]  in the mene while[^a1439] ·
neyther masse ne matynes · ne no maner syȝtes ·
ne neuere penaunce parformyd · ne pater noster seyde ·
þat my mynde ne was more · on my good in a doute
þan yn þe grace of god · and yn[^a1440][^174] his grete helpes
Vbi thesaurus tuus · ibi et cor tuum · & cetera[^a1441]
þe whiche[^a1442] whiche ben þe braunches · þat bryngyn aman a man to slewthe

[^a1437: þe see (Hm G F) | see (All other mss)]

[^a1438: thyng conforte me (Hm F) | me conforte (All other mss)]

[^a1439: while (Hm Cr W) | tyme (All other mss)]

[^a1440: and yn (Hm Cr G) | and (Most other mss)]

[^a1441: & cetera (Hm G B) | nil (All other mss)]

[^a1442: þe whiche (Hm) | Which (Most other mss)]

[^174: Hm.13.397: F has the possibly related lection or in.]

¶ he þat moorneþ nouht for his mysdedes · ne makeþ no sorwe ·
and penaunce that the preest enioyneþ parformeþ it euele[^a1443]
dooþ noon almas-dede · dredeth[^a1444] hym of noone synne ·
lyueþ aȝenst the beleeue · and noon lawe holdeth ·
eche day is holyday wyth hym · or an hiȝe ferye ·
and ȝif he auȝt wol here · yt is an harlottys tonge
whan men carpyn of cryst or of clennesse of soule
he wexeþ wroth and woll nougth here · but woordys of merþe ·
penaunce and poore men · and the passyoun of seyntys
he hateth to here therof · and alle that yt telleth
these ben þe braunches beth war · þat bryngyn aman a man to wanhope

[^a1443: it euele (Hm) | yuel (Most other mss)]

[^a1444: dredeth (Hm O C2) | dret (Most other mss) | ne drediþ (F)]

¶ ȝee lordys and ladyes · and legates of holycherche
that fedeþ folys sages · flaterers and lyers
and han lykynge to lyþen hem · to doon ȝow to laugh ·
Ve vobis qui ridetis · & cetera

¶ And ȝiueth hem mete and mede · and pore men refuse
yn ȝour deeþ deyȝynge · y drede me ful sore ·
laste[^175] tho thre maner men · to moche sorow ȝow brynge ·
Con sencientes · & agentes · pari pena punientur & cetera[^a1445] ·

[^a1445: & cetera (Hm) | nil (All other mss)]

[^175: Hm.13.417: Laste, "lest."]

¶ Patryarkes and prophetes · and prechours of goddys woord[^a1446] ·
sauen þurgh her sarmouns[^a1447] · mannys soule from helle ·
rygth so flaterers and foles · arn þe fendys dysciples
to entyce men þurgh her tales · to synne and harlotrye ·
ac clerkes þat knowyn holy wrytt · schuldyn kenne lordes ·
what dauid seith of suche men · as þe sauter telleþ ·
Non habitabit in medio domus · mee · qui facit superbiam[^a1448][^176] qui loquitur iniqua & cetera[^a1449]

[^a1446: woord (Hm Cr2 Cr3) | wordes (Most other mss)]

[^a1447: sarmouns (Hm Cr W) | sarmoun (All other mss)]

[^a1448: superbiam (Hm R F) | superbiam & (All other beta mss)]

[^a1449: & cetera (Hm Y) | nil (All other mss)]

[^176: Hm.13.425: Hm's erasure of original ampersand after superbiam brings it into agreement with alpha and Cx.]

¶ Schulde noon haue[^a1450] audyence · yn halle ne yn chaumbres ·
ther wyse men were · wytnesseth goddys woord[^a1451] ·
ne no mysproud man · amonge lordys ben alowyd ·

[^a1450: haue (Hm) | harlote haue (All other mss)]

[^a1451: woord (Hm) | wordes (All other mss)]

¶ Ac flaterers and folys · þurgh her foule woordys
ledyn tho þat louyn hem · to lucyferes feste
wyþ turpiloquio a lay of sorwe · and lucyferys fythele
thus haukyn þe actif man · hadde soylyd his cote
tyl conscyence acoupyd hym þerof · yn a curteys manere ·
whi he ne hadde waschyn it · or wypyd it wyþ a brusche

Passus xiiijus quatrodecimus · de visione · & vijus septimus · de do-weel · [Hm.14.0: The guide words for the heading are partially legible under ultraviolet light.]

I haue but on hole hatre quod haukyn · y am þe lasse to blame
þow it be soylyd and seldom clene · y slepe þerynne on nyhtes
and also y haue an housewyf · hewyn and childryn ·
vxorem duxi & ideo non possum venire · & cetera[^a1452]
¶ That w ellyn[^a1453][^177] bymolyn yt many tyme · magre my chekys
yt haþ ben lauyd yn lewte[^a1454][^178] · and out of lewte boþe
wyþ þe sope of syknesse · that seekeþ wondre depe
and wyþ þe losse of catel · looþ forto agulte
god or any goodman · by augth þat y wyste

[^a1452: & cetera (Hm G R) | nil (All other mss)]

[^a1453: w ellyn (Hm) | wollen (Most other mss)]

[^a1454: lewte (Hm B) | lente(n) (All other mss)]

[^177: Hm.14.5: Because of the correction, Hm alone reads wellyn. Most B manuscripts have wolen or wolden.]

[^178: Hm.14.6: The error obviously springs from confusion of <n> and <u> in an earlier exemplar.]

¶ and was schryuyn of þe preest · þat gafe me for my synnes
to penaunce pacyence and poore men to fede
al for couetyse of my crystendom · yn clennesse to kepyn it
and co ude y neuere by cryst · kepyn yt clene an houre
that y ne soylyd it wyþ sygth · or sum ydel speche
or þurgh werk or þurgh woord · or wyl of myn herte
þat y ne flobre yt foule · fro morwe tyl eue

¶ And y schal kenne the quod conscyence · of contricyoun to make
that he[^a1455] schall clawe þy cote · of alle kynnys felthe
Cordis contricio · & cetera
Dowel schall waschen it · and wryngyn it · þurgh a wyjs confessour
Oris confessio · & cetera ·
Dobet schall betyn it and bonkyn it · as brygth as any scarlett
and engreyne it wyþ good wylle · and goddys grace to amende þe ·
and suþþyn sende the to satysfaccyoun · forto sowyn it after
Satisfaccio dobest

[^a1455: that he (Hm) | That (All other mss)]

¶ Schall neuere chiste[^a1456] bymowlyn it · ne mothe after bytyn it
ne fend ne fals man · deffoulyn it yn thy lyue ·
schall noon heraud ne harpour · haue a fayrere garn ement
than haukyn the actif man · and thu do by my techynge
ne no mynstrall be more worth · amonges poore ne[^a1457] ryche
than haukynes wyf þe wafrer · wyth his actiua vita

[^a1456: chiste (Hm Cr W) | myste (Most other mss)]

[^a1457: ne (Hm) | and (All other mss)]

¶ And y schall purueye the past quod pacyence · þouȝ no plough erye ·
and flour to feede þy folk[^a1458] wyth · as best be for thy soule
þow neuer greyn growe[^a1459] · ne grape vppon vyne
alle þat lyueþ and loketh · lyflode wolde y fynde
and þat y[^a1460] schall noon fayle · of thyng that hem nedeth
we schulde nougth be to besy · aboute our lyflode
Ne soliciti sitis · & cetera · volucres celi deus pascit & cetera · pacientes vinc unt[^179] & cetera ·

[^a1458: þy folk (Hm) | folke (All other mss)]

[^a1459: growe (Hm B) | growed (Most other mss)]

[^a1460: y (Hm B) | ynough (Most other mss)]

[^179: Hm.14.38: The corrector's erasure only affects the second minim of the <u> in vincunt. Based on this character's unusual form, it seems possible that the corrector has reused an original <c> or <t> as the first minim.]

¶ Thann e lauȝhed haukyn alytyl a lytyl · and lyghtly gan swere
who-so leueth ȝow by our lord · y leue nougth he be blessyd
no quod pacyence pacyently · and out of his poke hente
vytayles of grete vertues · for alle maner bestys ·
and seyde loo here lyflode ynow · ȝif ȝour[^a1461] byleue be trewe
for lent neuer was lyf · but lyflode were schapyn
herof[^a1462] or wherfore · or wherby to lybbe

[^a1461: ȝour (Hm) | owre (All other mss)]

[^a1462: herof (Hm) | Wher-of (All other mss)]

¶ Furst þe wylde worm · vnder wete erthe
fysch to lyue yn the flood · and in the fyer the cryket
the curlu bykynde by kynde of the ayr · mo ost clennyst flesch of bryddys
and bestys by gras and by greyn · and by grene rotys
yn menyng that alle men · myghtyn the same
leue þurgh lele byleeue and loue · as god wytnesseþ
Quodcumque pecieritis a patre in nomine meo · & cetera & alibi · non in solo pane viuit homo · sed in omni verbo · quod procedit de ore dei · & cetera[^a1463] ·
but y lokyd what lyflode it was · þat pacyence so preysid ·
and that[^a1464] was[^a1465] a pece of the pater noster · fiat voluntas tua ·

[^a1463: & cetera (Hm) | nil (All other mss)]

[^a1464: that (Hm) | þanne (Most other mss)]

[^a1465: was (Hm Cr R F) | was it (All other mss)]

¶ Haue haukyn quod pacyence · and ete this whan þe hungreth
or whan thu clomsest for colde · or clyngest for dryȝe
schull neuere gyues the[^180] greue · ne gret lordes wratthe
prysoun ne peyne · for pacientes vincunt
by so þat thu be sobre · of sygth and of tonge
yn etynge and yn handlynge · and yn all thy fyue wyttys
tharst thu neuere care for corn · ne lynnyn cloþ ne wollen ·
ne for drynke ne for breed[^a1466] · but de ye as god lyketh ·
or þurgh hungor or þorowh hete · at his wylle be yt
for ȝif thu lyuest aftyr his lore · the schortre lyf þe bettre
Siquis Si quis amat christum · mundum non diligit istum · & cetera[^a1467] ·
For þurgh his breeth bestys wexen · and a-brood ȝedyn ·
Dixit & facta sunt · & cetera ·
Ergo þurgh his breeth · mowyn men and bestys lyuyn ·
as holy wrytt wytnesseþ · whan men seye her gracys
Aperis tu manum tuam · & imples omne animal benediccione · & cetera[^a1468] ·

[^a1466: for breed (Hm) | deth drede (Most other mss)]

[^a1467: & cetera (Hm Bm Bo) | nil (All other mss)]

[^a1468: & cetera (Hm) | nil (All other mss)]

[^180: Hm.14.57: An ink blot at this point in the manuscript obscures three characters. The expected reading here is the, though the blotted word cannot be determined.]

¶ yt is foundyn that fourty wynter · folk lyuedyn wyþ-oute tulyenge
and out of þe flynt sprong þe flood · þat folk & bestys dronke ·
and yn elyes tyme · heuene was y-closyd ·
that no reyn[^a1469] reynyd[^a1470] · thus rede men yn bokys
that many wyntres men lyuedyn · & no mete ne tylyedyn ·

[^a1469: reyn (Hm M F) | reyne ne (All other mss)]

[^a1470: reynyd (Hm C G F) | rone (All other mss)]

¶ Seuene slepyn as seyth þe book · seue[^a1471] hundred wynter
and lyuedyn wyþ-oute lyflode · and at þe laste they wokyn ·
and ȝif men lyuedyn as mesure wolde · schulde neuere more be deffaute
amonges crystyn creatures · ȝif crystes woordes ben trewe
ac vnkyndenesse caristia · makeþ amonges crystene peple
and ouerplente makeþ pryde · amonges poore and ryche ·
and mesure is so muche worth · it may nougth ben to dere
for þe myscheef and þe meschaunce · amonges men of sodom ·
wex þurgh plente of payn · and of pure sleuthe ·
Ociositas & habundancia · panis · peccatum turpissimum nutriuit · & cetera[^a1472]

[^a1471: seue (Hm) | seuene (All other mss)]

[^a1472: & cetera (Hm) | nil (All other mss)]

¶ For þey mesuryd nougth hem-selfe of þat they eet and dronke ·
dudyn dedly synne that the deuyl lykyde
so vengeaunce fel vppon hem · for her vyle synnes
they sonkyn ynto helle · the cytees echone ·

¶ For-thy mesure we vs well · and make our feyth our scheltrom ·
and þurgh feith comeþ contricyoun · conscyence wot yt[^a1473] well
the whiche d ryueþ awey dedly synne & dooþ it to be venyal ·
and þouȝ a man mygth nougth speke · contrycyoun mygth hym saue
and bryngyn his soule to blysse · so that feith bereþ[^a1474] wytnesse
that whiles he lyuede[^a1475] · yn the lore of holy cherche ·

[^a1473: wot yt (Hm C2 O) | wote (Most other mss)]

[^a1474: bereþ (Hm F) | bere (Most other mss)]

[^a1475: lyuede (Hm G) | lyued he bileued (All other mss)]

¶ Ergo contricioun feith · and conscyence · is kyndely dowel ·
and surgiens for dedly synne[^a1476] · whan schryft of mouþ fayleth

[^a1476: synne (Hm Cr B R) | synnes (Most other mss)]

¶ Ac schrift of mouþ more worþy is · ȝif man be ylych contryt
for schrift of mouþ sleeþ synne · be it neuere so dedly ·
per confessionem to a preest · peccata occiduntur
ther contrycyoun doiþ but dryueth it doun · ynto a venyal synne ·
as dauid seith yn þe sauter · et quorum tecta sunt peccata ·
ac satisfaccyoun seketh out the rote · and boþe sleþ and voydeth ·
and as it neuer hadde y-be · to nougth bryngeþ dedly synne
þat it neuer eft is sene ne sore · but semeth a wounde yhelyd

¶ Where woneth charyte quod haukyn · y wyste neuere yn my lyue
man that wyth hym spakk · as wyde as y haue passid

¶ Ther parfit trewthe and poore herte is and pacyence of tonge
ther is charyte the chef chambre · for god hym-seluyn ·

¶ Wheþer pacyence or[^a1477] pouerte quod haukyn · be more plesaunt to our drygth
than rycchesse ryghtfullyche wonnyn & resonablyche dyspendyd ·

[^a1477: pacyence or (Hm B) | paciente (Most other mss)]

¶ Ȝee quis est ille quod pacyence · quyk laudabimus eum · & cetera[^a1478]
thow men rede of rycchesse · rygth to the worldys ende
y wyst neuere renke þat ryche was · that whan he rekene schulde ·
whan he drowh to his deth-day · that he ne dredde hym sore ·
& þat at þe rekenynge yn arerage fel · raþer þan out of dette ·
þer þe poor dar plede and preue by pure resoun
to haue alowaunce of his lord · by the lawe he it cleymeþ
ioye þat neuere ioye hadde · of ryghfull iuge he axeth
and seith loo bryddys and beestes · that no blysse ne knoweth
and wylde wormys yn wodys · þurgh wyntrys þu hem greuest
and makest hem welnyh meke · and mylde for deffaute
and after thu sendyst hem somer · that is here souereyn ioye ·
and blysse to alle that ben · bothe wylde and tame ·

[^a1478: & cetera (Hm) | nil (All other mss)]

¶ Thanne may beggers and bestys · aftyr bote waytyn ·
that al her lyf han lyuyd · yn langor and yn defaute
but god sent hem sumtyme · sum maner ioye ·
or[^a1479] here or elles-where · kynde woll[^a1480] it neuere ·
for[^a1481] wroþerhele was he wrougth · that neuere ioyȝe was[^a1482] schapen ·

[^a1479: or (Hm Cr Cot) | Other (Most other mss)]

[^a1480: woll (Hm) | wolde (Most other mss)]

[^a1481: for (Hm) | For to (All other mss)]

[^a1482: ioyȝe was (Hm Y R F) | was ioye (All other mss)]

¶ Aungelles þat yn helle now ben · haddyn ioyȝe sumtyme
and dyues yn deyntes lyuede · and yn douce vye
rygth so resoun scheweth · þat þe[^a1483] men þat were ryche ·
and here makes also · lyuedyn her lyf yn merthe ·

[^a1483: þe (Hm Cr W) | þo (Most other mss)]

¶ Ac god is of a wondre wylle by þat kynde wytt scheweth ·
to ȝiue many men his mercymonye · er he it haue deseruyd ·
rygth so fareþ god by summe ryche · rewthe me it thynketh
for þey han h ere her huyre[^a1484] · and heuene as yt were
and grete lykynge to lyue · wyth-outyn labor of body ·
and whan he dyeþ be dysalowyd · as dauid seith yn þe sauter ·
Dormierunt & nichil inuenerunt · & also yn an noþer stede[^a1485] ·
Velud sompnum[^181] surgencium domine in ciuitate tua · & ad nichilum rediges · cetera[^a1486]

[^a1484: h ere her huyre (Hm) | her hyre here (Most other mss)]

[^a1485: & nichil inuenerunt · & also yn an noþer stede (Hm) | And in an other stede also (Most other mss)]

[^a1486: cetera (Hm) | nil (Most other mss)]

[^181: Hm.14.141: The error for sompnium appears in all B manuscripts except F.]

¶ Alas þat rycchesse schall reue · and robbe mannys soule ·
fram the loue of our lord at his laste ende

¶ Hewyn þat han her huyre afore · arn eueremore nedy
and seldom deieþ he out of dette · that dyneþ or he deserue it
and tyl he hath[^a1487] doon his deue er and his dayes iourne ·
for whan a werkman hath wrouht · þan men may[^a1488] see þe sothe ·
what he were wurþy for his werke · and what he hath deseruyd ·
and nougth to fonge byfore · for drede of disalowynge ·

[^a1487: hath (Hm) | haue (All other mss)]

[^a1488: men may (Hm Bo Cot F) | may men (Most other mss)]

¶ So y se ye b y ȝow ryche · it semeþ nougth that ȝe schulde
haue h euene here yn ȝour berynge[^a1489] · and heuene her-after
rigth as a seruaunt taketh · his salarye before[^182] ·
and suþþe wolde cleyme · more ȝif he mygth[^a1490] ·
as he þat non hadde and hath huyre at the laste
yt may nougth be ȝe ryche men · or matheu on god lyȝeþ ·
De delicijs ad delicias · deficile est transire · & cetera[^a1491] ·

[^a1489: here yn ȝour berynge (Hm G) | in ȝowre here beyng (Most other mss)]

[^a1490: more ȝif he mygth (Hm) | more (Most other mss)]

[^a1491: & cetera (Hm B) | nil (All other mss)]

[^182: Hm.14.152: HmR both divide what amounts to a single line in most B witnesses after before. F is the only other manuscript to divide the line, but it does so eccentrically.]

¶ Ac ȝif ȝe ryche haue rewthe · and rewarde wel the pouere ·
and lyue as lawe techeþ · do leaute to hem alle
cryst of his curtasye · schal confort ȝow at þe laste
and rewardyn all double rycchesse · þat reufull hertys habbeth ·
and as an hyne þat had his huyre · er he bygonne to wurche[^a1492][^183] ·
and whan he haþ doon his deuer weel · men dooþ hym oþer bounte ·
ȝyueþ hym a cote abouyn his couenaunt · rigth so cryst ȝyueþ heuene ·
boþe to ryche and nougth to[^a1493] ryche · þat rewfullyche lybbeth
and alle þat dooþ her deuer wel · han double huyre for her trauayle
here forȝyuenesse of her synnes · and heuene blysse after

[^a1492: bygonne to wurche (Hm) | bygonne (Most other mss)]

[^a1493: nougth to (Hm B) | to noȝt (Most other mss)]

[^183: Hm.14.161: Hm alone reads bygonne to wurche as a result of the addition by hand3. G has the related reading to worche beganne and F reads his werk bygynne.]

¶ Ac it nys bot seldom seyn as by holy seyntes bookes
þat god rewarded double reste to eny ryche wye ·
for moche m yrthe is amonges ryche · as yn mete & cloþynge ·
and moche merþe yn may is among wylde bestys
and so foorth while somer lasteþ · her solace endureþ[^a1494] ·

[^a1494: endureþ (Hm G) | dureth (All other mss)]

¶ Ac beggers aboute mydsomer · bredles they soupe
and ȝit is wynter for hem worse · for wetschod þey gange
a-thurst[^a1495] sore and an-hungryd[^a1496] · and foule rebukyd ·
and aratyd of ryche men · þat rewþe is to here
nowe lord sende hem somer · and sum maner ioyȝe ·
heuene aftur her hennys goynge · þat here han suche deffaute ·
for all myhtest thu haue maad · none menere þan oþer ·
and ylyche wytty and wys · ȝif þe wel hadde y-lykyd
and haue reuþe on þese ryche men þat rewardyn nougth prisoners
and of[^a1497] þe good þat thu hem gyuest ingrati beþ manye
ac god of þy goodnesse · gyue hem grace to amende ·
for may no derþe ben hem dere · drouhte ne wete
ne neyþer hete ne hayle · haue þey her hele
of þat they wyln and wolde · wanteth hem nougth here ·
ac þe[^a1498] poore peple þy prisoners · lord yn þy[^a1499] pyt of myscheefe
conforte þoo creatures · that moche care suffren
þurgh derþe þurgh drouht · all her dayes here
woo yn wynter tymes · for wantynge of clothes
and yn somer tyme selde · soupyn to þe fulle
conforte thy carefull · cryst yn thi rycches[^a1500] ·
for how þu confortedest alle · creatures · clerkes bere wytnes
Conuertimini ad me & salui eritis · & cetera

[^a1495: a-thurst (Hm C2 G) | Afyrst (All other mss)]

[^a1496: an-hungryd (Hm B G) | afyngred (Most other mss)]

[^a1497: and of (Hm) | Of (Most other mss)]

[^a1498: ac þe (Hm F) | Ac (All other mss)]

[^a1499: þy (Hm C2) | þe (All other mss)]

[^a1500: rycches (Hm Cr W) | ryche (All other mss)]

¶ Thus in genere · of gentryes · ihesu cryst seyde ·
to robbers and to reuers · to ryche and to pouere
thu taughtest hem yn þe trynyte to take bapteme ·
and be clene þurgh þat crystnynge · of alle kyn synnys
and vs fell þurgh folye · to falle yn synne after
confessioun and knowlechynge and crauyng thi mercy
schulde amende vs as many sythes · as man wolde desyre
and ȝif þe pope wolde plede her-aȝen · & punysch vs yn conscyence
he schulde take þe acquietaunce[^a1501] as quyk · & to þe quede schewe it ·
Pateat & cetera quod ad[^a1502] passionem domini · & cetera
And puttyn of so þe powke · and preuyn vs vndyr borwe

[^a1501: acquietaunce (Hm) | acquitaunce (Most other mss)]

[^a1502: quod ad (Hm) | per (All other mss)]

¶ ac the parchemyn of this patent · of pouerte be moste
and of pure pacyence · and parfyt byleeue
of pompe and of pryde · þe parchemyn dec owrith ·
and principallyche of alle peple · but they ben pouere of herte
elles is al yn[^a1503] ydel all that euere we wryte
pater nostres and penaunces[^a1504][^184] · and pylgrymage to rome ·
but our spenses and spendynge · spryngen of a trewe welle
elles is all our labour lost loo how men wryteth ·
yn fenestres att þe frerys · ȝif fals be þe fundament
forþy crystyn men schulde[^a1505] ben yn comoun ryche[^185] ·
noon coueytous for hym-sylue · yn harmyng of his neyhbour[^a1506]

[^a1503: yn (Hm G) | on (Most other mss)]

[^a1504: penaunces (Hm R) | penaunce (Most other mss)]

[^a1505: men schulde (Hm) | sholde (All other mss)]

[^a1506: yn harmyng of his neyhbour (Hm) | nil (All other mss)]

[^184: Hm.14.210: HmR have the plural penaunces, and F has the related form penauntis.]

[^185: Hm.14.214: Hm alone begins a new line after the word ryche. All other B witnesses combine this line and the next, while F omits them both;]

¶ For þe[^a1507] seuyn synnes þat þere ben · assaylen vs euere
the fende folweþ hem alle · and fondeþ hem to helpe
ac wyþ rycches that rybauud · rathest men bygyleth ·
for þere þat rycches regneþ · reuerence folweth ·
and that is plesaunt to pryde · yn pouere and yn ryche
and þe ryche is reuerensid · by resoun of his rycches
there þe pouere is put byhynde · & paraduenture can more ·
of wytt and of wysdom that fer away is bettre
than rycchesse or ryalte and rather herd yn heuene
for þe ryche haþ moche to rykene · and rygth softe[^186] walketh
the heyȝ wey to heueneward · ofte rycchesse letteth

[^a1507: For þe (Hm) | For (All other mss)]

[^186: Hm.14.225: The correction reflects Bx. The erroneous readings of Cr1 and W suggest that the corrector's text may have been superior to Beta2, the immediate exemplar for Hm. For the stemma currently in use by the Archive , see Robert Adams, "The Kane-Donaldson Edition of Piers Plowman: Eclecticism's Ultima Thule," TEXT 16 (2006), 141.]

Ita possibile diuiti · & cetera

¶ The[^a1508] poore preseþ byfore · þe ryche wyþ a poke at his rygge ·
Opera enim illorum · sequntur illos · & cetera[^a1509]

[^a1508: The (Hm) | Þere þe (All other mss)]

[^a1509: & cetera (Hm C2 Y) | nil (All other mss)]

¶ Batauntlyche as beggers doon · and baldelyche he craueth
for his pouerte and his pacyence · a perpetuell blysse ·
Beati pauperes quoniam ipsorum est celorum regnum · & cetera[^a1510] ·

[^a1510: celorum regnum · & cetera (Hm) | regnum celorum (All other mss)]

¶ And pryde yn rycchesse regneth · rather than yn pouerte ·
arst yn þe mayster than yn þe man · soum mansyoun he haþ ·

¶ Ac yn pouerte ther pacyence is · pryde haþ no mygth
ne noon of þe seuene synnys · sytten ne mowyn þere longe
ne haue power yn pouerte · ȝif pacyence yt folwe ·
for þe poore is ay prest · to plese the ryche ·
and buxum at his byddyng for his brokyn louys
and buxumnesse and boste · arn euermore at werre
and eyþer hateth oþer · yn all maner werkes
ȝif wraþþe wrastle wyth the poore · he haþ þe wurse ende
and[^a1511] ȝif þey boþe pleyne · the poore ys but feble
and ȝif he chide or chatre · hym cheueth þe worse ·[^187]

[^a1511: and (Hm Cr W) | For (All other mss)]

[^187: Hm.14.244: Beta here omits a dozen lines recorded in alpha.]

¶ And ȝif coueytese cacche þe pouere · þey may nougth come togydres ·
and by þe nekke namly · her noon[^188] may hent oþere ·
for men knowyn[^a1512] þat couetyse · ys of akene a kene wylle ·
and haþ hondys and armys · of a longe lengthe ·
and pouerte nys but a petyt thyng · apereþ nougth to his nawuyle
and louely layk was it neuere · bytwene þe long & þe schorte ·

[^a1512: knowyn (Hm O C2) | knoweth wel (All other mss)]

[^188: Hm.14.246: her noon, "neither of them."]

¶ And þowȝ auarice wolde angour þe pouere · he haþ but lytyl myȝt ·
for pouerte haþ but pokes · to puttyn yn his goodys
ther auaryce haþ almaryes · and yren boundyn coffrys
and wheþer be lyghter to breke · lasse bost it makeþ
a beggers bagge þan an yryn bounde coffre

¶ Lecchery loueþ hym nougth · for he ȝyueþ but lytyl syluer
ne dooþ hym nougth dyne delycatly · ne drynke wyn ofte
a straw for þe st uwes · yt stood nougth y trowe ·
hadde þey no-þyng but of pouere men · her houses stodyn vntyled

¶ And þowȝ slouþe sewe · pouerte · and serue nougth god to paye ·
myscheef his mayster is[^a1513] · and makeþ hym to thenke
þat god is his grettyst help · and no gome elles ·
and his seruaunt as he seyth · and of his suyte boþe
and wheþer he be or be nougth · he bereth the sygne of pouerte ·
and yn þat secte our sauyour · sauyd all man-kynde ·
forþy alle pouere þat pacyent ben[^a1514] · mowe cleymyn & askyn ·
after her endyng here · heuenryche blysse

[^a1513: his mayster is (Hm) | is his maister (Most other mss)]

[^a1514: ben (Hm) | is (All other mss)]

¶ Moche hardyer may he asken þat here mygth haue her[^a1515] wylle
yn lond and yn lordschipe · and lykyng of body ·
and for goddys loue leueþ al · and lyueþ as a begger
and as amayde a mayde for mannys loue · her mooder forsakeþ ·
his[^a1516] fader and alle her frendys · and folweþ her make
moche is suche amayde a mayde to loue · of hym þat suchon such on takeþ ·
more þan a maydyn is · þat is maryed þorough brocage
as by assent of sundry partyes · and syluer to boote
more for couetyse of good · þan kynde loue of boþe

[^a1515: her (Hm) | his (Most other mss)]

[^a1516: his (Hm) | hir (Most other mss)]

¶ So it fareþ by eche apersone a persone · þat possessioun forsakeþ
and putteþ hym to be pacyent · and pouerte wyddeþ
þe which is syb to god hym-sylf · and so to hise seyntes

¶ Haue god my trowþ quod haukyn · ȝe preyse fast pouerte
What is pouerte wyþ pacyence quod he proprely to mene ·

¶ Paupertas quod pacyence · est odibile bonum remocio curarum · possessio sine calumpnia · donum dei sanitatis mater · absque solicitudine semita · sapiencie temperatrix · negocium sine dampno · incerta fortuna · absque solicitudine felicitas · & cetera[^a1517]
I can nougth construe þys quod haukyn · ȝe moot telle[^a1518] þis yn[^a1519] englysch ·

[^a1517: & cetera (Hm) | nil (All other mss)]

[^a1518: telle (Hm) | kenne (Bx)]

[^a1519: yn (Hm Cr) | on (All other mss)]

¶ In englisch quod pacyence · yt is full[^a1520] hard to[^a1521] expowne ·
ac sumdel y schall seyne it · by so thu vndurstonde
pouerte is þe furste poynt · that pryde most hateth ·
thanne is it good by good skylle · al þat agasteþ pryde
rygth as contricioun is confortable þyng · conscyence wot well
and a sorowe of hym-sylf · and a solace to the soule ·
so pouerte proprelych · penaunce and ioyȝe
is to the body · pure spurytual helthe
Ergo paupertas est odibile bonum · & cetera[^a1522]
and contricioun confort · and cura animarum ·

[^a1520: full (Hm B) | wel (Most other mss)]

[^a1521: to (Hm Cr G F) | wel to (All other mss)]

[^a1522: & cetera (Hm Y) | nil (All other mss)]

¶ Selde sit pouerte · the sooþe to declare
horas iusticie[^a1523][^189] to iuge men · enyoyned is no pouere
ne to be mayr aboue men · ne mynystre vndyr kynges
seldom is eny pouere y-put · to punysch any peple ·
Remocio curarum · & cetera ·
Ergo pouerte and pouere men · performen the comaundement
Nolite iudicare quemquam · the thrydde ·

[^a1523: horas iusticie (Hm) | Or as iustyce (Most other mss)]

[^189: Hm.14.295: The scribe's use of the display script indicates that he takes the phrase to be Latin, meaning "hours of justice." See also Hm.12.93, where the scribe similarly interpreted English as Latin and copied it in display script. In both cases the grammatical sense carries over from the preceding line.]

