The Piers Plowman Electronic Archive, Vol. 2: Trinity College, Cambridge MS B.15.17 (W)
author: William Langland
source date: late 14th or early 15th century
edition published: 2000
language: lat; fre; ger
availability: Commercially available: copyright 2000, by SEENET

I N a somer seson . whan softe was þe sonne .
I shoop me in-to shroudes . as I a sheep weere .
In habite as an heremite . vnholy of werkes .
Wente wide in þis world . wondres to here .

Ac on a May morwenynge . on Maluerne hilles .
Me bifel a ferly . of Fairye me þoȝte .
I was wery for-wandred . and wente me to reste .
Vnder a brood bank . by a bournes syde .

And as I lay and lenede . and loked on þe watres .
I slombred in-to a slepyng . it sweyed so murye .

¶ Thanne gan I meten . a merueillous sweuene .
That I was in a wildernesse . wiste I neuere where .
And as I biheeld in-to þe Eest . anheiȝ an heiȝ to þe sonne .
I seiȝ a tour on a toft . trieliche ymaked .
A deep dale byneþe . a dongeon þer-Inne .
Wiþ depe diches and derke . and dredfulle of siȝte .
A fair feeld ful of folk . fond I þer bitwene .
Of alle manere of men . þe meene and þe riche .
Werchynge and wandrynge . as þe world askeþ .[^1]

[^1: W.P.19: In the right margin running into the dark stain on the right-hand edge, a later fifteenth-century scribe has written names which are partly legible. They appear to read Ry vont vont John rich Rychard . Kane and Donaldson report bond John Rychard.]

¶ Some putten hem to þe plouȝ . pleiden ful selde .[^2]
In settynge and sowynge . swonken ful harde .
And wonnen þat wastours . with glotonye destruyeþ .

[^2: W.P.20-27: Staining and rubbing on the left edge make the first half-dozen letters very faint, but the readings are secure.]

¶ And somme putten hem to pride . apparailed hem þer -after .
In contenaunce of cloþynge . comen[^3] degised .

[^3: W.P.24: The scribe has supplied in a darker ink pride in the space under comen.]

¶ In preieres and penaunces . putten hem manye .
Al for þe loue of oure lord . lyueden ful streyte .
In hope to haue after . heuene-riche blisse .

¶ As Ancres and heremites . þat holden hem in hire selles
And coueiten noȝt in contree . to carien aboute
For no likerous liflode . hire likame to plese

¶ And somme chosen chaffare . þei cheueden þe bettre
As it semeþ to oure siȝt . þat swiche men þryueþ

¶ And somme murþes to make . as Mynstralles konne
And geten gold with hire glee . synnelees I leeue

¶ Ac Iaperes and Iangeleres . Iudas children
Feynen hem fantasies . and fooles hem makeþ
And han hire wit at wille . to werken if þei wolde
That Poul precheþ of hem . I wol[^4] nat preue it here
But[^5] . Qui loquitur turpiloquium . is luciferes hyne

[^4: W.P.38: W alone reads wol; FGH have wyll, and the remaining B witnesses have nel or nyl.]

[^5: W.P.39: W alone has But. All other B manuscripts omit it.]

¶ Bidderes and beggeres . faste aboute yede
Wiþ hire belies and hire bagges . of breed ful ycrammed
Faiteden for hire foode . fouȝten at þe ale
In glotonye god woot . go þei to bedde
And risen wiþ ribaudie . þo Roberdes knaues
Sleep and sory sleuþe . seweþ hem euere

¶ Pilgrymes and Palmeres . pliȝten hem togidere
For to seken Seint Iame . and Seintes at Rome
They wenten forþ in hire wey . wiþ many wise tales
And hadden leue to lyen . al hire lif after

¶ I seiȝ somme þat seiden . þei hadde ysouȝt Seintes
To ech a tale þat þei tolde . hire tonge was tempred to lye
Moore þan to seye sooþ . it semed bi hire speche

¶ Heremytes on an heep . with hoked staues .[^6]

[^6: W.P.53: Words at the foot of the page in a different hand appear to read And heppyd stanys , prompted by the last words on the page and perhaps misreading staues as stanes.]

¶ Wenten to walsyngham . and hire wenches after
Grete lobies and longe . þat loþe were to swynke
Cloþed hem in copes . to ben knowen from oþere
And shopen hem heremytes . hire ese to haue

¶ I fond þere Freres . alle þe foure ordres
Prechynge þe peple . for profit of hem-selue
Glosed þe gospel . as hem good liked
For coueitise of copes . construwed it as þei wolde
Manye[^7] of þise maistre freres . now[^8] cloþen hem at likyng
For hire moneie and hire marchaundize . marchen togideres
For siþ charite haþ ben chapman . and chief to shryue lordes
Manye ferlies han fallen . in a fewe yeres
But holy chirche and hij . holde bettre togidres
The mooste meschief on Molde . is mountynge wel faste

[^7: W.P.62: The last two letters are covered by a stain, but they are legible.]

[^8: W.P.62: W alone reads now. GYC2CLM read mowe.]

¶ Ther preched a pardoner . as he a preest were
Brouȝte forþ a bulle . wiþ many Bisshopes seles
And seide þat hym-self myȝte . assoillen hem alle
Of falshede of fastynge . of Auowes ybroken

¶ Lewed men leued it[^9] wel . and liked hise wordes
Comen vp knelynge . to kissen hise bulles
He bonched hem with his breuet . and blered hire eiȝen
And rauȝte with his Rageman . rynges and broches

[^9: W.P.72: W alone reads it. Other beta witnesses have hym.]

¶ Thus þei gyuen hire gold . glotons to kepe
And leneþ[^10] it swiche Losels . as leccherie haunten

[^10: W.P.77: The reading could as well be leueþ.]

¶ Were þe Bisshop yblessed . and worþ boþe hise eris
His seel sholde noȝt be sent . to deceyue þe peple
Ac it is noȝt by þe bisshop . þat þe boy precheþ
For þe parisshe preest and þe pardoner . parten þe siluer
That þe poraille of þe parisshe sholde haue . if þei ne were

¶ Persons and parisshe preestes . pleyned hem to þe Bisshop
That hire parisshes weren pouere . siþ þe pestilence tyme
To haue a licence and leue . at London to dwelle
And syngen þer for symonie . for siluer is swete

¶ Bisshopes and Bachelers . boþe maistres and doctours
That han cure vnder crist . and crownynge in tokene
And signe þat þei sholden . shryuen hire parisshens
Prechen and praye for hem . and þe pouere fede
Liggen at Londoun . in Lenten and ellis

¶ Somme seruen þe kyng . and his siluer tellen
In Cheker and in Chauncelrie . chalangen hise dettes
Of wardes and of wardemotes . weyues and streyves

¶ And somme seruen as seruauntz . lordes and ladies
And in stede of Stywardes . sitten and demen
Hire messe & hire matyns . and many of hire houres[^11]
Arn doon vndeuoutliche . drede is at þe laste
Lest crist in Consistorie . acorse ful manye

[^11: W.P.97: A smudge, possibly a punctus, appears at the end of the line.]

¶ I parceyued of þe power . þat Peter hadde to kepe
To bynden and vnbynden . as þe book telleþ
How he it lefte wiþ loue . as oure lord hiȝte
Amonges foure vertues . þe beste of alle vertues
That Cardinals ben called . and closynge yates
There is crist[^12] in his kyngdom . to close and to shette
And to opene it to hem . and heuene blisse shewe

[^12: W.P.105: W alone reads is crist. Other beta witnesses have crist is.]

¶ Ac of þe Cardinals at court . þat kauȝte of þat name
And power presumed in hem . a pope to make
To han þat power þat Peter hadde . impugnen I nelle
For in loue and in lettrure . þe eleccion bilongeþ
For-þi I kan & kan nauȝt . of court speke moore

¶ Thanne kam þer a kyng . knyȝthod hym ladde
Might of þe communes . made hym to regne

¶ And þanne cam kynde wit . and clerkes he made
For to counseillen þe kyng . and þe commune saue

¶ The kyng and knyȝthod . and clergie boþe
Casten þat þe commune . sholde hem-self fynde

¶ The commune contreued . of kynde wit craftes
And for profit of al þe peple . Plowmen ordeyned
To tilie and to trauaille . as trewe lif askeþ

¶ The kyng . and þe commune . and kynde wit þe þridde
Shopen lawe and leaute . ech man to knowe his owene

¶ Thanne loked vp a lunatik . a leene þyng wiþ-alle
And knelynge to þe kyng . clergially he seide

¶ Crist kepe þee sire kyng . and þi kyngryche
And lene þee lede þi lond . so leaute þee louye
And for þi riȝtful rulyng . be rewarded in heuene

¶ And siþen in þe Eyr anheiȝ an heiȝ . an Aungel of heuene
Lowed to speke in latyn . for lewed men ne koude
Iangle ne Iugge . þat Iustifie hem sholde
But suffren and seruen . for-þi seide þe Aungel

¶ Sum Rex sum princeps . neutrum fortasse deinceps .
O qui iura regis . christi specialia regis .
Hoc quod 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
S i[^13] seritur pietas . de pietate metas

[^13: W.P.138: The reading is obviously Si, but a crease in the manuscript makes the <i> illegible.]

¶ Thanne greued hym a Goliardeis . a gloton of wordes
And to þe Aungel anheiȝ an heiȝ . answerde after[^14]
Dum rex a regere . dicatur nomen habere
Nomen habet sine re . nisi studet iura tenere

[^14: W.P.140: The apparent punctus at the end of the line is probably the final stroke of <r>.]

¶ Thanne gan al þe commune . crye in vers of latyn
To þe kynges counseil . construe who-so wolde
Precepta Regis . sunt nobis vincula legis

¶ Wiþ þat ran þer a route . of Ratons atones at ones
And smale mees myd[^15] hem . mo þan a þousand
And comen to a counseil . for þe commune profit
For a cat of a contree . cam whan hym liked
And ouerleep hem liȝtliche . and lauȝte hem at his wille
And pleide wiþ hem perillousli . and possed aboute
For doute of diuerse dredes . we dar noȝt wel loke
And if we grucche of his gamen . he wol greuen vs alle
Cracchen vs or clawen vs . and in hise clouches holde
That vs loþeþ þe lif . er he late vs passe
Miȝte we wiþ any wit . his wille wiþ-stonde
We myȝte be lordes o-lofte . and lyuen at oure ese

[^15: W.P.147: W alone reads myd. Other B witnesses have with.]

¶ A Raton of renoun . moost renable of tonge
Seide for a souereyn . help to hym-selue

¶ I haue yseyen segges quod he . in þe Cite of Londoun
Beren beiȝes ful briȝte . abouten hire nekkes
And somme colers of crafty werk . vncoupled þei wenten
Boþe in wareyne and in waast . where hem-self liked
And ouþer while þei arn ellis-where . as I here telle
Were þer a belle on hire beiȝe . by Iesu as me þynkeþ
Men myȝte witen wher þei wente . and awey renne

¶ And riȝt so quod þat Raton . Reson me sheweþ[^16]
To bugge a belle of bras . or of briȝt siluer
And knytten it on a coler . for oure commune profit[^17]
Wher he ryt or rest . or renneþ to pleye
And if hym list for to laike . þanne loke we mowen
And peeren in his presence . þe while hym pleye likeþ
And if hym wraþeþ be war . and his wey shonye

[^16: W.P.167: The scribe wrote his usual form of <þ> but put a dot above it as though it were a <y>.]

[^17: W.P.169: Following this line all B manuscripts except WHmCr1G read: And hangen it vp on þe cattes hals . thanne here we mowen (as in L).]

¶ Al þis route of Ratons . to þis reson þei assented
Ac þo þe belle was ybrouȝt . and on þe beiȝe hanged
Ther ne was Raton in al þe route . for al þe Reaume of Fraunce
That dorste haue bounden þe belle . aboute þe cattes nekke
Ne hangen it aboute þe cattes hals . al Engelond to wynne
Alle[^18] helden hem vnhardy . and hir counseil feble
And leten hire labour lost . and al hire longe studie

[^18: W.P.179: W alone reads Alle. Other B manuscripts have And.]

¶ A Mous þat muche good . kouþe as me þouȝte
Strook forþ sternely . and stood bifore hem alle
And to þe route of Ratons . reherced þise wordes

¶ Thouȝ we killen þe cat . yet sholde þer come anoþer
To cacchen vs & al oure kynde . þouȝ we cropen vnder benches
For- þi I counseille al þe commune . to late þe cat worþe
And be we neuere bolde[^19] . þe belle hym to shewe
For I herde my sire seyn . is seuen yeer y-passed
Ther þe cat is a kitoun . þe court is ful elenge
That witnesseþ holy writ . who-so wole it rede
Ve terre vbi puer Rex est &c
For may no renk þer reste haue . for Ratons by nyȝte
The while he caccheþ conynges . he coueiteþ noȝt youre[^20] caroyne
But fedeþ hym al wiþ venyson . defame we hym neuere
For bettre is a litel los . þan a long sorwe[^21]
The maze among vs alle . þeiȝ we mysse a sherewe
For many mennes malt . we mees wolde destruye[^22]

[^19: W.P.187: W alone reads bolde. Other beta witnesses have so bolde.]

[^20: W.P.193: W alone reads youre. Other B manuscripts have oure.]

[^21: W.P.195: The phrase a feyrse , perhaps meaning "a verse, proverb," is written in the right margin in a later hand as again at W.1.38 and W.1.86. It presumably draws attention to the proverbial nature of the line.]

[^22: W.P.197: A crease runs down the center of the leaf, obscuring some characters in the facsimile which are legible in the manuscript.]

And also ye route of Ratons . rende mennes cloþes
Nere þe cat of þat court . þat kan yow ouer-lepe
For hadde ye rattes youre wille . ye kouþe noȝt rule yow-selue

¶ I seye for me quod þe Mous . I se so muchel after
Shal neuere þe cat ne þe kiton . by my counseil be greued
Thoruȝ[^23] carpynge of þis coler . þat costed me neuere
And þouȝ it hadde costned me catel . biknowen it I nolde
But suffren as hym-self wolde . to doon as hym likeþ
Coupled and vncoupled . to cacche what þei mowe
For-þi ech a wis wiȝt I warne . wite wel his owene

[^23: W.P.203: W alone reads Thoruȝ. Other B manuscripts have Ne.]

W hat þis metels bymeneþ . ye men þat ben murye
Deuyne ye . for I ne dar . by deere god in heuene

¶ Yet houed þer an hundred . in howues of selk
Sergeantz it bisemed . þat serueden at þe barre
Pleteden for penyes . and poundes þe lawe
And noȝt for loue of oure lord . vnlose hire lippes ones
Thow myȝtest bettre meete myst . on Maluerne hilles
Than gete a mom of hire mouþ . til moneie be shewed

¶ Barons and Burgeises . and bonde-men als
I seiȝ in þis assemblee . as ye shul here after
Baksteres and Brewesteres . and Bochiers manye
Wollen webbesters . and weueres of lynnen
Taillours and Tynkers . and Tollers in Markettes
Masons and Mynours . and many oþere craftes
Of alle kynne lybbynge laborers . lopen forþ somme
As dykeres and delueres . þat doon hire dedes ille
And dryueþ forþ þe longe day . with Dieu saue dame Emme

¶ Cokes and hire knaues . cryden hote pies hote
Goode gees and grys . gowe go we dyne gowe go we

¶ Tauerners vntil hem . trewely[^24] tolden þe same
Whit wyn of Oseye . and reed wyn of Gascoigne
Of þe Ryn and of þe Rochel . þe roost to defie[^25]

[^24: W.P.227: W alone reads trewely. Other B manuscripts omit it.]

[^25: W.P.229: Following this line all B manuscripts except WYF read: Al þis seiȝ I slepyng . and seuene sythes more (as in L).]

Passus primus de visione

W hat þis Mountaigne bymeneþ . and þe merke dale
And þe feld ful of folk . I shal yow faire shewe

¶ A louely lady of leere . in lynnen ycloþed
Cam doun from a Castel . and called me faire
And seide sone slepestow . sestow þis peple
How bisie þei ben . alle aboute þe maze
The mooste partie of þis peple . þat passeþ on þis erþe
Haue þei worship in þis world . þei wilne no bettre
Of ooþer heuene þan here . holde þei no tale

¶ I was afered of hire face . þeiȝ she fair weere
And seide mercy madame . what is þis to meene

¶ The tour on þe toft quod she . truþe is þer -Inne
And wolde þat ye wrouȝte . as his word techeþ
For he is fader of feiþ . and formed yow alle
Boþe with fel and with face . and yaf yow fyue wittes
For to worshipe hym þer -wiþ . while þat ye ben here
And þerfore he hiȝte þe erþe . to helpe yow echone
Of wollene of lynnen . of liflode at nede
In mesurable manere . to make yow atese at ese
And comaunded of his curteisie . in commune þree þynges
Are none nedfulle but þo . and nempne hem I þynke
And rekene hem by reson . reherce þow hem after

¶ That oon[^26] vesture . from cold[^27] þee to saue
And mete at meel . for mysese of þi-selue
And drynke whan þow driest . ac do noȝt out of reson
That þow worþe þe wers . whan þow werche sholdest

[^26: W.1.23: W alone omits is after oon.]

[^27: W.1.23: Most other B witnesses read chele.]

¶ For Lot[^28] in hise lifdayes . for likynge of drynke
Dide by hise douȝtres . þat þe deuel liked
Delited hym in drynke . as þe deuel wolde
And Leccherie hym lauȝte . and lay by hem boþe
And al he witte it þe wyn . þat wikked dede
Inebriamus eum vino . dormiamusque cum eo
Vt seruare possimus de patre nostro semen

[^28: W.1.27: One character, probably <h>, was erased after Lot.]

¶ Thoruȝ wyn and þoruȝ wommen . þer was loth acombred
And þere gat in glotonie . gerles þat were cherles

¶ For-þi dred delitable drynke . and þow shalt do þe bettre
Mesure is medicine . þouȝ þow muchel yerne
It is nouȝt al good to þe goost . þat þe gut askeþ[^29]
Ne liflode to þi likame . for a liere hym techeþ[^30]
That is þe wrecched world . wolde þee bitraye
For þe fend and þi flessh . folwen togidere
This and that seeþ þi soule . and seith it in þin herte
And for þow sholdest ben ywar . I wisse þee þe beste

[^29: W.1.38: A later hand has inserted a feyrse in the right margin. Cf. W.P.195 and W.1.86.]

[^30: W.1.39: After likame WHmCL omit the b-verse and following a-verse: . . . þat lief is to þe soule / Leue not þi likam . . . (in the spelling of M).]

¶ Madame mercy quod I . me likeþ wel youre wordes
Ac þe moneie of þis molde . þat men so faste holdeþ
Tel me to whom madame . þat tresour appendeþ

¶ Go to þe gospel quod she . þat god seide hym-seluen
Tho þe poeple hym apposede . wiþ a peny in þe temple
Wheiþer þei sholde þer -wiþ . worshipe þe kyng Cesar

¶ And god asked of hym[^31] . of whom spak þe lettre
And þe ymage was lik . þat þer -Inne stondeþ

[^31: W.1.50: W alone reads singular hym. Other B witnesses have hem.]

¶ Cesares þei seiden . we seen it wel echone

¶ Reddite Cesari . quod god . þat Cesari bifalleþ
Et que sunt dei deo . or ellis ye don ille
For riȝtfully[^32] reson . sholde rule yow alle
And kynde wit be wardeyn . youre welþe to kepe
And tutour of youre tresor . and take it yow at nede
For housbondrie and hij . holden togidres

[^32: W.1.55: W alone reads riȝtfully. Other B witnesses have riȝtfull.]

¶ Thanne I frayned hire faire . for hym þat me made
That dongeon in þe dale . þat dredful is of siȝte
What may it be to meene . madame I yow biseche

¶ That is þe castel of care . who-so comþ þer -Inne
May banne þat he born was . to bodi or to soule
Ther-Inne wonyeþ a wight . þat wrong is yhote
Fader of falshede . and founded it hym-selue
Adam and Eue . he egged to ille
Counseilled Kaym . to killen his broþer
Iudas he iaped . wiþ Iewen siluer
And siþen on an Eller . hanged hym-selue
He is lettere of loue . and lieþ hem alle
That trusten on his tresour . bitrayeþ he hem sonnest

¶ Thanne hadde I wonder in my wit . what womman it weere
That swiche wise wordes . of holy writ shewed
And asked hire on þe heiȝe name . er she þennes yede
What she were witterly . þat wissed me so faire

¶ Holi chirche I am quod she . þow ouȝtest me to knowe
I vnderfeng þee first . and þe feiþ tauȝte
And brouȝtest me borwes . my biddyng to fulfille
And to louen me leelly . þe while þi lif dureþ

¶ Thanne I courbed on my knees . and cried hire of grace
And preide hire pitously . preye for my synnes
And also kenne me kyndely . on crist to bileue
That I myȝte werchen his wille . þat wroȝte me to man
Teche me to no tresor . but tel me þis ilke
How I may saue my soule . þat Seint art yholden

¶ Whan alle tresors arn tried quod she . treuþe is þe beste[^33]
I do it on Deus caritas . to deme þe soþe
It is as dereworþe a drury . as deere god hym-seluen

[^33: W.1.86: The words a feyrse are written in the right margin in a more cursive hand. Cf. W.P.195 and W.1.38.]

¶ Who is trewe of his tonge . and telleþ noon ooþer[^34]
And dooþ þe werkes þer -wiþ . and wilneþ no man ille[^35]
He is a god by þe gospel . a-grounde and olofte
And ylik to oure lord . by Seint Lukes wordes
The clerkes þat knowen þis . sholde kennen it aboute
For cristen and vncristen . cleymeþ it echone

[^34: W.1.89: nota]

[^35: W.1.90: nota]

¶ Kynges and knyȝtes . sholde kepen it by reson
Riden and rappen doun . in Reaumes aboute
And taken transgressores . and tyen hem faste
Til treuþe hadde y-termyned . hire trespas to þe ende[^36]
And þat is[^37] profession apertli . þat apendeþ to knyȝtes
And nauȝt to fasten o friday . in fyue score wynter
But holden wiþ hym and with here . þat wolden alle truþe
And neuere leue hem for loue . ne for lacchynge of siluer
For Dauid in hise dayes . dubbed knyȝtes
And dide hem sweren on hir swerd . to seruen truþe euere
And who-so passed þat point . was Apostata in þe ordre

[^36: W.1.98: nota]

[^37: W.1.99: WG agree in reading is. Most other B witnesses have is þe.]

¶ But crist kyngene kyng . knyȝted ten
Cherubyn and Seraphyn . swiche seuene & oþere
And yaf hem myȝt in his maiestee . þe murier hem þouȝte
And ouer his meene meynee . made hem Archangeles
Tauȝte hem by þe Trinitee . treuþe to knowe
To be buxom at his biddyng . he bad hem nouȝt ellis

¶ Lucifer wiþ legions . lerned it in heuene
But for he brak buxomnesse . his blisse gan he tyne
And fel fro þat felawshipe . in a fendes liknesse
In-to a deep derk helle . to dwelle þere for euere
And mo þousandes myd[^38] hym . þan man kouþe nombre
Lopen out wiþ Lucifer . in loþliche forme
For þei leueden vp-on hym . þat lyed in þis manere
Ponam pedem in aquilone . & similis ero altissimo .

[^38: W.1.116: W alone reads myd; all other B witnesses have wyth.]

¶ And alle þat hoped it myȝte be so . noon heuene myȝte hem holde
But fellen out in fendes liknesse . nyne dayes togideres
Til god of his goodnesse . gan stablisse[^39] and stynte
And garte þe heuene to stekie . and stonden in quiete

[^39: W.1.122: W is alone in reading stablisse. Most other B witnesses have stable.]

¶ Whan þise wikkede wenten out . in wonder-wise þei fellen
Somme in þe Eyr somme in erþe . and somme in helle depe
Ac Lucifer lowest liþ . yet of hem alle
For pride þat he putte out . his peyne haþ noon ende
And alle þat werchen with wrong . wende þei shulle
After hir deþ-day . and dwelle with þat sherewe

¶ And þo þat werche wel . as holy writ telleþ
And enden as I er seide . in truþe þat is þe beste
Mowe be siker þat hire soules . shul wende to heuene
Ther Treuþe is in Trinitee . and troneþ hem alle
For-þi I seye as I seyde er . by siȝte of þise textes
Whan alle tresors arn tried . truþe is þe beste[^40]
Lereþ it þise lewed men . for lettred men it knoweþ
That Treuþe is tresor . þe trieste on erþe

[^40: W.1.135: nota]

¶ Yet[^41] haue I no kynde knowyng quod I . ye mote kenne me bettre
By what craft in my cors . it comseþ and where

[^41: W.1.138: The mark over line-initial <Y> resembling a nota abbreviation is to distinguish the letter from capital <Þ>.]

¶ Thow doted daffe quod she . dulle are þi wittes
To litel latyn þow lernedest . leode in þi youþe
Heu michi quia sterilem duxi vitam Iuuenilem

¶ It is a kynde knowyng quod she . þat kenneþ in þyn herte
For to louen þi lord . leuere þan þi-selue
No dedly synne to do . deye þeiȝ þow sholdest
This I trowe be truþe . who kan teche þee bettre

¶ Loke þow suffre hym to seye . and siþen lere it after
For truþe telleþ þat loue . is triacle of heuene[^42]
May no synne be on hym seene . þat vseþ þat spice[^43]
And alle hise werkes he wrouȝte . with loue as hym liste
And lered it Moyses for þe leueste þyng . and moost lik to heuene
And also þe plentee of pees . moost precious of vertues
For heuene myȝte nat holden it . it was so heuy of hym-self
Til it hadde of þe erþe . eten his fille

[^42: W.1.148: nota]

[^43: W.1.149: nota]

¶ And whan it hadde of þis fold . flessh and blood taken
Was neuere leef vp-on lynde . lighter þer-after
And portatif and persaunt . as þe point of a nedle
That myȝte noon Armure it lette . ne none heiȝe walles

¶ For-þi is loue ledere . of þe lordes folk of heuene
And a meene as þe Mair is . bitwene þe kyng & þe commune[^44]
Right so is loue a ledere . and þe lawe shapeþ
Vp-on man for hise mysdedes . þe mercyment he taxeþ
And for to knowen it kyndely . it comseþ by myght
And in þe herte þere is þe heed . and þe heiȝe welle
For in kynde knowynge in herte . þer a myȝt bigynneþ[^45]
And þat falleþ to þe fader . þat formed vs alle
Loked on vs wiþ loue . and leet his sone dye

[^44: W.1.160: nota]

[^45: W.1.165: nota]

¶ Mekely for oure mysdedes . to amenden vs alle
And yet wolde he hem no wo . þat wrouȝte hym þat peyne
But mekely wiþ mouþe . mercy bisouȝte[^46]
To haue pite of þat peple þat peyned hym to deþe

[^46: W.1.170: W alone reads bisouȝte. Other B witnesses have he bisouȝte.]

¶ Here myȝtow sen ensample . in hym-self oone
That he was myȝtful and meke . and mercy gan graunte
To hem þat hengen hym onheiȝ on heiȝ . and his herte þirled

¶ For-þi I rede yow riche . haueþ ruþe of þe pouere[^47]
Thouȝ ye be myȝtful to mote . beeþ meke in youre werkes
For þe same mesures þat ye mete . amys ouþer ellis
Ye shulle ben weyen þer -wiþ . whan ye wenden hennes
Eadem mensura qua mensi fueritis . remecietur vobis

[^47: W.1.175: nota]

¶ For þouȝ ye be trewe of youre tonge . and treweliche wynne
And as chaste as a child . þat in chirche wepeþ
But if ye louen leelly . and lene þe pouere
Swich good as god yow sent . goodliche parteþ
Ye ne haue namoore merite . in masse nor in houres
Than Malkyn of hire maydenhede . þat no man desireþ

¶ For Iames þe gentile . Iugged in hise bokes
That Feiþ with -outen þe feet . is riȝt no-þyng worþi[^48]
And as deed as a dore-tree . but if þe dedes folwe
Fides sine operibus mortua est &c

[^48: W.1.187: nota]

¶ For-þi chastite wiþ-outen charite . worþ cheyned in helle[^49]
It is as lewed as a lampe . þat no liȝt is Inne[^50]
Manye Chapeleyns arn chaste . ac charite is aweye
Are no men Auarouser þan hij . whan þei ben auaunced
Vnkynde to hire kyn . and to alle cristene
Chewen hire charite . and chiden after moore
Swich chastite wiþ-outen charite . worþ cheyned in helle

[^49: W.1.190: nota]

[^50: W.1.191: nota]

¶ Manye curatours kepen hem . clene of hire bodies
Thei ben acombred wiþ coueitise . þei konne noȝt doon it from hem
So harde haþ Auarice . yhasped hem togideres
And þat is no truþe of þe Trinite . but tricherie of helle
And lernynge to lewed men . þe latter for to deele
For-þi þise wordes . ben writen in þe gospel
Date & dabitur vobis . for I deele yow alle
And þat is þe lok of loue . and leteþ out my grace
To conforten þe carefulle . acombred wiþ synne

¶ Loue is leche of lif[^51] . and next[^52] oure lord selue
And also þe graiþe gate . þat goþ in-to heuene
For-þi I seye as I seide . er by þe textes
Whan alle tresors ben tried . treuþe is þe beste[^53]

[^51: W.1.206: A curl rather like the "nota" abbreviation appears over the <f> of lif.]

[^52: W.1.206: Three minims with a bar through them, probably written by the original scribe, appear above next.]

[^53: W.1.209: nota]

¶ Now haue I told þee what truþe is . þat no tresor is bettre
I may no lenger lenge þee wiþ . now loke þee oure lord

Passus secundus de visione vt supra

Y Et I courbed on my knees . and cried hire of grace
And seide mercy madame . for Marie loue of heuene
That bar þat blisful barn . þat bouȝte vs on þe Rode
Kenne me by som craft . to knowe þe false

¶ Loke vp-on þi left half . and lo where he stondeþ
Boþe Fals and Fauel . and hire feeres manye

¶ I loked on my left half . as þe lady me tauȝte
And was war of a womman . worþiliche y-cloþed

¶[^54] Purfiled wiþ Pelure . þe fyneste vp-on erþe
Ycorouned wiþ a coroune . þe kyng haþ noon bettre
Fetisliche hire fyngres . were fretted with gold wyr
And þer -on rede Rubies . as rede as any gleede
And Diamaundes of derrest pris . and double manere Saphires
Orientals and Ewages . enuenymes to destroye

[^54: W.2.9: The paragraph sign was probably entered in error, since it is not motivated by the syntax, and there is not the usual space separating paragraphs.]

¶ Hire Robe was ful riche . of reed scarlet engreyned
Wiþ Ribanes of reed gold . and of riche stones
Hire array me rauysshed . swich richesse sauȝ I neuere
I hadde wonder what she was . and whos wif she were

¶ What is þis womman quod I . so worþili atired

¶ That is Mede þe mayde quod she . haþ noyed me ful ofte
And ylakked my lemman . þat leautee is hoten
And bilowen hire to lordes . þat lawes han to kepe

¶ In þe popes Paleis . she is pryuee as my-selue
But sooþnesse wolde noȝt so . for she is a Bastard
nota
For Fals was hire fader . þat haþ a fikel tonge
And neuere sooþ seide . siþen he com to erþe
And Mede is manered after hym . riȝt as kynde askeþ
nota
Qualis pater talis filius . Bonus arbor bonum fructum facit

¶ I ouȝte ben hyere þan she . I kam of a bettre
My fader þe grete god is . and ground of alle graces
Oo god wiþ-outen gynnyng . and I his goode douȝter
And haþ yeuen me mercy . to marie wiþ my-selue
And what man be merciful . and leelly me loue
Shal be my lord and I his leef . in þe heiȝe heuene

nota
¶ And what man takeþ Mede . myn heed dar I legge
That he shal lese for hire loue . a lappe of Caritatis

¶ How construeþ Dauid þe kyng . of men þat takeþ Mede
And men of þis moolde . þat maynteneþ truþe
And how ye shul saue your-self . þe Sauter bereþ witnesse
Domine quis habitabit in tabernaculo tuo &c

¶ And now worþ þis Mede ymaried . vn-to a mansed sherewe
To oon fals fikel tonge . a fendes biyete
nota
Fauel þoruȝ his faire speche . haþ þis folk enchaunted
And al is lieres ledynge . þat she is þus ywedded

¶ Tomorwe worþ ymaked . þe maydenes bridale
And þere myȝtow witen if þow wilt . whiche þei ben alle
That longen to þat lordshipe . þe lasse and þe moore
Knowe hem þere if þow kanst . and kepe þow þi tonge
And lakke hem noȝt but lat hem worþe . til leaute be Iustice
And haue power to punysshe hem . þanne put forþ þi reson
Now I bikenne þee crist quod she . and his clene moder
nota
And lat no conscience acombre þee . for coueitise of Mede

¶ Thus lefte me þat lady . liggynge aslepe
And how Mede was ymaried . in Metels me þouȝte
That al þe riche retenaunce . þat regneþ with þe false
Were boden to þe bridale . on boþe two sides
Of alle manere of men . þe meene and þe riche
To marien þis mayde . were many men assembled
As of knyȝtes and of clerkes . and ooþer commune peple
As Sisours and Somonours . Sherreues and hire clerkes
Bedelles and baillifs . and Brocours of chaffare
Forgoers and vitaillers . and Aduokettes of þe Arches
I kan noȝt rekene þe route . þat ran aboute Mede

¶ Ac Symonie and Cyuylle . and Sisours of courtes
Were moost pryuee with Mede . of any men me þouȝte
Ac Fauel was þe firste . þat fette hire out of boure
And as a Brocour brouȝte hire . to be wiþ fals enioyned

¶ Whan Symonye and Cyuylle . seighe hir boþer wille
Thei assented for siluer . to seye as boþe wolde

¶ Thanne leep liere forþ . and seide . lo here a chartre
That Gile wiþ hise grete oþes . gaf hem togidere
And preide Cyuylle to see . and Symonye to rede it

¶ Thanne Symonye and Cyuylle . stonden forþ boþe
And vnfoldeþ þe feffement . that Fals hath ymaked
And þus bigynnen þise gomes . to greden ful heiȝe
Sciant presentes & futuri &c

¶ Witeþ and witnesseþ . þat wonieþ vp-on þis erþe
nota
That Mede is y-maried . moore for hire goodes
Than for any vertue or fairnesse . or any free kynde
Falsnesse is fayn of hire . for he woot hire riche
And Fauel wiþ his fikel speche . feffeþ by þis chartre
To be Princes in pride . and pouerte to despise
To bakbite and to bosten . and bere fals witnesse
To scorne and to scolde . and sclaundre to make
Vnbuxome and bolde . to breke þe ten hestes

¶ And þe Erldom of Enuye . and wraþe togideres
Wiþ þe Chastilet of cheste . and chaterynge out of reson

¶ The Countee of Coueitise . and alle þe costes aboute
That is vsure and Auarice . al I hem graunte
In bargaynes and in brocages . wiþ al þe Burgh of þefte

¶ And al þe lordshipe of leccherie . in lengþe and in brede
As in werkes and in wordes . and in waitynges with eiȝes
And in wedes and in wisshynges . and wiþ ydel þouȝtes
nota
There as wil wolde . and werkmanshipe fayleþ

¶ Glotonye he gaf hem ek . and grete oþes togidere
And al day to drynken . at diuerse Tauernes
And þere to Iangle and Iape . and Iugge hir euencristen
And in fastynge-dayes to frete . er ful tyme were
And þanne to sitten and soupen . til sleep hem assaille
And breden as Burgh swyn . and bedden hem esily
Til Sleuþe and sleep . sliken hise sydes
And þanne wanhope to awaken hem so . wiþ no wil to amende
For he leueþ be lost . þis is hir laste ende

¶ And þei to haue and to holde . and hire heires after
A dwellynge wiþ þe deuel . and dampned be for euere
Wiþ alle þe appurtinaunces of Purgatorie . in-to þe pyne of helle

¶ Yeldynge for þis þyng . at one dayes tyme[^55]
Hire soules to Sathan . to suffre with hym peynes
And with hym to wonye with wo . while god is in heuene

[^55: W.2.107: W alone reads dayes tyme. All other B manuscripts have yeres ende.]

¶ In witnesse of which þyng . wrong was þe firste
And Piers þe Pardoner . of Paulynes doctrine
Bette þe Bedel . of Bokyngham-shire
Reynald þe Reue . of Rutland Sokene
Maud þe Millere . and many mo oþere

¶ In þe date of þe deuel . þis dede I ensele
By siȝte of sire Symonie . and Cyuyles leeue

T hanne tened hym Theologie . whan he þis tale herde
And seide vn-to[^56] Cyuyle . now sorwe mote þow haue
Swiche weddynges to werche . to wraþe wiþ truþe
And er þis weddynge be wroȝt . wo þee bitide

[^56: W.2.118: W alone reads vn-to. All other B manuscripts have to.]

¶ For Mede is muliere . of Amendes engendred
And god graunteþ to gyue . Mede to truþe
And þow hast gyuen hire to a gilour . now god gyue þee sorwe
Thi text telleþ þee noȝt so . Truþe woot þe soþe
nota
For Dignus est operarius . his hire to haue
And þow hast fest hire to Fals . fy on þi lawe
For al bi lesynges þow lyuest . and lecherouse werkes .
Symonye and þi-self . shenden holi chirche
The Notaries and ye . noyen þe peple
Ye shul abiggen it boþe . by god þat me made

¶ Wel ye witen wernardes . but if youre wit faille
nota
That Fals is feiþlees . and fikel in hise werkes
And was a Bastard ybore . of Belsabubbes kynne
And Mede is muliere . a maiden of goode
And myȝte kisse þe kyng . for cosyn and she wolde

¶ For-þi wercheþ by wisdom . and by wit also
And ledeþ hire to Londoun . þere it is yshewed
If any lawe wol loke . þei ligge togideres
And þouȝ Iustices Iuggen hire . to be Ioyned to Fals
Yet be war of weddynge . for witty is truþe
And Conscience is of his counseil . and knoweþ yow echone
And if he fynde yow in defaute . and with þe false holde
It shal bisitte youre soules . ful soure at þe laste

¶ Her-to assenteþ Cyuyle . ac Symonye ne wolde
Til he hadde siluer for his seruice . and also þe Notaries

¶ Thanne fette Fauel forþ . floryns ynowe
And bad gile to gyuen . gold al aboute
And namely to þe Notaries . þat hem noon ne faille
And feffe false witnesses . wiþ floryns ynowe
For þei may Mede amaistrye . and maken at my wille

¶ Tho þis gold was ygyue . gret was þe þonkyng
To Fals and to Fauel . for hire faire ȝiftes
And comen to conforten . from care þe false
And seiden certes sire . cessen shul we neuere
Til Mede be þi wedded wif . þoruȝ wittes of vs alle
For we haue Mede amaistried . wiþ oure murie speche
That she graunteþ to goon . wiþ a good wille
To london to loken . if þe lawe wolde
Iuggen yow ioyntly . in ioie for euere

¶ Thanne was Falsnesse fayn . and Fauel as bliþe
And leten somone alle segges . in shires aboute
And bad hem alle to be bown . beggers and oþere
To wenden wiþ hem to westmynstre . to witnesse þis dede

¶ Ac þanne cared þei for caples . to carien hem þider
And Fauel fette forþ þanne . foles ynowe
And sette Mede vp-on a Sherreue . shoed al newe

¶ And Fals sat on a Sisour . þat softeli trotted
And Fauel on a Flaterere . fetisly atired

¶ Tho hadde Notaries none . anoyed þei were
For Symonye and Cyuylle . sholde on hire feet gange

¶ Ac þanne swoor Symonye . and Cyuylle boþe
That Somonours sholde be Sadeled . and seruen hem echone
And late apparaille þise prouisours . in palfreyes wise
Sire Symonye hym-self . shal sitte vp-on hir bakkes

¶ Denes and Southdenes . drawe yow togideres
Erchedekenes and Officials . and alle youre Registrers
Lat sadle hem wiþ siluer . oure synne to suffre
As Auoutrye and diuorses . and derne vsurie
To bere Bisshopes aboute . abrood in visitynge

¶ Paulynes pryuees . for pleintes in Consistorie
Shul seruen my-self . þat Cyuyle is nempned

¶ And Cartsadle þe Commissarie . oure cart shal he lede
And fecchen vs vitailles . at Fornicatores

¶ And makeþ of lyere a lang cart . to leden alle þise oþere
As Freres and Faitours . þat on hire feet rennen .

¶ And thus Fals and Fauel . fareþ forþ togideres
And Mede in þe myddes . and alle þise men after

¶ I haue no tome to telle . þe tail þat hire folwed[^57]
nota
Ac Gyle was Forgoer . and gyed hem alle

[^57: W.2.188: Following this line, all B manuscripts except WCr1GHm have the line: Of many maner man . þat on þis molde libbeth (in the spelling of L).]

¶ Sothnesse seiȝ hem wel . and seide but litel
And priked his palfrey . and passed hem alle
And com to þe kynges court . and Conscience it tolde
And Conscience to þe kyng . carped it after

¶ Now by crist quod þe kyng . and I cacche myȝte
Fals or Fauel . or any of hise feeris
I wolde be wroken of þo wrecches . þat wercheþ so ille
And doon hem hange by þe hals . and alle þat hem maynteneþ
Shal neuere man of þis molde . meynprise þe leeste
But riȝt as þe lawe wol loke . lat falle on hem alle

¶ And comaunded a Constable . þat com at þe firste
To attachen þo Tyrauntz . for any þyng I hote
And fettreþ faste Falsnesse . for any kynnes ȝiftes
And girdeþ of Gyles heed . and lat hym go no ferþer
And if ye lacche lyere . lat hym noȝt ascapen
Er he be put on þe Pillory . for any preyere I hote
And bryngeþ Mede to me . maugree hem alle

¶ Drede at þe dore stood . and þe doom herde
And how þe kyng comaunded . Constables and sergeauntz
Falsnesse and his felawship . to fettren and to bynden

¶ Thanne Drede wente wyȝtliche . and warned þe False
And bad hym fle for fere . and hise felawes alle

¶ Falsnesse for fere þanne . fleiȝ to þe Freres
And Gyle dooþ hym to go . agast for to dye
Ac Marchauntz metten with hym . and made hym abyde
And bishetten hym in hire shoppes . to shewen hire ware
Apparailed hym as Apprentice . þe peple to serue

¶ Liȝtliche Lyere . leep awey þanne
Lurkynge þoruȝ lanes . tolugged of manye
He was nowher welcome . for his manye tales
Ouer al yhonted[^58] . and yhote trusse
Til Pardoners hadde pite . and pulled hym in-to house
They wesshen hym & wiped hym . & wounden hym in cloutes
And senten hym wiþ seles . on Sondayes to chirches
And yeuen[^59] pardoun for pens . poundemele aboute

[^58: W.2.220: The reading could equally well be yhouted. B manuscripts vary between forms of hunten and houten.]

[^59: W.2.224: W alone reads yeuen, while all other B manuscripts have gaf or ȝaf.]

¶ Thanne lourede leches . and lettres þei sente
That he sholde wonye with hem . watres to loke

¶ Spycers speken with hym . to spien hire ware
For he kouþe of hir craft . and knew manye gommes

¶ And Mynstrales and Messagers . mette with hym ones
And helden hym an halfyeer half yeer . and elleuene dayes

¶ Freres wiþ fair speche . fetten hym þennes
And for knowynge of comeres . coped hym as a Frere
Ac he haþ leue to lepen out . as ofte as hym likeþ
And is welcome whan he wile . and woneþ with hem ofte .

Alle fledden for fere . and flowen in-to hernes
Saue Mede þe mayde . namo dorste abide
Ac trewely to telle . she trembled for drede
And ek wepte and wrong . whan she was attached

Passus tercius de visione vt supra

N Ow is Mede þe mayde . and namo of hem alle
Wiþ Bedeles and with baillies . brouȝt bifore þe kyng

The kyng called a clerk . kan I noȝt his name
To take Mede þe maide . and maken hire atese at ese
I shal assayen hire my-self . and sooþliche appose
What man of þis moolde . þat hire were leuest
And if she werche bi wit . and my wil folwe
I wol forgyuen hire þis gilt . so me god helpe

¶ Curteisly þe clerk þanne . as þe kyng hiȝte
Took Mede bi þe myddel . and broȝte hire in-to chambre
And þer was murþe & Mynstralcie . Mede to plese

¶ They þat wonyeþ in westmynstre . worshipeþ hire alle
Gentilliche wiþ ioye . þe Iustices somme
Busked hem to þe bour . þer þe burde dwellede
To conforten hire kyndely . by clergies leue
And seiden mourne noȝt Mede . ne make þow no sorwe
For we wol wisse þe kyng . and þi wey shape
To be wedded at þi wille . and wher þee leef likeþ
For al Consciences cast . or craft as I trowe

¶ Mildely Mede þanne . merciede hem alle
Of hire grete goodnesse . and gaf hem echone
Coupes of clene gold . and coppes of siluer
Rynges wiþ Rubies . and richesses manye
The leeste man of hire meynee . a moton of golde
Thanne lauȝte þei leue . þise lordes at Mede

¶ Wiþ þat comen clerkes . to conforten hire þe same
And beden hire be bliþe . for we beþ þyne owene
For to werche þi wille . þe while þow myȝt laste

¶ Hendiliche heo þanne . bihiȝte hem þe same
To louen hem lelly . and lordes to make
And in þe Consistorie at þe court . do callen hire names
Shal no lewednesse lette . þe leode þat I louye
That he ne worþ first auaunced . for I am biknowen
Ther konnynge clerkes . shul clokke bihynde

¶ Thanne cam þer a Confessour . coped as a frere
To mede þe mayde . he mened þise wordes
And seide ful softely . in shrift as it were
Theiȝ lewed men and lered men . hadde leyen by þee boþe
And Falsnesse hadde yfolwed þee . alle þise fifty wynter
I shal assoille þee my-self . for a seem of whete
And also be þi bedeman . and bere wel þi message
Amonges knyȝtes and clerkes . Conscience to torne

¶ Thanne Mede for hire mysdedes . to þat man kneled
And shrof hire of hire sherewednesse . shamelees I trowe
Tolde hym a tale . and took hym a noble
For to ben hire Bedeman . and hire brocour als

¶ Thanne he assoiled hire soone . and siþen he seide
We haue a wyndow in werchynge . wole sitten vs ful hye
Woldestow glaze þat gable . & graue þer -Inne þy name
Syker sholde þi soule be . heuene to haue

¶ Wiste I þat quod þat womman . I wolde noȝt spare
For to be youre frend frere . and faile yow neuere
While ye loue lordes . þat lecherie haunten
And lakkeþ noȝt ladies . þat louen wel þe same
It is a freletee of flessh . ye fynden it in bokes
And a cours of kynde . wher-of we comen alle
Who may scape sclaundre[^60] . þe scaþe is soone amended
It is synne of þe seuene . sonnest relessed

[^60: W.3.57: W alone reads sclaundre. All other B manuscripts read þe/that sclaundre.]

¶ Haue mercy quod Mede . of men þat it haunteþ
And I shal couere youre kirk . youre cloistre do maken
Wowes do whiten . and wyndowes glazen
Do peynten and portraye . and paie for þe makynge
That euery segge shal seye . I am suster of youre house

¶ Ac god to alle good folk . swich grauynge defendeþ
To writen in wyndowes . of hir wel-dedes
Anauenture An auenture pride be peynted þere . and pomp of þe world
For crist knoweþ þi conscience . and þi kynde wille
And þi cost and þi coueitise . and who þe catel ouȝte

¶ For-þi I lere yow lordes . leueþ swiche werkes
To writen in wyndowes . of youre wel-dedes
Or to greden after goddesmen goddes men . whan ye dele doles
On auenture ye haue youre hire here . and youre heuene als
Nesciat sinistra quid faciat dextra

¶ Lat noȝt þi left half . late ne raþe
Wite what þow werchest . wiþ þi riȝt syde
For þus by[^61] þe gospel . goode men doon hir almesse

[^61: W.3.76: W alone reads by. All other B manuscripts read byddeþ or bit.]

¶ Maires and Maceres . þat menes ben bitwene
The kyng and þe comune . to kepe þe lawes
To punysshe on Pillories . and pynynge stooles
Brewesters and Baksters . Bochiers and Cokes
For þise are men on þis molde . þat moost harm wercheþ
To þe pouere peple . þat parcelmele buggen
For þei enpoisone[^62] þe peple . pryueliche and ofte
Thei richen þoruȝ regratrie . and rentes hem biggen
Wiþ þat þe pouere peple . sholde putte in hire wombe
For toke þei on trewely . þei tymbred nouȝt so heiȝe
Ne bouȝte none burgages . be ye ful certeyne

[^62: W.3.83: W alone reads enpoisone. All other B manuscripts read poisone, except OC2 which have punyschen.]

¶ Ac Mede þe mayde . þe Mair haþ bisouȝt
Of alle swiche Selleris . siluer to take
Or presentz wiþ-outen pens . as pieces of siluer
Rynges or ooþer richesse . þe Regratiers to mayntene
For my loue quod þat lady . loue hem echone
And suffre hem to selle . somdel ayeins reson

¶ Salomon þe sage a sermon . he made
For to amenden Maires . and men þat kepen lawes
And tolde hem þis teme . þat I telle þynke

Ignis deuorabit tabernacula eorum qui libenter accipiunt munera &c

¶ Among þise lettrede leodes . þis latyn is to mene
That fir shal falle & brenne . al to bloo askes
The houses and homes . of hem þat desireþ
Yiftes or yeresyeues . by-cause of hire Offices

¶ The kyng fro þe conseil cam . and called after Mede
And ofsente hire as swiþe . wiþ sergeauntz manye
And[^63] brouȝte hire to boure . wiþ blisse and wiþ ioye

[^63: W.3.104: W alone reads And. All other B manuscripts read That.]

¶ Curteisly þe kyng þanne . comsed to telle
To Mede þe mayde . he meneþ[^64] þise wordes
Vnwittily womman . wroȝt hastow ofte
Ac worse wroȝtestow neuere . þan þo þow Fals toke
But I forgyue þee þat gilt . and graunte þee my grace
Hennes to þi deeþ-day . do so namoore

[^64: W.3.106: W alone reads he meneþ. OCrYC2CBLMR read melleþ, while other B manuscripts read he meled F, he menyd H, and meneth Hm, and mouthed G.]

¶ I haue a knyȝt Conscience . cam late fro biyonde
If he wilneþ þee to wif . wiltow hym haue

¶ Ye lord quod þat lady . lord forbede it ellis
But I be holly at youre heste . lat hange me soone

¶ And þanne was Conscience called . to come and appere
Bifore þe kyng and his conseil . as clerkes and oþere

¶ Knelynge Conscience . to þe kyng louted
To wite what his wille were . and what he do wolde[^65]

[^65: W.3.118: W alone reads wolde. All other B manuscripts read sholde.]

¶ Woltow wedde þis womman quod þe kyng . if I wole assente
For she is fayn of þi felaweshipe . for to be þi make

¶ Quod Conscience to þe kyng . crist it me forbede
Er I wedde swich a wif . wo me bitide
For she is frele of hire feiþ . fikel of hire speche
And makeþ men mysdo . many score tymes
Trust of hire tresor . bitrayeþ ful manye[^66]

[^66: W.3.125: nota]

¶ Wyues and widewes . wantounes she techeþ
And lereþ hem lecherie . þat loueþ hire ȝiftes
Youre fader she felled . þoruȝ false biheste
And haþ enpoisoned[^67] popes . and peired holy chirche
Is noȝt a bettre baude . by hym þat me made
Bitwene heuene and helle . in erþe þouȝ men souȝte
For she is tikel of hire tail . and talewis of hire tonge[^68]
As commune as a Cartwey . to ech a knaue þat walkeþ[^69]
To Monkes to Mynstrales . to Meseles in hegges

[^67: W.3.129: W alone reads enpoisoned. All other B manuscripts read (a)poisoned or (y)poysoned.]

[^68: W.3.132: nota]

[^69: W.3.133: nota]

¶ Sisours and Somonours . swiche men hire preiseþ
Sherreues of Shires . were shent if she ne were
For she dooþ men lese hire lond . and hire lif boþe
She leteþ passe prisoners . and paieþ for hem ofte
And gyueþ þe Gailers gold . and grotes togidres
To vnfettre þe fals . fle where hym likeþ[^70]
And takeþ þe trewe bi þe top . and tieþ hem faste
And hangeþ hem for hatrede . þat harm dide neuere

[^70: W.3.140: nota]

¶ To be corsed in Consistorie . she counteþ noȝt a bene
For she copeþ þe Commissarie . and coteþ hise clerkes[^71]
She is assoiled as soone . as hire-self likeþ
And may neiȝ as muche do . in a Monþe one
As youre secret seel . in sixe score dayes
For she is pryuee wiþ þe pope . prouisours it knoweþ
For Sire Symonie and hir-selue . seleþ hire bulles

[^71: W.3.144: nota]

¶ She blesseþ þise Bisshopes . þeiȝ þei be lewed
Prouendreþ persones . and preestes maynteneþ
To haue lemmans and lotebies . alle hire lif-daies
And bryngeþ forþ barnes . ayein forbode lawes
Ther she is wel wiþ þe kyng . wo is þe Reaume
For she is fauourable to fals . and defouleþ truþe ofte

¶ By Iesus . wiþ hire Ieweles . youre Iustices she shendeþ
And liþ ayein þe lawe . and letteþ hym þe gate
That feiþ may noȝt haue his forþ . hire floryns go so þikke
She ledeþ þe lawe as hire list . and louedaies makeþ
And doþ men lese þoruȝ hire loue . þat lawe myȝte wynne
The maze for a mene man . þouȝ he mote hire euere
Lawe is so lordlich . and looþ to maken ende
Wiþ-outen presentz or pens . she pleseþ wel fewe

¶ Barons and Burgeises . she bryngeþ in sorwe
¶ And al þe comune in care . þat coueiten lyue in truþe[^72]
For clergie and coueitise . she coupleþ togidres
This is þe lif of þat lady . now lord ȝyue hire sorwe
And alle þat maynteneþ hire men . meschaunce hem bitide
For pouere men may haue no power . to pleyne hem þouȝ þei smerte
Swich a maister is Mede . among men of goode

[^72: W.3.165: nota]

¶ Thanne mournede Mede . and mened hire to þe kynge
To haue space to speke . spede if she myȝte

¶ The kyng graunted hire grace . wiþ a good wille
Excuse þee if þow kanst . I kan namoore seggen
For Conscience accuseþ þee . to congeien þee for euere

¶ Nay lord quod þat lady . leueþ hym þe werse
Whan ye witen witterly . wher þe wrong liggeþ
Ther þat meschief is gret . Mede may helpe[^73]
And þow knowest Conscience . I kam noȝt to chide
Ne depraue þi persone . wiþ a proud herte
Wel þow woost wernard . but if þow wolt gabbe
Thow hast hanged on myn half . elleuene tymes
And also griped my gold . gyue it where þee liked
And whi þow wraþest þee now . wonder me þynkeþ
Yet I may as I myȝte . menske þee wiþ ȝiftes
And mayntene þi manhode . moore þan þow knowest

[^73: W.3.178: nota]

¶ Ac þow hast famed me foule . bifore þe kyng here
For killed I neuere no kyng . ne counseiled þer -after
Ne dide as þow demest . I do it on þe kynge

¶ In Normandie was he noȝt . noyed for my sake
Ac þow þi-self sooþly . shamedest hym ofte
Crope in-to a Cabane . for cold of þi nayles
Wendest þat wynter . wolde han ylasted euere
And dreddest to be ded . for a dym cloude
And hyedest homward . for hunger of þi wombe

¶ Wiþ-outen pite Pilour . pouere men þow robbedest
And bere hire bras at þi bak . to Caleis to selle
Ther I lafte wiþ my lord . his lif for to saue
I made his men murye . and mournynge lette
I batred hem on þe bak . and boldede hire hertes
And dide hem hoppe for hope . to haue me at wille
Hadde I ben Marchal of his men . by Marie of heuene
I dorste haue leyd my lif . and no lasse wedde
He sholde haue be lord of þat lond . in lengþe and in brede
And also kyng of þat kiþ . his kyn for to helpe
The leeste brol of his blood . a Barones piere

¶ Cowardly þow Conscience . conseiledest hym þennes
To leuen his lordshipe . for a litel siluer
That is þe richeste Reaume . þat reyn ouer-houeþ

¶ It bicomeþ to a kyng . þat kepeþ a Reaume[^74]
To yeue mede to men . þat mekely hym serueþ
To aliens and to alle men . to honouren hem with ȝiftes
Mede makeþ hym biloued . and for a man holden

[^74: W.3.210: nota]

¶ Emperours and Erles . and alle manere lordes
For ȝiftes han yonge men . to renne and to ryde

¶ The Pope and alle þe prelates . presentz vnderfongen
And medeþ men hem-seluen . to mayntene hir lawes

¶ Sergeauntz for hire seruyce . we seeþ wel þe soþe
Taken Mede of hir maistres . as þei mowe acorde

¶ Beggeres for hir biddynge . bidden men Mede

¶ Mynstrales for hir myrþe . Mede þei aske

¶ The kyng haþ mede of his men . to make pees in londe[^75]

[^75: W.3.222: nota]

¶ Men þat teche children . crauen after Mede[^76]

[^76: W.3.223: nota]

¶ Preestes þat prechen þe peple . to goode . asken Mede[^77]
And massepens and hire mete . at þe meeltymes

[^77: W.3.224: nota]

¶ Alle kynne craftes men . crauen Mede for hir Prentices[^78]

[^78: W.3.226: nota]

¶ Marchauntz and Mede . mote nede go togideres
No wiȝt as I wene . wiþ-outen Mede may libbe

¶ Quod þe kyng to Conscience . by crist as me þynkeþ
Mede is wel worþi . þe maistrie to haue

¶ Nay quod Conscience to þe kyng . and kneled to þe erþe
Ther are two manere of Medes . my lord wiþ youre leue

¶ That oon god of his grace . graunteþ in his blisse
To þo þat wel werchen . while þei ben here
The prophete precheþ þer-of . and putte it in þe Sauter

¶ Domine quis habitabit in tabernaculo tuo

¶ Lord who shal wonye in þi wones . and wiþ þyne holy seintes
Or resten in þyne holy hilles . þis askeþ Dauid
And Dauid assoileþ it hym-self . as þe Sauter telleþ
Qui ingreditur sine macula & operatur Iusticiam

¶ Tho þat entren of o colour . and of one wille
And han ywroght werkes . wiþ right and wiþ reson
And[^79] he þat vseþ noȝt . þe lyf of vsurie
And enformeþ pouere men . and pursueþ truþe

[^79: W.3.243: There is an elaborate version of top-line decoration on <A>.]