¶ Selde is any pouere ryche · but of ryghfull herytage ·
wynneth he nougth · wyth w eyȝtes false · ne wyþ vnseled mesures
ne borwe þ of his nehbours · but þat he may wel paye
Possessio sine calumpnia & cetera

¶ The fyerþe is a fortune · that florescheþ the soule
wyþ soberte from alle synne · and also ȝit more
it afayteþ the flesch · from folyes full manye
a collateral confort · crystys owne ȝifte ·
[^190] Donum dei ·

[^190: Hm.14.309: This line appears in the right margin after line Hm.14.308 in a different hand and ink, added by the corrector, hand3.]

¶ The fyfte is mooder of helþe a frend · yn alle fondynges
and for þe lande euer a leche a lemman of alle clennesse
Sanitatis mater · & cetera[^a1524] ·

[^a1524: & cetera (Hm) | nil (All other mss)]

¶ The sixte is a paþ of pees · ȝe þurgh þe pa as of aultoun
pouerte mygth passe · wyþ-oute peryl of robbynge
for þere þat pouerte passeþ · pes folweþ after
and euere þe lasse þat he bereþ · þe hardyer he is of herte
forþy seith seneca · paupertas est absque solicitudine semita
and an hardy man of herte · amonge an hepe of theuys
Cantabit paupertas coram latrone viator · & cetera[^a1525] ·

[^a1525: & cetera (Hm Y) | nil (All other mss)]

¶ The seuenþe is welle of wysdom · and fewe woordys scheweþ
for lordes aloweth hym lytyl · or[^191] lystneþ to his resoun
he tempreþ þe tongge to trewþward · and no tresor coueyteþ ·
Sapiencie temperatrix · & cetera[^a1526]

[^a1526: & cetera (Hm Y) | nil (All other mss)]

[^191: Hm.14.321: The form of <r> is characteristic of correcting hand3. See the top sixteen lines of fol. 186v for an extended sample of hand3's work.]

¶ The eiȝteþ is a lele labour · and loiþ to take more
þan he may well deserue · yn somer or yn wynter
and ȝif he chaffare he chargeþ no losse · mowe he charyte wynne
Negocium sine dampno · & cetera[^a1527] ·

[^a1527: & cetera (Hm) | nil (All other mss)]

¶ The nyȝenþe is swete to þe soule · no sucre is swetter
for pacyence is payn · for pouerte hym-sylue
and soberte swete drynke · and good leche yn syknes
thus lered me a lettryd man · for our lordys loue
seynt austyn ledde a[^a1528] blessyd lyf · wyþ-oute bysynesse
for body and for soule · absque solicitudine felicitas ·

[^a1528: ledde a (Hm) | a (All other mss)]

¶ Now god þat al good gyueþ · graunte his soule reste
þat þis[^a1529] ferst wrot to wyssen men · what pouerte was to mene ·

[^a1529: þis (Hm Cr W) | þus (All other mss)]

¶ Alas quod haukyn þe actif man þoo · þat after my crystyndom ·
þat y[^a1530] ne hadde ben ded and doluyn · for dowellys sake ·
so hard is yt[^a1531] quod haukyn · to lyuen and to synne[^a1532] ·

[^a1530: þat y (Hm) | I (All other mss)]

[^a1531: is yt (Hm) | it is (All other mss)]

[^a1532: synne (Hm F) | do synne (All other mss)]

¶ synne seweþ vs euere quod he · and sory gan wexe
and wepte water wyþ his eiȝen · and weyles[^a1533] þe tyme
þat euere he dude dede · þat dere god dysplesid
swownyd and sobbed · and syked full ofte
þat euere he hadde lond or lordschipe · lasse oþermore oþer more
or maystrye ouer any man · moo þan of hym-sylue
y were nougth wurþy wot god quod haukyn · to weryn eny cloþys
ne neyþer scherte ne schoon · saue for schame one
to couere my careyne quod he · and cryed mercy faste
and wepte and wayled · and þerwyþ y awakyd ·

[^a1533: weyles (Hm) | weyled (All other mss)]

Passus xvus quintus decimus · finis de do-weel · Incipit hic de do-bet ·

A c aftyr my wakynge · it was wonder longe
er y kowde kyndly knowe · what was dowel ·
and so my wytte wex and wanyed · tyl y a fool were
and summe lacked my lyf · allowyd yt fewe
and leten for alorel a lorel · and looþ to reuerencyn ·
lordys and[^a1534] ladyes · or eny lyf elles
as persouns yn pellure wyth pendawntes of seluer
to sergeaunt[^a1535] ne to none such[^a1536] · seyde y[^a1537] nougth ones
god loke ȝow lordes · ne lowtyd fayre
¶[^192] þat folke heldyn me afooll a fooll · and yn þat folye y rauyd
tyl resoun hadde rewþe on me · and rokkyd me aslepe
tyl y s aw as yt sorcerye were · a sotyl þyng wyþ-alle
oon wyþ-outyn tonge or[^a1538] teeþ · tolde me whider y schulde
and wherof y cam & of what kynde · y conyouryd · hym atte þe laste
if he were crystes creature · leue[^a1539] me to telle

[^a1534: and (Hm C2) | or (All other mss)]

[^a1535: sergeaunt (Hm) | seriauntz (All other mss)]

[^a1536: none such (Hm) | suche (Most other mss)]

[^a1537: seyde y (Hm M Cr W) | seyde (All other mss)]

[^a1538: or (Hm Cr2 Cr3 M F) | and (All other mss)]

[^a1539: leue (Hm) | for crystes loue (Most other mss)]

[^192: Hm.15.10: The rubricator ignored or failed to notice the paraph marker.]

¶ I am crystes creature quod he · and crystene yn many a place
yn crystes court y-knowe wel · and of his kyn aparty a party ·
þer is[^a1540] neyþer peter ne[^a1541] porter · ne poule wyþ his fauchoun ·
þat wol deffende me þe doore · dynge y neuere so late
at mydnygth at mydday · my voys is so[^a1542] y-knowe
þat eche a creature of his court · welcomeþ me fayre

[^a1540: þer is (Hm) | Is (All other mss)]

[^a1541: ne (Hm) | þe (All other mss)]

[^a1542: is so (Hm Cr Y R F) | so is (Most other mss)]

¶ what ar ȝe callyd yn þat court quod y · among crystes peple

¶ Ther[^a1543] whiles y quyk was yn þe cors quod he · callyd y am[^a1544] anima
and whan y wylle and wolde · animus y hatte
and for þat y can and knowe · callyd am y mens
and whan y make mone to god · memoria is my name
and whan y deme domes · and do as trewþ techeþ
than is racio my rygth name · resoun on englysch
and whan y fele þat folk tellyn · my ferst name is sensus
and that is wytt and wysdom · þe welle of alle craftys
and whan y chalenge or chalenge nougth · chepe or refuse
than am y conscyence y-callyd goddys clerk and his notarye
and whan y loue lely · our lord and alle oþere
thanne is lele loue myn name · and yn latyn amor
and whan y fle fro þe flesch · and forsake þe careyne
thanne am y spuryt specheles · spiritus than y hatte
austyn and ys idorus · eyþer of hem boþe
nempnyd me thus to name · now thu mygth chese
how þu coueytest to calle me · now thu knowyst alle myn namys
Anima pro diuersis accionibus · diuersa nomina sortitur · dum viuificat corpus  anima est · dum vult  animus est · dum scit  mens est · dum recolit  memoria est · dum iudicat  racio est · dum sentit  sensus est · dum amat  amor est · dum negat vel consentit  consciencia est · dum spirat  spiritus est · & cetera[^a1545]

[^a1543: Ther (Hm) | Þe (Most other mss)]

[^a1544: y am (Hm F) | am I (All other mss)]

[^a1545: & cetera (Hm) | nil (All other mss)]

¶ ȝee ben as a busschop quod y · all bourdynge that tyme ·
for busschops y-blessyd · they bereþ many names ·
presul and pontifex · and metropolitanus
and oþer names an hepe · episcopus and pastor

¶ That is sooþ seyde he · now y see thy wylle
thu woldest knowe and kunne · þe cause of alle here names
and of myn ȝif thu myghtest · me þynkeþ by þy speche

¶ Ȝhe syre y seyde by so · noman were greuyd
and alle[^a1546] þe scyences vndur sonne · & alle þe sotyl craftis
y wolde y knew and cowde · kyndely yn myn herte
thanne art thu ynparfit quod he · and on of prides knyhtes
for suche a lust and lykynge · lucyfer fel from heuene ·
Ponam pedem meum in aquilone & similis ero altissimo · & cetera[^a1547]

[^a1546: and alle (Hm) | Alle (All other mss)]

[^a1547: & cetera (Hm) | nil (All other mss)]

¶ yt were aȝenst kynde quod he · of[^a1548] al kyn resoun ·
þat any creature schulde kunne al · excepte cryst one
aȝenst suche salamon spekeþ · and despyseþ her wyttys
and seiþ · sicut qui mel comedit multum · non est ei bonum sic qui scrutator est magestatis · opprimitur a gloria · & cetera[^a1549] ·

[^a1548: of (Hm) | and (Most other mss)]

[^a1549: & cetera (Hm) | nil (All other mss)]

¶ To englysch men this is to mene · þat men spekyn[^a1550] and here
the man þat muche hony eteþ · his mawe it engleymeth
and þe more þat aman a man · of good mater hereþ ·
but he do þerafter · he[^a1551] dooþ hym double skathe ·
Beatus est seyþ seynt bernard · qui scripturas legit
Et vertit verba[^a1552] in opera · fullyche to his power

[^a1550: men spekyn (Hm) | mowen speke (All other mss)]

[^a1551: he (Hm) | it (All other mss)]

[^a1552: vertit verba (Hm R F) | verba vertit (All other mss)]

¶ Coueytyse to kunne · and to knowe scyence
putte out of paradyse · Adam and eue ·
Sciencie appetitus · hominem in mortalitatis gloria[^a1553] spoliauit · & cetera[^a1554]

[^a1553: gloria (Hm Cr W) | gloriam (Most other mss)]

[^a1554: & cetera (Hm) | nil (All other mss)]

¶ and rygth as hony is euel to deffye · & engleymeþ þe mawe
rygth so þat þurgh resoun · wolde þe rote knowe
of god and of his grete myghtes · his grace it letteth
for yn þe lykynge lyeþ a pryde and lykames coueytise
aȝenst crystes counseyl · and alle clerkes techynge
that is non plus sapere · quam oportet sapere

¶ Frerys and fele othre maystrys þat to þe lewyd men prechen
ȝe meuyn materes ynmesurables · to tellyn of þe trynyte
þat ofte tymes þe lewyd peple · of here byleue doutyn
bettre b eleue were[^a1555][^193] manye · doctours such techyng
and tellen men of þe ten commaundementes · and touchyn þe · vij · seuene synnes ·
and of þe braunches that buriowneþ of hem · & brynge men to helle
and how þat folke yn folyes · myspendyn her wyttes[^a1556]
as wel freres as oþere folke · folylyche spendyn
yn housynge and[^a1557] yn haterynge · & ynto hiȝe clergye schewynge
more for pompe þan for pure charyte · þe peple wot þe sope
that y lyȝe nougth loo · for lordys ȝe plesyn
and reuerencyn the ryche · þe raþer for her syluer
Confundantur omnis qui adorant sculptilia · Et alibi vt quid diligitis vanitatem · & queritus mendacium · & cetera[^a1558]

[^a1555: b eleue were (Hm L) | to leye were(n) (Most other mss)]

[^a1556: wyttes (Hm) | fyue wittes (All other mss)]

[^a1557: housynge and (Hm) | housyng (All other mss)]

[^a1558: & cetera (Hm) | nil (All other mss)]

[^193: Hm.15.76: LHm have beleue were against it were in W, to beleue were in OC2, beleue where in Cr1, and to leue were(n) in most other B manuscripts.]

¶ Goo to the glose of þese[^a1559] vers · ȝe gret clerkes
if y lyȝe on ȝow to my lewyd wytt · ledeþ me to brennyng
for as it semeþ ȝe forsakeþ · no mannys almasse ·
of vsureres of hores · of auerous chapmen
and lowtyn to þese lordes · þat moun lene ȝow nobles
aȝen ȝour reule and relygioun · y take record at ihesus
that seyde to his dysciples · ne sitis personarum acceptores

[^a1559: þese (Hm W) | þe (All other mss)]

¶ Of þys matere y mygth · make a longe byble
ac of curatours of crysten peple · as clerkes bereþ wytnes
y schal telle it for trewþys sake · take hede who-so lykeþ
as holynesse and honeste · out of holy cherche spredeþ ·
thurgh[^194] lele lyuynge men · þat goddes lawe techen
rygth so out of holycherche · alle eueles spredeth ·
ther ynparfit preesthod is · prechours and techers ·
y[^a1560] see it by ensaumple · yn somer tyme on trowes
ther summe bowes beþ leuyd · and summe bereþ none
ther is a myscheef yn þe more · of suche maner bowes
rygth so parsouns and preestys · and prechours of holycherche ·
that arn rote of þe rygth feiþ · to rewle þe peple
ac þere þe rote is rotyn · resoun wot the sothe
schall neuer flour ne fruyte · ne fayr lef be grene

[^a1560: y (Hm Cr W) | And (Most other mss)]

[^194: Hm.15.97: An otiose mark appears above the <g>.]

¶ forþy wolde ȝe lettryd leue · þe lecchery of clothynge ·
and be kynde as byfell for clerkes · and curteys of crystes godes
trewe of ȝour tonge · and of ȝowre tayle boþe
and haten to here harlotrye · and nougth vndurfonge[^a1561]
tyþes of vntrew þyng · y-tylyed or y-chaffaryd[^a1562]

[^a1561: vndurfonge (Hm F) | to vnderfonge (All other mss)]

[^a1562: y-chaffaryd (Hm R F) | chaffared (Most other mss)]

¶ Loiþ were lewyd men · but they ȝ owre lore folwyde
and amendy d[^a1563] hem þat mysdon · more for ȝowr ensaumples
þan forto prechen and preuyn yt nougth · ypocresye yt semeþ
for ypocresye yn latyn · is lyknyd to a dungehull
þat were bysnewyd wyth snowe · and snakes wyþ-ynne[^195]
rygth so many preestys · prechours and prelatys
ȝe arn enblaunchid wyþ bele paroles · and wyþ cloþes also
ac ȝowr werkes and ȝour woordes þer -vndur · arn ful vnlouely ·
iohannes crisostomus · of clerkes spekeþ and preestys
Sicut de templo omne bonum progreditur  sic de templo omne malum procedit · Si sacerdocium integrum fuerit  tota floret ecclesia · si autem corruptum fuerit  omnium fides marcida est · Si sacerdocium fuerit in peccatis  totus populus conuertitur ad p eccandum · Sicut cum videris arborem pallidam & marcidam  intelligis quod vicium habet in radice · ita cum videris populum indisciplinatum & irreligiosum  sine dubio sacerdocium eius non est sanum · & cetera[^a1564] ·

[^a1563: amendy d (Hm B F) | amenden (Most other mss)]

[^a1564: & cetera (Hm) | nil (All other mss)]

[^195: Hm.15.116: HmCGB omit the following line, here given in the spelling of L: Or to a wal þat were whitlymed and were foule wyth-inne.]

¶ Ȝif lewyd men wysten · what þis latyn meneth ·
and who was myn autor · moche wonder me þynkeþ ·
but ȝif many a preest bere · for her baselardes and her brochis
a peyre of bedys yn her hond · and abook a book vnder her arm
syre iohan and sere gyffray · haþ a gurdel of seluer
a baselard or a ballok-knyf · wyþ botouns ouergulte
ac a porthors þat schulde ben his plough · placebo to sigge
hadde he neuer seruyce to saue syluer þerto · seyþ yt wyþ ydel wylle

¶ Alas ȝe lewde men · full muche[^a1565] lese ȝe on preestys
ac þynge þat wykkydly is wonne · and wyþ false sleyȝtes
wolde neuere þe wylle[^a1566] of wytty god · but wykkyd men it hadde
þe which ar preestys ynparfyt · and prechours after syluer
excecutours and souþdenes · somnours and her lemmanys
this þat wyþ gile was getyn · vngracyously is spendyd
so harlottes and hores · arn holpen wyþ suche goodes
and goddys folk for deffaute herof[^a1567] · forfaren and spyllyn
curatoures and[^a1568] holycherche · as clerkes þat ben auerous
lyghtly þat þey leuyn · losellis it habbeth
or dyen[^a1569] yntestat · and thanne the busschop entreþ
and makeþ merþe þerwyþ · and his meyne[^a1570] boþe ·
and seyn he was anyggard a nyggard · þat no good mygth spare
to frende ne to fremde · þe fende haue his soule
for a wrecchid housholde[^a1571] he helde · all his lyf-tyme
and þat he spared and bysperyd · spende we yt[^a1572] yn merþe

[^a1565: full muche (Hm) | moche (All other mss)]

[^a1566: wylle (Hm) | witte (All other mss)]

[^a1567: herof (Hm) | þer-of (All other mss)]

[^a1568: and (Hm) | of (All other mss)]

[^a1569: dyen (Hm O C2) | dyeth (Most other mss)]

[^a1570: meyne (Hm F) | men (All other mss)]

[^a1571: housholde (Hm) | hous (All other mss)]

[^a1572: we yt (Hm B) | we (Most other mss)]

¶ Be it[^a1573] lered be it[^a1574] lewyd · þat loiþ is to spende
þus gon her goodes away[^a1575] · be þe gost faren ·
ac for goode men god wot · gret doel men makyn
and bymeneþ goode meteȝyuers · and yn mynde haueþ
yn prayers and yn penaunces · and ynparfit charyte

[^a1573: Be it (Hm M) | By (Most other mss)]

[^a1574: be it (Hm) | by (Most other mss)]

[^a1575: goodes away (Hm) | godes (All other mss)]

¶ What is charyte quod y tho · a childysch þyng he seyde
Nisi efficiamini sicut paruuli · non intrabitis in regnum celorum · & cetera[^a1576]

[^a1576: & cetera (Hm) | nil (All other mss)]

¶ Wyþ-outyn fauntelte or folye a free lyberall wylle
Wher e[^196] schulde men fynde such afrend a frend · wyþ so fre an herte

[^196: Hm.15.154: An expansion indicator has been added to the original wher. It appears to be the work of same hand that made the next correction in this line.]

¶ y haue lyued yn londe quod he[^a1577] · myn name ys longe wylle
and fond y neuere full charyte · byfore ne byhynde
men beþ mercyable · to mendynauntys and to poore
and wollyn lene ther þey leue · lely to be payd
ac charyte þat poule preyseþ best · & most plesaunt is to[^a1578] our sauyour
ys non[^a1579] inflatur non est ambiciosa · non querit que sua sunt ·

[^a1577: he (Hm Cr1 W) | I (All other mss)]

[^a1578: is to (Hm) | to (All other mss)]

[^a1579: ys non (Hm M Cr W) | As non (Most other mss)]

¶ I say neuere such aman a man · so me god helpe
þat he ne wolde aske after his · and oþerwhile coueyte
thyng þat nedyd hym nougth · and nyme[^a1580] ȝif he myghte ·

[^a1580: nyme (Hm) | nyme it (All other mss)]

¶ Clerkes kennyn me þat cryst · is yn alle places
ac y say hym neuere soþly · but as my-sylf yn a myrrour
In[^a1581] enigmate · tunc facie ad faciem · & cetera[^a1582]
and so y trowe trewly · by þat men telleþ of charyte ·
yt is[^197] no[^a1583] chaumpiouns fygth · ne chaffare as y trowe

[^a1581: In (Hm Cr W) | Ita in (M F R)]

[^a1582: & cetera (Hm) | nil (All other mss)]

[^a1583: no (Hm G F) | noȝt (All other mss)]

[^197: Hm.15.168: Probably as a result of damage caused by the following erasure, the <s> in is has been touched up.]

¶ Charite quod he ne chaffareþ nougth ne chalengeþ ne craueþ
as proud of a peny · as of a pound of golde
and is also glad of a gowne · of a graye russat
as of a tonycle of tars · or of trye scarlett
he is glad wyþ alle glade · and good tyl alle wykkyd
and leneþ and loueþ alle · þat our lord made ·
curseþ he no creature ne[^a1584] can bere no wratthe
ne no lykynge haþ to lyȝe · ne laugh men to scorne
all þat men seyn he let it sooþ · and yn solace takeþ
and alle manere myschiefs · yn myldenes he suffreþ ·
coueyteþ he non erþly good · but heuenryche blysse

[^a1584: ne (Hm O C2) | ne he (All other mss)]

¶ Haþ he eny rentys or rycchesse · or eny ryche frendys 

¶ of rentes ne of rycchesse · reccheþ he neuere ·
for a frend þat fyndeþ hym · faylyd hym neuere at nede
Fiat voluntas tua · fyndeþ hym euermore ·
and ȝif he soupeþ · he eteþ but a sop · of Spera in deo ·
he can portraye wel þe pater noster · and peynt it wyþ Auees
and oþurwhile is his[^a1585] wone · to wendyn on pylgrymage
ther poore men and persons lyggeþ · her pardoun to haue
thowh he bere hem no breed · he bereþ hem bettre[^a1586] lyflode
loueþ hem as our lord byddeþ · and lokeþ how þey fare

[^a1585: is his (Hm L M) | he is (Most other mss)]

[^a1586: bettre (Hm) | swetter (Most other mss)]

¶ And whan he is wery of þat werk · þan wol he sumtyme
labouryn yn lauandrye · well þe lengþe of a myle
and ȝerne ynto ȝowþe · and ȝeplyche speke
pryde wyþ all þe apportenaunce · and packen hem to-gydres
and boukyn hem atte his brest · and beten hem clene ·
and leggyn on longe wyþ laboraui in gemitu meo ·
and wyþ warm water atte his eiȝen · waschyn hem aftyr
and þanne he syngeþ whan he dooþ soo · & sumtyme seith wepynge
Cor contritum & humiliatum deus non despicies · & cetera[^a1587] ·

[^a1587: & cetera (Hm) | nil (All other mss)]

¶ By cryst y wolde þat y knew hym quod y · no creature leuere
wyþ-outyn help of peers ploughman quod he · his parsoun seest þu neuere

¶ whe þer clerkes knowyn hym quod y · þat kepyn holy cherche

¶ clerkes han no knowyng quod he · but by werkes and by woordys
ac peers þe ploughman parceyueþ more deppere
what is þe wylle and wherfore · þat many wygth suffreþ ·
Et vidit deus cogitaciones eorum · & cetera[^a1588]

[^a1588: & cetera (Hm) | nil (All other mss)]

¶ For þer are ful proud-herted men · pacient of tonge
and bux omest[^a1589] of berynge · to burieis[^198] and to lordes
and to pore peple · han pepir yn her[^a1590] nose ·
and as alyoun a lyoun they[^a1591] lokeþ · there men lacken her[^a1592] werkes

[^a1589: bux omest (Hm) | boxome as (Most other mss)]

[^a1590: her (Hm Cot) | þe (All other mss)]

[^a1591: they (Hm) | he (All other mss)]

[^a1592: her (Hm) | his (All other mss)]

[^198: Hm.15.207: Burieis, "burgesses."]

¶ And[^a1593] þer ar beggers and bydders · bedemen as yt were
þat lokyn[^a1594] as lambren · and semyn lyfholy ·
ac it is more to haue her mete · yn such an esy manere ·
than for penaunce · and parfitnesse · þe pouerte þat such takeþ

[^a1593: And (Hm) | For (Most other mss)]

[^a1594: þat lokyn (Hm) | Loketh (All other mss)]

¶ Therfore by clergye ne by colour[^a1595] · know schalt þu hym neuere
neyþer þurgh woordes ne werkes · but þurgh wylle one[^199]
but peris þe ploughman · petrus id est christus ·
for he nys nougth yn lollers · ne yn land- lepynge[^a1596] heremytes
ne at ancres þere a box[^200] hangeþ · alle suche þey fayten ·
fy on faytours · and infautores in fautores suos ·
for charyte is goddys champioun · and as good[^a1597] childe hende
and þe meryest of mowþ · atte mete wherso[^a1598] he sytteþ ·

[^a1595: clergye ne by colour (Hm) | coloure ne by clergye (Most other mss)]

[^a1596: lepynge (Hm B) | leperes (All other mss)]

[^a1597: good (Hm) | a good (All other mss)]

[^a1598: wherso (Hm) | where (All other mss)]

[^199: Hm.15.215: Hm alone omits the line that follows, here given in the spelling of L: And þat knoweth no clerke ne creature in erthe.]

[^200: Hm.15.218: The scribe adjusted an initial <y> to make the <x>.]

the loue þat lyeþ yn his herte · makeþ hym lygth of speche ·
and is compaygnable and confortatyf · as cryst byt hym-sylue ·
Nolite fieri sicut ypocrite tristes · & cetera

¶ For y haue seyn hym yn selk and sumtyme yn russat
boþe yn gray and yn grys · and yn gult harneys
and als gladlych he it gaf to gomes þat yt nedyde

¶ edmund and edward · boþe[^a1599] were kynges
and seyntes y-set · for[^a1600] charyte hem folw ede ·

[^a1599: boþe (Hm W) | eyther (Most other mss)]

[^a1600: for (Hm M Cr W) | tyl (Most other mss)]

¶ y haue seyn charite also · syngyn and redyn ·
rydyn and rennyn · yn raggyd wedys ·
ac byddynge as beggers · behelde y hym neuere
ac yn ryche robys · rathest he walkeþ ·
y-callyd and y-crymylyd · and his crowne y-schaue
and yn a frerys frocke · he was foundyn onys
ac it is fern a-goo · yn seynt Fraunceys tyme
yn þat secte seþþe · to selde haþ he be knowyn ·
ryche men he recomendeþ · and of her robes takeþ
that wiþ-outyn wyles · ledeth her lyues
Beatus est diues qui · & cetera ·

¶ In kynges court he comeþ ofte þere þe conseyl is trewe
ac ȝif coueytyse be of þe counseyl he woll nougth come þerynne
yn court amonges iapers · he comeþ nougth but selde
for braulynge and bacbytynge · and berynge of fals wytnes

¶ In þe constorye byfore the commissarye · he comeþ nougth full ofte
for her lawe dureþ ouer longe · but ȝyf þey lacchen syluer
and matrymoyne for moneye makyn and vnmakyn ·
and þat conscyence and cryst · haþ y-knytt faste
þey vndon it vnworþyly · þe[^a1601] doctors of lawe ·

[^a1601: þe (Hm Cr C) | þo (Most other mss)]

¶ Ac y ne lacke no lyf · but lord amende vs alle ·
and gyue vs grace goode god · charite to folwe
for who-so mygth mete wyþ hym · such maneres hym eyles
neyþer he blameþ ne banneþ · bosteþ ne preyseþ
lackeþ ne loseþ · ne lokeþ vp sterne
craueþ ne coueyteþ · ne cryeþ after more
In pace inidipsum in idipsum · dormiam & requiescam[^a1602] & cetera ·

[^a1602: & requiescam (Hm Cr G) | nil (All other mss)]

¶ The moste lyflode þat he lyueþ by · is loue yn goddys passioun
neyþer he byddeþ ne he beggeþ[^a1603] · ne borweþ to ȝelde
mysdoiþ he noman · ne wyþ his mowþ greueþ ·

[^a1603: he beggeþ (Hm C) | beggeth (All other mss)]

¶ Amonges crystyn men · þis myldenesse schulde laste
yn alle manere angres · haue þis atte herte ·
that thowȝ þey suffryd all this · god suffryd for vs more
yn ensaumple we schuld do so · and take no vengeaunce
of our foes þat don vs falsnesse · þat is our fadres wylle
for wel may euery man w ete · ȝif god had wold hym-sylue
schulde neuere iudas ne iewe · haue ihesu don on rode
ne han martyred peter and[^a1604] poule · ne yn prysoun holdyn ·
ac he suffryd yn ensample · þat we schuld suffre also
and seyde to suche þat suffre wolde · þat pacientes vincunt
verbi gracia · quod he · and verrey ensamples manye
In legenda sanctorum · the lyf of holy seyntes

[^a1604: and (Hm) | ne (All other mss)]

¶ what penaunce and pouerte · and passioun þey suffryd
yn hungo ur ur yn hete · yn alle manere angrys
antoni and Egidi · and other holy fadrys
wonedyn yn wyldernesse · amonge wylde bestys
monkes and mendynauntes · men by hem-sylue
yn spekes and yn spelonkes · seldom speke togydres

¶ Ac noyþer antony ne egidi · ne hermyte þat tyme
of lyouns ne of lupardys · no lyflode ne tooke
but of fowles þat fleeþ · thus fynde men yn bokys
except that egidi · after an hynde cryed ·
and þurgh þe mylde[^a1605] beste · the man was susteyned
and day by day hadde he her nougth · his hungour forto slake
but seldom and sundry tymes · as seiþ þe book and techeþ

[^a1605: mylde (Hm) | mylke of þat mylde (Most other mss)]

¶ Antony a dayes · abowt the[^a1606] noon-tyme
hadde a brydde þat brougth hym breed · þat he by lyuyde
and þowȝ the gome had a gest · god fond hem bothe
poul primus heremita · hadde parrokkyd hym-sylue
that noman mygth hym se · for mosse and for leuys
fowlys hym fedde · fele wyntrys wyþ-alle
tyl he foundyd frerys · of austynes ordre

[^a1606: abowt the (Hm O C2) | aboute (All other mss)]

¶ Poul after his prechynge · panyers he made
and wan wyþ his handys · that his wombe neded

¶ Peter fischid for his food · and his felaw Andrew
somme þey sothyn[^a1607] & summe soldyn[^a1608] · and so they lyued boþe
and also marye magdalene · by mores lyuyd and dewys
ac most þurgh deuocioun · and mynde of god almyghty ·

[^a1607: sothyn (Hm) | solde (or) soden (Most other mss)]

[^a1608: soldyn (Hm) | þei soden (Most other mss)]

¶ I schuld nougth þis seuene dayes · syggen hem alle ·
that lyuedyn þus for our lordys loue · many longe ȝerys
ac ther ne was lyoun no lupard · þat on laundys wentyn ·
neyther bere ne bore · ne other best wylde ·
that ne fel to her feet · and fawnyd wyþ her tayles
and ȝif þey cow de haue carpede by cryst as y trowe
they woldyn haue fed that folk · byfore wyld fowles

¶ ac god sent hem food by fowles · and by none fiers bestys
yn menyng þat meke thynge · mylde thynge schuld serue[^a1609]
as who seiþ relygiouns[^a1610] · ryghtfull men schuld fynde
and lawful men to lyf-holy men · lyflode brynge
and þanne wolde lordes and ladyes · be loiþ to agylte
and to take of her tenawntes · more þan trewþ wolde

[^a1609: serue (Hm) | fede (All other mss)]

[^a1610: relygiouns (Hm) | religious (All other mss)]

¶ founde they that frerys · wolde forsake almasses[^a1611]
and byddyn hem bere it · þere it was y-borwyd ·
for we ben goddes fowlys · and abydyn alwey ·
tyl bryddys bryngyn vs · that we schulde lyue by

[^a1611: almasses (Hm) | her almesses (All other mss)]

¶ for had ȝe potage and payn ynow · and peny-ale to drynke
and a messe þerwyþ[^a1612] · of oo maner kynde ·
ȝe haddyn rygth ynowȝ ȝe relygiouns · and so ȝowr rewyl me tolde
Numquam dicit iob rugit onager · cum herbam habuerit · aut mugiet bos cum ante plenum presepe steterit · brutorum animalium natura te condempnat · quia cum eis papulum comune sufficiat · ex adipe prodijt iniquitas tua · & cetera[^a1613]

[^a1612: þerwyþ (Hm C O C2) | þere-mydde (Most other mss)]

[^a1613: & cetera (Hm) | nil (All other mss)]

¶ ȝif lewed men knew this latyn · they wolde loke whom they ȝyue
and auyse hem byfore · a fyue dayes or syxe
er þey enmorteysid[^a1614] to monkes · or chanones her rentys

[^a1614: enmorteysid (Hm B) | amortesed (Most other mss)]

¶ alas lordes and ladyes · lewyd counseyl haue ȝee ·
to ȝyue fro ȝowr heyres · þat ȝowr aiels ȝow lafte
and ȝyueþ to bydde for ȝow · to such þat ar[^a1615] ryche
and beþ foundyd and feffyd eke · to bydde for othere

[^a1615: ar (Hm) | ben (All other mss)]

¶ who parformeþ þis prophecye · of the peple þat now lybbeþ
dispersit dedit pauperibus · & cetera

¶ ȝif eny peple parforme þat text · it are þese pouere frerys
for þat þey beggyn aboute · yn buyldyng þey it spende[^a1616]
and on hem-selfe sum · and such as ben her laborers
and of hem þat habbeþ they takyn · and ȝyue hem þat habbeþ[^a1617]

[^a1616: it spende (Hm F) | spende (it) (Most other mss)]

[^a1617: habbeþ (Hm Cr W) | ne habbeth (Most other mss)]

¶ Ac clerkes and knyhtys · and comoners þat ben ryche
fele of ȝow fareþ · as ȝif y a forest hadde
that were ful of fayr trees · and y fonded and caste
how y mygth mo þerynne · amonges hem sette

¶ rygth so ȝe ryche · that[^a1618] robbeþ that ben ryche
and helpeþ hem þat helpeþ ȝow · and ȝyueþ þere no nede is
as who-so fylde a tonne · of a fresch reuere
and went foorþ wyþ þat water · to wokyn wyþ t emse ·
rygth so ȝe ryche · that[^a1619] robbyn and fedyn
hem that han as ȝe han · hem ȝe makyn at ese

[^a1618: that (Hm) | ȝe (All other mss)]

[^a1619: that (Hm) | ȝe (Most other mss)]

¶ Ac relygyous þat ryche ben · schuld raþer feste beggers
than burieys[^201] þat ben ryche[^a1620] as the book techeþ
Quia sacrilegium est res pauperum non pauperibus dare
Item peccatoribus dare est demonib us immolare ·
Item monach e si indiges & accipis  pocius das quam accipis
Si autem non eges · & accipis rapis ·
Porro non indiget monachus  si habeat quod nature sufficit · cetera[^a1621]

[^a1620: ben ryche (Hm) | riche ben (All other mss)]

[^a1621: cetera (Hm Y) | nil (All other mss)]

[^201: Hm.15.343: Burieys, "burgesses."]

wones

[Hm.15.349: Clumsy pen trials in a later hand appear in the right margin beside this line, Hm.15.356, and Hm.15.359.]

¶ Forþy y counseyl alle crystene · to conforme vs[^a1622] to charyte
for charyte wyþ-out chalengynge · vnchargeþ þe soule
and many a prisoun fro purgatory · þurgh his prayers he delyuereth[^a1623] ·

[^a1622: vs (Hm) | hem (Most other mss)]

[^a1623: he delyuereth (Hm W L M) | delyureth (All other mss)]

¶ ac þere is a deffaute yn þe folke · that the feyþ kepeþ ·
wherfore folk is þe febler · and nougth ferme of byleue
as yn luschboroughs is a lyþer alay · & ȝit lokeþ he lyke asterlyng a sterlyng
þe mark of þat moneye is good · ac þe metal ys feble

¶ and so it fareþ by somme folk now · þey han a fayr speche[^202]
crowne and crystendom · þe kynges mark of heuene ·
ac þe metal þat is mannys soule · wyþ synne is fowl alayed ·
boþe lettryd and lewyd · beþ allayed now wyþ synne[^203]
that no lyf loueþ oþer · ne our lord as yt semeth ·
for þurgh werre and wycked workes · and wedres vnresonable
wederwyse schipmen and wytty clerkes also
han no byleue to the lyfte · ne to þe lore of philosophers

[^202: Hm.15.356: Clumsy pen trials in a later hand appear in the right margin beside this line, Hm.15.349, and Hm.15.359. This one was written in a very wet ink and blotted the facing leaf, though the text remains legible.]

[^203: Hm.15.359: Clumsy pen trials in a later hand appear in the right margin beside this line, Hm.15.349, and Hm.15.356.]

¶ Astronomyens alday · yn her art faylen
þat whilom warnyd byfore · what schuld falle after
schipmen and scheepherdys · þat wyþ schip and scheep wente
wystyn by þe walkyne · what schulde betyde
as of wedres and wyndes · þey warnyd men ofte ·

¶ Tylyers þat tylyed þe erþe · toldyn her maystryes[^a1624]
by þe seed that they sewe · what þey sylle mygthe
and what to leue and what to lyue by · þe lond was so trewe

[^a1624: maystryes (Hm) | maistres (All other mss)]

¶ Now fayleþ þe folk of þe flood · and of þe lond boþe
scheepherdys and schipmen · and so don þese tylyers
neyþer þey konneþ ne knoweþ · on cours byfore an noþer

¶ Astronomyens also · arn atte her wyttys ende
of þat was calculed of þe elyment · þe contrarye þey fynde
gramer that is[^a1625] ground of al · bygyleþ now chyldren
for is noon of þys newe clerkes · who-so nymeþ hede[^204]
no[^a1626] nougth oon among an hundryd þat an autour can construe ·[^205]
ne rede a lettre yn any langage · but yn latyn or yn englysch ·
go now to eny degre · and but ȝif gyle be mayster
and flaterer his felaw · vndur hym to formyn ·
moche wonder me thynkeþ · amonges vs alle

[^a1625: that is (Hm F) | þe (Most other mss)]

[^a1626: no (Hm) | Ne (Most other mss)]

[^204: Hm.15.378: CrWHm omit the following line, here given in the spelling of L: Þat can versifye faire · ne formalich enditen.]

[^205: Hm.15.379: The text is badly rubbed (or the ink did not take well) for the central sections of this line, but the text remains legible.]

¶ Doctours of decres · and of dyuynyte maystres
that schulden fynde[^a1627] & knowe all kyn clergye
and answere to argumentes · and also to a quodlibet
y dar nougth sygge it for schame · if such were apposed
they schuldyn fayle of her philosophie · and yn fysyke boþe

[^a1627: fynde (Hm) | konne (Most other mss)]

¶ wherfore y am a-ferd · of folk of holycherche
lest they ouerhippyn as other don · yn offyces and yn hourys
ȝif[^a1628] þey ouerhippyn as y hope nougth · our byleue suffiseth ·
as clerkes in corpus christi feste syngyn and redyn ·
that sola fides sufficit · to saue wyth lewyd peple
and so may sarazynes be sauyd · scrybes and iewys

[^a1628: ȝif (Hm) | Ac if (Bx M O Y)]

¶ alas þanne but our lordys[^a1629] men · lyuen as þey leren vs
and for her lyuynge þat lewyd men · be þe loþer god a-gulte
for sarasenes han sumwhat · semyng to our byleue
for þey loue and byleue · yn o persone almyhty
and we lered and lewyd · yn o god byleueþ

[^a1629: lordys (Hm) | lores (All other mss)]

¶ And on macameth · aman a man yn mysbyleue
brought sarrasenys of surre · and see yn what manere

¶ this macameth was a crystene[^a1630] · and for he most nat be pope ·
ynto surre he sought · and þurgh his sotyl wyttys
he dauntyd[^a1631] ado uue a do uue and day and nygth her fedde
the corn þat sche croppyd · he kest it yn his ere
and ȝif he amonge þe peple prechid · or yn places come
thanne wolde þe culuer · come to þe clerkes ere
menyng as after mete · thus macameth here enchauntyd
and dude folk þan falle on knees · for he swore yn his prechyng
þat þe culuer þat cam so · cam fram god of heuene
as messager to macameth · men forto teche ·

[^a1630: a crystene (Hm W L M) | crystene (All other mss)]

[^a1631: he dauntyd (Hm W G F) | Daunted (All other mss)]

¶ And thus þurgh wyles of his wytt · and a whyte dowue
macameth yn mysbyleue · men and wymmen brougthe ·
þat lewyd þere and l ered[^a1632] ȝit · leuyn on his lawys

[^a1632: lewyd þere and l ered (Hm) | lered þere and lewed (Most other mss)]

¶ And seþþe our sauyour suffred · þe sarasenys so bygyled
þurgh a crysten clerk · a-cursyd yn his sowle[^206]
and for drede of þe deþ y dar nougth telle trewþe
how englysch clerkes a culuer feden þat coueytyse hatteþ[^a1633]
and ben maneryd aftyr macameth · þat noman vseþ trewþe[^207]

[^a1633: hatteþ (Hm B) | hatte (All other mss)]

[^206: Hm.15.416-419: The b-verses of the last four lines of this leaf are obscured by bleed through and poor ink adherence.]

[^207: Hm.15.419: There appears to be an accidental imprint of an ornamented capital in the bottom margin of this page. It most likely came from contact with a loose page in this manuscript.]

¶ ancres and heremytes · and monkes and frerys
peren to apostles · þurgh her parfyt lyuynge
wolde neuere þe feiþful fadre · þat his mynystres schulde
of tyrauntys þat tenyn trew men · takyn eny alm es
but don as antony dude · dominic and Fraunceys
benet and bernard · þe whiche hem furst taugthe
to lyue by lytyll · and yn low e howses · by lele mennys almasse
thanne grace[^a1634] schuld growe and be grene · þurgh her good lyuynge
and folk schuld faren[^a1635][^208] · þat ben yn diuerse syknes
the bettre for her byddynges · yn body and yn soule
her prayers and her penaunces · to pees schulde brynge
alle þat ben at þe bate[^a1636] and bedemen were trewe
Petite & accipietis · & cetera ·

[^a1634: thanne grace (Hm) | Grace (All other mss)]

[^a1635: faren (Hm W) | fynde (Most other mss)]

[^a1636: þe bate (Hm) | debate (All other mss)]

[^208: Hm.15.428: It appears probable that hand2 originally agreed with all other B witnesses and then altered to β3's reading.]

¶ Salt saueþ þe catel · siggen thes wyues ·
Vos estis sal terre · & cetera ·

¶ The heuedys of holy cherche · and they holy were
cryst calleþ hem salt · for crystene sowlys
Et si sal euanuerit in quo salietur · & cetera

¶ Ac freisch flesch oþer fysch · whan yt salt fayleþ
yt is vnsauery forsoþe · y-sothyn[^209] or y-bake

[^209: Hm.15.439: The <h> in sothyn may be written over an erasure by the third scribal hand. It is also possible that he added an extra tick to the <y> at the same time.]

¶ so is mannys soule soþly · þat seeþ no gode ensaumple
of hem of holycherche · þat þe hie wey schulde teche
and be gyde and go byfore as a good baneour
and hardye hem þat byhynde ben · and ȝyue hem good euydence

¶ enleuene holy men · all þe worlde turnede
ynto lele byleue · the lyȝtloker me þynkeþ
schulde alle manere of men[^a1637] · we han to[^a1638] many maystrys
preestys and prechours · and a pope aboue
that goddys salt schuld be · to saue mannys soule ·

[^a1637: of men (Hm Cr2 M) | men (All other mss)]

[^a1638: to (Hm) | so (All other mss)]

¶ All was heþenes sumtyme · engelonde and wal ys
tyl gregory gart clerkys · to go hyder[^a1639] and preche
austyn at caunterbury · crystnyd þe kynge
and þurgh myracles þat[^a1640] men may rede · al þat march he turnyde
to cryste and to crystendom · and cros to honoure
and fullyd folk faste · and þe feyþ taugthe
more þurgh myracles · þan þurgh moche prechyng
as wel þurgh his werkes · as þurgh[^a1641] his holy wordys
and seyde hem what þe fullyng[^a1642] was · &[^a1643] feyþ was to mene

[^a1639: hyder (Hm) | here (All other mss)]

[^a1640: þat (Hm) | as (All other mss)]

[^a1641: þurgh (Hm M Cr) | with (All other mss)]

[^a1642: þe fullyng (Hm) | fullynge (All other mss)]

[^a1643: was · & (Hm) | and (All other mss)]

¶ Cloiþ þat comeþ fro þe weuynge · is nougth comely to were
tyl it be fullyd vndur fote · or yn fullynge stockes ·
waschen wel wyþ water · and wyþ taseles cracched
y-towked and y-teyntyd · and vnder taylours handes[^a1644]

[^a1644: handes (Hm R) | hande (All other mss)]

¶ and so it fareþ by a barn · þat born is of a[^a1645] wombe
tyl he[^a1646] be crystned yn crystes name. and confermyd of[^a1647] busschop
yt is heþen as to heuenward and helples to þe soule

[^a1645: of a (Hm M Cr W) | of (All other mss)]

[^a1646: he (Hm) | it (All other mss)]

[^a1647: of (Hm Cr2 Cr3 G) | of þe (All other mss)]

¶ Heþene is to mene after heþ · and vntylyed erþe
as yn wylde wyldernes · waxen wyld bestes
rude and vnresonable · rennyng wyþ-out cropers

¶ ȝe menyn wel how matheu seyþ · how aman a man made a feste
he fedde hem wyþ no venysoun · ne fesauntes y-bake
but wyþ foules þat fram hym nolde · but folwyd hym[^a1648] whistlynge
Ecce altilia mea & omnia parata sunt · & cetera
And wyþ calues flesch he fedde · the folk þat he louyde

[^a1648: hym (Hm) | his (All other mss)]

¶ þe calf bytokeneþ clennesse · yn hem that kepeþ lawes
for as þe cow þurgh kynde mylk · þe calf noryscheþ tyl an noxe
so loue and lewte · lele men susteyneth ·
and maydenys and mylde men · mercy desyryn ·

¶ rygth as þe cow calfe · coueyteþ swet mylke
so don ryghfull men · mercy and trewthe

¶ ac who-so[^a1649] beþ þat excuseþ hem · þat arn parsouns and preestys
þat heuedys of holycherche ben · þat han her wylle here
wyþ-outyn trauayle þe tyþe deel · þat trew men byswynkyn
þey woln be wroþ for y wryte þus · ac to wytnes y take
boþe matheu and mark · and memento domine dauid ·
what pope or prelat now parformeþ þat cryst higth ·
Ite in vnuuersum vn[i]uersum mundum · & predicate · & cetera

[^a1649: who-so (Hm Cr2 Cr3) | who (All other mss)]

¶ Alas þat men so longe · yn[^a1650] macameth schuld byleue
so many prelates to preche · as the pope makeþ
of nazareth of nynyue · of neptalym and damaske
þat þey ne wente as cryst wysseþ · syþþyn þey woln haue name ·
to ben pastours and preche · þe passyoun of ihesus[^210]
Bonus pastor animam suam ponit · & cetera ·

[^a1650: yn (Hm) | on (Most other mss)]

[^210: Hm.15.490: Hm alone omits the following line, here given in the spelling of L: And as hymself seyde so to lyue and deye.]

¶ And seyde it of[^a1651] saluacioun · of sarazenes and oþere ·
for crystene and vncrysten · cryst seyde to prechours
Ite vos in vineam meam & cetera

[^a1651: of (Hm) | in (Most other mss)]

¶ And seþþe þat þese sarrazenes · scrybes and iewes
han alippe a lippe of our byleue · þe lyȝtloker me þynkeþ
þey schuld turne who-so traueyled[^a1652] · to teche hem of þe trynyte
Querite & inuenietis · & cetera

[^a1652: traueyled (Hm Cr W) | trauaille wolde (Most other mss)]

¶ It is rewþ to rede · how ryȝtwyse men lyuede ·
how þei deffowlyd her fleysch · forsokyn her owen wylle
fer fro kyþ and fer[^a1653] fro kyn · euel ycloþyd ȝedyn
badly ybeddyd · no book but conscyence
ne no rycchesse but þe rode · to re ioyse hem ynne
Absit nobis gloriari nisi in cruce domini nostri · & cetera

[^a1653: and fer (Hm) | and (Most other mss)]

¶ And þo was plente and pes · among po re and ryche
Ac[^a1654] now is reuthe to rede how þe rede noble ·
Is reuerenced ar þe rode · receyuyd for þe worthiere [^211]
than crystes cros þat ouercam · deþ and dedly synne

[^a1654: Ac (Hm) | And (All other mss)]

[^211: Hm.15.506-507: Hand3 wrote these two verses on a single line, writing Hm.15.506 over an extended erasure, then writing Hm.15.507 immediately following it in the right margin.]

¶ And now is werre and woo · and who-so why aske
for coueytise after cros · þe corowne stant yn golde
boþe ryche and relygyous · þat rode they honoure
that yn grotes is grauyn[^a1655] · and yn gold nobles
for coueytise of þat cros · men of holycherche[^a1656]
schul turne as templeres dude · þe tyme approcheþ faste

[^a1655: grauyn (Hm Cr O C2) | ygraue (Most other mss)]

[^a1656: cherche (Hm B O C2) | kirke (All other mss)]

¶ Wete ȝe nougth ȝe wyse[^a1657] men · how þoo men honoured
more tresour than trewþe · y dar nougth telle þe soþe

[^a1657: ȝe wyse (Hm Cr W G) | wyse (All other mss)]

¶ Resoun and ryhtful doom · þe[^a1658] relygyous demyd
rygth so ȝe clerkes · for ȝour coueytise or longe
schal þey demen dos ecclesie · and ȝour pride depose
☜
Deposuit potentes de sede · & cetera ·

[^a1658: þe (Hm Cr W) | þo (Most other mss)]

¶ ȝif knyȝthod and kynde wytt · and comoun conscyence
togedres loue lely · leeueþ it well ȝe busschopes
þe lordschipe of londes · for euere schull ȝe lese ·
and lyuen as leuitici · as our lord ȝow techeþ ·
Per p rimicias[^a1659] decimas & cetera ·

[^a1659: p rimicias (Hm) | primicias & (All other mss)]

¶ whan constantyn of curtesye · holycherche do wede
wyþ londes and ledes · lordschipes and rentys
an aungel men herden · an hiȝe at rome cryȝe
dos ecclesie this day · haþ dronkyn[^a1660] venym ·

[^a1660: dronkyn (Hm C2) | ydronke (Most other mss)]

[^212] And þo þat han petres power · arn appoysonyd alle[^213]
a medecyn moot þerto · þat may amende prelates
thanne schuldyn they[^a1661] praye for þe pes · possessiouns[^a1662] hem letteþ
takeþ her landes ȝe lordes · and leteþ hem lyue by dymes

[^a1661: thanne schuldyn they (Hm) | Þat sholden (Most other mss)]

[^a1662: possessiouns (Hm) | possessioun (All other mss)]

[^212: Hm.15.530: Though the pale blue paraph marker visible on the images is an artefact of the photography, coming from the genuine marker on the preceding folio, 178v, it in fact coincides with an erased paraph marker on this leaf of which only a blue dot remains visible.]

[^213: Hm.5.530: A crude line drawing, perhaps of a quill, appears to the right of this line and above it a lightly scored X of uncertain origin and meaning.]

¶ ȝif possessioun be poysoun · and ynparfit[^214] hem makeþ
good were dyschargen[^a1663] hem · for holycherches sake
and purgyn hem of poysoun · or more peryl falle
ȝif preesthod were parfit · the peple schulde amende
þat contraryen crystes lawe · and crystendom dyspise ·
for alle paynymes prayeþ · and parfitly byleeueþ ·
yn þe holy grete god · and his grace þey axen ·
and makyn her mone to macameth · her message to schewe

[^a1663: dyschargen (Hm) | to dischargen (All other mss)]

[^214: Hm.15.534: Kane and Donaldson misread this word as vnparfit.]

¶[^215] Thus yn a feiþ l eueþ þat folk · and yn a fals mene
and þat is rewþe for rygthfull men · þat yn þe rewm wonyn ·
and a peryll to þe pope · and prelatys þat he makeþ
þat beryn busschops names · of bethlem and of babyloigne
that hippyn aboute yn yngelonde · to halwyn auters[^a1664]
and crepyn amonges curatours · confessen aȝen þe lawe
Nolite mittere falsem in messem alienam · & cetera

[^a1664: auters (Hm R F) | mennes auteres (All other mss)]

[^215: Hm.15.542: The parasign has been badly smudged.]

¶ Many man for crystes loue · was martyred yn romayne
er þan[^a1665] crystyndom was knowe þere · or eny cros honouryd

[^a1665: er þan (Hm O C2) | Er any (Some beta mss)]

¶ Euery busschop þat bereþ cros · by þat he is holdyn ·
þurgh his prouynce to passe · and to his peple schewyn hym ·
tellen hem and techen hem · on þe trynyte to byleeue
and feden hem wyþ gostly food · and gyuen þere it nedeþ
In domo mea non est panis neque vestimentum & ideo nolite constituere me regem · & cetera[^a1666]
Ozias seiþ for suche · that syke ben and feble ·
Inferte omnes decimas in h orreum meum vt cibus in domo mea & cetera

[^a1666: & cetera (Hm B Y) | nil (All other mss)]

¶ Ac we crystyn creatures · that on þe cros byleuyn
arn ferme as yn þe feyþ · god forbede[^a1667] ellys
and han clerkes to kepe vs þerynne · and hem þat schull come after

[^a1667: forbede (Hm G Cot) | forbode (All other mss)]

¶ And iewes lyuen yn lele lawe · our lord wrot it hym-sylue ·
yn ston for it stedefaste was · and stonde schulde euere ·
Dilige deum & proximum · is parfit iewyn lawe
and took it moyses to teche men · tyl messye come
and on þat lawe þey l euen ȝit · and letyn it þe beste
and ȝit knew þey cryst · þat crystendom taugthe
for a parfit prophete · þat muche peple sauyd ·
of selcowþe sores · they seyen it ofte
bothe of myracles and meruayles · and how he men festyde
wyþ two fysches and fyue loues · fyue þousand peple
and by þat mangery men mygth well se · þat messye he semed
and whan he lyft vp lazar · þat leyd was yn graue
and vnder ston deed and stank · wyþ styf voys hym callyd
Lazare veni foras · & cetera[^a1668] ·
Dude hym ryse and rome · rygth byfore þe iewys

[^a1668: & cetera (Hm Y B) | nil (All other mss)]

¶ Ac they seydyn and sworen · wyþ sorcery he wrougth
and studyeden to destruye[^a1669] hym · and struyeden hem-sylue ·
and þurgh his pacyence her power · to pure nougth he brougth
Pacientes vincunt · & cetera[^a1670] ·

[^a1669: destruye (Hm Cr) | stroye(n) (All other mss)]

[^a1670: & cetera (Hm C Y B) | nil (All other mss)]

¶ Danyel of her vndoynge dyuyned and seyde
Cum sanctus sanctorum veniat cessabit vnccio vestra · & cetera

¶ And ȝet wenyn tho wrecchis þat he were pseudo propheta
and þat his lore be lesynges · and lacken yt alle
and hopyn þat he be to comen · that schall hem releue
moyses eft or messye · here maystres ȝet dyuyneþ

¶ Ac pharyses and sarasyns · scrybes and iewes[^a1671]
arn folk of oo feyþ · the fader god they honouryn
and syþþen þat the sarasens · and also þe iewes
kunnen þe ferst clause of our byleeue · credo in deum patrem omnipotentem · & cetera[^a1672]
prelates of crystes[^a1673] prouynces schulde preue ȝif þey mygth ·
leren hem lytsom and lytsom[^a1674] · & in ihesum christum filium
tyl þey cowd speke and spelle · & in spiritum sanctum ·
and reden yt and recordyn yt · wyþ remissionem peccatorum ·
Carnis resurexionem & vitam eternam amen · & cetera[^a1675]

[^a1671: iewes (Hm W) | Grekis (All other mss)]

[^a1672: & cetera (Hm R) | nil (All other mss)]

[^a1673: crystes (Hm) | cristene (All other mss)]

[^a1674: lytsom and lytsom (Hm) | litlum & litlum (Most other mss)]

[^a1675: & cetera (Hm) | nil (All other mss)]

Passus ijus secundus · de do-bet ·

N Ow fayre falle ȝow quod y þoo · for ȝowr fayr schewyng
for haukyns loue þe actif man · euere y schal ȝow louye
ac ȝit y am yn a weer · what charyte is to mene
yt is a ful trye tree quod he · trewly to telle
mercy is þe moor þerof · þe myddell stok aboute[^a1676]
þe leuys be lele woordes · þe lawe of holy cherche
þe blosmys be buxum speches[^a1677] · and bennygne lokynge
pacyence hatte þe pure tree · and pure symple of herte
and so þurgh god and pure good[^a1678] men · groweþ þe fruyt of charyte[^a1679]

[^a1676: aboute (Hm) | is reuthe (Most other mss)]

[^a1677: speches (Hm F) | speche (All other mss)]

[^a1678: pure good (Hm) | good (Most other mss)]

[^a1679: of charyte (Hm F) | charite (All other mss)]

¶ I wolde trauayle quod y þis tre to see · twenty hundryd myle
and forto haue my fulle of þat fruyt · forsake al oþer sawle
lord quod y ȝif eny wygth w ete · where[^a1680] it groweþ ·

[^a1680: where (Hm F) | whider oute (Most other mss)]

¶ yt groweþ yn a gardyn quod he · þat god made hym-sylue
amyddys mannys body · þe moor is of þat tree[^a1681]
herte hatteþ[^a1682] þe herber · þat yt ynne groweþ
& liberum arbitrium · haþ þe lond to ferme
vnder peris þe ploughman · to pyken it and to weden[^a1683]

[^a1681: tree (Hm) | stokke (All other mss)]

[^a1682: hatteþ (Hm Bm) | hatte (Most other mss)]

[^a1683: weden (Hm) | weden it (All other mss)]

¶ Pe ers þe ploughman quod y þoo · and al for pure ioyȝe
þat y herd nempne his name · anon y swownyd after
and lay longe yn a loue-dreme · and at þe last me þouhte
þat p eers þe ploughman · al þe place me schewede
and bad me to tooten on þat[^a1684] tree · oon crop[^a1685] and oon roote ·
wyþ þre pyles was it vndur-pygth · y parceyued it sone

[^a1684: þat (Hm) | þe (All other mss)]

[^a1685: crop (Hm Cr1) | toppe (Most other mss)]

¶ Pe ers quod y · y prayȝe þe · why stonden þese pyle s here

¶ For wyndes wolt þu w eten[^a1686] quod he · to w yten it fro fallynge[^216]
Cum ceciderit iustus non collidetur  quia dominus supponit manum suam & cetera[^a1687]
that[^a1688] yn blowynge tyme byte[^a1689] þe floures · but ȝif þese pyles helpe

[^a1686: w eten (Hm) | wyte (All other mss)]

[^a1687: & cetera (Hm) | nil (All other mss)]

[^a1688: that (Hm) | And (Most other mss)]

[^a1689: byte (Hm C R) | abite (Most other mss)]

[^216: Hm.16.25-28: The first four lines are written in the same hand and script but in a slightly larger form than the remainder of the leaf.]