Qui pecuniam suam non dedit ad vsuram . et munera super Innocentem &c

¶ And alle þat helpen þe Innocent . and holden with þe riȝtfulle
Wiþ-outen Mede doþ hem good . and þe truþe helpeþ
Swiche manere men my lord . shul haue þis firste Mede
Of god at a gret nede . whan þei gon hennes

¶ Ther is anoþer Mede mesurelees . þat maistres desireþ
To mayntene mysdoers . Mede þei take
And þer-of seiþ þe Sauter . in a Salmes ende

In quorum manibus iniquitates sunt . dextra eorum repleta est muneribus

¶ And he þat gripeþ hir gold . so me god helpe
Shal abien it bittre . or þe book lieþ

¶ Preestes and persons . þat plesynge desireþ
That taken Mede and moneie . for masses þat þei syngeþ
Taken hire Mede here . as Mathew vs techeþ

Amen amen . Recipiebant mercedem suam

¶ That laborers and lowe folk . taken of hire maistres
It is no manere Mede . but a mesurable hire[^80]

[^80: W.3.261: nota]

¶ In marchaundise is no Mede . I may it wel auowe
It is a permutacion apertly . a penyworþ for anoþer

¶ Ac reddestow neuere Regum . þow recrayed Mede
Whi þe vengeaunce fel . on Saul and on his children
God sente to Saul . by Samuel þe prophete
That Agag of Amalec . and al his peple after
Sholden deye for a dede . þat doon hadde hire eldres

¶ For-þi seide Samuel to Saul . god hym-self hoteþ
Thee . be buxom at his biddynge . his wil to fulfille
Weend to Amalec with þyn oost . & what þow fyndest þere sle it
Burnes and beestes . bren hem to deþe
Widwes and wyues . wommen and children
Moebles and vnmoebles . and al þow myȝt fynde
Bren it . bere it noȝt awey . be it neuer so riche
For Mede ne for monee . loke þow destruye it
Spille it and spare it noȝt . þow shalt spede þe bettre

¶ And for he coueited hir catel . and þe kyng spared
Forbar hym and his beestes boþe . as þe bible witnesseþ
Ooþer-wise þan he was . warned of þe prophete
God seide to Samuel . þat Saul sholde deye
And al his seed for þat synne . shenfulliche ende
Swich a meschief Mede made . Saul þe kyng to haue
That god hated hym for euere . and alle hise heires after

¶ The culorum of þis cas . kepe I noȝt to telle
On auenture it noyed men . noon ende wol I make
For so is þis world went . wiþ hem þat han power[^81]
That who-so seiþ hem soþest . is sonnest yblamed

[^81: W.3.287: nota]

¶ I Conscience knowe þis . for kynde wit it me tauȝte
That Reson shal regne . and Reaumes gouerne
And riȝt as Agag hadde . happe shul somme
Samuel shal sleen hym . and Saul shal be blamed
And Dauid shal be diademed . and daunten hem alle
And oon cristene kyng . kepen hem alle .
Shal namoore Mede be maister . as she is nouþe
Ac loue and lowenesse . and leautee togideres
Thise shul ben Maistres on moolde . truþe to saue

¶ And who-so trespaseþ ayein truþe . or takeþ ayein his wille
Leaute shal don hym lawe . and no lif ellis
Shal no sergeant for his seruice . were a silk howue
Ne no pelure in his cloke . for pledynge at þe barre
Mede of mysdoeres . makeþ manye lordes[^82]
And ouer lordes lawes . ruleþ þe Reaumes

[^82: W.3.302: nota]

¶ Ac kynde loue shal come ȝit . and Conscience togideres
And make of lawe a laborer . swich loue shal arise
And swich a pees among þe peple . and a parfit truþe
That Iewes shul wene in hire wit . and wexen wonder glade
That Moyses or Messie . be come in-to þis erþe
And haue wonder in hire hertes . þat men beþ so trewe

¶ Alle þat beren baselard . brood swerd or launce
Ax ouþer hachet . or any wepene ellis
Shal be demed to þe deeþ . but if he do it smyþye
In-to sikel or to siþe . to shaar or to kultour

Conflabunt gladios suos in vomeres &c

¶ Ech man to pleye with a plow . Pykoise or spade
Spynne or sprede donge . or spille hym-self with sleuþe

¶ Preestes and persons . wiþ Placebo to hunte
And dyngen vp-on Dauid . eche day til eue
Huntynge or haukynge . if any of hem vse
His boost of his benefice . worþ bynomen hym after
Shal neiþer kyng ne knyght . Constable ne Meire
Ouerlede þe commune . ne to þe Court sompne
Ne putte hem in panel . to doon hem pliȝte hir truþe
But after þe dede þat is doon . oon doom shal rewarde
Mercy or no mercy . as Truthe wole acorde[^83]

[^83: W.3.325: nota]

¶ Kynges Court and commune Court . Consistorie and Chapitle
Al shal be but oon court . and oon baron be Iustice
Thanne worþ Trewe tonge a tidy man . þat tened me neuere
Batailles shul none be . ne no man bere wepene
And what smyth þat any smyþeþ . be smyte þerwiþ to deþe

¶ Non leuabit gens contra gentem gladium &c
And er þis fortune falle . fynde men shul þe worste
By sixe sonnes and a ship . and half a shef of Arwes
And þe myddel of a Moone . shal make þe Iewes to torne
And Sarzynes for þat siȝte . shul synge . Gloria in excelsis &c
For Makometh and Mede . myshappe shul þat tyme
For Melius est bonum nomen quam diuicie multe[^84]

[^84: W.3.337: nota]

¶ Al-so wroþ as þe wynd . weex Mede in a while
I kan no latyn quod she . clerkes wite þe soþe
Se what Salomon seiþ . in Sapience bokes
That þei þat ȝ yuen[^85] ȝiftes . þe victorie wynneþ
And moost worshipe hadde þer -wiþ . as holy writ telleþ

[^85: W.3.341: The scribe has begun by writing an <e> and changed it to a <y>. All other spellings are with ȝyu-.]

¶ Honorem adquiret qui dat munera . &c

¶ I leue wel lady quod Conscience . þat þi latyn be trewe
Ac þow art lik a lady . þat radde a lesson ones
Was omnia probate . and þat plesed hire herte[^86]
For þat lyne was no lenger . at þe leues ende
Hadde she loked þat ooþer half . and þe leef torned
She sholde haue founden fele wordes . folwynge þer -after
Quod bonum est tenete . truþe þat text made
And so ferde ye madame . ye kouþe namoore fynde
Tho ye loked on Sapience . sittynge in youre studie
This text þat ye han told . were good for lordes
Ac yow failed a konnynge clerk . þat kouþe þe leef han torned
And if ye seche Sapience eft . fynde shul ye þat folweþ
A ful teneful text . to hem þat takeþ Mede
And þat is Animam autem aufert accipientium &c
And þat is þe tail of þe text . of þat þat she shewed
That þeiȝ we wynne worship . and with Mede haue victorie
The soule þat þe soude takeþ . by so muche is bounde

[^86: W.3.346: nota]

Passus quartus de visione vt supra

C Esseþ seiþ þe kyng . I suffre yow no lenger
Ye shul sauȝtne for-soþe . and serue me boþe
Kis hire quod þe kyng . Conscience I hote

Nay by crist quod Conscience . congeye me er for euere[^87]
But Reson rede me þer-to . raþer wol I deye

[^87: W.4.4: W alone reads er for euere. Other B manuscripts have for euere or raþer.]

¶ And I comaunde þee quod þe kyng . to Conscience þanne
Rape þee to ryde . and Reson þow fecche
Comaunde hym þat he come . my counseil to here
For he shal rule my Reaume . and rede me þe beste
And acounte wiþ þee Conscience . so me crist helpe
How þow lernest þe peple . þe lered and þe lewed

¶ I am fayn of þat foreward . seide þe freke þanne
And ryt riȝt to Reson . and rouneþ in his ere
And seide as þe kyng bad . and siþen took his leue

¶ I shal arraye me to ryde quod Reson . reste þee awhile a while
And called Caton his knaue . curteis of speche
And also Tomme trewe tonge . tel me no tales
Ne lesynge to lauȝen of . for I loued hem neuere
And set my Sadel vp-on suffre . til I se my tyme
And lat warroke hym wel . wiþ witty wordes gerþes
And hange on hym þe heuy brydel . to holde his heed lowe
For he wol make wehee . twies er he be þere

¶ Thanne Conscience vp-on his capul . carieþ forþ faste
And Reson wiþ hym ryt . rownynge togideres
Whiche Maistries Mede . makeþ on þis erþe

¶ Oon waryn wisdom . and witty his feere
Folwed hym faste . for þei hadde to doone
In thescheker and in þe Chauncerye . to ben descharged of þynges
And riden faste for Reson sholde . rede hem þe beste
For to saue hem for siluer . from shame and from harmes
And Conscience knew hem wel . þei loued coueitise
And bad Reson ryde faste . and recche of hir neiþer
Ther are wiles in hire wordes . and with Mede þei dwelleþ
Ther-as wraþe and wranglynge is . þer wynne þei siluer[^88]
Ac where is loue and leautee . þei wol noȝt come þere[^89]
Contricio & infelicitas in viis eorum &c

[^88: W.4.34: nota]

[^89: W.4.35: nota]

¶ Thei ne yeueþ noȝt of god . one goose wynge
Non est timor dei ante oculos eorum &c

¶ For woot god þei wolde do moore . for a dozeyne chiknes[^90]
Or as manye capons . or for a Seem of Otes
Than for þe loue of oure lord . or alle hise leeue Seintes
For-þi Reson lat hem ride . þo riche by hem-selue
For Conscience knoweþ hem noȝt . ne crist as I trowe
And þanne Reson rood faste . þe riȝte heiȝe gate
As Conscience hym kenned . til þei come to þe kynge

[^90: W.4.39: nota]

¶ Curteisly þe kyng þanne . com ayeins Reson
And bitwene hym-self and his sone . sette hym on benche
And wordeden wel wisely . a gret while togideres

¶ And þanne com pees in-to parlement . and putte forþ a bille
How wrong ayeins his wille . hadde his wif taken
And how he rauysshede Rose . Reignaldes looue
And Margrete of hir maydenhede . maugree hire chekes
Boþe my gees and my grys . hise gadelynges feccheþ
I dar noȝt for fere of hem . fiȝte ne chide
He borwed of me bayard . he brouȝte hym hom neuere
Ne no ferþyng þer -fore . for ouȝt I koude plede
He maynteneþ hise men . to murþere myne hewen
Forstalleþ my feires . and fiȝteþ in my Chepyng
And brekeþ vp my bernes dore . and bereþ awey my whete
And takeþ me but a taille . for ten quarters of Otes
And yet he beteþ me þer -to . and lyþ by my mayde
I am noȝt hardy for hym . vnneþe to loke

¶ The kyng knew he seide sooþ . for Conscience hym tolde
That wrong was a wikked luft . and wroȝte muche sorwe

¶ Wrong was afered þanne . and wisdom he souȝte
To maken pees with hise pens . and profred hym manye
And seide[^91] hadde I loue of my lord þe kyng . litel wolde I recche
Theiȝ pees and his power . pleyned hym euere

[^91: W.4.67: A mark of punctuation looking like the top part of a punctus elevatus appears here.]

¶ Tho wente Wisdom . and sire waryn þe witty
For þat wrong hadde ywroȝt . so wikked a dede
And warnede wrong þo . with swich a wis tale
Who-so wercheþ by wille . wraþe makeþ ofte[^92]
I seye it by my-self . þow shalt it wel fynde
But if Mede it make . þi meschief is vppe
For boþe þi lif and þi lond . lyþ in his grace

[^92: W.4.72: nota]

¶ Thanne wowede wrong . wisdom ful yerne
To maken pees wiþ his pens . handy-dandy payed

¶ Wisdom and wit þanne . wenten togidres
And token Mede myd hem . mercy to wynne

¶ Pees putte forþ his heed . and his panne blody
Wiþ-outen gilt god it woot . gat I þis scaþe
Conscience and þe commune . knowen þe soþe

¶ Ac wisdom and wit . were aboute faste
To ouercomen þe kyng . wiþ catel if þei myȝte

¶ The kyng swor by crist . and by his crowne boþe
That wrong for hise werkes . sholde wo þolie
And comaundede a Constable . to casten hym in Irens
And lete hym noȝt þise seuen yer . seen his feet ones

¶ God woot quod wisdom . þat were noȝt þe beste
And he amendes mowe make . lat maynprise hym haue
And be borȝ for his bale . and buggen hym boote
And so amenden þat is mysdo . and euere-moore þe bettre[^93]

[^93: W.4.92: nota]

¶ Wit acorded þer -wiþ . and seide þe same
Bettre is þat boote . bale adoun brynge
Than bale be ybet . and boote neuer þe bettre

¶ And þanne gan Mede to mengen hire . and mercy she bisouȝte
And profrede Pees a present . al of pure golde
Haue þis man of me quod she . to amenden þi scaþe
For I wol wage for wrong . he wol do so namoore

¶ Pitously Pees þanne . preyde to þe kynge
To haue mercy on þat man . þat mysdide hym so ofte
For he haþ waged me wel . as wisdom hym tauȝte
And I forgyue hym þat gilt . wiþ a good wille
So þat þe kyng assente . I kan seye no bettre
For Mede haþ me amendes maad . I may namoore axe[^94]

[^94: W.4.105: nota]

¶ Nay quod þe kyng þo . so me crist helpe
Wrong wendeþ noȝt so awey . erst wole I wite moore[^95]
For lope he so liȝtly . lauȝen he wolde
And eft þe boldere be . to bete myne hewen
But Reson haue ruþe on hym . he shal reste in my stokkes
And þat as longe as he lyueþ . but lowenesse hym borwe

[^95: W.4.107: The nota appears to the left of the line.]

¶ Som men radde Reson þo . to haue ruþe on þat shrewe
And for to counseille þe kyng . and Conscience after
That Mede moste be maynpernour . Reson þei bisouȝte

¶ Reed me noȝt quod Reson . no ruþe to haue[^96]
Til lordes and ladies . louen alle truþe
And haten alle harlotrie . to heren or to mouþen it

[^96: W.4.115: nota]

¶ Til pernelles purfille . be put in hire hucche
And childrene cherissynge . be chastynge wiþ yerdes
And harlottes holynesse . be holden for an hyne

¶ Til clerkene coueitise be . to cloþe þe pouere and fede
And Religiouse Romeris . Recordare in hir cloistres
As Seynt Beneyt hem bad . Bernard and Fraunceis
And til prechours prechynge . be preued on hem-selue

¶ Til þe kynges counseil . be þe commune profit
Til Bisshopes Bayardes . ben beggeris Chaumbres
Hire haukes and hire houndes . help to pouere Religious

¶ And til Seint Iames be souȝt . þere I shal assigne[^97]
That no man go to Galis . but if he go for euere
And alle Rome renneres . for Robberes biyonde
Bere no siluer ouer see . þat signe of kyng sheweþ
Neiþer graue ne vngraue . gold neiþer siluer
Vp-on forfeture of þat fee . who-so fynt it at Douere
But if it be Marchaunt or his man . or Messager wiþ lettres
Prouysour or preest . or penaunt for hise synnes

[^97: W.4.128-129: The bottom part of the leaf is discolored and there is some bleedthrough, especially over these last two lines.]

¶ And yet quod Reson by þe Rode . I shal no ruþe haue
While Mede haþ þe maistrie . in þis moot halle
Ac I may shewe ensamples . as I se ouþer -while
I seye it by my-self quod he . and it so were
That I were kyng with coroune . to kepen a Reaume
Sholde neuere wrong in þis world . þat I wite myȝte
Ben vnpunysshed in my power . for peril of my soule
Ne gete my grace for giftes . so me god saue
Ne for no Mede haue mercy . but mekenesse it make
For Nullum malum . þe man . mette wiþ inpunitum[^98]
And bad Nullum bonum . be irremuneratum[^99]

[^98: W.4.145: The nota appears to the left of the line.]

[^99: W.4.146: The nota appears to the left of the line.]

¶ Lat youre Confessour sire kyng . construe þis vnglosed
And if ye werchen it in werk . I wedde myne eris[^100]
That lawe shal ben a laborer . and lede afeld donge
And loue shal lede þi lond . as þe leef likeþ

[^100: W.4.148: A scribe has drawn a [pointing hand] in the right margin.]

¶ Clerkes þat were Confessours . coupled hem togideres
Al to construe þis clause . and for þe kynges profit
Ac noȝt for confort of þe commune . ne for þe kynges soule
For I seiȝ Mede in þe moot halle . on men of lawe wynke
And þei lauȝynge lope to hire . and lefte Reson manye
Waryn wisdom . wynked vp-on Mede
And seide madame I am youre man . what so my mouþ Iangle
I falle in floryns quod þat freke . and faile speche ofte[^101]

[^101: W.4.158-159: The bottom two lines are affected by bleedthrough.]

¶ Alle riȝtfulle recordede . þat Reson truþe tolde
And wit acorded þer -wiþ . and comendede hise wordes
And þe mooste peple in þe halle . and manye of þe grete
And leten Mekenesse a maister . and Mede a mansed sherewe

¶ Loue leet of hire liȝt . and leaute yet lasse
And seiden it so heiȝe . þat al þe halle it herde
Who-so wilneþ hire to wif . for welþe of hire goodes[^102]
But he be knowe for a Cokewold . kut of my nose[^103]

[^102: W.4.165: The nota appears to the left of the line.]

[^103: W.4.166: The nota appears to the left of the line.]

¶ Mede mornede þo . and made heuy chere
For þe mooste commune of þat court . called hire an hore
Ac a Sisour and a Somonour . sued hire faste
And a Sherreues clerk . bisherewed al þe route
For ofte haue I quod he . holpen yow at þe barre
And yet yeue ye me neuere . þe worþ of a risshe

¶ The kyng callede Conscience . and afterward Reson
And recordede þat Reson . hadde riȝtfully shewed
And modiliche vp-on Mede . wiþ myȝt þe kyng loked
And gan wexe wroþ with lawe . for Mede almoost hadde shent it
And seide þoruȝ lawe as I leue . I lese manye eschetes
Mede ouer-maistreþ lawe . and muche truþe letteþ[^104]
Ac Reson shal rekene wiþ yow . if I regne any while
And deme yow bi þis day . as ye han deserued
Mede shal noȝt maynprise yow . by þe marie of heuene
I wole haue leaute in lawe . and lete be al youre ianglyng
And as moost folk witnesseþ wel . wrong shal be demed

[^104: W.4.178: nota]

¶ Quod Conscience to þe kyng . but þe commune wole assente
It is ful hard by myn heed . her-too . to brynge it
Alle youre lige leodes . to lede þus euene

¶ By hym þat rauȝte on þe Rode . quod Reson to þe kynge
But if I rule þus youre Reaume . rende out my guttes
If ye bidden buxomnesse . be of myn assent

¶ And I assente seiþ þe kyng . by Seinte Marie my lady
By my counseil commune . of clerkes and of Erles
Ac redily Reson . þow shalt noȝt ride fro me
For as longe as I lyue . lete þee I nelle

¶ I am al redy quod Reson . to reste wiþ yow euere
So Conscience be of oure counseil . I kepe no bettre

¶ And I graunte quod þe kyng . goddes forbode ellis[^105]
Als longe as oure lyf lasteþ . lyue we togideres

[^105: W.4.196: W alone reads ellis. Other B witnesses read it faile.]

Passus quintus de visione vt supra

T he kyng and hise knyȝtes . to þe kirke wente
To here matyns of þe day . and þe masse after
Thanne waked I of my wynkyng . and wo was with -alle
That I ne hadde slept sadder . and yseiȝen moore
Ac er I hadde faren a furlong . feyntise me hente
That I ne myȝte ferþer a foot . for defaute of slepynge
And sat softely adoun . and seide my bileue
And so I bablede on my bedes . þei brouȝte me aslepe
And þanne sauȝ I muche moore . þan I bifore of tolde
For I seiȝ þe feld ful of folk . þat I bifore of seide
And how Reson gan arayen hym . al þe Reaume to preche
And wiþ a cros afore þe kyng . comsede þus to techen

¶ He preued þat þise pestilences . were for pure synne
And þe Southwestrene wynd . on Saterday at euen
Was pertliche for pure pride . and for no point ellis
Pyries and Plumtrees . were puffed to þe erþe
In ensample þat ye segges . sholden do þe bettre
Beches and brode okes . were blowen to þe grounde
Turned vpward hire tailes . in tokenynge of drede
That dedly synne er domes-day . shal for-doon hem alle

¶ Of þis matere I myȝte . mamelen ful longe
Ac I shal seye as I sauȝ . so me god helpe
How pertly afore þe peple . Reson bigan to preche

¶ He bad wastour go werche . what he best kouþe
And wynnen his wastyng . wiþ som maner crafte

¶ He preide Pernele . hir purfil to lete
And kepe it in hire cofre . for catel at hire nede

¶ Tomme Stowue he tauȝte . to take two staues
And fecche Felice hom . fro þe wyuen pyne

¶ He warnede watte . his wif was to blame
For hire heed was worþ half marc . & his hood noȝt worþ a grote[^106]
And bad Bette kutte . a bouȝ ouþer tweye
And bete Beton þer -with . but if she wolde werche

[^106: W.5.31: worþ a grote is in a darker ink though in the scribal hand, and perhaps written later.]

¶ And þanne he chargede Chapmen . to chastizen hir children
Late no wynnyng hem forwanye . while þei be yonge
Ne for no poustee of pestilence . plese hem noȝt out of reson
My sire seide so to me . and so dide my dame
That þe leuere child . þe moore loore bihoueþ
And Salomon seide þe same . þat Sapience made

¶ Qui parcit virge odit filium
The englissh of þis latyn is . who-so wole it knowe
Who-so spareþ þe spryng . spilleþ hise children

¶ And siþen he prechede[^107] prelates . and preestes togideres
That ye prechen to þe peple . preue it on yow-selue
And dooþ it in dede . it shal drawe yow to goode
If ye leuen as ye leren vs . we shul leue yow þe bettre

[^107: W.5.43: W alone reads prechede. Other B manuscripts have prayed.]

¶ And siþen he radde Religion . hir rule to holde
Lest þe kyng and his conseil . youre comunes apeire[^108]
And be Stywardes of youre stedes . til ye be ruled bettre

[^108: W.5.48: A nota to the right of this line appears to be in the text ink.]

¶ And siþen he counseiled þe kyng . his commune to louye
It is þi trewe tresor[^109] . and tryacle at þy nede

[^109: W.5.51: W alone reads trewe tresor. Other B manuscripts have tresore if treson ne were.]

¶ And siþen he preide þe pope . haue pite on holy chirche
And er he gyue any grace . gouerne first hym-selue

¶ And ye þat han lawes to kepe . lat truþe be youre coueitise[^110]
Moore þan gold ouþer giftes . if ye wol god plese[^111]
For who-so contrarieþ truþe . he telleþ in þe gospel
That god knoweþ hym noȝt . ne no Seynt of heuene
¶ Amen dico vobis . nescio vos

[^110: W.5.54: nota]

[^111: W.5.55: nota]

¶ And ye þat seke Seynt Iames . and Seyntes of Rome
Sekeþ Seynt Truþe . for he may saue yow alle
Qui cum patre & filio . þat faire hem bifalle
That seweþ my sermon . and þus seyde Resoun

¶ Thanne ran Repentaunce . and reherced his teme
And garte wille to wepe . water wiþ hise eiȝen

[^112] ¶ Pernele proudherte . platte hire to þe erþe
And lay longe er she loked . and lord mercy cryde
And bihiȝte to hym . þat vs alle made
She sholde vnsowen hir serk . and sette þere an heyre
To affaiten hire flessh . þat fiers was to synne
Shal neuere heiȝ herte me hente . but holde I wole[^113] me lowe

[^112: W.5.65: The scribe has written superbia in the left margin inside a red box.]

[^113: W.5.70: W alone reads I wole, which is omitted by other B manuscripts.]

¶ And suffre to be mysseyd . and so dide I neuere
But now I wole[^114] meke me . and mercy biseche
For al þis I haue . hated in myn herte

[^114: W.5.72: W alone reads I wole. Other B manuscripts have woll y.]

[^115] ¶ Thanne lechour seide allas . and on oure lady he cryde
To maken mercy for hise mysdedes . bitwene god and his soule
Wiþ þat he sholde þe Saterday . seuen yer þer-after
Drynke but myd þe doke . and dyne but ones

[^115: W.5.74: The scribe wrote Lux uria inside a red box in the left margin. The page is cropped, so the first letters are lost.]

[^116] ¶ Enuye wiþ heuy herte . asked after shrifte
And carefully mea culpa . he comsed to shewe
He was as pale as a pelet . in þe palsy he semed
And cloþed in a kaurymaury . I kouþe it nouȝt discryue
In kirtel and Courtepy . and a knyf by his syde
Of a Freres frokke . were þe foresleues
And as a leek þat hadde yleye . longe in þe sonne
So loked he wiþ lene chekes . lourynge foule

[^116: W.5.78: The scribe wrote Inu idia inside a red box in the left margin. The page is cropped, so the first letters are lost.]

¶ His body was to-bollen for wraþe . þat he boot hise lippes
And wryngynge he yede with þe fust . to wreke hym-self he þouȝte
With werkes or wiþ wordes . whan he seyȝe his tyme
Ech a word þat he warp . was of a Neddres tonge
Of chidynge and of chalangynge . was his chief liflode
Wiþ bakbitynge and bismere . and berynge of fals witnesse[^117]

[^117: W.5.91: W alone omits the following line which appears in all the other B witnesses except F (which has an entirely different line): Þis was al his curteisye . where þat euere he shewed hym (spelling of L).]

¶ I wolde ben yshryue quod þis sherewe . and I for shame dorste
I wolde be gladder by god . þat Gybbe hadde meschaunce
Than þouȝ I hadde þis wouke ywonne . a weye of Essex chese

¶ I haue a neȝebore by me . I haue anoyed hym ofte
And lowen on hym to lordes . to doon hym lese his siluer
And maad his frendes be his foon . þoruȝ my false tonge
His grace and his goode happes . greuen me ful soore

¶ Bitwene manye and manye . I make debate ofte[^118]
That boþe lif and lyme . is lost þoruȝ my speche
And whan I mete hym in Market . þat I moost hate
I hailse hym hendely . as I his frend were
For he is douȝtier þan I . I dar do noon ooþer
Ac hadde I maistrie and myȝt . god woot my wille

[^118: W.5.99: nota]

¶ And whan I come to þe kirk . and sholde knele to þe Roode
And preye for þe peple . as þe preest techeþ
For Pilgrymes and for Palmeres . for al þe peple after
Thanne I crye on my knees . þat crist ȝyue hem sorwe
That beren[^119] awey my bolle . and my broke shete

[^119: W.5.109: W alone reads beren. Other B manuscripts have bar.]

¶ Awey fro þe Auter þanne . turne I myne eiȝen
And biholde[^120] Eleyne . haþ a newe cote
I wisshe þanne it were myn . and al þe web after

[^120: W.5.111: W alone reads biholde. Other B manuscripts have biholde how.]

¶ And of mennes lesynge[^121] I lauȝe . þat likeþ myn herte
And for hir wynnynge I wepe . and waille þe tyme
And deme þat þei doon ille . þere I do wel werse[^122]
Who-so vndernymeþ me her-of . I hate hym dedly after
I wolde þat ech a wight . were my knaue
For who-so haþ moore þan I . þat angreþ me soore
And þus I lyue louelees . lik a luþer dogge
That al my body bolneþ . for bitter of my galle

[^121: W.5.113: The scribe wrote per dicere above the line.]

[^122: W.5.115: nota]

¶ I myȝte noȝt ete many yeres . as a man ouȝte
For enuye and yuel wil . is yuel to defie
May no sugre ne swete þyng . aswage my swellyng
Ne no Diapenidion . dryue it fro myn herte
Ne neiþer shrifte ne shame . but who-so shrape my mawe

¶ Ȝis redily quod Repentaunce . and radde hym to þe beste
Sorwe of synnes . is sauacion of soules

¶ I am sory quod þat segge . I am but selde ooþer
And þat makeþ me þus megre . for I ne may me venge

¶ Amonges Burgeises haue I be . dwellyng at Londoun
And gart bakbityng be a brocour . to blame mennes ware
Whan he solde and I nouȝt . þanne was I redy
To lye and to loure on my neȝebore . and to lakke his chaffare
I wole amende þis if I may . þoruȝ myȝt of god almyȝty

[^123] ¶ Now awakeþ Wraþe . wiþ two white eiȝen[^124]
And neuelynge wiþ þe nose . and his nekke hangyng

[^123: W.5.135: The scribe wrote Ir a inside a red box in the left margin. The page is cropped, so the first two letters are lost.]

[^124: W.5.135: nota]

¶ I am wraþe quod he . I was som-tyme a frere
And þe Couentes Gardyner . for to graffen Impes
On lymitours and listres . lesynges I ymped
Til þei beere leues of lowe speche . lordes to plese
And siþen þei blosmede abrood . in boure to here shriftes
And now is fallen þer -of a fruyt . þat folk han wel leuere
Shewen hire shriftes to hem . þan shryue hem to hir persons

¶ And now persons han parceyued . þat freres parte wiþ hem
Thise possessioners preche . and depraue freres

¶ And freres fyndeþ hem in defaute . as folk bereþ witnesse
That whan þei preche þe peple . in many places aboute
I wraþe walke wiþ hem . and wisse hem of my bokes
Thus þei speken of my spiritualte . þat eiþer despiseþ ooþer
Til þei be boþe beggers . and by my spiritualte libben
Or ellis al riche . and ryden aboute
I wraþe reste neuere . þat I ne moste folwe
This wikked folk . for swich is my grace

¶ I haue an Aunte to Nonne . and an Abbesse boþe
Hir hadde leuere swowe or swelte . þan suffre any peyne
¶ I haue be cook in hir kichene . and þe Couent serued
Manye Monþes wiþ hem . and wiþ Monkes boþe
I was þe Prioresse potager . and oþere pouere ladies
And maad hem Ioutes of Ianglyng . þat dame Iohane was a bastard
And Dame Clarice a knyȝtes douȝter . ac a cokewold was hir sire
And Dame Pernele a preestes fyle . Prioresse worþ she neuere
For she hadde child in chirietyme . al oure Chapitre it wiste

¶ Of wikkede wordes . I wraþe hire wortes made
Til þow lixt and þow lixt . lopen out atones at ones
And eiþer hite hit[t]e[^125] ooþer . vnder þe cheke
Hadde þei had knyues by crist . hir eiþer hadde kild ooþer

[^125: W.5.165: W alone reads hite; most other B manuscripts have hitte.]

¶ Seint Gregory was a good pope . and hadde a good forwit
That no Prioresse were preest . for þat he ordeyned
They hadde þanne ben Infamis þe firste day . þei kan so yuele hele co unseil[^126]

[^126: W.5.169: The right margin is cropped after <co> plus one minim, losing the rest of the word. Other B witnesses read conseil.]

¶ Among Monkes I myȝte be . ac many tyme I shonye it[^127]
For þere ben manye felle frekes . my feeris to aspie
Boþe Priour and Suppriour . and oure Pater Abbas
And if I telle any tales . þei taken hem togideres
And doon me faste frydayes . to breed and to watre
And am chalanged in þe Chapitre-hous . as I a child were
And baleised on þe bare ers . and no brech bitwene
For-þi haue I no likyng . wiþ þo leodes to wonye
I ete þere vnþende fissh . and feble ale drynke
Ac ouþer while whan wyn comeþ . þanne[^128] I drynke wyn at eue
And[^129] haue a flux of a foul mouþ . wel fyue dayes after
Al þe wikkednesse þat I woot . by any of oure breþeren
I couþe it in oure Cloistre . þat al oure Couent woot it

[^127: W.5.170: W alone reads it, which is omitted by other B witnesses.]

[^128: W.5.179: W alone reads þanne. LGMR have whan. Other B manuscripts have and.]

[^129: W.5.180: W alone reads And. Other B manuscripts have I.]

¶ Now repente þee quod Repentaunce . and reherce þow neuere
Counseil þat þow knowest . by contenaunce ne by riȝt
And drynk nat ouer-delicatly . ne to depe neiþer[^130]
That þi wille by cause þer -of . to wraþe myȝte turne[^131]
Esto sobrius he seide . and assoiled me after
And bad me wilne to wepe . my wikkednesse to amende

[^130: W.5.185: nota]

[^131: W.5.186: nota]

[^132] ¶ And þanne cam Coueitise . kan I hym naȝt discryue
So hungrily and holwe . sire heruy hym loked
He was bitelbrowed . and baberlipped also
Wiþ two blered eiȝen . as a blynd hagge
And as a leþeren purs . lolled hise chekes
Wel sidder þan his chyn . þei chyueled for elde
And as a bonde-man of his bacon . his berd was bidraueled
Wiþ an hood on his heed . a lousy hat aboue
And in a tawny tabard . of twelf wynter age
Al to-torn and baudy . and ful of lys crepyng
But if þat a lous couþe . han lopen þe bettre[^133]
She sholde noȝt han walked on þat welþe . so was it þredbare[^134]

[^132: W.5.189: The scribe wrote Aua ricia inside a red box in the left margin. The page is cropped, so the first letters are lost.]

[^133: W.5.199: nota]

[^134: W.5.200: nota]

¶ I haue ben coueitous quod þis caytif . I biknowe it here
For som-tyme I serued . Symme atte Style
And was his prentice ypliȝt . his profit to wayte

¶ First I lerned to lye . a leef ouþer tweyne[^135]
Wikkedly to weye . was my firste lesson[^136]
To wy and to wynchestre . I wente to þe Feyre
Wiþ many manere marchaundise . as my maister me hiȝte
Ne hadde þe grace of gyle ygo . amonges my chaffare
It hadde ben vnsold þis seuen yer . so me god helpe

[^135: W.5.204: nota]

[^136: W.5.205: nota]

¶ Thanne drouȝ I me among drapiers . my donet to lerne
To drawe þe liser along . þe lenger it semed
Among þe riche Rayes . I rendred a lesson
To broche hem wiþ a paknedle . and playte[^137] hem togideres
And putte hem in a presse . and pyne[^138] hem þer -Inne
Til ten yerdes or twelue . hadde tolled out þrittene

[^137: W.5.213: W alone reads playte (infin.), while HmCr2 have plyte which is perhaps merely a spelling variant. However, the majority of B manuscripts unambiguously have the past tense playted or plytid.]

[^138: W.5.214: W reads pyne, while Cr23 have pynnen. Other B manuscripts have the past tense pynned.]

¶ My wif was a webbe . and wollen cloþ made
She spak to Spynnesteres . to spynnen it oute
Ac þe pound þat she paied by . peised a quartron moore
Than myn owene Auncer . who-so weyed truþe

¶ I bouȝte hire barly malt . she brew it to selle
Peny ale and puddyng ale . she poured togideres
For laborers and for lowe folk . þat lay by hym-selue

¶ The beste ale lay in my bour . or in my bedchambre
And who-so bummed þer -of . bouȝte it þer-after
A galon for a grote . god woot no lesse
And yet it cam In cuppemele . þis craft my wif vsed
Rose þe Regrater . was hir riȝte name
She haþ holden hukkerye . al hire lif-tyme
Ac I swere now so thee ik . þat synne wol I lete
And neuere wikkedly weye . ne wikke chaffare vse
But wenden to walsyngham . and my wif als
And bidde þe Roode of Bromholm . brynge me out of dette

¶ Repentedestow euere quod Repentaunce . or restitucion madest

¶ Ȝis ones I was yherberwed quod he . wiþ an heep of chapmen
I roos whan þei were areste . and riflede hire males

¶ That was no restitucion quod Repentaunce . but a robberis þefte
Thow haddest be þe[^139] bettre worþi . ben hanged þer -fore
Than for al þat . þat þow hast here shewed

[^139: W.5.237: W alone reads þe, which is omitted by other B witnesses.]

¶ I wende riflynge were restitucion quod he . for I lerned neuere rede on boke
And I kan no frenssh in feiþ . but of þe ferþest ende of Northfolk

¶ Vsedestow euere vsurie quod Repentaunce . in al þi lif-tyme
Nay soþly he seide . saue in my youþe
I lerned among lumbardes . and Iewes a lesson
To weye pens wiþ a peis . and pare þe heuyeste
And lene it for loue of þe cros . to legge a wed and lese it
Swiche dedes I dide write . if he his day breke
I haue mo Manoirs þoruȝ Rerages . þan þoruȝ Miseretur & comodat

¶ I haue lent lordes . and ladies my chaffare
And ben hire brocour after . and bouȝt it my-selue
Eschaunges and cheuysaunces . wiþ swich chaffare I dele
And lene folk þat lese wole . a lippe at euery noble
And wiþ lumbardes lettres . I ladde gold to Rome
And took it by tale here . and tolde hem þere lasse

¶ Lentestow euere lordes . for loue of hire mayntenaunce

¶ Ye I haue lent to[^140] lordes . loued me neuere after[^141]
And haue ymaad many a knyȝt . boþe Mercer and draper
That payed neuere for his prentishode . noȝt a peire gloues

[^140: W.5.255: W alone reads to, which is omitted by the other B manuscripts.]

[^141: W.5.255: nota]

¶ Hastow pite on pouere men . þat mote nedes borwe

¶ I haue as muche pite of pouere men . as pedlere haþ of cattes[^142]
That wolde kille hem if he cacche hem myȝte . for coueitise of hir skynnes[^143]

[^142: W.5.259: nota]

[^143: W.5.260: nota]

¶ Artow manlich among þi neȝebores . of þi mete and drynke

¶ I am holden quod he as hende . as hound is in kichene
Amonges my neȝebores namely . swich a name ich haue

¶ Now god lene þee neuere quod Repentaunce . bu bu[t] þow repente þe raþer
The grace on þis grounde . þi good wel to bisette
Ne þyne heires after þee . haue ioie of þat þow wynnest
Ne þyne executours wel bisette . þe siluer þat þow hem leuest
And þat was wonne wiþ wrong . wiþ wikked men be despended[^144]
For were I frere of þat hous . þer good feiþ and charite is
I nolde cope vs wiþ þi catel . ne oure kirk amende
Ne haue a peny to my pitaunce . so god my soule saue[^145]
For þe beste book in oure hous . þeiȝ brent gold were þe leues
And I wiste witterly . þow were swich as þow tellest

[^144: W.5.268: nota]

[^145: W.5.271: W alone reads so god my soule saue. GHmCr have helpe for saue. Other B manuscripts have of þyne bi my soule hele.]

¶ Seruus es alterius . dum[^146] fercula pinguia queris
Pane tuo pocius . vescere . liber eris

[^146: W.5.274: W alone reads dum ; all other B manuscripts have cum .]

¶ Thow art an vnkynde creature . I kan þee noȝt assoille
Til þow make restitucion . and rekene wiþ hem alle
And siþen þat Reson rolle it . in þe Registre of heuene
That þow hast maad ech man good . I may þee noȝt assoille

¶ Non dimittitur peccatum . donec restituatur oblatum

For alle þat han of þi good . haue god my trouþe
Ben holden at þe heiȝe doom . to helpe þee to restitue
And who-so leueþ noȝt þis be sooþ . loke in þe Sauter glose
In Miserere mei deus . wher I mene truþe
Ecce enim veritatem dilexisti &c
Shal neuere werkman in þis world . þryue with þat þow wynnest[^147]
Cum sancto sanctus eris . construwe me þis on englissh

[^147: W.5.286: nota]

¶ Thanne weex þat sherewe in wanhope . & wolde han hanged hym -selfe[^148]
Ne hadde repentaunce þe raþer . reconforted hym in þis manere

[^148: W.5.288: The manuscript is cropped after hym. Other B manuscripts have hym-self.]

¶ Haue mercy in þi mynde . and wiþ þi mouþ biseche it
For goddes mercy is moore . þan alle hise oþere werkes
And al þe wikkednesse in þis world . þat man myȝte werche or þynke[^149]
Nis namoore to þe mercy of god . þan in þe see a gleede[^150]

[^149: W.5.292: nota]

[^150: W.5.293: nota]

¶ Omnis iniquitas quantum ad misericordiam dei . est quasi sintilla in medio ma ris[^151][^152]

[^151: W.5.294: The right margin is cropped with the lobes of the <a> just visible after an <m>. Other B manuscripts have maris .]

[^152: W.5.294: The first two words of W.5.290, haue mercy , are repeated at the foot of the page in another hand.]

¶ For-þi haue mercy in þy mynde . and marchaundise leue it
For þow hast no good ground . to gete þee wiþ a wastel
But if it were wiþ þi tonge . or ellis wiþ þi two hondes
For þe good þat þow hast geten . bigan al wiþ falshede[^153]
And as longe as þow lyuest þer-with . þow yeldest noȝt but borwest

[^153: W.5.298: nota]

¶ And if þow wite neuere to whiche . ne whom to restitue
Ber it to þe Bisshop . and bid hym of his grace
Bisette it hym-self . as best is for þi soule
For he shal answere for þee . at þe heiȝe dome
For þee and for many mo . þat man shal yeue a rekenyng
What he lerned yow in lente . leue þow noon ooþer
And what he lente yow of oure lordes good . to lette yow fro synne

[^154] ¶ Now bigynneþ Gloton . for to go to shrifte
And karieþ hym to kirkeward . his coupe to shewe
And Beton þe Brewestere . bad hym good morwe
And asked at[^155] hym wiþ þat . whiderward he wolde

[^154: W.5.307: The scribe has written Gula in a red box in the left margin. Its graphies are ornamented with touches of red ink.]

[^155: W.5.310: W alone reads at. Other B manuscripts have of.]

¶ To holy chirche quod he . for to here masse
And siþen I wole be shryuen . and synne namoore

¶ I haue good Ale gossib quod she . Gloton woltow assaye

¶ Hastow ouȝt in þi purs quod he . any hote spices

¶ I haue pepir and piones quod she . and a pound of garleek
And a ferþyngworþ of fenel seed . for fastynge-dayes

¶ Thanne goþ Gloton In . and grete oþes after
Cesse þe Souteresse . sat on þe benche
Watte þe warner . and his wif boþe
Tymme þe Tynkere . and tweyne of his prentices
Hikke þe hakeneyman . and hugh þe Nedlere
Clarice of Cokkeslane . and þe Clerk of þe chirche
Dawe þe dykere . and a dozeyne oþere

¶ Sire Piers of Pridie . and Pernele of Flaundres
A Ribibour a Ratoner . a Rakiere of Chepe
A Ropere a Redyngkyng . and Rose þe dyssheres
Godefray of Garlekhiþe . and Griffyn þe walshe
And vpholderes an heep . erly by þe morwe
Geue Gloton wiþ glad chere . good ale to hanselle

¶ Clement þe Cobelere . caste of his cloke
And at þe newe feire . he nempned it to selle

¶ Hikke þe Hakeneyman . hitte his hood after
And bad Bette þe Bocher . ben on his syde

¶ Ther were chapmen ychose . þis chaffare to preise
That[^156] who-so hadde þe hood . sholde han amendes of þe cloke

[^156: W.5.335: W alone reads That, omitted by other B manuscripts.]

¶ Two risen vp in Rape . and rouned togideres
And preised þise penyworþes . a-part by hem-selue
Thei kouþe noȝt by hir Conscience . acorden in truþe
Til Robyn þe Ropere . aroos by þe Southe
And nempned hym for a nounpere . þat no debat nere

¶ Hikke þe hostiler . hadde þe cloke
In couenaunt þat Clement . sholde þe cuppe fille
And haue Hikkes hood hostiler . and holden hym yserued
And who-so repented raþest . sholde aryse after
And greten sire Gloton . wiþ a Galon ale

¶ There was lauȝynge and lourynge . and lat go þe cuppe
And seten so til euensong . and songen vmwhile
Til Gloton hadde yglubbed . a galon and a gille

¶ Hise guttes bigonne to goþelen . as two gredy sowes
He pissed a potel . in a pater noster while
And blew his rounde ruwet . at his ruggebones ende
That alle þat herde þat horn . helde hir noses after
And wisshed it hadde ben wexed . wiþ a wispe of firses

¶ He myȝte neiþer steppe ne stonde . er he his staf hadde
And þanne gan he to go . lik a glemannes bicche[^157]
Som-tyme aside . and som-tyme arere
As who-so leiþ lynes . for to lacche foweles

[^157: W.5.355: nota]

¶ And whan he drouȝ to þe dore . þanne dymmed hise eiȝen
He stumbled on þe þresshfold . and þrew to þe erþe
Clement þe Cobelere . kauȝte hym by þe myddel
For to liften hym olofte . and leyde hym on his knowes
Ac Gloton was a gret cherl . and a grym in þe liftyng
And kouȝed vp a cawdel . in Clementes lappe
Is noon so hungry hound . in hertford-shire
Dorste lape of þat leuynges . so vnlouely þei smauȝte

¶ Wiþ al þe wo of þis world . his wif and his wenche[^158]
Baren hym hom to his bed . and brouȝte hym þer -Inne
And after al þis excesse . he hadde an Accidie
That he sleep Saterday . and Sonday . til sonne yede to reste

[^158: W.5.366: The red ink partially obscuring wenche is transferred from Accidia on the opposite page.]

¶ Thanne waked he of his wynkyng . and wiped hise eiȝen
The firste word þat he warp . was where is þe bolle
His wif gan edwyte hym þo . how wikkedly he lyuede
And Repentaunce riȝt so . rebuked hym þat tyme
As þow wiþ wordes & werkes . hast wroȝt yuele in þi lyue
Shryue þee and be shamed þer -of . and shewe it with þi mouþe

¶ I Gloton quod þe grom . gilty me yelde
That I haue trespased with my tonge . I kan noȝt telle how ofte
Sworen goddes soule . and so me god helpe[^159]
There no nede was . nyne hundred tymes

[^159: W.5.378: W alone reads me god helpe. Most other B witnesses have god me helpe & (þe) holidome with minor variation.]

¶ And ouerseyen me at my soper . and som-tyme at Nones
That I Gloton girte it vp . er I hadde gon a myle
And yspilt þat myȝte be spared . and spended on som hungry
Ouer-delicatly on fastyng-dayes . dronken and eten boþe
And sat som-tyme so longe þere . þat I sleep and eet atones at ones
For loue of tales in Tauernes . and for[^160] drynke . þe moore I dyned
And hyed to þe mete er noon . whan fastyng-dayes were

[^160: W.5.385: W alone reads and for. Other B manuscripts have to.]

¶ This shewynge shrift quod Repentaunce . shal be meryt to þe

¶ And þanne gan Gloton greete . and gret doel to make
For his luþer lif . þat he lyued hadde
And auowed to faste . for hunger or for þurste
Shal neuere fyssh on Fryday . defyen in my wombe
Til Abstinence myn Aunte . haue ȝyue me leeue
And yet haue I hated hire . al my lif-tyme

[^161] ¶ Thanne cam Sleuþe al bislabered . wiþ two slymy eiȝen
I moste sitte seide þe segge . or ellis sholde I nappe
I may noȝt stonde ne stoupe . ne wiþ-oute a stool knele
Were I brouȝt abedde . but if my tail-ende[^162] it made
Sholde no ryngynge do me ryse . er I were ripe to dyne
He bigan Benedicite with a bolk . and his brest knokked
And raxed and rored . and rutte at þe laste

[^161: W.5.394: The scribe wrote Accidia inside a red box in the left margin.]

[^162: W.5.397: The spacing is ambiguous, and this could be read as two words. Cf. W.8.82 (fol. 46r) where the word is clearly written as one word, in the sense "tallying" but with a pun on tail-ende.]

¶ What awake renk quod Repentaunce . and rape þee to shryfte

¶ If I sholde deye bi þis day . me list nouȝt to loke
I kan noȝt parfitly my Pater noster . as þe preest it syngeþ
But I kan rymes of Robynhood Robyn hood . and Randolf Erl of Chestre
Ac neiþer of oure lord ne of oure lady . þe leeste þat euere was maked

¶ I haue maad auowes fourty . and foryete hem on þe morwe
I parfournede neuere penaunce . as þe preest me hiȝte
Ne riȝt sory for my synnes . yet was I neuere
And if I bidde any bedes . but if it be in wraþe
That I telle wiþ my tonge . is two myle fro myn herte[^163]
I am ocupied eche day . haly-day and ooþer
Wiþ ydel tales at þe Ale . and ouþer -while at[^164] chirche
Goddes peyne and his passion . ful selde þenke I on it

[^163: W.5.410: nota]

[^164: W.5.412: W alone reads at. Other B manuscripts have yn.]

¶ I visited neuere feble men . ne fettred folk in puttes
I haue leuere here an harlotrye . or a Somer game of Souters
Or lesynge[^165] to lauȝen at . and bilye my neȝebores
Than al þat euere Marc made . Mathew Iohan . and Lucas
And vigilies and fastyngdayes . alle þise late I passe
And ligge abedde in lenten . and my lemman in myne armes
Til matyns and masse be do . and þanne go to þe freres
Come I to Ite missa est . I holde me yserued
I nam noȝt shryuen som-tyme . but if siknesse it make
Nouȝt twyes in two yer . and þanne vp gesse I shryue me

[^165: W.5.416: W alone has singular lesynge. Other B manuscripts have lesynges.]

¶ I haue be preest and person . passynge þritty wynter
And yet kan I neyþer solue ne synge . ne seintes lyues rede
But I kan fynden in a feld . or in a furlang an hare
Bettre þan in Beatus vir . or in Beati omnes
Construe oon clause wel . and kenne it to my parisshens
I kan holde loue-dayes . and here a Reues rekenyng
Ac in Canoun nor in decretals . I kan noȝt rede a lyne

¶ If I bigge and borwe auȝt . but if it be ytailed
I foryete it as yerne . and if men me it axe
Sixe siþes or seuene . I forsake it wiþ oþes
And þus tene I trewe men . ten hundred tymes

¶ And my seruauntz som-tyme . hir salarie is bihynde

Ruþe it is to here þe rekenyng . whan we shul rede acountes
So wiþ wikked wil and wraþe . my werkmen I paye

¶ If any man dooþ me a bienfait . or helpeþ me at nede
I am vnkynde ayeins curteisie[^166] . and kan nouȝt vnderstonden it[^167]
For I haue and haue had . som-del haukes maneres
I am noȝt lured wiþ loue . but þer ligge auȝt vnder þe þombe

[^166: W.5.439: W alone omits his before curteisie.]

[^167: W.5.439: nota]

¶ The kyndenesse þat myn euencristene . kidde me fernyere
Sixty siþes I Sleuþe . haue foryete it siþþe
In speche and in sparynge of speche . yspilt many a tyme
Boþe flessh and fissh . and manye oþere vitailles
Boþ bred and ale . buttre / melk and chese
Forsleuþed in my seruice . til it myȝte serue no man

¶ I ran aboute in youþe . and yaf me nauȝt to lerne
And euere siþþe haue I be beggere . for my foule sleuþe

Heu michi quia sterilem vitam duxi Iuuenilem

¶ Repentedestow noȝt quod Repentaunce . & riȝt wiþ þat he swowned
Til vigilate þe veille . fette water at hise eiȝen
And flatte it on his face . and faste on hym cryde
And seide ware þee . for wanhope wolde þee bitraye
I am sory for my synnes . seye to þi-selue
And beet þi-self on þe brest . and bidde hym of grace
For is no gilt here so gret . þat his goodnesse nys moore

¶ Thanne sat Sleuþe vp . and seyned hym swiþe
And made auow tofore god . for his foule sleuþe
Shal no Sonday be þis seuen yer . but siknesse it lette
That I ne shal do me er day . to þe deere chirche
And here matyns and masse . as I a monk were
Shal noon ale after mete . holde me þennes
Til I haue euen-song herd . I bihote to þe Roode
And yet wole I yelde ayein . if I so muche haue
Al þat I wikkedly wan . siþen I wit hadde

¶ And þouȝ my liflode lakke . leten I nelle
That ech man ne shal haue his . er I hennes wende
And wiþ þe residue and þe remenaunt . bi þe Rode of Chestre
I shal seken truþe erst . er I se Rome

¶ Roberd þe Robbere . on Reddite loked
And for þer was noȝt wher-of . he wepte swiþe soore
Ac yet þe synfulle sherewe . seide to hym-selue
Crist þat on Caluarie . vp-on þe cros deidest
Tho Dysmas my broþer . bisouȝte yow of grace
And haddest mercy on þat man . for Memento sake
So rewe on þis Robbere . þat Reddere ne haue
Ne neuere wene to wynne . wiþ craft þat I owe
But for þi muchel mercy . mitigacion I biseche
Ne dampne me noȝt at domes-day . for þat I dide so ille

¶ What bifel of þis feloun . I kan noȝt faire shewe
Wel I woot he wepte faste . water wiþ boþe hise eiȝen
And knoweliched his gilt . to crist yet eft-soones
That penitencia his pik . he sholde polshe newe
And lepe wiþ hym ouer lond . al his lif-tyme
For he hadde leyen by Latro . luciferis Aunte

¶ And þanne hadde Repentaunce ruþe . and redde hem alle to knele
For I shal biseche for alle synfulle . oure Saueour of grace
To amenden vs of oure mysdedes . and do mercy to vs alle

¶ Now god quod he þat of þi goodnesse . bigonne[^168] þe world to make
And of nauȝt madest auȝt . and man moost lik to þi-selue
And siþen suffredest for to synne . a siknesse to vs alle
And al for þe beste as I bileue . what-euere þe book telleþ
O felix culpa . o necessarium peccatum Ade &c[^169]

[^168: W.5.490: W alone reads bigonne. Other B manuscripts read gonne.]

[^169: W.5.494: A second hand has inserted just below the original Latin line the following: o felex Culpa o necessarium peccatum ade &c]

¶ For þoruȝ þat synne þi sone . sent was to þis erþe
And bicam man of a maide . mankynde to saue
And madest þi-self wiþ þi sone . and vs synfulle yliche

Faciamus hominem ad ymaginem[^170] nostram
Et alibi . / Qui manet in caritate in deo manet & deus in eo

[^170: W.5.498: W alone omits et similitudinem after ymaginem .]

¶ And siþþe wiþ þi selue sone . in oure secte[^171] deidest
On goodfryday good fryday for mannes sake . at ful tyme of þe daye
Ther þi-self ne þi sone . no sorwe in deeþ feledest
But in oure secte was þe sorwe . and þi sone it ladde
Captiuam duxit captiuitatem

[^171: W.5.500: W alone reads secte. Other B witnesses read sute.]

¶ The sonne for sorwe þer -of . lees liȝt of[^172] a tyme
Aboute mydday whan moost liȝt is . and meel-tyme of Seintes
Feddest wiþ þi fresshe blood . oure fore-fadres in derknesse

[^172: W.5.505: W alone reads of. Other B manuscripts have for.]

Populus qui ambulabat in tenebris . vidit lucem magnam

¶ And þoruȝ þe liȝt þat lepe out of þee . Lucifer was blent
And blewe alle þi blessed . in-to þe blisse of Paradys

¶ The þridde day after . þow yedest in oure sute
A synful Marie þe seiȝ . er seynte Marie þi dame
And al to solace synfulle . þow suffredest it so were

¶ Non veni vocare iustos . set peccatores ad penitenciam

¶ And al þat Marc . haþ ymaad . Mathew / Iohan / and Lucas
Of þyne douȝty dedes . was[^173] doon in oure armes
Verbum caro factum est & habitauit in nobis

[^173: W.5.516: W alone reads was. Other B witnesses have were.]

¶ And by so muche me semeþ . þe sikerer we mowe
Bidde and biseche . if it be þi wille
That art oure fader and oure broþer . be merciable to vs
And haue ruþe on þise Ribaudes . þat repenten hem here soore
That euere þei wraþed þee in þis world . in word . þouȝt or dedes

¶ Thanne hente hope an horn . of Deus tu conuersus viuificabis
And blew it wiþ . Beati quorum . remisse sunt iniquitates
That alle Seintes in heuene . songen atones at ones
Homines & iumenta saluabis . quemadmodum multiplicasti misericordiam tuam deus

¶ A þousand of men þo . þrungen togideres
Cride vpward to Crist . and to his clene moder
To haue grace to go wiþ hem . truþe to seke

¶ Ac þere was wiȝt noon so wys . þe wey þider kouþe
But blustreden forþ as beestes . ouer bankes and hilles
Til late was and longe . þat þei a leode mette
Apparailled as a paynym . in pilgrymes wise
He bar a burdoun ybounde . wiþ a brood liste
In a wiþwynde[^174] wise . ywounden aboute
A bolle and a bagge . he bar by his syde
An hundred of Ampulles . on his hat seten
Signes of Synay . and shelles of Galice
And many a crouch on his cloke . and keyes of Rome
And þe vernycle bifore . for men sholde knowe
And se bi hise signes . whom he souȝt hadde

[^174: W.5.535: W alone reads wiþwynde. HmGLRM read wythewyndes. YOC2C have swithe wyndes.]

¶ This folk frayned hym first . fro whennes he come

¶ Fram Synay he seide . and fram oure lordes Sepulcre
In Bethlem and in Babiloyne . I haue ben in boþe
In Armonye in Alisaundre . in manye oþere places
Ye may se by my signes . þat sitten on myn hatte
That I haue walked ful wide . in weet and in drye
And souȝt goode Seintes . for my soules helþe

¶ Knowestow auȝt a corsaint . þat men calle truþe
Koudestow auȝt wissen vs þe wey . wher þat wye dwelleþ

¶ Nay so me god helpe . seide þe gome þanne
I seiȝ neuere Palmere . wiþ pyk ne wiþ scrippe
Asken after hym er . til now in þis place

¶ Peter quod a Plowman . and putte forþ his hed
I knowe hym as kyndely . as clerc doþ hise bokes
Conscience and kynde wit . kenned me to his place
And diden me suren hym sikerly . to seruen hym for euere
Boþe to sowe and to sette . þe while I swynke myȝte
I haue ben his folwere . al þis fifty wynter
Boþe ysowen his seed . and suwed hise beestes
Wiþ-Inne and wiþ-outen . waited his profit
I dyke and I delue . I do þat truþe hoteþ
Som-tyme I sowe . and som-tyme I þresshe
In taillours craft and tynkeris craft . what truþe kan deuyse
I weue and I wynde . and do what truþe hoteþ
For þouȝ I seye it my-self . I serue hym to paye
I haue myn hire wel . and ouþer -whiles moore
He is þe presteste paiere . þat pouere men knoweþ
He ne wiþhalt noon hewe his hire . þat he ne haþ it at euen
He is as lowe as a lomb . and louelich of speche
And if ye wilneþ to wite . where þat he dwelleþ
I shal wisse yow witterly . þe wey to his place

¶ Ye leue Piers quod þise pilgrimes . and profred hym huyre
Forto wende wiþ hem . to truþes dwellyng place

¶ Nay by my soules helþe quod Piers . and gan for to swere
I nolde fange a ferþyng . for seint Thomas shryne
Truþe wolde loue me þe lasse . a long tyme þer -after
Ac if yow[^175] wilneþ to wende wel . þis is þe wey þider

[^175: W.5.578: WCr1 alone read yow, where other B witnesses have ȝe. There are no examples in W of nominative yow, so perhaps wilneþ is here uniquely treated as an impersonal verb. Cf. 5.571 above.]