¶ þe world is a wycked wynd · to hem þat wyln trewþe
coueytyse comeþ of þat wynd · and cryeþ[^a1690] among the leues
and forfreteþ nyȝ þe fruyt · þurgh many fayre sygthtes
thanne wyþ þe ferste pyl y pulle hym doun · þat is potencia dei patris

[^a1690: cryeþ (Hm) | crepeth (Most other mss)]

¶ the flesch is a fel wynd yn[^a1691] flouryng tyme ·
thrugh lykyng and lustes · so lowde yt[^a1692] gynne þ to blowe[^a1693]
and þat[^a1694] it noryscheþ nyse syȝtes · and sumtyme woordes
and wyckyd werkes þerof · wormys of synne
and forbyteþ þe blosmes · rygth to þe bare leuys

[^a1691: yn (Hm) | and in (Most other mss)]

[^a1692: yt (Hm) | he (Most other mss)]

[^a1693: to blowe (Hm Cr C2) | blowe (All other mss)]

[^a1694: and þat (Hm) | Þat (All other mss)]

¶ Thanne sette y to þe secounde pyle · sapiencia dei patris
þat is þe passyoun & þe power · of our prynce ihesu ·
thrugh prayers & þurgh penaunces · & goddes passyoun yn mynde
y saue it tyl y see it r ypyn · and sumdel y-fruted ·
and þanne fondeþ þe fend · my fruyt to destruye
wyþ alle þe wyles þat he can · and waggeþ þe rote
and casteþ vp to þe crop · vnkynde neyhbours
bacbyteres breke þe[^a1695] cheste · braulers and chyderes
and leyþ a laddre þerto · of lesynges are þe ronges
and feccheþ a-wey my flowres bytyme[^a1696] · afore boþe myn eiȝen
ac lib erum arbitrum · letteþ hem[^a1697] sumtyme
þat[^a1698] lyeutenaunt to loken yt well · by leue of my sowle[^a1699]
videatis qui peccat in spiritum sanctum · numquam remittetur ei[^a1700] · & cetera hoc est idem qui peccat per lib erum arbitrium[^a1701]

[^a1695: breke þe (Hm Cr W) | breke (Most beta mss)]

[^a1696: bytyme (Hm) | sumtyme (Most other mss)]

[^a1697: hem (Hm Cr2 Cr3 R) | hym (All other mss)]

[^a1698: þat (Hm) | Þat is (Most other mss)]

[^a1699: my sowle (Hm) | my-selue (Most other mss)]

[^a1700: remittetur ei (Hm) | remittetur (All other mss)]

[^a1701: arbitrium (Hm) | arbitrium non repugnat (Most other mss)]

¶ Ac whan þe fend and þe flesch · forþ wyþ þe world
manasen byhynde me · my fruyt forto fecche ·
thanne lib erum arbitrium · laccheþ þe furste plante
and falleþ[^a1702] adoun þe pouke · purelyche þurgh grace
and helpe of þe holygost · and þus haue y þe maystrye

[^a1702: falleþ (Hm B) | palleth (Most other mss)]

¶ Now fayre falle ȝow perys quod y · so fayre ȝe descryuen
þe power of þese postes · and her propre myhtes[^a1703]
ac y haue þouhtes a þrowe[^a1704] · of þese þree pyles
yn what wode þey waxen · and where þat þey growyd
for alle are þey ylyche longe · noon lasse than oþere
and to my mynde as me þynkeþ · on o manere[^a1705] þey growyd
and of o gretnesse · and grene of greyn þey semen ·

[^a1703: myhtes (Hm W F) | myȝte (All other mss)]

[^a1704: þrowe (Hm F) | threve (Most other mss)]

[^a1705: manere (Hm) | more (All other mss)]

¶ That ys sooþ quod peris so it may byfalle
y schall telle þe as tyt · what þis tre hatteþ[^a1706]
the ground þere it groweþ goodnesse yt higthe
and y haue told þe what higth the tre · þe trynyte it meneþ ·

[^a1706: tre hatteþ (Hm) | tree hatte (All other mss)]

¶ And egerlyche he looked on me · and þerfore y spared ·
to askyn hym eny more þerof · and bad hym fulȝare[^a1707]
to descruye þe fruyt · that so fayre hangeþ ·

[^a1707: fulȝare (Hm) | ful fayre (All other mss)]

¶ Here now byneþe quod y[^a1708] thoo · ȝif y nede hadde
matrymoyne y may · neme amoyst a moyst fruyt wyþ-alle
þan contynence is ner þe crop · as kaylaway bastard
þan bereþ þe crop kynde fruyt · and clennest of alle
maydenhod aungels pere[^a1709] · and raþest woll be rype
and swete wyþ-out swellyng · sour worþ it neuere

[^a1708: y (Hm G) | he (All other mss)]

[^a1709: pere (Hm Cr) | peres (All other mss)]

¶ I prayed peris to pulle a-doun · an appull ȝif[^a1710] he wolde
and suffre me to assaye · what sauour yt hadde

[^a1710: ȝif (Hm Cr3 F) | and (All other mss)]

¶ And peris caste to þe crop · and þan comsyd it to crye
and waggyd wydewhod · and yt wepte after
and whan it meuyd matrymoyne · it made afoul a foul noyse
and[^a1711] y had rewþe whan perys rogged · yt gradde so rewfully
for euere as þey droppyd adoun · þe deuyl was redy
and gadred hem alle togydres · boþe grete and smale ·
adam and abraham · and ysaye the prophete
sampson and samuel · and seynt iohan þe baptyst
bar hem foorþ boldly · no-body hym lettyde
and made of holy men his horde · in limbo inferni
þere is derknesse and drede · and þe deuyl mayster

[^a1711: and (Hm W) | Þat (Most other mss)]

¶ And peris for pure tene · þat appull[^a1712] he lauȝte
he hitte after hym · happe how it mygthe
filius by þe fader wylle · and f renesse of spiritus sancti
to go robbe þat rageman · and reue þe fruyt from hym ·

[^a1712: appull (Hm Cr) | o pile (Most other mss)]

¶ and þan spack spiritus sanctus · yn gabryeles mowþe ·
to amaydyn a maydyn þat higth marye · am eke a m eke þyng wyþ-alle
þat oon ihesus a Iustyses sone · most ioukyn yn her chaumbre
tyl plenitudo temporis · fully comyn were
that peris fruyt flouryde · and fel to be rype
and þanne schuld ihesus iuste þerfore · by iugement of armes
wheþer schulde fonge þe fruyt · þe fend or hym-sylue

¶ The mayden myldelyche þoo · þe messager grauntyd
and seyde myldelyche[^a1713] to hym · loo me his handmayden ·
forto werchen his wylle · wyþ-owtyn eny synne
Ecce ancilla domini fiat michi secundum verbum tuum & cetera[^a1714]

[^a1713: myldelyche (Hm) | hendelich (Most other mss)]

[^a1714: secundum verbum tuum & cetera (Hm Bo) | & cetera (Most other mss)]

¶ And yn þe wombe of þat wenche · was he fourty wykes
tyl he wax a faunt þurgh her flesch · and of fyȝtyng cowde
to haue fouhtyn wyþ þe fend · er ful tyme come
and peris þe ploughman · parceyued plener tyme
and lered hym lechecrafte · his lyf forto saue ·
þat þowȝ he were wounded wyþ enemy[^a1715] · to warsche hym-sylue
and dude hym assaye his surgenrye · on hem þat syke were
tyl he was parfit practysour · ȝif eny peryl fulle
and sougth owt þe syke · and synful boþe
and salued syke and synful · boþe blynde and croked
and comyn wommen conuerted · and to good turned
Non est sanis opus medicus set in & cetera

[^a1715: enemy (Hm C B) | his enemye (All other mss)]

¶ Boþe meseles and mute · and yn þe menysoun blody
ofte he heled suche · he held it for no maystrye
saue þoo he leched lazar · that hadde leyn yn graue
quatriduanus quelt · quyk dude hym walke
ac as he made þe maystrye · mestus cepit esse
and wepte water wyþ his eiȝen · þere seyen it manye ·
summe þat þe syȝt seyȝen · seyden that tyme
þat he was leche of lyf · and lord of hiȝe heuene
iewes ianglyd þeraȝen · and iuged lawes
and seydyn he wrouht wyþ wycchecraft · & wyþ þe deuelys mygth
Demonium habes · & cetera ·

¶ Thanne are ȝe clerkes quod y · and ȝowr children boþe
and sathan ȝowr saueour · ȝowr-sylf now ȝe wytnessyn ·
for y sauyd[^a1716] ȝow seyþ cryst · and ȝowr sones after
Ȝowr bodyes ȝowr bestes · and blynd men holpe
and fedde ȝow wyþ two fysches · and wyþ fyue loouys
and lefte baskattes ful of broken mete · bere awey who-so wolde ·

[^a1716: sauyd (Hm) | haue saued (Most other mss)]

¶ and mysseyde þe iewes manlyche · and manased hem to bete
and knocked on hem wyþ acorde a corde · and kest adoun her stalles
that yn cherche chaffareden · or chaungeden any moneye ·
and seyde it yn sygth of hem alle · so þat alle herden ·
y schal ouerturne þys temple · and a-doun throwe
and yn þre dayes after · edyfye it newe ·
and makyn it also[^a1717] moche oþer more · yn alle maner poyntes
as euere it was and as wyde · wherfore y hote ȝow ·
of prayers and of parfitnesse · þys place þat ȝe callen ·
Domus mea domus oracionis vocabitur & cetera ·

[^a1717: also (Hm) | as (All other mss)]

¶ Enuye and euyl wyl · was yn the iewes ·
þey casten and contreuedyn · to kulle hym whan þey myghte ·
eche day after oþer · her tyme they awaytede
tyl it befell on a fryday · a lytel byfore pasch
þe þursday byfore · there he made his mawnde
syttyng at þe soper · he seyde these woordes
y am solde þurgh oon of ȝow · he schal þe tyme rewe
þat euere he his sauyour solde · for syluer or elles

¶ Iudas ianglyd þer-aȝen · ac ihesus hym tolde
yt was hym-sylf soþly · and seyde tu dicis

¶ Thanne went foorþ þat wycked man · and wyþ þe iewes mette
and told hem atokne a tokne · how to knowe ihesus
and whiche tokene to this day · to muchil[^a1718] is vsyd
þat is kyssyng and fayr contynaunce · and vnkynde wylle
and so was wyþ iudas tho · þat ihesus bytrayed ·
aue rabi quod þat rybaud · and rygth to hym he ȝede
and kessed hym to be cauȝt þerby · and kyllyd of þe iewes

[^a1718: muchil (Hm) | moche (Most other mss)]

¶ Thanne ihesus to iudas · and to þe iewys seyde
falsnesse y fynde · yn thy fayre speche ·
and gyle in thy glad chere · and galle ys yn þy lauhynge
thu schalt be myrrour · to many men to desceyue
ac þe wurste[^a1719] and þe wyckednesse · schall wurþe vp-on þy-sylue
Necesse est vt veniant scandala · ve homini illi per quem scandalum venit · & cetera[^a1720]

[^a1719: wurste (Hm) | wors (Most other mss)]

[^a1720: & cetera (Hm) | nil (All other mss)]

¶ Thowh y by tresoun be take · at ȝowr owen wylle
suffreþ myne apostles · in pays and in pees gange
vpon[^a1721] a thursday in thesternesse · thus was he taken
thrugh Iudas and iewes · ihesus was his name ·
that on þe fryday folwynge · formankyndes for mankyndes sake
iusted in ierusalem · a ioyȝe to vs alle
on cros vpon caluarye · cryst took þe batayle
aȝenst deeþ and þe deuyl · destruyed her boþers[^217] myhtes
deyed and deeþ fordede · and day of nyȝt made

[^a1721: vpon (Hm) | On (Most other mss)]

[^217: Hm.16.172: her boþers, "the both of them."]

¶ And y awakyd þerwyþ · and wypid myn eiȝen ·
and after peris þe plouhman · pryed and stared
estward and westward · y wayted after faste
and ȝede foorþ as an ydyot · yn contre to aspye
after peris þe ploughman · many a place y sougthe
and þanne mette y wyþ aman a man · amdylent a mydlent sonynday
als hore as an hawþorn · abraham[^a1722] he higthe
y frayned hym ferste · fro whennys he come
and of whennys he where · and whider þat he þouhte

[^a1722: abraham (Hm F) | and Abraham (All other mss)]

¶ I am feyþ quod þat freke · yt falleþ nougth to lyȝe
and of abrahames hous · an heraud of armes
y seke after a segge · that y say onys
a ful bold bachiler · y knew hym by his blasen ·

¶ What beriþ þat berne quod y þoo · so blysse þe bytyde

¶ Three leode[^a1723] in oo lyth · noon lenger þan oþer
of oo mochele and mygth · in mesure and yn lengþe
þat on doiþ alle doiþ · and eche doiþ by his one ·

[^a1723: leode (Hm) | leodes (All other mss)]

¶ The ferste · haþ mygth and mageste · maker of alle þynges ·
pater is his propre name · oo persone by hym-sylue

¶ The secounde of þat syre is · sooþfastnesse filius
wardeyn of þat wytt haþ · was euere wyþ-owt gynnyng

¶ The þrydde hatte þe holy gost · a persone by hym-sylue ·
þe lyȝt of al þat lygth[^a1724] haþ · on lond and on watre
confortour of creatures · of hym comeþ alle blysse

[^a1724: lygth (Hm) | lyf (All other mss)]

¶ So þree bylongyn for a lord · þat lordschipe cleymeþ
mygth and mene · to knowe his owen mygth
of hym and of his seruauntys[^a1725] · and what þey suffre boþe

[^a1725: seruauntys (Hm) | seruaunt (All other mss)]

¶ So god þat gynnynge had neuere · but þoo hym good þouhte
sent forþ his sone · as a[^a1726] seruaunt · that tyme
to ocupye hym here · tyl yssue were spronge
that is children of charyte · and holy cherche þe moder
patryarkes and prophetes · and apostles were þe childryn ·
and cryst and crystendom · and crysten holy cherche ·
yn menyng þat man moste · on god[^a1727] byleue ·
and þere hym lyked and louyd · yn þree personys hym schewed ·
and þat it may be so and soiþ · manhode it scheweþ
wedlok and wydewhod · wyþ virgynyte ynempnyd
in tokenyng of þe trynyte · was takyn owt of a man ·
adam our aldre fader · eue was of hym-sylue
and þe yssue þat þey hadde · yt was of hem boþe
for eyþer is oþers ioyȝe · yn þree sondry personys
and yn heuene and here · on synguler name
and þus is mankynde and manhed · of matrymoigne y-spronge
and bytokneþ þe trynyte · and trewe byleeue ·

[^a1726: a (Hm) | for (Most other mss)]

[^a1727: god (Hm) | o god (All other mss)]

¶ Myȝt is matrymoigne · that multiplyeþ þe erþe
and bytokeneþ trewly · telle ȝif y durste ·
hym þat ferst formede all · þe fader of heuene ·

¶ The sone ȝif y durst seyȝe · resembleþ wel þe wydewe
Deus[^a1728] deus meus vt quid dereliquisti me · & cetera[^a1729]

[^a1728: Deus (Hm) | Deus meus (All other mss)]

[^a1729: & cetera (Hm B C2) | nil (All other mss)]

¶ That ys creator wex creature · to knowe what was boþe ·
as wydewe wyþ-owt wedlok · was neuere ȝit y-seyȝen ·
nomore mygth god be man · but ȝif he amoder a moder[^a1730] hadde
so wydewe wyþ-owten wedlok · may nouȝt wel stande
ne matrymoigne wyþ-owten muliere[^218] · is nougth moche to preyse ·
Maladictus homo qui non reliqui t semen in israel · & cetera

[^a1730: he amoder a moder (Hm) | he moder (Most other mss)]

[^218: Hm.16.227: The scribe appears to take the word muliere to be Latin here, in view of his use of display script, but at line Hm.16.230, he treats it as English.]

¶ Thus yn þree persones · ys parfitlyche manhod
þat is man and his make · and muliere childryn
and is nougth but gendre yn[^a1731] generacyoun · byfore ihesu cryst yn heuene
so is þe fader foorþ-wyþ þe sone · and fre wyl of boþe
Spiritus procedens a patre & filio · & cetera ·
whiche is þe holy go st of alle · and al is but oo god ·

[^a1731: yn (Hm) | of (Most other mss)]

¶ Thus yn somer y hym seyȝe · as y sat yn my porche
y ros vp and reuerencyd hym · and rygth fayre hym grette
þree men yn[^a1732] my sygth · y made wel at ese
wesch her feet and wyped hem · and aftyrward þey etyn[^219]
ful trewe tokenes · bytwene vs ys · to telle whan me lykeþ

[^a1732: yn (Hm) | to (Most other mss)]

[^219: Hm.16.238: Hm alone omits the following line, given here in the spelling of L: Calues flesshe & cakebrede and knewe what I thouȝte.]

¶ Ferst he fonded me · ȝif y loued hym[^a1733] bettre
or[^a1734] ysaac myn heyr · þe whiche he higth me kulle
he wyste my wylle by hym · he woll it me[^a1735] allowe
y am ful syker yn soule þerof · and my sone boþe
y circum cised my sone · syþþen for his sake ·
my-sylf and my meyne · and alle þat male were
bleddyn blood for þat lordys loue · and hopen to bl esse þe tyme
myn affyaunce and my feyþ · is ferme yn this byleeue
for hym-sylf byhigth to me · and to myn yssue boþe
lond and lordschipe · and lyf wyþ-owtyn ende
to me and to myn yssue · more ȝit he me grawnted
mercy for our mysdedys · as many tyme as we askyn ·
Quam olim abrahe · promisisti & semini eius · & cetera[^a1736]

[^a1733: loued hym (Hm) | loued (All other mss)]

[^a1734: or (Hm) | Hym or (All other mss)]

[^a1735: it me (Hm) | me it (Most other mss)]

[^a1736: & cetera (Hm B Y) | nil (All other mss)]

¶ And seþþe he sent me to seyȝe · y schulde don sacryfice
and don hym wurschip wyþ breed · and wyþ wyn boþe
and callyd me þe foot of his feyþ · his folk forto saue
and deffendyd hem fro þe fend · folk þat on me leenyd[^220]

[^220: Hm.16.256: We have resolved the word as leenyd, but neither paleography nor context provides secure evidence that would exclude leeuyd.]

¶ þus haue y ben his heraud · here and yn helle
and conforted many acarful a carful · þat after his comyng wayten
and þus y seke hym he seyde · for y herd seyn late
of a barn þat baptysed hym · Iohan baptyst was his name
þat to patryarkes and to prophetes · and to oþer peple yn derknes
seyde that he seyȝe here · that schulde saue vs alle
Ecce agnus dei qui tollit peccata mundi[^221] & cetera[^a1737] ·

[^a1737: qui tollit peccata mundi & cetera (Hm) | & cetera (Most other mss)]

[^221: Hm.16.263: F reads ecce qui tollit peccata mundi.]

¶ I had wonder of his woordes · and of his wyde cloþes
for in his bosom he bar a þyng · þat he blessid euere
and y looked yn his lappe · a lazar lay þerynne
amonges patryarkes and prophetes · pleyenge to-gydres

¶ What waytest þu[^a1738] quod he · and what woldest þu haue
y wolde w ete quod y þoo · what is yn ȝowr lappe

[^a1738: waytest þu (Hm G C2) | awaytestow (Most other mss)]

¶ Loo quod he and le et me see · lord mercy y seyde
þis ys a present of moche prys · what prynce schal it haue

¶ It is a present preciouse[^a1739] quod he · ac þe powke it haþ attached
and me þerwyþ quod þat man · may no weed vs quyte
ne no b eerne be our borwȝ · ne brynge vs fro his dawnger
owt of þe powkes pynfold · no maynprys may vs fecche
tyl he come þat y carpe of · cryst is his name ·
that schal delyuere vs sum-day · out of þe deuels power
and bettre we d for vs legge · þan we ben alle wurþy
that is lyf for lyf · or euere to lygge þus stylle[^a1740] ·
lollynge yn my lappe · tyl suche a lord vs fecche

[^a1739: present preciouse (Hm) | preciouse present (All other mss)]

[^a1740: euere to lygge þus stylle (Hm) | ligge þus euere (All other mss)]

¶ Alas y seyde þat synne · so longe schal lette
þe myht of goddes mercy · þat mygth vs alle amende
y wepte for his woordys · wyþ þat sawȝ y an nother
rapely renne forþ · þe rygth wey he wente ·
y frayned hym ferst · fro whennys he come
and what he higth and whider he wolde · and wyhtly he tolde

Passus iijus tercius · de do-bet · [Hm.17.0: The erased words in the right margin are illegible, even under ultraviolet light, but they were probably guide words.]

I am spes quod he aspye a spye · and spere after a knygth
þat took me a maundement · vpon þe mount[^a1741] synay
to rewle alle rewmys wyþ · y bere þe wryt here
ys it asseled y seyde · may men see thy[^a1742] lettrys
Nay he seyde y seke hym · þat haþ þe seal to kepe
and þat is þe cros[^a1743] and crystendom · and cryst þeronne to honge ·
and whan it is asseled so · y wot wel þe soþe
that lucyferes lordschipe · laste schal no lengere

[^a1741: mount (Hm Cr B) | mount of (All other mss)]

[^a1742: thy (Hm Bx W) | þe (All other mss)]

[^a1743: þe cros (Hm F) | cros (All other mss)]

¶ Lat see þy lettres quod y · we mygth þe lawe knowe
thanne plucked he forþ a patent · a pece of an hard roche
where-on were wryte two woordes · on þys wyse y-glosed
Dilige deum & proximum tuum · & cetera

¶ This was þe text trewly · y took ful good ȝeme
the glose was gloryously wryten · wyþ a gylt penne
In hijs duobus mandatis · tota lex pendet & prophecia · & cetera[^a1744]

[^a1744: & cetera (Hm) | nil (All other mss)]

¶ Ben here in þese two alle þe[^a1745] lawes quod y · ȝe leeue me wel he seyde
and who-so wurcheþ after þys wrytt · y woll vndertakyn
schal neuer deuyl hym dere · ne deeþ yn sowle greue
for þowh y seye it my-sylf · y haue sauyd wyþ þys charme ·
of men and of wommen · many score thowsandys

[^a1745: in þese two alle þe (Hm) | alle þi lordes (All other mss)]

¶ Ȝhe seyn[^a1746] sooþ quod[^a1747] þys heraud · y haue founden it ofte
loo here yn my lappe · that leeuyd on that charme
Iosue and Iudyth · and Iudas machabeus
ȝhee and sixty thowsand by-syde forþ · that ben nouht seen here

[^a1746: Ȝhe seyn (Hm W) | He seith (Most other mss)]

[^a1747: quod (Hm) | seyde (Most other mss)]

¶ Ȝowr woordes ben wondurfull quod y þo · whiche of ȝow is trewest
and lelest to lyue[^a1748] so[^a1749] · for lyf and for sowle ·

[^a1748: lyue (Hm) | leue (Most other mss)]

[^a1749: so (Hm W) | on (All other mss)]

¶ abraham seyþ þat he sey · ho oly the trynyte
three persones yn parcelles · departable fram oþere ·
and alle þree but oo god · thus abraham me tauhte
and haþ sauyd that byleeuyd so · and sory for her synnys
he can nougth sygge the somme and somme arn yn his lappe
what neded it þanne · anewe a newe lawe to bygynne
syþþe þe ferste suffyseþ · to saluacyoun and to blysse

¶ and now comeþ spes and spekeþ · þat haþ a-spyed þe lawe
and telleþ nougth of þe trynyte · þat took hym his lettres
to byleeue and louye · yn oo lord all-myghty ·
and syþþe rygth as my-sylf · so louye alle peple

¶ The gome that goiþ wyþ a staf · he semeþ yn gretter hele ·
þan he þat goiþ wyþ two stauys · to syȝt of vs alle
and rygth so by þe rode · resoun me scheweþ
it is lyȝter to lewyd men · oo lessoun to knowe
than forto techen hem two · and to hard lerne[^a1750] þe leste
it is full hard for any man · on abraham to byleeue[^a1751]
and wel a-way wurse ȝit · forto loue a scherewe
it is lyȝter to byleeue · on[^a1752] þre louely persones
than forto louye and lene · as wel loselles[^a1753] as lele

[^a1750: lerne (Hm) | to lerne (All other mss)]

[^a1751: to byleeue (Hm G) | byleue (All other mss)]

[^a1752: byleeue · on (Hm) | leue in (All other mss)]

[^a1753: loselles (Hm) | lorelles (All other mss)]

¶ Go þy gate quod y to spes · so me god helpe
tho that lernyn þy lawe · wel lytel while vsyn it
and as we wentyn thus yn þe way · wordyng to-gydres
than say we a samarytan · syttyng on a mule
rydynge ful rapely · þe rygth wey þat we[^a1754] ȝedyn
comynge fro a contre · that men callyn[^a1755] ierico
to a iustys in ierusalem · and he[^a1756] chaced awey faste ·
id est christus
boþe þe heraud and hope · and he mette at onys
wher aman a man was wounded · and wyþ þeuys takyn
he mygth neyþer steppe ne stonde · ne stere foot ne hondys ·
Ne helpe hym-sylf soþly · for semyuyf he semyde
and as naked as anedle a nedle · and noon helpe about hym

[^a1754: þat we (Hm) | we (Most other mss)]

[^a1755: callyn (Hm C2 F) | called (Most other B mss)]

[^a1756: and he (Hm) | he (All other mss)]

¶ Feyþ had ferst sygth of hym · ac he fley on syde
and nolde nougth neyhen hym · by nyne londes lengþe

¶ hope cam hyppyng after · that hadde so bostyd
how he wyþ moyses maundement · hadde many men holpe
ac whan he had sygth of þat segge · a-syde he gan hym drawe
dredfully by þis day · as doke doiþ from þe fawcoun

¶ Ac so sone as[^a1757] þe samarytan · hadde sygth of þys lede
he lygth a-dounn of lyard · and ladde hym yn his hand
and to þe wye he wente · his woundys to byholde
and parceyued by his powse · he was yn peryl to dye
and but ȝif he hadde recouerer þe raþer · þat ryse schulde he neuere
wyþ wyn and wyþ oyle · his woundys he weisch[^a1758][^222] ·
enbawmyd hym and bond his heed · and in his lappe hym leyde ·
and ladde hym so foorþ on lyard · to lex christi a graunge
wel sixe myle or seuene · by-syde þe newe markat
herberwyd hym at an hostry · and to þe hostyler called
and seyde haue kepe þis man · tyl y com fro the iustus
and loo here syluer he seyde · for salue to his woundys
and he took hym two pans · to lyflode as yt were
and seyde what he spendeþ more · y make þe good her-after ·
for y may nougth lette quod þat leode · and lyard he bestrydeþ
and rapid hym to ierusalem-ward · þe rygth wey to ryde

[^a1757: as (Hm F) | so (Most other mss)]

[^a1758: weisch (Hm) | wasshed (All other mss)]

[^222: Hm.17.70: Hm alone has the strong preterite weisch against wasshed in all other B manuscripts.]

¶ Feyþ folwyd after faste · and fonded to mete hym ·
and spes specially[^a1759] hym · spedde · spede ȝyf he mygthe
and[^a1760] ouertakeþ hym and talkeþ to hym · er þey to towne keme

[^a1759: specially (Hm) | spaklich (Most other mss)]

[^a1760: and (Hm) | To (All other mss)]

¶ And whan y say þys y soiornyd nougth · but schoop me to renne
and sewyd þat samaritan · þat was so ful of pyte ·
and grauntyd hym to ben his groom · grauntmercy he seyde
and þy frend and þy felaw quod he · þu fyndest me at nede

¶ And y þonked hym tho · syþþe[^a1761] y hym tolde
how þat feyþ fleyh · away · and spes his felawhe boþe
for sygth of þe sorwhfull man · þat robbed was wyþ þeuys

[^a1761: syþþe (Hm) | and syþþe (All other mss)]

¶ Haue hem excusyd quod he · her helpe may lytyll auayle
may no medycyn on molde · þe man to hele brynge
neyþer feiþ ne fynhope fyn hope · so festred beþ his woundys
wyþ-owt þe blood of a barn · born of a mayde
and be he[^a1762] baþed yn þat blood · baptized as yt were
and þanne plastred wyþ penaunce · and passyoun of þat baby ·
he schuld stonde and steppe · ac stalworþ wurþ he neuere ·
tyyl he haue etyn al þe barn · and his blood drunkyn ·
for went neuere wy · yn this world · þurgh þat wyldernesse
þat he ne was robbed or ryfled · rode he þere or ȝede ·
saue feyþ and his felawe · spes and my-sylue
and þy-sylf now · and suche as sewyn our werkes

[^a1762: be he (Hm L W) | he be (Most other mss)]

¶ For owtlawes yn þe wode · and vndur banke lotyeþ
and mown eche man see · and good marke take
who is byhynde and who byfore · and who ben on hors
for he halt hym hardyer on hors · þan he þat is on fote
for he seyhe me þat am samarytan · & sewyn[^a1763] feiþ and his felawe
on my capul þat hatteþ[^a1764] caro · of mankynde y took yt ·
he was vnhardy þat harlot · and hydde hym · in inferno ·
and er þys day þre dayes · y dar vndurtakyn ·
þat he wurþ fettryd þat feloun · faste wyþ cheynes
and neuere eft greue gome · þat goiþ þulke[^a1765] gate

[^a1763: & sewyn (Hm) | suwen (Most other mss)]

[^a1764: hatteþ (Hm B) | highte (Most other mss)]

[^a1765: þulke (Hm) | þis ilke (Most other mss)]

¶ And þan schal feyþ be forester[^a1766] · and yn þys fryþ walke
and kennyn owt comoun men · þat knowyn noȝ noȝ[t][^a1767] þe contre
whiche is þe weye þat y went · and wherfore to ierusalem
and hope þe ostelers man schall be · þere þe man lyþ on helynge
and alle þat feble and feynt be · þat feiþ may nougth teche
hope schall lede hem foorþ wyþ loue as his lettre telleþ
and hostelle hem and hele · þurgh holy cherche byleue
tyl y haue salue for alle syke · and þanne schall y turne
and come aȝen by þys contre · and conforte alle syke
þat craueþ it or coueyteþ it · and cryeþ þer -after
for þe barn was born yn bethleem · þat wyþ his blood schal saue ·
alle þat lyuen yn feiþ · and folweþ his felawes techyng

[^a1766: forester (Hm) | forester here (All other mss)]

[^a1767: noȝ noȝ[t] (Hm) | nouȝte (Most other mss)]

¶ A swete sere seyde y tho · where schall y byleeue ·
as feyþ and his felawe · enformeden me boþe
yn þre personys departable · that perpetuel were euere
and alle þre but oo god · þus abraham me taugth
and hope aftyrward · he bad me to louye
oo god wyþ all my good · and alle my[^a1768] g omes after[^223]
louye hem lyke my-sylfe · ac our lord abouen alle

[^a1768: alle my (Hm G) | alle (All other mss)]

[^223: Hm.17.130: Some bits of the scraped text remain, but they are not legible. A partial tilde is legible over <m>, and illegible marks after <r> are just visible.]

¶ After abraham quod he · þat heraud of armys
sette fully[^a1769] þy feyþ · and ferme byleue ·
and as hope higth þee · y hote þat thu louye ·
thyn euyncrystyne · euermore euenfoorþ wyþ þy-sylue
and ȝif conscyence carpe þerageyne · or kynde wytte eyþer
or heretykes wyþ argumentys · thyn hond thu hem schewe ·
for god is after an hand · y-here now and know it

[^a1769: fully (Hm W) | faste (Most other mss)]

¶ The fader was first as a f ust · wyþ o fynger foldyngge
[...]
[^224] tyl hym lykede[^a1770] and lust to vnlose his fynger
and proferyn it forth as wiþ apawne a pawne paw[m]e[^a1771] · to what place it schulde ·

[^a1770: lykede (Hm) | loued (Most other mss)]

[^a1771: apawne a pawne paw[m]e (Hm) | a paume (All other mss)]

[^224: Hm.17.140-150: Ten lines have been erased and eleven written in their place by hand3 causing 41 lines on this folio.]