¶ Ye moten go þoruȝ mekenesse . boþe men and wyues
Til ye come in-to Conscience . þat crist wite þe soþe
That ye louen oure lord god . leuest of alle þynges
And þanne youre neȝebores next . in none wise apeire
Oþer-wise þan þow woldest . he wrouȝte to þi-selue

¶ And so boweþ forþ by a brook . beþ buxom of speche
Til ye fynden a ford . youre fadres honoureþ
Honora patrem & matrem &c
Wadeþ in þat water . and wasshe yow wel þer -Inne[^176]
And ye shul lepe þe liȝtloker . al youre lif-tyme[^177]
And so shaltow se swere noȝt . but if it be for nede
And nameliche on ydel . þe name of god almyȝty

[^176: W.5.587: nota]

[^177: W.5.588: nota]

¶ Thanne shaltow come by a croft . but come þow noȝt þer -Inne
That croft hatte Coueite noȝt . mennes catel ne hire wyues
Ne noon of hire seruauntz . þat noyen hem myȝte
Loke ye breke no bowes þere . but if it be youre owene

¶ Two stokkes þer stondeþ . ac stynte ye noȝt þere
Thei hiȝte Stele noȝt & Sle noȝt . strik forþ by boþe
And leue hem on þi lift half . and loke noȝt þer-after
And hold wel þyn haliday . heighe til euen

¶ Thanne shaltow blenche at a Bergh . bere no fals witnesse
He is fryþed In wiþ floryns . and oþere fees manye
Loke þow plukke no plaunte þere . for peril of þi soule
Thanne shul ye see seye sooþ . so it be to doone
In good[^178] manere ellis noȝt . for no mannes biddyng

[^178: W.5.603: W alone reads good. Other B witnesses have no.]

¶ Thanne shaltow come to a court . as cler as þe sonne
The moot is of mercy . þe Manoir aboute
And alle þe walles ben of wit . to holden wil oute
And kerneled wiþ cristendom . mankynde to saue
Botrased wiþ bileef so . or þow beest noȝt saued

¶ And alle þe houses ben hiled . halles and chambres
Wiþ no leed but wiþ loue . and lowe speche as breþeren
The brugge is of bidde wel . þe bet may þow spede
Ech piler is of penaunce . of preieres to Seyntes
Of almes-dedes are þe hokes . þat þe gates hangen on

¶ Grace hatte þe gateward . a good man for-soþe
His man hatte amende yow . for many men hym knoweþ
Telleþ hym þis tokene . þat truþe wite þe soþe
I parfourned þe penaunce . þat þe preest me enioyned
And am ful sory for my synnes . and so I shal euere
Whan I þynke þer-on . þeiȝ I were a Pope

¶ Biddeþ amende yow meke hym . til his maister ones
To wayuen vp þe wiket . þat þe womman shette
Tho Adam and Eue . eten apples vnrosted
Per Euam cuntis clausa est . et per Mariam virginem patefacta est

¶ For he haþ þe keye and þe cliket . þouȝ þe kyng slepe
And if grace graunte þee . to go in þis wise
Thow shalt see in þi-selue . truþe in þyn herte
In a cheyne of charite . as þow a child were
To suffren hym and segge noȝt . ayein þi sires wille

¶ And be war þanne of wraþe þee . þat is a wikked sherewe
He haþ enuye to hym . þat in þyn herte sitteþ
And pokeþ forþ pride . to preise þi-seluen
The boldnesse of þi bienfetes . makeþ þee blynd þanne
And þanne worstow dryuen out as dew . and þe dore closed
Keyed and cliketted . to kepe þee wiþ-outen
Happily anhundred an hundred wynter . er þow eft entre
Thus myȝtestow lesen his loue . to lete wel by þi-selue
And neuere happily eft entre . but grace þow haue

¶ And þer are seuen sustren . þat seruen truþe euere
And arn porters of þe Posternes . þat to þe place longeþ

¶ That oon hatte Abstinence . and humilite anoþer
Charite and Chastite . ben hise chief maydenes
Pacience and pees . muche peple þei helpeþ
Largenesse þe lady . she let in ful manye
Heo haþ holpe a þousand out . of þe deueles punfolde
And who is sib to þise seuene . so me god helpe
He is wonderly welcome . and faire vnderfongen
And but if ye be sibbe . to some of þise seuene
It is ful hard by myn heed quod Piers . for any of yow alle
To geten ingoing at any gate þere . but grace be þe moore

¶ Now by crist quod a kutte-purs . I haue no kyn þere
Nor I quod an Apeward . by auȝt þat I kan knowe
Wite god quod a wafrestere . wiste I þis for soþe
Sholde I neuere ferþer a foot . for no freres prechyng

¶ Ȝis quod Piers þe Plowman . and poked hem alle to goode
Mercy is a maiden þere . haþ myȝt ouer alle
And she is sib to alle synfulle . and hire sone also
And þoruȝ þe help of hem two . hope þow noon ooþer
Thow myȝt gete grace þere . so þow go bityme .
Bi seint Poul quod a pardoner . parauenture I be noȝt knowe þere
I wol go fecche my box wiþ my breuettes . & a bulle with bisshopes lettres

¶ By crist quod a comune womman . þi compaignie wol I folwe
Thow shalt seye I am þi Suster . I ne woot where þei bicome

Passus sextus de visione vt supra

T his were a wikkede wey . but who-so hadde a gyde
That wolde folwen vs ech a foot . þus þis folk hem mened

¶ Quod Perkyn þe Plowman . by Seint Peter of Rome
I haue an half acre to erie . by þe heiȝe weye
Hadde I eryed þis half acre . and sowen it after
I wolde wende wiþ yow . and þe wey teche

¶ This were a long lettyng . quod a lady in a Scleyre
What sholde we wommen . werche þe while

¶ Somme shul sowe þe sak quod Piers . for shedyng of þe whete
And ye louely ladies . wiþ youre longe fyngres
That ye haue silk and Sandel . to sowe whan tyme is
Chesibles for Chapeleyns . chirches to honoure

¶ Wyues and widewes . wolle and flex spynneþ
Makeþ cloþ I counseille yow . and kenneþ so youre douȝtres
The nedy and þe naked . nymeþ hede how þei liggeþ
And casteþ hem cloþes . for so comaundeþ truþe
For I shal lenen hem liflode . but if þe lond faille
Flessh and breed boþe . to riche and to poore
As longe as I lyue . for þe lordes loue of heuene
And alle manere of men . þat þoruȝ mete and drynke libbeþ
Helpeþ hym to werche wiȝtliche . þat wynneþ youre foode

¶ By crist quod a knyȝt þoo . he kenneþ vs þe beste
Ac on þe teme trewely . tauȝt was I neuere
But kenne me quod þe knyȝt . and by crist I wole assaye

¶ By Seint Poul quod Perkyn . ye profre yow so faire
That I shal swynke and swete . and sowe for vs boþe
And oþere labours do for þi loue . al my lif-tyme
In couenaunt þat þow kepe . holy kirke and my-selue
Fro wastours and fro wikked men . þat þis world destruyeþ
And go hunte hardiliche . to hares and to foxes
To bores and to brokkes . þat breken doun myne hegges
And so[^179] affaite þi faucons . wilde foweles to kille
For swiche comeþ to my croft . and croppeþ my whete

[^179: W.6.32: W alone reads so. Other B manuscripts have go.]

¶ Curteisly þe knyȝt þanne . comsed þise wordes
By my power Piers quod he . I pliȝte þee my trouþe
To fulfille þis forward . þouȝ I fiȝte sholde
Als longe as I lyue . I shal þee mayntene

¶ Ye and yet a point quod Piers . I preye yow of moore
Loke ye tene no tenaunt . but truþe wole assente
And þouȝ ye mowe amercy hem . lat mercy be taxour
And mekenesse þi maister . maugree Medes chekes
And þouȝ pouere men profre yow . presentes and ȝiftes
Nyme it noȝt an auenture . ye mowe it noȝt deserue
For þow shalt yelde it ayein . at one yeres tyme[^180]
In a ful perilous place . Purgatorie it hatte

[^180: W.6.44: W alone reads tyme. Other B manuscripts have ende.]

¶ And mysbede noȝt þi bonde-men . þe bettre may þow spede
Thouȝ he be þyn vnderlyng here . wel may happe in heuene
That he worþ worþier set . and wiþ moore blisse
Amice ascende superius
For in Charnel at chirche . cherles ben yuel to knowe
Or a knyȝt from a knaue þere . knowe þis in þyn herte
And þat þow be trewe of þi tonge . and tales þat þow hatie[^181]
But if þei ben of wisdom or of wit . þi werkmen to chaste
Hold wiþ none harlotes . ne here noȝt hir tales[^182]
And namely at þe mete . swiche men eschuwe[^183]
For it ben þe deueles disours . I do þe to vnderstonde[^184]

[^181: W.6.52: nota]

[^182: W.6.54: nota]

[^183: W.6.55: nota]

[^184: W.6.56: nota]

¶ I assente by Seint Iame . seide þe knyȝt þanne
For to werche by þi wordes . þe while my lif dureþ

¶ And I shal apparaille me quod Perkyn . in pilgrymes wise
And wende wiþ yow I wile . til we fynde truþe
And caste on my cloþes . yclouted and hole
My cokeres and my coffes . for cold of my nailes
And hange myn hoper at myn hals . in stede of a Scryppe
A busshel of bred-corn . brynge me þer -Inne
For I wol sowe it my-self . and siþenes wol I wende
To pilgrymage as palmeres doon . pardon for to haue
And who-so helpeþ me to erie . and sowen here er I wende
Shal haue leue by oure lord . to lese here in heruest
And make hem murie þer -myd . maugree who-so bigruccheþ it
And alle kynne crafty men . þat konne lyuen in truþe
I shal fynden hem fode . þat feiþfulliche libbeþ

¶ Saue Iagge[^185] þe Iogelour . and Ionette of þe Stuwes
And danyel þe dees pleyere . and Denote þe baude
And frere þe faitour . and folk of hire[^186] ordre
And Robyn þe Ribaudour . for hise rusty wordes
Truþe tolde me ones . and bad me telle it after
Deleantur de libro viuencium . I sholde noȝt dele wiþ hem
For holy chirche is hote of hem . no tiþe to take
Quia cum iustis non scribantur
They ben ascaped good auenture . god hem amende

[^185: W.6.72: W alone reads Iagge. Other B manuscripts have Iakke.]

[^186: W.6.74: W alone reads hire. Other B manuscripts have his.]

¶ Dame werch whan tyme is . Piers wif hiȝte
¶ His douȝter hiȝte do riȝt so . or þi dame shal þee bete
His sone hiȝte Suffre þi Souereyns . to hauen hir wille
Deme hem noȝt for if þow doost . þow shalt it deere abugge
Lat god yworþe wiþ al . for so his word techeþ
For now I am old and hoor . and haue of myn owene
To penaunce and to pilgrimage . I wol passe wiþ þise oþere

¶ For-þi I wole er I wende . do write my biqueste
In dei nomine amen . I make it my-selue
He shal haue my soule . þat best haþ deserued it
And fro þe fend it defende . for so I bileue
Til I come to hise acountes . as my Credo me telleþ
To haue a relees and a remission . on þat rental I leue

¶ The kirke shal haue my caroyne . and kepe my bones
For of my corn and catel . she craued þe tiþe
I paide it ful[^187] prestly . for peril of my soule
For-þi is he holden I hope . to haue me in his masse
And mengen in his memorie . amonges alle cristene

[^187: W.6.96: W alone reads it ful. M has him ful, and most other B manuscripts have it hym.]

¶ My wif shal haue of þat I wan . wiþ truþe and namoore
And dele among my douȝtres . and my deere children
For þouȝ I deye to-day . my dettes are quyte
I bar hom þat I borwed . er I to bedde yede

¶ And wiþ þe residue and þe remenaunt . by þe Rode of Lukes
I wol worshipe þer -wiþ . truþe by my lyue
And ben his pilgrym atte plow . for pouere mennes sake
My plowfoot shal be my pikstaf . and picche atwo þe rotes
And helpe my cultour to kerue . and clense þe furwes

¶ Now is Perkyn and hise pilgrimes . to þe plow faren
To erie þis half acre . holpen hym manye
Dikeres and Delueres . digged vp þe balkes
Ther-wiþ was Perkyn apayed . and preised hem faste

¶ Oþere werkmen þer were . þat wroȝten ful yerne
Ech man in his manere . made hym-self to doone
And somme to plese Perkyn . piked vp þe wedes

¶ At heiȝ prime Piers . leet þe plowȝ stonde
To ouersen hem hym-self . and who-so best wroȝte
He sholde be hired þer -after . whan heruest tyme come

¶ And þanne seten somme . and songen atte Nale
And holpen ere þis[^188] half acre . wiþ how trolly lolly

[^188: W.6.119: W alone reads þis. Other B manuscripts have his.]

¶ Now by þe peril of my soule quod Piers . al in pure tene
But ye arise þe raþer . and rape yow to werche
Shal no greyn þat groweþ . glade yow at nede
And þouȝ ye deye for doel . þe deuel haue þat reccheþ

¶ Tho were faitours afered . and feyned hem blynde
Somme leide hir legges aliry . as swiche losels konneþ
And made hir mone to Piers . and preide hym of grace
For we haue no lymes to laboure with . lord ygraced be þe
Ac we preie for yow Piers . and for youre plowȝ boþe
That god of his grace . youre greyn multiplie
And yelde yow for youre Almesse . þat ye ȝyue vs here
For we may noȝt swynke ne swete . swich siknesse vs eyleþ

¶ If it be sooþ quod Piers þat ye seyn . I shal it soone aspie
Ye ben wastours I woot wel . and truþe woot þe soþe
And I am his olde hyne . and hiȝte hym to warne
Whiche þei were in þis world . hise werkmen apeired
Ye wasten þat men wynnen . wiþ trauaille and wiþ tene
Ac truþe shal teche yow . his teme to dryue
Or ye shul eten barly breed . and of þe broke drynke

¶ But if he be blynd or brokelegged . or bolted wiþ Irens
He shal ete whete breed . and drynke wiþ my-selue
Til god of his goodnesse . amendement hym sende
Ac ye myȝte trauaille as truþe wolde . and take mete and hyre
To kepe kyen in þe feld . þe corn fro þe beestes
Diken or deluen . or dyngen vp-on sheues
Or helpe make morter . or bere Muk a-feld

¶ In lecherie and in losengerie  ye lyuen and in Sleuþe
And al is þoruȝ suffraunce . þat vengeaunce yow ne takeþ

¶ Ac Ancres and heremites . þat eten noȝt but at Nones
And namoore er þe morwe . myn almesse shul þei haue
And of catel to kepe hem wiþ . þat han Cloistres and chirches

¶ Ac Robert Renaboute . shal noȝt haue of myne
Ne Postles but þei preche konne . and haue power of þe bisshop
Thei shul haue payn and potage . and make hem-self atese at ese
[^189] For it is an vnresonable Religion . þat haþ riȝt noȝt of certein

[^189: W.6.154: A much later hand has written nota in the left margin.]

¶ And þanne gan wastour to wraþen hym . and wolde haue yfouȝte
And to Piers þe Plowman . he profrede his gloue
A Bretoner a braggere . abosted a bosted[^190] Piers als
And bad hym go pissen with his plowȝ . forpynede sherewe
Wiltow or neltow . we wol haue oure wille
Of þi flour and of þi flessh . fecche whanne vs likeþ
And maken vs murye þer -myde . maugree þi chekes

[^190: W.6.157: a, "he."]

¶ Thanne Piers þe Plowman . pleyned hym to þe knyȝte
To kepen hym as couenaunt was . fro cursede sherewes
And fro þise wastours wolueskynnes . þat makeþ þe world deere
For þo wasten and wynnen noȝt . and þat ilke while
Worþ neuere plentee among þe peple . þe while my plowȝ liggeþ

¶ Curteisly þe knyȝt þanne . as his kynde wolde
Warnede wastour . and wissed hym bettre
Or þow shalt abigge by þe lawe . by þe ordre þat I bere

¶ I was noȝt wont to werche quod wastour . and now wol I noȝt bigynne
And leet liȝt of þe lawe . and lasse of þe knyȝte
And sette Piers at a pese . and his plowȝ boþe
And manaced Piers and his men . if þei mette eftsoone

¶ Now by þe peril of my soule quod Piers . I shal apeire yow alle
And houped after hunger . þat herde hym at þe firste
Awreke me of þise wastours quod he . þat þis world shendeþ

¶ Hunger in haste þoo . hente wastour by þe wombe[^191]
And wrong hym so by þe wombe . þat boþe hise eiȝen watrede

[^191: W.6.177: W alone reads wombe. Other B manuscripts have mawe.]

¶ He buffetted þe Bretoner . aboute þe chekes
That he loked lik a lanterne . al his lif after
He bette hem so boþe . he brast ner hire guttes
Ne hadde Piers wiþ a pese loof . preyed hunger to cesse
They hadde be doluen . ne deme þow noon ooþer

¶ Suffre hem lyue he seide . and lat hem ete wiþ hogges
Or ellis benes or[^192] bren . ybaken togideres
Or ellis melk and mene ale . þus preied Piers for hem

[^192: W.6.185: W alone reads or. Other B manuscripts have and.]

¶ Faitours for fere her-of . flowen in-to Bernes
And flapten on wiþ flailes . fro morwe til euen
That hunger was noȝt so hardy . on hem for to loke
For a potful of peses . þat Piers hadde ymaked

¶ An heep of heremytes . henten hem spades
And kitten hir copes . and courtepies hem maked
And wente as werkmen . wiþ spades and wiþ shoueles
And doluen and dikeden . to dryue awey hunger

¶ Blynde and bedreden . were bootned a þousand
That seten to begge siluer . soone were þei heeled
For þat was bake for bayard . was boote for many hungry
And many a beggere for benes . buxum was to swynke
And ech a pouere man wel apaied . to haue pesen for his hyre
And what Piers preide hem to do . as prest as a Sperhauk
And þer -of was Piers proud . and putte hem to werke
And yaf hem mete as he myȝte aforþe . and mesurable hyre

¶ Thanne hadde Piers pite . and preide hunger to wende
Hoom vn-to his owene yerd . and holden hym þere
For I am wel awroke . of wastours þoruȝ þy myȝte
Ac I preie þee er þow passe . quod Piers to hunger
Of beggeris and of bidderis . what best be to doone
For I woot wel be þow went . þei wol werche ful ille
For meschief it makeþ . þei be so meke nouþe
And for defaute of hire foode . þis folk is at my wille

¶ Thei are my blody breþeren quod Piers . for god bouȝte vs alle
Truþe tauȝte me ones . to louen hem echone
And to helpen hem of alle þyng . ay as hem nedeþ
And now wolde I wite of þee . what were þe beste
And how I myȝte amaistren hem . and make hem to werche

¶ Here now quod hunger . and hoold it for a wisdom .
Bolde beggeris and bigge . þat mowe hir breed biswynke
Wiþ houndes breed and horse-breed . hoold vp hir hertes
Abate hem wiþ benes . for bollynge of hir wombes
And if þe gomes grucche . bidde hem go swynke
And he shal soupe swetter . whan he it haþ deserued

¶ And if þow fynde any freke . þat Fortune haþ apeired
Or any manere false men . fonde þow swiche to knowe
Conforte hym wiþ þi catel . for cristes loue of heuene
Loue hem and lene hem . so lawe of god techeþ
Alter alterius onera portate

¶ And alle manere of men . þat þow myȝt aspie
That nedy ben and nouȝty . help hem wiþ þi goodes
Loue hem and lakke hem noȝt . lat god take þe vengeaunce
Theiȝ þei doon yuele . lat god yworþe
Michi vindictam & ego retribuam

¶ And if þow wilt be gracious to god . do as þe gospel techeþ
And biloue þee amonges lewed men . so shaltow lacche grace
Facite vos[^193] amicos de mammona iniquitatis

[^193: W.6.234: W alone reads vos. Other B manuscripts have vobis.]

¶ I wolde noȝt greue god quod Piers . for al þe good on grounde
Miȝte I synnelees do as þow seist . seide Piers þanne

¶ Ye I bihote þee quod hunger . or ellis þe bible lieþ
Go to Genesis þe geaunt . þe engendrour of vs alle
In sudore and swynk . þow shalt þi mete tilie
And laboure for þi liflode . and so oure lord hiȝte
And Sapience seiþ þe same . I seiȝ it in þe bible
Piger pro frigore . no feeld nolde tilie
And þer-fore he shal begge and bidde . and no man bete his hunger

¶ Mathew wiþ mannes face . mouþed þise wordes
That seruus nequam hadde a Mnam[^194] . and for he wolde noȝt chaffare
He hadde maugree of his maister . euere-moore after
And bynam hym his Mnam . for he ne wolde werche
And yaf þat Mnam to hym . þat ten Mnames hadde
And wiþ þat he seide . þat holy chirche it herde
He þat haþ shal haue . and helpe þere it nedeþ[^195]
And he þat noȝt haþ shal noȝt haue . and no man hym helpe[^196]
And þat he weneþ wel to haue . I wole it hym bireue
Kynde wit wolde . þat ech a wiȝt wroȝte
Or in dikynge or in deluynge . or trauaillynge in preieres
Contemplatif lif or Actif lif . crist wolde þei wroȝte
The Sauter seiþ in þe psalme . of Beati omnes
The freke þat fedeþ hym-self . wiþ his feiþful labour
He is blessed by þe book . in body and in soule
Labores manuum tuarum &c

[^194: W.6.245: The gloss .id est. A besaunt is written above Mnam in a smaller script but by the main hand. The red box around Mnam was drawn subsequently and left incomplete at the top. A similar gloss appears in HmLM. C. David Benson and Lynne S. Blanchfield, The Manuscripts of Piers Plowman: the B-version (Cambridge: D. S. Brewer, 1997), 162, mistakenly offer to correct Kane-Donaldson's Mnam to amam.]

[^195: W.6.250: nota]

[^196: W.6.251: nota]

¶ Yet I preie yow quod Piers . par charite and ye konne
Any leef of lechecraft . lere it me my deere
For some of my seruauntz . and my-self boþe
Of al a wike werche noȝt . so oure wombe akeþ

¶ I woot wel quod hunger . what siknesse yow eyleþ
Ye han manged ouer-muche . and þat makeþ yow grone
Ac I hote þee quod hunger . as þow þyn hele wilnest
That þow drynke no day . er þow dyne som-what[^197][^198]
Ete noȝt I hote þee . er hunger þee take[^199]
And sende þee of his Sauce . to sauore wiþ þi lippes[^200]
And keep som til soper tyme . and sitte noȝt to longe[^201]
And rys vp er Appetit . haue eten his fille[^202]
Lat noȝt sire Surfet . sitten at þi borde[^203]
Leue hym noȝt for he is lecherous . and likerous of tunge[^204]
And after many maner metes . his mawe is afyngred[^205]

[^197: W.6.267-275: These nine lines are marked in the right margin by marks where notae usually appear, but these marks do not even suggest an <n>.]

[^198: W.6.267: nota]

[^199: W.6.268: nota]

[^200: W.6.269: nota]

[^201: W.6.270: nota]

[^202: W.6.271: nota]

[^203: W.6.272: nota]

[^204: W.6.273: nota]

[^205: W.6.274: nota]

[^206] ¶ And if þow diete þee þus . I dar legge myne eris[^207]
That Phisik shal hise furred hodes . for his fode selle
And his cloke of Calabre . wiþ alle þe knappes of golde
And be fayn by my feiþ . his Phisik to lete
And lerne to laboure wiþ lond . for liflode is swete[^208]
For murþereris are manye leches . lord hem amende
They do men deye þoruȝ hir drynkes . er destynee it wolde

[^206: W.6.275: A scribe has drawn a rough [pointing hand] in the left margin.]

[^207: W.6.275: nota]

[^208: W.6.279: nota]

By Seint Poul quod Piers . þise arn profitable wordes
Wend now hunger whan þow wolt . þat wel be þow euere
For þis is a louely lesson . lord it þee foryelde

¶ Bihote god quod hunger . hennes ne wole I wende
Til I haue dyned bi þis day . and ydronke boþe

¶ I haue no peny quod Piers . pulettes to bugge
Ne neiþer gees ne grys . but two grene cheses
A fewe cruddes and creme . and an hauer cake
And two loues of benes and bran . ybake for my fauntes
And yet I seye by my soule . I haue no salt bacon
Ne no cokeney by crist . coloppes for to maken

¶ Ac I haue percile and porettes . and manye cole plauntes
And ek a cow and a calf . and a cart mare[^209]
To drawe a-feld my donge . þe while þe droȝte lasteþ
And by þis liflode we mote lyue . til lammesse tyme
And by þat I hope to haue . heruest in my crofte
And þanne may I diȝte þi dyner . as me deere likeþ

[^209: W.6.294: nota]

¶ Al þe pouere peple þo . pescoddes fetten
Benes and baken apples . þei broȝte in hir lappes
Chibolles and Cheruelles . and ripe chiries manye
And profrede Piers þis present . to plese wiþ hunger

¶ Al hunger eet in haste . and axed after moore
Thanne pouere folk for fere . fedden hunger yerne
Wiþ grene poret and pesen . to poisone hym þei þoȝte
By þat it neȝed neer heruest . & newe corn cam to chepyng
Thanne was folk fayn . and fedde hunger wiþ þe beste
Wiþ good Ale as Gloton taȝte . and garte hunger go slepe

¶ And þo wolde wastour noȝt werche . but wandren aboute
Ne no beggere ete breed . þat benes Inne were
But of Coket and cler-matyn . or ellis of clene whete
Ne noon halfpeny ale . in none wise drynke
But of þe beste and of þe brunneste . þat in Burgh is to selle

¶ Laborers þat haue no land . to lyue on but hire handes[^210][^211]
Deyned noȝt to dyne a-day . nyȝt-olde wortes[^212]
May no peny-ale hem paie . ne no pece of bacoun[^213]
But if it be fressh flessh ouþer fissh : fryed ouþer ybake[^214]
And þat chaud and plus chaud . for chillynge of hir mawe[^215]
And but if he be heiȝliche hyred . ellis wole he chide[^216]
And þat he was werkman wroȝt . waille þe tyme[^217]
Ayeins Catons counseil . comseþ he to Iangle[^218]
¶ Paupertatis onus pacienter ferre memento

[^210: W.6.314-321: All the lines in this line-group are marked in the right margin with nota in a darker ink of the same attenuated form that appears above in ll. 267-75.]

[^211: W.6.314: nota]

[^212: W.6.315: nota]

[^213: W.6.316: nota]

[^214: W.6.317: nota]

[^215: W.6.318: nota]

[^216: W.6.319: nota]

[^217: W.6.320: nota]

[^218: W.6.321: nota]

¶ He greueþ hym ageyn god . and gruccheþ ageyn Reson
And þanne corseþ he þe kyng . and al his counseil after
Swiche lawes to loke . laborers to greue
Ac whiles hunger was hir maister . þer wolde noon of hem chide
Ne stryuen ayeins his statut . so sterneliche he loked

¶ Ac I warne yow werkmen . wynneþ whil ye mowe
For hunger hiderward . hasteþ hym faste
He shal awake wiþ water . wastours to chaste
Er fyue be fulfilled . swich famyn shal aryse
Thoruȝ flodes and þoruȝ foule wedres . fruytes shul faille
And so seide Saturne . and sente yow to warne

[^219] ¶ Whan ye se þe sonne amys . and two monkes heddes
And a mayde haue þe maistrie . and multiplie by eiȝte
Thanne shal deeþ wiþ-drawe . and derþe be Iustice[^220]
And Dawe þe dykere . deye for hunger
But god of his goodnesse . graunte vs a trewe[^221]

[^219: W.6.334: A scribe has drawn a rough [pointing hand] in the left margin.]

[^220: W.6.336: nota]

[^221: W.6.338: nota]

Passus .vijus. septimus de visione vt supra

T Reuþe herde telle her-of . and to Piers he sente
To maken his teme . and tilien þe erþe
And purchaced hym a pardoun . a pena & a culpa
For hym and for hise heires . for euere-moore after
And bad hym holde hym at home . and erien hise leyes
And alle þat holpen hym to erye . to sette or to sowe
Or any ooþer mestier . þat myȝte Piers auaille
Pardon wiþ Piers Plowman . truþe haþ ygraunted

¶ Kynges and knyȝtes . þat kepen holy chirche
And riȝtfully in Remes . rulen þe peple
Han pardon þoruȝ purgatorie . to passen ful liȝtly
Wiþ Patriarkes and prophetes . in paradis to be felawe

¶ Bysshopes yblessed . if þei ben as þei sholde
Legistres of boþe lawes . þe lewed þer -wiþ to preche
And in as muche as þei mowe . amenden alle synfulle
Arn peres wiþ þe Apostles . þis pardon Piers sheweþ
And at þe day of dome . at þe heiȝe deys sitte

¶ Marchauntz in þe margyne . hadde manye yeres
Ac noon A pena & a culpa . þe pope nolde hem graunte
For þei holde noȝt hir halidayes . as holy chirche techeþ
And for þei swere by hir soule . and so god moste hem helpe
Ayein clene Conscience . hir catel to selle

¶ Ac vnder his secret seel . truþe sente hem a lettre
That þei sholde buggen boldely . þat hem best liked
And siþenes selle it ayein . and saue þe wynnyng
And amende Mesondieux þer -myd . and myseise folk helpe
And wikkede weyes . wightly amende
And do boote to brugges . þat tobroke were
Marien maydenes . or maken hem Nonnes
Pouere peple and prisons . fynden hem hir foode

¶ And sette Scolers to scole . or to som oþere craftes
Releue Religion . and renten hem bettre
And I shal sende yow my-selue . Seint Michel myn Archangel
That no deuel shal yow dere . ne fere yow in youre deying
And witen yow fro wanhope . if ye wol þus werche
And sende youre soules in saufte . to my Seintes in Ioye

¶ Thanne were Marchauntz murie . manye wepten for ioye
And preiseden Piers þe Plowman . þat purchaced þis bulle

¶ Men of lawe leest pardon hadde . þat pleteden for Mede
For þe Sauter saueþ hem noȝt . swiche as take ȝiftes
And nameliche of Innocentz . þat noon yuel ne konneþ

Super innocentem munera non accipies

¶ Pledours sholde peynen hem . to plede for swiche and helpe
Princes and prelates . sholde paie for hire trauaille

A Regibus & principibus erit merces eorum

¶ Ac many a Iustice and Iurour . wolde for Iohan do moore
Than pro dei pietate . leue þow noon ooþer

¶ Ac he þat spendeþ his speche . and spekeþ for þe pouere[^222]
That is Innocent and nedy . and no man apeireþ[^223]
Conforteþ hym in þat caas . wiþ-outen coueitise of ȝiftes[^224]
And sheweþ lawe for oure lordes loue . as he it haþ ylerned[^225]
Shal no deuel at his deeþ-day . deren hym a myte
That he ne worþ saaf and his soule . þe Sauter bereþ witnesse

[^222: W.7.48: nota]

[^223: W.7.49: nota]

[^224: W.7.50: nota]

[^225: W.7.51: nota]

¶ Domine quis habitabit in tabernaculo tuo

¶ Ac to bugge water ne wynd . ne wit ne fir þe ferþe
Thise foure þe fader of heuene . made to þis foold in commune
Thise ben truþes tresores . trewe folk to helpe
That neuere shul wexe ne wanye . wiþ-outen god hym-selue

¶ Whan þei drawen on to deye . and Indulgences wolde haue
Hir pardon is ful petit . at hir partyng hennes
That any Mede of mene men . for hir motyng takeþ
Ye legistres and lawieres . holdeþ þis for truþe
That if þat I lye . Mathew is to blame
For he bad me make yow þis . and þis prouerbe me tolde

Quodcumque vultis vt faciant vobis homines . facite eis[^226]

[^226: W.7.65: nota]

¶ Alle libbynge laborers . þat lyuen wiþ hir hondes[^227][^228]
That treweliche taken . and treweliche wynnen[^229]
And lyuen in loue and in lawe . for hir lowe hertes[^230]
Haueþ þe same absolucion . þat sent was to Piers[^231]

[^227: W.7.66-69: A vertical pen mark appears at the end of this line and the three following lines, which we take to represent nota .]

[^228: W.7.66: nota]

[^229: W.7.67: nota]

[^230: W.7.68: nota]

[^231: W.7.69: nota]

¶ Beggeres ne bidderes . ne beþ noȝt in þe bulle
But if þe suggestion be sooþ . þat shapeþ hem to begge
For he þat beggeþ or bit . but if he haue nede[^232]
He is fals wiþ þe feend . and defraudeþ þe nedy[^233]
And also he bigileþ þe gyuere . ageynes his wille
For if he wiste he were noȝt nedy . he wolde ȝyue þat anoþer
That were moore nedy þan he . so þe nedieste sholde be holpe
Caton kenneþ me þus . and þe clerc of stories
Cui des videto . is Catons techyng[^234]

[^232: W.7.72: nota]

[^233: W.7.73: nota]

[^234: W.7.78: nota]

¶ And in þe stories he techeþ . to bistowe þyn almesse
Sit elemosina tua in manu tua donec studes cui des[^235]

[^235: W.7.80: The nota appears inside the box to the right of the line.]

¶ Ac Gregory was a good man . and bad vs gyuen alle[^236]
That askeþ for his loue . þat vs al leneþ[^237]
Non eligas cui miseriaris neforte ne forte pretereas illum qui meretur accipere[^238]
Quia incertum est pro quo deo magis placeas[^239]

[^236: W.7.81: nota]

[^237: W.7.82: nota]

[^238: W.7.83: The end of the box is cropped in the right margin, though no text appears to have been lost.]

[^239: W.7.84: nota]

¶ For wite ye neuere who is worþi . ac god woot who haþ nede[^240]
In hym þat takeþ is þe trecherie . if any treson walke[^241]
For he þat yeueþ yeldeþ . and yarkeþ hym to reste
And he þat biddeþ borweþ . and bryngeþ hym-self in dette
For beggeres borwen euere-mo . and hir borgh is god almyȝty
To yelden hem þat yeueþ hem . and yet vsure moore

[^240: W.7.85: nota]

[^241: W.7.86: nota]

¶ Quare non dedisti pecuniam meam ad mensam vt ego veniam cum vsuris exigere

¶ For-þi biddeþ noȝt ye beggeres . but if ye haue gret nede
For who-so haþ to buggen hym breed . þe book bereþ witnesse
He haþ ynouȝ þat haþ breed ynouȝ . þouȝ he haue noȝt ellis

¶ Satis diues est qui non indiget pane[^242]

[^242: W.7.95: nota]

¶ Lat vsage be youre solas . of seintes lyues redyng
The book banneþ beggerie . and blameþ hem in þis manere

¶ Iunior fui etenim senui & non vidi iustum derelictum ne ne[c][^243] semen eius &c

[^243: W.7.98: W alone reads ne . Other B manuscripts have nec .]

¶ For ye lyue in no loue . ne no lawe holde
Manye of yow ne wedde noȝt . þe womman þat ye wiþ deele
But as wilde bestes with wehee . worþen vppe and werchen
And bryngen forþ barnes . þat bastardes men calleþ
Or þe bak or som boon . he brekeþ in his youþe
And siþþe goon faiten with youre fauntes . for euere-moore after
Ther is moore mysshapen peple . amonges þise beggeres[^244]
Than of alle manere men . þat on þis moolde walkeþ[^245]
And þei þat lyue þus hir lif . mowe loþe þe tyme[^246]
That euere þei were men wroȝt . whan þei shal hennes fare[^247]
Ac olde men and hore . þat helplees ben of strengþe
And wommen wiþ childe . þat werche ne mowe
Blynde and bedreden . and broken hire membres
That taken þise myschiefs mekeliche . as Mesels and oþere
Han as pleyn pardon . as þe Plowman hym-selue
For loue of hir lowe hertes . oure lord haþ hem graunted
Hir penaunce and hir Purgatorie . here on þis erþe

[^244: W.7.105: nota]

[^245: W.7.106: nota]

[^246: W.7.107: nota]

[^247: W.7.108: nota]

¶ Piers quod a preest þoo . þi pardon moste I rede
For I wol construe ech clause . and kenne it þee on englissh

¶ And Piers at his preiere . þe pardon vnfoldeþ
And I bihynde hem boþe . biheld al þe bulle
And in two lynes it lay . and noȝt a leef moore
And was writen riȝt þus . in witnesse of truþe

¶ Et qui bona egerunt ibunt in vitam eternam[^248]
Qui vero mala in ignem eternum[^249][^250]

[^248: W.7.122: nota]

[^249: W.7.123: To the right of this line is a smudged scribble.]

[^250: W.7.123: nota]

¶ Peter quod þe preest þoo . I kan no pardon fynde
But dowel and haue wel . and god shal haue þi soule[^251]
And do yuel and haue yuel . hope þow noon ooþer[^252]
But after þi deeþ-day . þe deuel shal haue þi soule[^253]

[^251: W.7.125: nota]

[^252: W.7.126: nota]

[^253: W.7.127: nota]

¶ And Piers for pure tene . pulled it atweyne
And seide Si ambulauero in medio vmbre mortis[^254] non timebo mala quoniam tu mecum es

[^254: W.7.129: nota]

¶ I shal cessen of my sowyng quod Piers . & swynke noȝt so harde
Ne aboute my bely ioye . so bisy be namoore
Of preieres and of penaunce . my plouȝ shal ben her-after
And wepen whan I sholde slepe . þouȝ whete breed me faille

¶ The prophete his payn eet . in penaunce and in sorwe
¶ By þat þe Sauter seith . so dide othere manye
That loueþ god lelly . his liflode is ful esy

¶ Fuerunt michi lacrime mee panes die ac nocte[^255]

[^255: W.7.137: nota]

¶ And but if luc lye . he lereþ vs by foweles
We sholde noȝt be to bisy . aboute þe worldes blisse
Ne soliciti sitis  he seiþ in þe gospel
And sheweþ vs by ensamples . vs-selue to wisse
The foweles in þe feld . who fynt hem mete at wynter[^256]
Haue þei no gerner to go to . but god fynt hem alle[^257]

[^256: W.7.142: nota]

[^257: W.7.143: nota]

¶ What quod þe preest to Perkyn . Peter as me þynkeþ
Thow art lettred alitel a litel . who lerned þee on boke

¶ Abstynence þe Abbesse quod Piers . myn / a / . b / . c . / me tauȝte
And Conscience cam afterward . and kenned me muche moore

¶ Were þow a preest quod he . þou myȝtest preche where þou sholdest
As diuinour in diuinite . wiþ Dixit insipiens to þi teme

¶ Lewed lorel quod Piers . litel lokestow on þe bible
On Salomons sawes . selden þow biholdest
Ecce derisores & iurgia cum eis ne crescant &c

¶ The preest and Perkyn . opposeden eiþer ooþer
And I þoruȝ hir wordes awook . and waited aboute
And seiȝ þe sonne in þe South . sitte þat tyme
Metelees and moneilees . on Maluerne hulles
Musynge on þis metels . and my wey ich yede
M Any tyme þis metels . haþ maked me to studie
Of þat I seiȝ slepynge . if it so be myȝte
And also for Piers þe Plowman . ful pencif in herte
And which a pardon Piers hadde . al þe peple to conforte
And how þe preest inpugned it . wiþ two propre wordes
Ac I haue no sauour in Songewarie . for I se it ofte faille
Caton and Canonistres . counseillen vs to leue
To sette sadnesse in Songewarie . for sompnia ne cures

¶ Ac for þe book bible . bereþ witnesse
How Daniel diuined . þe dreem of a kyng
That was Nabugodonosor . nempned of clerkes

¶ Daniel . seide sire kyng . þi dremels bitokneþ
That vnkouþe knyȝtes shul come . þi kyngdom to cleyme
Amonges lower lordes . þi lond shal be departed
And as Daniel diuined . in dede it fel after
The kyng lees his lordshipe . and lower men it hadde

¶ And Ioseph mette merueillously . how þe moone and þe sonne
And þe elleuene sterres . hailsed hym alle

¶ Thanne Iacob iugged . Iosephes sweuene
Beau fitz quod his fader . for defaute we shullen
I my-self and my sones . seche þee for nede

¶ It bifel as his fader seide . in Pharaoes tyme
That Ioseph was Iustice . Egipte to loke
It bifel as his fader tolde . hise frendes þere hym souȝte
And al þis makeþ me . on þis metels to þynke

¶ And how þe preest preued . no pardon to dowel
And demed þat dowel . Indulgences passed
Biennals and triennals . and Bisshopes lettres
And how dowel at þe day of dome . is digneliche vnderfongen
And passeþ al þe pardon . of Seint Petres cherche

¶ Now haþ þe pope power . pardon to graunte þe peple
Wiþ-outen any penaunce . to passen in-to heuene
This is oure bileue . as lettred men vs techeþ

¶ Quodcumque ligaueris super terram . erit ligatum & in celis &c

¶ And so I leue leelly . lordes forbode ellis
That pardon and penaunce . and preieres doon saue
Soules þat haue synned . seuen siþes dedly
Ac to truste to þise triennals . trewely me þynkeþ
Is noȝt so siker for þe soule . certes as is dowel

¶ For-þi I rede yow renkes . þat riche ben on þis erþe
Vp-on trust of youre tresor . triennals to haue
Be ye neuer þe bolder . to breke þe .x. ten hestes
And namely ye maistres . Meires and Iugges
That haue þe welþe of þis world . and for wise men ben holden
To purchace yow pardon . and þe popes bulles
At þe dredful dome . whan dede shulle rise
And comen alle tofore crist . acountes to yelde
How þow laddest þi lif here . and hise lawes keptest
And how þow didest day by day . þe doom wole reherce
A poke-ful of pardon þere . ne prouincials lettres
Theiȝ ye be founde in þe fraternite . of alle þe foure ordres
And haue Indulgences double-fold . but if dowel yow helpe
I sette youre patentes and youre pardon . at one pies hele

¶ For-þi I counseille alle cristene . to crie god mercy .
And Marie his moder . be oure meene bitwene
That god gyue vs grace here . er we go hennes
Swiche werkes to werche . while we ben here
That after oure deeþ-day . dowel reherce
At þe day of dome . we dide as he hiȝte

Passus viijus octauus de visione & primus de Dowel

T hus yrobed in russet . I romed aboute
Al a somer seson . for to seke dowel
And frayned ful ofte . of folk þat I mette
If any wiȝt wiste . wher dowel was at Inne
And what man he myȝte be . of many man I asked

¶ Was neuere wiȝt as I wente . þat me wisse kouþe
Where þis leode lenged . lasse ne moore
Til it bifel on a Friday . two freres I mette
Maistres of þe Menours . men of grete witte
I hailsed hem hendely . as I hadde y-lerned
And preide hem par charite . er þei passed ferþer
If þei knewe any contree . or costes as þei wente
Where þat dowel dwelleþ . dooþ me to witene
For þei be men of þis moolde . þat moost wide walken
And knowen contrees and courtes . and many kynnes places
Boþe princes paleises . and pouere mennes cotes
And dowel and doyuele . wher þei dwelle boþe

¶ Amonges vs quod þe Menours . þat man is dwellynge
And euere haþ as I hope . and euere shal her-after

¶ Contra quod I as a clerc . and comsed to disputen
And seide hem sooþly . Sepcies in die cadit Iustus[^258]

[^258: W.8.21: nota]

¶ Seuene siþes seiþ þe book . synneþ þe rightfulle
And who-so synneþ I seide . dooþ yuele as me þynkeþ
And dowel and doyuele . mowe noȝt dwelle togideres
Ergo he nys noȝt alwey . amonges yow freres
He is ouþerwhile ellis-where . to wisse þe peple

¶ I shal seye þee my sone . seide þe frere þanne
How seuen siþes þe sadde man . on a day synneþ
By a forbisne quod þe frere . I shal þee faire shewe
Lat brynge a man in a boot . amydde þe brode watre[^259]
The wynd and þe water . and þe boot waggyng[^260]
Makeþ þe man many a tyme . to falle and to stonde[^261]
For stonde he neuer so stif . he stumbleþ if he meue[^262]
Ac yet is he saaf and sound . and so hym bihoueþ[^263]
For if he ne arise þe raþer . and rauȝte to þe steere[^264]
The wynd wolde wiþ þe water . þe boot ouer-þrowe[^265]
And þanne were his lif lost . þoruȝ lachesse of hym-selue[^266]

[^259: W.8.30: nota]

[^260: W.8.31: nota]

[^261: W.8.32: nota]

[^262: W.8.33: nota]

[^263: W.8.34: nota]

[^264: W.8.35: nota]

[^265: W.8.36: nota]

[^266: W.8.37: nota]

¶ And þus it falleþ quod þe frere . by folk here on erþe[^267]
The water is likned to þe world . þat wanyeþ and wexeþ[^268]
The goodes of þis grounde arn lik . to þe grete wawes[^269]
That as wyndes and wedres . walkeþ aboute[^270]
The boot is likned to oure body . þat brotel is of kynde[^271]
That þoruȝ þe fend and þe flessh . and þe frele worlde[^272]
Synneþ þe sadde man . a day seuen siþes[^273]

[^267: W.8.38: nota]

[^268: W.8.39: nota]

[^269: W.8.40: nota]

[^270: W.8.41: nota]

[^271: W.8.42: nota]

[^272: W.8.43: nota]

[^273: W.8.44: nota]

¶ Ac dedly synne doþ he noȝt . for dowel hym kepeþ
And þat is charite þe champion . chief help ayein synne
For he strengþeþ men[^274] to stonde . and steereþ mannes soule
And þouȝ þe body bowe . as boot dooþ in þe watre[^275]
Ay is þi soule saaf . but if þow wole þi-selue[^276][^277]
Do a deedly synne . and drenche so þi soule
God wole suffre wel þi sleuþe . if þi-self likeþ
For he yaf þee a yeresȝyue . to yeme wel þi-selue[^278]
And þat is wit and free wil . to euery wiȝt a porcion[^279]
To fleynge foweles . to fisshes and to beestes[^280]
Ac man haþ moost þer-of . and moost is to blame[^281]
But if he werche wel þer -wiþ . as dowel hym techeþ[^282]

[^274: W.8.47: W alone reads men; other B manuscripts have man.]

[^275: W.8.48: nota]

[^276: W.8.49:W alone reads þow wole þi-selue; most other B manuscripts read thiself woll, although CrS have thou wylt thyselfe and M has þou þiseluen wole.]

[^277: W.8.49: nota]

[^278: W.8.52: nota]

[^279: W.8.53: nota]

[^280: W.8.54: nota]

[^281: W.8.55: nota]

[^282: W.8.56: nota]

¶ I haue no kynde knowyng quod I . to conceyuen alle youre wordes
Ac if I may lyue and loke . I shal go lerne bettre

¶ I bikenne þee crist quod he . þat on cros deyde
And I seide þe same . saue yow fro myschaunce
And ȝyue yow grace on þis grounde . goode men to worþe
A Nd þus I wente wide-wher . walkyng myn one
By a wilde wildernesse . and by a wodes side
Blisse of þe briddes . brouȝte me aslepe[^283]
And vnder a lynde vp-on a launde . lened I a stounde
To lyþe þe layes . þo louely foweles made
Murþe of hire mouþes . made me þer to sleple slepe[^284]
The merueillouseste metels . mette me þanne
That euer dremed wiȝt . in world as I wene

[^283: W.8.64: nota]

[^284: W.8.67: nota]

¶ A muche man as me þouȝte . and lik to my-selue
Cam and called me . by my kynde name

¶ What artow quod I þo . þat þow my name knowest

¶ That þow woost wel quod he . and no wiȝt bettre

¶ Woot I what þow art . þouȝt seide he þanne
I haue sued þee þis seuen yeer . seye þow me no raþer

¶ Artow þouȝt quod I þoo . þow koudest me wisse
Where þat dowel dwelleþ . and do me þat to knowe

¶ Dowel and dobet . and dobest þe þridde quod he[^285]
Arn þre faire vertues . and ben noȝt fer to fynde[^286]
Who-so is trewe of his tunge . and of his two handes[^287]
And þoruȝ his labour . or þoruȝ his land . his liflode wynneþ[^288]
And is trusty of his tailende . takeþ but his owene[^289]
And is noȝt dronkelewe ne dedeynous . dowel hym folweþ[^290]

[^285: W.8.78: nota]

[^286: W.8.79: nota]

[^287: W.8.80: nota]

[^288: W.8.81: nota]

[^289: W.8.82: nota]

[^290: W.8.83: nota]

¶ Dobet dooþ riȝt þus . ac he dooþ muche moore
He is as lowe as a lomb . and louelich of speche[^291]

[^291: W.8.85: nota]

¶ And helpeþ alle men . after þat hem nedeþ
The bagges and þe bigirdles . he haþ to-broke hem alle
That þe Erl Auarous . heeld and hise heires
And þus wiþ Mammonaes moneie . he haþ maad hym frendes
And is ronne to Religion . and haþ rendred þe bible
And precheþ to þe peple . Seint Poules wordes

¶ Libenter suffertis insipientes . cum sitis ipsi sapientes

¶ And suffreþ þe vnwise . wiþ yow for to libbe[^292]
And wiþ glad wille dooþ hem good . for so god yow hoteþ

[^292: W.8.93: nota]

¶ Dobest is aboue boþe . and bereþ a bisshopes crosse
Is hoked on þat oon ende . to halie men fro helle
A pik is on þat potente . to putte adown þe wikked
That waiten any wikkednesse . dowel to tene
And dowel and dobet . amonges hem han ordeyned
To crowne oon to be kyng . to rulen hem boþe
That if dowel or dobet . dide ayein dobest
Thanne shal þe kyng come . and casten hem in Irens
And but if dobest bede for hem . þei to be þer for euere

¶ Thus dowel and dobet . and dobest þe þridde
Crouned oon to be kyng . to kepen hem alle
And to rule þe Reme . by hire þre wittes
And noon ooþer wise . but as þei þre assented

¶ I þonked þoȝt þo . þat he me þus tauȝte
Ac yet sauoreþ me noȝt þi seying . I coueite to lerne
How dowel . dobet . and dobest . doon among þe peple

¶ But wit konne wisse þee quod þoȝt . where þo þre dwelle
Ellis woot I noon þat kan . þat now is alyue

¶ Thoȝt and I þus . þre daies we yeden
Disputyng vp-on dowel . day after ooþer
And er we were war . wiþ wit gonne we mete
He was long and lene . lik to noon ooþer
Was no pride on his apparaille . ne pouerte neiþer[^293]
Sad of his semblaunt . and of softe chere[^294]
I dorste meue no matere . to maken hym to Iangle
But as I bad þoȝt þoo . be mene bitwene
And pute forþ som purpos . to preuen hise wittes
What was Dowel fro dobet . and dobest from hem boþe

[^293: W.8.117: nota]

[^294: W.8.118: nota]

¶ Thanne þoȝt in þat tyme . seide þise wordes
Where dowel . dobet . and dobest ben in londe
Here is wil wolde wite . if wit koude teche hym
And wheiþer he be man or womman . þis man fayn wolde aspie
And werchen as þei þre wolde . thus is his entente

Passus .ixus. nonus de visione vt supra & primus de Dobet

S Ire dowel dwelleþ quod wit . noȝt a day hennes
In a Castel þat kynde made . of foure kynnes þynges
Of erþe and of Eyr is it maad . medled togideres
Wiþ wynd and wiþ water . witterly enioyned
Kynde haþ closed þer -Inne . craftily wiþ-alle
A lemman þat he loueþ . lik to hym-selue
Anima she hatte . ac enuye hir hateþ
A proud prikere of Fraunce . Princeps huius mundi
And wolde wynne hire awey . wiþ wiles and he myȝte

¶ Ac kynde knoweþ þis wel . and kepeþ hire þe bettre
And dooþ hire wiþ sire dowel . is duc of þise Marches

¶ Dobet is hire damyselle . Sire doweles douȝter
To seruen þis lady leelly . boþe late and raþe

¶ Do-best is aboue boþe . a Bisshopes peere
That he bit[^295] moot be do . he ruleþ hem alle
Anima . þat lady . is lad by his leryng
Ac þe Constable of þat Castel . þat kepeþ al þe wacche
Is a wis knyȝt wiþ-alle . sire Inwit he hatte
And haþ fyue faire sones . bi his firste wyue
Sire Sewel and Seywel . and here wel þe hende
Sire werch wel wiþ þyn hand . a wiȝt man of strengþe
And sire Godefray Gowel . grete lordes for-soþe
Thise fyue ben set . to kepe[^296] þis lady anima
Til kynde come or sende . to sauen hire for euere

[^295: W.9.15: The curved tick over the <i> of bit resembles an <o>.]

[^296: W.9.23: W alone reads kepe; other B manuscripts have saue.]

What kynnes þyng is kynde quod I . kanstow me telle

¶ Kynde quod wit is a creatour . of alle kynnes þynges
Fader and formour . of al þat euere was maked
And þat is þe grete god . þat gynnyng hadde neuere
Lord of lif and of liȝt . of lisse and of peyne
Aungeles and alle þyng . arn at his wille
Ac man is hym moost lik . of marc and of shafte
For þoruȝ þe word þat he spak . woxen forþ beestes
Dixit & facta sunt

¶ And made man likkest . to hym-self one
And Eue of his ryb-bon . wiþ-outen any mene
For he was synguler hym-self . and seide faciamus
As who seiþ moore moot her-to . þan my word oone
My myȝt moot helpe . forþ wiþ my speche[^297]
Right as a lord sholde make lettres . and hym lakked parchemyn[^298]
Thouȝ he koude write neuer so wel . if he hadde no penne[^299]
The lettre for al þe lordshipe . I leue were neuere y-maked[^300]

[^297: W.9.38: nota]

[^298: W.9.39: nota]

[^299: W.9.40: nota]

[^300: W.9.41: nota]

¶ And so it semeþ by hym . as þe bible telleþ
There he seide . Dixit & facta sunt

¶ He moste werche wiþ his word . and his wit shewe
And in þis manere was man maad . þoruȝ myȝt of god almyȝty
Wiþ his word and werkmanshipe . and wiþ lif to laste
And þus god gaf hym a goost . þoruȝ[^301] þe godhede of heuene
And of his grete grace . graunted hym blisse
And þat is lif þat ay shal laste . to al his lynage after
And þat is þe Castel þat kynde made . caro it hatte
And is as muche to mene . as man wiþ a Soule
And þat he wroȝte wiþ werk . and wiþ word boþe
Thorgh myȝt of þe mageste . man was ymaked

[^301: W.9.47: W alone reads þoruȝ; other B manuscripts have of.]

¶ Inwit and alle wittes . closed ben þer -Inne
For loue of þe lady anima . þat lif is ynempned
Ouer al in mannes body . he walkeþ and wandreþ
And in þe herte is hir hoom . and hir mooste reste

¶ Ac Inwit is in þe heed . and to þe herte he lokeþ
What anima is leef or looþ . he lat hire at his wille
For after þe grace of god . þe gretteste is Inwit

¶ Muche wo worþ þat man . þat mysruleþ his Inwit[^302]
And þat ben glotons glubberes . hir god is hire wombe[^303]
Quorum deus venter est .

[^302: W.9.61: nota]

[^303: W.9.62: nota]

¶ For þei seruen Sathan . hir soules shal he haue
That lyuen synful lif here . hir soule is lich þe deuel
And alle þat lyuen good lif . are lik to god almyȝty
Qui manet in caritate in deo manet &c

¶ Allas þat drynke shal fordo . þat god deere bouȝte[^304]
And dooþ god forsaken hem . þat he shoop to his liknesse[^305]

[^304: W.9.68: nota]

[^305: W.9.69: nota]

Amen dico vobis . nescio vos / . Et alibi  Et dimisi eos secundum desideria eorum

¶ Fooles þat fauten Inwit . I fynde þat holy chirche
Sholde fynden hem þat hem fauted . and faderlese children
And widewes þat han noȝt wher-with . to wynnen hem hir foode
Madde men and maydenes . þat helplese were
Alle þise lakken Inwit . and loore bihoueþ

¶ Of þis matere I myȝte . make a long tale
And fynde fele witnesses . among þe foure doctours
And þat I lye noȝt of þat I lere þee . luc bereþ witnesse

¶ Godfadres and godmodres . þat seen hire godchildren
At myseise and at myschief . and mowe hem amende
Shul haue penaunce in purgatorie . but þei hem helpe
For moore bilongeþ to þe litel barn . er he þe lawe knowe[^306]
Than nempnynge of a name . and he neuer þe wiser[^307]
Sholde no cristene creature . cryen at þe yate
Ne faille payn ne potage . and prelates dide as þei sholden
A Iew wolde noȝt se a Iew . go Ianglyng for defaute[^308]
For alle þe mebles on þis moolde . and he amende it myȝte

[^306: W.9.82: nota]

[^307: W.9.83: nota]

[^308: W.9.86: nota]

¶ Allas þat a cristene creature . shal be vnkynde til anoþer[^309]
Syn Iewes þat we Iugge . Iudas felawes[^310]
Eyþer of hem helpeþ ooþer . of þat þat hem nedeþ[^311]
Whi nel we cristene . of cristes good be as kynde[^312]
As Iewes þat ben oure lores-men . shame to vs alle[^313]
The commune for hir vnkyndenesse . I drede me shul abye

[^309: W.9.88: nota]

[^310: W.9.89: nota]

[^311: W.9.90: nota]

[^312: W.9.91: nota]

[^313: W.9.92: nota]

¶ Bisshopes shul be blamed . for beggeres sake
He is wors þan Iudas . þat ȝyueþ a Iaper siluer
And biddeþ þe beggere go . for his broke cloþes

¶ Proditor est prelatus cum Iuda qui patrimonium christi minus distribuit  Et alibi  Perniciosus dispensator est qui res pauperum christi inutiliter consumit

¶ He dooþ noȝt wel þat dooþ þus . ne drat noȝt god almyȝty
He loueþ noȝt Salomons sawes . þat Sapience tauȝte
Inicium sapiencie timor domini

¶ That dredeþ god he dooþ wel . þat dredeþ hym for loue[^314]
And noȝt for drede of vengeaunce . dooþ þer-fore þe bettre[^315]

[^314: W.9.101: nota]

[^315: W.9.102: nota]

¶ He dooþ best þat wiþ-draweþ hym . by daye and by nyȝte[^316]
To spille any speche . or any space of tyme[^317]
Qui offendit in vno in omnibus est reus

[^316: W.9.103: nota]

[^317: W.9.104: nota]

¶ Lesynge of tyme . truþe woot þe soþe
Is moost yhated vp-on erþe . of hem þat ben in heuene
And siþþe to spille speche . þat spicerie[^318] is of grace
And goddes gleman . and a game of heuene
Wolde neuere þe feiþful fader . þis fiþele were vntempred
Ne his gleman a gedelyng . a goere to tauernes

[^318: W.9.108: W alone reads spicerie, "spice"; Hm reads spicere, "spice-dealer," while most other B manuscripts have spire, "shoot."]

¶ To alle trewe tidy men . þat trauaille desiren
Oure lord loueþ hem and lent . loude ouþer stille
Grace to go to hem . and ofgon hir liflode

¶ Inquirentes autem dominum non minuentur omni bono

¶ Trewe wedded libbynge folk . in þis world is dowel
For þei mote werche and wynne . and þe world sustene
For of hir kynde þei come . þat Confessours ben nempned
Kynges and knyȝtes . kaysers and cherles
Maidenes and martires . out of o man come
The wif was maad þe weye . for to helpe werche
And þus was wedlok y-wroȝt . wiþ a mene persone
First by þe fadres wille . and þe frendes conseille[^319]
And siþenes by assent of hem-self . as þei two myȝte acorde[^320]
And þus was wedlok ywroȝt . and god hym-self it made[^321]
In erþe . and in heuene . hym-self bereþ witnesse

[^319: W.9.123: nota]

[^320: W.9.124: nota]

[^321: W.9.125: nota]

¶ Ac fals folk feiþlees . þeues and lyeres
Wastours and wrecches . out of wedlok I trowe
Conceyued ben in yuel tyme . as Caym was on Eue
Of swiche synfulle sherewes . þe Sauter makeþ mynde

Concepit in dolore & peperit iniquitatem &c[^322]

[^322: W.9.131: nota]

¶ And alle þat come of þat Caym . come to yuel ende
And[^323] god sente to Seem . and seide by an Aungel
Thyn issue in þyn issue . I wol þat þei be wedded
And noȝt þi kynde wiþ Caymes . ycoupled nor yspoused

[^323: W.9.133: W alone reads And; other B manuscripts have For.]

¶ Yet some ayein þe sonde . of oure Saueour of heuene
Caymes kynde and his kynde . coupled togideres
Til god wraþed for hir werkes . and swich a word seide
That I makede man . it me forþynkeþ
Penitet me fecisse hominem .

¶ And com to Noe anon . and bad hym noȝt lette
Swiþe go shape a ship . of shides and of bordes
Thy-self and þi sones þre . and siþen youre wyues
Buskeþ yow to þat boot . and bideþ ye þer-Inne
Til fourty daies be fulfild . þat þe flood haue ywasshen
Clene awey þe corsed blood . þat Caym haþ ymaked

¶ Beestes þat now ben . shul banne þe tyme
That euere þat cursed Caym . coom on þis erþe
Alle shul deye for hise dedes . by dales and by hulles
And þe foweles þat fleen . forþ wiþ oþere beestes
Excepte oonliche . of ech kynde a couple
That in þi shyngled ship . shul ben ysaued
Here abouȝte þe barn . þe belsires giltes

¶ And alle for hir fadres . þei ferden þe werse
The gospel is her-ayein . in o degre I fynde

Filius non portabit iniquitatem patris . et pater non portabit iniquitatem filij &c

¶ Ac I fynde if þe fader . be fals and a sherewe[^324]
That somdel þe sone . shal haue þe sires tacches[^325]

[^324: W.9.157: nota]

[^325: W.9.158: nota]

¶ Impe on an Ellere . and if þyn appul be swete
Muchel merueille me þynkeþ . and moore of a sherewe[^326]
That bryngeþ forþ any barn . but if he be þe same[^327]
And haue a Sauour after þe sire . selde sestow ooþer[^328]

[^326: W.9.160: nota]

[^327: W.9.161: nota]

[^328: W.9.162: nota]

Numquam colligitur de spinis vua[^329] nec de tribulis ficus

[^329: W.9.163: The required reading is vuas , "grapes." The error is owed to the hyparchetypal text of WHmCr and is shared by the corrector of M.]

¶ And þus þoruȝ cursed Caym . cam care vp-on erþe
And al for þei wroȝte wedlokes . ayein goddes wille
For-þi haue þei maugre of hir mariages . þat marie so hir children
For some as I se now . sooþ for to telle
For coueitise of catel . vnkyndely ben wedded[^330]
As careful concepcion . comeþ of swiche mariages
As bifel of þe folk . þat I bifore of tolde
Ther-fore[^331] goode sholde wedde goode . þouȝ þei no good hadde[^332]
I am via & veritas seiþ crist . I may auaunce yow[^333] alle[^334]

[^330: W.9.168: nota]

[^331: W.9.171: W alone reads Ther-fore; other B manuscripts have For.]

[^332: W.9.171: nota]

[^333: W.9.172: W alone reads yow, which is omitted by other B manuscripts.]

[^334: W.9.172: nota]

¶ It is an vncomly couple . by crist as me þynkeþ[^335]
To yeuen a yong wenche . to an old feble[^336]
Or wedden any wodewe . for welþe of hir goodes[^337]
That neuere shal barn bere . but if it be in hir armes[^338]
Many a peire siþen þe pestilence . han pliȝt hem togideres
The fruyt þat[^339] brynge forþ . arn foule wordes[^340]
In Ielousie ioyelees . and ianglynge on bedde
Haue þei no children but cheeste . and clappyng[^341] hem bitwene
And þouȝ þei do hem to Dunmowe . but if þe deuel helpe
To folwen after þe flicche . fecche þei it neuere
And but þei boþe be forswore . þat bacon þei tyne

[^335: W.9.173: nota]

[^336: W.9.174: nota]

[^337: W.9.175: nota]

[^338: W.9.176: nota]

[^339: W.9.178: W alone reads þat; other B manuscripts have þat þey.]

[^340: W.9.178: nota]

[^341: W.9.180: clappyng, "loud talk." The reading is shared with Cr.]

¶ For-þi I counseille alle cristene . coueite noȝt be wedded
For coueitise of catel . ne of kynrede riche[^342]
Ac maidenes and maydenes . macche yow togideres[^343]
Wodewes and wideweres . wercheþ þe same[^344]
For no londes but for loue . loke ye be wedded[^345]
And þanne gete ye þe grace of god . and good ynouȝ to lyue wiþ[^346]

[^342: W.9.185: nota]

[^343: W.9.186: nota]

[^344: W.9.187: nota]

[^345: W.9.188: nota]

[^346: W.9.189: nota]

¶ And euery maner seculer . þat may noȝt continue[^347]
Wisely go wedde . and ware hym fro synne[^348]
Fo Fo[r] lecherie in likynge . is lymeyerd of helle
Whiles þow art yong . and þi wepene kene[^349]
Wreke þee wiþ wyuyng . if þow wolt ben excused[^350]

[^347: W.9.190: nota]

[^348: W.9.191: nota]

[^349: W.9.193: nota]

[^350: W.9.194: nota]

¶ Dum sis vir fortis ne des tua robora scortis[^351]
Scribitur in portis meretrix est ianua mortis[^352]

[^351: W.9.195: The nota appears inside the box to the right of the line.]

[^352: W.9.196: nota]

¶ Whan ye han wyued beþ war . and wercheþ in tyme
Noȝt as Adam and Eue . whan Caym was engendred
For in vntyme trewely . bitwene man and womman
Ne sholde no bourde on bedde be . but if þei boþe were clene
Boþe of lif and of soule . and in parfit charite
That ilke derne dede do . no man ne sholde
And if þei leden þus hir lif . it likeþ god almyȝty
For he made wedlok first . and hym-self it seide

¶ Bonum est vt vnusquisque vxorem suam habeat propter fornicacionem

¶ And þei þat oþer-gates ben geten . for gedelynges arn holden
As fals folk fondlynges . faitours and lieres
Vngracious to gete good . or loue of þe peple

¶ Wandren and wasten . what þei cacche mowe
Ayeins dowel þei doon yuel . and þe deuel serue[^353]
And after hir deeþ-day . shul dwelle wiþ þe same[^354]
But god gyue hem grace here . hem-self to amende[^355]

[^353: W.9.210: nota]

[^354: W.9.211: nota]

[^355: W.9.212: nota]

¶ Dowel my frend is . to doon as lawe techeþ[^356]
To loue þi frend and þi foo . leue me þat is dobet[^357]
To ȝyuen and to yemen . boþe yonge and olde
To helen and to helpen . is do-best of alle

[^356: W.9.213: nota]

[^357: W.9.214: nota]

¶ And do-wel is to drede god . and do-bet to suffre[^358]
And so comeþ do-best of boþe . and bryngeþ adoun þe mody
And þat is wikked wille . þat many a werk shendeþ[^359]
And dryueþ awey do-wel . þoruȝ dedliche synnes

[^358: W.9.217: nota]

[^359: W.9.219: nota]

Passus .xus. decimus de visione . et ijus secundus de Dowel

T hanne hadde wit a wif . was hote dame Studie
That lene was of lere . and of liche boþe
She was wonderly wroþ . þat wit me þus tauȝte
And al starynge dame Studie . sterneliche loked[^360]

[^360: W.10.4: W alone reads loked; other B manuscripts have seide.]

¶ Wel artow wis quod she to wit . any wisdomes to telle
To flatereres or to fooles . þat frenetike ben of wittes
And blamed hym and banned hym . and bad hym be stille
Wiþ swiche wise wordes . to wissen any sottes
And seide noli mittere man . margery perles
Among hogges þat han . hawes at wille
Thei doon but dryuele þer -on . draf were hem leuere
Than al þe precious perree . þat in paradis wexeþ
I seye it by swiche quod she . þat sheweþ by hir werkes
That hem were leuere lond . and lordshipe on erþe
Or richesse or rentes . and reste at hir wille
Than alle þe sooþ sawes . þat Salomon seide euere

¶ Wisdom and wit now . is noȝt worþ a kerse[^361]
But if it be carded wiþ coueitise . as cloþeres kemben hir wolle[^362]
Who-so kan contreue deceites . and conspire wronges[^363]
And lede forþ a loue-day . to lette wiþ truþe[^364]
He þat swiche craftes kan . to counseil is cleped[^365]
Thei lede lordes wiþ lesynges . and bilieþ truþe[^366]

[^361: W.10.17: nota]

[^362: W.10.18: nota]

[^363: W.10.19: nota]

[^364: W.10.20: nota]

[^365: W.10.21: nota]

[^366: W.10.22: nota]

¶ Iob þe gentile . in hise gestes witnesseþ[^367]
That wikked men þei welden . þe welþe of þis worlde[^368]
And þat þei ben lordes of ech a lond . þat out of lawe libbeþ[^369]

[^367: W.10.23: nota]

[^368: W.10.24: nota]

[^369: W.10.25: nota]

¶ Quare impij viuunt bene est omnibus qui preuaricantur & inique agunt

¶ The Sauter seiþ þe same . by swiche þat doon ille

¶ Ecce ipsi peccatores habundantes in seculo obtinuerunt diuicias

¶ Lo seiþ holy lettrure . whiche beþ þise sherewes[^370]
Thilke þat god gyueþ moost . leest good þei deleþ[^371]
And moost vnkynde to þe commune . þat moost catel weldeþ[^372]

[^370: W.10.29: nota]

[^371: W.10.30: nota]

[^372: W.10.31: nota]

¶ Que perfecisti destruxerunt . iustus autem &c

¶ Harlotes for hir harlotrie . may haue of hir goodes[^373]
And Iaperis and Iogelours . and Iangleris of gestes[^374]

[^373: W.10.33: nota]

[^374: W.10.34: nota]

¶ Ac he þat haþ holy writ . ay in his mouþe[^375]
And kan telle of Tobye . and of twelue Apostles[^376]
Or prechen of þe penaunce . þat Pilat wikkedly[^377] wroȝte[^378]
To Iesu þe gentile . þat Iewes todrowe[^379]
Litel is he loued . þat swich a lesson sheweþ[^380]
Or daunted or drawe forþ . I do it on god hym-selue[^381]

[^375: W.10.35: nota]

[^376: W.10.36: nota]

[^377: W.10.37: The first letters of wikkedly appear to be written over an erasure. W alone reads wikkedly; Cr reads falsely; other B manuscripts omit.]

[^378: W.10.37: nota]

[^379: W.10.38: nota]

[^380: W.10.39: nota]

[^381: W.10.40: nota]

¶ But þoo þat feynen hem foolis . and wiþ faityng libbeþ[^382]
Ayein þe lawe of oure lord . and lyen on hem-selue[^383]
Spitten and spuen . and speke foule wordes[^384]
Drynken and dreuelen . and do men for to gape[^385]
Likne men and lye on hem . þat leneþ hem no ȝiftes[^386]
Thei konne namoore mynstralcie . ne Musik men to glade[^387]
Than Munde þe Millere . of Multa fecit deus
Ne were hir vile harlotrye . haue god my trouþe
Sholde neuere kyng ne knyȝt . ne Chanon of Seint Poules
Ȝyue hem to hir yeresȝyue . þe ȝifte of a grote

[^382: W.10.41: nota]

[^383: W.10.42: nota]

[^384: W.10.43: nota]

[^385: W.10.44: nota]

[^386: W.10.45: nota]

[^387: W.10.46: nota]

¶ Ac murþe and mynstralcie . amonges men is nouþe[^388]
Lecherie . losengerye . and losels tales[^389]
Glotonye and grete oþes . þis murþe þei louyeþ[^390]

[^388: W.10.51: nota]

[^389: W.10.52: nota]

[^390: W.10.53: nota]

¶ Ac if þei carpen of crist . þise clerkes and þise lewed[^391]
At mete in hir murþe . whan Mynstrals beþ stille[^392]
Thanne telleþ þei of þe Trinite . a tale ouþer tweye[^393]
And bryngen forþ a balled reson . and taken Bernard to witnesse[^394]
And puten forþ a presumpcion . to preue þe soþe[^395]
Thus þei dryuele at hir deys . þe deitee to knowe[^396]
And gnawen god wiþ þe gorge . whanne hir guttes fullen[^397]

[^391: W.10.54: nota]

[^392: W.10.55: nota]

[^393: W.10.56: nota]

[^394: W.10.57: nota]

[^395: W.10.58: nota]

[^396: W.10.59: nota]

[^397: W.10.60: nota]

¶ Ac þe carefulle may crie . and carpen at þe yate[^398]
Boþe afyngred and a-furst . and for chele quake[^399]
Is þer noon to nyme hym neer . his anoy[^400] to amende[^401]
But hunten hym as an hound . and hoten hym go þennes[^402]
Litel loueþ he þat lord . þat lent hym al þat blisse[^403]
That þus parteþ wiþ þe pouere a parcelle whan hym nedeþ[^404]
Ne were mercy in meene men . moore þan in riche[^405]
Mendinauntz metelees . myȝte go to bedde[^406]
God is muche in þe gorge . of þise grete maistres[^407]
Ac amonges meene men . his mercy and hise werkes[^408]
And so seiþ þe Sauter . I haue seiȝen it ofte[^409]
Ecce audiuimus eam in effrata inuenimus eam in campis silue[^410]

[^398: W.10.61: nota]

[^399: W.10.62: nota]

[^400: W.10.63: W alone reads anoy; other B manuscripts have noy.]

[^401: W.10.63: nota]

[^402: W.10.64: nota]

[^403: W.10.65: nota]

[^404: W.10.66: nota]

[^405: W.10.67: nota]

[^406: W.10.68: nota]

[^407: W.10.69: nota]

[^408: W.10.70: nota]

[^409: W.10.71: nota]

[^410: W.10.72: There is evidence of a letter cropped at the end, perhaps &c as in Hm.]

¶ Clerkes and oþere kynnes men . carpen of god faste
And haue hym muche in þe mouþ . ac meene men in herte

¶ Freres and faitours . han founde swiche questions[^411]
To plese wiþ proude men . syn þe pestilence tyme[^412]
And prechen at Seint Poules . for pure enuye of clerkes[^413]
That folk is noȝt fermed in þe feiþ . ne free of hire goodes[^414]
Ne sory for hire synnes . so is pride woxen[^415]
In Religion and in al þe Reme . amonges riche and pouere[^416]
That preieres haue no power . þe pestilence to lette[^417]
And yet þe wrecches of þis world . is noon ywar by ooþer[^418]
Ne for drede of þe deeþ . wiþ-drawe noȝt hir pride[^419]
Ne beþ plenteuouse to þe pouere . as pure charite wolde[^420]
But in gaynesse and in glotonye . forglutten hir good hem-selue[^421]
And brekeþ noȝt to þe beggere . as þe book techeþ[^422]
Frange esurienti panem tuum &c[^423]
And þe moore he wynneþ and welt . welþes and richesse[^424]
And lordeþ in londes . þe lasse good he deleþ[^425]

[^411: W.10.75: nota]

[^412: W.10.76: nota]

[^413: W.10.77: nota]

[^414: W.10.78: nota]

[^415: W.10.79: nota]

[^416: W.10.80: nota]

[^417: W.10.81: nota]

[^418: W.10.82: nota]

[^419: W.10.83: nota]

[^420: W.10.84: nota]

[^421: W.10.85: nota]

[^422: W.10.86: nota]

[^423: W.10.87: nota]

[^424: W.10.88: nota]

[^425: W.10.89: nota]

¶ Tobye telleþ yow noȝt so . takeþ hede ye riche
How þe book bible . of hym bereþ witnesse

¶ Si tibi sit copia habundanter tribue
Si autem exiguum illud impertiri stude libenter

¶ Who-so haþ muche spende manliche . so seiþ Tobye[^426]
And who-so litel weldeþ . rule hym þer-after[^427]
For we haue no lettre of oure lif . how longe it shal dure[^428]
Swiche lessons lordes sholde . louye to here[^429]
And how he myȝte moost meynee . manliche fynde[^430]

[^426: W.10.94: nota]

[^427: W.10.95: nota]

[^428: W.10.96: nota]

[^429: W.10.97: nota]

[^430: W.10.98: nota]

¶ Nouȝt to fare as a fiþelere or a frere . for to seke festes
Homliche at oþere mennes houses . and hatien hir owene
Elenge is þe halle . ech day in þe wike

¶ Ther þe lord ne þe lady . likeþ noȝt to sitte
Now haþ ech riche a rule . to eten by hym-selue[^431]
In a pryuee parlour . for pouere mennes sake[^432]
Or in a chambre wiþ a chymenee . and leue þe chief halle[^433]
That was maad for meles . men to eten Inne[^434]
And al to spare to spende . þat spille shal anoþer[^435]

[^431: W.10.103: nota]

[^432: W.10.104: nota]

[^433: W.10.105: nota]

[^434: W.10.106: nota]

[^435: W.10.107: nota]

¶ I haue yherd heiȝe men . etynge at þe table
Carpen as þei clerkes were . of crist and of hise myȝtes
And leyden fautes vp-on þe fader . þat formede vs alle
And carpen ayein clerkes . crabbede wordes
Why wolde oure Saueour suffre . swich a worm in his blisse
That bigiled þe womman . and þe man after
Thoruȝ whiche wiles and wordes . þei wente to helle
And al hir seed for hir synne . þe same deeþ suffrede

¶ Here lyeþ youre lore . þise lordes gynneþ dispute
Of þat þe clerkes vs kenneþ . of crist by þe gospel
Filius non portabit iniquitatem patris &c

¶ Why sholde we þat now ben . for þe werkes of Adam
Roten and to-rende . Reson wolde it neuere
Vnusquisque portabit onus suum &c

¶ Swiche motyues þei meue[^436] . þise maistres in hir glorie
And maken men in mysbileue . þat muse muche on hire wordes
Ymaginatif her-afterward . shal answere to hir[^437] purpos

[^436: W.10.122: The reading could as well be mene.]

[^437: W.10.124: W alone reads hir; other B manuscripts have youre.]

¶ Austyn to swiche Argueres . telleþ þis teme
Non plus sapere quam oportet

¶ Wilneþ neuere to wite . why þat god wolde
Suffre Sathan . his seed to bigile
Ac bileueþ lelly . in þe loore of holy chirche
And preie hym of pardon . and penaunce in þi lyue
And for his muche mercy . to amende yow here
For alle þat wilneþ to wite . þe weyes of god almyȝty
I wolde his eiȝe were in his ers . and his fynger after
That euere wilneþ to wite . why þat god wolde
Suffre Sathan . his seed to bigile
Or Iudas to þe Iewes . Iesu bitraye
Al was as þow woldest . lord yworshiped be þe[^438]
And al worþ as þow wolt . what-so we dispute

[^438: W.10.137: W alone reads þe; other B manuscripts have þow.]

¶ And þo þat vseþ þise hauylons . to blende mennes wittes
What is dowel fro dobet . þat[^439] deef mote he worþe
Siþþe he wilneþ to wite . whiche þei ben boþe
But if he lyue in þe lif . þat longeþ to dowel
For I dar ben his bolde borgh . þat dobet wole he neuere
Theiȝ dobest drawe on hym . day after ooþer

[^439: W.10.140: W alone reads þat; other B manuscripts have now.]

¶ And whan þat wit was ywar . what dame Studie tolde
He bicom so confus . he kouþe noȝt loke
And as doumb as deeþ . and drouȝ hym arere
And for no carpyng I . kouþe after . ne knelyng to þe grounde
I myȝte gete no greyn . of his grete wittes
But al lauȝynge he louted . and loked vp-on Studie
In signe þat I sholde . bisechen hire of grace

¶ And whan I was war of his wille . to his wif gan I loute
And seide mercy madame . youre man shal I worþe
As longe as I lyue . boþe late and raþe
For to werche youre wille . þe while my lif dureþ
Wiþ þat ye kenne me kyndely . to knowe what is dowel

¶ For þi mekenesse man quod she . and for þi mylde speche
I shal kenne þee to my Cosyn . þat Clergie is hoten
He haþ wedded a wif . wiþ-Inne þise sixe monþes

¶ Is sib to[^440] seuen artz . Scripture is hir name
They two as I hope . after my techyng
Shullen wissen þee to dowel . I dar it vnder-take

[^440: W.10.160: W alone reads to; other B manuscripts have to þe.]

¶ Thanne was he al-so fayn . as fowel of fair morwe
And gladder þan þe gleman . þat gold haþ to ȝifte
And asked hire þe heighe wey . where þat Clergie dwelte
And tel me som tokene quod I . for tyme is þat I wende

¶ Aske þe heighe wey quod she . hennes to Suffre
Boþe wele and wo . if þat þow wolt lerne
And ryd forþ by richesse . ac rest þow noȝt þer -Inne
For if þow couplest þee þer -wiþ . to clergie comestow neuere

¶ And also þe likerouse launde . þat lecherie hatte
Leue it on þi left half . a large myle or moore
Til þow come to a court . kepe wel þi tunge
Fro lesynges and liþer speche . and likerouse drynkes

¶ Thanne shaltow se Sobretee . and Sympletee of speche
That ech wight be in wille . his wit þee to shewe
And þus shaltow come to Clergie . þat kan manye þynges

¶ Seye hym þis signe . I sette hym to Scole
And þat I grete wel his wif . for I wroot hire manye bokes
And sette hire to Sapience . and to þe Sauter glose
Logyk I lerned hire . and manye oþere lawes
And alle[^441] Musons in Musik . I made hire to knowe

[^441: W.10.182: W alone reads alle; other B manuscripts have alle þe.]

¶ Plato þe poete . I putte[^442] first to boke
Aristotle and oþere mo to argue I tauȝte

[^442: W.10.183: W alone reads putte; other B manuscripts have putte hym.]

¶ Grammer for girles . I garte first to write
And bette hem wiþ a baleys . but if þei wolde lerne

¶ Of alle kynne craftes . I contreued tooles
Of Carpentrie of kerueres . and compased Masons
And lerned hem leuel and lyne . þouȝ I loke dymme

¶ Ac Theologie haþ tened me . ten score tymes
The moore I muse þer -Inne . þe mystier it semeþ[^443]
And þe depper I deuyne . þe derker me it þynkeþ[^444]
It is no Science for-soþe . for to sotile Inne
A ful leþi þyng it were . if þat loue nere
Ac for it leteþ[^445] best bi loue . I loue it þe bettre
For þere þat loue is ledere . þer lakked neuere grace[^446]
Loke þow loue lelly . if þee likeþ dowel[^447]
For do-bet and do-best . ben of loues kynne

[^443: W.10.191: nota]

[^444: W.10.192: nota]

[^445: W.10.195: W alone reads leteþ; most other B manuscripts have let.]

[^446: W.10.196: nota]

[^447: W.10.197: nota]

¶ In ooþer Science it seiþ . I seiȝ it in Catoun
Qui simulat verbis vel corde est fidus amicus
Tu quoque fac simile . sic ars deluditur arte

¶ Who-so gloseþ as gylours doon . go me to þe same[^448]
And so shaltow fals folk . and feiþlees bigile[^449]
This is Catons kennyng . to clerkes þat he lereþ

[^448: W.10.202: nota]

[^449: W.10.203: nota]

¶ Ac Theologie techeþ noȝt so . who-so takeþ yeme
He kenneþ vs þe contrarie . ayein Catons wordes
For he biddeþ vs be as breþeren . and bidde for oure enemys[^450]
And louen hem þat lyen on vs . and lene hem whan hem nedeþ[^451]
And do good ayein yuel . god hym-self it hoteþ[^452]

[^450: W.10.207: nota]

[^451: W.10.208: nota]

[^452: W.10.209: nota]

Dum tempus habemus operemur bonum ad omnes . maxime autem ad domesticos fidei

¶ Poul preched þe peple . þat parfitnesse louede
To do good for goddes loue . and gyuen men þat asked[^453]
And namely to swiche . as suwen oure bileue
And alle þat lakkeþ vs or lyeþ . oure lord techeþ vs to louye[^454]
And noȝt to greuen hem þat greueþ vs . god hym-self forbad it[^455]
Michi vindictam & ego retribuam

[^453: W.10.212: nota]

[^454: W.10.214: nota]

[^455: W.10.215: nota]

¶ For-þi loke þow louye . as longe as þow durest[^456]
For is no science vnder sonne . so souereyn for þe soule[^457]

[^456: W.10.217: nota]

[^457: W.10.218: nota]

¶ Ac Astronomye is an hard þyng . and yuel for to knowe
Geometrie and Geomesie . so gynful of speche[^458]
Who-so þynkeþ werche with þo two . þryueþ ful late[^459]
For sorcerie is þe Souereyn book . þat to þo Sciences bilongeþ

[^458: W.10.220: nota]

[^459: W.10.221: nota]

¶ Yet ar þer fibicches in forceres . of fele mennes makyng
Experimentz of Alkenamye . þe peple to deceyue
If þow þynke to dowel . deel þer-wiþ neuere

¶ Alle þise Sciences I my-self . sotilede and ordeynede
And founded hem formest . folk to deceyue
Tel Clergie þis tokene . and Scripture after
To counseille þee kyndely . to knowe what is dowel

¶ I seide grant mercy madame . and mekely hir grette
And wente wightly awey . wiþ-oute moore lettyng
And til I com to clergie . I koude neuere stynte
And grette þe goode man . as Studie me tauȝte
And afterwardes þe wif . and worshiped hem boþe
And tolde hem þe tokenes . þat me tauȝt were
Was neuere gome vp-on þis ground . siþ god made þe worlde
Fairer vnderfongen . ne frendlier atese at ese
Than my-self sooþly . soone so he wiste
That I was of wittes hous . and wiþ his wif dame Studie

¶ I seide to hem sooþly . þat sent was I þider
Do-wel and dobet . and dobest to lerne

¶ It is a commune lyf quod Clergie . on holy chirche to bileue
Wiþ alle þe articles of þe feiþ . þat falleþ to be knowe
And þat is to bileue lelly . boþe lered and lewed
On þe grete god . þat gynnyng hadde neuere
And on þe sooþfast sone . þat saued man-kynde
Fro þe dedly deeþ . and[^460] deueles power
Thoruȝ þe help of þe holy goost . þe which goost is of boþe
Thre persones . ac noȝt in plurel nombre
For al is but oon god . and ech is god hym-selue
Deus pater / deus filius / deus spiritus sanctus
God þe fader / god þe sone . god holy goost of boþe
Makere of man-kynde . and of beestes boþe

[^460: W.10.247: W alone reads and; other B manuscripts have and þe.]

¶ Austyn þe olde . her-of made bokes
And hym-self ordeyned . to sadde vs in bileue
Who was his Auctour . alle þe foure Euaungelistes
And Crist cleped hym-self so . þe Euaungelistes bereþ witnesse[^461]

[^461: W.10.257: After this line WHmCr omit the line Ego in patre & pater in me est & qui videt me . videt et patrem meum (as in L).]

¶ Alle þe clerkes vnder crist . ne koude þis assoille
But þus it bilongeþ to bileue . to lewed þat willen dowel
For hadde neuere freke fyn wit . þe feiþ to dispute
Ne man hadde no merite . myȝte it ben ypreued

¶ Fides non habet meritum vbi humana racio prebet experimentum

Thanne is dobet to suffre . for þe soules helþe
Al þat þe book bit . bi holi cherches techyng .
And þat is man bi þy myȝt . for mercies sake
Loke þow werche it in werk . þat þi word sheweþ[^462]
Swich as þow semest in siȝte . be in assay y-founde
Appare quod es vel esto quod appares

[^462: W.10.266: nota]

¶ And lat no-body be . by þi beryng bigiled[^463]
But be swich in þi soule . as þow semest wiþ-oute[^464]

[^463: W.10.269: nota]

[^464: W.10.270: nota]

¶ Thanne is dobest to be boold . to blame þe gilty
Syþenes þow seest þi-self . as in soule clene[^465]
Ac blame þow neuere body . and þow be blame-worþy[^466]

[^465: W.10.272: nota]

[^466: W.10.273: nota]

¶ Si culpare velis . culpabilis esto cauebis[^467]
Dogma tuum sordet . cum te tua culpa remordet

[^467: W.10.274: A fifteenth-century hand has added nota .]

¶ God in þe gospel . greuously repreueþ
Alle þat lakkeþ any lif . and lakkes han hem-selue

¶ Qui consideras festucam in oculo fratris tui . trabem in oculo tuo &c

¶ Why meuestow þi mood for a mote . in þi broþeres eiȝe[^468]
Siþen a beem in þyn owene . ablyndeþ þi-selue[^469][^470]
Eice primo trabem in oculo tuo &c
Which letteþ þee to loke . lasse ouþer moore[^471]

[^468: W.10.279: nota]

[^469: W.10.280: As at line 10.274, a fifteenth-century hand has added nota and has drawn a line linking 10.279 and 10.280.]

[^470: W.10.280: nota]

[^471: W.10.282: nota]

¶ I rede ech a blynd bosard . do boote to hym-selue
For Abbotes and for Priours . and for alle manere prelates
As persons and parissh preestes . þat preche sholde and teche
Alle maner men to amenden . bi hire myȝtes

¶ This text was told yow . to ben ywar[^472] er ye tauȝte
That ye were swiche as ye seye[^473] . to salue wiþ oþere
For goddes word wolde noȝt be lost . for þat wercheþ euere
If it auailled noȝt þe commune . it myȝte auaille yow-selue

[^472: W.10.287: W alone reads ywar; other B manuscripts have war.]

[^473: W.10.288: W alone reads seye; most other B manuscripts have seyde.]

¶ Ac it semeþ now sooþly . to þe worldes siȝte
That goddes word wercheþ noȝt . on lered ne on lewed
But in swich a manere . as Marc meneþ in þe gospel
Dum cecus ducit cecum ambo in foueam cadunt[^474]

[^474: W.10.294: nota]

¶ Lewed men may likne yow þus . þat þe beem liþ in youre eiȝen
And þe festu is fallen . for youre defaute

¶ In alle maner men . þoruȝ mansede preestes
The bible bereþ witnesse . þat al þe folk of Israel
Bittre abouȝte þe giltes . of two badde preestes
Offyn and Fynes . for hir coueitise
Archa dei myshapped . and Ely brak his nekke

¶ For-þi ye Correctours claweþ her-on . and correcteþ first yow-selue
And þanne mowe ye safly seye . as Dauid made in þe Sauter

Existimasti inique quod ero tui similis arguam te & statuam contra faciem tuam

¶ And thanne shul burel clerkes ben abasshed . to blame yow or to greue
And carpen noȝt as þei carpe now . ne[^475] calle yow doumbe houndes
Canes non valentes latrare
And drede to wraþe yow in any word . youre werkmanship to lette
And be prester at youre preiere . þan for a pound of nobles
And al for youre holynesse . haue ye þis in herte

[^475: W.10.306: W alone reads ne; F reads to; other B manuscripts have and.]

¶ In scole þere is scorn . but if a clerk wol lerne[^476]
And gret loue and likyng . for ech of hem loueþ ooþer[^477]

[^476: W.10.311: nota]

[^477: W.10.312: nota]

¶ Ac now is Religion a rydere . a Romere aboute[^478][^479]
A ledere of louedayes . and a lond buggere[^480]
A prikere on a palfrey . fro Manere to Manere[^481]
Anheep An heep of houndes at his ers . as he a lord were[^482]
And but if his knaue knele . þat shal his coppe brynge[^483]
He loureþ on hym and askeþ hym . who tauȝte hym curteisie[^484]

[^478: W.10.313: W alone reads aboute; other B manuscripts have by stretes.]

[^479: W.10.313: nota]

[^480: W.10.314: nota]

[^481: W.10.315: nota]

[^482: W.10.316: nota]

[^483: W.10.317: nota]

[^484: W.10.318: nota]

¶ Litel hadde lordes to doon . to ȝyue lond from hire heires
To Religiouse þat han no rouþe . þouȝ it reyne on hir Auters[^485]

[^485: W.10.320: nota]

¶ In many places þer þei ben persons[^486] . be hem-self atese at ese[^487]
Of þe pouere haue þei no pite . and þat is hir charite[^488]
Ac þei leten hem as lordes . hire londes lyen so brode[^489]

[^486: W.10.321: W alone reads ben persons; other B manuscripts have persouns ben.]

[^487: W.10.321: nota]

[^488: W.10.322: nota]

[^489: W.10.323: nota]

¶ Ac þer shal come a kyng . and confesse yow Religiouses[^490][^491]
And bete yow as þe bible telleþ . for brekynge of youre rule[^492]
And amende Monyals . Monkes and Chanons[^493]
And puten to[^494] hir penaunce . Ad pristinum statum ire[^495]
And Barons wiþ Erles beten hem . þoruȝ Beatus virres techyng[^496]
That hir barnes claymen . and blame yow foule[^497]

[^490: W.10.324: This is the line which Skeat called "this famous prediction, so curiously fulfilled in the time of Henry the Eighth" (Rev. Walter W. Skeat, ed., The Vision of William Concerning Piers the Plowman, in Three Parallel Texts (London: Oxford University Press, 1886), p. 69. The second nota may be in the hand of a sixteenth-century reader excited by the accuracy of Langland's "prediction."]

[^491: W.10.324: nota]

[^492: W.10.325: nota]

[^493: W.10.326: nota]

[^494: W.10.327: W alone reads to; other B manuscripts have hem to.]

[^495: W.10.327: nota]

[^496: W.10.328: nota]

[^497: W.10.329: nota]

¶ Hij in curribus & hij in equis ipsi obligati sunt &c

¶ And þanne Freres in hir fraytour . shul fynden a keye[^498]
Of Costantyns cofres . in which is þe catel[^499]
That Gregories godchildren . han yuele despended[^500]

[^498: W.10.331: nota]

[^499: W.10.332: nota]

[^500: W.10.333: nota]

¶ And þanne shal þe Abbot of Abyngdoun . and al his issue for euere[^501][^502]
Haue a knok of a kyng . and incurable þe wounde[^503]

[^501: W.10.334: There is a scribble (possibly a <d>) to the right of this line.]

[^502: W.10.334: nota]

[^503: W.10.335: nota]

¶ That þis worþ sooþ seke ye . þat ofte ouer-se þe bible
Quomodo cessauit exactor quieuit tributum . contriuit dominus baculum impiorum . et virgam dominancium cedencium plaga insanabili

¶ Ac er þat kyng come . Caym shal awake
But dowel shal dyngen hym adoun . and destruye his myȝte

¶ Thanne is dowel and do-bet . quod I . dominus and knyȝthode

¶ I nel noȝt scorne quod Scripture . but if scryueynes lye
Kynghod ne knyȝthod . by noȝt I kan awayte
Helpeþ noȝt to heueneward . oone heris ende
Ne richesse riȝt noȝt . ne Reautee of lordes
Poul preueþ it impossible . riche men to haue heuene[^504]
Salomon seiþ also . þat siluer is worst to louye[^505]
Nichil iniquius quam amare pecuniam
And Caton kenneþ vs to coueiten it . nauȝt but as nede techeþ
Dilige denarium set parce dilige formam
And Patriarkes and prophetes . and Poetes boþe
Writen to wissen vs . to wilne no richesse
And preiseden pouerte with pacience . þe Apostles bereþ witnesse
That þei han Eritage in heuene . and by trewe riȝte
Ther riche men no riȝt may cleyme . but of ruþe and grace

[^504: W.10.345: nota]

[^505: W.10.346: nota]

¶ Contra quod I by crist . þat kan I repreue
And preuen it by Peter . and by Poul boþe
That is baptized beþ saaf . be he riche or pouere

¶ That is in extremis quod Scripture . amonges Sarzens & Iewes
They mowen be saued so . and þat is oure bileue
That an vncristene in þat caas . may cristen an heþen
And for his lele bileue . whan he þe lif tyneþ
Haue þe heritage of heuene . as any man cristene

¶ Ac cristene men wiþ-oute moore . maye noȝt come to heuene
For þat crist for cristene men . deide and confermed þe lawe
That who-so wolde and wilneþ . wiþ crist to arise
Si cum Christo surexistis &c

¶ He sholde louye and lene . and þe lawe fulfille
That is loue þi lord god . leuest abouen alle
And after alle cristene creatures . in commune ech man ooþer
And þus bilongeþ to louye . þat leueþ be[^506] saued
And but we do þus in dede . at[^507] þe day of dome
It shal bisitten vs ful soure . þe siluer þat we kepen
And oure bakkes þat moþe-eten be . and seen beggeris go naked
Or delit in wyn and wilde fowel . and wite any in defaute
For euery cristene creature . sholde be kynde til ooþer[^508]
And siþen heþen to helpe . in hope of amendement

[^506: W.10.370: W alone reads be; other B manuscripts have to be.]

[^507: W.10.371: W alone reads at; other B manuscripts have er, ar, or.]

[^508: W.10.375: nota]

¶ God hoteþ heiȝe and lowe . þat no man hurte ooþer
And seiþ slee noȝt þat semblable is . to myn owene liknesse
But if I sende þee som tokene . and seiþ Non mecaberis[^509]
Is slee noȝt but suffre . and al for þe beste[^510]
For I shal punysshe hem in purgatorie . or in þe put of helle
Ech man for hise mysdedes . but mercy it lette
T his is a long lesson quod I . and litel am I þe wiser
Where dowel is or dobet . derkliche ye shewen
Manye tales ye tellen . þat Theologie lerneþ
And þat I man maad was . and my name yentred
In þe legende of lif . longe er I were
Or ellis vnwriten for som wikkednesse . as holy writ witnesseþ

[^509: W.10.379: The scribe has written the more obvious necaberis and then altered this to mecaberis by adding a minim in the red ink used for the box. Other B manuscripts reading necaberis or necabis are CrYLOC2 and G (altered). See John Alford's discussion of the textual variations in Piers Plowman: A Guide to the Quotations (Binghamton: MRTS, 1992): 68-69.]

[^510: W.10.380: nota]

Nemo ascendit ad celum . nisi qui de celo descendit

¶ I leue it wel quod I by oure lord . and on no lettrure bettre
For Salomon þe sage . þat Sapience tauȝte
God gaf hym grace of wit . and alle hise goodes after
He demed wel and wisely . as holy writ telleþ
Aristotle and he . who wissed men bettre
Maistres þat of goddes mercy . techen men and prechen
Of hir wordes þei wissen vs . for wisest as in hir tyme
And al holy chirche . holdeþ hem boþe ydampned

¶ And if I sholde werche by hir werkes . to wynne me heuene
That for hir werkes and wit . now wonyeþ in pyne
Thanne wrouȝte I vnwisly . what-so-euere ye preche

¶ Ac of fele witty in feiþ . litel ferly I haue
Thouȝ hir goost be vngracious . god for to plese
For many men on þis moolde . moore setten hir hertes[^511]
In good þan in god . for-þi hem grace failleþ[^512]
At hir mooste meschief . whan þei shal lif lete
As Salomon dide and swiche oþere . þat shewed grete wittes
Ac hir werkes as holy writ seiþ . were euere þe contrarie
For-þi wise witted men . and wel ylettrede clerkes
As þei seyen hem-self . selde doon þer-after
Super cathedra Moysi &c

[^511: W.10.403: nota]

[^512: W.10.404: nota]

¶ Ac I wene it worþ of manye . as was in Noes tyme
Tho he shoop þat ship . of shides and of bordes
Was neuere wrighte saued þat wroȝte þer -on . ne ooþer werkman ellis
But briddes and beestes . and þe blissed Noe
And his wif wiþ hise sones . and also hire wyues
Of wightes þat it wroȝte . was noon of hem ysaued

¶ God lene[^513] it fare noȝt so bi folk . þat þe feiþ techeþ
Of holi chirche þat herberwe is . and goddes hous to saue[^514]
And shilden vs from shame þer -inne . as Noes ship dide beestes
And men þat maden it . amydde þe flood adreynten
The culorum of þis clause . curatours is to mene
That ben Carpenters holy kirk to make . for cristes owene beestes
Homines & iumenta saluabis domine &c

[^513: W.10.417: The reading could as well be leue.]

[^514: W.10.418: We have not offered an interpretation of the mark at the end of this line. It could represent a flourish, the top of a punctus elevatus, or a move toward writing the "nota" abbreviation.]

¶ On good Friday I fynde . a felon was ysaued
That hadde lyued al his lif . wiþ lesynges and with þefte
And for he beknede to þe cros . and to crist shrof hym
He was sonner ysaued . þan Seint Iohan þe Baptist
And or Adam or Ysaye . or any of þe prophetes
That hadde yleyen wiþ lucifer . many longe yeres
A Robbere was y-raunsoned . raþer þan þei alle
Wiþ-outen any penaunce of purgatorie . to perpetuel blisse

¶ Than Marie Maudeleyne . what womman dide werse
Or who worse þan Dauid . þat vries deeþ conspired
Or Poul þe Apostle . þat no pite hadde
Muche cristene kynde . to kille to deþe
And now ben þise as Souereyns . wiþ Seintes in heuene
Tho þat wrouȝte wikkedlokest . in world þo þei were

¶ And þo þat wisely wordeden . and writen manye bokes
Of wit and of wisedom . wiþ dampned soules wonye
That Salomon seiþ I trowe be sooþ . and certein of vs alle

Sine[^515] iusti atque sapientes . & opera eorum in manu dei sunt &c

[^515: W.10.441: The reading could as well be Siue.]

¶ Ther are witty and wel libbynge . ac hire werkes ben yhudde
In þe hondes of almyȝty god . and he woot þe soþe
Wher-fore a man worþ allowed þere . and hise lele werkes
Or ellis for his yuel wille . and for enuye of herte
And be allowed as he lyued so . for by þe[^516] luþere men knoweþ þe goode

[^516: W.10.446: W alone reads þe luþere; other B manuscripts omit þe.]

¶ And wher-by wiste men which were[^517] whit . if alle þyng blak were
And who were a good man . but if þer were som sherewe
For-þi lyue we forþ wiþ oþere men . I leue fewe ben goode
For quant / oportet / vient en place . il nyad que / pati[^518]
And he þat may al amende . haue mercy on vs alle
For soþest word þat euer god seide . was þo he seide Nemo bonus

[^517: W.10.447: W alone reads were; other B manuscripts have is.]

[^518: W.10.450: The virgules that separate oportet and pati from the rest of the line show that the scribe recognised these two words as Latin. Skeat comments on the mixture of Latin and French, and modernises as "quand oportet vient en place, il n'y a que pati" (Rev. Walter W. Skeat, ed., The Vision of William Concerning Piers the Plowman, in Three Parallel Texts (London: Oxford University Press, 1886), 2.162-3). For further parallels see John A. Alford, Piers Plowman: A Guide to the Quotations (Binghamton, 1992), pp. 69-70. In a private communication, Professor Robert Cook writes: "A case could be made for the entire thing being Anglo-Norman except oportet . That might even make sense, in that the one Latin word designates an outside force. The weakening of final /r/ in the infinitive patir is Eastern in origin (M. K. Pope, From Latin to Modern French with Especial Consideration of Anglo-Norman: Phonology and Morphology (Manchester University Press, 1934), § 401, note **) but spread pretty widely (she finds it in Paris in the 13th c but I have noticed it in Picard texts of the 14th also). Pope ascribes this weakening to Anglo-Norman in § 1193 but does not discuss it or give examples of -ir class infinitives or other cases where the /r/ is absolute final. The retention of final unsupported /t, θ, d, ð/ in AN forms of avoir is probably best presented in her § 1210, where she discusses ad specifically."]

¶ Clergie þo of cristes mouþ . comended was it litel
For he seide to Seint Peter . and to swiche as he louede
Cum steteritis ante Reges & presides &c
Thouȝ ye come bifore kynges . and clerkes of þe lawe
Beþ noȝt abasshed . for I shal be in youre mouþes
And ȝyue yow wit and wille . and konnyng to conclude
Hem alle þat ayeins yow . of cristendom disputen

¶ Dauid makeþ mencion . he spak amonges kynges
And myȝte no kyng ouercomen hym . as by konnynge of speche
But wit and wisedom . wan neuere þe maistrie
Whan man was at meschief . wiþ-oute þe moore grace

¶ The douȝtieste doctour . and deuinour of þe trinitee
Was Austyn þe olde . and heiȝest of þe foure

¶ Seide þus in a sermon . I seigh it writen ones

Ecce ipsi ydioti rapiunt celum vbi nos sapientes in inferno mergimur

[^519] ¶ And is to mene to men[^520] . moore ne lesse
Arn none raþer yrauysshed . fro þe riȝte bileue[^521]
Than are þise konnynge clerkes . þat konne manye bokes[^522]

[^519: W.10.468: A later hand (probably different from that beside 10.274 and 10.280) has written nota in the left margin.]

[^520: W.10.468: W alone reads men; most other B manuscripts have Englissh men.]

[^521: W.10.469: nota]

[^522: W.10.470: nota]

¶ Ne none sonner saued . ne sadder of bileue[^523]
Than Plowmen and pastours . and oþere commune laborers[^524]
Souteres and shepherdes . and oþere[^525] lewed Iuttes[^526]
Percen wiþ a Pater noster . þe paleys of heuene[^527]
And passen Purgatorie penauncelees . at hir hennes partyng
In-to þe blisse of Paradis . for hir pure bileue
That inparfitly here knewe . and ek lyuede

[^523: W.10.471: nota]

[^524: W.10.472: nota]

[^525: W.10.473: W alone reads oþere; other B manuscripts have suche.]

[^526: W.10.473: nota]

[^527: W.10.474: nota]

¶ Ye men knowe clerkes . þat han corsed þe tyme
That euere þe þe[i] kouþe or knewe moore . þan Credo in deum patrem
And principally hir pater noster . many a persone haþ wisshed

¶ I se ensamples my-self . and so may manye oþere[^528]
That seruauntz þat seruen lordes . selde fallen in arerage[^529]
But þo þat kepen þe lordes catel . clerkes and Reues[^530]

[^528: W.10.481: nota]

[^529: W.10.482: nota]

[^530: W.10.483: nota]

¶ Right so lewed men . and of litel knowyng[^531]
Selden falle þei so foule . and so fer in synne[^532]
As clerkes of holy chirche . þat kepen cristes tresor[^533]
The which is mannes soule to saue . as god seiþ in þe gospel
[^534] Ite vos in vineam meam

[^531: W.10.484: nota]

[^532: W.10.485: nota]

[^533: W.10.486: nota]

[^534: W.10.488: The line is written as two lines in the right margin and boxed in red.]

Passus vndecimus

T hanne Scripture scorned me . and a skile tolde
And lakked me in latyn . and liȝt by me she sette
And seide Multi multa sciunt & seipsos nesciunt

¶ Tho wepte I for wo . and wraþe of hir speche
And in a wynkynge wraþe . weex I aslepe
A merueillous metels mette me þanne
That I was rauysshed riȝt þere . and Fortune me fette
And in-to þe lond of longynge . allone she me brouȝte
And in a Mirour þat hiȝte middelerþe . she made me to biholde
Sone[^535] she seide to me . here myȝtow se wondres
And knowe þat þow coueitest . and come þer -to paraunter

[^535: W.11.10: W alone reads Sone; most other B manuscripts have Siþen.]

¶ Thanne hadde Fortune folwynge hire . two faire damyseles
Concupiscencia carnis . men called þe elder mayde
And Coueitise of eiȝes . ycalled was þat ooþer
Pride of parfit lyuynge . pursued hem boþe
And bad me for my contenaunce . acounten Clergie liȝte

¶ Concupiscencia carnis . colled me aboute þe nekke
And seide þow art yong and yeep . and hast yeres ynowe[^536]
For to lyue longe . and ladies to louye[^537]
And in þis Mirour þow myȝt se . myȝtes ful manye
That leden þee wole to likynge . al þi lif-tyme

[^536: W.11.18: nota]

[^537: W.11.19: nota]

¶ The secounde seide þe same . I shal sewe þi wille
Til þow be a lord and haue lond . leten þee I nelle
That I ne shal folwe þi felawship . if Fortune it like
He shal fynde me his frend . quod Fortune þer-after
The freke þat folwede my wille . failled neuere blisse[^538]

[^538: W.11.26: nota]

¶ Thanne was þer oon þat hiȝte Elde . þat heuy was of chere
Man quod he if I mete wiþ þe . by Marie of heuene
Thow shalt fynde Fortune þee faille . at þi mooste nede
And Concupiscencia carnis . clene þee forsake
Bittrely shaltow banne þanne . boþe dayes and nyȝtes
Coueitise of eiȝe . þat euere þow hir knewe
And pride of parfit lyuynge . to muche peril þee brynge

¶ Ye recche þee neuere quod Rechelesnesse . stood forþ in raggede cloþes
Folwe forþ þat Fortune wole . þow hast wel fer til Elde
A man may stoupe tyme ynoȝ . whan he shal tyne þe crowne[^539]

[^539: W.11.36: nota]

¶ Homo proponit quod a poete . and Plato he hiȝte
And Deus disponit quod he . lat god doon his wille
If truþe wol witnesse it be wel do . Fortune to folwe
Concupiscencia carnis . ne Coueitise of eiȝes
Ne shal noȝt greue þee gretly . ne bigile[^540] but if þow wolt þi-selue[^541]

[^540: W.11.41: W alone omits þee after bigile.]

[^541: W.11.41: W alone reads þi-selue; other B manuscripts omit it.]

¶ Ye fare-wel Phippe quod Faunteltee . and forþ gan me drawe
Til Concupiscencia carnis . acorded alle my werkes

¶ Allas eiȝe quod Elde . and holynesse boþe
That wit shal torne to wrecchednesse . for wil to haue his likyng[^542]

[^542: W.11.45: nota]

¶ Coueitise of eiȝes . conforted me anoon after
And folwed me fourty wynter . and a fifte moore
That of dowel ne dobet . no deyntee me þouȝte
I hadde no likyng leue me if þee list . of hem ouȝt to knowe
Coueitise of eiȝes . com ofter in mynde
Than dowel or dobet . among my dedes alle

¶ Coueitise of eiȝes . conforted me ofte[^543]
And seide haue no conscience . how þow come to goode[^544]
Go confesse þee to som frere . and shewe hym þi synnes[^545]
For whiles Fortune is þi frend . freres wol þee louye[^546]
And fecche þee to hir Fraternitee . and for þe biseke[^547]
To hir Priour prouincial . a pardon for to haue[^548]
And preien for þee pol by pol . if þow be pecuniosus[^549]

[^543: W.11.52: nota]

[^544: W.11.53: nota]

[^545: W.11.54: nota]

[^546: W.11.55: nota]

[^547: W.11.56: nota]

[^548: W.11.57: nota]

[^549: W.11.58: nota]

Set pena pecuniaria non sufficit pro spiritualibus delictis

¶ By wissynge of þis wenche I wrouȝte . hir wordes were so swete
Til I foryat youþe . and yarn in-to Elde

¶ And þanne was Fortune my foo . for al hir faire speche[^550][^551]
And pouerte pursued me . and putte me lowe[^552]

[^550: W.11.62: W alone reads speche; other B manuscripts have biheste.]

[^551: W.11.62: nota]

[^552: W.11.63: nota]

¶ And þo fond I þe frere afered . and flittynge boþe
Ayeins oure firste forward . for I seide I nolde
Be buried at hire hous . but at my parisshe chirche
For I herde ones . how Conscience it tolde
That þere a man were cristned . by kynde he sholde be buryed
Or where he were parisshen . riȝt þere he sholde be grauen
And for I seide þus to freres . a fool þei me helden
And loued me þe lasse . for my lele speche

¶ Ac yet I cryde on my Confessour . þat heeld hym-self so konnyng[^553]
By my feiþ frere quod I . ye faren lik þise woweris[^554]
That wedde none widwes . but for to welden hir goodes[^555]
Riȝt so by þe roode . rouȝte ye neuere[^556]
Where my body were buryed . by so ye hadde my siluer[^557]

[^553: W.11.72: nota]

[^554: W.11.73: nota]

[^555: W.11.74: nota]

[^556: W.11.75: nota]

[^557: W.11.76: nota]

¶ Ich haue muche merueille of yow . and so haþ many anoþer
Whi youre Couent coueiteþ . to confesse and to burye
Raþer þan to baptize barnes . þat ben Catecumelynges
Baptizynge and buryinge . boþe beþ ful nedefulle
Ac muche moore meritorie . me þynkeþ it is to baptize
For a baptized man may . as þise maistres telleþ
Thoruȝ contricion come . to þe heiȝe heuene
[^558] Sola contricio &c
Ac barn wiþ-outen bapteme . may noȝt so be saued
Nisi quis renatus fuerit . loke ye lettred men . wheiþer I lye or do noȝt .
And lewte loked on me . and I loured after

[^558: W.11.84: This boxed line appears as an insertion placed immediately to the right of the previous line with two red diagonal pen strokes to indicate its proper place in the sequence. The hand of the text is that of the original scribe.]

¶ Wher-fore lourestow quod lewtee . and loked on me harde

¶ If I dorste quod I amonges men . þis metels auowe

¶ Ȝis by Peter and by Poul quod he . and took hem boþe to witnesse
Non oderis fratres secrete in corde tuo . set publice argue illos

¶ They wole aleggen also quod I . and by þe gospel preuen
Nolite iudicare quemquam .

¶ And wher-of serueþ lawe quod lewtee . if no lif vndertoke it
Falsnesse ne faiterie . for som-what þe Apostle seide
Non oderis fratrem . And in þe Sauter also . seiþ dauid þe prophete
Existimasti inique quod ero tui similis &c

¶ It is licitum for lewed men . to sigge þe soþe[^559]
If hem likeþ and lest . ech a lawe it graunteþ[^560]
Excepte persons and preestes . and prelates of holy chirche[^561]
It falleþ noȝt for þat folk . no tales to telle[^562]
Thouȝ þe tale be trewe . and it touche synne[^563]

[^559: W.11.98: nota]

[^560: W.11.99: nota]

[^561: W.11.100: nota]

[^562: W.11.101: nota]

[^563: W.11.102: nota]

¶ Þyng þat al þe world woot . wher-fore sholdestow spare
To reden it in Retorik . to arate dedly synne
Ac be neuere-moore þe firste . defaute[^564] to blame
Thouȝ þow se yuel seye it noȝt first . be sory it nere amended
No þyng þat is pryue . publice þow it neuere[^565]
Neiþer for loue preise[^566] it noȝt . ne lakke it for enuye[^567]
Parum lauda vitupera parcius

[^564: W.11.105: W alone omits þe before defaute.]

[^565: W.11.107: nota]

[^566: W.11.108: W alone reads preise; most other B manuscripts have laude.]

[^567: W.11.108: nota]

¶ He seiþ sooþ quod Scripture þo . and skipte anheiȝ an heiȝ and preched
Ac þe matere þat she meued . if lewed men it knewe
Þe lasse as I leue . louyen it þei wolde

¶ This was hir teme and hir text . I took ful good hede
Multi to a mangerie . and to þe mete were sompned
And whan þe peple was plener comen . þe porter vnpynned þe yate
And plukked In Pauci pryueliche . and leet þe remenaunt go rome

¶ Al for tene of hir text . trembled myn herte
And in aweer a weer gan I wexe . and wiþ my-self to dispute
Wheiþer I were chosen or noȝt chosen . on holichirche I þouȝte
That vnderfonged me atte font . for oon of goddes chosene
For crist cleped vs alle . come if we wolde
Sarzens and scismatikes . and so he dide þe Iewes
O vos omnes sicientes venite &c
And bad hem souke for synne . safly at his breste
And drynke boote for bale . brouke it who-so myȝte

¶ Thanne may alle cristene come quod I . and cleyme þere entree
By þe blood þat he bouȝte vs wiþ . and þoruȝ bapteme after
Qui crediderit & baptizatus fuerit &c
For þouȝ a cristen man coueited . his cristendom to reneye
Riȝtfully to reneye . no reson it wolde

¶ For may no cherl chartre make . ne his catel selle
Wiþ-outen leue of his lord . no lawe wol it graunte
Ac he may renne in arerage . and rome so fro home
And as a reneyed caytif . recchelesly rennen aboute
And reson shal rekene wiþ hym . and casten hym in arerage
And putten hym after in a prison . in purgatorie to brenne
For hise arerages rewarden hym þere . to þe day of dome
But if Contricion wol come . and crye by his lyue
Mercy for hise mysdedes . wiþ mouþe and wiþ herte

¶ That is sooþ seide Scripture . may no synne lette
Mercy al to amende . and Mekenesse hir folwe
For þei beþ as oure bokes telleþ . aboue goddes werkes
Misericordia eius super omnia opera eius

¶ Ye baw for bokes quod oon . was broken out of helle
Hiȝte Troianus hadde ben a trewe knyȝt . took witnesse at a pope
How he was ded and dampned . to dwellen in pyne

For an vncristene creature . clerkes wite þe soþe
That al þe clergie vnder crist . ne myȝte me cracche fro helle
But oonliche loue and leautee . and my laweful domes

¶ Gregorie wiste þis wel . and wilned to my soule
Sauacion for sooþnesse . þat he seiȝ in my werkes
And after þat he wepte . and wilned me were graunted
Grace . wiþ-outen any bede biddyng . his boone was vnderfongen
And I saued as ye see . wiþ-outen syngynge of masses
By loue and by lernyng . of my lyuynge in truþe[^568]
Brouȝte me fro bitter peyne . þer no biddyng myȝte[^569]

[^568: W.11.155: nota]

[^569: W.11.156: nota]

¶ Lo ye lordes what leautee dide . by an Emperour of Rome
That was an vncristene creature . as clerkes fyndeþ in bokes
Nouȝt þoruȝ preiere of a pope . but for his pure truþe
Was þat Sarsen saued . as Seint Gregorie bereþ witnesse

¶ Wel ouȝte ye lordes þat lawes kepe . þis lesson to haue in mynde
And on Troianus truþe to þenke . and do truþe to þe peple
Lawe wiþ-outen loue quod Troianus . ley þer a bene[^570]
Or any Science vnder sonne . þe seuene artz and alle
But þei ben lerned for oure lordes loue . lost is al þe tyme
For no cause to cacche siluer þer -by . ne to be called a maister
But al for loue of oure lord . and þe bet to loue þe peple
For Seint Iohan seide it . and soþe arn hise wordes
Qui non diligit manet in morte

[^570: W.11.163: nota]

¶ Who-so loueþ noȝt leue me . he lyueþ in deeþ-deyinge
And þat alle manere men . enemyes and frendes[^571]
Loue hir eyþer ooþer . and lene hem as hem-selue[^572]
Who-so leneþ noȝt he loueþ noȝt . god woot þe soþe[^573]
Crist[^574] comaundeþ ech a creature . to conformen hym to louye[^575]
And souereynly þe pouere peple . and hir enemyes after[^576]
For hem þat haten vs . is oure merite to louye[^577]
And pouere peple to plese . hir preieres maye vs helpe[^578]
And oure Ioye and oure heele . Iesu crist of heuene[^579]
In a pouere mannes apparaille . pursued vs euere[^580]
And lokeþ on vs in hir liknesse . and þat wiþ louely chere[^581]
To knowen vs by oure kynde herte . and castynge of oure eiȝen[^582]
Wheiþer we loue þe lordes here . bifore þe lord of blisse[^583]
And exciteþ vs by þe Euaungelie . þat whan we maken festes
We sholde noȝt clepe oure kyn þer -to . ne none kynnes riche

[^571: W.11.171: nota]

[^572: W.11.172: nota]

[^573: W.11.173: nota]

[^574: W.11.174: W alone reads Crist; F reads he; other B manuscripts have And.]