¶ The pawme is purly the hand · and proferyth forth þe fyngres ·
to mynystre and make[^a1772] that mytht of hand knowe
and betokeneth trewely telle it[^a1773] who-so it[^a1774] lykeþ ·
The holygost of heuene he is as a[^a1775] pawme ·
the fyngres þat fre been · to foolde and to serue
betoknyn sothly the sone · þat sent was to erthe ·
that touchyd and tastyd at techyng of the pawme ·
seynte marie a mayde · and mankynde laugthte ·
Qui conceptus est de spiritu sancto ex maria virgine[^a1776] ·

[^a1772: make (Hm) | to make (All other mss)]

[^a1773: telle it (Hm) | telle (All other mss)]

[^a1774: who-so it (Hm C Y B) | who-so (All other mss)]

[^a1775: a (Hm) | þe (All other mss)]

[^a1776: ex maria virgine (Hm) | & cetera (Most other mss) | natus & cetera (C G Y B)]

¶ The fader is þanne as a f ust · wyþ fynger to touche
Quia omnia traham ad me ipsum · & cetera

¶ Al that þe pawm parceyueþ · prophitable to fele

¶ Thus ar they alle but on · as it an hond were ·
and þree sondry syghtes · yn oo schewynge
the pawm for he putteþ foorþ · fyngrys & þe fuyst boþe ·
rygth so ful redyly[^a1777] · resoun it scheweþ ·
how he þat is holy goist · syre and sone preueþ
and as þe hand halt harde · and alle þyng faste
þurgh four fyngrys · & oo þombe · foorþ wyþ þe pawm
rygth so þe fader and þe sone · and seynt spyryt þe þrydde
halt all þe wyde world · wyþ-ynne hem three
boþe þe welkene and þe wynd · wat er and erþe
heuene and helle · and all that is þerynne
thus it nedeth no man · trowe noon other
þat þre þyngys bylongeþ · yn our lord of heuene ·
and ar sere ples by hem-sylf · assondry were þey neuere
nomore than myn hond may · me ue wyþ-owt fyngres

[^a1777: ful redyly (Hm) | redily (All other mss)]

¶ and as my fuyst is ful hand · y-holde[^a1778] to-gydres
so is þe fader a full god · formour and schapper
Tu fabricator omnium · & cetera

[^a1778: y-holde (Hm W) | yfolde (All other mss)]

¶ and al þe mygth myd hym · is yn makyng of þynges
þe fyngres formen a ful hand · to portrey or peynte ·
keruyng and compasyng · as craft of the fyngres

¶ Rygth so is þe sone · the scyence of þe fader ·
and ful god as is þe fader · no febler ne no bettre
the pawm is purelych þe hand · haþ power by hym-sylue ·
[...]
[^225] oþer -wyse þan the wrythen fust · or werkmanschipe of fyngres .
for he[^a1779] hath power to putte out alle þe ioyntes
and to vnfolde[^a1780] fust · at þe fyngres wille ·

[^a1779: he (Hm W) | þe paume (Most other mss)]

[^a1780: vnfolde (Hm) | vnfolde þe folden (All other mss)]

[^225: Hm.17.178-196: Hand 3 has erased sixteen lines, replacing them with eighteen, making 42 lines on this page.]

¶ So is þe holigost god · neyther grettere ne lasse
þan is þe syre and þe sone · and in þe same myght ·
and alle are thei but · o · god · as myn hand & my fyngres ·
vn-foldyn or foldyn my fust and my pawme ·
al is but on hand euyn in the myddes
he may receyue ryght naught · resun it schewith ·
for þe fyngres þat folde schulde and þe fust make ·
for peyne of þe pawme · power hem fayleth ·
to clucche or to clawe · to cluppe or to holde ·

¶ Were þe myddel of myn hand ymaymed or perisched ·
y schulde receyue ryght naugth · of þat y reche mygthte ·
ac þouȝ my thumbe & my fyngres · bothe were to-swolle[^a1781] ·
and þe myddel of myn hand · wiþ-oute maal-ese
in many kynne manerys y mygthte my-self helpe
boþe mooue and amende · thouȝ alle my fyngres ooke ·

[^a1781: to-swolle (Hm M R) | to-shullen (Most other mss)]

¶ By this sk yle me thynkeþ · y see an euydence
þat who-so synneþ yn seynt spiryt · assoyled wurþ he neuere
neyþer here ne elles-where · as y herde telle
Qui peccat in spiritu sancto · & cetera

¶ For he prikeþ god as yn þe pawm · þat peccat in spiritum sancto
for god the fader is as a fuyst · the sone is[^a1782] a fynger
þe holygost of heuene is · as it were a[^a1783] pawme ·
so who-so synnyþ in seynt spiryt · semeþ[^a1784] þat he greueþ
god þat he grypeþ wyþ · and wolde his grace quenche ·

[^a1782: is (Hm F) | is as (All other mss)]

[^a1783: a (Hm) | þe (Most other mss)]

[^a1784: semeþ (Hm) | it semeþ (All other mss)]

¶ And to a torche or a taper · þe trynyte is lyknyd
as wax and weyke[^a1785] · were twyned to-gydres
and þanne a fyer flawmynge · foorþ owt of boþe
and as wax and weyke · and hote fyer to-gydres
fostryn foorþ a flambe · and a fayr leye
so doiþ þe syre and þe sone · and also spiritus sanctus[^226]
þat alkyn crystyne · clenseþ of synnys

[^a1785: weyke (Hm F) | a weyke (Most other mss)]

[^226: Hm.17.210: Following this line, WHm omit a line found in most B manuscripts, given here in the spelling of L: Fostren forth amonges folke loue & bileue.]

¶ and as thu seest somtyme · sodeynly a torche
þe blase þerof y-blowyn owt · ȝit brenneþ þe weyke
wyþ-owtyn leye or lygth · þat þe macche brenneþ
so is þe holy goist god · and grace wyþ-owt mercy
to alle vnkynde creatures · þat coueyte to destruyȝe
lele loue oþer lyf · that our lorde schapte

¶ and as glowynge gledys · gladyeþ nougth þyse werkmen
þat werchyn and wakyn · yn wyntres nyhtes ·
as doiþ a kix or a candel · that caugth haþ fuyr and blaseþ
nomore doiþ syre ne sone · ne seynt spirit to-gydres
graunte no grace · ne forȝyuenesse of synnys ·
tyl the holygost gyn nyþ to glowe and to blase ·
so þat the holy gost · gloweþ but as a glede
tyl þat lele loue · lyȝe on hym · and blowe ·
and thanne flaumbeþ · he as fuyr on fader and on filius
and melteþ her mygth ynto mercy · as men may seen yn wynter ·
ysecheles in eueses · thrugh hete of þe sonne ·
melte in a mynute-while · to myste and to water

¶ So grace of þe holy gost · the gret mygth of the trynyte ·
melteþ to mercy · to mercyable and to othere[^a1786] ·

[^a1786: othere (Hm W) | non other (All other mss)]

¶ and as wax wyþ-owtyn moore · on a warm glede ·
wol brenne and blase · ben they togydre
and solacen hem þat mowe seen · þat syttyn yn derknesse
so woll þe fader forȝyue folke of mylde hertes
that reufully repenten · and restitucyoun make
yn as moche as þey mowe · amendyn and payen ·
and ȝif it suffyse nougth for a-seeþ[^227] · þat yn suche a wyl dyeþ
mercy for his mekenesse · woll maken good þe remenaunt

[^227: Hm.17.238: MED, s.v. asseth n.2, defines the word as "penance or atonment through deeds (as distinct from confession and remorse)."]

¶ and as the wyke and fyer · wol makyn a warm flaumbe
forto merthen men wyth · that yn myrk syttyn
so wol cryst of his curtasye · and men crye hym mercy
boþe forȝyue and forȝete · and ȝitte bydde for vs
to þe fader of heuene · forȝyuenesse to haue ·

¶ Ac smyt[^a1787] fyer at a flynt four hondryd wynter
but thu haue tonder[^a1788] to take it wyth · towe[^a1789] oþer[^a1790] broches
al þy labour is lost · and all thy long trauayle
for may no fier ne flaumbe[^a1791] make · and it fayle[^a1792] his kynde

[^a1787: smyt (Hm) | hew (Most other mss)]

[^a1788: tonder (Hm) | towe (Most other mss)]

[^a1789: towe (Hm) | tondre (All other mss)]

[^a1790: oþer (Hm) | or (All other mss)]

[^a1791: ne flaumbe (Hm) | flaumbe (All other mss)]

[^a1792: and it fayle (Hm) | faille it (All other mss)]

¶ So[^a1793] þe holygost god · and grace wyþ-owt mercy
to alle vnkynde creatures · cryst hym-sylf wytnesseþ
Amen amen[^a1794] dico vobis · nescio vos · & cetera ·

[^a1793: So (Hm) | So is (All other mss)]

[^a1794: Amen amen (Hm) | Amen (All other mss)]

¶ Be vnkynde to thyn euencrystyn · and al þat thu canst bydde ·
delen and do penaunce · day and nygth and othere[^a1795]
and purchasen all þe pardoun · of pampiloun and rome
and indulgences ynowe · and be ingratus to thy kynde
the holy gost hereþ þe nougth · ne helpe may the by resoun
for vnkyndenesse quencheþ hym · þat he can nougth schyne
ne brenne ne blase cleer · for blowynge of vnkyndenes
poul the apostle · preueth · whe yther y lye ·
Si linguis hominum loquar · & cetera

[^a1795: othere (Hm) | euere (All other mss)]

¶ Forþy beþ waar ȝe wyse men that wyþ the world deleþ
þat ryche ben and resoun knoweþ · rewleþ wel ȝowr sowle[^228] ·
beþ nougth vnkynde y counseyle ȝow · to ȝowr euencristene
for many of ȝow ȝe ryche[^a1796] men · by my sowle men telleþ
ȝe brenne but ȝe blase nougth · þat is a blynd bekene ·
Non omnis qui dicit domine domine intrabit · & cetera

[^a1796: ȝe ryche (Hm) | riche (All other mss)]

[^228: Hm.17.262: The final <-e> on sowle is the only appearance of the secretary form on this leaf. A scan of several folios at various points in the manuscript confirms its relative rarity. For comparison, see the same word just two lines down the leaf.]

¶ Diues dyed dampned · for his vnkyndenesse
of his mete and of his moneye · to men þat it neded ·
eche aryche a ryche y rede · reward at hym take
and gyue ȝowr good to þat god · þat grace of aryseþ
for þ ey þat ben vnkynde to h yse · hope y noon other ·
but þey dwelle þere diues is · dayes wyþ-owtyn ende

¶ thus is vnkyndenesse · þe contrarye þat quencheþ as it were
þe grace of þe holygoost goddys owen kynde
for þat kynde doiþ vnkynde fordoiþ · as þese cursyd theuys
vnkynde crystyn men · for coueytyse and envye ·
sleeþ aman a man for his moebles · wyþ mowþ or wyþ hondys
for þat þe holygoost haþ to kepe · þe harlottes destruyeþ
the whiche is lyf and loue · þe leye of mannys body

¶ for euery good[^a1797] man may · belyknyd be lyknyd to a torche ·
or elles ynto[^a1798] ataper a taper · to reuerence the trynyte
and who-so morþereþ a good man · me þynkeþ by myn ynwytt
he fordoiþ þe leuest lygth · þat our lord louyeþ

[^a1797: good (Hm F) | manere good (All other mss)]

[^a1798: ynto (Hm) | to (All other mss)]

¶ Ac ȝet yn many moo maneres · men offendyn þe holy gost
ac þis is þe wurste wyse · that eny wygth mygthe
synnyn aȝen seynt spuryt · assentyn to destruye
for coueytyse of enykyn þyng · þat cryst dere bougthe
þat wykkydlyche and wyldfullyche wyl[l]fullyche[^a1799] · wolde mercy anyentyce[^a1800]
Innocence is next god · and nygth and day cryeþ[^a1801]
vengeaunce vengeaunce foȝyue[^a1802] fo[r]ȝyue be it neuere ·
þat schent vs and schad our blood · forschapte vs as it were
vindica sanguinem iustorum · & cetera

[^a1799: wyldfullyche wyl[l]fullyche (Hm) | willefullich (All other mss)]

[^a1800: anyentyce (Hm G C2 Y B) | anynte (L M R)]

[^a1801: cryeþ (Hm) | it crieth (All other mss)]

[^a1802: foȝyue (Hm) | forȝiue (All other mss)]

¶ Thus vengeaunce · vengeaunce · verrey charyte askeþ
and seþþe holycherche · and charite · chargeþ þys sore[^a1803]
leeue y neuere that owr lord wyll loue · þat charyte lackeþ
ne haue pyte for any prayere · there that he pleyneþ

[^a1803: sore (Hm F) | so sore (All other mss)]

¶ y pose y hadde synnyd so · and schulde nougth dyȝe
and now am y[^a1804] sory þat y dude[^a1805] so · seynt[^a1806] spirit þus a-gylte[^a1807]
confesse me and crye his grace · god þat alle made ·
and myldelyche his mercy axe · mygth y nougth be sauyd 

[^a1804: am y (Hm M W) | am (Most other mss)]

[^a1805: y dude (Hm Cr2 Cr3) | I (Most other mss)]

[^a1806: seynt (Hm) | þe seint (All other mss)]

[^a1807: þus a-gylte (Hm) | agulte (All other mss)]

¶ Thus seyde þe samarytan · so wel thu mygth repente
þat ryȝtwysnesse þurgh repentaunce · to rewþe mygth turne
ac it is but seldom seyn · there soþnesse bereþ wytnesse
eny creature þat is cowpable · afore a kynges iustyse ·
be raunsomed for his repentaunce · þere al resoun hym dampneþ
for þat[^a1808] partye purseweþ · the peple is so huge ·
þat þe kynge may do no mercy · tyl boþe men accorde
and eyþer haue equyte · as holy wrytt telleþ
Numquam dimittitur peccatum · & cetera

[^a1808: þat (Hm) | þere þat (All other mss)]

¶ Thus fareþ it[^a1809] by suche folk · þat falsly all her lyues ·
euyl lyuen and letten nougth · tyl þe lyf[^a1810] hem forsakeþ
good hope that helpe schulde · to wanhope turneþ
nougth of þe nounpower of god · þat he ne is myhtful ·
to amende al þat amys is · and his mercy grettere ·
þan alle our wycked werkes · as holy wryt telleþ
Misericordia eius super omnia opera eius · & cetera

[^a1809: fareþ it (Hm) | it fareth (All other mss)]

[^a1810: þe lyf (Hm) | lyf (All other mss)]

¶ Ac ar his ryȝtwysnesse to rewþe turne · sum restitucioun bihoueþ
his sorowe is satisfaccioun · for hym þat may nougth paye ·

¶ Thre þynges þer ben · that don a man by strengþe
forto fleen his owen hous · as holy wrytt scheweþ
þat on is a wycked wyf · þat woll nougth be chastised
her feere flee þ from here · for fere of her tonge
and ȝif his hous be vnhelyed · and reyne on his bedde
he sekeþ and sekeþ · tyl he slepe ·[^229] dryȝe
and whan smoke and smolder · smyt yn his sygthe
yt doiþ hym wurse þan his wyf · or wete to slepe
for smoke and smother[^a1811] · smyt in his eiȝen ·
tyl he be blereiȝid or blynd · and horce yn þe þrote
cougheþ and rouȝtheþ[^a1812] · and byt[^a1813] cryst ȝyue hem sorowe
þat schuld brynge yn bettre wode · or blowe tyl it[^a1814] brenne[^a1815] ·

[^a1811: smother (Hm) | smolder (Most other mss)]

[^a1812: rouȝtheþ (Hm) | curseth (All other mss)]

[^a1813: and byt (Hm B) | þat (All other mss)]

[^a1814: tyl it (Hm G B) | it til it (All other mss)]

[^a1815: brenne (Hm Cr C2 B) | brende (All other mss)]

[^229: Hm.17.324: The raised point serves to separate two words written too close together.]

¶ these þree þat y telle of · ben thus to vnderstonde
the wyf is our wycked flesch · þat wol nougth be chastysed ·
for kynde cleueþ on hym euere · to contrarye þe sowle
and þowȝ it falle it fynt skylles · þe[^a1816] freelte it made
and þat is lyȝtly forȝyuen · and forȝetyn boþe ·
to man þat mercy askeþ · and amende þenkeþ

[^a1816: þe (Hm L) | þat (Most other mss)]

¶ The reyn þat reyneþ · there we reste schulde ·
ben syknesses and sorwes · þat we suffryn ofte ·
as poule the apostle · to the peple tauȝte ·
Virtus in infirmitate perficitur · & cetera

¶ And þowȝ þat m en make moche doel yn he r anger
and be impacyent in her penaunce · pure resoun knoweþ
þat þey han cause to contrarye · by kynde of her syknesse
and lyghtly owr lord · atte her lyues ende ·
haþ mercy on suche men · þat so euel may suffre ·

¶ Ac þe smoke and the smolder · þat smyt yn our eiȝen ·
þat is couetyse and vnkyndenesse · þat quencheþ goddys mercy ·
for vnkyndenesse is[^a1817] contrarye · of alkyn resoun ·
for þere nys neyþer[^a1818] syke ne sory · ne noon so moche wrecche ·
that he may[^a1819] louye and hym lyke · and lene of his herte ·
good wille and good woord · b oþe wyschen and wyllen ·
to alle[^a1820][^230] maner men mercy · and forȝiuenesse ·
and louye hem lyk hem-sylf · and his lyf amende ·
y may no lenger lette quod he · and lyard he prikede
and went aweye as wynd · and þerwyþ y awaked ·

[^a1817: is (Hm) | is þe (All other mss)]

[^a1818: nys neyþer (Hm) | nys (All other mss)]

[^a1819: may (Hm F) | ne may (All other mss)]

[^a1820: to alle (Hm) | Alle (Most other mss)]

[^230: Hm.17.352: F adds & to.]

Passus iiijus quartus · de do-bet · [Hm.18.0: The erased words in the right margin are illegible, even under untraviolet light, but they were probably guide words.]

W Elleward[^231] and wetschod · went y foorþ after
as areccheles a reccheles renk · that of no woo reccheth ·
and ȝede foorþ lyk a lorel · al my lyf-tyme ·
tyl y wex wery of þe worlde · and wylnyd efte to slepe
and lened me to a lenten · alonge a longe[^a1821][^232] tyme y slepte ·
and of crystes passioun and penaunce · þe peple þat of rauhte ·
y restyd[^a1822] me þere and rutte faste · tyl ramis palmarum
of gerlys and of gloria laus · gretly me dremed
and how osanna · by orgene · olde folk songen ·

[^a1821: alonge a longe (Hm) | and longe (All other mss)]

[^a1822: y restyd (Hm Bm F) | Rested (Bx)]

[^231: Hm.18.1: The <E> is mildly obscured, perhaps by overwriting. Only Hm among beta witnesses has the <e>, but wellowerd, a similar spelling, appears in F. See MED s.v., wol-ward.]

[^232: Hm.18.5: Hm alone reads a against and in all other B manuscripts. Though simple <a> is a possible form of "and," the scribe probably did not intend that.]

¶ On semblable to þe samaritan · and sumdel to peris ploughman ·
barfoot vpon[^a1823] an asse bakke · boteles cam prykye ·
wyþ-owtyn spores oþer spere · apertlyche[^a1824] he lokede ·
as[^a1825] þe kynde of a knyght · þat comeþ to be dubbyd
to geten hym gylt spores · or galoches y-cowpyd ·

[^a1823: vpon (Hm) | on (Most other mss)]

[^a1824: apertlyche (Hm) | spakliche (Most other mss)]

[^a1825: as (Hm) | as is (All other mss)]

¶ Thanne was feiþ yn a fenestre · and cryed a fili dauid ·
as doiþ an heraud of armes · whan auntres[^a1826][^233] comeþ to iustes
olde iewes of ierusalem · for ioyȝe they songyn ·
Benedictus qui venit · in nomine domini · & cetera

[^a1826: auntres (Hm) | aunturos (Most other mss)]

[^233: Hm.18.16: A scribe erased a suspension, perhaps for <ou> from above the <r>.]

¶ Thanne y frayned at feyþ · what al that fare by mente
and who schuld iuste in ierusalem · ihesus he seyde
and fecche þat þe fend cleymeþ · peris fruyt þe ploughman

¶ Is peris yn this place quod y · and he preynte on me
this ihesus of his gentrye · woll iuste yn peris armys ·
yn his helm and yn his ha bergeon · humana natura ·
þat cryst be nougth knowen here · for consummatus deus ·
yn peris paltok the ploughman · þis prykyer schall ryde
for no dynt schal hym dere · as in deitate patris

¶ Who schal iuste wyþ ihesus quod y · iewes or scrybes

¶ Nay quod he þe foule fend · and fals doom and deeþ
deeþ seiþ he schall fordo · and a-doun brynge
al þat lyueþ or lokeþ · yn lond or yn water
lyf seiþ þat he lyeþ · and leiþ his lyf to wedde
þat for all þat deeþ can doo · wyþ-ynne þre dayes
to walke and e[^234] to fecche fro the fend · peris fruyt þe ploughman
and legge it where[^a1827] hym lykeþ · and lucifer bynde
and forbete and doun brynge · bale and deeþ for euere
O mors ero mors tua · & cetera ·

[^a1827: where (Hm) | þere (All other mss)]

[^234: Hm.18.34: The alteration, possibly by hand3, is distinctly odd. The spelling ande appears nowhere else in the manuscript.]

¶ Thanne cam pilatus wyþ moche peple · sedens pro tribunali ·
to seen how douhtyliche · deeþ schuld do · and deme her boþeres[^235] rygth ·

[^235: Hm.18.39: her boþeres, "the both of them."]

¶ The iewes and þe iustyse · aȝenst ihesus[^a1828] þey were
and al þe court on hym cryed · crucifige ful scharply[^a1829] ·

[^a1828: ihesus (Hm C2) | Ihesu (All other mss)]

[^a1829: ful scharply (Hm) | sharpe (Most other mss)]

¶ tho putte hym foorþ a pilour · tofore[^a1830] pilat and seyde
þis ihesus of owr iewes temple · iapid and dyspysed
to fordon it on oo day · and yn three dayes after
edifie it efte newe · here he stant that seyde it
and ȝit makyn it also[^a1831] muche · yn alle maner poyntes
boþe as longe and as large · by lofte and by grounde ·

[^a1830: tofore (Hm) | bifor (Most other mss)]

[^a1831: also (Hm B) | as (All other mss)]

¶ crucifige quod a cacchepol · y warant hym a wycche
tolle tolle quod an noþer · and took of kene þornys
and bygan of kene þorn · a garlond to make
and sette it sore on his heed · and seyde in enuye

¶ Aue rabi quod þat rybaud · and þrew redys at hym ·
nayled hym wyþ þre nayles · nakyd on þe rode ·
and poysoun on a pole · they puttyn vp to his lyppes
and bedyn hym drynke his deeþ euyl · his dayes wer don
and ȝif that thu sotyl be · helpe thu[^a1832] þy-sylue ·
ȝif thu be cryst and kynges sone · come doun of þe rode ·
than schull we leeue that lyf þe loueþ · and wol nought lete þe deye

[^a1832: thu (Hm) | now (All other mss)]

¶ Consummatum est quod cryst · and comsid forto swowe
pytously and pale · and as[^a1833] a prisoun that deyeþ
the lord of lif and of lygth · tho leyde his eiȝen to-gydres
the day for drede wyþ-drowh · and derk bycam the sonne
the wal waggyd and cleef · and al þe world quaked[^a1834] ·
dede men for þat dene · comyn owt of her dede[^a1835] graues ·
and toldyn whi þat temple[^a1836] · so long tyme dured ·
for a bytter batayle · the dede bodyes seyden[^a1837] ·
lyf and deeþ yn þys derknesse · her oon fordoiþ her oþer ·
schal no wygth w ete wytterly · who schall haue þe maystrye ·
er sonenday abowte sonne rysynge and son ke wyþ þat tyl erþe
somme seydyn þat he was goddys sone · þat so fayre deyede
vere filius dei erat iste · & cetera ·

[^a1833: and as (Hm) | as (All other mss)]

[^a1834: quaked (Hm B F) | quaued (All other mss)]

[^a1835: her dede (Hm) | depe (Most other mss)]

[^a1836: temple (Hm) | tempest (All other mss)]

[^a1837: bodyes seyden (Hm B F) | bodye sayde (All other mss)]

¶ And summe seyden he was a wycche · good is that we assaye ·
w her he be deed or nougth · deed · doun er he be takyn ·

¶ Two thiefs also · tholyedyn · deeþ þat tyme ·
vppon[^a1838] croyses[^a1839] · biside[^a1840] · so was the comoun lawe ·
a cacchepol · cam foorþ · and crakyd boþe her leggys
and her armys after · of eyþer of tho two[^a1841] theuys
ac was no boy so bolde · goddys body to towche
for he was knygth and kynges sone · kynde forȝaf þat tyme
that non harlot were so hardy · to leyn hond vpon hym ·

[^a1838: vppon (Hm B F) | Vppon a (All other mss)]

[^a1839: croyses (Hm F) | crosse (All other mss)]

[^a1840: biside (Hm) | bisydes cryst (All other mss)]

[^a1841: tho two (Hm B) | þo (All other mss)]

¶ Ac þer com foorþ a knygth · wyþ a kene spere y-grounde
higth longeus as þe lettre telleþ · and longe hadde lorn his sygth
byfore pilat and oþer peple · yn the place he houede
magre his many teeþ · he was maad þat tyme ·
to take þat[^a1842] spere yn his hond · and iustyn wyþ ihesus
f or alle þey weren vnhardy · þat houedyn on hors or stood
to towchyn hym orto or to tastyn hym · or take doun of rode ·
but þis blynd bacheler þanne · bar hym þurgh þe herte ·
þe blood sprong doun by þe spere · & vnspered þe knyȝtes eiȝen ·

[^a1842: þat (Hm) | þe (Most other mss)]

¶ Than fel þe knyȝt vppon his knees · and cryed hym mercy ·
aȝen my wylle it was lord · to wounde ȝow so[^236] sore ·
full sore he[^a1843] syked and seyde · and fulsore ful sore me it[^a1844]
for þe dede that y haue don · y putte[^a1845] me yn ȝowr grace ·
haue on me rewþe ryȝtfull ihesu · and rygth wyþ that he wepte

[^a1843: full sore he (Hm) | he (Most other mss)]

[^a1844: and fulsore ful sore me it (Hm) | ful sore it me athyngkeþ (Most other mss)]

[^a1845: putte (Hm) | do (All other mss)]

[^236: Hm.18.91: The partially covered <s> of so is a defect of the photograph, caused by something on the lens or leaf. It is not in the manuscript.]

¶ Thanne gan feyþ felly · the false iewes dyspyse ·
callyd hem cayteuys · cursid[^a1846] for euere ·
for þys fowle vylonye · vengeaunce to ȝow falle ·
to do þe blynde bete hym ybounde · it was a boyes counseyl ·
foule cursyd[^a1847] kayteuys · knyȝthod was it neuere ·
to mysdon a deed body · by day or by nygthe ·
the gree ȝit hath he getyn · for all his grete wounde

[^a1846: cursid (Hm) | acursed (Most other mss)]

[^a1847: foule cursyd (Hm) | cursed (All other mss)]

¶ For champyoun[^a1848] chyualer · cheef knygth of ȝow alle
ȝelte hym recreaunt · renegat[^a1849] · rygth at ihesus wylle
for be þys derknesse y-do · his deth wurth a-venged ·
and ȝe lurdeynes arn[^a1850] lost · for lyf schall haue þe maystrye
and ȝowr fraunchise · þat fre was · fallen is yn thraldom ·
and ȝe cherles and alle[^a1851] ȝowr children · cheue schull ȝe neuere ·
to haue lordschipe yn londe · ne no lond tylye ·
but all bareyne schall ȝe be[^a1852] and by vsure[^a1853] ȝowr lyf lede[^a1854] ·
whiche is þe lyf[^a1855] þat owr lord · yn alle lawes a-cursyd[^a1856] ·
now ȝowr goode dayes ar don · as danyel prophecyed ·
whan cryst cam of her kyngdom · þe crowne schuld cese ·
Cum veniat sanctus sanctorum cessabit vnccio vestra · & cetera[^a1857]

[^a1848: champyoun (Hm) | ȝowre champioun (All other mss)]

[^a1849: renegat (Hm) | rennyng (Most other mss)]

[^a1850: arn (Hm) | han (All other mss)]

[^a1851: and alle (Hm) | and (All other mss)]

[^a1852: schall ȝe be (Hm) | be (All other mss)]

[^a1853: by vsure (Hm) | vsurye (Most other mss)]

[^a1854: ȝowr lyf lede (Hm) | vsen (Most other mss)]

[^a1855: þe lyf (Hm B) | lyf (All other mss)]

[^a1856: a-cursyd (Hm B) | acurseth (All other mss)]

[^a1857: & cetera (Hm) | nil (All other mss)]

¶ What for fere of þys ferly · and of þe false iewys
y drowȝ me yn that derknesse to descendit ad inferna
and þere y sawȝ soþly · secundum scripturas
owt of þe west coste · a wenche as me þouhte ·
com walkynge yn þe way · to helleward sche loked ·
mercy higth þat mayde · a meke þynge wyþ-alle ·
a full benyngne burde · and buxum of speche ·

¶ H er suster as it semyde · cam softly walkynge ·
euene owt of þe est · and westward sche lokede ·
a ful comely creature · trewþe sche higthe ·
for þe vertu þat her folweþ · aferd was sche neuere ·

¶ Whan þese maydens mette · mercy and trewþe ·
eyþer asked oþer · of this grete wonder
of þe dymme[^a1858] and of þe grete derknesse[^a1859] · and how þe day rowyd
and whiche a lygth and[^a1860] leme · lay before helle ·
y haue ferly of þys fare · forsoþe[^a1861] seyde trewþe ·
and am wendynge to w ete · what þis wondre meneþ
¶ Haue no meruayle · quod mercy · trewþe[^a1862] it bitokeneþ
a maydyn þat hatte marye · and moder wyþ-owt felynge ·
of eny kyn[^a1863] creature · conceyuyd thrugh speche ·
and grace of þe holy goste · wex gret wyþ childe ·
wyþ-owtyn wem ynto þys world · sche hym brouhte[^a1864] ·
and þat my tale be trewe · y take god to wytnesse ·

[^a1858: dymme (Hm) | dyne (All other mss)]

[^a1859: grete derknesse (Hm) | derknesse (Most other mss)]

[^a1860: and (Hm) | and a (All other mss)]

[^a1861: forsoþe (Hm) | in feith (All other mss)]

[^a1862: trewþe (Hm) | myrthe (Most other mss)]

[^a1863: kyn (Hm) | kynnes (Most other msd)]

[^a1864: hym brouhte (Hm) | brouȝt hym (Most other mss)]

¶ syþ þys barn was born · ben þrytty wynter passyd
whiche deyed and deeþ þolyede · þys day about mydday
and þat is cause of þys enclypse[^a1865] · þat closeþ now þe sonne ·
yn menynge that man schall · fro merknesse be[^237] drawe ·
þe whiche[^a1866] þys lygth and þis leme · schal lucifer ablende ·
for patriarkes and prophetes · han prechid herof ofte ·
þat man schal man saue · þurgh amaydens a maydens helpe ·
and þat ther was[^a1867] tynte þurgh tre · tre schall wynne[^a1868]
and þat deeþ doun brougth · deeþ schall releeue

[^a1865: enclypse (Hm) | clips (All other mss)]

[^a1866: whiche (Hm M Cr F) | while (All other mss)]

[^a1867: ther was (Hm) | was (All other mss)]

[^a1868: wynne (Hm) | it wynne (All other mss)]

[^237: Hm.18.140: The character overwritten with <b> must have been <h>, <y>, or <ȝ>, since its sublinear tail is still visible.]