[^575: W.11.174: nota]

[^576: W.11.175: nota]

[^577: W.11.176: nota]

[^578: W.11.177: nota]

[^579: W.11.178: nota]

[^580: W.11.179: nota]

[^581: W.11.180: nota]

[^582: W.11.181: nota]

[^583: W.11.182: nota]

¶ Cum facitis conuiuia nolite inuitare amicos
Ac calleþ þe carefulle þer -to . þe croked and þe pouere[^584]
For youre frendes wol feden yow . and fonde yow to quyte
Youre festynge and youre faire ȝifte . ech frend quyteþ so ooþer

[^584: W.11.186: nota]

¶ Ac for þe pouere I shal paie . and pure wel quyte hir trauaille[^585]
That ȝyueþ hem mete or moneie . or loueþ hem for my sake[^586]
For þe beste ben som riche . and some beggeres and pouere[^587]
For alle are we cristes creatures . and of his cofres riche[^588]
And breþeren as of oo blood . as wel beggeres as Erles[^589]
For on Caluarie of cristes blood . cristendom gan sprynge[^590]
And blody breþeren we bicome þere . of o body ywonne[^591]
As quasi modo geniti . and gentil men echone[^592]
No beggere ne boye amonges vs . but if it synne made
Qui facit peccatum seruus est peccati &c

[^585: W.11.189: nota]

[^586: W.11.190: nota]

[^587: W.11.191: nota]

[^588: W.11.192: nota]

[^589: W.11.193: nota]

[^590: W.11.194: nota]

[^591: W.11.195: nota]

[^592: W.11.196: nota]

¶ In þe olde lawe . as holy lettre telleþ
Mennes sones . men callen[^593] vs echone
Of Adames issue and Eue . ay til god-man deide
And after his resurexcion . Redemptor was his name
And we hise breþeren þoruȝ hym ybouȝt . boþe riche and pouere

[^593: W.11.200: W alone reads callen; most other B manuscripts have called, though B has calliþ.]

¶ For-þi loue we as leue breþeren . and ech man laughe of ooþer[^594]
And of þat ech man may forbere . amende þere it nedeþ[^595]
And euery man helpe ooþer . for hennes shul we alle[^596]
Alter alterius onera portate

[^594: W.11.204: nota]

[^595: W.11.205: nota]

[^596: W.11.206: nota]

¶ And be we noȝt vnkynde of oure catel . ne of oure konnyng neiþer[^597]
For woot no man how neiȝ it is . to ben ynome fro boþe[^598]
For-þi lakke no lif ooþer . þouȝ he moore latyn knowe
Ne vndernyme noȝt foule . for is noon wiþ-oute defaute
For what-euere clerkes carpe . of cristendom or ellis
Crist to a commune womman seide . in commune at a feste
That Fides sua sholde sauen hire . and saluen hire of synnes

[^597: W.11.208: nota]

[^598: W.11.209: nota]

¶ Thanne is bileue a lele help . aboue logyk or lawe

Of logyk or of lawe . in legenda sanctorum
Is litel alowaunce maad . but if bileue hem helpe
For it is ouer-longe er logyk . any lesson assoille
And lawe is looþ to louye . but if he lacche siluer
Boþe logyk and lawe . þat loueþ noȝt to lye
I conseille alle cristene . clyue noȝt þer-on to soore
For some wordes I fynde writen . þat were of Feiþes techyng
That saued synful men . as Seint Iohan bereþ witnesse

¶ Eadem mensura qua mensi fueritis remecietur vobis

¶ For-þi lerne we þe lawe of loue . as oure lord tauȝte[^599]
And as Seint Gregorie seide . for mannes soule helþe[^600]

[^599: W.11.225: nota]

[^600: W.11.226: nota]

¶ Melius est scrutari scelera nostra quam naturas rerum

¶ Why I meue þis matere . is moost for þe pouere
For in hir liknesse oure lord . ofte haþ ben yknowe
Witnesse in þe Pask wyke . whan he yede to Emaus
Cleophas ne knew hym noȝt . þat he crist were
For his pouere apparaille . and pilgrymes wedes
Til he blessede and brak . þe breed þat þei eten
So bi hise werkes þei wisten . þat he was Iesus
Ac by cloþyng þei knewe hym noȝt . ne by carpynge of tunge

¶ And al was in ensample . to vs synfulle here[^601]
That we sholde be lowe . and loueliche of speche[^602]
And apparaille vs noȝt ouer-proudly . for pilgrymes are we alle[^603]

[^601: W.11.236: nota]

[^602: W.11.237: nota]

[^603: W.11.238: nota]

¶ And in þe apparaille of a pouere man . and pilgrymes liknesse[^604]
Many tyme god haþ ben met . among nedy peple[^605]
Ther neuere segge hym seiȝ . in secte of þe riche[^606]

[^604: W.11.239: nota]

[^605: W.11.240: nota]

[^606: W.11.241: nota]

¶ Seint Iohan and oþere seintes . were seyen in poore cloþyng
And as pouere pilgrymes . preyed mennes goodes

¶ Iesu crist on a Iewes doȝter liȝte . gentil womman þouȝ she were
Was a pure pouere maide . and to a pouere man ywedded

¶ Martha on Marie Maudeleyne . anhuge an huge pleynt made
And to oure Saueour self . seide þise wordes

¶ D omine non est tibi cure quod soror mea reliquit me solam ministrare

¶ And hastily god answerde . and eiþeres wille folwed
Boþe Marthaes and Maries . as Mathew bereþ witnesse
Ac pouerte god putte bifore . and preised þat þe bettre[^607]
Maria optimam partem elegit que non &c

[^607: W.11.251: nota]

¶ And alle þe wise þat euere were . by auȝt I kan aspye
Preiseden[^608] pouerte for best lif . if Pacience it folwed[^609]
And boþe bettre and blesseder . by many fold þan Richesse
For[^610] þouȝ it be sour to suffre . þer-after comeþ swete[^611]
As on a walnote wiþ-oute . is a bitter barke[^612]
And after þat bitter bark . be þe shelle aweye[^613]
Is a kernel of confort . kynde to restore[^614]

[^608: W.11.254: The past tense Preiseden is shared with M; other B manuscripts have Preisen.]

[^609: W.11.254: W alone reads folwed; most other B manuscripts have folwe.]

[^610: W.11.256: W alone reads For; other B manuscripts have And or Al.]

[^611: W.11.256: nota]

[^612: W.11.257: nota]

[^613: W.11.258: nota]

[^614: W.11.259: nota]

¶ So is after pouerte or penaunce . paciently ytake[^615]
For it makeþ a man to haue mynde . in god and a gret wille[^616]

[^615: W.11.260: nota]

[^616: W.11.261: nota]

¶ To wepe and to wel bidde . wher-of wexeþ Mercy[^617]
Of which crist is a kernelle . to conforte þe soule[^618]
And wel sikerer he slepeþ . þe man þat is pouere
And lasse he dredeþ deeþ . and in derke to ben yrobbed[^619]
Than he þat is riȝt riche . Reson bereþ witnesse[^620]
Pauper ego ludo dum tu diues meditaris

[^617: W.11.262: nota]

[^618: W.11.263: nota]

[^619: W.11.265: nota]

[^620: W.11.266: nota]

¶ Al-þouȝ Salomon seide . as folk seeþ in þe bible
Diuicias nec paupertates &c
Wiser þan Salomon was . bereþ witnesse and tauȝte
That parfit pouerte was . no possession to haue[^621]
And lif moost likynge to god . as luc bereþ witnesse[^622]
Si vis perfectus esse . vade & vende[^623]

[^621: W.11.271: nota]

[^622: W.11.272: nota]

[^623: W.11.273: W alone omits &c after vende .]

¶ And is to mene to men . þat on þis moolde lyuen
Who-so wole be pure parfit . moot possession forsake
Or selle it as seiþ þe book . and þe siluer dele
To beggeris þat goon and begge . and bidden good for goddes loue
For failed neuere man mete . þat myȝtful god serueþ[^624]
As Dauid seiþ in þe Sauter . to swiche þat ben in wille
To serue god goodliche . ne greueþ hym no penaunce
Nichil inpossibile volenti
Ne lakkeþ neuere liflode . lynnen ne wollen
Inquirentes autem dominum non minuentur omni bono

[^624: W.11.278: nota]

¶ If preestes weren parfite . þei wolde no siluer take[^625]
For masses ne for matyns . noȝt hir mete of vsureres[^626]
Ne neiþer kirtel ne cote . þeiȝ þei for cold sholde deye
And þei hir deuoir dide . as Dauid seiþ in þe Sauter
Iudica me deus & discerne causam meam

[^625: W.11.284: nota]

[^626: W.11.285: nota]

¶ Spera in deo . spekeþ of preestes . þat haue no spendyng siluer
That if þei trauaille truweliche . and truste in god almyȝty[^627]
Hem sholde lakke no liflode . neyþer lynnen ne wollen[^628]

[^627: W.11.290: nota]

[^628: W.11.291: nota]

¶ And þe title þat ye[^629] take ordres by . telleþ ye ben auaunced
Thanne nedeþ yow noȝt to take siluer . for masses þat ye syngen
For he þat took yow youre title . sholde take yow youre wages
Or þe bisshop þat blessed yow . if þat ye ben worþi

[^629: W.11.292: W and R read ye; other B manuscripts have þey, which is the reading in W's catchwords at the foot of fol. 64v.]

¶ For made neuere kyng no knyȝt . but he hadde catel to spende[^630]
As bifel for a knyȝt . or foond hym for his strengþe
It is a careful knyȝt . and of a caytif kynges makyng[^631]
That haþ no lond ne lynage riche . ne good loos of hise handes[^632]

[^630: W.11.296: nota]

[^631: W.11.298: nota]

[^632: W.11.299: nota]

¶ The same I segge for-soþe . by alle swiche preestes[^633]
That han neiþer konnynge ne kyn . but a crowne one[^634]
And a title a tale of noȝt . to his liflode at his meschief[^635]
He haþ moore bileue as I leue . to lacche þoruȝ his croune[^636]
Cure . þan for konnyng . or knowen for clene berynge[^637]
I haue wonder for why[^638] . and wher-fore þe bisshop .[^639]
Makeþ swiche preestes . þat lewed men bitrayen[^640]

[^633: W.11.300: nota]

[^634: W.11.301: nota]

[^635: W.11.302: nota]

[^636: W.11.303: nota]

[^637: W.11.304: nota]

[^638: W.11.305: W alone reads for; most other manuscripts have and.]

[^639: W.11.305: nota]

[^640: W.11.306: nota]

¶ A chartre is chalangeable . bifore a chief Iustice[^641]
If fals latyn be in þat lettre . þe lawe it impugneþ[^642]
Or peynted parentrelynarie . or parcelles ouer-skipped
The gome þat gloseþ so chartres . for a goky is holden

[^641: W.11.307: nota]

[^642: W.11.308: nota]

¶ So is it a goky by god . þat in his gospel failleþ[^643]
Or in masse or in matyns . makeþ any defaute[^644]
Qui offendit in vno in omnibus est reus

[^643: W.11.311: nota]

[^644: W.11.312: nota]

¶ And also in þe sauter . seiþ dauid to ouerskipperis
Psallite deo nostro psallite quoniam rex terre deus Israel psallite sapien ter[^645]

[^645: W.11.315: The page is cropped after sapien ; other B manuscripts have sapienter .]

¶ The bisshop shal be blamed . bifore god as I leue[^646]
That crouneþ swiche goddes knyȝtes . þat konneþ noȝt sapienter[^647]
Synge ne psalmes rede . ne seye a masse of þe day[^648]
And neuer neiþer is blamelees . þe bisshop ne þe Chapeleyn[^649]
For hir eiþer is endited . and that is Ignorancia[^650]
Non excusat episcopos nec ydiot[^651] preestes

[^646: W.11.316: nota]

[^647: W.11.317: nota]

[^648: W.11.318: nota]

[^649: W.11.319: nota]

[^650: W.11.320: nota]

[^651: W.11.321: The <t> of ydiot has a large downward loop. This might be taken as an inflexion, though in this mixture of Latin and English, it is uncertain whether the word should be regarded as Latin, English, or indeed French. The word occurs as ydioti in the Latin line W.10.467, and without the loop as ydiot in W.16.178. The loop on <t> is usually without function, even within Latin contexts (e. g. uiuit W.11.398). Despite their usual practice, but presumably on the basis of the reading of other B manuscripts, Kane and Donaldson expanded to ydiotes , which Skeat interprets as "an adjective with the French plural ending" (Rev. Walter W. Skeat, ed., The Vision of William Concerning Piers the Plowman, in Three Parallel Texts (London: Oxford University Press, 1886), 2.176). Mustanoja notes in his discussion of the feature that the inflected adjective is usually placed after the noun (A Middle English Syntax. Part I: Parts of Speech Mémoires de la Société Néophilologique de Helsinki, 23 (Helsinki: Société Néophilologique, 1960), p. 277). See Introduction.]

¶ This lokynge on lewed preestes . haþ doon me lepe from pouerte
The which I preise þer pacience is . moore parfit þan richesse

A c muche moore in metynge þus . wiþ me gan oon dispute
And slepynge I seiȝ al þis . and siþen cam kynde
And nempned me by my name . and bad me nymen hede
And þoruȝ þe wondres of þis world . wit for to take
And on a mountaigne þat myddel-erþe . hiȝte as me þouȝte
I was fet forþ . by ensamples to knowe
Thorugh ech a creature and kynde . my creatour to louye

¶ I seiȝ þe sonne and þe see . and þe sond after
And where þat briddes and beestes . by hir makes yeden
Wilde wormes in wodes . and wonderful foweles
Wiþ fleckede feþeres . and of fele colours

¶ Man and his make . I myȝte boþe biholde
Pouerte and plentee . boþe pees and werre
Blisse and bale boþe . I seiȝ al atones at ones
And how men token Mede . and Mercy refused

¶ Reson I seiȝ sooþly . sewen alle beestes
In etynge in drynkynge . and in engendrynge of kynde
And after cours of concepcion . noon took kepe of ooþer
As whan þei hadde ryde in Rotey-tyme . anoon riȝt þer-after
Males drowen hem to males . amorwenynges by hem-selue
And in euenynges also . þe males ben fro femelles
Ther ne was cow ne cowkynde . þat conceyued hadde
That wolde belwe after boles . ne boor after sowe
Boþe hors and houndes . and alle oþere beestes
Medled noȝt wiþ hir makes . þat wiþ fole were
¶ Briddes I biheld . þat in buskes made nestes
Hadde neuere wye wit . to werche þe leeste
I hadde wonder at whom . and wher þe pye lerned
To legge þe stikkes . in whiche she leyeþ and bredeþ
Ther nys wriȝte as I wene . sholde werche hir nestes to paye
If any Mason made a molde þer -to . muche wonder it were

¶ Ac[^652] yet me merueilled moore . how many oþere briddes
Hidden and hileden . hir egges ful derne
In Mareys and moores . for men sholde hem noȝt fynde
And hidden hir egges . whan þei þer-fro wente
For fere of oþere foweles . and for wilde beestes

[^652: W.11.355: W alone reads Ac. Most other B manuscripts have And.]

¶ And some troden hir makes . and on trees bredden
And brouȝten forþ hir briddes so . al aboue þe grounde
And some briddes at þe bile . þoruȝ breþyng conceyued
And some caukede I took kepe . how pecokkes bredden
Muche merueilled me . what maister hem made[^653]
And who tauȝte hem on trees . to tymbre so heiȝe
Ther neiþer burn ne beest . may hir briddes rechen

[^653: W.11.364: W alone reads hem made; all other B manuscripts have þei hadde(n).]

¶ And siþen I loked vp-on þe see . and so forþ vp-on þe sterres
Manye selkouþes I seiȝ . ben noȝt to seye nouþe

¶ I seiȝ floures in þe fryth . and hir faire colours
And how among þe grene gras . growed so manye hewes
And some soure and some swete . selkouþ me þouȝte
Of hir kynde and hir colour . to carpe it were to longe

¶ Ac þat moost meued me . and my mood chaunged
That Reson rewarded . and ruled alle beestes[^654]
Saue man and his make . many tyme and ofte[^655]
No Reson hem folwede . and þanne I rebukede[^656]
Reson / . and riȝt til hym-seluen I seyde[^657]
¶ I haue wonder of þee quod I . þat witty art holden
Why þow ne sewest man and his make . þat no mysfeet hem folwe

[^654: W.11.374: nota]

[^655: W.11.375: nota]

[^656: W.11.376: nota]

[^657: W.11.377: nota]

¶ And Reson arated me . and seide recche þee neuere
Why I suffre or noȝt suffre . þi-self hast noȝt to doone[^658]
Amende þow it if þow myȝt . for my tyme is to abide[^659]
Suffraunce is a souerayn vertue . and a swift vengeaunce
Who suffrede moore þan god quod he . no gome as I leeue
He myȝte amende in a Minute-while . al þat mysstandeþ
Ac he suffreþ for som mannes goode . and so it[^660] is oure bettre
The wise and þe witty . wroot þus in þe bible
De re que te non molestat noli certare

[^658: W.11.381: nota]

[^659: W.11.382: nota]

[^660: W.11.386: W alone reads it; all other B manuscripts omit it.]

¶ For be a man fair or foul . it falleþ noȝt for to lakke
The shap ne þe shaft . þat god shoop hym-selue
For al þat he dide was wel ydo . as holy writ witnesseþ
Et vidit deus cuncta que fecerat & erant valde bona

¶ And bad euery creature . in his kynde encreesse
Al to murþe wiþ man . þat moste wo þolie
In fondynge of þe flessh . and of þe fend boþe
For man was maad of swich a matere . he may noȝt wel asterte
That ne som-tyme hym bitit . to folwen his kynde
Caton acordeþ þer-wiþ . Nemo sine crimine viuit

¶ Tho cauȝte I colour anoon . and comsed to ben ashamed
And awaked þer-wiþ . wo was me þanne
That I in metels ne myȝte . moore haue yknowen
And þanne seide I to my-self . and chidde þat tyme
Now I woot what dowel is quod I . by deere god as me þynkeþ

¶ And as I caste vp myne eiȝen . oon loked on me and asked
Of me what þyng it were . ywis sire I seide
To se muche and suffre moore . certes quod I is dowel[^661]

[^661: W.11.406: nota]

¶ Haddestow suffred he seide . slepynge þo þow were
Thow sholdest haue knowen þat clergie kan . & contreued moore þoruȝ Res on[^662]
For Reson wolde haue reherced þee . riȝt as Clergie seide
Ac for þyn entremetynge . here artow forsake
Philosophus esses si tacuisses

[^662: W.11.408: The leaf is cropped after Res. Other B manuscripts have Resoun.]

¶ Adam whiles he spak noȝt . hadde paradis at wille[^663]
Ac whan he mamelede aboute mete . and entremetede to knowe[^664]
The wisedom and þe wit of god . he was put fram blisse[^665]

[^663: W.11.412: nota]

[^664: W.11.413: nota]

[^665: W.11.414: nota]

¶ And riȝt so ferde Reson bi þee . þow wiþ þi rude speche
Lakkedest and losedest þyng . þat longed þe noȝt to doone
Tho hadde he no likyng . for to lere þe moore

¶ Pryde now and presumpcion . parauenture wol þee appele
That Clergie þi compaignye . kepeþ noȝt to suwe
Shal neuere chalangynge ne chidynge . chaste a man so soone[^666]
As shal shame and shenden hym . and shape hym to amende[^667]
For lat a dronken daffe . in a dyk falle[^668]
Lat hym ligge loke noȝt on hym . til hym liste aryse[^669][^670]
For þouȝ Reson rebuked hym þanne . it were but pure synne[^671]
Ac whan nede nymeþ hym vp . for doute lest he sterue[^672]
And shame shrapeþ hise cloþes . and hise shynes wassheþ[^673]
Thanne woot þe dronken daffe . wher-fore he is to blame[^674]

[^666: W.11.420: nota]

[^667: W.11.421: nota]

[^668: W.11.422: nota]

[^669: W.11.423: W alone reads aryse; Cr has to aryse, and most other B manuscripts have to ryse.]

[^670: W.11.423: nota]

[^671: W.11.424: nota]

[^672: W.11.425: nota]

[^673: W.11.426: nota]

[^674: W.11.427: nota]

¶ Ye siggen sooþ quod I . ich haue yseyen it ofte
Ther smyt no þyng so smerte . ne smelleþ so soure
As shame þere he sheweþ hym . for euery man hym shonyeþ
Why ye wisse me þus quod I . was for I rebuked Reson

¶ Certes quod he þat is sooþ . and shoop hym for to walken
And I aroos vp riȝt wiþ þat . and folwed hym after
And preyde hym of his curteisie . to telle me his name

Passus .xijus. duodecimus [W.12.0: The top of the leaf has been cropped with the loss of the tops of letters in this heading.]

I am ymaginatif quod he . ydel was I neuere
Thouȝ I sitte by my-self . in siknesse nor[^675] in helþe
I haue folwed þee in feiþ . þise fyue and fourty wynter
And manye tymes haue meued þee . to þynke on þyn ende
And how fele fernyeres are faren . and so fewe to come
And of þi wilde wantownesse . þo þow yong were
To amende it in þi myddel age . lest myȝt þe failled
In þyn olde elde . þat yuele kan suffre
Pouerte or penaunce . or preyeres to bidde
Si non in prima vigilia nec in secunda &c

[^675: W.12.2: W alone reads nor; LMR read ne; F has or; other B manuscripts have and.]

¶ Amende þee while þow myȝt . þow hast ben warned ofte[^676]
Wiþ poustees of pestilences . wiþ pouerte and with angres
And wiþ þise bittre baleises . god beteþ his deere children
Quem diligo castigo

[^676: W.12.11: nota]

¶ And Dauid in þe Sauter seiþ . of swiche þat loueþ Iesus
Virga tua & baculus tuus ipsa me consolata sunt

¶ Al-þouȝ þow strike me wiþ þi staf . wiþ stikke or wiþ yerde[^677]
It is but murþe as for me . to amende my soule[^678]
And þow medlest þee wiþ makynges . and myȝtest go seye þi sauter
And bidde for hem þat ȝyueþ þee breed . for þer are bokes yknowe[^679]
To telle men what dowel is . dobet and dobest boþe
And prechours to preuen what it is . of many a peire freres

[^677: W.12.17: nota]

[^678: W.12.18: nota]

[^679: W.12.20: W alone reads yknowe, "known"; most other B manuscripts have ynowe, "enough."]

¶ I seiȝ wel he seide me sooþ . and som-what me to excuse
Seide Caton conforted me his sone . þat clerk þouȝ he were
To solacen hym som-tyme . as I do whan I make
Interpone tuis interdum gaudia curis

¶ And of holy men I herde quod I . how þei ouþer -while
Pleyden þe parfiter . to ben in manye places
Ac if þer were any wight . þat wolde me telle
What were do-wel . and dobet . and do-best at þe laste
Wolde I neuere do werk . but wende to holichirche
And þere bidde my bedes . but whan ich ete or slepe

¶ Poul in his pistle quod he . preueþ what is dowel
Fides / spes / caritas . et maior horum &c
Feiþ / hope / and Charite . and alle ben goode
And sauen men sondry tymes . ac noon so soone as Charite
For he dooþ wel wiþ-outen doute . þat dooþ as lewte techeþ
That is if þow be man maryed . þi make þow louye
And lyue forþ as lawe wole . while ye lyuen boþe

¶ Riȝt so if þow be Religious . ren þow neuere ferþer
To Rome ne to Rochemador . but as þi rule techeþ
And hold þee vnder obedience . þat heigh wey is to heuene

¶ And if þow be maiden to marye . and myȝt wel continue
Seke þow neuere Seint ferþer . for no soule helþe
For what made lucifer . to lese þe heiȝe heuene
Or Salomon his sapience . or Sampson his strengþe
Iob þe Iew his ioye . ful deere[^680] abouȝte
Aristotle and oþere mo . ypocras and virgile
Alisaundre þat al wan . elengliche ended
Catel and kynde wit . was combraunce to hem alle

[^680: W.12.47: W alone reads ful deere; other B manuscripts omit ful and follow dere with it, he, or both.]

¶ Felice hir fairnesse . fel hire al to sclaundre
And Rosamounde riȝt so . reufulliche to bileue
The beaute of hir body . in baddenesse she despended
Of manye swiche I may rede . of men and of wommen[^681]
That wise wordes wolde shewe . and werche þe contrarie[^682]
Sunt homines nequam bene de virtute loquentes

[^681: W.12.54: nota]

[^682: W.12.55: nota]

¶ And riche renkes riȝt so . gaderen and sparen
And þo men þat þei moost haten . mynistren it at þe laste
And for þei suffren and see . so manye nedy folkes
And loue hem noȝt as oure lord bit . þei lesen hir soules
Date & dabitur vobis

¶ And Richesse riȝt so . but if þe roote be trewe
Ac grace is a gras þer -of . þo greuaunces to abate
Ac grace ne groweþ noȝt . but amonges lowe
Pacience and pouerte . þe place hiȝte[^683] þer it groweþ
And in lele lyuynge men . and in lif-holy
And þoruȝ þe gifte of þe holy goost . as þe gospel telleþ
Spiritus vbi vult spirat

[^683: W.12.65: W alone reads hiȝte; other B manuscripts have is.]

¶ Clergie and kynde wit . comeþ of siȝte and techyng
As þe book bereþ witnesse . to burnes þat kan rede
Quod scimus loquimur . quod vidimus testamur

¶ Of quod scimus comeþ Clergie . and konnynge of heuene
And of quod vidimus comeþ kynde wit . of siȝte of diuerse peple
Ac grace is a gifte of god . and of greet loue spryngeþ
Knew neuere clerk how it comeþ forþ . ne kynde wit þe weyes
Nescit aliquis vnde venit . aut quo vadit[^684] &c

[^684: W.12.76: To the right of the box, the scribe has written a decorative nota abbreviation followed by &c. Manuscripts CrCBRF lack &c.]

¶ Ac yet is Clergie to comende . and kynde wit boþe
And namely Clergie for cristes loue . þat of Clergie is roote
For Moyses witnesseþ þat god wroot . for to wisse þe peple
In þe olde lawe as þe lettre telleþ . þat was þe lawe of Iewes
That what womman were in auoutrye taken . where she[^685] riche or poore
Wiþ stones men sholde hir strike . and stone hire to deþe

[^685: W.12.81: WF read where she; HmLM read were sche (were he in R); other B manuscripts omit. W's where is either a unique spelling of were or the contracted form of whether: "whether she (were)."]

¶ A womman as I fynde[^686] . was gilty of þat dede
Ac crist of his curteisie . þoruȝ clergie hir saued
And þoruȝ caractes þat crist wroot . þe Iewes knewe hem-selue
Giltier as afore god . and gretter in synne
Than þe womman þat þere was . and wenten awey for shame

[^686: W.12.83: W alone reads I fynde; other B manuscripts have we fynden.]

¶ The Clergie þat þere was . conforted þe womman
Holy kirke knoweþ þis . þat cristes writyng saued hire
So clergie is confort . to creatures þat repenten
And to mansede men . meschief at hire ende

¶ For goddes body myȝte noȝt ben . of breed wiþ-outen clergie[^687]
The which body is boþe . boote to þe riȝtfulle[^688]
And deeþ and dampnacion . to hem þat deyeþ yuele[^689]
As cristes caracte confortede . and boþe coupable shewed
The womman þat þe Iewes brouȝte . þat Iesus þouȝte to saue
Nolite iudicare & non iudicabimini
Riȝt so goddes body breþeren . but if it be worþili taken
Dampneþ vs at þe day of dome . as þe caractes dide þe Iewes

[^687: W.12.92: nota]

[^688: W.12.93: nota]

[^689: W.12.94: nota]

¶ For-þi I counseille þee for cristes sake . clergie þat þow louye
For kynde wit is of his kyn . and neiȝe Cosynes boþe
To oure lord leue me . for-þi loue hem I rede
For boþe ben as Mirours . to amenden oure defautes
And lederes for lewed men . and for lettred boþe

¶ For-þi lakke þow neuere logik . lawe ne hise custumes
Ne countreplede clerkes . I counseille þee for euere
For as a man may noȝt see . þat mysseþ hise eiȝen[^690]
Namoore kan no Clerk . but if he cauȝte it first þoruȝ bokes[^691]
Al-þouȝ men made bokes . god was þe maister[^692]
And seint Spirit þe Samplarie . & seide what men sholde write[^693]

[^690: W.12.107: nota]

[^691: W.12.108: nota]

[^692: W.12.109: nota]

[^693: W.12.110: After this WHmCr omit the line And riȝt as syȝte serueth a man . to se þe heighe strete (as in L).]

¶ Riȝt so ledeþ lettrure . lewed men to Reson[^694]
And as a blynd man in bataille . bereþ wepne to fiȝte[^695]
And haþ noon hap wiþ his ax . his enemy to hitte[^696]
Namoore kan a kynde witted man . but clerkes hym teche[^697]
Come for al his kynde wit . to cristendom and be saued[^698]
Which is þe cofre of cristes tresor . and clerkes kepe þe keyes
To vnloken it at hir likyng . and to þe lewed peple
Ȝyue mercy for hire mysdedes . if men it wole aske
Buxomliche and benigneliche . and bidden it of grace

[^694: W.12.111: nota]

[^695: W.12.112: nota]

[^696: W.12.113: nota]

[^697: W.12.114: nota]

[^698: W.12.115: nota]

¶ Archa dei in þe olde lawe . leuytes it kepten
Hadde neuere lewed man leue . to leggen hond on þat cheste
But he were preest or preestes sone . Patriark or prophete
For Clergie is kepere . vnder crist of heuene
Was þer neuere no knyȝt . but clergie hym made
Ac kynde wit comeþ . of alle kynnes siȝtes
Of briddes and of beestes . of tastes of truþe and of deceites

¶ Lyueris toforn vs . vseden to marke
For selkouþes þat þei seiȝen . hir sones for to teche
And helden it an heiȝ science . hir wittes to knowe
Ac þoruȝ hir science[^699] sooþly . was neuere no soule ysaued
Ne broȝt by hir bokes . to blisse ne to ioye
For alle hir kynde knowynges come . but of diuerse siȝtes

[^699: W.12.130: The scribe has written science in a darker ink, perhaps over an erasure.]

¶ Patriarkes and prophetes . repreueden hir science
And seiden hir wordes and hir wisdomes . nas but a folye
And[^700] to þe clergie of crist . counted it but a trufle
Sapiencia huius mundi stulticia est apud deum[^701]

[^700: W.12.135: W alone reads And; other manuscripts have As.]

[^701: W.12.136: nota]

¶ For þe heiȝe holy goost . heuene shal to-cleue
And loue shal lepen out after . in-to þe[^702] lowe erþe
And clennesse shal cacchen it . and clerkes shullen it fynde
Pastores loquebantur adinuicem ad inuicem

[^702: W.12.138: W alone reads þe; most other manuscripts have þis.]

¶ He spekeþ þere of riche men riȝt noȝt . ne of riȝt witty
Ne of lordes þat were lewed men . but of þe hyeste lettred oute
Ibant magi ab oriente

¶ If any frere were founde þere . I ȝyue þee fyue shillynges
Ne in none burgeises[^703] cote . was þat barn born

[^703: W.12.145: W alone reads burgeises; other B manuscripts have beggers.]

¶ But in a Burgeises place . of Bethlem þe beste
Set non erat ei locus in diuersorio . et pauper non habet diuersorium[^704]

[^704: W.12.147: The word-terminal suspension ordinarily represents <e>. We have expanded to supply the required sense and to match the readings of other manuscripts.]

¶ To pastours and to poetes . appered þe Aungel
And bad hem go to Bethlem . goddes burþe to honoure
And songe a song of solas . Gloria in excelsis deo

¶ Clerkes knewen it wel . and comen wiþ hir presentz
And diden homage honurably . to hym þat was almyȝty

¶ Why I haue told al þis . I took ful good hede
How þow contrariedest clergie . wiþ crabbede wordes
How þat lewed men liȝtloker . þan lettrede were saued
Than clerkes or kynde witted men . of cristene peple
And þow seidest sooþ of somme . ac se in what manere

¶ Tak two stronge men . and in Themese cast hem[^705]
And boþe naked as a nedle . hir noon sikerer þan ooþer[^706]
That oon haþ konnynge and kan . swymmen and dyuen[^707]
That ooþer is lewed of þat labour . þat[^708] lerned neuere swymme[^709]
Which trowestow of þo two . þat[^710] is in moost drede[^711]
He þat neuere ne dyued . ne noȝt kan of swymmyng[^712]
Or þe swymmere þat is saaf . by so hym-self like[^713]
Ther his felawe fleteþ forþ . as þe flood likeþ[^714]
And is in drede to drenche . þat neuere dide swymme[^715]

[^705: W.12.158: nota]

[^706: W.12.159: nota]

[^707: W.12.160: nota]

[^708: W.12.161: W alone reads þat, omitted by other manuscripts.]

[^709: W.12.161: nota]

[^710: W.12.162: W alone reads þat; other witnesses have in Themese.]

[^711: W.12.162: nota]

[^712: W.12.163: nota]

[^713: W.12.164: nota]

[^714: W.12.165: nota]

[^715: W.12.166: nota]

That swymme kan noȝt I seide . it semeþ to my wittes

¶ Right so quod þe renk . Reson it sheweþ
That he þat knoweþ clergie . kan sonner arise[^716]
Out of synne and be saaf . þouȝ he synne ofte[^717]
If hym likeþ and lest . þan any lewed leelly[^718]
For if þe clerk be konnynge . he knoweþ what is synne[^719]

[^716: W.12.169: nota]

[^717: W.12.170: nota]

[^718: W.12.171: nota]

[^719: W.12.172: nota]

¶ And how contricion wiþ-oute confession . conforteþ þe soule[^720]
As þow seest in þe Sauter . in Salmes oon or tweyne[^721]
How contricion is comended . for it cacheþ awey synne[^722]

[^720: W.12.173: nota]

[^721: W.12.174: nota]

[^722: W.12.175: nota]

Beati quorum remisse sunt iniquitates . & quorum tecta sunt &c

¶ And þis conforteþ ech a clerk . and couereþ hym fro wanhope
In which flood þe fend . fondeþ a man hardest
Ther þe lewed liþ stille . and lokeþ after lente
And haþ no contricion er he come to shrifte . & þanne kan he litel telle
But as his lores-man lereþ hym . bileueþ and troweþ
And þat is after person or parissh preest . þe whiche ben[^723] par -auenture
Vnkonnynge to lere lewed men . as luc bereþ witnesse
Dum cecus ducit cecum &c

[^723: W.12.182: W alone reads þe whiche ben, omitted by F; other manuscripts have and.]

¶ Wo was hym marked . þat wade moot wiþ þe lewed
Wel may þe barn blesse þat man[^724] . þat hym to book sette[^725]
That lyuynge after lettrure . saueþ hym lif and soule[^726]
D ominus pars hereditatis mee . is a murye verset
That haþ take fro Tybourne . twenty stronge þeues
Ther lewed þeues ben lolled vp . loke how þei be saued

[^724: W.12.186: W alone reads þat man; omitted in other manuscripts.]

[^725: W.12.186: nota]

[^726: W.12.187: nota]

¶ The þef þat hadde grace of god . on goodfryday good fryday as þow spekest
Was for he yald hym creaunt . to crist on þe cros . & knewliched hym gilty
And grace asked of god . þat to graunten it is redy[^727]
To hem þat[^728] buxomliche biddeþ it . and ben in wille to amenden hem
Ac þouȝ þat þeef hadde heuene . he hadde noon heiȝ blisse
As Seint Iohan and oþere Seintes . þat deserued hadde bettre

[^727: W.12.193: W alone reads þat to graunten it is redy; other B manuscripts have and he is euere redy.]

[^728: W.12.194: W alone reads To hem þat; most other B manuscripts have That.]

¶ Riȝt as som man yeue me mete . and amydde þe floor sette me[^729][^730]
And[^731] hadde mete moore þan ynouȝ . ac noȝt so muche worshipe[^732]
As þo þat seten at þe syde-table . or wiþ þe souereynes of þe halle[^733]
But sete as a beggere bordlees . by my-self on þe grounde[^734]
So it fareþ by þat felon . þat a good friday was saued[^735]
He sit neiþer wiþ Seint Iohan . Symond ne Iude[^736]
Ne wiþ maydenes ne with martires . Confessours ne wydewes[^737]
But by hym-self as a soleyn . and serued on erþe[^738]
For he þat is ones a þef . is euere-moore in daunger[^739]
And as lawe likeþ . to lyue or to deye[^740]
De peccato propiciato . noli esse sine metu
And for to seruen a seint . and swich a þef togideres
It were neiþer reson ne riȝt . to rewarde hem boþe yliche

[^729: W.12.197: W alone reads amydde þe floor sette me; most other B manuscripts have sette me amydde þe flore.]

[^730: W.12.197: nota]

[^731: W.12.198: W alone reads And; other B manuscripts have I.]

[^732: W.12.198: nota]

[^733: W.12.199: nota]

[^734: W.12.200: nota]

[^735: W.12.201: nota]

[^736: W.12.202: nota]

[^737: W.12.203: nota]

[^738: W.12.204: nota]

[^739: W.12.205: nota]

[^740: W.12.206: nota]

¶ And riȝt as Troianus þe trewe knyȝt . dwelte noȝt depe in helle
That oure lord ne hadde hym liȝtly out . so leue I þe þef be in heuene
For he is in þe loweste of heuene . if oure bileue be trewe
And wel loselly he lolleþ þere . by þe lawe of holy chirche
Qui reddit vnicuique iuxta opera sua &c

¶ And why þat oon þeef on þe cros . creaunt hym yald
Raþer þan þat ooþer þeef . þouȝ þow woldest appose
Alle þe clerkes vnder crist . ne kouþe þe skile assoille
Quare placuit quia voluit

¶ And so I seye by þee . þat sekest after þe whyes
And a-resonedest Reson . a rebukynge as it were
And of þe floures in þe Fryth . and of hire faire hewes
Wher-of þei cacche hir colours . so clere and so briȝte
And willest of briddes & of beestes . and of hir bredyng to knowe
Why some be alouȝ & some aloft . þi likyng it were
And of þe stones and of þe sterres . þow studiest as I leue
How euere beest ouþer brid . haþ so breme wittes

¶ Clergie ne kynde wit . ne knew neuere þe cause
Ac kynde knoweþ þe cause hym-self . and no creature ellis
He is þe pies patron . and putteþ it in hir ere
There[^741] þe þorn is þikkest . to buylden and brede
And kynde kenned þe pecok . to cauken in swich a kynde
And kenned Adam .[^742] to knowe hise pryue membres
And tauȝte hym and Eue . to helien hem wiþ leues

[^741: W.12.230: W alone reads There; other manuscripts have That þere.]

[^742: W.12.232: The punctus is small and obviously misplaced.]

¶ Lewed men many tymes . maistres þei apposen
Why Adam ne hiled noȝt first . his mouþ þat eet þe Appul
Raþer þan his likame alogh . lewed asken þus clerkes

Kynde knoweþ whi he dide so . ac no clerk ellis
Ac of briddes and of beestes . men by olde tyme
Ensamples token and termes . as telleþ þe poetes
And þat þe faireste fowel . foulest engendreþ
And feblest fowel of fliȝt is . þat fleeþ or swymmeþ
And þat þe pecok & þe Pehen . proude riche men bitokneþ[^743]
For þe Pecok and men pursue hym . may noȝt flee heiȝe[^744]
For þe trailynge of his tail . ouer-taken is he soone[^745]
And his flessh is foul flessh . and his feet boþe[^746]
And vnlouelich of ledene . and looþ for to here

[^743: W.12.242: nota]

[^744: W.12.243: nota]

[^745: W.12.244: nota]

[^746: W.12.245: nota]

¶ Right so þe riche . if he his richesse kepe[^747]
And deleþ it noȝt til his deeþ-day . þe tail of alle sorwe[^748]
Riȝt so as þe pennes of þe pecok . peyneþ hym in his fliȝt[^749]
So is possession peyne . of pens and of nobles[^750]
To alle hem þat it holdeþ . til hir tail be plukked[^751]

[^747: W.12.247: nota]

[^748: W.12.248: nota]

[^749: W.12.249: nota]

[^750: W.12.250: nota]

[^751: W.12.251: nota]

¶ And þouȝ þe riche repente þanne . and birewe þe tyme
That euere he gadered so grete . and gaf þer -of so litel
Thouȝ he crye to crist þanne . wiþ kene wil I leue
His ledene be in oure lordes ere . lik a pies chiteryng
And whan his caroyne shal come . in caue to be buryed
I leue it flawme ful foule . þe fold al aboute
And alle þe oþere þer it lith . enuenymeþ þoruȝ his attre

¶ By þe po feet is vnderstande . as I haue lerned in Auynet
Executours false frendes . þat fulfille noȝt his wille
That was writen and þei witnesse . to werche riȝt as it wolde
Thus þe Poete preueþ . þat þe pecok . for hise feþeres is reuerenced[^752]
Riȝt so is þe riche . by reson of hise goodes[^753]

[^752: W.12.262: nota]

[^753: W.12.263: nota]

¶ The larke þat is a lasse fowel . is moore louelich of ledene[^754]
And wel a-wey of wynge . swifter þan þe Pecok[^755]
And of flessh by fele fold . fatter and swetter[^756]
To lowe libbynge men . þe larke is resembled[^757]

[^754: W.12.264: nota]

[^755: W.12.265: nota]

[^756: W.12.266: nota]

[^757: W.12.267: nota]

¶ Aristotle þe grete clerk . swiche tales he telleþ
Thus he likneþ in his logik . þe leeste fowel oute
And wheiþer he be saaf or noȝt saaf . þe soþe woot no clergie
Ne of Sortes ne of Salomon . no scripture kan telle
Ac god is so good I hope . þat siþþe he gaf hem wittes
To wissen vs weyes þer-wiþ . þat wissen vs to be saued
And þe bettre for hir bokes . to bidden we ben holden
That god for his grace . gyue hir soules reste
For lettred men were lewed men yet . ne were loore of hir bokes

¶ Alle þise clerkes quod I þo . þat in[^758] crist leuen
Seyen in hir Sermons . þat neiþer Sarsens ne Iewes
Ne no creature of cristes liknesse . with -outen cristendom worþ saued

[^758: W.12.277: W alone reads in; other B manuscripts have on.]

¶ Contra quod ymaginatif þoo . and comsed for to loure
And seide Saluabitur vix Iustus in die Iudicij
Ergo saluabitur quod he . and seide namoore latyn

¶ Troianus was a trewe knyght . and took neuere cristendom
And he is saaf so seiþ þe book . and his soule in heuene
For þer is fullynge of Font . and fullynge in blood shedyng
And þoruȝ fir is fullyng . and þat is ferme bileue
Aduenit ignis diuinus non comburens set illuminans &c

¶ Ac truþe þat trespased neuere . ne trauersed ayeins his lawe
But lyueþ as his lawe techeþ . and leueþ þer be no bettre
And if þer were he wolde amende . and in swich wille deieþ
Ne wolde neuere trewe god . but truþe were allowed
And wheiþer[^759] it be worþ or noȝt worþ . þe bileue is gret of truþe
And an hope hangynge þer -Inne . to haue a mede for his truþe

[^759: W.12.292: W alone reads wheiþer; other B witnesses have wher or were.]

¶ For Deus dicitur quasi dans vitam eternam . suis . hoc est fidelibus
Et alibi . si ambulauero in medio vmbre mortis

¶ The glose graunteþ vp-on þat vers . a greet mede to truþe
And wit and wisdom quod þat wye . was som-tyme tresor
To kepe wiþ a commune . no catel was holde bettre
And muche murþe and manhod . and riȝt wiþ þat he vanysshed

Passus xiijus terciodecimus &c

A nd I awaked þer -wiþ . witlees nerhande
And as a freke þat fre were . forþ gan I walke
In manere of a mendynaunt . many a yer after
And of þis metyng many tyme . muche þouȝt I hadde

¶ First how Fortune me failed . at my mooste nede
And how þat Elde manaced me . myȝte we euere mete
And how þat freres folwede . folk þat was riche
And folk þat was pouere . at litel pris þei sette
And no corps in hir kirkȝerd . nor in hir kirk was buryed
But quik he biqueþe auȝt . to[^760] quyte wiþ[^761] hir dettes
And how þis Coueitise ouer-com . clerkes and preestes
And how þat lewed men ben lad . but oure lord hem helpe
Thoruȝ vnkonnynge curatours . to incurable peynes

[^760: W.13.10: W alone reads to; CrF read or; G reads or helpe; other manuscripts have or sholde helpe.]

[^761: W.13.10: W alone reads wiþ, omitted by other manuscripts.]

¶ And how þat ymaginatif . in dremels me tolde
Of kynde and of his konnynge . and how curteis he is to bestes
And how louynge he is to briddes[^762] . on londe and on watre
Leneþ he no lif . lasse ne moore
The creatures þat crepen . of kynde ben engendred
And siþen how ymaginatif seide . vix saluabitur
And whan he hadde seid so . how sodeynliche he passed

[^762: W.13.16: W alone reads briddes; other manuscripts have bestes.]

¶ I lay doun longe in þis þoȝt . and at þe laste I slepte
And as crist wolde þer com Conscience . to conforte me þat tyme
And bad me come to his court . wiþ clergie sholde I dyne
And for Conscience of Clergie spak . I com wel þe raþer
And þere I seiȝ a maister . what man he was I nyste
That lowe louted . and loueliche to scripture

¶ Conscience knew hym wel . and welcomed hym faire
Thei wesshen and wipeden . and wenten to þe dyner
And Pacience in þe Paleis stood . in pilgrymes cloþes
And preyde mete par charite . for a pouere heremyte

¶ Conscience called hym In . and curteisliche seide
Wel-come wye go and wassh . þow shalt sitte soone

¶ This maister was maad sitte . as for þe mooste worþi
And þanne clergie and Conscience . and Pacience cam after

¶ Pacience and I . were put to be macches
And seten bi oure-selue . at þe side borde

¶ Conscience called after mete . and þanne cam Scripture
And serued hem þus soone . of sondry metes manye
Of Austyn of Ambrose . and of þe foure Euaungelistes
Edentes & bibentes que apud eos sunt

¶ Ac þis maister nor[^763] his man . no maner flessh eten
Ac þei eten mete of moore cost . mortrews and potages
Of þat men myswonne . þei made hem wel atese at ese
Ac hir sauce was ouer -sour . and vnsauourly grounde
In a morter Post mortem . of many a bitter peyne
But if þei synge for þo soules . and wepe salte teris

[^763: W.13.41: W alone reads nor; most other manuscripts have ne.]

¶ Vos qui peccata hominum comeditis nisi pro eis lacrimas & oraciones effunderitis . ea que in delicijs comeditis in tormentis euometis

¶ Conscience ful curteisly þo . comaunded Scripture
Bifore Pacience breed to brynge . and me þat was his macche
He sette a sour loof toforn vs . and seide Agite penitenciam
And siþþe he brouȝte vs drynke . Dia perseuerans
As longe quod I as I lyue . and lycame may dure
Here is propre seruice quod Pacience . þer fareþ no Prince bettre

¶ And þanne he brouȝte vs forþ . a mees of ooþer mete . of Miserere mei deus
And he brouȝte vs of Beati quorum . of Beatus virres makyng
Et quorum tecta sunt peccata . in a dissh
Of derne shrifte . Dixi & confitebor tibi
Bryng pacience som pitaunce . pryueliche quod Conscience

¶ And þanne hadde Pacience a pitaunce . P ro hac orabit ad te omnis sanctus in tempore oportuno
And Conscience conforted vs . and carped vs murye tales
Cor contritum & humiliatum deus non despicies

¶ Pacience was proud . of þat propre seruice
And made hym murþe wiþ his mete . ac I mornede euere
For þis doctour on þe heiȝe dees . drank wyn so faste
Ve vobis qui potentes estis ad bibendum vinum

¶ He eet manye sondry metes . mortrews and puddynges
Wombe cloutes and wilde brawen . and egges yfryed wiþ grece

¶ Thanne seide I to my-self so . pacience it herde
It is noȝt foure dayes þat þis freke . bifore þe deen of Poules
Preched of penaunces . þat Poul þe Apostle suffrede
In fame & frigore . and flappes of scourges

¶ Ter cesus sum & a iudeis quinquies quadragenas &c

¶ Ac o word þei ouerhuppen . at ech a tyme þat þei preche
That Poul in his Pistle . to al þe peple tolde
P ericulum est in falsis fratribus

¶ Holi writ bit men be war . I wol noȝt write it here
In englissh on auenture . it sholde be reherced to ofte
And greue þer -wiþ goode men . ac gramariens shul redde rede[^764]

[^764: W.13.78: W alone reads redde; other manuscripts have rede.]

¶ Vnusquisque a fratre se custodiat . quia vt dicitur periculum est in falsis fratribus

¶ Ac I wiste neuere freke þat as a frere yede . bifore men on englissh
Taken it for his teme . and telle it wiþ-outen glosyng
They prechen þat penaunce is . profitable to þe soule
And what meschief and male-ese . crist for man þolede

¶ Ac þis goddes gloton quod I . wiþ hise grete chekes
Haþ no pite on vs pouere . he parfourneþ yuele
That he precheþ he preueþ noȝt . to Pacience I tolde
And wisshed ful witterly . wiþ wille ful egre
That disshes and doublers . bifore þis ilke doctour
Were molten leed in his mawe . and Mahoun amyddes
I shal Iangle to þis Iurdan . wiþ his Iuste wombe
To telle me what penaunce is . of which he preched raþer

¶ Pacience parceyued what I þouȝte . and wynked on me to be stille
And seide þow shalt see þus soone . whan he may namoore
He shal haue a penaunce in his paunche . and puffe at ech aworde a worde
And þanne shullen hise guttes goþele . and he shal galpen after
For now he haþ dronken so depe . he wole deuyne soone
And preuen it by hir Pocalips . and passion of Seint Auereys
That neiþer bacon ne braun . blancmanger ne mortrews
Is neiþer fissh nor flessh . but fode for a penaunt
And þanne shal he testifie of þe Trinite . and take his felawe to witnesse
What he fond in a frayel . after a freres lyuyng
And but he first lyue be lesyng . leue me neuere after
And þanne is tyme to take . and to appose þis doctour
Of dowel and dobet . and if dowel[^765] be any penaunce

[^765: W.13.104: W alone reads dowel; other manuscripts have dobest.]

¶ And I sat stille as Pacience seide . and þus soone þis doctour
As rody as a Rose . rubbede hise chekes
Coughed and carped . and Conscience hym herde
And tolde hym of a Trinite . and toward vs he loked

¶ What is dowel sire doctour quod I . is it[^766] any penaunce

[^766: W.13.109: W alone reads it; RF read dobest; other manuscripts have dowel.]

¶ Dowel quod þis doctour . and took þe cuppe and drank
Is do noon yuel to þyn euencristen . nouȝt by þi power

¶ By þis day sire doctour quod I . þanne be ye noȝt in dowel
For ye han harmed vs two . in þat ye eten þe puddyng
Mortrews and ooþer mete . and we no morsel hadde
And if ye fare so in youre Fermerye . ferly me þynkeþ
But cheeste be þer charite sholde be . and yonge children dorste pleyne
I wolde permute my penaunce with youre . for I am in point to dowel

¶ Thanne Conscience curteisly . a contenaunce made
And preynte vp-on pacience . to preie me to be stille
And seide hym-self sire doctour . and it be youre wille
What is dowel and dobet . ye dyuynours knoweþ

¶ Dowel quod þis doctour . do as clerkes techeþ
And dobet is he þat techeþ . and trauailleþ to teche oþere
And dobest doþ hym-self so . as he seiþ and precheþ
Qui facit & docuerit magnus vocabitur in regno celorum

¶ Now þow Clergie quod Conscience . carpest what is dowel
I haue seuene sones he seide . seruen in a Castel
Ther þe lord of lif wonyeþ . to leren what is dowel
Til I se þo seuene . and my-self acorde
I am vnhardy quod he . to any wiȝt to preuen it
For oon Piers þe Plowman . haþ impugned vs alle
And set alle sciences at a sop . saue loue one
And no text ne takeþ . to mayntene his cause
But Dilige deum . and Domine quis habitabit
And seiþ þat dowel and dobet . arn two Infinites
Whiche Infinites wiþ a feiþ . fynden out dobest
Which shal saue mannes soule . þus seiþ Piers þe Plowman

¶ I kan noȝt her-on quod Conscience . ac I knowe wel Piers
He wol noȝt ayein holy writ speken . I dar wel vndertake
Thanne passe we ouer til Piers come . and preue þis in dede
Pacience haþ be in many place . and paraunter mouþed
That no clerk ne kan . as crist bereþ witnesse
Pacientes vincunt &c

¶ Ac youre preiere quod Pacience þo . so no man displese hym
Disce quod he doce . dilige inimicos
Disce and dowel . doce and dobet
Dilige and dobest . þus tauȝte me ones
A lemman þat I louede . loue was hir name
Wiþ wordes and wiþ werkes quod she . and wil of þyn herte
Thow loue leelly þi soule . al þi lif-tyme
And so þow lere þe to louye . for oure[^767] lordes loue of heuene
Thyn enemy in alle wise . euene-forþ wiþ þi-selue
Cast coles on his heed . of alle kynde speche
Boþe wiþ werkes and with wordes . fonde his loue to wynne
And leye on hym þus with loue . til he lauȝe on þe
And but he bowe for þis betyng . blynd mote he worþe

[^767: W.13.151: W alone reads oure; other manuscripts have þe.]

¶ Ac for to fare þus wiþ þi frend . folie it were
For he þat loueþ þee leelly . litel of þyne coueiteþ
Kynde loue coueiteþ noȝt . no catel but speche
Wiþ half a laumpe lyne in latyn . Ex vi transicionis
I bere þer -Inne aboute . faste ybounde dowel
In a signe of þe Saterday . þat sette first þe kalender
And al þe wit of þe wodnesday . of þe nexte wike after
The myddel of þe Moone . as þe nyght[^768] of boþe
And her-with am I wel-come . þer I haue it wiþ me

[^768: W.13.164: The reading nyght is shared with BCHm. Other manuscripts have myght.]

¶ Vndo it . lat þis doctour deme . if dowel be þer -Inne
For by hym þat me made . myȝte neuere pouerte
Misese ne meschief . ne no[^769] man wiþ his tonge
Coold ne care . ne compaignye of þeues
Ne neiþer hete ne hayl . ne noon helle pouke
Ne[^770] fuyr ne flood . ne feere of þyn enemy
Tene þee any tyme . and þow take it wiþ þe
Caritas nichil timet &c

[^769: W.13.168: W alone reads no, which is omitted by other manuscripts.]

[^770: W.13.171: W alone reads Ne; other manuscripts have Ne neiþer.]

¶ It is but a dido quod þis doctour . a disours tale
Al þe wit of þis world . and wiȝt mennes strengþe
Kan noȝt conformen a pees . bitwene bitwene [þe pope][^771] and hise enemys
Ne bitwene two cristene kynges . kan no wiȝt pees make
Profitable to eiþer peple . and putte þe table fro hym
And took Clergie and Conscience . to conseil as it were
That Pacience þow most passe . for pilgrymes konne wel lye

[^771: W.13.176: W alone omits þe pope after bitwene.]

¶ Ac Conscience carped loude . and curteisliche seide
Frendes fareþ wel . and faire spak to clergie
For I wol go wiþ þis gome . if god wol yeue me grace
And be Pilgrym wiþ pacience . til I haue preued moore

¶ What quod Clergie to Conscience . ar ye coueitous nouþe
After yeresȝeues or ȝiftes . or yernen to rede redels
I shal brynge yow a bible . a book of þe olde lawe
And lere yow if yow like . þe leeste point to knowe
That Pacience þe pilgrym . parfitly knew neuere

¶ Nay by crist quod Conscience to Clergie . god þee foryelde
For al þat Pacience me profreþ . proud am I litel
Ac þe wil of þe wye . and þe wil of folk here
Haþ meued my mood . to moorne for my synnes
The goode wil of a wight . was neuere bouȝt to þe fulle
For þer nys no tresour for-soþe[^772] . to a trewe wille

[^772: W.13.195: W alone reads for-soþe, which is apparently written over an erasure; other manuscripts have þerto.]

¶ Hadde noȝt Maudeleyne moore . for a box of salue
Than zacheus for he seide . dimidium bonorum meorum do pauperibus
And þe poore widewe . for a peire of mytes
Than alle þo þat offrede . in-to Gazophilacium

¶ Thus curteisliche Conscience . congeyed first þe frere
And siþen softeliche he seide . in clergies ere
Me were leuere by oure lord . and I lyue sholde
Haue pacience parfitliche . þan half þi pak of bokes

¶ Clergie of Conscience . no congie wolde take
But seide ful sobreliche . þow shalt se þe tyme
Whan þow art wery of-walked[^773] . wille me to counseille

[^773: W.13.206: W alone reads of-walked; most other manuscripts have forwalked.]

¶ That is sooþ quod Conscience . so me god helpe
If Pacience be oure partyngfelawe partyng felawe . and pryue with vs boþe
Ther nys wo in þis world . þat we ne sholde amende
And conformen kynges to pees . and alle kynnes londes
Sarsens and Surre . and so forþ alle þe Iewes
Turne in-to þe trewe feiþ . and in-til oon bileue

¶ That is sooþ quod Clergie . I se what þow menest
I shal dwelle as I do . my deuoir to shewe
And confermen fauntekyns . and ooþer folk ylered
Til Pacience haue preued þee . and parfit þee maked

¶ Conscience þo wiþ Pacience passed . pilgrymes as it were
Thanne hadde Pacience as pilgrymes han . in his poke vitailles
Sobretee and symple speche . and sooþfast bileue
To conforte hym and Conscience . if þei come in place
There vnkyndenesse and coueitise is . hungry contrees boþe

¶ And as þe þe[i][^774] wente by þe weye . of dowel þei carped
Thei mette wiþ a Mynstral . as me þo þouȝte
Pacience apposed hym first . and preyde he sholde hem telle
To Conscience what craft he kouþe . and to what contree he wolde

[^774: W.13.222: W alone reads þe; other manuscripts have þei.]

¶ I am a Mynstralle quod þat man . my name is Actiua vita
Al ydelnesse ich hatie . for of Actif is my name
A wafrer wol ye wite . and serue manye lordes
And fewe robes I fonge . or furrede gownes
Couþe I lye to do men lauȝe . þanne lacchen I sholde
Ouþer mantel or moneie . amonges lordes or Mynstrals
Ac for I kan neiþer taboure ne trompe . ne telle no gestes
Farten ne fiþelen . at festes ne harpen
Iape ne Iogele . ne gentilliche pipe
Ne neiþer saille ne saute . ne synge wiþ þe gyterne
I haue no goode giftes . of þise grete lordes
For no breed þat I brynge forþ . saue a benyson on þe sonday
Whan þe preest preieþ þe peple . hir Pater noster to bidde
For Piers þe Plowman . and þat hym profit waiten
And þat am I Actif . þat ydelnesse hatie
For alle trewe trauaillours . and tiliers of þe erþe
Fro Mighelmesse to Mighelmesse . I fynde hem wiþ my wafres

¶ Beggeris and bidderis . of my breed crauen
Faitours and freres . and folk wiþ brode crounes
I fynde payn for þe pope . and prouendre for his palfrey
And I hadde neuere of hym . haue god my trouþe
Neiþer prouendre ne personage . yet of popes ȝifte
Saue a pardon wiþ a peis of leed . and two polles amyddes
Hadde ich a clerc þat couþe write . I wolde caste hym a bille
That he sente me vnder his seel . a salue for þe pestilence
And þat his blessynge and hise bulles . bocches myȝte destruye

¶ In nomine meo demonia eicient & super egros manus imponent & bene habebunt

And þanne wolde I be prest to þe peple . paast for to make
And buxom and busy . aboute breed and drynke
For hym and for alle hise . founde I þat his pardoun
Miȝte lechen a man . as I bileue it sholde
For siþ he haþ þe power . þat Peter hym-self hadde
He haþ þe pot wiþ þe salue . sooþly as me þynkeþ

¶ Argentum & aurum non est michi . quod autem habeo tibi do . in nomine domini surge & amb ula[^775]

[^775: W.13.259: The page is cropped after <amb>. Other manuscripts have ambula or ambula &c .]

¶ Ac if myȝt of myracle hym faille . it is for men ben noȝt worþi
To haue þe grace of god . and no gilt of[^776] pope
For may no blessynge doon vs boote . but if we wile amende
Ne mannes masse make pees . among cristene peple
Til pride be pureliche for-do . and þoruȝ payn defaute
For er I haue breed of mele . ofte moot I swete
And er þe commune haue corn ynouȝ . many a cold morwenyng
So er my wafres be ywroȝt . muche wo I þolye

[^776: W.13.261: W alone reads of; other manuscripts have of þe.]

¶ Al Londoun I leue . likeþ wel my wafres
And louren whan þei lakken hem . it is noȝt longe ypassed
There was a careful commune . whan no cart com to towne
Wiþ breed fro Stratford . þo gonnen beggeris wepe[^777]
¶ And werkmen were agast alite a lite[^778] . þis wole be þouȝt longe
In þe date of oure driȝte . in a drye Aprille
A thousand and þre hundred . twies twenty and ten[^779]
My wafres þere were gesene . whan Chichestre was Maire

[^777: W.13.271: In the right margin a sixteenth-century hand adds Stratford . A. I. Doyle noted it "is very like" that of the antiquarian John Stow in the introduction to Kane and Donaldson's B text (p. 14). The same hand supplied the same marginal note at R.13.278 as well as the date "1350" in the margin beside W.13.274.]

[^778: W.13.272: W alone reads alite; other manuscripts have a litel.]

[^779: W.13.274: A later hand has written 1350 in the left margin. See the note to W.13.271 above.]

¶ I took good kepe by crist . and Conscience boþe
Of haukyn þe Actif man . and how he was ycloþed
He hadde a cote of cristendom . as holy kirke bileueþ
Ac it was moled in many places . wiþ manye sondry plottes
Of pride here a plot . and þere a plot of vnbuxom speche
Of scornyng and of scoffyng . and of vnskilful berynge
As in apparaille and in porte . proud amonges þe peple
Ooþer -wise þan he hym[^780] haþ . wiþ herte or siȝte shewynge
Hym willyng þat alle men wende . he were þat he is noȝt
For-why he bosteþ and braggeþ . wiþ manye bolde oþes
And inobedient to ben vndernome . of any lif lyuynge
And noon so singuler by hym-self . ne so pomp-holy[^781]
Yhabited as an heremyte . an ordre by hym-selue
Religion saunz rule . or[^782] resonable obedience
Lakkynge lettrede men . and lewed men boþe
In likynge of lele lif . and a liere in soule
Wiþ Inwit and wiþ outwit . ymagynen and studie
As best for his body be . to haue a badde name
And entremetten hym ouer[^783] al . þer he haþ noȝt to doone
Willynge þat men wende . his wit were þe beste
And if he gyueþ ouȝt to pouere gomes . telle what he deleþ
Pouere of possession in purs . and in cofre boþe
And as a lyoun on to loke . and lordlich of speche
Boldest of beggeris . a bostere þat noȝt haþ
In towne and in Tauernes . tales to telle
And segge þyng þat he neuere seiȝ . and for soþe sweren it
Of dedes þat he neuere dide . demen and bosten
And of werkes þat he wel dide . witnesse . and siggen
Lo if ye leue me noȝt . or þat I lye wenen
Askeþ at hym or at hym . and he yow kan telle
What I suffrede and seiȝ . and som-tymes hadde
And what I kouþe and knew . and what kyn I com of
Al he wolde þat men wiste . of werkes and of wordes
Which myȝte plese þe peple . and preisen hym-selue

[^780: W.13.283: W alone reads hym, which is omitted by other manuscripts.]

[^781: W.13.287: WHmL read pomp; other manuscripts have pope or poppe.]

[^782: W.13.289: W alone reads or; other manuscripts have and.]

[^783: W.13.294: An otiose curl appears over the <r>.]

¶ Si hominibus placerem . christi seruus non essem
Et alibi / Nemo potest duobus dominis seruire

¶ By crist quod Conscience þo . þi beste cote Haukyn
Haþ manye moles and spottes . it moste ben ywasshe

¶ Ye who-so toke hede quod haukyn . bihynde and bifore
What on bak and what on body half . and by þe two sides
Men sholde fynde manye frounces . and manye foule plottes

¶ And he torned hym as tyd . and þanne took I hede
It was fouler bi fele fold . þan it first semed
It was bidropped wiþ wraþe . and wikkede wille
Wiþ enuye and yuel speche . entisynge to fighte
Lyinge and laughynge . and leue tonge to chide
Al þat he wiste wikked . by any wight tellen it
And blame men bihynde hir bak . and bidden hem meschaunce
And þat he wiste by wille . tellen it watte
And þat watte wiste . wille wiste it after
And made of frendes foes . þoruȝ a fals tonge
Or wiþ myȝt or with[^784] mouþ . or þoruȝ mennes strengþe
Auenge me fele tymes . oþer frete my-selue
Wiþ-Inne as a shepsteres shere . y-sherewed man m[e]n[^785] and cursed

[^784: W.13.327: W alone reads or with ; G reads or; other manuscripts have of.]

[^785: W.13.329: W alone reads man; other manuscripts have men.]

¶ Cuius malediccione os plenum est & amaritudine sub lingua eius labor & dol or[^786]
Et alibi: Filij hominum dentes eorum arma & sagitte . et lingua eorum gladius a cutus[^787]

[^786: W.13.330: A word beginning dol is cropped in W; half the manuscripts have dolor , the others end the quotation with sub lingua eius &c .]

[^787: W.13.331: A word beginning with <a> is cropped in W; most other manuscripts have acutus, but others abbreviate the quotation.]

¶ Ther is no lif þat me loueþ . lastynge any while
For tales þat I telle . no man trusteþ to me
And whan I may noȝt haue þe maistrie . swich malencolie I take
That I cacche þe crampe . and þe Cardiacle som-tyme
Or an Ague in swich an Angre . and som-tyme a Feuere
That takeþ me al a twelue-monþe . til þat I despise
Lechecraft of oure lord . and leue on a wicche
And seye þat no clerc ne kan . ne crist as I leue
To þe Soutere of Southwerk . or of Shordych dame Emme
And seye þat no goddes word . gaf me neuere boote
But þoruȝ a charme hadde I chaunce . and my chief heele

¶ I waitede wisloker . and þanne was it soilled
Wiþ likynge of lecherie . as by lokynge of his eiȝe
For ech a maide þat he mette . he made hire a signe
Semynge to synneward . and som-tyme he gan taste
Aboute þe mouþ or byneþe . bigynneþ to grope
Til eiþeres wille wexeþ kene . and to þe werke yeden
As wel in fastyng-dayes and Fridaies . as[^788] forboden nyȝtes
And as wel in lente as out of lente . alle tymes yliche
Swiche werkes with hem . were neuere out of seson
Til þei myȝte namoore . and þanne murye tales
And how þat lecchours louye . laughen and Iapen
And of hir harlotrye and horedom . in hir elde tellen

[^788: W.13.349: W alone reads as; other manuscripts have &.]

¶ Thanne Pacience parceyued . of pointes of þis cote
That were[^789] colomy þoruȝ coueitise . and vnkynde desiryng
Moore to good þan to god . þe gome his loue caste
And ymagynede how . he it myȝte haue
Wiþ false mesures and met . and wiþ fals witnesse
Lened for loue of þe wed . and looþ to do truþe
And awaited . þoruȝ which wey to bigile
And menged his marchaundise . and made a good moustre
The worste with -Inne was . a greet wit I let it
And if my Neghebore hadde any hyne . or any beest ellis

[^789: W.13.356: W alone reads That were; other manuscripts have Was.]

¶ Moore profitable þan myn . manye sleiȝtes I made
How I myȝte haue it . al my wit I caste
And but I it hadde by ooþer wey . at þe laste I stale it
Or pryueliche his purs shook . and[^790] vnpikede hise lokes
Or by nyȝte or by daye . aboute was ich euere
Thoruȝ gile to gaderen . þe good þat ich haue

[^790: W.13.368: W alone reads and; other manuscripts omit it.]

¶ If I yede to þe Plowȝ . I pynched so narwe
That a foot lond or a forow . fecchen I wolde
Of my nexte Neghebore . and[^791] nymen of his erþe
And if I repe ouer-reche . or yaf hem reed þat ropen
To seise to me wiþ hir sikel . þat I ne sew neuere

[^791: W.13.373: W alone reads and; other manuscripts omit it.]

¶ And who-so borwed of me . abouȝte þe tyme
Wiþ presentes pryuely . or paide som certeyn
So he wolde[^792] or noȝt wolde . wynnen I wolde
And boþe to kiþ and to kyn . vnkynde of þat ich hadde

[^792: W.13.378: W alone reads he wolde; F has wheyþer he wolde; most other manuscripts have wolde he.]

¶ And who-so cheped my chaffare . chiden I wolde
But he profrede to paie . a peny or tweyne
Moore þan it was worþ . and yet wolde I swere
That it coste me muche moore . and so[^793] swoor manye oþes

[^793: W.13.383: W alone reads and so; OC2B read &; other manuscripts replace with I or omit.]

¶ On haly-daies at holy chirche . whan ich herde masse
Hadde I neuere wille woot god . witterly to biseche
Mercy for my mysdedes . þat I ne moorned moore
For losse of good leue me . þan for my likames giltes
As if I hadde dedly synne doon . I dredde noȝt þat so soore
As whan I lened and leued it lost . or longe er it were paied
So if I kidde any kyndenesse . myn euencristen to helpe
Vp-on a cruwel coueitise . myn herte gan hange

¶ And if I sente ouer see . my seruauntz to Brugges
Or in-to Pruce-lond my Prentis . my profit to waiten

¶ To marchaunden wiþ moneie . and maken hire eschaunges
Miȝte neuere me conforte . in þe mene while
Neiþer masse ne matynes . ne none maner siȝtes
Ne neuere penaunce parfournede . ne Pater noster seide
That my mynde ne was moore . on my good in a doute
Than in þe grace of god . and hise grete helpes
Vbi thesaurus tuus ibi & cor tuum

¶ Whiche ben þe braunches . þat bryngen a man to sleuþe
He þat moorneþ noȝt for hise mysdedes . ne makeþ no sorwe
And penaunce þat þe preest enioyneþ . parfourneþ yuele
Dooþ noon almesse[^794] . dred hym of no synne
Lyueþ ayein þe bileue . and no lawe holdeþ
Ech day is haly-day with hym . or an heiȝ ferye
And if he auȝt wole here . it is an harlotes tonge
Whan men carpen of crist . or of clennesse of soules
He wexeþ wroþ and wol noȝt here . but wordes of murþe
Penaunce of pouere men . and þe passion of Seintes
He hateþ to here þer -of . and alle þat it telleþ
Thise ben þe braunches beþ war . þat bryngen a man to wanhope

[^794: W.13.404: W alone reads almesse; other manuscripts have almesdede.]

¶ Ye lordes and ladies . and legates of holy chirche
That fedeþ fooles sages . flatereris and lieris
And han likynge to liþen hem . to do yow to lauȝe
Ve vobis qui ridetis &c
And ȝyueþ hem mete and mede . and pouere men refuse
In youre deeþ-deyinge . I drede me ful soore
Lest þo þre maner men . to muche sorwe yow brynge
Consencientes & agentes pari pena punientur

¶ Patriarkes and prophetes . and prechours of goddes wordes
Sauen þoruȝ hir sermons . mannes soule fro helle
Riȝt so flatereris and fooles . arn þe fendes disciples
To entice men þoruȝ hir tales . to synne and to harlotrie
Ac clerkes þat knowen holy writ . sholde kenne lordes
What Dauid seiþ of swiche men . as þe Sauter telleþ

¶ Non habitabit in medio domus mee qui facit superbiam & qui loquitur iniqua[^795]

[^795: W.13.427: The final letter of iniqua is partially cropped in W. HmY read iniqua &c .]

¶ Sholde noon harlot haue audience . in halle nor[^796] in Chambre
Ther wise men were . witnesseþ goddes wordes
Ne no mysproud man . amonges lordes ben allowed

[^796: W.13.428: W alone reads nor; other manuscripts have ne.]

¶ Ac flateres and fooles . þoruȝ hir foule wordes
Leden þo þat louen hem . to Luciferis feste
Wiþ turpiloquio a lady lay[^797] of sorwe . and luciferis fiþele
Thus haukyn þe Actif man . hadde ysoiled his cote
Til conscience acouped hym þer -of . in a curteis manere
Why he ne hadde whasshen[^798] it . or wiped it wiþ a brusshe

[^797: W.13.433: W alone reads lady; other manuscripts have lay.]

[^798: W.13.436: WG read whasshen; most other manuscripts have wasshen.]

Passus xiiijus quartus decimus &c

I haue but oon hool hater quod haukyn . I am þe lasse to blame
Thouȝ it be soiled and selde clene . I slepe þer -Inne o nyȝtes
And also I haue an houswif . hewen and children
Vxorem duxi & ideo non possum venire
That wollen bymolen it many tyme . maugree my chekes
It haþ be laued in lente . and out of lente boþe
Wiþ þe sope of siknesse . þat sekeþ wonder depe
And wiþ þe losse of catel . looþ for to agulte
God or any good man . by aught þat I wiste
And was shryuen of þe preest . þat gaf me for my synnes
To penaunce pacience . and pouere men to fede
Al for coueitise of my cristendom . in clennesse to kepen it
And kouþe I neuere by crist . kepen it clene an houre
That I ne soiled it wiþ siȝte . or som ydel speche
Or þoruȝ werk or þoruȝ word . or wille of myn herte
That I ne flobre it foule . fro morwe til euen
¶ And I shal kenne þee quod Conscience . of Contricion to make
That shal clawe þi cote . of alle kynnes filþe
Cordis contricio &c

¶ Dowel shal wasshen it and wryngen it . þoruȝ a wis confessour
Oris confessio &c

¶ Dobet shal beten it and bouken it . as bright as any scarlet
And engreynen it wiþ good wille . and goddes grace to amende þe
And siþen sende þee to Satisfaccion . for to sowen it after
Satisfaccio dobest

¶ Shal neuere cheeste bymolen it . ne moþe after biten it
Ne fend ne fals man . defoulen it in þi lyue
Shal noon heraud ne harpour . haue a fairer garnement
Than Haukyn þe Actif man . and þow do by my techyng
Ne no Mynstralle be moore worþ . amonges pouere and riche
Than Haukyns wif þe wafrer . with his Actiua vita

¶ And I shal purueie þee paast quod Pacience . þouȝ no plouȝ erye
And flour to fede folk wiþ . as best be for þe soule
Thouȝ neuere greyn growed . ne grape vp-on vyne
To[^799] alle þat lyueþ and lokeþ . liflode wolde I fynde
And þat ynogh shal noon faille . of þyng þat hem nedeþ
We sholde noȝt be to bisy . abouten oure liflode

[^799: W.14.35: W alone reads To; other manuscripts omit it.]

¶ Ne soliciti sitis &c / Volucres celi deus pascit &c pacientes vincunt &c

¶ Thanne laughed haukyn alitel a litel . and lightly gan swerye
Who-so leueþ yow by oure lord . I leue noȝt he be blessed

¶ No quod Pacience paciently . and out of his poke hente
Vitailles of grete vertues . for alle manere beestes
And seide . lo here liflode ynogh . if oure bileue be trewe
For lent neuere was lif . but liflode were shapen
Wher-of or wher-fore . or wher-by to libbe

¶ First þe wilde worm . vnder weet erþe
Fissh to lyue in þe flood . and in þe fir þe Criket
The Corlew by kynde of þe Eyr . moost clennest flessh of briddes
And bestes by gras and by greyn . and by grene rootes
In menynge þat alle men . myȝte þe same
Lyue þoruȝ leel bileue . and loue . as god witnesseþ

¶ Quodcumque pecieritis a patre in nomine meo &c Et alibi  Non in solo pane viuit homo set in omni verbo quod procedit de ore dei

¶ But I lokede what liflode it was . þat pacience so preisede
And þanne was it a pece of þe Pater noster . fiat voluntas tua

¶ Haue haukyn quod Pacience . and et þis whan þe hungreþ
Or whan þow clomsest for cold . or clyngest for drye
Shul neuere gyues þee greue . ne gret lordes wraþe
Prison ne peyne . for pacientes vincunt
By so þat þow be sobre . of siȝte and of tonge .
In etynge and in handlynge . and in alle þi fyue wittes
Darstow neuere care for corn . ne lynnen cloþ ne wollen
Ne for drynke ne deeþ drede . but deye as god likeþ
Or þoruȝ hunger or þoruȝ hete . at his wille be it
For if þow lyue after his loore . þe shorter lif þe bettre
Si quis amat christum . mundum non diligit istum

For þoruȝ his breeþ beestes woxen . and abrood yeden
Dixit & facta sunt &c
Crgo [E]rgo[^800] . þoruȝ his breeþ mowen . men and beestes lyuen
As holy writ witnesseþ . whan men seye hir graces

[^800: W.14.68: The W scribe has miswritten Ergo, the reading supported by all other manuscripts.]

¶ Aperis tu manum tuam & imples omne animal benediccione

¶ It is founden þat fourty wynter . folk lyuede with-outen tulying
And out of þe flynt sprong þe flood . þat folk and beestes dronken
And in Elyes tyme . heuene was yclosed
That no reyn ne roon . þus rede men in bokes
That manye wyntres men lyueden . and no mete ne tulieden

¶ Seuene slepe as seiþ þe book . seuene hundred wynter
And lyueden wiþ-outen liflode . and at þe laste þei woken
And if men lyuede as mesure wolde . sholde neuere moore be defaute
Amonges cristene creatures . if cristes wordes ben trewe

¶ Ac vnkyndenesse caristiam makeþ . amonges cristen peple
And ouer-plentee makeþ pryde . amonges poore and riche
Ther-fore mesure is muche[^801] worþ . it may noȝt be to deere
For þe meschief and þe meschaunce . amonges men of Sodome
Weex þoruȝ plentee of payn . and of pure sleuþe

[^801: W.14.82: W alone omits so before muche.]

¶ Ociositas & habundancia panis peccatum turpissimum nutriuit

¶ For þei mesured noȝt hem-self . of þat þei ete and dronke
Thei diden dedly synne . þat þe deuel liked
So vengeaunce fil vp-on hem . for hir vile synnes
Thei sonken in-to helle . þe Citees echone

¶ For-þi mesure we vs wel . and make oure feiþ oure sheltrom
And þoruȝ feiþ comeþ contricion . conscience woot wel
Which dryueþ awey dedly synne . and dooþ it to be venial
And þouȝ a man myȝte noȝt speke . contricion myȝte hym saue
And brynge his soule to blisse . for so þat feiþ bere witnesse
That whiles he lyuede he bileuede . in þe loore of holy chirche
Ergo contricion . feiþ . and conscience . is kyndeliche dowel
And surgiens for dedly synnes . whan shrift of mouþe failleþ
Ac shrift of mouþ moore worþi is . if man be yliche contrit
For shrift of mouþe sleeþ synne . be it neuer so dedly
P er confessionem . to a preest . peccata occiduntur

¶ Ther contricion dooþ but dryueþ it doun . in-to a venial synne
As Dauid seiþ in þe Sauter . et quorum tecta sunt peccata
Ac satisfaccion sekeþ out þe roote . and boþe sleeþ and voideþ
And as it neuere hadde ybe . to noȝte bryngeþ dedly synne
That it neuere eft is sene ne soor . but semeþ a wounde yheeled

¶ Where wonyeþ Charite quod Haukyn . I wiste neuere in my lyue
Man þat wiþ hym spak . as wide as I haue passed

¶ Ther parfit truþe and poore herte is . and pacience of tonge
There is Charite þe chief chaumbrere . for god hym-selue

¶ Wheiþer paciente pouerte quod Haukyn . be moore plesaunt to oure d riȝte[^802]
Than richesse riȝtfulliche wonne . and resonably despended

[^802: W.14.110: The word has been cropped after <d>. Most B manuscripts read driȝte or driȝten, but CB have sight, C2 has saueoure, and GR have lorde.]

¶ Ye quis est ille quod Pacience . quik laudabimus eum
Thouȝ men rede of richesse . riȝt to þe worldes ende
I wiste neuere renk þat riche was . þat whan he rekene sholde
Whan he drogh to his deeþ-day . þat he ne dredde hym soore
And þat at þe rekenyng in Arrerage fel . raþer þan out of dette
Ther þe poore dar plede . and preue by pure reson
To haue allowaunce of his lord . by þe lawe he it cleymeþ
Ioye þat neuere ioye hadde . of riȝtful Iugge he askeþ
And seiþ lo . briddes and beestes . þat no blisse ne knoweþ
And wilde wormes in wodes . þoruȝ wyntres þow hem greuest
And makest hem wel neiȝ meke . and mylde for defaute
And after þow sendest hem somer . þat is hir souereyn ioye
And blisse to alle þat ben . boþe wilde and tame

¶ Thanne may beggeris as beestes . after boote waiten
That al hir lif han lyued . in langour and in defaute
But god sente hem som-tyme . som manere Ioye
Ouþer here or ellis-where . kynde wolde it neuere
For to wroþerhele was he wroȝt . þat neuere was Ioye shapen

¶ Aungeles þat in helle now ben . hadden ioye som-tyme
And diues in deyntees lyuede . and in douce vie
Right so reson sheweþ . þat þe men þat were riche
And hir makes also . lyuede hir lif in murþe

¶ Ac god is of wonder[^803] wille . by þat kynde wit sheweþ
To ȝyue many man his mede[^804] . er he it haue deserued
Riȝt so fareþ god by som riche . ruþe me it þynkeþ
For þei han hir hire heer . and heuene as it were
And greet likynge to lyue . wiþ-outen labour of bodye
And whan he dyeþ ben disalowed . as Dauid seiþ in þe Sauter

[^803: W.14.134: W alone omits a before wonder.]

[^804: W.14.135: W alone reads mede; most other manuscripts have mercy monye.]

¶ Dormierunt & nichil inuenerunt
And in anoþer stede also . velud sompnum surgencium domine in Ciuitate tua et ad nichilum rediges &c

¶ Allas þat richesse shal reue . and robbe mannes soule
Fram þe loue of oure lord . at his laste ende

¶ Hewen þat han hir hire afore . arn euere-moore nedy
And selden deyeþ he out of dette . þat dyneþ er he deserue it
And til he haue doon his deuoir . and his dayes iournee
For whan a werkman haþ wroȝt . þan may men se þe soþe
What he were worþi for his werk . and what he haþ deserued
And noȝt to fonge bifore . for drede of disalowyng

¶ So I seye by yow riche . it semeþ noȝt þat ye shulle
Haue heuene in youre here dwellyng[^805] . and heuene also[^806] þerafter
Riȝt so[^807] as a seruaunt takeþ his salarie bifore . & siþþe wolde clayme moore
As he þat noon hadde . and haþ hire at þe laste
It may noȝt be ye riche men . or Mathew on god lyeþ
De delicijs ad delicias difficile est transire

[^805: W.14.151: W alone reads dwellyng; other manuscripts have beryng or beyng.]

[^806: W.14.151: W alone reads also; other manuscripts omit it.]

[^807: W.14.152: W alone reads so; other manuscripts omit it.]

¶ Ac if ye riche haue ruþe . and rewarde wel þe poore
And lyuen as lawe techeþ . and doon leaute to hem alle
Crist of his curteisie . shal conforte yow at þe laste
And rewarden alle double richesse . þat rewful hertes habbeþ
And as an hyne þat hadde . his hire er he bigonne
And whan he haþ doon his deuoir wel . men dooþ hym ooþer bountee
Ȝyueþ hym a cote aboue his couenaunt . riȝt so crist ȝyueþ heuene
Boþe to riche and to noȝt riche . þat rewfulliche libbeþ
And alle þat doon hir deuoir wel . han double hire for hir trauaille
Here forȝifnesse of hir synnes . and heuene blisse after

¶ Ac it is but selde yseien . as by holy seintes bokes
That god rewarded double reste . to any riche wye
For muche murþe is amonges riche . as in mete and cloþyng
And muche murþe in May is . amonges wilde beestes
And so forþ while somer lasteþ . hir solace dureþ

¶ Ac beggeris aboute Midsomer . bredlees þei slepe[^808]
And yet is wynter for hem worse . for weet-shoed þei gone
Afurst soore and afyngred . and foule yrebuked
And arated of riche men . þat ruþe is to here
Now lord sende hem somer . and som maner ioye
Heuene after hir hennes goyng . þat here han swich defaute
For alle myȝtestow haue maad . noon mener þan ooþer
And yliche witty and wise . if þee wel hadde liked
But lord[^809] haue ruþe on þise riche men . þat rewarde noȝt þi prisoners
Of þe good þat þow hem gyuest . ingrati ben manye
Ac god of þi goodnesse . gyue hem grace to amende
For may no derþe be hem deere . droghte ne weet hem greue
Ne neiþer hete ne Haylle . haue þei hir heele
Of þat þei wilne and wolde . wanteþ hem noȝt here

[^808: W.14.171: W alone reads slepe; other manuscripts have soupe.]

[^809: W.14.179: W alone reads But lord; other manuscripts have And.]

¶ Ac poore peple þi prisoners . lord in þe put of meschief
Conforte þo creatures . þat muche care suffren
Thoruȝ derþe þoruȝ droghte . alle hir dayes here
Wo in wynter tymes . for wantynge of cloþes
And in somer tyme selde . soupen to þe fulle
Conforte þi carefulle . crist in þi richesse
For how þow confortest alle creatures . clerkes bereþ witnesse
Conuertimini ad me & salui eritis

¶ Thus in genere of gentries . Iesu crist seide
To robberis and to Reueris . to riche and to poore
Thou tauȝtest hem in þe Trinite . to taken bapteme
And to be clene þoruȝ þat cristnyng . of alle kynnes synne
And if vs fille þoruȝ folie . to falle in synne after
Confession and knowlichynge . in[^810] crauynge þi mercy
Shulde amenden vs as manye siþes . as man wolde desire
And if þe pope wolde plede her-ayein . and punysshe vs in conscience
He sholde take þe Acquitaunce as quyk . and to þe queed shewen it
Pateat &c Per passionem domini
And putten of so þe pouke . and preuen vs vnder borwe
Ac þe parchemyn of þis patente . of pouerte be moste
And of pure pacience . and parfit bileue

[^810: W.14.198: W alone reads in; all other manuscripts have and.]

¶ Of pompe and of pride . þe parchemyn decourreþ
And principalliche of al þe peple . but þei be poore of herte
Ellis is al on ydel . al þat euere writen[^811]
Pater nostres and penaunce . and Pilgrymages to Rome
But oure spences and spendynge . sprynge of a trewe wille
Ellis is al oure labour lost . lo how men writeþ
In fenestres at þe freres . if fals be þe foundement
For-þi cristene sholde be in commune riche . noon coueitous for hym-selue

[^811: W.14.208: W alone reads writen; other manuscripts have we wryten.]

¶ For seuene synnes þer ben . þat assaillen vs euere
The fend folweþ hem alle . and fondeþ hem to helpe
Ac wiþ richesse þat Ribaud . he raþest men bigileþ
For þer þat richesse regneþ . reuerence folweþ
And þat is plesaunt to pride . in poore and in riche

¶ And þe riche is reuerenced . by reson of his richesse
Ther þe poore is put bihynde . and parauenture kan moore
Of wit and of wisdom . þat fer awey is bettre
Than richesse or reautee . and raþer yherd in heuene
For þe riche haþ muche to rekene . and many tyme hym þat[^812] walkeþ
The heiȝe wey to heueneward . Richesse hym letteþ
Ita inpossibile diuiti &c
Ther þe poore preesseþ bifore þe riche . wiþ a pak at his rugge
Opera enim illorum sequntur illos
Batauntliche as beggeris doon . and boldeliche he craueþ
For his pouerte and his pacience . a perpetuel blisse
Beati pauperes quoniam ipsorum est regnum celorum

[^812: W.14.223: W alone reads many tyme hym þat though Cr reads right ofte him þat and S ofte him that. Other manuscripts have riȝt softe.]

¶ And pride in richesse regneþ . raþer þan in pouerte
Arst in þe maister þan in þe man . som mansion he haueþ
Ac in pouerte þer pacience is . pride haþ no myȝte
Ne none of þe seuene synnes . sitten ne mowe þer longe
Ne haue power in pouerte . if pacience[^813] folwe
For þe poore is ay prest . to plese þe riche
And buxom at hise biddynges[^814] . for his broke loues
And buxomnesse and boost . arn euere-moore at werre
And eiþer hateþ ooþer . in alle maner werkes

[^813: W.14.235: W alone omits it after pacience.]

[^814: W.14.237: W alone reads hise biddynges; all other manuscripts have the singular.]

¶ If wraþe wrastle wiþ þe poore . he haþ þe worse ende
And if þei boþe pleyne . þe poore is but feble
And if he chide or chatre . hym cheueþ þe worse

¶ And if Coueitise cacche þe poore . þei may noȝt come togideres
And by þe nekke namely . hir noon may hente ooþer
For men knowen wel þat Coueitise . is of kene wille
And haþ hondes and armes . of ful greet[^815] lengþe
And Pouerte nys but a petit þyng . apereþ noȝt to his nauele
And louely layk was it neuere . bitwene þe longe and þe shorte

[^815: W.14.246: W alone reads ful greet; most other manuscripts have a long.]

¶ And þouȝ Auarice wolde angre þe poore . he haþ but litel myȝte
For pouerte haþ but pokes . to putten in hise goodes
Ther Auarice haþ Almaries . and yren bounden cofres
And wheiþer be liȝter to breke . and lasse boost makeþ
A beggeris bagge . þan an yren bounde cofre

¶ Lecherie loueþ hym noȝt . for he ȝyueþ but litel siluer
Ne dooþ hym noȝt dyne delicatly . ne drynke wyn ofte
A Straw for þe Stuwes . þei[^816] stoode noȝt I trowe
Hadde þei no þyng but of poore men . hir houses stoode vntyled

[^816: W.14.256: W alone reads þei; all other manuscripts have it.]

¶ And þouȝ Sleuþe suwe pouerte . and serue noȝt god to paie
Meschief is his maister . and makeþ hym to þynke
That god is his grettest help . and no gome ellis
And he his seruaunt as he seiþ . and of his sute boþe
And wheiþer he be or be noȝt . he bereþ þe signe of pouerte
And in þat secte oure saueour . saued al mankynde
For-þi euery[^817] poore þat pacient is . may cleymen and asken
After hir endynge here . heuene-riche blisse

[^817: W.14.264: W alone reads euery; all other manuscripts have al.]

¶ Muche hardier may he asken . þat here myȝte haue his wille
In lond and in lordshipe . and likynge of bodie
And for goddes loue leueþ al . and lyueþ as a beggere
And as a mayde for mannes loue . hire moder forsakeþ
Hir fader and alle hire frendes . and folweþ hir make
Muche moore is to loue . of hym þat swich oon takeþ
Than is þat maiden[^818] . þat is maried þoruȝ brocage
As by assent of sondry parties . and siluer to boote
Moore for coueitise of good . þan kynde loue of boþe
So it fareþ by ech a persone . þat possession forsakeþ
And put hym to be pacient . and pouerte weddeþ
The which is sib to god hym-self . and so to hise seintes

[^818: W.14.272: W alone reads is þat maiden; other manuscripts have a maiden is.]

¶ Haue god my trouþe quod Haukyn . ye preise faste pouerte

What is Pouerte wiþ pacience quod he . proprely to mene

¶ Paupertas quod Pacience . est odibile bonum / Remocio curarum . possessio sine calumpnia . donum dei . sanitas mater . absque sollicitudine semita . sapiencie temperatrix . negocium sine dampno / Incerta fortuna . absque sollicitudine felicitas

¶ I kan noȝt construe al þis quod haukyn . ye moste kenne me þis on englissh

¶ In englissh quod Pacience . it is wel hard wel to expounen
Ac som-deel I shal seyen it . by so þow vnderstonde
Pouerte is þe firste point . þat pride moost hateþ
Thanne is it good by good skile . al þat agasteþ pride
Riȝt as contricion is confortable þyng . conscience woot wel
And a sorwe of hym-self . and a solace to þe soule
So pouerte propreliche . penaunce and Ioye
Is to þe body . pure spiritual helþe
Ergo paupertas est odibile bonum
And Contricion confort . and cura animarum

¶ Selde sit pouerte . þe soþe to declare
For as Iustice to Iugge men . enioyned is no poore
Ne to be Mair aboue men . ne Mynystre vnder kynges
Selde is any poore yput . to punysshen any peple
Remocio curarum
Ergo pouerte and poore men . parfournen þe comaundement
Nolite iudicare quemquam . þe þridde

¶ Selde is any poore riche . but of riȝtful heritage
Wynneþ he noȝt wiþ wiȝtes false . ne wiþ vnseled mesures
Ne borweþ of hise neighebores . but þat he may wel paie
Possessio sine calumpnia

¶ The ferþe is a fortune . þat florissheþ þe soule
Wiþ sobretee fram alle synne . and also ȝit moore
It afaiteþ þe flessh . fram folies ful manye
A collateral confort . cristes owene ȝifte
Donum dei

¶ The fifte is moder of helþe . a frend in alle fondynges
And for þe land euere a leche . a lemman of alle clennesse
Sanitas mater

¶ The sixte is a path of pees . ye þoruȝ þe paas of Aultoun
Pouerte myȝte passe . wiþ-outen peril of robbyng
For þer þat Pouerte passeþ . pees folweþ after
And euer þe lasse þat he bereþ . þe hardier he is of herte
For-þi seiþ Seneca . Paupertas est absque sollicitudine semita
And an hardy man of herte . among an heep of þeues
Cantabit paupertas coram latrone viatore

¶ The seuenþe is welle of wisedom . and fewe wordes sheweþ
Ther-fore lordes alloweþ hym litel . or listneþ to his reson
For he tempreþ þe tonge to truþeward . and no tresor coueiteþ
Sapiencie temperatrix

¶ The eighteþe is a lele labour . and looþ to take moore
Than he may wel deserue . in somer or in wynter
And if he chaffareþ he chargeþ no losse . mowe he charite wynne
Negocium sine dampno

¶ The nynþe is swete to þe soule . no sugre is swetter
For pacience is payn . for pouerte hym-selue
And sobretee swete drynke . and good leche in siknesse
Thus lered me a lettred man . for oure lordes loue of heuene
Seint Austyn a blessed lif . wiþ-outen bisynesse ladde
For body and for soule . Absque sollicitudine felicitas
Now god þat alle good gyueþ . graunte his soule reste
That þis first wroot to wissen men . what Pouerte was to mene

¶ Allas quod Haukyn þe Actif man þo . þat after my cristendom
I ne hadde be deed and doluen . for dowelis sake
So hard it is quod haukyn . to lyue and to do synne
Synne seweþ vs euere quod he . and sory gan wexe
And wepte water wiþ hise eighen . and weyled þe tyme
That he euere[^819] dide dede . þat deere god displesed
Swouned and sobbed . and siked ful ofte
That euere he hadde lond ouþer[^820] lordshipe . lasse oþer moore
Or maistrie ouer any man . mo þan of hym-selue
I were noȝt worþi woot god quod haukyn . to werien any cloþes
Ne neiþer sherte ne shoon . saue for shame one
To couere my careyne quod he . and cride mercy faste
And wepte and wailede . and þer-wiþ I awakede

[^819: W.14.339: W alone reads he euere; other manuscripts have euere he.]

[^820: W.14.341: W alone reads ouþer; other manuscripts have or.]

Passus .xvus. quindecimus &c finit do-wel & incipit do-bet

A C after my wakynge . it was wonder longe
Er I koude kyndely . knowe what was dowel
And so my wit weex and wanyed . til I a fool weere
And some lakkede my lif . allowed it fewe
And lete me for a lorel . and looþ to reuerencen
Lordes or ladies . or any lif ellis
As persons in pelure . wiþ pendauntz of siluer
To sergeauntz ne to swiche . seide I noȝt ones
God loke yow lordes . ne loutede faire
That folk helden me a fool . and in þat folie I raued
Til reson hadde ruþe on me . and rokked me a-slepe
Til I seiȝ as it sorcerie were . a sotil þyng wiþ-alle
Oon wiþ-outen tonge and teeþ . tolde me whider I sholde
And wher-of I cam & of what kynde . I coniured hym at þe laste
If he were cristes creature . anoon me to tellen

¶ I am cristes creature quod he . and cristene in many a place
In cristes court yknowe wel . and of his kyn a party
Is neiþer Peter þe Porter . ne Poul wiþ his fauchon
That wole defende me þe dore . dynge I neuer so late
At mydnyght at mydday . my vois so is knowe
That ech a creature of his court . welcomeþ me faire

What are ye called quod I in þat court . among cristes peple[^821]

[^821: W.15.22: A smudged What are ye cald is written in a later hand in the space between this line and the next.]

¶ The whiles I quykne þe cors quod he . called am I anima
And whan I wilne . and wolde animus ich hatte
And for þat I kan knowe[^822] . called am I mens
And whan I make mone to god . memoria is my name
And whan I deme domes . and do as truþe techeþ
Thanne is Racio my riȝte name . reson on englissh
And whan I feele þat folk telleþ . my firste name is sensus
And þat is wit and wisdom . þe welle of alle craftes
And whan I chalange or chalange noȝt . chepe or refuse
Thanne am I Conscience ycalled . goddes clerk and his Notarie
And whan I loue leelly . oure lord and alle oþere
Thanne is lele loue my name . and in latyn Amor
And whan I flee fro þe flessh . and forsake þe careyne
Thanne am I a spirit spechelees . Spiritus þanne ich hatte
Austyn and Ysodorus . eiþer of hem boþe
Nempnede me þus to name . and[^823] now þow myȝt chese
How þow coueitest to calle me . for[^824] now þow knowest my names

[^822: W.15.25: W alone reads kan knowe; other manuscripts have can and knowe.]

[^823: W.15.38: W alone has and before now.]

[^824: W.15.39: W alone has for, which is omitted by other manuscripts.]

[^825] ¶ 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

[^825: W.15.40: Another hand has inserted in black ink in the left margin inside a box the following note: nota . quod anima habet ix nomina]

¶ Ye ben as a bisshop quod I . al bourdynge þat tyme
For bisshopes yblessed . þei bereþ manye names
Presul and Pontifex . and Metropolitanus
And oþere names anheep an heep . Episcopus and Pastor[^826]

[^826: W.15.44: Between this line and the next a fifteenth-century hand (the same as on folios 1r and 147v) has written Jon Ryc .]

¶ That is sooþ seide he . now I se þi wille
Thow woldest knowe and konne . þe cause of alle my names
And of me[^827] if þow myȝtest . me þynkeþ by þi speche

[^827: W.15.47: W alone has me; other manuscripts have myne.]

¶ Ye sire I seide . by so no man were greued
Alle þe sciences vnder sonne . and alle þe sotile craftes
I wolde I knewe and kouþe . kyndely in myn herte

¶ Thanne artow inparfit quod he . and oon of prides knyȝtes
For swich a lust and likyng . Lucifer fel from heuene
Ponam pedem meum in aquilone & similis ero altissimo

¶ It were ayeins kynde quod he . and alle kynnes reson
That any creature sholde konne al . except crist oone
Ayein swiche Salomon spekeþ . and despiseþ hir wittes
And seiþ . Sicut qui mel comedit multum non est ei bonum
Sic qui scrutator est maiestatis . opprimitur a gloria

¶ To englisshe men þis is to mene . þat mowen speke and here
The man þat muche hony eteþ . his mawe it engleymeþ
And þe moore þat a man . of good matere . hereþ
But he do þer-after . it dooþ hym double scaþe
Beatus est seiþ Seint Bernard . qui scripturas legit
Et verba vertit in opera . fulliche to his power
Coueitise to konne . and to knowe sciences
Putte out of Paradis . Adam and Eue
Sciencie appetitus hominem inmortalitatis gloria spoliauit

¶ And riȝt as hony is yuel to defie . and engleymeþ þe mawe

¶ Right so he þat þoruȝ reson . wolde þe roote knowe
Of god and of hise grete myȝtes . hise graces it letteþ
For in þe likynge liþ a pride . and licames coueitise
Ayein cristes counseil . and alle clerkes techynge
That is Non plus sapere quam oportet sapere

¶ Freres and fele oþere maistres . þat to lewed men prechen
Ye moeuen materes vnmesurable . to tellen of þe Trinite
That ofte-tymes þe lewed peple . of hir bileue doute
Bettre it were to manye doctours . to leuen swich techyng[^828]
And tellen men of þe ten comaundementz . and touchen þe seuene synnes
And of þe braunches þat burioneþ of hem . and bryngen men to helle
And how þat folk in folies . mysspenden hir fyue wittes
As wel freres as ooþer folk . foliliche spenden
In housynge / in haterynge . and in to heigh clergie shewynge
Moore for pompe þan for pure charite . þe peple woot þe soþe
That I lye noȝt loo . for lordes ye plesen
And reuerencen þe riche . þe raþer for hir siluer

[^828: W.15.77: The variants are complex, and W's version of the line is unique. M is closest with Bettre were many doctours . bileue suche techinge. Most other manuscripts have bettre to leyve were many doctovrs seyche teychyng (in the spelling of G).]

¶ Confundantur omnes qui adorant sculptilia / Et alibi
Vt quid diligitis vanitatem & queritis mendacium

¶ Gooþ to þe glose of þise vers . ye grete clerkes
If I lye on yow to my lewed wit . ledeþ me to brennyng
For as it semeþ ye forsakeþ . no mannes almesse
Of vsurers of hoores . of Auarouse chapmen
And louten to þise lordes . þat mowen lene yow nobles
Ayein youre rule and Religion . I take record at Iesus
That seide to hise disciples . Ne sitis personarum acceptores
Of þis matere I myȝte . make a long bible
Ac of curatours of cristen peple . as clerkes bereþ witnesse
I shal tellen it for truþes sake . take hede who-so likeþ

¶ As holynesse and honeste . out of holy chirche spredeþ

Thoruȝ lele libbynge men . þat goddes lawe techen
Right so out of holi chirche . alle yueles spryngeþ[^829]
There inparfit preesthode is . prechours and techeris
I se it by ensaumple . in somer tyme on trowes
Ther some bowes ben leued . and some bereþ none
Ther is a meschief in þe more . of swiche manere bowes

[^829: W.15.100: W alone has spryngeþ; all other manuscripts have spredeth.]

¶ Right so bi[^830] persons and preestes . and prechours of holi chirche
That aren roote of þe right feiþ . to rule þe peple
And þer þe roote is roten . reson woot þe soþe
Shal neuere flour ne fruyt . ne fair leef be grene
For-þi wolde ye lettrede leue . þe lecherie of cloþyng
And be kynde as bifel for clerkes . and curteise of cristes goodes
Trewe of youre tonge . and of youre tail boþe
And hatien to here harlotrie . and noȝt to vnderfonge
Tiþes but of trewe þyng . ytilied or chaffared
Loþe were lewed men . but þei youre loore folwede
And amendeden hem þat mysdoon . moore for youre ensaumples
Than for to prechen and preuen it noȝt . ypocrisie it semeþ
The which[^831] in latyn . is likned to a dongehille
That were bisnewed wiþ snow . and snakes wiþ-Inne
Or to a wal þat were whitlymed . and were foul wiþ-Inne

[^830: W.15.105: All other manuscripts omit bi, added above the line in W.]

[^831: W.15.117: W alone has The which; all other manuscripts have For ypocrisie.]

¶ Right so manye preestes . prechours and prelates
Ye aren enblaunched wiþ bele paroles . and wiþ cloþes also
Ac youre werkes and youre wordes þer-vnder . aren ful vnloueliche
Iohannes Crisostomus . of clerkes spekeþ and preestes

¶ Sicut de templo omne bonum progreditur . sic de templo[^832] 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 peccandum . Sicut cum videris arborem pallidam & marcidam / intelligis quod vicium h abet in radice . Ita cum videris populum indisciplinatum & irreligiosum sine dubio sacerdocium eius non est sanum

[^832: W.15.124: A later fifteenth-century hand has written nota in the right margin, as on fol. 56r.]

¶ If lewed men wiste . what þis latyn meneþ
And who was myn Auctour . muche wonder me þinkeþ
But if many a preest beere . for hir baselardes and hir broches
A peire of bedes in hir hand . and a book vnder hir arme
Sire Iohan and sire Geffrey . haþ a girdel of siluer
A baselard or a ballokknyf . wiþ botons ouer-gilte
Ac a Porthors þat sholde be his Plow . Placebo to sigge
Hadde he neuere seruice to saue siluer þer-to . seiþ it with ydel wille

¶ Allas ye lewed men . muche lese ye on preestes
Ac þing þat wikkedly is wonne . and wiþ false sleightes
Wolde neuere þe wit of witty god . but wikkede men it hadde
The whiche arn preestes inparfite . and prechours after siluer
Executours and Sodenes . Somonours and hir lemmannes
That þat wiþ gile was geten . vngraciousliche is despended[^833]
So harlotes and hores . arn holpe wiþ swiche goodes
And goddes folk for defaute þer -of . forfaren and spillen

[^833: W.15.138: W alone has despended. Most other manuscripts have spended.]

¶ Curatours of holy kirke . as clerkes þat ben auarouse
Lightliche þat þei leuen . losels it habbeþ
Or deieþ intestate . and þanne þe bisshop entreþ
And makeþ murþe þer-myd . and hise men boþe
And seyen he was a nygard . þat no good myȝte aspare
To frend ne to fremmed . þe fend haue his soule
For a wrecchede hous held he[^834] . al his lif-tyme
And þat he spared and bisperede . dispende[^835] we in murþe
By lered / by lewed . þat looþ is to despende[^836]
Thus goon hire goodes . be þe goost faren
Ac for goode men god woot . greet doel men maken
And bymeneþ goode mete-ȝyueres . and in mynde haueþ
In preieres and in penaunces . and in parfit charite .
What is charite quod I þo . a childissh þyng he seide
[^837] Nisi efficiamini sicut paruuli . non intrabitis in regnum celorum
Wiþ-outen fauntelte or folie . a fre liberal wille

[^834: W.15.147: W alone has held he; most other manuscripts have he held.]

[^835: W.15.148: W alone has dispende. Other manuscripts have spende or spene.]

[^836: W.15.149: W alone reads despende; most other manuscripts have spende.]

[^837: W.15.155-156: The scribe has added in the left margin boxed in red the words quid est caritas .]

¶ Where sholde men fynde swich a frend . wiþ so fre an herte
I haue lyued in londe quod he[^838] . my name is longe wille
And fond I neuere ful charite . bifore ne bihynde
Men beþ merciable . to mendinauntz and to poore
And wollen lene þer þei leue . lelly to ben paied
Ac charite þat Poul preiseþ best . and moost plesaunt to oure lord
Is Non inflatur . non est ambiciosa . non querit que sua sunt &c[^839]

[^838: W.15.158: WHmCr1 have he; all other manuscripts read I.]

[^839: W.15.163: W alone has &c.]

¶ I seiȝ neuere swich a man . so me god helpe
That he ne wolde aske after his . and ouþerwhile coueite
Thyng þat neded hym noȝt . and nyme it if he myȝte

¶ Clerkes kenne me . þat crist is in alle places
Ac I seiȝ hym neuere sooþly . but as my-self in a Mirour
In enigmate tunc facie ad faciem
And so I trowe trewely . by þat men telleþ of charite
It is noȝt chaumpions fight . ne chaffare as I trowe

¶ Charite quod he ne chaffareþ noȝt . ne chalangeþ ne craueþ
As proud of a peny . as of a pound of golde
And is as glad of a gowne . of a gray russet
As of a tunycle of tarse . or of trie scarlet
He is glad wiþ alle glade . and good til alle wikkede
And leneþ[^840] and loueþ alle . þat oure lord made
Corseþ he no creature . ne he kan bere no wraþe
Ne no likynge haþ to lye . ne laughe men to scorne
Al þat men seyn he leet it sooþ . and in solace takeþ
And alle manere meschiefs . in myldenesse he suffreþ
Coueiteþ he noon erþely good . but heuene-riche blisse
Haþ he anye rentes or richesse . or any riche frendes

[^840: W.15.177: The word could, of course, be leueþ, the reading chosen by Skeat. Modern editors have chosen leneþ.]

¶ Of rentes nor[^841] of richesse . ne rekkeþ he neuere
For a frend þat fyndeþ hym . failed hym neuere at nede
Fiat voluntas tua . fynt hym euere-moore
And if he soupeþ eteþ but a sop . of Spera in deo
He kan portreye wel þe Pater noster . and peynte it with Aues
And ouþerwhile he is woned . to wenden on pilgrymages
Ther poore men and prisons liggeþ . hir pardon to haue
Thouȝ he bere hem no breed . he bereþ hem swetter liflode
Loueþ hem as oure lord biddeþ . and lokeþ how þei fare

[^841: W.15.184: W alone has nor; other manuscripts have ne.]

¶ And whan he is wery of þat werk . þan wole he somtyme
Labouren in lauendrye . wel þe lengþe of a Mile
And yerne in-to youþe . and yepeliche speke
Pride wiþ al þe appurtenaunces . and pakken hem togideres
And bouken hem at his brest . and beten hem clene
And leggen on longe . wiþ Laboraui in gemitu meo
And wiþ warm water at hise eiȝen . wasshen hem after
And þanne he syngeþ whan he doþ so . and som-tyme seiþ wepynge
Cor contritum & humiliatum deus non despicies

¶ By crist I wolde þat I knewe hym quod I . no creature leuere

¶ Wiþ-outen help of Piers Plowman quod he . his persone sestow neuere

¶ Wheiþer clerkes knowen hym quod I . þat kepen holikirke

¶ Clerkes haue no knowyng quod he . but by werkes and by wordes
Ac Piers þe Plowman . parceyueþ moore depper
What is þe wille and wher-fore . þat many wight suffreþ
Et vidit deus cogitaciones eorum
For þer are ful proude-herted men . pacient of tonge
And buxome as of berynge . to burgeises and to lordes

¶ And to poore peple . han pepir in þe nose
And as a lyoun he lokeþ . þer men lakken hise werkes

¶ For þer are beggeris and bidderis . bedemen as it were
Loken as lambren . and semen ful[^842] holy
Ac it is moore to haue hir mete . wiþ swich an esy manere
Than for penaunce and parfitnesse . þe pouerte þat swiche takeþ

[^842: W.15.214: W alone has ful; all other witnesses have lif.]

¶ Ther-fore by colour ne by clergie . knowe shaltow neuere
Neiþer þoruȝ wordes ne werkes . but þoruȝ wil oone
And þat knoweþ no clerk . ne creature on erþe
But Piers þe Plowman . Petrus .id est. christus
For he nys noȝt in lolleris . ne in lond-leperis heremytes
Ne at Ancres þere a box hangeþ . alle swiche þei faiten
Fy on faitours . and in fautores suos
For charite is goddes champion . and as a good child hende
And þe murieste of mouþ . at mete where he sitteþ
The loue þat liþ in his herte . makeþ hym liȝt of speche
And is compaignable and confortatif . as crist bit hym-selue
Nolite fieri sicut ypocrite tristes &c
For I haue seyen hym in silk . and somtyme in russet
Boþe in grey and in grys . and in gilt harneis
And as gladliche he it gaf . to gomes þat it neded

¶ Edmond and Edward . boþe were kynges
And seintes yset . for charite hem folwede

¶ I haue yseyen charite also . syngen and reden
Riden and rennen . in raggede wedes
Ac biddynge as beggeris . biheld I hym neuere
Ac in riche robes raþest he walkeþ .
Ycalled and ycrymyled . and his crowne yshaue
And in a freres frokke . he was yfounden ones
Ac it is fern ago . in Seint Fraunceis tyme

In þat secte siþþe . to selde haþ he ben founde[^843]

[^843: W.15.241: W alone reads founde; all other manuscripts have knowe(n).]

¶ Riche men he recomendeþ . and of hir robes takeþ
That wiþ-outen wiles . ledeþ hir lyues
Beatus est diues qui &c

¶ In kynges court he comeþ ofte . þer þe counseil is trewe
Ac if coueitise be of þe counseil . he wol noȝt come þer -Inne

¶ In court amonges Iaperis . he comeþ noȝt but selde
For braulynge and bakbitynge . and berynge of fals witnesse

¶ In þe Consistorie bifore þe Commissarie . he comeþ noȝt ful ofte
For hir lawe dureþ ouer-longe . but if þei lacchen siluer
And matrimoyne for moneie . maken and vnmaken
And þat Conscience and crist . haþ yknyt faste
Thei vndoon it vnworþily . þo doctours of lawe

¶ Ac I ne lakke no lif . but lord amende vs alle
And gyue vs grace goode god . charite to folwe
For who-so myȝte meete myd[^844] hym . swiche maneres hym eileþ
Neiþer he blameþ ne banneþ . bosteþ ne preiseþ
Lakkeþ ne loseþ . ne lokeþ vp sterne
Craueþ ne coueiteþ . ne crieþ after moore
In pace in id-ipsum dormiam &c

[^844: W.15.256: W alone has myd; other manuscripts have wiþ.]

¶ The mooste liflode þat he lyueþ by . is loue in goddes passion
Neiþer he biddeþ ne beggeþ . ne borweþ to yelde
Misdooþ he no man . ne wiþ his mouþ greueþ

¶ Amonges cristene men . þis myldenesse sholde laste
In alle manere angres . haue þis at herte
That þeiȝ þei suffrede al þis . god suffrede for vs moore
In ensample we sholde do so . and take no vengeaunce

Of oure foes þat dooþ vs falsnesse . þat is oure fadres wille

¶ For wel may euery man wite . if god hadde wold hym-selue
Sholde neuere Iudas ne Iew . haue Iesu doon on roode
Ne han martired Peter ne Poul . ne in prison holden
Ac he suffrede in ensample . þat we sholde suffren also
And seide to swiche þat suffre wolde . þat Pacientes vincunt

¶ Verbi gracia quod he . and verray ensamples manye
In legenda sanctorum . þe lif of holy Seintes
What penaunce and pouerte . and passion þei suffrede
In hunger / in hete . in alle manere angres

¶ Antony and Egidie . and oþere holy fadres
Woneden in wildernesse . among wilde beestes
Monkes and mendinauntz . men by hem-selue
In spekes and in spelonkes . selde speken togideres

¶ Ac neiþer Antony ne Egidie . ne heremyte þat tyme
Of leons ne of leopardes . no liflode ne toke
But of foweles þat fleeþ . þus fyndeþ men in bokes
Except þat Egidie . after an hynde cride
And þoruȝ þe mylk of þat mylde beest . þe man was sustened
And day bi day hadde he hire noȝt . his hunger for to slake
But selden and sondry tymes . as seiþ þe book and techeþ

¶ Antony a-dayes . aboute noon-tyme
Hadde a brid þat brouȝte hym breed . þat he by lyuede
And þouȝ þe gome hadde a gest . god fond hem boþe

¶ Poul primus heremita . hadde parroked hym-selue
That no man myȝte hym se . for mosse and for leues
Foweles hym fedde . fele wyntres wiþ-alle
Til he foundede freres . of Austynes ordre
Poul after his prechyng . paniers he made
And wan wiþ hise hondes . þat his wombe neded

¶ Peter fisshed for his foode . and his felawe Andrew
Som þei solde and som þei soden . and so þei lyued boþe

¶ And also Marie Maudeleyne . by mores lyuede and dewes
Ac moost þoruȝ deuocion . and mynde of god almyghty
I sholde noȝt þise seuen daies . siggen hem alle
That lyueden þus for oure lordes loue . many longe yeres

¶ Ac þer ne was leoun ne leopard . þat on laundes wenten
Neiþer bere ne boor . ne ooþer beest wilde
That ne fil to hir feet . and fawned wiþ þe tailles
And if þei kouþe han ycarped . by crist as I trowe
Thei wolde haue yfed þat folk . bifore wilde foweles
Ac god sente hem foode by foweles . and by no fierse beestes
In menynge þat meke þyng . mylde þyng sholde fede

¶ As who seiþ Religiouses . rightfulle men sholde fede
And lawefulle men to lifholy men . liflode sholde brynge
And þanne wolde lordes and ladies . be looþ to agulte
And to taken of hir tenauntz . moore þan trouþe wolde
Founde þei þat freres . wolde forsake hir almesses
And bidden hem bere it . þere it was yborwed
For we ben goddes foweles . and abiden alwey
Til briddes brynge vs . þat we sholde lyue by
For hadde ye potage and payn ynogh . and peny ale to drynke
And a mees þer-myd . of o maner kynde
Ye hadde riȝt ynoȝ ye Religiouse . and so youre rule 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 pabulum commune sufficiat ex adipe prodijt iniquitas tua

¶ If lewed men knewe þis latyn . þei wolde loke whom þei yeue[^845]
And auisen hem bifore . a fyue dayes or sixe
Er þei amortisede . to monkes or Chanons hir rente[^846]
Allas lordes and ladies . lewed counseil haue ye
To ȝyue from youre heires . þat youre Aiels yow lefte
And ȝyueþ it to bidde for yow . to swiche þat ben riche
And ben founded and feffed ek . to bidde for oþere

[^845: W.15.323-329: A rough decorative line runs down the left margin from 15.323-329.]