¶ That thu tellest quod trewþe · it is but a tale of waltrot
for adam and eue · and abraham wyþ oþere ·
patriarkes and prophetes · þat in peyne lyggyn ·
leeue þu neuere þat ȝone lygth · hem a-lofte brynge
ne haue hem owt of helle · hold þy tonge mercy
yt is but a tryfull þat þu tellest · y treweþ wot þe soþe ·
for he þat[^a1869] is onys yn helle · owt comeþ he neuere
iob þe prophet patriark · repreueþ thi lawes[^a1870]
Quia in inferno nulla est redempcio · & cetera[^a1871]

[^a1869: he þat (Hm W F) | þat (All other mss)]

[^a1870: lawes (Hm) | sawes (All other mss)]

[^a1871: & cetera (Hm Bo Cot) | nil (All other mss)]

¶ Thanne mercy ful myldely · mowþyd þese woordes
þurgh experience quod sche · y hope þey schull be sauyd
for venym fordoiþ venym · and that y preue by resoun
for of alle venymes · fowlest is þe scorpyon
may no medycyn helpe · þe place þere he styngeþ
tyl he be deed and do þerto · þe euyl he destruyeþ
the ferste venymouste · þurgh venym of hym-sylue

¶ so schal þys deeþ fordo · y dar my lyf legge
al þat deeþ fordede[^a1872] ferst · thrugh þe deuyles entysynge
and rygth as þurgh gyle · man was bygyled
so schal grace þat bygan · make a good sleyȝte
Ars vt artem falleret · & cetera[^a1873] ·

[^a1872: fordede (Hm) | dyd (Most other mss)]

[^a1873: & cetera (Hm B G) | nil (All other mss)]

¶ Now suffre we seyde trewþe · y see as me þynkeþ
owt of þe nyppe of þe norþe · nougth ful fer hennys
ryȝtwysnesse com rennynge · reste we a[^a1874] while ·
for he[^238] wot more than we · he[^239] was er we boþe ·

[^a1874: a (Hm B) | þe (All other mss)]

[^238: Hm.18.170: He, "she."]

[^239: Hm.18.170: He, "she."]

¶ That is soþ seyde mercy · and y see here by sowþe ·
where pees comeþ pleyjnge · yn pacyence y-cloþyd ·
loue haþ coueytid hire longe · leeue y noon oþer
but he sent her sum lettre · what þis lygth bymeneþ
þat ouerhoueþ helle þus · sche vs schall telle

¶ Whan pees yn pacyence is cloþid[^a1875] · approchid ner hem two[^a1876]
ryȝtwisnesse her reuerencyd · by her ryche cloþynge
and prayed pees to tellen her · to what place sche wolde
and yn her gay garnamentes · whom sche grete þougthe ·

[^a1875: is cloþid (Hm) | yclothed (Most other mss)]

[^a1876: two (Hm) | tweyne (All other mss)]

¶ my wyll is to wende quod sche · and welcomyn hem alle ·
þat many day mygth y nougth see · for merknes of synne ·
adam and eue and oþer moo · þat weren yn[^a1877] helle
moyses and many moo · mercy schullen haue ·
and y schall daunce þerto · do thu soo suster
for ihesus iusted well · ioyȝe bygynneþ dawe ·
Ad vesperum demorabitur fletus & ad matutinum leticia · & cetera[^a1878] ·

[^a1877: þat weren yn (Hm) | yn (All other mss)]

[^a1878: & cetera (Hm Cot) | nil (All other mss)]

¶ Loue þat is my lemman · such lettres me sente
that mercy my suster and y · mankynde schuld saue ·
and þat god haþ forȝouyn · and grauntyd me pees and mercy
to be mannys maynpernour · for euermore after
loo here þe patent quod pees · in pace inidipsum in idipsum · & cetera[^a1879]
and þat þis dede schall endure[^a1880] · dormiam & requiescam ·

[^a1879: & cetera (Hm) | nil (All other mss)]

[^a1880: endure (Hm B) | dure (All other mss)]

¶ What rauest thu quod ryȝtwysnesse · or art þu[^a1881] rygth dronkyn ·
leeuest thu þat ȝonder lygth · vnlowke mygth helle ·
and saue mannys sowle · suster wene it neuere ·
ac atte[^a1882] þe bygynnynge god gaf · þe doom hym-sylue
that adam and eue · and alle þat hem sywyd ·
schulden deye dounrygth · and dwelle yn pyne after
ȝif þat they towchid a tree · and þe trees fruyt[^a1883] etyn ·

[^a1881: art þu (Hm F) | þow art (All other mss)]

[^a1882: ac atte (Hm) | At (Most other mss)]

[^a1883: trees fruyt (Hm) | fruite (All other mss)]

¶ adam aftyrward · aȝenst his deffence
freet of þat fruyt · and forsoke as yt were ·
the loue of owr lord · and his lore boþe
and folwyd that the fend taugth · and his felawes wylle
aȝenst resoun and ryȝtwysnesse recorde thus wyþ trewþe
þat her peyne be perpetuel · and no prayer hem helpe ·
forþy lat hem chewe as þey chose · and chide we nougth sustres
for it is boteles bale · þe bytt þat they byten[^a1884]

[^a1884: byten (Hm) | eten (All other mss)]

¶ And y schal preue quod pes · her peyne schall[^a1885] haue an hende ·
and fro wo[^a1886] ynto wele · mowyn wende at þe laste
for had þey wyst of no woo · wele hadde þey nougth knowe ·
for no wygth woot what wele is · þat neuere wo suffred ·
ne what is hoot hongor þat hadde neuere deffaute

[^a1885: schall (Hm) | mote (All other mss)]

[^a1886: fro wo (Hm) | wo (Most other mss)]

¶ ȝif no nygth ne were · no man as y leeue ·
schulde neuyre w ete wytterly · what day is to mene ·
schulde neuere rygth ryche · þat[^a1887] lyueþ in reste and yn ese[^a1888]
w ete what woo is · ne were þe deeþ of kynde

[^a1887: þat (Hm) | man þat (All other mss)]

[^a1888: yn ese (Hm) | ese (Most other mss)]

¶ So god þat bygan all · of his good wylle
bycam man of a mayde · mankynde to saue ·
and suffryd to be solde · to see þe sorowe of deyynge
þe whiche vnknytteþ all care · and comsynge ys of reste
for tyl modicum mette wyþ vs · y may it wel a-vowe
woot no wygth as y wene · what ynowȝ is[^a1889] to mene ·

[^a1889: ynowȝ is (Hm W) | is ynough (Most other mss)]

¶ Forþy god of his goodnesse · þe ferst gome adam ·
sette hym yn solace · and yn souereyn merþe
and syþþe he suffryd hem[^a1890] synne sorowe to fele
to w ete what wele was · kyndelyche to knowe it
and aftyr god aduenturyd hym-sylf · and took adamys kynde
to w ete what he haþ suffryd · yn þree sundry places
boþe in heuene and yn erþe · and now tyl helle he þynkeþ
to w ete what alle woo is · and what is[^a1891] alle ioyȝe ·

[^a1890: hem (Hm) | hym (All other mss)]

[^a1891: and what is (Hm W) | þat wote of (Most other mss)]

¶ It[^a1892] schal fare by þis folk · her folye and her synne
schal lere hem what langour is · and lysse wyþ-owtyn ende
woot no wyȝt what werre is · þere that pees regneþ
ne what is wytterly wele · tyl weylowey hym teche ·

[^a1892: It (Hm) | So it (All other mss)]

¶ Thanne was þere awygth a wygth · wyþ two brode eiȝen
book higth that beauper · a bold man of speche ·
by goddys body quod þys book · y woll bere wytnesse
þat þo this barn was ybore · ther blasyd a sterre ·
þat alle þe wyse of þe[^a1893] world · yn oo wytt accorded[^a1894]
þat such a barn was born · yn bethleem cytee ·
þat mannys sowle schuld saue · and synne destruye
and alle þe elymentys quod þe book · herof bereþ wytnesse
that he was god þat all wrougth · þe welkene ferst schewyd ·
tho that weren yn heuene · token stella cometa
and tendeden hire as a torche · to reuerence his byrþe
the lygth folwyd þe lord · ynto þe lowe erþe ·
that water wytnessyd þat he was god · for he went on it
peter þe apostle · perceyuyd his gate ·
and as he went on þe water · well he hym knew[^a1895] and seyde
Iube me ad te venire[^a1896] super aquas · & cetera[^a1897] ·

[^a1893: þe (Hm) | þis (All other mss)]

[^a1894: accorded (Hm) | acorden (Most other mss)]

[^a1895: he hym knew (HmBmBo) | hym knewe (Most other mss)]

[^a1896: ad te venire (Hm) | venire ad te (All other mss)]

[^a1897: & cetera (Hm) | nil (All other mss)]

¶ And loo how þe sonne gan lowke · hir lygth yn her-sylue
whan sche sawh hym suffre · þat sonne and se made ·
the erþe for heuynesse that he wolde suffre ·
quaked as quyk þyng · and all biquassht þe roche
loo helle ne mygth[^a1898] nougth · holde · but openyd þo god þolede ·
and lat owt symondys sone[^a1899] · to seen hym hange on rode ·
and now schall lucifer leue it · þowh hym loiþ þynke ·
for gigas þe gyaunt · wyþ a synne[^a1900] engyned
to breke and to bete a-doun · that ben aȝenst ihesus
and y book woll be brent · but ihesus ryse to lyue
yn alle myhtes of man and his moder gladye
and confortyn al his kyn · and owt of care brynge
and alle þe iewen ioyȝe · vnioynen and vnlowke ·
and but þey reuerencen his rode · and his resurexcioun
and byleue on anewe a newe lawe · ben lost lyif and sowle

[^a1898: ne mygth (Hm) | mygth (All other mss)]

[^a1899: sone (Hm W B) | sones (Most other mss)]

[^a1900: synne (Hm) | gynne (All other mss)]

¶ Suffre we seyde trewþe · y here and se boþe
how a spiryt spekeþ to helle · and byt vnsper the ȝatys
Attollite portas principes vestras[^a1901] · & cetera
a voys ful lowde[^a1902] yn that lygth · to lucifer cryeþ
princes of þe[^a1903] place · vnpynnyþ and vnlowkeþ
for here comeþ wyþ crowne · the[^a1904] kyng of[^a1905] glorye ·

[^a1901: portas principes vestras (Hm G) | portas (All other mss)]

[^a1902: ful lowde (Hm) | loude (All other mss)]

[^a1903: þe (Hm) | þis (All other mss)]

[^a1904: the (Hm F) | þat (All other mss)]

[^a1905: of (Hm) | is of (All other mss)]

¶ Than syked sathan · and seyde to hem alle
such a lygth aȝenst owr · leeue lazar it fette ·
care and combraunce · is comyn to vs alle ·
ȝif þis kyng come yn · mankynde woll he fecche
and lede it þere hym lykeþ · and lyȝtly me bynde
patriarkes and prophetys · han parled herof longe ·
þat such a lord and lygth[^a1906] · schulde lede hem alle hennys

[^a1906: lygth (Hm W C2) | a lyȝte (All other mss)]

¶ Lestneþ quod lucifer · for y this lord knowe
boþe þis lord and this lygth · is longe agon y knew it[^a1907]
may no deeþ hym dere · ne no deuelys queyntyse
ac[^a1908] where he woll is his wey · ac war hym of þe perill
ȝif he reue me my rygth · he robbeþ me by maystrye
for by rygth and by resoun · þe renkes that ben here ·
body and sowle be myne boþe good and ylle
for hym-sylf seyde · that syre ys of heuene ·
ȝif adam eet þe appul · alle schulde deye ·
and dwelle wyþ vs deueles · þys þretnyng he made ·
and he þat sooþnesse is · seyde these woordys
and seþþen y seysyd · seuene hundryd wynter ·
y leeue that lawe nyl nougth · lete hym þe leeste

[^a1907: it (Hm Cr) | hym (Most other mss)]

[^a1908: ac (Hm) | And (All other mss)]

¶ That is sooþ seyde sathan · but y me sore drede
for thu gete h em[^240] wyth gyle · and his gardyn breek
and yn semblaunce of a serpent. thu sat[^a1909] on þe appel tree ·
and eggedest hem to ete · eue by her-sylue ·
and toldest her a tale · of tresoun were þe woordys
and so thu haddest hem owt · and hider at þe laste ·
it is nougth graþely getyn · þere gyle is the rote ·
for god wol nougth be bigyled · quod gobelyn ne be iapyd ·
we haue no trewe tytle to hem · for þurgh tresoun were þey dampnyd

[^a1909: thu sat (Hm F) | sat (All other mss)]

[^240: Hm.18.293: The scribe's original hym is shared with CC2Bo. All other B witnesses have the plural.]

¶ certys y drede me quod þe deuyl · lest trewþe wol hem fecche ·
þys þrytty wynter as y wene · haþ he gon and prechid ·
y haue assaylyd hym wyþ synne · and sumtyme y-asked ·
wher he were god or goddes sone · he gaf me schort answere ·
and thus haþ he trollyd foorþ · þys two and þrytty wynter
and whan y say it was so · lepynge[^a1910] y wente ·
to warne pilatus wyf · what done man was ihesus
for iewes hatyden hym · and han don hym to deþe ·
y wold haue lengþed his lyf · for y leeuyd ȝif he deyede
þat his sowle nolde[^a1911] suffre · no synne yn his sygth ·
for þe body while it on bonys ȝede abowt was euere ·
to saue men fro synne · ȝif hem-sylf wolde

[^a1910: lepynge (Hm Cr1 W) | slepyng (Most other mss)]

[^a1911: nolde (Hm) | wolde (Most other mss)]

¶ and now y see where a sowle comeþ · hiderward seylynge
wyþ glorie and wyþ grete lygth · god it ys y wot well
y rede we flee quod he · faste alle hennys
for vs were bettre nougth be · þan byden his sygth ·

¶ For þy lesynges lucifer · lost is all our praye ·
furste þurgh þe we fellen · fro heuene so heyȝe ·
for we lyuyden þy lesynges · y-lorn we haue adam ·
and all owr lordschipe y leeue · on lond and on watre
Nunc princeps huius mundi eicietur · & cetera[^a1912]

[^a1912: & cetera (Hm) | nil (All other mss)]

¶ Efte þe lygth bad vnlowke · and lucifer answered
¶[^241] what lord art thu quod lucifer quis est iste
rex glorie · the lygth sone seyde ·
and lord of mygth and of mayn · and alle maner vertues
Dominus fortis & potens dominus virtutum ipse est rex glorie · & cetera[^a1913]

[^a1913: & potens dominus virtutum ipse est rex glorie · & cetera (Hm) | virtutum (Most other mss)]

[^241: Hm.18.323: The rubricator ignored a paraph marker.]

¶ Dukes of þis dym place · anon vndoiþ þes ȝatys
that cryst may come yn · þe kynges sone of heuene
Attollite portas principes vestras · & eleuamini porte eternales et introibit rex glorie · & cetera[^242]
& wiþ þat breeþ helle brak · wyþ belyals barrys
for eny wye or warde · wyde opned þe ȝatys ·

[^242: Hm.18.329: The verse from Psalms 23.7,9 appears only in Hm. Kane and Donaldson, 221, 224, reject the line as inauthentic.]

¶ patriarkes and prophetys · populus in tenebris
songyn seynt ionys songe · ecce agnus dei
lucyfer loke ne mygthe so lygth hym ablente
and þo þat our lord louede · ynto his lygth he laugth
and seyde to sathan · loo here my sowle to amendys
for alle synfull sowles · to saue tho þat ben wurþy
myne þey be and of me · y may þe bet hem cleyme
and þowh[^a1914] resoun recorde and rygth of my-sylfe
that ȝif he[^a1915] ete þe appel · alle schulde deye ·
y behigth hem nougth here helle for euere ·
for þe dede þat þey dude · thi disceyt it made ·
wyþ gyle thu hem gete · a-geyn alle resoun ·
for yn my pal eys paradys · yn persone of an addre
falsly thu fettest there · thyng þat y louede

[^a1914: and þowh (Hm W) | Al-þough (All other mss)]

[^a1915: he (Hm W) | þei (All other mss)]

¶ Thus ylyk a lusard · wyth a lady visage ·
þe efliche thu me robbedest · þe old lawe graunteþ
þat gylours be bygyled · and þat is good resoun
Dentem pro dente · & oculum pro oculo · & cetera[^a1916]

[^a1916: & cetera (Hm B) | nil (All other mss)]

¶ Ergo sowle schal sowle quyte · and synne to synne wende
and al þat man haþ mysdo · y man woll amende
membre for membre · by þe old lawe was amendys
and lyf for lyf also · and by that lawe y cleyme it
adam and alle his yssue · at my wylle her-after
& þat deþ in hem fordede · my deeþ schall releeue ·
and boþe quykene and quyte · þat queynt was þurgh synne
and þat grace gyle destroye · · ·[^243] good feiþ it askeþ

[^243: Hm.18.357: The three small mid-line dots are written over the erasure.]

¶ Soo leeue y nougth · quod lucifer[^a1917] · þat aȝen[^a1918] þe lawe y fecched[^a1919] hem ·
but by rygth and by resoun · y[^a1920] raumsome[^244] here my lyges
Non veni soluere legem sed adimplere · & cetera[^a1921]

[^a1917: quod lucifer (Hm) | lucifer (All other mss)]

[^a1918: þat aȝen (Hm B) | aȝeine (All other mss)]

[^a1919: fecched (Hm) | fecche (All other mss)]

[^a1920: resoun · y (Hm F) | resoun (All other mss)]

[^a1921: & cetera (Hm) | nil (All other mss)]

[^244: Hm.18.359: The form of raumsome here is derived from AN raumson. Cf. Hm.18.363.]

¶ Thu fettest myne yn my place · aȝenst[^a1922] alle resoun
falslyche and felonouslyche[^a1923] · good feiþ me it tauȝte ·
to recouere hem þurgh raunceoum · & by no resoun ellys
so þat þurgh gyle thu hem gete[^a1924] · þurgh grace þey ben[^a1925] wonne
thow lucyfer yn lyknesse · of a lyther addre ·
gotest by gyle · thoo that god louede ·

[^a1922: aȝenst (Hm B) | aȝeines (Most other mss)]

[^a1923: felonouslyche (Hm G) | felounelich (Most other mss)]

[^a1924: hem gete (Hm) | gete (All other mss)]

[^a1925: þey ben (Hm) | it is (All other mss)]

¶ And y in lyknesse of a lede · þat lord am of heuene
gracyously þy gyle haue quyt · goo gyle aȝen gyle
and as adam and alle · thrugh a tree deyedyn
adam and alle þurgh a tree · schull turne aȝen to lyue
and gyle is bygyled · and yn his gyle fallyn
Et cecidit in foueam quam fecit · & cetera[^a1926]

[^a1926: & cetera (Hm G) | nil (All other mss)]

¶ Now bygynneþ thy gyle · ageyn þe to turne
and my grace to growe · ay gretter and wyddere ·
the bytternesse þat thu hast browe · browk it þy-sylue ·
that art doctour of deeþ · drynk that thu madest

¶ For y þat am lord of lyf · loue is my drynke ·
and for þat drynke to-day · y deyed vpon erthe ·
y faugth so me thrusteþ ȝit · for mannys sole sake ·
may no drynke me moyste · ne my thurst slake ·
tyl þe vendage falle · yn the vale of Iosaphath
that y drynke rygth rype muste · resureccio mortuorum
and þanne schall y come as a kyng · crownyd wyþ aungels
and haue owt of helle · alle mennys sowlys

¶ Fendys and fendkyns · byfore me schull stande ·
and be at my byddynge · wherso-euere me lykeþ
& to be mercyable to man · þanne my kynde it askeþ
for we ben breþerne of blood · but nougth yn bapteme alle
but alle þat ben myn hole breþerne · yn blood & yn bapteme
schull nougth be dampnyd to þe deeþ þat is wyþ-owtyn ende
Tibi soli peccaui · & cetera

¶ It is nougth vsed yn erþe · to hangyn a feloun
ofter than onys · thowh he were a tretour
and ȝif þe kyng of þat kyngdom · come yn þat tyme
there þe feloun þolye schulde · deeþ or other Iuwyse
lawe wolde he ȝyue hym lyf · ȝif he loked on hym ·

¶ and y þat am kyng of kynges · schal come such a tyme
ther doom to þe deeþ · dampneþ alle wyckede ·
and ȝif lawe woll y loke on hem · it lyth yn my grace ·
wheþer þey deye or deye nougth · for þat þey dedyn ylle
be it eny thyng abougth · þe boldnesse of her synnes ·
y do mercy þurgh ryȝtwysnesse · and alle my woordys trewe
and þowh holy wryt woll þat y be wroke · of þoo[^a1927] þat dydyn ylle ·
Nullum malum impunitum & cetera

[^a1927: þoo (Hm) | hem (All other mss)]

¶ They schulle be clensyd clyerlyche · and waschyn of her synnys
yn my prysoun purgatory · tyl parce it hote ·
and my mercy schall · be schewyd · to many of my breþerne ·
for blood may suffre blood · boþe hongry and a-cale
ac blood may nougth see blood · blede but ȝif hym[^a1928] rewe
Audiui archana verba que non licet homini loqui · & cetera

[^a1928: ȝif hym (Hm Y) | hym (Most other mss)]

¶ Ac my ryȝtwysnesse and rygth · schull rewle all helle
and mercy all mankynde · byfore me yn heuene ·
for y were an vnkynde kyng · but y my kynde helpe ·
and namly at such an nede · þere nedes helpe byhoueþ
Non intres in iudicium cum seruo tuo · & cetera[^a1929]

[^a1929: & cetera (Hm B G) | nil (All other mss)]

¶ Thus by lawe quod our lord · lede y woll fro hennys
tho þat me louede · and leeuyd yn my comynge
and for þy lesyng lucifer · that thu leyh tyl eue
thu schalt abye it byttre · and bond hym wyþ a cheyne[^a1930]

[^a1930: a cheyne (Hm) | cheynes (All other mss)]

¶ Astrot and alle þe rowte · hidden hem yn hernys
they durstyn nougth loke on our lord · þe boldest of hem alle
but letyn hym lede forþ what hym lyked · & leue[^a1931] what hym lest

[^a1931: leue (Hm) | lete (Most other mss)]

¶ Many hundryd of aungels · harpedyn and songyn
Culpat caro purgat caro · regnat deus dei caro ·

¶ Thanne pypyd pees · of poysye an note
Clarior est solito post maxima nebula phebus · post inimicicias · & cetera[^a1932] ·

[^a1932: & cetera (Hm L M) | clarior est et amor (Most other mss)]

¶ After scharp schowres quod pes · most schene is þe sonne ·
ys no weder warmer · that[^a1933] after watry clowdys
ne no loue leuer · ne leeuer frendys
than after werre and woo · whan loue and pees ben maystrys
was neuer werre in this world · ne wyckednesse so kene
þat ne loue and hym lust · to lauȝthyng it[^a1934] brouȝte
and pees þurgh pacience · [...] alle perill stoppede[^245]

[^a1933: that (Hm) | þan (All other mss)]

[^a1934: it (Hm) | ne (Most other mss)]

[^245: Hm.18.433: Kane and Donaldson claim erroneously that <de> is written over an erasure.]

¶ Trewes quod trewþe · thu tellest vs sooþ by ihesus
clyppe we yn couenaunt · and eche of vs kysse oþere ·
and lete no peple quod pees · parceyue þat we chide ·
for ynpossible is no thyng · to hym that is al-myghty

¶ Thu seyst soiþ quod ryȝtwysnesse · and reuerentlych her kyst
pees and pees here · per secula seculorum ·
Misericordia & veritas · obiuauerunt sibi iusticia & pax osculate sunt · & cetera

¶ Trewþe tromped tho · & song te deum laudamus
and thanne luted[^a1935] · yn a lowd note ·
Ecce quam bonum & quam iocundum habitare fratres in vnum[^a1936] · & cetera

[^a1935: luted (Hm W) | luted loue (All other mss)]

[^a1936: iocundum habitare fratres in vnum (Hm Cot) | iocundum (All other mss)]

¶ Tyl þe day dawyd · these damysels daunside
þat men rongyn to þe resureccioun · & rygth wyþ þat y wakyd
and callyd kytte my wyf · and kal ot my doughter
aryseþ and reuerenceþ · goddys resureccioun ·
and crepeþ to þe cros on knees · and kysseþ it for a Iuwel ·
for goddes blessid body it bar · for owr bote
and it affereþ þe fend · for such is þe mygth
may no grysly goist · glyde ther it schawyþ[^a1937] ·

[^a1937: schawyþ (Hm) | shadweth (Most other mss)]

Passus vus quintus · & vltimus de do-bet · Hic incipit passus Ius primus · de do-best ·

T hus y awakyd and wrot · what y had dremyd
and dygth me derely · and dide me to cherche
to here hol y[^246] þe masse · and to be houslyd after
yn myddys of þe masse · whan[^a1938] men ȝeode to offrynge ·
I fel eftsonys a-slepe · and sodeynly me mette
that peris þe ploughman · was peyntyd all blody
and com in with a cros · byfore þe comyn peple ·
and rygth lyk yn alle lymys · to our lord ihesu ·

[^a1938: whan (Hm) | þo (Most other mss)]

[^246: Hm.19.3: F alone reads holyly in this line. The erasure here is almost complete, and we can only speculate that might have been the original reading for Hm.]

¶ and þan callyd y conscyence · to kenne me the soþe ·
ys þis ihesus þe Iuster quod y · þat iewys dudyn to deþe
or it is peris the ploughman · who peynted hym so reed

¶ Quod conscyence and kneled tho · these are peris armys
his coloures and his cote armure · ac he þat comeþ so bloody
is cryst wyþ his cros · conquerour of crystene

¶ Whi calle ȝe hym cryst quod y · syþþe iewes called hym ihesus
patriarkes and prophetys · prophecyedyn byfore
that alkyn creatures · schull[^a1939] knele and bowe
anoon as men nempnyd · þe name of god ihesus
ergo is no name · to þe name tof of[^a1940] ihesus
ne noon so nedfull to nempne · by nygth ne by daye ·
for alle derke deueles · arn a-drad to heren it
and synfull ar solaced · and sauyd by þat name ·
and ȝe callen hym cryst · for what cause telleþ me ·
ys cryst more of mygth · and more wurþy name ·
than ihesu or ihesus · that all owr ioyȝe com of fe 

[^a1939: schull (Hm) | shulden (All other mss)]

[^a1940: tof of (Hm) | of (Most other mss)]

¶ Thu knowest well quod conscyence · and thu konne resoun ·
þat knygth kyng conquerour · may be oo persone
to be callyd a knygth is fayr · for men schulde[^a1941] knele to hym
to be callyd a kynge · is fayrer · for he may knyghtes make ·
ac to be a conquerour[^a1942] clepyd[^a1943] · þat comeþ of special grace ·
and of hardynesse of herte · and of hendynesse
to maken lordes and ladyes[^a1944] · of lond that he wynneþ
and free men fowle þralles · that folwyn nougth his lawes

[^a1941: schulde (Hm) | shal (All other mss)]

[^a1942: a conquerour (Hm) | conquerour (All other mss)]

[^a1943: clepyd (Hm) | called (All other mss)]

[^a1944: and ladyes (Hm G F) | of laddes (Most other mss)]

¶ The iewes that were gentyl men · ihesus þey dyspised ·
boþe his lore and his lawe · now are þey lowe cherlys
as wyde as this world is · wonyeþ þer noon ·
but vnder tribute or tayllage · as tykes and cherles
and þo þat bycome crystene · þurgh fullynge þat þey tooke[^a1945][^247]
a re[^a1946][^248] gentyl men wyþ ihesu · for ihesus was y-fullyd
and vppon caluarye o n a cros[^a1947] · y-crownyd kyng of iewes

[^a1945: þurgh fullynge þat þey tooke (Hm) | by conseille of þe baptiste Aren frankeleynes fre men · þorw fullyng þat þei toke (All other mss)]

[^a1946: a re (Hm) | And (All other mss)]

[^a1947: a cros (Hm) | cros (Most other mss)]

[^247: Hm.19.38: Hm uniquely combines the a-verse of 19.38 with what in other manuscripts is the b-verse of the following line, thus omitting by conseille of þe baptiste / Aren frankeleynes fre men, found in all other B manuscripts and given here in the spelling of L.]

[^248: Hm.19.39: Hm's unique reading are supplies a transition to compensate for a verb lost in the omitted half lines.]

¶ It bycomeþ to a kyng · to kepe and deffende
and conquerour of conquest · hi s lawes and his large
and so dude ihesus þe iew ys · he iustyfied and taugth hem
the lawe of lyf · that laste schall euere ·
and deffendyd hem fro[^a1948] fowle euelys · feuers and flixes
and fro fendes that yn hem were · and fals byleeue ·
tho was he ihesus called · of iewys[^a1949] · gentyl propheet
and kyng of her kyngdom · and corowne bar of þornys

[^a1948: hem fro (Hm O) | fro (Most other mss)]

[^a1949: called · of iewys (Hm) | of iewes called (All other mss)]

¶ And þoo conqueryd he on cros · as conquerour noble ·
mygth no deþ hym fordo · ne a-doun brynge ·
that he ne ros and regnyd · and rauasched helle
and tho was he conquerour called · of queke and of dede
for he ȝaf adam and eue · and othere mo blysse
þat longe haddyn leyn byfore · as lucifer-is[^249] cherlys[^250]

[^249: Hm.19.54: For the his-genitive, see Tauno F. Mustanoja, A Middle English Syntax, Part I: Parts of Speech (Helsinki, 1960), 159-162. See also Hm.9.12.]

[^250: Hm.19.54-73: A crude line drawing of a flower in pale brown ink appears in the right margin.]

¶ And syþþe he ȝaf · largely · alle his lele lyges
places yn paradys · at her partyng hennys
he may well be called conquerour · and þat is cryst to mene

¶ Ac the cause that he comeþ thus · wyþ cros of passyoun ·
is to wyssen vs þerwyþ · þat whan þat we be tempted ·
þerwyþ to fygthe · and to[^a1950] deffende vs · fro fallyng ynto synne ·
and see by his sorowe · þat who-so loueþ ioyȝe ·
to penaunce and to pouerte · he must putte hym-sylue
and muche woo yn þys world · wyllyn and suffryn ·

[^a1950: and to (Hm) | and (Most other mss)]

¶ Ac to carpe more of cryst · and how he com to þat name
feyþly forto speke · his ferst name was ihesus
tho he was born yn bethleem · as þe book telleþ
and cam to take mankynde · kynges and aungels
reuerencyd hym fayre · wyth rycchesse of erþe ·
aungels owt of heuene come · knelynge and songyn ·
Gloria in excelsis deo  Et in terra pax hominibus ·[^a1951] & cetera

[^a1951: deo  Et in terra pax hominibus · (Hm) | deo (Most other mss)]

¶ kynges comyn after · kneled and offred ·
myrre and moche gold · wyþ-owtyn mercy askyng
or eny kynnys katel · but knowlechyng hym souereyn
boþe of lond[^a1952] sonne and see · and syþnes they wente ·
ynto her kyngene kyth · by counseyl of aungels
and there was þat word fulfuld · the whiche þu of speke
Omnia celestia &[^a1953] terrestria · flectantur in hoc nomine ihesu · & cetera[^a1954]

[^a1952: lond (Hm Cr1 W) | sonde (Most other mss)]

[^a1953: celestia & (Hm) | celestia (All other mss)]

[^a1954: & cetera (Hm) | nil (All other mss)]

¶ For alle þe aungels of heuene · at his byrþe kneled ·
and al þe wytt of þe world · was yn þoo þre kynges
resoun and ryȝtwysnesse · and reuthe þey offryd
wherfore and whi · wyse men that tyme ·
maystres and lettred men · magi hem called

¶ That oo kyng cam wyþ resoun · keuered vndyr sence

¶ The secounde[^a1955] syþen · soiþlyche offred
ryȝtwysnesse vnder rede gold · resounes felawe ·
gold is lyknyd to leaute · that laste schal euere
and resoun to ryche gold · to rygth and to trewþe ·

[^a1955: secounde (Hm) | secounde kynge (All other mss)]

¶ The þrydde kyng tho cam · knelynge to ihesu
and presentyd hym wyþ pyte · apperynge by myrre ·
for myrre is mercy to mene · and mylde speche of tonge ·
Three ylyche honest þynges · were offryd þus at ones
thrugh þree kynne kynges · knelynge to ihesu ·

¶ Ac for alle þese preciouse presentys · our lord prynce ihesus
was neyþer kyng ne conquerour · tyl he gan to wexe
yn þe maner of a man · and þat by mochel sleyȝte
as it bycomeþ a conquerour · to conne many sleyȝtes
and many wyles and wytt · that woll ben a ledere ·
and so dude ihesu in his dayes · who-so hadde tyme to telle it
sumtyme he suffred · and sumtyme he hidde hym ·
and sumtyme he fauht faste · and fle dde oþerwhile
and sumtyme he gaf good · and grauntyd hele boþe
lyf and lyme as hym luste · so he[^a1956] wrougth
as kynde is of a conquerour · so comsed ihesus[^a1957][^251]
tyll he hadde alle hem · that he fore bledde ·

[^a1956: so he (Hm) | he (All other mss)]

[^a1957: ihesus (Hm) | ihesu (All other mss)]

[^251: Hm.19.103: The <s> of the abbreviation is written over an erasure. All other B manuscripts have ihesu.]