[^846: W.15.325: W alone has rente; all other manuscripts have plural rentes.]

¶ Who parfourneþ þis prophecie . of þe peple þat now libbeþ
Dispersit dedit pauperibus

¶ If any peple parfourne þat text . it are þise poore freres
For þat þei beggen aboute . in buyldynge þei spende it
And on hem-self som . and swiche as ben hir laborers
And of hem þat habbeþ þei taken . and ȝyueþ hem þat habbeþ

¶ Ac clerkes and knyȝtes . and communers þat ben riche
Fele of yow fareþ . as if I a forest hadde
That were ful of faire trees . and I fondede and caste
How I myȝte mo þer -Inne . amonges hem sette

¶ Right so ye riche . ye robeþ þat ben riche
And helpeþ hem þat helpeþ yow . and ȝyueþ þer no nede is
As who-so filled a tonne . of a fressh ryuer
And wente forþ wiþ þat water . to woke wiþ Temese
Right so ye riche . ye robeþ and fedeþ
Hem þat han as ye han . hem ye make atese at ese

¶ Ac Religiouse þat riche ben . sholde raþer feeste beggeris
Than burgeises þat riche ben . as þe book techeþ
Quia sacrilegium est res pauperum non pauperibus dare[^847]
Item peccatoribus dare est demonibus immolare
Item monache si indiges & accipis pocius das quam accipis
Si autem non eges & accipis rapis
Porro non indiget monachus si habeat quod nature sufficit

[^847: W.15.348: A later hand has written nota in the right margin.]

¶ For-þi I counseille alle cristene . to conformen hem to charite
For charite wiþ-outen chalangynge . vnchargeþ þe soule
And many a prison fram purgatorie . þoruȝ hise preieres he deliuereþ
Ac þer is a defaute in þe folk . þat þe feiþ kepeþ
Wher-fore folk is þe febler . and noȝt ferm of bileue
As in lussheburwes is a luþer alay . and yet lokeþ he lik a sterlyng
The merk of þat monee is good . ac þe metal is feble

¶ And so it fareþ by som folk now . þei han a fair speche
Crowne and cristendom . þe kynges mark of heuene
Ac þe metal þat is mannes soule . wiþ synne is foule alayed
Boþe lettred and lewed . beþ alayed now wiþ synne
That no lif loueþ ooþer . ne oure lord as it semeþ
For þoruȝ werre and wikkede werkes . and wederes vnresonable
Wederwise shipmen . and witty clerkes also
Han no bileue to þe lifte . ne to þe loore of Philosofres

¶ Astronomiens alday . in hir Art faillen
That whilom warned bifore . what sholde falle after

¶ Shipmen and shepherdes . þat wiþ ship and sheep wenten
Wisten by þe walkne . what sholde bitide
As of wedres and wyndes . þei warned men ofte

¶ Tilieris þat tiled þe erþe . tolden hir maistres
By þe seed þat þei sewe . what þei selde[^848] myȝte
And what to leue and what to lyue by . þe lond was so trewe

[^848: W.15.374: W alone has selde; other manuscripts have selle.]

¶ Now faileþ þe folk of þe flood . and of þe lond boþe
Shepherdes and shipmen . and so do þise tilieris
Neiþer þei konneþ ne knoweþ . oon cours bifore anoþer

¶ Astronomyens also . aren at hir wittes ende
Of þat was calculed of þe element . þe contrarie þei fynde
Grammer þe ground of al . bigileþ now children
For is noon of þise newe clerkes . who-so nymeþ hede[^849]
Nauȝt oon among anhundred an hundred . þat an Auctour kan construwe
Ne rede a lettre in any langage . but in latyn or in englissh

[^849: W.15.382: WHmCr omit the following line attested by other witnesses: Þat can versifye faire . ne formalich enditen (in the spelling of L).]

¶ Go now to any degree . and but if gile be maister
And Flaterere his felawe . vnder hym to fourmen
Muche wonder me þynkeþ . amonges vs alle
Doctours of decrees . and of diuinite maistres
That sholde konne and knowe . alle kynnes clergie
And answere to Argumentz . and also to a Quodlibet
I dar noȝt siggen it for shame . if swiche were apposed
Thei sholde faillen of hir Philosophie . and in Phisik boþe

¶ Wher-fore I am afered . of folk of holy kirke
Lest þei ouerhuppen as ooþere doon . in office and in houres
And if þei ouerhuppe as I hope noȝt . oure bileue suffiseþ
As clerkes in Corpus Christi feeste . syngen and reden
That sola fides sufficit . to saue wiþ lewed peple
And so may Sarzens be saued . Scribes and Iewes

¶ Allas þanne but oure looresmen . lyue as þei leren vs
And for hir lyuynge þat lewed men . be þe loþer god agulten
For Sarzens han somwhat . semynge to oure bileue
For þei loue and bileue . in o persone almyghty
And we lered and lewed . in oon god almyȝty
And oon Makometh a man . in mysbileue brouȝte
Sarzens of Surree . and see in what manere

¶ This Makometh was a cristene . and for he moste noȝt ben a pope

In-to Surrie he souȝte . and þoruȝ hise sotile wittes
He daunted a dowue . and day and nyȝt hire fedde
The corn þat she croppede . he caste it in his ere
And if he among þe peple preched . or in places come
Thanne wolde þe coluere come . to þe clerkes ere
Menynge as after mete . þus Makometh hire enchauntede
And dide folk þanne falle on knees . for he swoor in his prechyng
That þe coluere þat com so . com from god of heuene
As messager to Makometh . men for to teche
And þus þoruȝ wiles of his wit . and a whit Dowue
Makometh in mysbileue . men and wommen brouȝte
That lyued þo þere and lyue ȝit . leeue n[^850] on hise lawes

[^850: W.15.418: Letters have been erased between leeue and on, with <n> added to leeue and followed by a dash, probably in the scribal hand.]

¶ And siþþe oure Saueour suffred . þe Sarzens so bigiled
Thoruȝ a cristene clerk . acorsed in his soule
For drede of þe deeþ . I dar noȝt telle truþe
How englisshe clerkes a coluere fede . þat coueitise hiȝte
And ben manered after Makometh . þat no man vseþ trouþe

¶ Ancres and heremytes . and Monkes and freres
Peeren to þe Apostles . þoruȝ hire parfit lyuynge
Wolde neuere þe feiþful fader . þat hise Ministres sholde
Of tirauntz þat teneþ trewe men . taken any almesse
But doon as Antony dide . dominyk and Fraunceys
Beneit and Bernard . þe whiche hem first tauȝte
To lyue by litel and in lowe houses . by lele mennes almesse
Grace sholde growe and be grene . þoruȝ hir goode lyuynge
And folkes sholden fare[^851] . þat ben in diuerse siknesse
The bettre for hir biddynges . in body and in soule
Hir preieres and hir penaunces . to pees sholde brynge
Alle þat ben at debaat . and bedemen were trewe
Petite & accipietis &c
Salt saueþ þe catel . siggen þise wyues
Vos estis sal terre &c

[^851: W.15.432: W alone has fare, though Hm has faren with the last four letters written over an erasure in a different ink. Other manuscripts have fynde.]

¶ The heuedes of holy chirche . and þei holy were
Crist calleþ hem salt . for cristene soules
Et si sal euanuerit in quo salietur &c

¶ For fressh flessh ouþer fissh . whan it salt failleþ
It is vnsauory for-soþe . ysoden or ybake
So is mannes soule sooþly . þat seeþ no goode ensamples[^852]
Of hem of holi chirche . þat þe heighe wey sholde teche
And be gide and go bifore . as a good Banyer
And hardie hem þat bihynde ben . and ȝyue hem good euidence

[^852: W.15.444: W alone has plural ensamples. Other manuscripts have the singular.]

¶ Elleuene holy men . al þe world tornede
In-to lele bileue . þe lightloker me þinkeþ
Sholde alle maner men . we han so manye maistres
Preestes and prechours . and a pope aboue
That goddes salt sholde be . to saue mannes soule

¶ Al was hethynesse somtyme . Engelond and Walis
Til Gregory garte clerkes . to go here and preche
Austyn at Caunterbury . cristnede þe kyng
And þoruȝ miracles as men mow rede . al þat marche he tornede
To crist and to cristendom . and cros to honoure
And follede folk faste . and þe feiþ tauȝte
Moore þoruȝ miracles . þan þoruȝ muche prechyng
As wel þoruȝ hise werkes . as wiþ hise holy wordes
And seide hem . what fullynge and feiþ was to mene

¶ Clooþ þat comeþ fro þe weuyng . is noȝt comly to were
Til it be fulled vnder foot . or in fullyng stokkes
Wasshen wel wiþ water . and wiþ taseles cracched
Ytouked and yteynted . and vnder taillours hande
Right[^853] so it fareþ by a barn . þat born is of a wombe
Til it be cristned in cristes name . and confermed of þe bisshop
It is heþene as to heueneward . and helplees to þe soule

[^853: W.15.466: W alone reads Right. All other manuscripts have And.]

¶ Heþen is to mene after heeþ . and vntiled erþe
As in wilde wildernesse . wexeþ wilde beestes
Rude and vnresonable . rennynge wiþ-outen cropiers[^854]

[^854: W.15.471: W alone has the spelling cropiers, "cruppers, straps" (French cropiere ). R alone has the probably correct keperes, while other manuscripts have variations on creperes (GC2LYO) and cropers (HmCrCBM).]

¶ Ye mynnen wel how Mathew seiþ . how a man made a feste
He fedde hem wiþ no venyson . ne fesauntz ybake
But wiþ foweles þat fram hym nolde . but folwede his whistlyng
Ecce altilia mea & omnia parata sunt
And wiþ calues flessh he fedde . þe folk þat he louede

¶ The calf bitokneþ clennesse . in hem þat kepeþ lawes
For as þe Cow þoruȝ kynde mylk . þe calf norisseþ til an Oxe
So loue and leaute . lele men susteneþ
And maidenes and mylde men . mercy desiren
Right as þe cow calf . coueiteþ melk swete[^855]
So doon riȝtfulle men . mercy and truþe

[^855: W.15.481: W alone reads melk swete. Other manuscripts have swete mylke (in the spelling of L).]

¶ Ac who beþ þat excuseþ hem . þat ben persons and preestes
That heuedes of holy chirche ben . þat han hir wil here
Wiþ-outen trauaille þe tiþe deel . þat trewe men biswynken
They wol be wrooþ for I write þus . ac to witnesse I take
Boþe Mathew and Marc . and Memento domine dauid

¶ What pope or prelat now . parfourneþ þat crist highte
Ite in vniuersum mundum & predicate &c

¶ Allas þat men so longe . on Makometh sholde bileue
So manye prelates to preche . as þe Pope makeþ
Of Nazareth of Nynyue . of Neptalym and Damaske
That þei ne wente as crist wisseþ . siþen þei wille haue name
To be pastours and preche . þe passion of Iesus
And as hym-self seide . to lyue and to[^856] dye
Bonus pastor animam suam ponit &c
And seide it in saluacion . of Sarzens and oþere

[^856: W.15.495: W alone has to which is omitted by the other witnesses.]

For cristene and vncristene . crist seide to prechours
Ite vos in vineam meam &c

¶ And siþ þat þise Sarzens . Scribes and Iewes
Han a lippe of oure bileue . þe lightlier me þynkeþ
Thei sholde turne who-so trauailed . to teche hem of þe Trinite
Querite & inuenietis &c

¶ It is ruþe to rede . how riȝtwise men lyuede
How þei defouled hir flessh . forsoke hir owene wille
Fer fro kyth and fro kyn . yuele ycloþed yeden
Baddely ybedded . no book but conscience
Ne no richesse but þe roode . to reioisse hem Inne
Absit nobis gloriari nisi in cruce domini nostri &c

¶ And þo was plentee and pees . amonges poore and riche
And now is rouþe to rede . how þe rede noble
Is reuerenced er þe Roode . and receyued for worþier[^857]
Than cristes cros þat ouercam . deeþ and dedly synne
And now is werre and wo . and who-so why askeþ
For coueitise after cros . þe croune stant in golde
Boþe riche and Religious . þat roode þei honoure
That in grotes is ygraue . and in gold nobles
For coueitise of þat cros . men of holy kirke
Shul torne as templers dide . þe tyme approcheþ faste

[^857: W.15.512: W alone omits þe before worþier.]

¶ Wite ye noȝt ye wise men . how þo men honoured
Moore tresor þan trouþe . I dar noȝt telle þe soþe
Reson and rightful doom . þe Religiouse demede

¶ Right so ye clerkes . for youre coueitise er longe
Shal þei demen dos ecclesie . and youre pride depose
Deposuit potentes de sede &c

¶ If knyghthod and kynde wit . and þe[^858] commune by conscience
Togideres loue leelly . leueþ it wel ye bisshopes
The lordshipe of youre[^859] londes . for euere shul ye lese
And lyuen as Leuitici . as oure lord[^860] techeþ
Per primicias & decimas &c

[^858: W.15.526: W alone reads þe, which is omitted in other manuscripts. In many manuscripts the b-verse reads and comune conscience (in the spelling of L).]

[^859: W.15.528: W alone has youre; other manuscripts omit it.]

[^860: W.15.529: W alone omits yow after lord.]

¶ Whan Costantyn of curteisie . holy kirke dowed
Wiþ londes and ledes . lordshipes and rentes
An Aungel men herden . an heigh at Rome crye
Dos ecclesie þis day . haþ ydronke venym
And þo þat han Petres power . arn apoisoned alle

¶ A medicyne moot þer-to . þat may amende prelates
That sholden preie for þe pees . possession hem letteþ
Takeþ hire landes ye lordes . and leteþ hem lyue by dymes

¶ If possession be poison . and inparfite hem make
Good were to deschargen hem . for holy chirches sake
And purgen hem of poison . er moore peril falle

¶ If preesthode were parfit . þe peple sholde amende
That contrarien cristes lawe . and cristendom dispise
For alle paynymes preieþ . and parfitly bileueþ
In þe holy grete god . and his grace þei asken
And make hir mone to Makometh . hir message to shewe
Thus in a feiþ leue þat folk . and in a fals mene
And þat is rouþe for riȝtful men . þat in þe Reawme wonyen
And a peril to þe pope . and prelates þat he makeþ
That bere bisshopes names . of Bethleem and Babiloigne
That huppe aboute in Engelond . to halwe mennes Auteres
And crepe amonges curatours . and confessen ageyn þe lawe
Nolite mittere falsem in messem alienam &c

¶ Many man for cristes loue . was martired in Romayne
Er any cristendom was knowe þere . or any cros honoured

¶ Euery bisshop þat bereþ cros . by þat he is holden
Thoruȝ his prouince to passe . and to his peple to shewe hym
Tellen hem and techen hem . on þe Trinite to bileue
And feden hem wiþ goostly foode . and gyue þere it nedeþ
In domo mea non est panis neque vestimentum et ideo nolite constituere me Regem

¶ Ozias seiþ for swiche . þat sike ben and feble
Inferte omnes[^861] in orreum meum vt cibus in domo mea

[^861: W.15.562: W alone omits decimas after omnes .]

¶ Ac we cristene creatures . þat on þe cros bileuen
Arn ferme as in þe feiþ . goddes forbode ellis
And han clerkes to kepen vs þer -Inne . & hem þat shul come after vs

¶ And Iewes lyuen in lele lawe . oure lord wroot it hym-selue
In stoon for it stedefast was . and stonde sholde euere
Dilige deum & proximum . is parfit Iewen lawe
And took it Moyses to teche men . til Messie coome
And on þat lawe þei lyue ȝit . and leten it þe beste
And ȝit knewe þei crist . þat cristendom tauȝte
For a parfit prophete . þat muche peple sauede
Of selkouþe sores . þei seiȝen it ofte
Boþe of miracles and merueilles . and how he men festede
Wiþ two fisshes and fyue loues . fyue þousand peple
And by þat mangerie men myȝte wel se . þat Messie he semede
And whan he lifte vp Lazar . þat leid was in graue
And vnder stoon deed and stank . wiþ stif vois hym callede
Lazare veni foras .
Dide hym rise and rome . riȝt bifore þe Iewes

¶ Ac þei seiden and sworen . wiþ sorcerie he wrouȝte
And studieden to struyen hym . and struyden hem-selue .

And þoruȝ his pacience hir power . to pure noȝt he brouȝte
Pacientes vincunt .

¶ Daniel of hire vndoynge . deuyned and seide
Cum sanctus sanctorum veniat cessabit vnxio vestra
And wenen þo wrecches . þat he were pseudo propheta
And þat his loore be lesynges . and lakken it alle
And hopen þat he be to come . þat shal hem releue
Moyses eft or Messie . hir maistres ȝit deuyneþ

¶ Ac pharisees and Sarzens . Scribes and Iewes
Arn folk of oon feiþ . þe fader god þei honouren
And siþen þat þe Sarzens . and also þe Iewes
Konne þe firste clause of oure bileue . Credo in deum patrem omnipotentem
Prelates of cristene prouinces . sholde preue if þei myȝte
To lere hem litlum and litlum . et in Iesum Christum filium
Til þei kouþe speke and spelle . et in Spiritum sanctum
And reden it and recorden it . wiþ remissionem peccatorum
Carnis resurreccionem . et vitam eternam amen

Passus xvjus sextus decimus &c et primus de Dobet

N Ow faire falle yow quod I þo . for youre faire shewyng
For Haukyns loue þe Actif man . euere I shal yow louye
Ac ȝit I am in aweer a weer . what charite is to mene

It is a ful trie tree quod he . trewely to telle
Mercy is þe more þer-of . þe myddul stok is ruþe
The leues ben lele wordes . þe lawe of holy chirche
The blosmes beþ buxom speche . and benigne lokynge
Pacience hatte þe pure tree . and pure symple of herte
And so þoruȝ god and þoruȝ goode men . groweþ þe fruyt Charite

¶ I wolde trauaille quod I þis tree to se . twenty hundred myle

¶ And for to haue my fulle of þat fruyt . forsake alle oþere saulees
Lord quod I if any wight . wite whider-out it groweþ

¶ It groweþ in a gardyn quod he . þat god made hym-selue
Amyddes mannes body . þe more is of þat stokke
Herte highte þe herber . þat it Inne groweþ
And liberum arbitrium . haþ þe[^862] lond þe ferme
Vnder Piers þe Plowman . to piken it and to weden it

[^862: W.16.16: W alone reads þe; all other B manuscripts have to.]

¶ Piers þe Plowman quod I þo . and al for pure Ioye
That I herde nempne his name . anoon I swowned after
And lay longe in a loue-dreem . and at þe laste me þouȝte
That Piers þe Plowman . al þe place me shewed
And bad me to toten on þe tree . on top and on roote
Wiþ þre piles was it vnderpight . I parceyued it soone

¶ Piers quod I . I preie þee . whi stonde þise piles here

¶ For wyndes wiltow wite quod he . to witen it fro fallyng
Cum ceciderit iustus non collidetur . quia dominus supponit ma num suam[^863]
And in blowyng tyme abite þe floures . but if þise piles helpe

[^863: W.16.26: The page is cropped after ma ; other B manuscripts have manum suam .]

¶ The world is a wikked wynd . to hem þat willen truþe
Coueitise comþ of þat wynd . and crepeþ among þe leues
And forfreteþ neiȝ þe fruyt . þoruȝ manye faire sightes
Thanne with þe firste pil I palle hym doun . þat is potencia de i patris[^864]

[^864: W.16.31: The page is cropped after de ; other B manuscripts have dei patris .]

¶ The flessh is a fel wynd . and in flouryng tyme
Thoruȝ likynge and lustes . so loude he gynneþ blowe
That it norisseþ nyce sightes . and som-tyme wordes
And wikkede werkes þer-of . wormes of synne
And forbiteþ þe blosmes . riȝt to þe bare leues

¶ Thanne sette I to þe secounde pil . Sapiencia dei patris

¶ That is þe passion and þe power . of oure prince Iesu
Thoruȝ preieres and þoruȝ penaunces . and goddes passion in mynde
I saue it til I se it ripen . and som-del yfruyted

¶ And þanne fondeþ þe fend . my fruyt to destruye
Wiþ alle þe wiles þat he kan . and waggeþ þe roote
And casteþ vp to þe crop . vnkynde Neighebores
Bakbiteris breke þe cheste . brawleris and chideris
And leiþ a laddre þer-to . of lesynges are þe ronges
And feccheþ awey my floures som-tyme . afore boþe myne eighen
Ac liberum arbitrium . letteþ hym som-tyme
That is lieutenaunt to loken it wel . bi leue of my-selue

¶ Videatis qui peccat in spiritum sanctum numquam remittetur &c
Hoc est idem . qui peccat per liberum arbitrium non repugnat

¶ Ac whan þe fend and þe flessh . forþ wiþ þe world
Manacen bihynde me . my fruyt for to fecche
Thanne liberum arbitrium . laccheþ þe firste plante
And palleþ adoun þe pouke . pureliche þoruȝ grace
And help of þe holy goost . and þus haue I þe maistrie

¶ Now faire falle yow Piers quod I . so faire ye discryuen
The power of þise postes . and hire propre myȝtes
Ac I haue þouȝtes a þreve . of þise þre piles
In what wode þei woxen . and where þat þei growed
For alle are þei aliche longe . noon lasse þan ooþer
And to my mynde as me þinkeþ . on o more þei growed
And of o greetnesse . and grene of greyn þei semen

¶ That is sooþ quod Piers . so it may bifalle
I shal telle þee as tid . what þis tree highte
The ground þere it groweþ . goodnesse it hatte
And I haue told þee what hiȝte þe tree . þe Trinite it meneþ

¶ And egreliche he loked on me . and þerfore I spared
To asken hym any moore þer -of . and bad hym ful faire
To discryue þe fruyt . þat so faire hangeþ

¶ Heer now byneþe quod he þo . if I nede hadde
Matrimoyne I may nyme . a moiste fruyt wiþ-alle
Thanne Continence is neer þe crop . as kaylewey bastard
Thanne bereþ þe crop kynde fruyt . and clennest of alle
Maidenhode Aungeles peeris . and raþest wole be ripe
And swete wiþ-outen swellyng . sour worþ it neuere

¶ I preide Piers þo[^865] to pulle adoun . an Appul and he wolde
And suffre me to assaien . what sauour it hadde

[^865: W.16.76: W alone reads þo; all other B manuscripts omit it.]

¶ And Piers caste to þe crop . and þanne comsed it to crye
And waggede widwehode . and it wepte after
And whan it meued matrimoyne . it made a foul noise
And I hadde ruþe whan Piers rogged . it gradde so rufulliche
For euere as þei dropped adoun . þe deuel was redy
And gadrede hem alle togideres . boþe grete and smale
Adam and Abraham . and Ysaye þe prophete
Sampson and Samuel . and Seint Iohan þe Baptist
Bar hem forþ bodily . no body hym letted
And made of holy men his hoord . In limbo Inferni
There is derknesse and drede . and þe deuel maister

¶ And Piers for pure tene . of þat a pil he rauȝte[^866]
He hitte after hym . hitte how it myȝte
Filius by þe fader wille . and frenesse of spiritus sancti
To go robbe þat Rageman . and reue þe fruyt fro hym

[^866: W.16.89: W alone reads rauȝte; other B manuscripts have lauȝte except Cr which has caught.]

¶ And þanne spak spiritus sanctus . in Gabrielis mouþe
To a maide þat hiȝte Marie . a meke þyng wiþ-alle
That oon Iesus a Iustices sone . moste Iouke in hir chambre

¶ Til plenitudo temporis . fully comen were
That Piers fruyt floured . and felle to be rype
And þanne sholde Iesus Iuste þer-fore . bi Iuggement of armes
Wheiþer sholde fonge þe fruyt . þe fend or hym-selue

¶ The maide myldeliche þo . þe messager graunted
And seide hendeliche to hym . lo me his hand-maiden
For to werchen his wille . wiþ-outen any synne
Ecce ancilla domini fiat michi &c

¶ And in þe wombe of þat wenche . was he fourty woukes
Til he weex a faunt þoruȝ hir flessh . and of fightyng kouþe
To haue yfouȝte wiþ þe fend . er ful tyme come
And Piers þe Plowman . parceyued plener tyme
And lered hym lechecraft . his lif for to saue
That þouȝ he were wounded with his enemy . to warisshen hym-selue
And dide hym assaie his surgenrie[^867] . on hem þat sike were
Til he was parfit praktisour . if any peril fille
And souȝte out þe sike . and synfulle boþe
And saluede sike and synfulle . boþe blynde and crokede
And commune wommen conuertede . and to goode turnede
Non est sanis opus medicus . set in &c

[^867: W.16.110: surgenrie: MED surgeonri n. The etymon is OF cirurgiennerie. All other B manuscripts read surgery (MED cirurgie n.).]

¶ Boþe meseles and mute . and in þe menyson blody
Ofte[^868] heeled swiche . he ne held it for no maistrie
Saue þo he leched lazar . þat hadde yleye in graue
Quatriduanus quelt . quyk dide hym walke
Ac as he made þe maistrie . mestus cepit esse
And wepte water with hise eiȝen . þer seiȝen it manye
Some þat þe sighte seiȝen . seiden þat tyme
That he was leche of lif . and lord of heigh heuene
Iewes iangled þer-ayein . and Iuggede lawes
And seide he wroȝte þoruȝ wichecraft . & with þe deueles myȝte
Demonium habet[^869] &c

[^868: W.16.117: W alone omits he after Ofte.]

[^869: W.16.126: W alone reads habet ; all other B manuscripts have habes.]

¶ Thanne are ye cherles quod ich . and youre children boþe
And Sathan youre Saueour . ye-self[^870] now ye witnessen
For I haue saued yow-self seiþ crist . and youre sones after
Youre bodies . youre beestes . and blynde men holpen
And fed yow wiþ two fisshes . and wiþ fyue loues
And lefte baskettes ful of broke mete . bere awey who-so wolde
And mysseide þe Iewes manliche . and manaced hem to bete
And knokked on hem wiþ a corde . and caste adoun hir stalles
That in chirche chaffareden . or chaungeden any moneie
And seide it in sighte of hem alle . so þat alle herden

[^870: W.16.128: W alone among B witnesses has ye-self. Other B witnesses read yow-self or youre-selfe.]

¶ I shal ouer-turne þis temple . and adoun þrowe it[^871]
And in þre daies after . edifie it newe
And maken it as muche ouþer moore . in alle manere poyntes
As euere it was and as wid . wher-fore I hote yow
Of preieres and of parfitnesse . þis place þat ye callen
Domus mea domus oracionis vocabitur

[^871: W.16.137: W alone reads þrowe it; other B manuscripts have þrowe, while F has it þrowe.]

¶ Enuye and yuel wil . was in þe Iewes
Thei casten and contreueden . to kulle hym whan þei myȝte
Eche day after ooþer . hir tyme þei awaiteden
Til it bifel on a friday . a litel bifore Pasqe
The þursday bifore . þere he made his maundee
Sittynge at þe soper . he seide þise wordes
I am sold þoruȝ oon of yow . he shal þe tyme rewe
That euere he his Saueour solde . for siluer or ellis

¶ Iudas iangled þer-ayein . ac Iesus hym tolde
It was hym-self sooþly . and seide tu dicis

¶ Thanne wente forþ þat wikked man . and wiþ þe Iewes mette
And tolde hem a tokne . how to knowe wiþ Iesus
And which tokne to þis day . to muche is yvsed
That is kissynge and fair contenaunce . and vnkynde wille

And so was wiþ Iudas þo . þat Iesus bitrayed
Aue raby quod þat Ribaud . and riȝt to hym he yede
And kiste hym to be caught þer-by . and kulled of þe Iewes

¶ Thanne Iesus to Iudas . and to þe Iewes seide
Falsnesse I fynde . in þi faire speche
And gile in þi glad chere . and galle is in þi laughyng
Thow shalt be myrour . to many men to deceyue
Ac þe worse and þi wikkednesse . shal worþe vp-on þi-selue
Necesse est vt veniant scandala . ve homini illi per quem scandalum venit

¶ Thouȝ I bi treson be take . at youre owene wille
Suffreþ myne Apostles in pees . and in pays gange
On a þursday in þesternesse . þus was he taken
Thoruȝ Iudas and Iewes . Iesus was his name
That on þe friday folwynge . for mankyndes sake
Iusted in Iherusalem . a ioye to vs alle
On cros vp-on Caluarie . crist took þe bataille
Ayeins deeþ and þe deuel . destruyed hir boþeres myȝtes
Deide and deed[^872] for-dide . and day of nyȝt made

[^872: W.16.174: W alone reads deed; all other B manuscripts have deeþ.]

¶ And I awaked þer-wiþ . and wiped myne eiȝen
And after Piers þe Plowman . pried and stared
Estward and westward . I waited after faste
And yede forþ as an ydiot . in contree to aspie
After Piers þe Plowman . many a place I souȝte
And þanne mette I wiþ a man . a mydlenten sonday
As hoor as an haweþorn . and Abraham he highte
I frayned hym first . fram whennes he come
And of whennes he were . and whider þat he souȝte[^873]
I am feiþ quod þat freke . it falleþ noȝt to lye
And of Abrahames hous . an heraud of armes

[^873: W.16.183: W alone reads souȝte; all other B manuscripts have þouȝte.]

And[^874] seke after a segge . þat I seiȝ ones
A ful bold bacheler . I knew hym by his blasen

[^874: W.16.186: W alone reads And; all other B manuscripts have I.]

¶ What berþ þat buyrn quod I þo . so blisse þee bitide

¶ Thre leodes in oon lyth . noon lenger þan ooþer
Of oon muchel and myght . in mesure and in lengþe
That oon dooþ alle dooþ . and ech dooþ bi his one

¶ The firste haþ myȝt and maiestee . makere of alle þynges
Pater is his propre name . a persone by hym-selue

¶ The secounde of þa þa[t][^875] sire is . Sothfastnesse filius
Wardeyn of þat wit haþ . was euere wiþ-outen gynnyng

[^875: W.16.194: W alone reads þa; all other B manuscripts have þat.]

¶ The þridde highte þe holi goost . a persone by hym-selue
The light of al þat lif haþ . alonde and a-watre
Confortour of creatures . of hym comeþ alle blisse

¶ So þre bilongeþ for a lord . þat lordshipe cleymeþ
Might and mene . to knowe his owene myȝte
Of hym and of his seruaunt . and what þei suffre boþe

¶ So god þat gynnyng hadde neuere . but þo hym good þouȝte
Sente forþ his sone . as for seruaunt þat tyme
To ocupie hym here . til issue were spronge
That is children of charite . and holi chirche þe moder
Patriarkes and prophetes . and Apostles were þe children
And Crist and cristendom . and cristene holy chirche
In menynge þat man moste . on o god bileue
And þere hym likede and louede . in þre persones hym shewede
And þat it may be so and sooþ . manhode it sheweþ
Wedlok and widwehode . wiþ virginite ynempned
In tokenynge of þe Trinite . was out of man taken

¶ Adam was oure aller fader . and Eue was of hym-selue
And þe issue þat þei hadde . it was of hem boþe
And eiþer is oþeres ioye . in þre sondry persones
And in heuene and here . oon singuler name
And þus is mankynde and manhede . of matrimoyne yspronge
And bitokneþ þe Trinite . and trewe bileue

¶ Mighty is matrimoyne . þat multiplieþ þe erþe
And bitokneþ trewely . telle if I dorste
Hym þat first formed al . þe fader of heuene

The sone if I it dorste seye . resembleþ wel þe widewe
Deus meus Deus meus vt quid dereliquisti me

¶ That is creatour weex creature . to knowe what was boþe
As widewe wiþ-outen wedlok . was neuere ȝit yseyȝe
Namoore myȝte god be man . but if he moder hadde
So widewe with -outen wedlok . may noȝt wel stande
Ne matrimoyne with -outen Muliere . is noȝt muche to preise
Maledictus homo qui non reliquit semen in Israel &c

¶ Thus in þre persones . is parfitliche manhede
That is man and his make . and mulliere children
And is noȝt but gendre of a generacion . bifore Iesu crist in heuene
So is þe fader forþ with þe sone . and fre wille of boþe
Spiritus procedens a patre & filio &c
Which is þe holy goost of alle . and alle is but o god

¶ Thus in a somer I hym seiȝ . as I sat in my porche
I roos vp and reuerenced hym . and riȝt faire hym grette
Thre men to my siȝte . I made wel atese at ese
Wessh hir feet and wiped hem . and afterward þei eten
Calues flessh and Cakebreed . and knewe what I þouȝte
Ful trewe toknes bitwene vs is . to telle whan me likeþ

¶ First he fonded me . if I louede bettre
Hym or ysaak myn heir . þe which he hiȝte me kulle
He wiste my wille bi hym . he wol me it allowe
I am ful siker in soule þer-of . and my sone boþe
I circumscised my sone . siþen for his sake
My-self and my meynee . and alle þat male weere
Bledden blood for þat lordes loue . and hope to blisse þe tyme
Myn affiaunce and my feiþ . is ferme in þis bileue
For hym-self bihiȝte to me . and to myn issue boþe
Lond and lordshipe . and lif wiþ-outen ende
To me and to myn issue . moore yet he grauntede[^876]
Mercy for oure mysdedes . as many tyme as we asken
Quam olim Abrahe promisisti & semini eius

[^876: W.16.252: W alone omits me before grauntede.]

¶ And siþþe he sente me to seye . I sholde do sacrifise
And doon hym worship with breed . and wiþ wyn boþe
And called me þe foot of his feiþ . his folk for to saue
And defende hem fro þe fend . folk þat on me leueden[^877]

[^877: W.16.258: Though <n> and <u> are not always clearly distinguishable, the reading appears to be leueden, and not leneden as reported by KD. The Crowley prints unambiguously read leueden and leued; F has beleveþ.]

¶ Thus haue I ben his heraud . here and in helle
And conforted many a careful . þat after his comynge waiteden
And þus I seke hym he seide . for I herde seyn late
Of a barn þat baptised hym . Iohan Baptist was his name
That to patriarkes & to prophetes . and to ooþer peple in derknesse
Seide þat he seiȝ here . þat sholde saue vs alle
Ecce agnus dei &c

¶ I hadde wonder of hise wordes . and of hise wide cloþes
For in his bosom he bar a þyng . þat he blissed euere
And I loked in his lappe . a lazar lay þer-Inne
Amonges patriarkes and prophetes . pleyinge togideres

¶ What awaitestow quod he . and what woldestow haue

¶ I wolde wite quod I þo . what is in youre lappe

¶ Loo quod he and leet me see . lord mercy I seide
This is a present of muche pris . what prynce shal it haue

¶ It is a precious present quod he . ac þe pouke it haþ attached
And me þer-myde quod þat man . may no wed vs quyte
Ne no buyrn be oure borgh . ne brynge vs fram his daunger
Out of þe poukes pondfold . no maynprise may vs fecche
Til he come þat I carpe of . crist is his name
That shal deliuere vs som day . out of þe deueles power
And bettre wed for vs legge . þan we ben alle worþi
That is lif for lif . or ligge þus euere
Lollynge in my lappe . til swich a lord vs fecche

¶ Allas I seide þat synne . so longe shal lette
The myght of goddes mercy . þat myȝte vs alle amende
I wepte for hise wordes . wiþ þat sauȝ I anoþer
Rapeliche renne forþ . þe riȝte wey he wente
I affrayned hym first . fram whennes he come
And what he highte & whider he wolde . and wightly he tolde

Passus xvijus septimus decimus &c et .ijus. secundus de Dobet

I am Spes quod he Aspie A spie . and spire after a Knyght
That took me a maundement . vp-on þe mount of Synay
To rule alle Reames wiþ . I bere þe writ here

Is it enseled I seide . may men see þi lettres

¶ Nay he seide seke[^878] hym . þat haþ þe seel to kepe
And þat is cros and cristendom . and crist þer-on to honge
And whan it is enseled so . I woot wel þe soþe
That Luciferis lordshipe . laste shal no lenger

[^878: W.17.5: W alone omits I before seke.]

¶ Lat se þi lettres quod I . we myghte þe lawe knowe

¶ Thanne plukkede he forþ a patente . a pece of an hard roche
Wher-on were writen two wordes . on þis wise yglosed
Dilige deum & proximum tuum

¶ This was þe tixte trewely . I took ful good yeme
The glose was gloriously writen . wiþ a gilt penne
In hijs duobus mandatis . tota lex pendet & prophetia

¶ Ben here alle þi lordes lawes quod I . ye leue me wel he seide
And who-so wercheþ after þis writ . I wol vndertaken
Shal neuere deuel hym dere . ne deeþ in soule greue
For þouȝ I seye it my-self . I haue saued with þis charme
Of men and of wommen . many score þousand[^879]

[^879: W.17.20: W alone reads þousand; all other B manuscripts have thowsandys.]

¶ Ye seien sooþ seide þis heraud . I haue yfounde it ofte
Lo here in my lappe . þat leeued on þat charme
Iosue and Iudith . and Iudas Macabeus
Ye and sixti þousand biside forþ . þat ben noȝt seyen here

¶ Youre wordes arn wonderfulle quod I þo . which of yow is trewest[^880]
And lelest to leue so . for lif and for soule
Abraham seiþ . þat he seiȝ hoolly þe Trinite
Thre persones in parcelles . departable fro ooþer
And alle þre but o god . þus Abraham me tauȝte
And haþ saued þat bileued so . and sory for hir synnes
He kan noȝt siggen þe somme . and some arn in his lappe
What neded it þanne . a newe lawe to bigynne
Siþ þe firste suffiseþ . to sauacion and to blisse
And now comeþ Spes and spekeþ . þat aspied þe lawe
And telleþ noȝt of þe Trinite . þat took hym hise lettres
To bileeue and louye . in o lord al-myghty
And siþþe riȝt as my-self . so louye alle peple

[^880: W.17.25: The leaf is cropped after trewest, and an <e> may have been lost.]

¶ The gome þat gooþ wiþ o staf . he semeþ in gretter heele
Than he þat gooþ wiþ two staues . to sighte of vs alle

¶ And riȝt so bi þe roode . Reson me sheweþ
That[^881] it is lighter to lewed men . o lesson to knowe
Than for to techen hem two . and to hard to lerne þe leeste
It is ful hard for any man . on Abraham bileue
And wel awey worse ȝit . for to loue a sherewe
It is lighter to leeue . in þre louely persones
Than for to louye and lene[^882] . as wel lorels as lele

[^881: W.17.41: W alone reads That; all other B manuscripts omit it.]

[^882: W.17.46: The reading could as well be leue, as in Cr.]

¶ Go þi gate quod I to Spes . so me god helpe
Tho þat lernen þi lawe . wol litel while vsen it
And as we wenten þus in þe wey . wordynge togideres
Thanne seiȝe we a Samaritan . sittynge on a Mule
Ridynge ful rapely . þe righte wey we yeden
Comynge from a contree . þat men called Ierico
To a Iustes in Ierusalem . he chaced awey faste
Boþe þe heraud and hope . and he[^883] mette atones at ones
Where a man was wounded . and wiþ þeues taken
He myȝte neiþer steppe ne stande . ne stere foot ne handes
Ne helpe hym-self sooþly . for semyvif he semed
And as naked as a nedle . and noon help aboute hym

[^883: W.17.54: The scribe has written immediately above he the abbreviation for .id est. Christus .]

¶ Feiþ hadde first siȝte of hym . ac he fleiȝ aside
And nolde noȝt neghen hym . by nyne londes lengþe

¶ Hope cam hippynge after . þat hadde so ybosted
How he wiþ Moyses maundement . hadde many men yholpe
Ac whan he hadde sighte of þat segge . aside he gan hym drawe
Dredfully bi þis day . as doke dooþ fram þe faucon

¶ Ac so soone so þe Samaritan . hadde siȝte of þis leode
He lighte adown of Lyard . and ladde hym in his hande

And to þe wye he wente . hise woundes to biholde
And parceyued bi his pous . he was in peril to dye
And but he hadde recouerer þe rapelier[^884] . þat rise sholde he neuere
Wiþ wyn and with oille . hise woundes he wasshed
Enbawmed hym and bond his heed . and in his lappe hym leide
And ladde hym so forþ on Lyard . to lex Christi a graunge
Wel sixe Mile or seuene . biside þe newe Market
Herberwed hym at an hostrie . and to þe hostiler called
And seide haue kepe þis man . til I come fro þe Iustes
And lo here siluer he seide . for salue to hise woundes
And he took hym two pens . to liflode as it weere
And seide what he spendeþ moore . I make þee good her-after
For I may noȝt lette quod þat Leode . and lyard he bistrideþ
And raped hym to Ierusalemward . þe riȝte wey to ryde

[^884: W.17.69: W alone reads rapelier, comparative of rapely, "the sooner, the more quickly"; all other B manuscripts have raþer.]

¶ Feiþ folwede after faste . and fondede to mete hym
And Spes spakliche hym spedde . spede if he myȝte
To ouer-taken hym and talke to hym . er þei to towne coome

¶ And whan I seiȝ þis I soiourned noȝt . but shoop me to renne
And suwed þat Samaritan . þat was so ful of pite
And graunted hym to ben his groom . graunt mercy he seide
Ac þi frend and þi felawe quod he . þow fyndest me at nede

¶ And I þanked hym þo . and siþþe I hym tolde
How þat feiþ fleiȝ awey . and Spes his felawe boþe
For sighte of þat sorweful man . þat robbed was with þeues

¶ Haue hem excused quod he . hir help may litel auaille
May no medicyne on molde . þe man to heele brynge
Neiþer Feiþ ne fyn hope . so festred be hise woundes
Wiþ-outen þe blood of a barn . born of a mayde
And be he baþed in þat blood . baptised as it were
And þanne plastred wiþ penaunce . and passion of þat baby

¶ He sholde stonde and steppe . ac stalworþe worþ he neuere
Til he haue eten al þe barn . and his blood ydronke
For wente neuere wye in þis world . þoruȝ þat wildernesse
That he ne was robbed or rifled . rood he þere or yede
Saue feiþ and his felawe . Spes and my-selue
And þi-self now . and swiche as suwen oure werkes

¶ For Outlawes in þe wode . and vnder bank lotieþ
And mowen ech man see . and good mark take
Who is bihynde and who bifore . and who ben on horse
For he halt hym hardier on horse . þan he þat is foote [on] foote[^885]
For he seigh me þat am Samaritan . suwen Feiþ & his felawe
On my Capul þat highte caro . of mankynde I took it
He was vnhardy þat harlot . and hidde hym in Inferno
Ac er þis day þre daies . I dar vnder-taken
That he worþ fettred þat feloun . faste wiþ Cheynes
And neuere eft greue gome . þat gooþ þis ilke gate

[^885: W.17.106: W alone omits on before foote.]

¶ And þanne shal Feiþ be forster here . and in þis Fryth walke
And kennen out comune men . þat knowen noȝt þe contree
Which is þe wey þat I wente . and wher forþ to Ierusalem
And Hope þe Hostilers man shal be . þer þe man lith anhelyng an helyng
And alle þat feble and feynte be . þat Feiþ may noȝt teche
Hope shal lede hem forþ with loue . as his lettre telleþ
And hostele hem and heele . þoruȝ holy chirche bileue
Til I haue salue for alle sike . and þanne shal I turne
And come ayein bi þis contree . and conforten alle sike
That craueþ it and coueiteþ it . or crieþ[^886] þer-after
For þe barn was born in Bethleem . þat with his blood shal saue
Alle þat lyuen in Feiþ . and folwen his felawes techynge

[^886: W.17.122: W alone reads and coueiteþ it or crieþ; all other B manuscripts reverse the order of and ... or.]

¶ A swete sire I seide þo . wher I shal bileue
As Feiþ and his felawe . enformed me boþe
In þre persones departable . þat perpetuele were euere
And alle þre but o god . þus Abraham me tauȝte

¶ And Hope afterward . he bad me to louye
O god wiþ al my good . and alle gomes after
Louye hem lik my-selue . ac oure lord abouen alle

¶ After Abraham quod he . þat heraud of armes
Sette fully þi feiþ . and ferme bileue
And as hope highte þee . I hote þat þow louye
Thyn euenecristene euere-moore . euene-forþ with þi-selue
And if Conscience carpe þer-ayein . or kynde wit eyþer
Or Eretikes wiþ argumentz . þyn hond þow hem shewe
For god is after an hand . yheer now and knowe it

¶ The fader was first as a fust . wiþ o fynger foldynge
Til hym louede and liste . to vnlosen his fynger
And profre it forþ as with a pawme . to what place it sholde

¶ The pawme is purely þe hand . and profreþ forþ þe fyngres
To ministren and to make . þat myȝt of hand knoweþ
And bitokneþ trewely . telle who-so likeþ
The holy goost of heuene . he is as þe pawme

¶ The fyngres þat fre ben . to folde and to serue
Bitoknen sooþly þe sone . þat sent was til erþe
That touched and tastede . at techynge of þe pawme
Seinte Marie a mayde . and mankynde lauȝte
Qui conceptus est de spiritu sancto &c

¶ The fader is pawme[^887] as a fust . wiþ fynger to touche
Quia omnia traham ad me ipsum &c
Al þat þe pawme parceyueþ . profitable to feele

[^887: W.17.151: W alone reads pawme; most other B manuscripts have þanne, omitted by F.]

¶ Thus are þei alle but oon . as it an hand weere

And þre sondry sightes . in oon shewynge

¶ The paume for it putteþ forþ fyngres . and þe fust boþe
Right so redily . Reson it sheweth
How he þat is holy goost . sire and sone preueþ

¶ And as þe hand halt harde . and alle þyng faste
Thoruȝ foure fyngres and a thombe . forþ with þe pawme
Right so þe fader and þe sone . and Seint Spirit þe þridde
Al þe wide world . wiþ-Inne hem þre holden[^888]
Boþe wolkne and þe wynd . water and erþe
Heuene and helle . and al þat is þer-Inne

[^888: W.17.162: The word-order of the line varies in the B manuscripts, but most have Halt al þe wyde worlde . with-in hem thre (as in L).]

¶ Thus it is / nedeþ no man . trowe noon ooþer
That þre þynges bilongeþ . in oure lord of heuene
And aren serelopes by hem-self . a-sondry were þei neuere
Namoore þan myn hand may . meue wiþ-oute my fyngres

¶ And as my fust is ful hand . yholden[^889] togideres
So is þe fader a ful god . formour and shappere
Tu fabricator omnium &c
And al þe myȝt myd hym is . in makynge of þynges
The fyngres formen a ful hand . to portreye or peynten
Keruynge and compasynge . as craft of þe fyngres

[^889: W.17.169: All B manuscripts with the exception of W and Hm have a form of folden.]

¶ Right so is þe sone . þe Science of þe fader
And ful god as is þe fader . no febler ne no bettre

¶ The pawme is pureliche þe hand . and haþ power by hym-selue
Oþer-wise þan þe wriþen fust . or werkmanshipe of fyngres
For he haþ power . to putte out alle þe ioyntes
And to vnfolde þe folden fust . at þe fyngres wille

¶ So is þe holy goost god . neiþer gretter ne lasse

¶ Than is þe sire and þe sone . and in þe same myghte
And alle are þei but o god . as is myn hand and my fyngres
Vnfolden or folden . my fust and my pawme
Al is but an hand . euene in þe myddes
He may receyue riȝt noȝt . reson it sheweþ
For þe fyngres þat folde sholde . and þe fust make
For peyne of þe pawme . power hem failleþ
To clucche or to clawe . to clippe or to holde

¶ Were þe myddel of myn hand . ymaymed or yperissed
I sholde receyue riȝt noȝt . of þat I reche myghte

Ac þouȝ my þombe and my fyngres . boþe were to-shullen
And þe myddel of myn hand . wiþ-oute male-ese
In many kynnes maneres . I myghte my-self helpe
Boþe meue and amende . þouȝ alle my fyngres oke

¶ By þis skile me þynkeþ . I se an euidence
That who-so synneþ in þe Seint Spirit . assoilled worþ he neuere
Neiþer here ne ellis-where . as I herde telle
Qui peccat in Spiritu Sancto &c
For he prikeþ god as in þe pawme . þat peccat in Spiritu Sancto
For god þe fader is as a fust . þe sone is as a fynger
The holy goost of heuene . is as it were þe pawme
So who-so synneþ in þe Seint Spirit . it semeþ þat he greueþ
God þat he grypeþ wiþ . and wolde his grace quenche

¶ And to a torche or a tapur . þe Trinite is likned
As wex and a weke . were twyned to-gideres
And þanne a fir flawmynge . forþ out of boþe
And as wex and weke . and hoot fir togideres
Fostren forþ a flawmbe . and a fair leye
So dooþ þe Sire and þe sone . and also Spiritus Sanctus[^890]
That alle kynne cristene . clenseþ of synnes

[^890: W.17.210: The following line, omitted in WHm, appears in all other B witnesses: Fostren forth amonges folke . loue & bileue (as in L).]

¶ And as þow seest som-tyme . sodeynliche a torche
The blase þer-of yblowe out . yet brenneþ þe weke
Wiþ-outen leye or light . þat þe macche brenneþ

¶ So is holy[^891] goost god . and grace wiþ-oute mercy
To alle vnkynde creatures . þat coueite to destruye
Lele loue or lif . þat oure lord shapte

[^891: W.17.215: W alone omits þe before holy.]

¶ And as glowynge gledes . gladeþ noȝt þise werkmen
That werchen and waken . in wyntres nyȝtes
As dooþ a kex or a candle . þat caught haþ fir and blaseþ
Namoore dooþ sire ne sone . ne seint spirit togidres
Graunte no grace . ne forȝifnesse of synnes
Til þe holy goost gynne . to glowe and to blase
So þat þe holy goost . gloweþ but as a glade gl[e]de[^892]
Til þat lele loue . ligge on hym and blowe
And þanne flawmeþ he as fir . on fader and on filius
And melteþ hire myȝt in-to mercy . as men may se in wyntre
Ysekeles in euesynges . þoruȝ hete of þe sonne
Melte in a Mynut while . to myst and to watre

[^892: W.17.224: W alone reads glade; all other B manuscripts have glede.]

¶ So grace of þe holy goost . þe grete myȝt of þe Trinite
Melteþ to mercy . to merciable and to oþere
And as wex wiþ-outen moore . on a warm glede
Wol brennen and blasen . be þei togideres
And solacen hem þat mowe se . þat sitten in derknesse

¶ So wol þe fader forȝyue . folk of mylde hertes
That rufully repenten . and restitucion make
In as muche as þei mowen . amenden and paien
And if it suffise noȝt for assetz . þat in swich a wille deyeþ
Mercy for his mekenesse . wol maken good þe remenaunt
And as þe weke and fir . wol maken a warm flaumbe
For to murþen men myd . þat in þe derke sitten

¶ So wole crist of his curteisie . and men crye hym mercy
Boþe forȝyue and foryete . and ȝit bidde for vs
To þe fader of heuene . forȝifnesse to haue

¶ Ac hewe fir at a flynt . foure hundred wynter
But þow haue tow to take it wiþ . tonder or broches
Al þi labour is lost . and al þi long trauaille
For may no fir flaumbe make . faille it is[^893] kynde

[^893: W.17.248: W shares the reading is with C and Bo, where other manuscripts have his. W's reading may be a spelling variant or an error.]

¶ So is þe holi goost god . and grace wiþ-outen mercy
To alle vnkynde creatures . crist hym-self witnesseþ
Amen dico vobis nescio vos &c

¶ Be vnkynde to þyn euene-cristene . and al þat þow kanst bidde
Delen and do penaunce . day and nyght euere
And purchace al þe pardon . of Pampilon and Rome
And Indulgences ynowe . and be ingratus to þi kynde
The Holy goost hereþ þee noȝt . ne helpe may þee by reson
For vnkyndenesse quencheþ hym . þat he kan noȝt shyne
Ne brenne ne blase clere . fo fo[r][^894] blowynge of vnkyndenesse
Poul þe Apostel . preueþ wheiþer I lye
Si linguis hominum loquar &c

[^894: W.17.258: W alone reads fo; all other manuscripts except Y read for.]

¶ For-þi beþ war ye wise men . þat wiþ þe world deleþ
That riche ben and reson knoweþ . ruleþ wel youre soule
Beþ noȝt vnkynde I conseille yow . to youre euene-cristene
For manye of yow riche men . by my soule men telleþ
Ye brenne but ye blase noȝt . þat is a blynd bekene
Non omnis qui dicit domine domine intrabit &c

¶ Diues deyde dampned . for his vnkyndenesse
Of his mete and of his moneie . to men þat it nedede
Ech a riche I rede . reward at hym take
And gyueþ youre good to þat god . þat grace of ariseþ

For þei þat ben vnkynde to hise . hope I noon ooþer
But þei dwelle þer diues is . dayes wiþ-outen ende

¶ Thus is vnkyndenesse þe contrarie . þat quencheþ as it were
The grace of þe holy goost . goddes owene kynde
For þat kynde dooþ vnkynde for-dooþ . as þise corsede þeues
Vnkynde cristene men . for coueitise and enuye
Sleeþ a man for hise moebles . wiþ mouþ or with handes
For þat þe holy goost haþ to kepe . þe harlotes destruyeþ
The which is lif and loue . þe leye of mannes body
For euery manere good may b [.] be likned to a torche
Or ellis to a tapur . to reuerence þe Trinite
And who morþereþ a good man . me þynkeþ by myn Inwit
He fordooþ þe leuest light . þat oure lord louyeþ

¶ And yet in manye mo maneres . men offenden þe holy goost
Ac þis is þe worste wise . þat any wight myghte
Synnen ayein þe Seint Spirit . assenten to destruye
For coueitise of any kynnes þyng . þat crist deere bouȝte
That wikkedliche and wilfulliche . wolde mercy aniente

¶ Innocence is next god . and nyght and day it crieþ
Vengeaunce vengeaunce . forȝyue be it neuere
That shente vs and shedde oure blood . for-shapte vs as it were
Vindica sanguinem iustorum

¶ Thus vengeaunce vengeaunce . verrey charite askeþ
And siþ holy chirche and charite . chargeþ þis so soore
Leue I neuere þat oure lord . wol loue þat charite lakkeþ
Ne haue pite for any preiere . þer þat he pleyneþ

¶ I pose I hadde synned so . and sholde now deye
And now am I sory þat I so . þe Seint Spirit agulte
Confesse me and crye his grace . god þat al made

And myldeliche his mercy aske . myghte I noȝt be saued

¶ Ȝis seide þe Samaritan . so wel þow myght repente
That rightwisnesse þoruȝ repentaunce . to ruþe myȝte turne
Ac it is but selden yseiȝe . þer sooþnesse bereþ witnesse
Any creature þat is coupable . afore a kynges Iustice
Be raunsoned for his repentaunce . þer alle reson hym dampneþ
For þer þat partie pursueþ . þe peple is so huge
That þe kyng may do no mercy . til boþe men acorde
And eyþer haue equyte . as holy writ telleþ
Numquam dimittitur peccatum &c

¶ Thus it fareþ by swich folk . þat falsly al hire lyues
Yuele lyuen and leten noȝt . til lif hem forsake
Good hope þat helpe sholde . to wanhope torneþ
Noght of þe noun-power of god . þat he ne is myghtful
To amende al þat amys is . and his mercy gretter
Than alle oure wikkede werkes . as holy writ telleþ
Misericordia eius super omnia opera eius
Ac er his rightwisnesse to ruþe torne . som restitucion bihoueþ
His sorwe is satisfaccion . for hym þat may noȝt paie

¶ Thre þynges þer ben . þat doon a man by strengþe
For to fleen his owene[^895] . as holy writ sheweþ

[^895: W.17.320: W alone omits hous after owene.]

¶ That oon is a wikkede wif . þat wol noȝt be chastised
Hir feere fleeþ fro hire . for feere of hir tonge

¶ And if his hous be vnhiled . and reyne on his bedde
He sekeþ and sekeþ . til he slepe drye

¶ And whan smoke and smolder . smyt in his sighte
It dooþ hym worse þan his wif . or wete to slepe
For smoke and smolder . smyteþ in hise eighen

¶ Til he be blereighed or blynd . and hoors in þe þrote
Cogheþ and curseþ . þat crist gyue hem sorwe
That sholde brynge in bettre wode . or blowe it til it brende

¶ Thise þre þat I telle of . ben þus to vnderstonde
The wif is oure wikked flessh . þat wol noȝt be chastised
For kynde clyueþ on hym euere . to contrarie þe soule
And þouȝ it falle it fynt skiles . þat frelete it made
And þat is lightly forȝyuen . and forȝeten boþe
To man þat mercy askeþ . and amende þenkeþ

¶ The reyn þat reyneþ . þer we reste sholde
Ben siknesse and sorwes . þat we suffren ofte
As Poul þe Apostle . to þe peple tauȝte
Virtus in infirmitate perficitur &c

¶ And þouȝ þat men make . muche doel in hir angre
And ben inpacient in hir penaunce . pure reson knoweþ
That þei han cause to contrarie . by kynde of hir siknesse
And lightliche oure lord . at hir lyues ende
Haþ mercy on swiche men . þat so yuele may suffre

¶ Ac þe smoke and þe smolder . þat smyt in oure eighen
That is coueitise and vnkyndenesse . þat quencheþ goddes mercy
For vnkyndenesse . is þe contrarie . of alle kynnes reson
For þer nys sik ne sory . ne noon so muche wrecche
That he ne may louye and hym like . and lene[^896] of his herte
Good wille and good word . and[^897] wisshen and willen
Alle manere men . mercy and forȝifnesse
And louye hem lik hym-self . and his lif amende

[^896: W.17.350: The reading could as well be leue, as in Cr.]

[^897: W.17.351: W alone reads and; all other B manuscripts have boþe.]

¶ I may no lenger lette quod he . and lyard he prikede
And wente awey as wynd . and þer-wiþ I awakede

Passus xviijus decimus octauus &c et iijus tercius de dobet

W olleward and weetshoed . wente I forþ after
As a recchelees renk . þat of no wo roughte
And yede forþ lik a lorel . al my lif-tyme
Til I weex wery of þe world . and wilned eft to slepe
And lened me to a lenten . and longe tyme I slepte
And of cristes passion and penaunce . þe peple þat of-rauȝte
Reste me þere and rutte faste . til Ramis palmarum
Of gerlis and of Gloria laus . gretly me dremed
And how Osanna by . Organye . olde folk songen

¶ Oon semblable to þe Samaritan . and som-deel to Piers þe Plow man[^898]
Bare-foot on an Asse bak . bootles cam prikye
Wiþ-outen spores oþer spere . spakliche he lokede
As is þe kynde of a knyght . þat comeþ to be dubbed
To geten hym gilte spores . or galoches y-couped

[^898: W.18.10: The first lobe of <w> is visible; the rest of the word has been cropped.]