¶ In his innocence this ihesus · at iewene feste
water ynto wyn turnyd · as ho oly wrytt telleþ
and þere bygan god of his grace · to dowel
for wyn is lyknyd to lawe and lyf of holynesse
and lawe lacked tho · for men louyde nat here enemyes ·
and cryst counseyleþ thus · and comaundeþ boþe ·
to[^a1958] lered and to lewyd · to loue her[^a1959] enemys
so at þat feste ferst · as y bifore tolde ·
bygan god of his grace · and goodnesse to dowel ·
and þanne was he clepid and called · nougth holy cryst but ihesu
a faunt fyn full of wytt · filius marie
for bifore his moder marye · made he þat wond ur ·
that sche ferst and formest · ferme schulde byleeue
that he þurgh grace was gete · and of no gome elles
he wrouht þat by no wytt · but þurgh woord one
aftyr þe kynde[^a1960] he cam of · þere comsid he dowel

[^a1958: to (Hm W F) | Bothe to (Most other mss)]

[^a1959: her (Hm) | owre (All other mss)]

[^a1960: kynde (Hm) | kynde þat (Most other mss)]

¶ And whan he woxen was[^a1961] more · yn his modres absent[^a1962]
he made lame men[^a1963] to lepe · and ȝaf lygth to blynde
and fedde wyþ two fisches · and wyþ fyue loues ·
sore anhun gryd[^a1964] folke · moo þan fyue thowsand
þus he conforted carfull · and caugth a gretter name
the whiche was dobet · where that he wente
for de ue[^252] þurgh his doynges to here · & dombe speke he made
and alle he heled and halp · þat hym of grace asked
and þoo was he called yn contre · of þe comen peple
for þe dedys þat he dude · fili dauid [Ihesus][^a1965][^253]
for dauid was douȝtyest of dedys · yn his tyme
the buyrdes t ho songyn · Saul interfecit mille · Et dauid decem milia
forþy þe contre þer ihesu cam · callyd hym fili dauid
and nempnyd hym of nazareþ · and no man so wurþy
to be cayser or kyng · of þe kyngdom of iuda
ne ouer þe iewes[^a1966] iustyse · a s ihesus was hem þougthe

[^a1961: woxen was (Hm W) | was woxen (All other mss)]

[^a1962: absent (Hm Y) | absence (Most other mss)]

[^a1963: lame men (Hm B) | lame (All other mss)]

[^a1964: anhun gryd (Hm Cot) | afyngred (Most other mss)]

[^a1965: [Ihesus] (Hm) | Ihesus (All other mss)]

[^a1966: þe iewes (Hm) | iewes (All other mss)]

[^252: Hm.19.127: The <u> is written over an erasure and is more typical of the scribe's Latin script than the English text.]

[^253: Hm.19.130: An unidentifiable hand has erased Ihesus from the end of the line. It appears in all other B manuscripts.]

¶ Wherof cayphas hadde enuye · and oþere of þe iewys
forto[^a1967] don hym to deþe · day and nygth þey casten ·
kylleden hym on cros wyse · at caluarye on a fryday ·
an suþþen buryeden his body · and bedyn þat men schulde
kepyn it fro nygth-comers · wyþ knyhtes y-armed ·
for no frendys schuldyn hym fecche · for prophetys hem tolde
how[^a1968] þat blyssid body · of buryell · ryse schulde
and gon ynto galyle · and gladyn · his apostles ·
and his moder m a rie thus men byfore demyd ·

[^a1967: forto (Hm F) | And for to (All other mss)]

[^a1968: how (Hm) | Þat (Most other mss)]

¶ the knyghtes that keptyn hym[^254] · byknewen it hem-sylue ·
that aungels and archangels · er þe day spronge
comen knelynge to þe corps · and songyn christus resurgens
verray m an[^255] bifore hem alle · and foorþ-wyþ hem he ȝede ·

[^254: Hm.19.146: Hm's revised reading agrees with six other B manuscripts, but it is not possible to determine whether the word it replaced was it, the reading of most other B manuscripts.]

[^255: Hm.19.149: We cannot determine whether Hm's erased word was W's men.]

¶ The iewes prayeden h em pees · and bisoughten þe knyghtes
to telle[^a1969] þe comune þat þer cam · a compaigne of his apostlys
and bywycched hem as þey wokyn · and awey stolen hym[^a1970] ·

[^a1969: to telle (Hm B) | Telle (Most other mss)]

[^a1970: hym (Hm Cr B) | it (Most other mss)]

¶ Ac marye magdaleyn · mette hym by þe weye ·
goynge toward galylee · yn godhed and manhed
and lyues and lokynge · and sche alowd cryede
yn eche a compaigne þere sche cam · christus resurgens
thus cam it owt þat cryst ouercam · recoueryd and lyuede
Sic oportet christum pati · & intrare · & cetera
For þat þat wommen wyten · may nougth well be counseyl

¶ Peter parceyued all þis · and pursewyd after
boþe iames and iohan · ihesu forto seke ·
thaddee and ten moo · wyþ thomas of ynde
and as alle þyse wyse wyes · weren to-gydrys
yn an hous all by-schett · and her dore ybarred ·
cryst cam yn and all closed · boþe dore and ȝatys
to peter and to þese[^a1971] apostlys · and seyde pax vobis
and took thomas by þe hond · and taugth hym to grope ·
and fele wyþ[^256] his fyngrys · his fleschlych herte ·

[^a1971: þese (Hm W) | his (Most other mss)]

[^256: Hm.19.168: An otiose stroke is written above the <y>.]

¶ Thomas towchid it · and wyþ his tonge seyde ·
Deus meus & dominus meus · & cetera

¶ Thu art my lord y beleeue · god lord ihesu ·
thu deyedest and deeþ þolyedest · and deme schalt vs alle
and now art lyuynge and lokynge · and last schalt euere

¶ Cryst carpid þanne · and curteysly seyde
thomas for thu trowest þis · and trewly beleeuyst it
blessyd mot thu be · and be schalt for euere
and blessid moot þey alle be · yn body and yn sowle
that neuer seye[^a1972] me yn sygth · as thu doist nowþe
and lelelyche beleeuyn all þys · y loue hem and bl esse hem ·
Beati qui non viderunt & crediderunt · & cetera

[^a1972: seye (Hm B) | shal se (All other mss)]

¶ And whan þys dede was doon · dobest he tauȝte
and ȝaf peris power · and pardoun he graunted
to alle maner men · mercy and forȝiuenesse
he[^a1973] mygth men assoyle · of alle maner synne
yn couenaunt þat þey come · and knowlechid[^a1974] to paye
to peris pardoun þe ploughman · redde quod debes ·

[^a1973: he (Hm B) | Hym (Most other mss)]

[^a1974: knowlechid (Hm W) | knewleche (All other mss)]

¶ Thus haþ peris power · be his pardoun payed
to bynde and vnbynde · boþe here and elles-where
and assoyle men of alle synnys · saue of dette one

¶ An-non after an hyȝe · vp ynto heuene
he wente and wonyeþ þere · and wyl come at þe laste
and rewardyn hym rygth well · þat reddit quod debet
payeþ partfytly[^a1975] parfytly · as pure trewþe wolde ·

[^a1975: partfytly (Hm) | parfitly (All other mss)]

¶ And what persone payeþ yt nougth · punyschen he þenkeþ
and demen hem at domesday · boþe quyke and dede
the good to þe godhede · and to gret ioyȝe
and wycked to wonye · yn woo wyþ-owtyn ende

¶ Thus conscyence of cryst · and of þe cros carped
and counseyled me to knele þerto · & þanne cam to me[^a1976] þougth ·
oon spiritus paracclitus to peris · and to his felawes
yn lyknesse of a lyȝtnynge · he lyght on hem alle
and made hem conne and knowe · alle kyn langages

[^a1976: to me (Hm) | me (Most other mss)]

¶ I wondrid what þat was · and waged[^257] conscyence
and was aferd of þe lygth · for yn fyres lyknesse ·
spiritus paracclitus · ouer-spradde hem alle

[^257: Hm.19.203: Waged, "nudged, attracted the attention of." See MED, s. v. waggen (v.).]

¶ Quod conscyence and kneled · þis is crystys messager
and comeþ fro þe grete god · and grace ys his name
knele now quod conscyence · and ȝif þu canst synge
welcome hym and wurschipe hym · wyþ veni creator spiritus

¶ Thanne song y þat song · so dede many hundryd ·
and crieden wyth conscyence · helpe vs god of grace

¶ And þanne bygan grace · to go wyþ peris ploughman
and counseyle d hym and conscyence · þe comune to sompne
for y woll dele to-day · and ȝyue dyuyne[^a1977] grace
to alkyn creatures · that han her fyue wyttys
tresor to lyue by · to her lyues ende ·
and wepne to fygth wyþ · þat wy ll neuer fayle ·
for anticryst and hise · all þe world schull greue ·
and encombre þe conscyence · but ȝif cryst þe helpe ·

[^a1977: ȝyue dyuyne (Hm W) | dyuyde (All other mss)]

¶ And false prophetes fele · flaterers and gloseres
schull[^a1978] come and be curatores · ouer kyngys and erlys ·
and pryde schall be pope · prynce of holy cherche
coueytyse and vnkyndenesse · cardynales hym to lede

[^a1978: schull (Hm Cr F) | Shullen (All other mss)]

¶ Forþy quod grace er y go · y woll gyue ȝow tresor
and wepne to fygth wyþ · whan anticryst ȝow assayleþ
and gaf eche man a grace · to gye wyþ hym-sylue
þat ydelnesse encombre hym nougth · enuye ne pryde
Diuisiones graciarum sunt · & cetera

¶ Summe he ȝaf wytt · wyth woordys to schewe ·
wytt to wynne her lyflode wyþ · as þe world askeþ
as prechours and preestys · and prentys[^258] of lawe
þey lely to lyue · by labour of tounge
and by wytt to wyssen oþere · as grace hem wolde teche
and summe by kynde[^a1979] crafte · and connyng of sygth
wyþ syllynge and byggynge · her lyflode[^a1980] to wynne ·
and somme he lered to laboure · a lele lyf and a trewe ·
and somme he taugth to tulye · to dyke[^a1981] and to þecche
to wynne wyþ her lyflode · by lore of his techynge ·

[^a1979: by kynde (Hm) | he kenned (Most other mss)]

[^a1980: lyflode (Hm Cr1 Cr2 M B F) | bylyf (All other mss)]

[^a1981: dyke (Hm Cot) | dyche (Most other mss)]

[^258: Hm.19.231: The meaning must be plural here; this form is shared by HmLC2F.]

¶ And somme to dyuyne · and dyuyded[^a1982] noumbres to kenne
and somme to compase craftyly · and colours to make ·
and somme to see and to seye · what schulde byfalle ·
boþe of wele and of woo · telle it or it felle ·
as astronomyens þurgh astronomye · & philosophres wyse ·

[^a1982: dyuyded (Hm) | diuide (All other mss)]

¶ Somme[^a1983] to ryde and summe to recouere þat ryȝtfully[^a1984] was wonne
he wyssid hem wynne it aȝen · þurgh wytnesse[^a1985] of handys ·
and fecchen it fro false men · wyþ foluyles lawes

[^a1983: Somme (Hm) | And somme (All other mss)]

[^a1984: ryȝtfully (Hm) | vnriȝtfully (Most other mss)]

[^a1985: wytnesse (Hm C Bm Bp) | wightnesse (Most other mss)]

¶ And somme he lernyd[^a1986] to lyue · yn longynge to ben hennys
yn pouerte and yn pacyence[^a1987] · to prayȝe for alle crystne ·
and alle he lered to be lele · and eche a craft loue oþer
and forbad hem alle debat · þat noon were among hem ·
thowȝ somme be clenner þan somme · ȝe see wel quod grace
þat he þat vseþ þe fayrest craft · to þe fowlest y cowde haue put hym
þenkeþ alle quod grace · that grace comeþ of my ȝyfte
lokeþ þat non lacke oþer · but loueþ alle as breþerne ·

[^a1986: lernyd (Hm Cr G F) | lered (All other mss)]

[^a1987: pacyence (Hm F) | penaunce (Most other mss)]

¶ And who þat most maystryes can · be myldest of berynge
and crowneþ conscyence kyng · and makeþ craft ȝowr styward
and after craftys counseyl · cloþe ȝow and fede ·
for y make peris þe ploughman · my procuratour and my reue
and registrer to resceyue · redde quod debes
my prowour and my ploughman · peris schall be on erþe
and forto tylye trewþe · a teme schall he haue

¶ Grace gaf peris a teme · fowr grete oxen ·
þat on was luke a large beest · and alowe a lowe chered
mark[^a1988] and matheu þe þrydde · myghty bestys boþe
and ioyned to hem on iohan · most gentyl of alle
þe prys nete of peris plough · passynge alle oþere ·

[^a1988: mark (Hm) | And mark (All other mss)]

¶ And grace gaf peris · of his goodnesse fowr stottes
all þat his oxen eryed · þey to harwyn after
on higth austyn · and ambrose an noþer ·
gregory þe grete clerke · and ieromye þe goode
þese foure þe feyþ to teche · folwen peres teme
and harwed yn an hand-while · all holy scrypture
wyþ two harwes þa t þey hadde an old and an newe
Id est vetus testamentum · & nouum · & cetera

¶ And grace gaf greynes · the cardynal vertues
and sew hem yn mannys sowle · and syþþe tolde her namys

¶ Spiritus prudencie · the ferst sede higthe
and who-so eet þat · ymagene he schulde
er he dude any dede · deuyse well þe ende ·
and lered[^a1989][^259] men a ladul bygge · wyþ a long stele
and caste forto kepe a crocke · to saue þe fatte aboue

[^a1989: lered (Hm G) | lerned (Most other mss)]

[^259: Hm.19.280: Cf. Hm.19.249 above.]

¶ The secound sed higthe spiritus temperancie
he þat eteþ[^a1990] of þat sede · had such a kynde ·
ne schulde[^a1991] neuer mete ne moche drynke · make hym to swelle
ne[^a1992] no scornere ne scolde · owt of skyle hym brynge
ne wynnynge ne welþe · of worldly rycchesse
wast word of ydelnesse · ne wycked speche meue ·
schulde no coryous cloiþ · comyn on his rygge ·
ne no mete yn his mowþ · þat mayster iohan spiced

[^a1990: eteþ (Hm F) | ete (All other mss)]

[^a1991: ne schulde (Hm) | Sholde (All other mss)]

[^a1992: ne (Hm W) | Ne sholde (All other mss)]

¶ The þrydde sed þat peris sew was spiritus fortitudinis ·
and who-so eet of þat seed · hardy · was he euere ·
to suffre all þat god sente · syknesse and angres
mygth no lesynges ne lyers[^a1993] · ne losse of worldly catel ·
makyn hym for eny mornynge · þat he nas mery yn sowle ·
and bold and a-bydynge · bysmeres to suffre ·
and pleyeþ all wyþ pacyence · and parce michi domine
and couered hym vnder counseyl · of catoun þe wyse
Esto forti animo · cum sis dampnatus inique · & cetera[^a1994] ·

[^a1993: lyers (Hm) | lyere (Most other mss)]

[^a1994: & cetera (Hm) | nil (All other mss)]

¶ The fierþe sed that peris sew · was spiritus iusticie · iusticie · & cetera[^a1995]
and he þat eet of þat sed · schuld be euer trewe
wyþ god and nougth a-gast · but of gyle one ·
for gyle goiþ so pryuely · þat good feiþ oþer-while ·
may nougth ben a-spyed · for spiritus iusticie

[^a1995: iusticie · & cetera (Hm) | nil (All other mss)]

¶ Spiritus iusticie · spareth nougth to spille ·
hem þat ben gylty · and forto correcte
the kyng ȝif he falle · in gylt or in trespasse
for acounteþ[^a1996] he no kynges wraþþe · whan he yn court sytteþ
to demyn as a domes man · adrad was he neuere ·
neyþer of duke nor[^a1997] of deþ · þat he ne dude lawe ·
for present or for prayer · or eny princes lettres
he dede equyte to alle · euenforþ his power

[^a1996: acounteþ (Hm B) | counteth (All other mss)]

[^a1997: nor (Hm) | ne (All other mss)]

¶ These fowre sedys peres sewe · and seþþe he dude hem harwe
wyþ olde lawe and newe lawe · þat loue mygth wexe ·
among þo[^a1998] fowre vertues · and vyses distroyȝe ·
for comonly yn contrees · cammokes and wedys
fowleþ þe fruyt yn þe felde · þere þey growe to-gydres
and so doon vices · vertues wurthi ·

[^a1998: þo (Hm W) | þe (Most other mss)]

¶ Quod peris harweþ alle that conneþ kynde wytt[^260]
by rede and by counseyl · of þese fowr doctours
and tylyeþ after her techynge · þe cardynal vertues

[^260: Hm.19.318-319: In response to a corrupt Bx, CrHm alone create two lines here. Other B manuscripts, with some variations, read Quod Piers harweth alle þat kunneth kynde witte bi conseille of þis doctours. Hm alone, editing to provide an a-verse, adds by rede and by counseyl in place of bi conseille of the other B manuscripts, and Hm alone reads þese fowr where all other B manuscripts have þis in order to fill out the b-verse. Unlike Hm, Cr prints only By counsel of these doctours. The now lost B manuscript available for creation of the C text was superior to Bx, reading (again, with some variations): And so doth vices vertues forthy quod peres Harweth alle þat conneth kynde wit bi consail of this doctours.]

¶ Aȝeins þe[^a1999] greynes quod grace · bygynneþ forto rype ·
ordeyne þe an hous peris · to herbergh ynne þy cornes

[^a1999: þe (Hm Cr1 F) | þi (Most other mss)]

¶ By god grace quod peris · ȝe motyn gyue tymber
and ordeyne þat hous · er ȝe henne[^a2000][^261] wende ·

[^a2000: henne (Hm) | hennes (All other mss)]

[^261: Hm.19.324: For similar variation on þenne, cf. Hm.19.430.]

¶ And grace gaf hym þe cros · wyþ þe crowne of thornys
þat cryst vppon caluarye · for mankynde on pynyd ·
and of his baptyme and blood · þat he bledde on rode ·
he made a maner morter · and mercy it higthe ·
and þerwyþ grace bigan · to make a good fundement
and watled it and wallid it · wyþ his peynes & passioun[^a2001][^262] ·
and of al holy wrytt · he made a roof after ·
and called þat hous vnyte · holycherche on englisch ·
and whan þis dede was don · grace dyuysid ·
a cart higth crystendoom · to carye peris scheuys
and gaf hym caples to his carte · contrissioun and confessioun
and made preesthod heyward · þerwhile[^a2002] hym-sylf wente
als wyde as þe world is · wyþ peris to tylye trewþe ·

[^a2001: passioun (Hm) | his passioun (All other mss)]

[^a2002: þerwhile (Hm) | þe while (Most other mss)]

[^262: Hm.19.330: M also omitted his on initial copying but supplied it above the line.]

¶ Now is peris to þe plough · and pryde it aspyed ·
and gadred hym a gret oost · for[^a2003] greuyn he þynkeþ
conscience and alle crystene · and cardynall vertues
blowe hem doun and breke hem · and byte a-two þe mores ·
and sente forþ surquydous · his sergeaunt of armes ·
and his spye spille loue · speke[^a2004] euyll behynde ·

[^a2003: for (Hm) | to (Most other mss)]

[^a2004: speke (Hm) | one speke (All other mss)]

¶ Thise two comen to conscyence · and to crystyn peple ·
and toldyn hem tydynges · þat tyne þey schuld þe sedys ·
þat peris þere hadde sowyn · þe cardynall vertues
and peris bierne worþ ybroke · and þey þat ben yn vnyte
schull come owt and conscyence · and ȝowr two caples ·
confessioun and contricioun · and ȝowr cart þe byleeue
schall be colowryd so queyntly · & keuered vnder owr sophestrye ·
þat conscyence schall nougth · knowe by contricioun
ne by confessioun · who is crystyn or hethen
ne no maner marchaunt · þat wyþ money deleþ ·
wheþer he wynne wyþ rygth · wyþ wrong or wyþ vsure ·

¶ wyþ such colours and queyntise · comeþ pryde y-armed ·
wyþ þe lord þat lyueþ after · the lust of his body
to wastyn on welfare · and on wycked kepynge
all þe world yn a while · þurgh owr wytt quod pryde ·

¶ Quod conscyence to alle crystne tho · my counseyl is to wende ·
hastyly into vnyte · and holde we vs there ·
and prayȝe we þat a pes were · yn peris bierne þe plough-man ·
for wytterly y wot well · we beþ nougth of strengþe ·
to gon a-geyn pryde · but grace were wyþ vs ·

¶ And þanne cam kynde wytt · conscyence to teche ·
and cryed and comaunded · alle crystene peple ·
forto delue and dyke · depe abowte vnyte ·
þat holycherche stood yn vnyte · as it a pyle were

¶ Conscyence commaunded þoo · alle crystne to delue ·
and makyn a moche moot · þat mygth ben a strengþe ·
to helpyn holy cherche · and hem þat it kepeþ ·

¶ Thanne alkyn crystne · saue comyn wommen ·
repentyden and refusidyn synne · saue þey one
and false men flaterers · vsurers and thieuys ·
lyeres and questmongers · that were forsworn ofte
wetynge and wylfully · wyþ þe fals heldyn ·
and for syluer were forsworn · soiþly þey wysten yt

¶ Ther nas no crystene creature · þat kynde wytt hadde ·
saue schrewes one · suche as y spak of ·
that he ne halpe a quantyte · holynesse to wexe ·
somme þurgh bedys byddynge · and somme þurgh pylgrymage ·
and oþer pryue penaunce · and somme þurgh penyes delyng

¶ And þanne wellyd water · for wycked werkes
egrelyche ȝernynge[^263] owt · of mennys eiȝen ·
clennesse owt of comune · and clerkes clene lyuynge
madyn vnyte holy cherche yn holynesse to stonde

[^263: Hm.19.383: HmB's ȝernynge is a spelling variant of most other B witnesses, ernynge.]

¶ I care nougth quod conscyence · þowh pryde come nowþe
the lord of lust schall be lettyd · all þys leynte y hope ·
comeþ quod conscyence · ȝe crystene and dyneþ ·
þat han labowred lely · all þys leynte tyme ·
here is brede y-blessid · and goddys body þere-vnder
grace þurgh goddys woord · gaf peris power
and myghtes to makyn yt · and men to etyn it after ·
yn helpe of her hele · onys yn amoneþ a moneþ
or as ofte as þey hadde nede · þo þat hadde y-payed ·
to peris pardoun þe ploughman · redde quod debes ·
¶[^264] How quod alle þe comune · thu counseylest vs to ȝelde
all þat we owen eny wygth · or we go to howsel ·

[^264: Hm.19.396: The rubricator failed to rubrish the paraph.]

¶ That is my counceyl · quod conscyence and cardynal vertues
þat eche a man[^a2005] forȝyue oþer · and þat woll þe pater noster
Et dimitte nobis debita nostra · & cetera ·
And so to ben assoyled · and seþþyn ben housled ·

[^a2005: a man (Hm) | man (Most other mss)]

¶ Ȝhe baw quod a brewere · y woll nougth be rewlyd ·
by ihesu for alle ȝowr ianglynge · wyþ spiritus iusticie
ne after conscyence by cryst · while y can sylle ·
boþe dregges and draf · and drawe it an hole ·
thikke ale and þynne ale · for þat ys my kynde
and nougth hacke after holynesse · hold þy tounge conscyence
of spiritus iusticie thu spekest moche yn[^a2006] ydel ·

[^a2006: yn (Hm G) | an (Most other mss)]

¶ Cayteef quod conscyence · cursyde wrecche ·
vnblyssed art thu brewere · but ȝif þe god helpe ·
but þu lyue by lore · of spiritus iusticie ·
the chief sede that peris sew · y-sauyd worst thu neuere
but conscyence þe comyn fede and cardynal vertues
leeue yt well þey ben lost · boþe lyf and sowle

¶ Thanne is manye a man y-lost · quod a lewed vicory ·
y am a curatour of holy kyrke and cam neuere yn my tyme ·
man to me þat me cowd telle · of cardynal vertues
or þat acountyd conscyence · at a cokkes feþer or an hennys
y knew neuer cardynall · þat he ne cam fro þe pope
and we clerkes whan þey come · for her comunes payeþ
for her pelure and her palfreyes mete · & pilours þat hem folweþ
the comune clamant[^a2007] quotidie · eche a man tyl oþer
the contre is þe cursedere · þat cardynals comen ynne
and þere þey lygge and lenge most · lecchery þer regneþ

[^a2007: clamant (Hm G F) | clamat (All other mss)]

¶ Forþy quod this vicory · by verry god y wolde ·
þat no cardynall come · among þe comyn peple
but yn her holynesse · holdyn hem stylle ·
at auyoun among þe iewes · cum sancto sanctus eris
or yn rome as her rewle wolde[^a2008] · þe relykes to kepe ·
and thu conscyence yn kynges court · & schuldest neuere come þenne[^a2009]
and grace that thu gredest so of · gyour of alle clerkes
and peris wyþ his newe plough · and eke wyþ his olde ·
emperour of all þe world · that alle men were cristene ·

[^a2008: wolde (Hm) | wole (Most other mss)]

[^a2009: þenne (Hm) | þennes (All other mss)]

¶ Inparfit is þat pope · that all þe peple schuld helpe ·
and sendeþ hem þat sleeþ such · as he schulde saue ·
and well wurþ peris þe plough-man · þat pursueþ god yn doynge
Qui pluit super iustos & iniustos · at onys ·

¶ And sente þe sonne to saue · a cursid mannys tylþe
a s brigth[^265] as to þe best man · and the best womman ·

[^265: Hm.19.439: This alteration is not likely to be the work of the correcting hand3 who habitually added <-e> to words ending in <gth>. This spelling does not occur elsewhere in the work of hand1 and hand2, both spelling it brygth.]

¶ Rygth so peris þe ploughman · peyneþ hym to tyllye ·
as well for a wastour · and wenches of þe stywes
as for hym-sylf and his seruauntes · saue he is ferst serued ·
and trauayleþ and tylyeþ · for a tretour also sore ·
as for a trewe tydy man · alle tymes y-lyke
and wurschipid be he þat wrougth all · boþe goode & wikke
and suffreþ þat synfull be · tyl sumtyme þat þey repente
and god amende þe pope · þat pilyeþ holy cherche ·
and cleymeþ bifore þe kyng · to be kepere ouercrystene ouer crystene
and counteþ nougth þouwȝ crystene ben · kyllyd and robbed ·
and fynt folk to figth · and crysten blood to spille ·
aȝen þe olde lawe · and newe lawe · as luk þerof wytnesseþ
Non occides · michi vindictam · & cetera

¶ It semeþ by so hym-sylf · hadde his wylle ·
þat he reccheþ rygth nougth · of all þe remenant
and cryst of his curtasye · the cardynals saue
and turne her wytt to wysdom · and to wele of sowle ·
for þe comune quod þis curatour · countyn full lytell
the counseyl of conscyence · or cardynall vertues
but ȝif þey seyȝe as by sygth · sumwhat to wynnynge
of gyle ne of gabbynge · gyue þey neuere tale
for spiritus prudencie · amonge þe peple is gyle ·
and alle þo fayre vertues · as vices þey semed ·
eche a[^a2010] man subtyleþ a sleyȝte · synne forto hide ·
and colowreþ it for a kunnynge · and a clene lyuynge

[^a2010: eche a (Hm) | eche (Most other mss)]

¶ Thanne lowȝ þer a lord · and by þis lygth seyde ·[^266]
y am kynge wyþ corowne · þe comune to rewle ·
and holy kyrk and clergye · fro cursid men to fonde[^a2011] ·
and ȝif me lackeþ to lyue by · þe lawe woll y take it
þer y may it[^a2012] hastylokest haue[^a2013] · for y am hede of lawe
for ȝe ben but membrys · and y a-boue ȝow alle[^a2014]
and s iþe y am ȝowr aller hord[^a2015][^267] · y am ȝowr all er hele
and holy cherches chief helpe · and chyuentayn of þe comune ·
and what y take of ȝow two · y take it at þe techynge
of spiritus iusticie · for · y iuge ȝow alle ·
so y may boldly · be houslyd · for y borowe neuere ·
ne craue of my comune · but as my kynde askeþ

[^a2011: fonde (Hm) | defende (Most other mss)]

[^a2012: may it (Hm) | may (All other mss)]

[^a2013: haue (Hm) | it haue (Most other mss)]

[^a2014: ȝow alle (Hm F) | alle (All other mss)]

[^a2015: hord (Hm) | heed (All other mss)]

[^266: Hm.19.465: By eye-skip, Hm uniquely omits the following lines attested in other beta manuscripts, given here in the spelling of L: I halde it ryȝte & resoun of my reue to take Al þat myne auditour or elles my stuwarde Conseilleth me by her acounte & my clerkes wrytynge With spiritus intellectus they seke þe reues rolles And with spiritus fortitudinis fecche [it] I wole And þanne come þere a kynge & bi his croune seyde.]

[^267: Hm.19.471: It is not clear what the scribe intended to write here, perhaps lord?]

¶ In condicioun quod conscience · þat thu conne deffende ·
and rewle þy rewme by resoun · yn rygth · and yn[^a2016] trewþe ·
take thu mygth yn resoun · as thy lawe askeþ
Omnia tua sunt ad deffend endum · sed · non ad deprehen dendum ·[^268]
¶[^269] The vyker hadde fer hom · and fayr took his leue ·
and y awakyd þer-wyþ · and wrot as me mette ·

[^a2016: yn rygth · and yn (Hm F) | riȝt wel & in (Most other mss)]

[^268: Hm.19.480: The added letters are cramped, indicating that the original was shorter, possibly deprehendum, the otherwise unique reading of F.]

[^269: Hm.19.481: There is a paraph marker here, but it was not rubrished; the ornamentation from the following passus leaves space for it.]

Passus · ijus secundus · & vltimus de do-best ·

T hanne as y wente by the weye · whan y was þus awaked
heuy-cherid y ȝede . and elenge yn herte ·
y ne wyste where to ete · ne at what place ·
and it neiȝed ner þe noon · and wyþ nede y mette
þat affrountyd me fowle · and faytour me callyd

¶ Canst thu nougth excuse þe · as dude þe kyng and oþere ·
þat thu took to þy bileeue · to cloþes and to sustynaunce
and by techynge and by telle tell[yng]e[^a2017] . of spiritus temperancie
and thu nome nomore · þan nede þe taugthe
and nede ne haþ no lawe · ne neuer schall falle yn dette

[^a2017: telle tell[yng]e (Hm) | tellynge (All other mss)]

¶ for þre þynges he takeþ · his lyf forto saue ·
that is mete whan men hym werneþ · and he no money weldeþ
ne wygth non woll ben his borwh · ne wed ha þ none to legge
and he caugth yn þat ca as · and com þerto by sleyhte ·
he synneþ nougth soiþlyche · that so wynneþ his foed ·
and þowh he come so to a cloiþ · and can no better cheuysaunce
nede anon rygth · nymeþ hym vnder maynpryse ·
& ȝeueþ[^a2018][^270] hym l eue[^a2019][^271] forto lape · þe lawe of kynde wolde
that he dronke at eche dy ch · ar he for þurst deyede ·

[^a2018: ȝeueþ (Hm) | if (Most other mss)]

[^a2019: l eue (Hm Cot) | lyst (Most other mss)]

[^270: Hm.20.18: Hm alone reads ȝeueþ, which is over an erasure, against if in most other B manuscripts. Note, however, that BmBo read gif, with g added in Bm, and Cot reads gyue. Note too that ȝeueþ is the reading of the P family in C.]

[^271: Hm.20.18: HmCot alone read leue, which is over an erasure in Hm, against lyst in most other B manuscripts. The word is followed in Hm by a dividing slash, indicating that the original reading was shorter than 4 characters, possibly like BmBo's lif.]

¶ so nede at gret nede · ma y n ymen as for his owen
wyþ-owte counseyll of conscyence · or cardynal vertues
so þat he s uwe and saue spiritus temperancie
for is no vertu byfer by fer · to spiritus temperancie
neyþer spiritus iusticie · ne spiritus fortitudinis ·

¶ for spiritus fortitudinis · forfeteþ full ofte
he schall do more þan mesure · ofte and many tyme[^a2020]
and bete men ouer bytterly · and summe of hem to lytell
and greue men gretly · more[^a2021] þan good feiþ wolde ·

[^a2020: ofte and many tyme (Hm) | many tyme & ofte (Most other mss)]

[^a2021: gretly · more (Hm) | gretter (All other mss)]

¶ And spiritus iusticie · schall iugen woll h e nylle he ·
after þe kynges counseyl · and þe comune lyke ·

¶ And spiritus prudencie · yn manye a poynt schal fa yle
of þat he weneþ wolde falle · ȝif his wytt ne were ·
wenynge is no wysdom · ne wys ymagynacyoun ·
homo proponit & deus disponit · and gouerneþ alle gode vertues
ac nede is next hym · for anoon he mekeþ
and is as[^a2022] lowȝ as a lombe · for lackyng of þat hym nedeþ
wyse men forsook wele · for þey wolde be nedy
and wonedyn yn wyldernesse · and woldyn nougth be ryche

[^a2022: is as (Hm) | as (Most other mss)]

¶ And god al his grete ioyȝe · gostly he lefte ·
and cam and took mankynde . and bycam nedy
so nedy he was as seyþ þe book · yn many sondry places
þat he seyde yn his sorwe · on þe selue rode ·
boþe fox and fowl · may flee to hole and crepe
and þe fysch haþ fyn · to flete wyþ to reste
þere nede haþ y-nome me · þat y moot nede abyde
and suffre sorwes full sore · þat schal to ioyȝe turne

¶ forþy be nougth abaschid · to byde and to be nedy ·
syþ he that wrougth all þe world · was wylfully nedy
ne neuer non so nedy · ne so[^a2023] pore[^a2024] deyde ·

[^a2023: ne so (Hm G) | ne (Most other mss)]

[^a2024: pore (Hm Cr G) | pouerere (Most other mss)]

¶ Whan nede hadde vndernome me thus · anon y fel a-slepe
and mette full merueylously · yn[^a2025] a mannys[^a2026] forme ·
antecryst cam thanne · and all þe crop of trewþe
turnyd it vp-sodoun · and ouertylt the rote
and fals sprynge and sprede · and spede mennys nedys
yn eche[^a2027] contre þere he cam · he cutte awey trewþe ·
and gart gyle growe · þere · as he a god were[^272]

[^a2025: yn (Hm Cr2 Cr3) | þat in (All other mss)]

[^a2026: a mannys (Hm Cr F) | mannes (All other mss)]

[^a2027: eche (Hm G F) | eche a (All other mss)]

[^272: Hm.20.56-61: Reacting to a stain, hand3 has retouched some letters on these lines.]

¶ Freres folwyd þat fend for he gaf hem copes
and religiouus[^273] reuerencid h ym and rongyn here belles
and alle þe couent forþ cam to welcome that tyraunt
and alle hise as well as hym · saue only foles
whiche foles weren wel leuer · to deye þan to lyue
lenger · syþ le wte[^274] was so rebukyd ·
and a fals fend antycryst · ouer alle folk regnyd ·
and þat were mylde men and holy · þat no myscheef dredde
deffyedyn alle falsnesse and folk that it vsed
and what kyng þat hem conforted · knowyng hem eny while ·
þey cursid and her counseyl · were it to[^a2028] clerk or lewyd ·

[^a2028: it to (Hm) | it (All other mss)]

[^273: Hm.20.58: Kane and Donaldson read religiouns, thus creating a unique reading. However, the scribe infrequently wrote <uu> where a single graphie would be expected; e. g. Hm.14.218 rybauud and Hm.3.295 leauute. The forms of <u> and <n> are indistinguishable.]

[^274: Hm.20.62: The original reading was probably lenten, clearly an error, though in all beta manuscripts except Cr. Alpha and Cx read lewte.]

¶ Antecryst hadde þus sone · hundredes at his baner
and pryde it bar vp ful hiȝe[^a2029] . boldly abowte
wyþ a lord þat lyueþ · after lykynge of body ·
þat cam aȝen conscience · þat keper was and gyour
ouer kynde crystene and cardynal vertues

[^a2029: bar vp ful hiȝe (Hm) | bar (All other mss)]

¶ I counseyle quod conscience þoo · comeþ wyþ me ȝe foles
ynto vnyte holycherche · and holde we vs there ·
and crye we to kynde · þat he come and deffende vs
foles fro þe fendes lymes · for peris loue þe ploughman
and crye we to alle þe comune · þat þey come to vnyte
and þere abyde and bykere . aȝenst belyals childryn ·

¶ kynde conscience þo herde · and cam owt of þe planetes
and sent forþ his forreyoures · feueres and fluxes
kouȝghes and cardyacles . crampes and tooþ ache[^a2030]
remes and redgoundes · and roynous scalles
byles and bocches · and brennyng agues
frensyes and fowle eueles · forageres of kynde
hadde y-prayed and y-pryked[^a2031] · polles of peple ·
þat largelyche a legioun · losten her lyf sone ·

[^a2030: ache (Hm) | aches (All other mss)]

[^a2031: y-prayed and y-pryked (Hm) | y-prykked and prayed (Most other mss)]

¶ There was harrow and help · here comeþ kynde ·
wyþ deþ þat is dredful · to vndon vs alle

¶ The lord þat lyued after lust · to t[h]o[^a2032] a-loud cryed
after confort a knygth · to come and bere his baner
Alarme alarme · quod that lord · eche a[^a2033] lyf kepe his owen ·

[^a2032: to t[h]o (Hm) | tho (All other mss)]

[^a2033: eche a (Hm) | eche (All other mss)]

¶ And þanne mette þese men · er menstrals myghten pype
and ar heraudys of armes · hadden descryued lordes ·

¶ Elde þe hore · he was yn the vaumwarde
and bar þe baner byfore deþ · by rygth he it cleymed

¶ kynde cam after · wyþ many kene sores
as pokkes and pestylences · and moche peple schente
so kynde þurgh corrupciouns · kylled ful manye

¶ Deþ cam dryuynge after · and all to dust paisched ·
kynges and knyghtes · kayseres and popes ·
lered ne lewyd · he leet noman stande ·
that he h itte euene ·[^a2034] sturidde neuer[^a2035] after ·
manye a louely lady · and lemmanes of knyghtes ·
swowned and swelted · for sorowe of deþes dyntys ·

[^a2034: euene · (Hm G) | euene · þat (Most other mss)]

[^a2035: sturidde neuer (Hm C G Y C2 B) | euere stired (Most other mss)]

¶ Conscyence of his curtasye · to kynde he besougthe
to cese and suffre · and se whe þer[^a2036][^275] they wolde
leue pryde pryuely · and be parfyt crystene ·

[^a2036: whe þer (Hm Cot F) | wher (All other mss)]

[^275: Hm.20.106: Hm's original reading wher was correct. Cf. Hm.11.87 (KD.11.83), Hm.12.364 (KD.11.189), Hm.12.577 (KD.12.270), Hm.12.599 (KD.12.291).]

¶ And kynde cesid thoo · to see þe peple amende
fortune gan flatre þanne · þoo fewe þat weren on lyue
and b yhiȝte hem long lyf · and lecchery he sente ·
amonges alle maner men · wedded and vnweddyd
and gadred a gret ost · all a-geyn conscyence

¶ This lecchery leyde on · wyþ a Ianglyng chere
and wyþ pryue speche · and peyntid woordes
and armyd hem[^a2037] yn ydelnesse · and yn hie berynge
he bar a bowe yn his hand · and many brode arwes
weren feþered wyþ fayr beheste · and manye a fals trewþe
wyþ his vntydy tales · he tenyd full ofte ·
conscyence and his companye · of holy cherche þe techer[^a2038]

[^a2037: hem (Hm C2) | hym (All other mss)]

[^a2038: techer (Hm) | techeres (All other mss)]

¶ Thanne cam coueytise · and caste how he myghte
ouercome conscience · and cardynal vertues
and armed hym yn auaryce · and hongrylych lyuede
his wepne was all of[^a2039] w yles · to wynnyn and to hidyn
wyþ glosynges and wyþ gabbynges · he bigiled[^a2040] þe peple

[^a2039: all of (Hm) | all (All other mss)]

[^a2040: bigiled (Hm) | gyled (Most other mss)]

¶ Symony hym soughte[^a2041] · to assayle conscyence
and preched to þe peple · and prelates þey hem madyn ·
to holden wyþ antecryst · her temperaltees to saue ·
and comen to þe kynges counseyl · as a kene baroun
and kneled to conscyence · in court aforen hem alle
and gart good feyþ flee · and fals to abyde ·
and boldlyche bar adoun · wyþ manye a brygth noble ·
moche of þe wytt and wysdom · of westmynster halle ·
he iuged to a Iustice · and iusted in his ere ·
and ouertylt al his trewþe · wyþ tak þis vp amendement
and ynto[^a2042] þe arches yn haste · he ȝede anon after ·
and turnyd cyuyle ynto symonye · and siþ took[^a2043] þe official ·
for a mantell of menyuer · he made lele matrymoigne
be departid[^a2044] or deþ cam · and deuors schapte

[^a2041: soughte (Hm) | sent (Most other mss)]

[^a2042: ynto (Hm R F) | to (Most other mss)]

[^a2043: took (Hm G) | he toke (All other mss)]

[^a2044: be departid (Hm) | Departen (Most other mss)]

¶ Alas quod conscyence and cryed þo · wold cryst of his grace ·
that coueytise were crystene · that is so kene a fyhtere ·
and bold and abidynge · while his bagge lasteþ

¶ Thanne[^a2045] lough lyf · and leet dagge his cloþes
and armyd hym yn haste yn harlottes woordys ·
and held holynesse a iape · and hendenesse a wastour
and leet lenten[^a2046] a cherl · and lyȝer a freman ·
conscience and counseyl · he accountyd[^a2047] it a folye ·

[^a2045: Thanne (Hm) | And thanne (All other mss)]

[^a2046: lenten (Hm) | leute (All other mss)]

[^a2047: accountyd (Hm) | countyd (All other)]

¶ Thus relyȝed lyf · for a lytel fortune ·
and pryked foorþ wyþ pryde · preyseþ he no vertu ·
and[^a2048] careþ nougth how kynde slowh · and schall come at þe laste
and kylle alle erþly creatures · saue conscyence one ·
lyf leep assyde · and laugth hym a lemman ·
hele and y quod he · and hiȝnesse of herte
schall do þe nougth drede · neyther deþ ne elde ·
and to forȝete sorowe · and ȝyue nouȝt of synne

[^a2048: and (Hm B) | He (Most other mss)]

¶ This lyked lyf · and his lemman fortune ·
and getyn in her glorye · a gadelyng at þe laste ·
on that moche wo wroughte · slewþe was his name ·
slewþe wax wonder ȝerne · and swyþe[^a2049] was of age
and wedded on wanhope · a wenche of þe stewes
her syre was a sysour · that neuer swoor twrowþe trowþe[^a2050]
on thomme two tounge · a-teynt at eche a queste ·

[^a2049: swyþe (Hm) | sone (All other mss)]

[^a2050: twrowþe trowþe (Hm) | treuthe (All other mss)]

¶ This slewþe was war of werre · and a slynge made ·
and threw drede of dyspeyr · a dozeyn myle abowte

¶ For care conscyence tho · cryed vppon elde ·
and bad hym fonde to fyghte · and affere wanhope ·

¶ And elde hente goodhope · and hastylyche he schifte hym ·
and weyued awey wanhope · and wyþ lyf he faught[^a2051]
and lyf fleyȝ for fere to physyk · after help ·
and bisougth hym of socour · and of his salue hadde ·
and gaf hym gold good won · that gladed his herte
and þey geuyn hym · ageyn · a glasene howue ·
lyf leeuyd þat lechecraft · lette schulde elde ·
and dryuen awey deþ · wyþ dyas and drages[^276] ·

[^a2051: faught (Hm) | fyȝteth (All other mss)]

[^276: Hm.20.173: The spelling is unique among B manuscripts. See MED, s. v. dragge n.(2) and drogge n.]

¶ And elde auntred hym on lyf · and at þe laste he hytte
a fysissien wyþ a furred hood · þat he fel yn a palsye
and þere dyed þat doctor · er thre dayes after

¶ Now y se seyde lyf · that surgenry ne fesyk
may nougth amyte a myte auayle · to medle aȝen elde[^277]
and in hope of his hele · good herte he hente
and rod so to reuel · a ryche place and a merye
the companye of confort · men clepid it sumtyme

[^277: Hm.20.178-183: A water stain over parts of these lines does not affect the legibility of the text.]

¶ and elde anon after me · and ouer myn hed ȝede ·
and made me balled bifore · and bare on þe crowne
so harde he ȝede ouer myn hed · it woll be sene euere

¶ Sire euel ytaugth elde quod y · vnhende go wyþ þe
syþ whanne was þe wey · ouer mennys hedys ·
haddest thu ben hende quod y · thu woldest askyd [haue] askyd[^a2052] leue ·

[^a2052: askyd [haue] askyd (Hm) | haue asked (All other mss)]

¶ ȝe leue lurdeyn quod · he and leyde on me wyþ age ·
and hitte me vnder þe ere · vnneþe may y here
he buffeted me abowt þe mowþ · and my teeþ owt beet[^a2053]
and gyued me yn gowtes · y may nougth go at large
and of þe wo þat y was ynne · my wyf hadde rewþe ·
and wuschid ful wytterly · þat y were yn heuene ·
for þe leme þat sche louyd me fore · and l eef was to fele
on nyghtes namly · whan we naked were
y ne mygth yn no manere · maken it at her wylle ·
so elde and sche soþly · haddyn it forbetyn ·

[^a2053: and my teeþ owt beet (Hm) | & bett out my tethe (Bx M Cr)]

¶ And as y sat in þis sorowe · y sawh how kynde passed
and deþ drowȝ nyȝ me · for drede gan y quake
and cryed to kynde · owt of care thu me[^a2054] brynge
loo elde þe hore · hath me beseye
awreke me ȝif ȝowr wylle be · for y wolde ben hennys

[^a2054: thu me (Hm) | me (All other mss)]

¶ ȝif thu wolt be wroken · wende ynto vnyte
and hold the þere euere · tyll y sende for þe
and loke thu konne sum craft · er thu come þennys

¶ Conseyle me kynde quod y · what craft is best to lerne

¶ Lerne to loue quod kynde · and leue of alle oþere

¶ How schall y come to catel so · to cloþe me and fede

¶ And thu loue lely quod he · lacke schall the neuere ·
mete ne worldly mede[^a2055] · while þy lyf lasteþ ·

[^a2055: mede (Hm) | mete (alpha) | wede (All other beta mss)]

¶ And þere by counseyl of kynde · y comsid to rome ·
þurgh contricioun and confessioun · tyl i come to vnyte ·
and þere was conscyence constable · crystne to saue
and beseged soiþly · wyþ seuene grete gyauntes
þat wyþ anticryst heldyn · harde aȝen conscience ·

¶ Slewþe wyþ his slynge · an hard sawt he made ·
prowd preestes comen wyþ hym · mo than a thowsand ·
yn paltokes and pyked schoes · and pissers longe knyues[^278]
comen aȝenst conscience · wyþ coueytyse þey heldyn

[^278: Hm.20.218-223: A water stain over parts of these lines does not affect the legibility of the text.]

¶ By mary quod a ma nsed[^279] preest · of þe march of yrlond
y counte nomore conscience · by so y cacche syluer
than y do to drynke · a draugth of good ale
and so seydyn sixty · of the same contre ·
and schottyn aȝen wyþ schot · many schef of oþes
and brode hoked arwes · goddys herte and his nayles
and haddyn almost vnyte · and holynesse adoun ·

[^279: Hm.20.220: The scribe first wrote an <e> and then overwrote it with an <n> like the one usually appearing in Latin quotations.]

¶ Conscyence cryed help clergye · or elles y falle
þurgh inparfit preestes · and prelates of holycherche

¶ Freres herdyn hym crye · and comen hym to helpe
ac for þey cowde nougth well her crafte · conscyence forsoke hem ·

¶ Nede neiȝghed tho ner · and conscyence he tolde ·
that þey come for coueytyse · to haue cure of sowlys
and for þey arn pouere · paraduenture for patrimoigne þey fayle ·
they wollen flatere and fare wel · folk that ben ryche
and siþen þey chosen chele · and chaytyf pouerte ·
late hem chewe as þey chose · and charge hem wyþ no cure
id est sepius
for lymer l[o]mer[^a2056][^280] he lyeþ · þat lyflode moot begge
þan he þat labowreþ for lyflode · and leneþ it beggeres
and syþen freris forsoke · þe felicite of erþe
lat hem be as beggeres · or l eue[^281] by aungeles foed ·

[^a2056: lymer l[o]mer (Hm) | lomer (All other mss)]

[^280: Hm.20.237: Lomer, "more often" <OE gelome.]

[^281: Hm.20.240: The correcting scribe's changing the infinitive form lyue, "to live" to leue is mildly odd. Hand2 usually wrote "live" (both infintive and finite forms) with the lyue spelling, though in several instances (e. g., Hm.4.190, Hm.10.154, Hm.13.52, and Hm.14.51) the leue spelling was used. At Hm.17.26, Hm alone reads lyue against most manuscripts' leue. The form lyeue at Hm.5.307 was written out by hand2, but the same correction as here is made by hand3 at Hm.15.542 and Hm.15.565.]

¶ Conscyence of þis counseyl þo · comsid forto lauhe
and curteysly conforted hym[^a2057] · and callyd alle[^a2058] freres
and seyde syres soiþly · welcome be ȝe alle ·
to vnyte and holycherche · ac on þyng y ȝow praye ·
holdeþ ȝow yn vnyte · and haueþ none enuye ·
to lered ne to lewyd · but lyueþ after ȝowr rewle ·
and y woll be ȝowr borwe · ȝe schull haue bred and cloþes ·
and oþer necessarijs ynowe · ȝow schal no þynge fayle
wyþ that ȝe leue logyk · and lerneþ forto louye
for loue lafte þey lordschipe · boþe lond and scole
frere fraunces and dominik · forloue for loue to be holy ·

[^a2057: hym (Hm Cr B) | hem (All other mss)]

[^a2058: alle (Hm) | in alle (All other mss)]

¶ And ȝif ȝe coueyten cure · kynde woll ȝow teche ·
þat yn mesure god made · alle maner thynges
and sette it at a certeyn · and at a syker noumbre ·
and nempnyd names newe · and noumbred þe sterrys
Qui numerat multitudinem stellarum & omnibus eis · & cetera

¶ kynges and knyȝtes · that kepyn and deffendyn ·
han offyceres vnder hem · and eche of hem a certeyn
and ȝif þey wage men to werre · þey wryten hem yn noumbre
alle oþer in batayle · ben y-holde brybours
pylowres and pykeharneyses[^a2059] · yn eche a place y-cursid ·
wol no tresorer hem paye · trauayle þey neuere so sore[^282] ·

[^a2059: pykeharneyses (Hm) | pykehernois (All other mss)]

[^282: Hm.20.262: WB agree with Hm's line ordering; however, most B manuscripts supply this line, Hm.20.262, two lines earlier, after Hm.20.159. (The Kane and Donaldson numbering reflects this different ordering.)]

¶ Monkes and monyals · and alle men of relygioun
her ordre and her reule wole · to han a certeyn noumbre ·
of lewyd and of lered · þe lawe it woll[^a2060] and axeþ
a certeyn for a certayn · saue only of freres ·
forþy quod conscience by cryst · kynde wytt me telleþ
yt is wyckyd to wage ȝow · ȝe wexen owt of noumbre
heuene haþ euene noumbre · and helle is wyþ-owt noumbre ·
forþy y wolde wytterly · þat ȝe were yn þe registre ·
and ȝowr noumbre vnder notarye sygne · & neiþer mo ne lasse ·

[^a2060: it woll (Hm O) | wol (All other mss)]

¶ Enuye herde þis · and heet freres go to scole ·
and lerne logyk and lawe · and eke contemplacioun
and preche men of plato · and preuyn it by seneca ·
that alle þynges vnder heuene · auȝten to be in comune ·

¶ And ȝit he lyeþ as y leeue · þat to þe lewyd so precheþ
for god made to men a lawe and moyses it tauȝte ·
Non concupisces rem proximi tui · & cetera

¶ And euyl is þis yholde · yn parisches of englond
for persouns and parisch prestes · þat schulde þe peple schryue
ben curatours callyd · to knowe and to hele
alle that ben her parischenys · penaunce to enIoyne ·
and schuldyn be a-schamyd · in her schryft · ac schame makeþ hem wende ·
and fleen to þe freres · as fals folk to westmynster
þat borweþ and bereþ it þyder · and thanne byddeþ frendys
ȝerne of forȝyuenesse · or lenger ȝeres lone

¶ Ac while he is in westmynstre · he woll be bifore
and make hym merye · wyþ oþer mennys goodes
and so it fareþ by moche folk · þat to þe freres schryueþ
as sysours and executours · they woll ȝyue þe freres
a parcel to praye for hem · and make hem-sylf merye ·
wyþ þe residue and þe remenaunt · þat oþer men byswonge[^a2061]
and suffren þe dede in dette · to þe day of dome

[^a2061: byswonge (Hm) | biswonke(n) (All other mss)]

¶ Enuye herfore · hated conscyence ·
and freres to philosophie · he fond hem to scole
þe while coueytise and vnkyndenesse · conscyence assaylid
in vnyte holycherche · conscience held hym
and made pes porter · to pynne þe ȝates ·
of alle tale tellers · and tyterers yn ydel ·
ypocrisie and he · an hard sawt þey maden ·
ypocrisie at þe ȝate · harde gan fyghte ·
and wounded wel wyckydly · manye wyse techers
þat wyþ conscyence accorded · and cardynal vertues

¶ Conscience callyd a leche · that cowde wel schryue
go salue þo that syke ben · and þurgh synne y-wounded

¶ Schrift schoop scharp salue · and made hem[^a2062] do penaunce
for her mysdedes · þat they wrougth haddyn ·
and þat peris were payed · redde quod debes

[^a2062: hem (Hm Cr) | men (Most other mss)]

¶ Somme lykeden nougth þis leche · and lettres þey sente ·
ȝif eny surgyen were þe segge · þat softer cowd plastre
sire lyf to lyue in lecchery · lay there and gronyd ·
for fastyng of a fryday · he ferde as he wold deye

¶ Ther is a surgien in þis segge · þat softe can handle
and more of fysyk by fer · and fayrer he plastreþ ·
on frere flaterer · ys fysissien and surgyen ·

· c ·
¶ Quod contricioun to conscyence · do hym to[^a2063] come to vnyte
for here is manye a man hurt · þurg h[^283] ypocrisie

[^a2063: hym to (Hm) | hym (All other mss)]

[^283: Hm.20.317: Hand2's usual form is þurgh but he had in one case written þurgth (Hm.12.341).]

¶ We han non nede quod conscyence · y wot no better leche
þan parsoun or parisch preest · pentauncer or buschop ·
saue peris þe ploughman · þat haþ power ouer hem alle ·
and yndulgence may do · but ȝif dette l ette it ·
y may wel suffre quod[^a2064] conscience · siþ ȝe desyryn
þat frere flaterer be fet · and fysyk ȝow s e ke

[^a2064: quod (Hm Cr F) | seyde (All other mss)]

¶ The frere her-of herde · and hiȝed faste
to a lord for a lettre · leue to haue cure ·[^284]
as a curatour he were · and cam wyþ his lettres
baldly to þe buschop · and his brief hadde
in contrees þer he cam ynne · confessiouns to here
and cam þere conscyence was · and knokkyd at þe ȝate

[^284: Hm.20.325: Ultraviolet light shows, faintly, letters that may be tres, the scribe having written prematurely the last word of the following line.]

¶ Pes vnpynnyd it · was porter of vnyte
and in haste askede · what his wylle were ·

¶ In feiþ quod þis frere · for profit and for helþe ·
carpe y wolde wyþ contricioun · and þerfore cam y hider

¶ He is syk seyde pes · and so arn many othere ·
ypocrisye haþ hurt hem · full hard it is[^a2065] ȝif þey keuere

[^a2065: it is (Hm B) | is (All other mss)]

¶ I am a surgien quod[^a2066] the segge · and salues can make ·
conscience knoweþ me wel · and what y can do boþe

[^a2066: quod (Hm) | seide (Most other mss)]

¶ I praye þe quod pes þo · er thu passe ferþer
what h attest thu y prayȝe þe · hele nougth þy name

¶ Certes seyde his felawe · sire pen etrans domos ·

¶ Ȝee go þy gate quod pes · by god for al þy fysyk ·
but thu konne sum craft · thu comest nougth her-ynne ·
y knew such on ones · nougth · viij · eiȝht wynter passed ·
com yn þus y-coped · at a court · þere y dwelte
and was my lordes leche · and my ladyes boþe ·
and at þe laste þis lymytour · þo my lord was owte
he salued so owr wommen · tyl summe weren wyþ childe ·

¶ Hende speche heet pes · opne the ȝates
lat in þe frere and his felawe · and make hem fayr chere
he may see and here · so it may by-falle ·
þat lyf þurgh his lore · schall leue coueytise ·
and be a-drad of deþ · and wyþ-drawe hym fro pryde ·
and accorde wyþ conscience · and kesse her eiþer oþer ·

¶ Thus þurgh hende speche · entryd þe frere[^285]
and cam ynto conscience · and curteysly hym grette ·

[^285: Hm.20.354: A modern hand in the right margin has written Here the .00 MS ends. British Library MS Additional 10574 (Bm) ends at this point. Bm is finished in Dr. Adam Clark's hand, possibly from Hm, and it is possible that he wrote this note since he owned both manuscripts. The number given here does not correspond to the shelf marks (102 for Bm, 129 for Hm) in his library for either manuscript.]

¶ Thu art welcome quod conscyence · canst þu hele þe syke ·
here is contricioun quod conscyence · my cosyn y-woundyd
confort hym quod conscience · and tak kep to his sores
þe plastres of þe parsoun · and powdres byten sore[^a2067][^286] ·
he lat hem lygge ouerlonge · and loiþ is to chaung hem ·
fro lenten to lenten · he lat his plastres byte ·

[^a2067: sore (Hm G) | to sore (All other mss)]

[^286: Hm.20.359: In W, to is written above the line.]

¶ That is to[^a2068] longe quod þis lymytour · y leeue y schal amende it ·
and goiþ and gropeþ contricioun · and gaf hym a plastre
of a priuey payment · and y schal praye for ȝow ·
for alle þat ȝe ben holdyn to · all my lyf-tyme ·
and make ȝow my lady · yn masse and yn matynes
as frere[^a2069] of owr fraternyte · for a lytel syluer

[^a2068: to (Hm) | ouer (All other mss)]

[^a2069: frere (Hm W O) | freres (Most other mss)]

¶ Thus he goþ and gadreþ · and gloseþ þere he schryueþ
tyl contricioun hadde clene forȝetyn · to crye and wepe[^a2070]
and wake for his wycked werkes · as he was wont to done
for confort of his confessour · conscyence[^a2071] he lafte
that is þe souereynest salue · for alkyn synnys

[^a2070: wepe (Hm) | to wepe (All other mss)]

[^a2071: conscyence (Hm) | contricioun (All other mss)]

¶ Slewþe sawh that · and so dede pryde ·
and comen wyþ a kene wyl · conscyence to assayle ·

¶ Conscience cryed eft · and bad clergye helpe hym
and also contricioun · forto kepe the ȝate ·

¶ He l y þ and dremeþ seyde pes · and so don manye oþere
þe frere wyþ his fysyk · this folk haþ enchaunted ·
and plastred hem so esyly · they drede no synne ·

¶ By cryst quod conscyence þo · y woll bycome a pylgrym ·
and walkyn also wyde · as all þe world lasteþ
to seke peris the ploughman · that pryde may dystroye ·
and þat freres hadden a fyndyng · þat for nede flatren ·
and count erpletyn me conscyence · now kynde me avenge ·
and sende me hap and hele · tyl y haue peris þe ploughman
and siþ he gradde after grace · tyl y gan a-wake ·

¶ Explicit visio Petri ploughman ·