¶ Thanne was feiþ in a fenestre . and cryde a fili dauid
As dooþ an heraud of armes . whan Auentrous comeþ to Iustes
Olde Iewes of Ierusalem . for ioye þei songen
Benedictus qui venit in nomine domini

¶ Thanne I frayned at Feiþ . what al þat fare bymente
And who sholde Iuste in Ierusalem . Iesus he seide
And fecche þat þe fend claymeþ . Piers fruyt þe Plowman

¶ Is Piers in þis place quod I . and he preynte on me
This Iesus of his gentries . wol Iuste in Piers armes
In his helm and in his haubergeon . humana natura
That crist be noȝt biknowe here . for consummatus deus
In Piers paltok þe Plowman . þis prikiere shal ryde
For no dynt shal hym dere . as in deitate patris

¶ Who shal Iuste wiþ Iesus quod I . Iewes or Scrybes

¶ Nay quod he þe foule fend . and fals doom and deeþ
Deeþ seiþ he shal fordo . and adoun brynge
Al þat lyueþ and lokeþ . in londe and[^899] in watre

[^899: W.18.31: W alone reads and; F has eyþer, and all other manuscripts have or.]

¶ Lif seiþ þat he lieþ . and leieþ his lif to wedde
That for al þat deeþ kan do . wiþ-Inne þre daies
To walke and fecche fro þe fend . Piers fruyt þe Plowman
And legge it þer hym likeþ . and Lucifer bynde
And forbete and adoun brynge . bale deeþ for euere
O mors ero mors tua

¶ Thanne cam Pilatus with muche peple . sedens pro tribunali
To se how doghtiliche deeþ sholde do . and deme hir boþeres right

¶ The Iewes and þe Iustice . ayeins Iesu þei weere
And al þe court on hym cryde . crucifige sharpe
Tho putte hym forþ a pilour . bifore Pilat and seide
This Iesus of oure Iewes temple . haþ[^900] Iaped and despised
To fordoon it on o day . and in þre dayes after
Edifie it eft newe . here he stant þat seide it
And ȝit maken it as muche . in alle manere poyntes
Boþe as long and as large . bi lofte and by grounde
¶ Crucifige quod a Cachepol . I warante hym a wicche

[^900: W.18.43: W alone reads haþ; all other manuscripts omit it.]

¶ Tolle tolle quod anoþer . and took of kene þornes
And bigan of kene þorn . a garland to make
And sette it sore on his heed . and seide in enuye
Aue raby quod þat rybaud . and þrew reedes at hym
Nailed hym with þre nailes . naked on þe roode
And poison on a poole . þei putte vp to hise lippes
And beden hym drynken his deeþ yuel . hise daies were ydone
And if þat þow sotil be . help now þi-selue
If þow be crist and kynges sone . com down of þe roode

Thanne shul we leue þat lif þee loueþ . and wol noȝt lete þee deye
¶ Consummatum est quod crist . and comsede for to swoune
Pitousliche and pale . as a prison þat deieþ
The lord of lif and of light . þo leide hise eighen togideres
The day for drede wiþ-drouȝ . and derk bicam þe sonne
The wal waggede and cleef . and al þe world quaued
Dede men for þat dene . come out of depe graues
And tolde why þat tempeste . so longe tyme durede
For a bitter bataille . þe dede body seide
Lif and deeþ in þis derknesse . hir oon fordooþ hir ooþer
Shal no wight wite witterly . who shal haue þe maistrie
Er sonday aboute sonne risyng . and sank wiþ þat til erþe

¶ Some seide þat he was goddes sone . þat so faire deide
Vere filius dei erat iste
And some seide he was a wicche . good is þat we assaye
Wher he be deed or noȝt deed . doun er he be taken

¶ Two þeues also . þoled deeþ þat tyme
Vp-on a croos bisides crist . so was þe comune lawe
A Cachepol cam forþ . and craked boþe hir legges
And þe armes after . of eiþer of þo þeues
Ac was no body so boold . goddes body to touche
For he was knyȝt and kynges sone . kynde foryaf þat tyme
That noon harlot were so hardy . to leyen hond vp-on hym

¶ Ac þer cam forþ a knyȝt . wiþ a kene spere ygrounde
Highte Longeus as þe lettre telleþ . and longe hadde lore his sight.[^901]
Bifore Pilat and ooþer peple . in þe place he houed
Maugree his manye teeþ . he was maad þat tyme
To take þe spere in his hond . and Iusten wiþ Iesus
For alle þei were vnhardy . þat houed on horse or stode
To touchen hym or to tasten hym . or taken doun of roode

[^901: W.18.82: The leaf has been cropped and <e> may have been lost on sight. Elsewhere the word is twenty-six times spelt sighte or siȝte, and once siȝt.]

But þis blynde bacheler . baar hym þoruȝ þe herte
The blood sprong doun by þe spere . and vnspered þe knyȝtes eiȝen

¶ Thanne fil þe knyȝt vp-on knees . and cryde hym mercy
Ayein my wille it was lord . to wownde yow so soore
He sighed and seide . soore it me aþynkeþ
For þe dede þat I haue doon . I do me in youre grace
Haue on me ruþe riȝtful Iesu . and riȝt wiþ þat he wepte

¶ Thanne gan Feiþ felly . þe false Iewes despise
Callede hem caytyues . acorsed for euere
For þis foule vileynye . vengeaunce to yow falle
To do þe blynde bete hym ybounde . it was a boyes counseille
Cursede caytif . knyghthood was it neuere
To mysdo a deed body . by daye or by nyȝte
The gree ȝit haþ he geten . for al his grete wounde

¶ For youre champion chiualer . chief knyȝt of yow alle
Ȝilt hym recreaunt rennyng . riȝt at Iesus wille
For be þis derknesse ydo . his deeþ worþ avenged
And ye lurdaynes han ylost . for lif shal haue þe maistrye
And youre fraunchise þat fre was . fallen is in þraldom
And ye cherles and youre children . cheue shulle[^902] neuere
To haue lordshipe in londe . ne no lond tilye
But al barayne be . and vsurie vsen
Which is lif þat oure lord . in alle lawes acurseþ
Now youre goode dayes arn doon . as daniel prophecied
Whan crist cam of hir kyngdom . þe crowne sholde cesse
Cum veniat sanctus sanctorum cessabit vnxio vestra

[^902: W.18.107: W alone omits ye after shulle.]

¶ What for feere of þis ferly . and of þe false Iewes
I drow me in þat derknesse . to descendit ad inferna
And þere I sauȝ sooþly . secundum scripturas
Out of þe west coste . a wenche as me þouȝte

¶ Cam walkynge in þe wey . to helleward she loked
Mercy highte þat mayde . a meke þyng wiþ-alle
A ful benigne burde . and Buxom of speche

¶ Hir suster as it semed . cam sooþly walkynge
Euene out of þe Est . and westward she lokede
A ful comely creature . truþe she highte
For þe vertue þat hire folwede . afered was she neuere

¶ Whan þise maydenes mette . mercy and truþe
Eiþer asked ooþer . of þis grete wonder
Of þe dyn and of þe derknesse . and how þe day rowed
And which a light and a leme . lay bifore helle
Ich haue ferly of þis fare . in feiþ seide truþe
And am wendynge to wite . what þis wonder meneþ

¶ Haue no merueille quod mercy . murþe it bitokneþ
A maiden þat highte Marie . and moder wiþ-outen felyng
Of any kynnes creature . conceyued þoruȝ speche
And grace of þe holy goost . weex greet wiþ childe
Wiþ-outen wem . in-to þis world she broȝte hym
And þat my tale be trewe . I take god to witnesse

¶ Siþ þis barn was ybore . ben xxxti þritti wynter passed
Which deide and deeþ þoled . þis day aboute mydday
And þat is cause of þis clips . þat closeþ now þe sonne
In menynge þat man shal . fro merknesse be drawe
The while þis light and þis leme . shal Lucifer ablende
For patriarkes and prophetes . han preched her-of ofte
That man shal man saue . þoruȝ a maydenes helpe
And þat was tynt þoruȝ tree . tree shal it wynne
And þat deeþ adown[^903] brouȝte . deeþ shal releue

[^903: W.18.145: W alone reads adown. All other manuscripts have doun.]

¶ That þow tellest quod Truþe . is but a tale of waltrot

For Adam and Eue . and Abraham wiþ oþere
Patriarkes and prophetes . þat in peyne liggen
Leue þow neuere þat yon light . hem alofte brynge
Ne haue hem out of helle . hold þi tonge mercy
It is but a trufle þat þow tellest . I truþe woot þe soþe
For he þat is ones in helle . out comeþ he neuere
Iob þe prophete patriark . repreueþ þi sawes
Quia in Inferno nulla est redempcio

¶ Thanne Mercy ful myldely . mouþed þise wordes
Thoruȝ experience quod she . I hope þei shul be saued
For venym fordooþ venym . and þat preue I by reson
For of alle venymes . foulest is þe scorpion
May no medicyne helpe . þe place þer he styngeþ
Til he be deed and do þerto . þe yuel he destruyeþ
The firste venymouste . þoruȝ venym of hym-selue

¶ So shal þis deeþ fordo . I dar my lif legge
Al þat deeþ fordide first . þoruȝ þe deueles entisyng
And riȝt as þoruȝ gile . man was bigiled
So shal grace þat bigan . make a good sleighte
Ars vt artem falleret

¶ Now suffre we seide Truþe . I se as me þynkeþ
Out of þe nyppe of þe North . noȝt ful fer hennes
Rightwisnesse come rennynge . reste we þe while
For he woot moore þan we . he was er we boþe

¶ That is sooþ seide Mercy . and I se here by Sowþe
Where pees comeþ pleyinge . in pacience ycloþed
Loue haþ coueited hire longe . leue I noon ooþer
But he sente hire som lettre . what þis light bymeneþ
That ouer-houeþ helle þus . she vs shal telle

¶ Whan Pees in Pacience ycloþed . approched ner hem tweyne
Rightwisnesse hire reuerenced . by hir riche cloþyng
And preide pees to telle hire . to what place she wolde
And in hire gaye garnementz . whom she grete þouȝte

¶ My wil is to wende quod she . and welcome hem alle
That many day myȝte I noȝt se . for merknesse of synne
Adam and Eue . and oþere mo in helle
Moyses and many mo . mercy shul haue
And I shal daunce þer-to . do þow so suster
For Iesus Iustede wel . Ioye bigynneþ dawe
Ad vesperum demorabitur fletus & ad matutinum leticia[^904]

[^904: W.18.186: The leaf is cropped immediately after the final character, but no text appears to have been lost.]

¶ Loue þat is my lemman . swiche lettres me sente
That mercy my suster and I . mankynde sholde saue
And þat god haþ forgyuen . and graunted me pees & mercy
To be mannes meynpernour . for euere-moore after
Lo here þe patente quod Pees . In pace in idipsum
And þat þis dede shal dure . dormiam & requiescam

¶ What rauestow quod Rightwisnesse[^905] . or þow art right dronke
Leuestow þat yond light . vnlouke myȝte helle
And saue mannes soule . suster wene it neuere
For god[^906] þe bigynnere[^907] . gaf þe doom hym-selue
That Adam and Eue . and alle þat hem suwede
Sholden deye down-righte . and dwelle in pyne after
If þat þei touchede a tree . and þe fruyt eten

[^905: W.18.193: Rightwisnesse is written over an erasure.]

[^906: W.18.196: W alone reads For god; most other manuscripts have At.]

[^907: W.18.196: W alone reads bigynnere; other manuscripts have bigynnyng god.]

¶ Adam afterward . ayeins his defence
Freet of þat fruyt . and forsook as it weere
The loue of oure lord . and his loore boþe
And folwede þat þe fend tauȝte . and his felawes wille
Ayeins Reson and rightwisnesse . recorde þus wiþ truþe
That hir peyne be perpetuel . and no preiere hem helpe
For-þi lat hem chewe as þei chosen . and chide we noȝt sustres
For it is botelees bale . þe byte þat þei eten

¶ And I shal preue quod Pees . hir peyne moot haue ende
And from wo in-to wele . mowe wenden at þe laste
For hadde þei wist of no wo . wele hadde þei noȝt knowen
For no wight woot what wele is . þat neuere wo suffrede
Ne what is hoot hunger . þat hadde neuere defaute

¶ If no nyȝt ne weere . no man as I leeue
Sholde neuere wite witterly . what day is to meene
Sholde neuere riȝt riche man . þat lyueþ in reste and ese
Wite what wo is . ne were þe deeþ of kynde

¶ So god þat bigan al . of his goode wille
Bicam man of a mayde . mankynde to saue
And suffrede to be sold . to se þe sorwe of deying
The which vnknytteþ alle care . and comsynge is of reste
For til modicum mete with vs . I may it wel auowe
Woot no wight as I wene . what ynogh is to mene

¶ For-þi god of his goodnesse . þe firste gome Adam
Sette hym in solace . and in souereyn murþe
And siþþe he suffred hym synne . sorwe to feele
To wite what wele was . kyndeliche and[^908] knowe it
And after . god Auntrede hym-self . and took Adames kynde[^909]
To wite what he haþ suffred . in þre sondry places
Boþe in heuene and in erþe . and now til helle he þenkeþ
To wite what alle wo is . and what is alle ioye

[^908: W.18.226: W alone reads and; most other manuscripts have to.]

[^909: W.18.227: Kane-Donaldson speculate that the final <e> of kynde is cropped. This is, however, a verso, and the <e> is visible in the gutter (though not in the image).]

¶ So it shal fare by þis folk . hir folie and hir synne
Shal lere hem what langour is . and lisse wiþ-outen ende
Woot no wight what werre is . þer þat pees regneþ
Ne what is witterly wele . til weylawey hym teche

¶ Thanne was þer a wight . wiþ two brode eiȝen
Book highte þat beaupeere . a bold man of speche
By goddes body quod þis book . I wol bere witnesse
That þo þis barn was ybore . þer blased a sterre
That alle þe wise of þis world . in o wit acorden
That swich a barn was ybore . in Bethleem þe Citee
That mannes soule sholde saue . and synne destroye
And alle þe elementz quod þe book . her-of beren witnesse
That he was god þat al wroȝte . þe wolkne first shewed

¶ Tho þat weren in heuene . token stella cometa
And tendeden it[^910] as a torche . to reuerencen his burþe
The light folwede þe lord . in-to þe lowe erþe

[^910: W.18.245: W alone reads it; other manuscripts have hire.]

¶ The water witnessed þat he was god . for he wente on it
Peter þe Apostel . parceyued his gate
And as he wente on þe water . wel hym knew and seide
Iube me venire ad te super aquas

¶ And lo how þe sonne gan louke . hire light in hir-selue
Whan she seiȝ hym suffre . þat sonne and see made

¶ The Erþe for heuynesse . þat he wolde suffre
Quaked as quyk þyng . and al biquasshed þe roche

¶ Lo helle myȝte nat holde . but opnede þo god þolede
And leet out Symondes sone . to seen hym hange on roode
And now shal Lucifer leue it . þouȝ hym looþ þynke
For gigas þe geaunt . wiþ a gyn haþ[^911] engyned
To breke and to bete adoun . þat ben ayeins Iesus
And I book wole be brent . but Iesus rise to lyue
In alle myȝtes of man . and his moder gladie
And conforte al his kyn . and out of care brynge
And al þe Iewene Ioye . vnioynen and vnlouken

[^911: W.18.258: W alone reads haþ; other manuscripts omit it.]

And but þei reuersen reuer[en]sen[^912] his roode . and his Resurexion
And bileue on a newe lawe . be lost lif and soule

[^912: W.18.264: WCr1S read reuersen; all other manuscripts have reuerensen.]

¶ Suffre we seide truþe . I here and see boþe
How a spirit spekeþ to helle . and biddeþ vnspere þe yates
Attollite portas &c

¶ A vois loude in þat light . to lucifer crieþ
Prynces of þis place . vnpynneþ and vnloukeþ
For here comeþ wiþ crowne . þat kyng is of glorie

¶ Thanne sikede Sathan . and seide to hem alle
Swich a light ayeins oure leue . lazar out fette
Care and encombraunce . is comen to vs alle
If þis kyng come In . mankynde wole he fecche
And lede it þer hym likeþ . and lightliche me bynde
Patriarkes and prophetes . han parled her-of longe
That swich a lord and light . sholde lede hem alle hennes

¶ Listneþ quod lucifer . for I þis lord knowe
Boþe þis lord and þis light . is longe ago I knew hym
May no deeþ hym dere . ne no deueles queyntise
And where he wole is his wey . ac ware hym of þe perils
If he reueþ me my riȝt . he robbeþ me by maistrie
For by right and by reson . þe renkes þat ben here
Body and soule beþ myne . boþe goode and ille
For hym-self seide . þat Sire is of heuene
If Adam ete þe Appul . alle sholde deye
And dwelle wiþ vs deueles . þis þretynge he made
And he þat Sooþnesse is . seide þise wordes
And siþen I seised . Seuene hundred wynter
I leeue þat lawe nyl noȝt . lete hym þe leeste

¶ That is sooþ seide Sathan . but I me soore drede

For þow gete hem wiþ gile . and his Gardyn breke
And in semblaunce of a serpent . sete vp-on þe Appultree
And eggedest hem to ete . Eue by hir- selue[^913]
And toldest hire a tale . of treson were þe wordes
And so þow haddest hem out . and hider at þe laste
It is noȝt graiþly geten . þer gile is þe roote
For god wol noȝt be bigiled . quod Gobelyn ne byiaped
We haue no trewe title to hem . for þoruȝ treson were þei dampned

[^913: W.18.295: selue is written over an erasure.]

¶ Certes I drede me quod þe deuel . lest truþe wol hem fecche
Thise þritty wynter as I wene . haþ he gon and preched
I haue assailled hym with synne . and som-tyme y-asked
Wheiþer he were god or goddes sone . he yaf me short answere
And þus haþ he trolled forþ . þise two and þritty wynter
And whan I seiȝ it was so . lepynge I wente
To warne Pilates wif . what done man was Iesus
For Iewes hateden hym . and han doon hym to deþe
I wolde haue lengþed his lif . for I leued if he deide
That his soule wolde suffre . no synne in his sighte
For þe body while it on bones yede . aboute was euere
To saue men from synne . if hem-self wolde
And now I se wher a soule . comeþ hiderward seillynge
Wiþ glorie and with gret light . god it is I woot wel
I rede þat we fle quod he . faste alle hennes
For vs were bettre noȝt be . þan biden his sighte
For þi lesynges Lucifer . lost is al oure praye

¶ First þoruȝ þe we fellen . fro heuene so heiȝe
For we leued on þi lesynges . ylorn we haue Adam
And al oure lordshipe I leue . a-londe and a-watre
Nunc princeps huius mundi eicietur foras

¶ Eft þe light bad vnlouke . and Lucifer answerde
What lord artow quod Lucifer . Quis est iste
¶ Rex glorie . þe light soone seide
And lord of myght and of man . and alle manere vertues . dominus virtutum
Dukes of þis dymme place . anoon vndo þise yates
That crist may come In . þe kynges sone of heuene

¶ And wiþ þat breeþ helle brak . with Belialles barres
For any wye or warde . wide opned þe yates

¶ Patriarkes and prophetes . Populus in tenebris
Songen seint Iohanes song . Ecce agnus dei
Lucifer loke ne myȝte . so light hym ablente

¶ And þo þat oure lord louede . in-to his light he laughte
And seide to Sathan . lo here my soule to amendes
For alle synfulle soules . to saue þo þat ben worþi
Myne þei ben and of me . I may þe bet hem cleyme
And þouȝ Reson recorde . and riȝt of my-selue
That if he[^914] ete þe Appul . alle sholde deye
I bihiȝte hem noȝt here . helle for euere
For þe dede þat þei dide . þi deceite it made
Wiþ gile þow hem gete . ageyn alle reson
For in my paleis Paradis . in persone of an Addre
Falsliche þow fettest . þyng þat I louede

[^914: W.18.338: WHm alone read he; all other manuscripts have þei.]

¶ Thus ylik a Lusard . wiþ a lady visage
Thefliche þow me robbedest . and[^915] þe olde lawe graunteþ
That gilours be bigiled . and þat is good reson
Dentem pro dente & oculum pro oculo
Ergo soule shal soule quyte . and synne to synne wende
And al þat man haþ mysdo . I man wole amende
Membre for membre . by þe olde lawe was amendes
And lif for lif also . and by þat lawe I clayme it
Adam and al his issue . at my wille her-after
And þat deeþ in hem fordide . my deeþ shal releue

[^915: W.18.345: W alone reads and; other manuscripts omit it.]

And boþe quykne and quyte . þat queynt was þoruȝ synne
And þat grace gile destruye . good feiþ it askeþ
So leue I noȝt lucifer . ayein þe lawe I fecche hem
But by right and by reson . raunsone here my liges
Non veni soluere legem . set adimplere

¶ Thow fettest myne in my place . ayeins alle resoun
Falsliche and felonliche . good feiþ me it tauȝte
To recouere hem þoruȝ raunsoun . and by no reson ellis
So þat þoruȝ gile þow gete . þoruȝ grace it is ywonne
Thow lucifer in liknesse . of a luþer Addere
Getest bi gile . þo þat god louede

¶ And I in liknesse of a leode . þat lord am of heuene
Graciousliche þi gile haue quyt . go gile ayein gile
And as Adam and alle . þoruȝ a tree deyden
Adam and alle þoruȝ a tree . shul turne ayein to lyue
And gile is bigiled . and in his gile fallen
Et cecidit in foueam quam fecit

¶ Now bigynneþ þi gile . ageyn þee to turne
And my grace to growe . ay gretter and widder[^916]
That art doctour of deeþ . drynk þat þow madest

[^916: W.18.372: W alone omits the next line, which reads in beta (in the spelling of L): Þe bitternesse þat þow hast browe . brouke it þi-seluen.]

¶ For I þat am lord of lif . loue is my drynke
And for þat drynke today . I deide vp-on erþe
I fauȝt so me þursteþ ȝit . for mannes soule sake
May no drynke me moiste . ne my þurst slake
Til þe vendage falle . in þe vale of Iosaphat
That I drynke riȝt ripe Must . Resureccio mortuorum
And þanne shal I come as a kyng . crouned wiþ Aungeles
And haue out of helle . alle mennes soules

¶ Fendes and fyndekynes . bifore me shul stande

And be at my biddyng . wher-so-euere me likeþ
And to be merciable to man . þanne my kynde askeþ
For we beþ breþeren of blood . but noȝt in baptisme alle
Ac alle þat beþ myne hole breþeren . in blood and in baptisme
Shul noȝt be dampned to þe deeþ . þat is wiþ-outen ende
Tibi soli peccaui &c

¶ It is noȝt vsed in erþe . to hangen a feloun
Ofter þan ones . þouȝ he were a tretour
And if þe kyng of þat kyngdom . come in þat tyme
There[^917] feloun þole sholde . deeþ or ooþer Iuwise
Lawe wolde he yeue hym lif . if he loked on hym
And I þat am kyng of kynges . shal come swich a tyme
Ther doom to þe deeþ . dampneþ alle wikked
And if lawe wole I loke on hem . it liþ in my grace
Wheiþer þei deye or deye noȝt . for þat þei diden ille
Be it any þyng abouȝt . þe boldnesse of hir synnes
I do mercy þoruȝ rightwisnesse . and alle my wordes trewe
And þouȝ holy writ wole þat I be wroke . of hem þat diden ille
Nullum malum impunitum &c
Thei shul be clensed clerliche . and wasshen of hir synnes
In my prisone Purgatorie . til parce it hote
And my mercy shal be shewed . to manye of my breþeren
For blood may suffre blood . boþe hungry and a-cale
Ac blood may noȝt se blood . blede but hym rewe
Audiui archana verba que non licet homini loqui

[^917: W.18.392: W alone omits þe after There.]

¶ Ac my rightwisnesse and right . shul rulen al helle
And mercy al mankynde . bifore me in heuene
For I were an vnkynde kyng . but I my kynde helpe
And nameliche at swich a nede . þer nedes help bihoueþ
Non intres in Iudicium cum seruo tuo

¶ Thus by lawe quod oure lord . lede I wole fro hennes

¶ Tho þat me louede . and leued in my comynge
And for þi lesynge lucifer . þat þow leighe til Eue
Thow shalt abyen it bittre . and bond hym wiþ cheynes
Astroth and al þe route . hidden hem in hernes
They dorste noȝt loke on oure lord . þe boldeste of hem alle
But leten hym lede forþ whom[^918] hym liked . and lete whom[^919] hym liste

[^918: W.18.419: W alone reads whom; most other manuscripts have what, though C has who.]

[^919: W.18.419: W's whom is shared with S; all other manuscripts have what.]

¶ Manye hundred of Aungeles . harpeden and songen
Culpat caro purgat caro . regnat deus dei caro

¶ Thanne pipede pees . of Poesie a note
Clarior est solito post maxima nebula phebus  Post inimicicias & c[^920]

[^920: W.18.423: The manuscript is cropped after &. The reading &c is supported by HmLM.]

¶ After sharpe shoures quod pees . moost shene is þe sonne
Is no weder warmer . þan after watry cloudes
Ne no loue leuere . ne leuer frendes
Than after werre and wo . whan loue and pees ben maistres[^921]
Was neuere werre in þis world . ne wikkednesse so kene
That ne loue and hym liste . to laughynge ne brouȝte
And Pees þoruȝ pacience . alle perils stoppeþ

[^921: W.18.427: In the right margin, partly trimmed, is a rough drawing of a true-love plant inside a heart. C. David Benson and Lynne S. Blanchfield, The Manuscripts of Piers Plowman: the B-version (Cambridge: D. S. Brewer, 1997), p. 59 n. 67, suggest a possible connection with the Quatrefoil of Love though there is no evidence to support this.]

¶ Trewes quod Truþe . þow tellest vs sooþ by Iesus
Clippe we in couenaunt . and ech of vs clippe[^922] ooþer
And leteþ no peple quod pees . parceyue þat we chidde
For inpossible is no þyng . to hym þat is almyghty

[^922: W.18.432: W alone reads clippe; other manuscripts have kisse.]

¶ Thow seist sooþ quod Rightwisnesse . and reuerentliche hire kiste
Pees and pees here . per secula seculorum
Misericordia & veritas obuiauerunt sibi Iusticia & pax osculate su nt[^923]

[^923: W.18.437: One minim is visible after su, and the remainder is cropped. HmGYOC2C read sunt &c.]

¶ Truþe trumpede þo . and song Te deum laudamus
And þanne lutede[^924] . in a loud note
Ecce quam bonum & quam iocundum &c

[^924: W.18.439: WHm alone omit loue after lutede.]

¶ Til þe day dawed . þise damyseles dauncede
That men rongen to þe resurexion . and riȝt wiþ þat I wakede
And callede Kytte my wif . and Calote my doghter
And bad hem rise[^925] and reuerence . goddes resurexion
And crepe to þe cros on knees . and kisse it for a Iuwel
For goddes blissede body . it bar for oure boote
And it afereþ þe fend . for swich is þe myȝte
May no grisly goost . glide þere it walkeþ[^926]

[^925: W.18.444: W alone reads And bad hem rise; all other manuscripts have an imperative form of Arise.]

[^926: W.18.448: W alone reads walkeþ; most other manuscripts have shadweth, while Hm has schawyþ.]

Passus xixus vndevicesimus / et explicit dobet / et incipit dobest

T hus I awaked and wroot . what I hadde ydremed
And dighte me derely . and dide me to chirche
To here holly þe masse . and to be housled after

In myddes of þe masse . þo men yede to offryng
I fel eft-soones aslepe . and sodeynly me mette
That Piers þe Plowman . was peynted al blody
And com in wiþ a cros . bifore þe comune peple
And riȝt lik in alle þynges[^927] . to oure lord Iesus

[^927: W.19.8: W alone reads þynges; all other manuscripts have lymes.]

¶ And þanne called I Conscience . to kenne me þe soþe
Is þis Iesus þe Iustere quod I . þat Iewes dide to deþe
Or it is Piers þe Plowman . who peynted hym so rede

¶ Quod Conscience and kneled þo . þise arn Piers armes
Hise colours and his cote Armure . ac he þat comeþ so blody
Is crist wiþ his cros . conquerour of cristene

¶ Why calle[^928] hym crist quod I . siþen Iewes calle hym Iesus
Patriarkes and prophetes . prophecied bifore
That alle kynne creatures . sholden knelen and bowen
Anoon as men nempned . þe name of god Iesu
Ergo is no name . to þe name of Iesus
Ne noon so nedeful to nempne . by nyȝte ne by daye
For alle derke deueles . arn adrad to heren it
And synfulle aren solaced . and saued by þat name
And ye callen hym crist . for what cause telleþ me
Is crist moore of myȝt . and moore worþi name
Than Iesu or Iesus . þat al oure Ioye com of

[^928: W.19.15: W alone omits ye after calle.]

¶ Thow knowest wel quod Conscience . and þow konne reson
That knyght . kyng . conquerour . may be o persone
To be called a knyght is fair . for men shul knele to hym
To be called a kyng is fairer . for he may knyghtes make
Ac to be conquerour called . þat comeþ of special grace
And of hardynesse of herte . and of hendenesse
To make lordes of laddes . of lond þat he wynneþ
And fre men foule þralles . þat folwen noȝt hise lawes

¶ The Iewes þat were gentil men . Iesus þei despised
Boþe his loore and his lawe . now are þei lowe cherles
As wide as þe world is . noon of hem þer wonyeþ[^929]
But vnder tribut and taillage . as tikes and cherles
And þo þat bicome cristene . bi counseil of þe baptisme
Aren frankeleyns . free men . þoruȝ fullynge þat þei toke
And gentil men wiþ Iesu . for Iesu was yfulled
And vp-on Caluarie on cros . ycrouned kyng of Iewes

[^929: W.19.36: W alone reads noon of hem þer wonyeþ. Most other manuscripts have wonyeþ þer noon.]

¶ It bicomeþ to a kyng . to kepe and to defende
And conquerour of conquest . hise lawes and his large
And so dide Iesus þe Iewes . he Iustified and tauȝte hem
The lawe of lif . þat laste shal euere
And defended from foule yueles . feueres and Fluxes
And from fendes þat in hem were . and false bileue
Tho was he Iesus of Iewes called . gentile prophete
And kyng of hir kyngdom . and croune bar of þornes

¶ And þo conquered he on cros . as conquerour noble
Mighte no deeþ hym fordo . ne adoun brynge
That he naroos and regnede . and rauysshed helle
And þo was he conquerour called . of quyke and of dede
For he yaf Adam and Eue . and oþere mo blisse
That longe hadde yleyen bifore . as Luciferis cherles

¶ And siþ he yaf largely . alle hise lele liges
Places in Paradis . at hir partynge hennes
He may wel be called conquerour . and þat is crist to mene

¶ Ac þe cause þat he comeþ þus . wiþ cros of his passion
Is to wissen vs þer -wiþ . þat whan þat we ben tempted[^930]
Ther-with to fiȝte and defenden vs . fro fallynge to[^931] synne
And se bi his sorwe . þat who-so loueþ ioye
To penaunce and to pouerte . he moste puten hym-seluen
And muche wo in þis world . to[^932] willen and suffren

[^930: W.19.60: A mark (probably for nota ) to the right of this line appears to be in the text ink.]

[^931: W.19.61: W alone reads to. All other manuscripts have into. Kane-Donaldson's emendation should have read [in]to instead of in[to].]

[^932: W.19.64: W alone reads to; all other manuscripts omit it.]

¶ Ac to carpe moore of crist . and how he com to þat name
Faithly for to speke . his firste name was Iesus
Tho he was born in Bethleem . as þe book telleþ
And cam to take mankynde . kynges and Aungeles
Reuerenced hym faire . wiþ richesses[^933] of erþe
Aungeles out of heuene . come knelynge and songe
Gloria in excelsis deo &c[^934]

[^933: W.19.69: W alone reads richesses; all other manuscripts have the singular form.]

[^934: W.19.71: The dot that follows the text is probably not intentional.]

¶ Kynges þat[^935] come after . knelede . and offrede
Mirre and muche gold . wiþ-outen mercy askynge
Or any kynnes catel . but knowelichynge hym souereyn
Boþe of lond . sonne and see . and siþenes þei wente
In-to hir kyngene kiþ . by counseil of Aungeles
And þere was þat word fulfilled . þe which þow of speke
Omnia celestia terrestria flectantur in hoc nomine Iesu

[^935: W.19.72: W alone reads þat; all other manuscripts omit it.]

¶ For alle þe Aungeles of heuene . at his burþe knelede
And al þe wit of þe world . was in þo þre kynges
Reson and Rightwisnesse . and Ruþe þei offrede
Wher-fore and why . wise men þat tyme
Maistres and lettred men . Magi . hem callede

¶ That o kyng cam wiþ Reson . couered vnder sense

¶ The seconde kyng siþþe . sooþliche offrede
Rightwisnesse vnder reed gold . Resones felawe
For[^936] gold is likned to leautee . þat laste shal euere[^937]

[^936: W.19.87: W alone reads For; all other manuscripts omit it.]

[^937: W.19.87: After this line W omits And resoun to riche golde . to riȝte & to treuthe (in the spelling of L) attested by all other beta witnesses.]

¶ The þridde kyng þo kam . knelynge to Iesu
And presented hym wiþ pitee . apperynge by Mirre
For Mirre is mercy to mene . and mylde speche of tonge

¶ Thre yliche honeste þynges . were offred þus atones at ones
Thoruȝ þre kynne kynges . knelynge to Iesu

¶ Ac for alle þise preciouse presentz . oure lord kyng[^938] Iesus
Was neiþer kyng ne conquerour . til he gan to wexe
In þe manere of a man . and þat by muchel sleighte
As it bicomeþ a conquerour . to konne manye sleightes
And manye wiles and wit . þat wole ben a ledere
And so dide Iesu in hise dayes . who-so hadde tyme to telle it

[^938: W.19.93: W alone reads kyng; all other manuscripts have prynce.]

¶ Som-tyme he suffrede . and som-tyme he hidde hym
And som-tyme he fauȝt faste . and fleiȝ ouþer while
And som-tyme he gaf good . and grauntede heele boþe
Lif and lyme . as hym liste he wroȝte
As kynde is of a Conquerour . so comsede Iesu
Til he hadde alle hem . þat he for bledde

¶ In his Iuuentee þis Iesus . at Iewene feeste
Water in-to wyn turnede . as holy writ telleþ
And þere bigan god . of his grace to do wel
For wyn is likned to lawe . and lifholynesse[^939]
And lawe lakkede þo . for men louede noȝt hir enemys
And crist counseileþ þus . and comaundeþ boþe
To lered and to lewede . to louyen oure enemys
So at þat feeste first . as I bifore tolde
Bigan god of his grace . and goodnesse to dowel
And þanne was he called . noȝt holy crist but Iesu
A faunt fyn ful of wit . filius Marie
For bifore his moder Marie . made he þat wonder
That she first and formest . ferme sholde bileue
That he þoruȝ grace was gete . and of no gome ellis
He wroȝte þat by no wit . but þoruȝ word one
After þe kynde þat he cam of . þere comsede he dowel

[^939: W.19.108: W alone reads lifholynesse; all other manuscripts have lyf of holynesse.]

¶ And whan he woxen was moore . in his moder absence
He made lame to lepe . and yaf light to blynde
And fedde wiþ two fisshes . and with fyue loues
Sore afyngred folk . mo þan fyue þousand

¶ Thus he confortede carefulle . and caughte a gretter name
The which was dobet . where þat he wente
For deue þoruȝ hise doynges to here . and dombe speke he made
And alle he heeled and halp . þat hym of grace askede
And þo was he called in contre . of þe comune peple
For þe dedes þat he dide . Fili dauid Iesus
For dauid was doghtiest . of dedes in his tyme
The burdes þo songe . Saul interfecit mille et dauid decem milia

¶ For-þi þe contree þer Iesu cam called hym fili dauid
And nempned hym of Nazareth . and no man so worþi
To be kaiser or kyng . of þe kyngdom of Iuda
Ne ouer Iewes Iustice . as Iesus was hem þouȝte

¶ Wher-of Cayphas hadde enuye . and oþere of þe Iewes
And for to doon hym to deþe . day and nyȝt þei casten
Killeden hym on cros-wise . at Caluarie on Friday
And siþen buriede his body . and beden þat men sholde
Kepen it fro nyght-comeris . wiþ knyghtes y-armed
For no frendes sholde hym fecche . for prophetes hem tolde
That þat blissede body . of burieles risen sholde
And goon in-to Galilee . and gladen hise Apostles
And his moder Marie . þus men bifore demede

¶ The knyghtes þat kepten it . biknewe it hem-seluen
That Aungeles and Archaungeles . er þe day spronge
Come knelynge to þe corps . and songen Christus resurgens
Verray men[^940] bifore hem alle . and forþ wiþ hem he yede

[^940: W.19.149: W alone reads men; all other manuscripts have man.]

¶ The Iewes preide hem be[^941] pees . and bisouȝte þe knyghtes
Telle þe comune þat þer cam . a compaignie of hise Apostles
And biwicched hem as þei woke . and awey stolen it

[^941: W.19.150: W alone reads be; all other manuscripts omit it.]

¶ Ac Marie Maudeleyne . mette hym by þe weye
Goynge toward Galilee . in godhede and manhede
And lyues and lokynge . and she aloud cride
In ech a compaignie[^942] þer she cam . Christus resurgens

[^942: W.19.156: The scribe has neatly lined through a wrongly placed punctus after compaignie.]

¶ Thus cam it out þat crist ouercoom . recouerede and lyuede
Sic oportet Christum pati & intrare &c
For þat . þat wommen witeþ . may noȝt wel be counseille

¶ Peter parceyued al þis . and pursued after
Boþe Iames and Iohan . Iesu for to seke
Thaddee and ten mo . wiþ Thomas of Inde
And as alle þise wise wyes . weren togideres
In an hous al bishet . and hir dore ybarred
Crist cam In and al closed . boþe dore and yates

¶ To Peter and to þise Apostles . and seide pax vobis
And took Thomas by þe hand . and tauȝte hym to grope
And feele wiþ hise fyngres . his flesshliche herte

¶ Thomas touched it . and wiþ his tonge seide
Deus meus & dominus meus
Thow art my lord I bileue . my god lord[^943] Iesu
Thow deidest and deeþ þoledest . and deme shalt vs alle
And now art lyuynge and lokynge . and laste shalt euere

[^943: W.19.171: W alone reads my god lord. Most B manuscripts omit my; B reads my lord god.]

¶ Crist carpede þanne . and curteisliche seide
Thomas for þow trowest þis . and treweliche bileuest it
Blessed mote þow be . and be shalt for euere
And blessed mote þei alle be . in body and in soule
That neuere shul se me in sighte . as þow doost nowþe
And lelliche bileue al þis . I loue hem and blesse hem
Beati qui non viderunt &c

¶ And whan þis dede was doon . dobest he tauȝte
And yaf Piers power . and pardon he grauntede
To alle maner men . mercy and forȝifnesse
Hym myght to assoille . of alle manere synne
In couenaunt þat þei come . and kneweliched to paie
To Piers pardon þe Plowman . redde quod debes

¶ Thus haþ Piers power . by his pardon paied
To bynde and vnbynde . boþe here and ellis-where
And assoille men of alle synnes . saue of dette one

¶ Anoon after anheigh an heigh . vp in-to heuene
He wente and wonyeþ þere . and wol come at þe laste
And rewarde hym right wel . þat reddit quod debet
Paieþ parfitly . as pure truþe wolde
And what persone paieþ it nouȝt . punysshen he þenkeþ
And demen hem at domes-day . boþe quyke and dede
The goode to þe godhede . and to greet Ioye
And wikkede to wonye . in wo wiþ-outen ende

¶ Thus Conscience of crist . and of þe cros carpede
And counseiled me to knele þer-to . and þanne cam me þouȝte
Oon Spiritus paraclitus . to Piers and to hise felawes
In liknesse of a lightnynge . he lighte on hem alle
And made hem konne and knowe . alle kynne langages
I wondred what þat was . and waggede Conscience
And was a-fered of þe light . for in fires lightnesse[^944]
Spiritus paraclitus . ouer-spradde hem alle

[^944: W.19.204: W alone reads lightnesse; all other manuscripts have liknesse.]

¶ Quod Conscience and knelede . þis is cristes messager
And comeþ fro þe grete god . and grace is his name
Knele now quod Conscience . and if þow kanst synge
Welcome hym and worshipe hym . wiþ Veni creator Spiritus

¶ Thanne song I þat song . so dide manye hundred
And cride wiþ Conscience . help vs god of grace

¶ And þanne bigan grace . to go wiþ Piers Plowman
And counseillede hym and Conscience . þe comune to sompne
For I wole dele to-day . and ȝyue diuine grace
To alle kynne creatures . þat han hir fyue wittes
Tresour to lyue by . to hir lyues ende
And wepne to fighte wiþ . þat wole neuere faille
For Antecrist and hise . al þe world shul greue
And acombre þee Conscience . but if crist þee helpe

¶ And false prophetes fele . flatereris and gloseris
Shullen come and be curatours . ouer kynges and Erles
And Pride shal be Pope . Prynce of holy chirche
Coueitise and vnkyndenesse . Cardinals hym to lede
For-þi quod grace er I go . I wol gyue yow tresor
And wepne to fighte wiþ . whan Antecrist yow assailleþ
And gaf ech man a grace . to gide wiþ hym-seluen
That ydelnesse encombre hym noȝt . enuye ne pride
Diuisiones graciarum sunt &c

¶ Some he yaf wit . with wordes to shewe
Wit to wynne hir liflode wiþ . as þe world askeþ
As prechours and preestes . and Prentices of lawe
They lelly to lyue . by labour of tonge
And by wit to wissen oþere . as grace hem wolde teche

¶ And some he kennede craft . and konnynge of sighte
Wiþ sellynge and buggynge . hir bilyue to wynne

¶ And some he lered to laboure . a lele lif and a trewe
And some he tauȝte to tilie . to dyche and to thecche
To wynne wiþ hir liflode . bi loore of his techynge

¶ And some to deuyne and diuide . noumbres to kenne
And some to compace craftily . and colours to make
And some to se and to seye . what sholde bifalle
Boþe of wele and of wo . telle it er it felle
As Astronomyens þoruȝ Astronomye . and Philosofres wise

¶ And some to ryde and to recouere . þat wrongfully[^945] was wonne
He wissed hem to wynne it ayein . þoruȝ wightnesse of handes
And fecchen it fro false men . wiþ Foluyles lawes

[^945: W.19.244: W alone reads wrongfully; Hm has riȝtfully while all other manuscripts have vnriȝtfully.]

¶ And some he lered to lyue . in longynge to ben hennes
In pouerte and in penaunce . to preie for alle cristene
And alle he lered to be lele . and ech a craft loue ooþer
And forbad hem alle debat . þat noon were among hem
Thouȝ some be clenner þan some . ye se wel quod Grace
That he þat vseþ þe faireste craft . to þe fouleste I kouþe haue put hym
Thynkeþ alle quod Grace . þat grace comeþ of my ȝifte
Lokeþ þat no man[^946] lakke ooþer . but loueþ alle as breþeren

[^946: W.19.254: W alone reads no man; most other manuscripts have noon.]

¶ And who þat moost maistries kan . be myldest of berynge
And crouneþ Conscience kyng . and makeþ craft youre Stiward
And after craftes conseil . cloþeþ yow and fede
For I make Piers þe Plowman . my procuratour and my reue
And Registrer to receyue . redde quod debes
My prowor and my Plowman . Piers shal ben on erþe
And for to tilie truþe . a teeme shal he haue

¶ Grace gaf Piers a teeme . of[^947] foure grete Oxen
That oon was Luk a large beest . and a lowe-chered
And Mark and Mathew þe þridde . myghty beestes boþe
And Ioyned to hem oon Iohan . moost gentil of alle
The pris neet of Piers plow . passynge alle oþere

[^947: W.19.262: W alone reads of; all other manuscripts omit it.]

¶ And Grace gaf Piers . of his goodnesse foure stottes
Al þat hise oxen eriede . þei to harewen after
Oon highte Austyn . and Ambrose anoþer
Gregori þe grete clerk . and Ierom þe goode
Thise foure þe feiþ to teche . folweþ Piers teme
And harewede in an hand-while . al holy Scripture
Wiþ two harewes þat þei hadde . an oold and a newe
Id est vetus testamentum & nouum

¶ And Grace gaf greynes . þe Cardynal vertues
And sew hem in mannes soule . and siþen he tolde hir names
Spiritus prudencie . þe firste seed highte
And who-so ete þat . ymagynen he sholde
Er he deide any deeþ[^948] . deuyse wel þe ende
And lerned men a ladel bugge . wiþ a long stele
And caste for to kepe a crokke . to saue þe fatte aboue

[^948: W.19.279: W alone reads deide any deeþ; all other manuscripts have dide any dede.]

¶ The seconde seed . highte Spiritus temperancie[^949]
He þat ete of þat seed . hadde swich a kynde
Sholde neuere mete ne muchel drynke . make hym to swelle
Ne no scornere ne scolde . out of skile hym brynge
Ne wynnynge ne wele . of worldliche richesse
Waste word of ydelnesse . ne wikked speche moeue
Sholde no curious clooþ . comen on his rugge
Ne no mete in his mouþ . þat maister Iohan Spicede

[^949: W.19.282: Immediately following the box is a nota symbol shaped like a punctus elevatus without its point. It appears to be in the text ink.]

¶ The þridde seed þat Piers sew . was Spiritus fortitudinis
And who ete[^950] þat seed . hardy was he euere
To suffren al þat god sente . siknesse and Angres
Mighte no lesynges ne lyere . ne los of worldly catel
Maken hym for any mournynge . þat he nas murie in soule
And bold and abidynge . bismares to suffre
And pleieþ al wiþ pacience . and Parce michi domine
And couered hym vnder conseille . of Caton þe wise
Esto forti animo cum sis dampnatus inique

[^950: W.19.291: W alone reads ete; all other manuscripts have so ete of.]

¶ The ferþe seed þat Piers sew . was Spiritus Iusticie
And he þat ete of þat seed . sholde be euere trewe
Wiþ god . and nauȝt agast . but of gile one
For gile gooþ so pryuely . þat good feiþ ouþer-while
May nouȝt ben espied . for Spiritus Iusticie

¶ Spiritus Iusticie . spareþ noȝt to spille
Hem þat ben gilty . and for to correcte
The kyng if he falle . in gilt or in trespas
For counteþ he no kynges wraþe . whan he in Court sitteþ
To demen as a domes-man . adrad was he neuere
Neiþer of duc ne of deeþ . þat he ne dide lawe
For present or for preiere . or any Prynces lettres
He dide equyte to alle . euene-forþ his power

¶ Thise foure sedes Piers sew . and siþþe he dide hem harewe
Wiþ olde lawe and newe lawe . þat loue myȝte wexe
Among þo foure vertues . and vices destruye
For comunliche in contrees . cammokes and wedes
Foulen þe fruyt in þe feld . þer þei growen togideres
And so doon vices . vertues worþi

¶ Quod Piers hareweþ alle þat konneþ kynde wit . by conseil of þise docto urs[^951]
And tilieþ after hir techynge . þe Cardynale vertues

[^951: W.19.318: The right margin is cropped. Other manuscripts here read doctours.]

¶ Ayeins þi greynes quod Grace . bigynneþ for to ripe
Ordeigne þee an hous Piers . to herberwe Inne þi cornes

¶ By god Grace quod Piers . ye moten gyue tymber
And ordeyne þat hous . er ye hennes wende

¶ And Grace gaf hym þe cros . wiþ þe croune of þornes
That crist vp-on Caluarie . for mankynde on pyned
And of his baptisme and blood . þat he bledde on roode
He made a manere morter . and mercy it highte
And þer-wiþ Grace bigan . to make a good foundement
And watlede it and walled it . wiþ his peyne[^952] and his passion
And of al holy writ . he made a roof after
And called þat hous vnitee . holy chirche on englissh

[^952: W.19.329: W alone reads peyne; all other manuscripts have peynes.]

¶ And whan þis dede was doon . Grace deuysede
A cart highte cristendom . to carie Piers sheues
And gaf hym caples to his carte . contricion and confession
And made preesthod hayward . þe while hym-self wente
As wide as þe world is . wiþ Piers to tilie truþe

¶ Now is Piers to þe plow . and pride it aspide
And gadered hym a greet Oost . for to[^953] greuen he þynkeþ
Conscience and alle cristene . and Cardinale vertues

[^953: W.19.338: W alone reads for to; Hm has for, B has hym to, while other beta manuscripts have to.]

¶ Blowe hem doun and breke hem . and bite a-two þe mores
And sente forþ Surquidous . his sergeaunt of Armes
And his Spye Spille loue . oon Spek yuel bihynde

¶ Thise two coome to Conscience . and to cristen peple
And tolde hem tidynges . þat tyne þei sholde þe sedes
That Piers þere hadde ysowen . þe Cardynale vertues
And Piers bern worþ ybroke . and þei þat ben in vnitee
Shulle come out . and Conscience . and youre two caples
Confession and Contricion . and youre carte þe bileeue
Shal be coloured so queyntely . and couered vnder Sophistrie
That Conscience shal noȝt . knowe by contricion
Ne by Confession . who is cristene or heþene
Ne no manere marchaunt . þat wiþ moneye deleþ
Wheiþer he wynne wiþ right . wiþ wrong or wiþ vsure

¶ Wiþ swiche colours and queyntise . comeþ pride yarmed
Wiþ þe lord þat lyueþ after . þe lust of his body
To wasten on welfare . and in[^954] wikked lyuyng[^955]
Al þe world in a while . þoruȝ oure wit quod Pryde

[^954: W.19.356: W alone reads in; HmCrYCBLM have on, and GC2F omit it.]

[^955: W.19.356: W alone reads lyuynge; all other beta manuscripts have kepyng.]

¶ Quod Conscience to alle cristene þo . my counseil is to wende
Hastiliche in-to vnitee . and holde we vs þere
And praye we þat a pees weere . in Piers berne þe Plowman
For witterly I woot wel . we beþ noȝt of strengþe
To goon agayn Pride . but Grace weere wiþ vs

¶ And þanne kam Kynde wit . Conscience to teche
And cryde and comaundede . alle cristene peple
For to deluen a dych . depe aboute vnitee
That holy chirche stode in vnitee . as it a Pyl weere

¶ Conscience comaundede þo . alle cristene to delue
And make a muche moot . þat myghte ben a strengþe
To helpe holy chirche . and hem þat it kepeþ

¶ Thanne alle kynne cristene . saue comune wommen
Repenteden and refused synne . saue þei one
And false men flatereris . vsurers and þeues
Lyeris and questemongeres . þat were forsworen ofte
Witynge and wilfully . wiþ þe false helden
And for siluer were forswore . sooþly þei wiste it

¶ Ther nas no cristene creature . þat kynde wit hadde .
Saue sherewes one . swiche as I spak of
That he ne halp a quantite . holynesse to wexe
Some þoruȝ bedes biddynge . and some þoruȝ pilgrymages[^956]
And oþere pryue penaunces[^957] . and somme þoruȝ penyes delynge

[^956: W.19.379: W alone reads pilgrymages; all other manuscripts have pilgrymage.]

[^957: W.19.380: WF alone read penaunces; most other manuscripts have penaunce.]

¶ And þanne wellede water . for wikkede werkes
Egreliche ernynge . out of mennes eighen
Clennesse out of comune . and clerkes clene lyuynge
Made vnitee holy chirche . in holynesse to stonde

¶ I care noȝt quod Conscience . þouȝ pride come nouþe
The lord of lust shal be letted . al þis lente I hope
Comeþ quod Conscience . ye cristene and dyneþ
That han laboured lelly . al þis lenten tyme
Here is breed y-blessed . and goddes body þer-vnder
Grace þoruȝ goddes word . yaf Piers power
And myȝtes to maken it . and men to ete it after
In help of hir heele . ones in a Monþe
Or as ofte as þei hadde nede . þo þat hadde y-paied
To Piers pardon þe Plowman . redde quod debes

¶ How quod al þe comune . þow conseillest vs to yelde
Al þat we owen any wight . er we go to housel

¶ That is my conseil quod Conscience . and Cardinale vertues
That ech man forȝyue ooþer . and þat wole þe Pater noster
Et dimitte nobis debita nostra &c
And so to ben assoilled . and siþþen ben houseled

¶ Ye baw quod a Brewere . I wol noȝt be ruled
By Iesu for al youre Ianglynge . wiþ Spiritus Iusticie
Ne after Conscience by crist . while I kan selle
Boþe dregges and draf . and drawe it out at oon hole
Thikke ale and þynne ale . for þat is my kynde
And noȝt hakke after holynesse . hold þi tonge Conscience
Of Spiritus Iusticie . þow spekest muche on ydel

¶ Caytif quod Conscience . cursede wrecche
Vnblessed artow Brewere . but if þee god helpe
But þow lyue by loore . of Spiritus Iusticie
The chief seed þat Piers sew . ysaued worstow neuere
But Conscience þe comune fede . and Cardinale vertues
Leue it wel þei ben lost . boþe lif and soule

¶ Thanne is many a man lost . quod a lewed vicory
I am a Curatour of holy kirke . and cam neuere in my tyme
Man to me / þat me kouþe telle . of Cardinale vertues
Or þat acountede Conscience . at a cokkes feþere or an hennes
I knew neuere Cardynal . þat he ne cam fro þe pope
And we clerkes whan þei come . for hir comunes paieþ
For hir pelure and hir palfreyes mete . and pilours þat hem folweþ

¶ The comune clamat cotidie . ech a man til ooþer
The contree is þe corseder . þat Cardinals come Inne
And þer þei ligge and lenge moost . lecherie þere regneþ

¶ For-þi quod þis vicory . by verray god I wolde
That no Cardynal coome . among þe comune peple

¶ But in hir holynesse . helden hem stille
At Auynoun among þe Iewes . Cum Sancto Sanctus eris &c
Or in Rome as hir rule wole . þe relikes to kepe
And þow Conscience in kynges court . and sholdest neuere come þennes
And Grace þat þow graddest[^958] so of . gyour of alle clerkes
And Piers wiþ his newe plow . and ek wiþ his olde
Emperour of al þe world . þat alle men were cristene

[^958: W.19.430: W alone reads past tense graddest; all other manuscripts have present gredest. Cf. W.2.75 greden with W.16.81 gradde.]

¶ Inparfit is þat pope . þat al þe world sholde helpe
And sendeþ swiche þat sleeþ hem . þat[^959] he sholde saue

[^959: W.19.434: W alone reads swiche þat sleeþ hem þat; all other manuscripts have hem þat sleeþ swiche as.]

¶ And wel worþe Piers þe plowman . þat pursueþ god in doynge
Qui pluit super Iustos & iniustos . atones at ones
And sent þe sonne to saue . a cursed mannes tilþe
As brighte as to þe beste man . or to þe beste womman

¶ Right so Piers þe Plowman . peyneþ hym to tilye
As wel for a wastour . and wenches of þe stewes
As for hym-self and hise seruauntz . saue he is first yserued
And trauailleþ and tilieþ . for a tretour also soore
As for a trewe tidy man . alle tymes ylike
And worshiped be he þat wroȝte al . boþe good and wikke
And suffreþ þat synfulle be .[^960]
And god amende þe pope . þat pileþ holy kirke
And cleymeþ bifore þe kyng . to be kepere ouer cristene
And counteþ noȝt þouȝ cristene ben . killed and robbed
And fynt folk to fiȝte . and cristen blood to spille
Ayein þe olde lawe and newe lawe . as Luc þer-of witnesseþ
Non occides . michi vindictam &c

[^960: W.19.445: The entire b-verse has been erased. Other manuscripts read til some tyme þat þei repente (in the spelling of L).]

¶ It semeþ bi so . hym-self hadde his wille
That he reccheþ . riȝt noȝt of al þe remenaunt
And crist of his curteisie . þe Cardinals saue
And torne hir wit to wisdom . and to welþe of soule
For þe comune quod þis Curatour . counten ful litel
The counseil of Conscience . or Cardinale vertues
But if þei seiȝe as by sighte . som-what to wynnyng
Of gile ne of gabbyng . gyue þei neuere tale
For spiritus prudencie . among þe peple is gyle
And alle þo faire vertues . as vices þei semeþ
Ech man subtileþ a sleiȝte . synne for to hide
And coloureþ it for a konnynge . and a clene lyuynge

¶ Thanne louȝ þer a lord . and by þis light seide
I holde it riȝt and reson . of my Reue to take
Al þat myn Auditour . or ellis my Styward
Counseilleþ me bi hir acounte . and my clerkes writynge
Wiþ Spiritus Intellectus . þei seke þe reues rolles
And wiþ Spiritus fortitudinis . fecche it I wole after[^961]

[^961: W.19.469: W alone reads after; other witnesses omit it.]

¶ And þanne cam þer a kyng . and by his croune seide
I am kyng wiþ croune . þe comune to rule
And holy kirke and clergie . fro cursed men to fende[^962]
And if me lakkeþ to lyue by . þe lawe wole I take it
Ther I may hastilokest it haue . for I am heed of lawe
And ye[^963] ben but membres . and I aboue alle
And siþ I am youre aller heed . I am youre aller heele
And holy chirches chief help . and Chieftayn of þe comune
And what I take of yow two . I take it at þe techynge
Of Spiritus Iusticie . for I Iugge yow alle
So I may boldely be housled . for I borwe neuere
Ne craue of my comune . but as my kynde askeþ

[^962: W.19.472: W alone reads fende; Hm reads fonde, and all other manuscripts have defende.]

[^963: W.19.475: W alone reads And ye; most other manuscripts have For ye.]

¶ In condicion quod Conscience . þat þow konne defende
And rule þi reaume in reson . right wel and in truþe
Take þow mayst in reson . as þi lawe askeþ
Omnia tua sunt ad defendendum . set non ad deprehendendum
The viker hadde fer hoom . and faire took his leeue
And I awakned þer-wiþ . and wroot as me mette

Passus .xxus. vicesimus de visione & primus de Dobest

T hanne as I wente by þe wey . whan I was thus awaked
Heuy chered I yede . and elenge in herte
I ne wiste wher to ete . ne at what place
And it neghed neiȝ þe noon . and wiþ nede I mette
That afrounted me foule . and faitour me called
Kanstow noȝt excuse þee . as dide þe kyng and oþere
That þow toke to þi bilyue . to cloþes and to sustenaunce
And by techynge and by tellynge . of Spiritus temperancie
And þow nome namoore . þan nede þee tauȝte
And nede ne haþ no lawe . ne neuere shal falle in dette
For þre þynges he takeþ . his lif for to saue

¶ That is mete whan men hym werneþ . and he no moneye weldeþ
Ne wight noon wol ben his boruȝ . ne wed haþ noon to legge
And he cauȝte in þat caas . and come þer-to by sleighte
He synneþ noȝt sooþliche . þat so wynneþ his foode

¶ And þouȝ he come so to a clooþ . and kan no bettre cheuyssaunce
Nede anoon righte . nymeþ hym vnder maynprise

¶ And if hym list for to lape . þe lawe of kynde wolde
That he dronke at ech dych . er he for þurst deide
So nede at gret nede . may nymen as for his owene
Wiþ-outen conseil of Conscience . or Cardynale vertues
So þat he sewe and saue . Spiritus temperancie

¶ For is no vertue bi fer . to Spiritus temperancie
Ne[^964] Spiritus Iusticie . ne Spiritus fortitudinis
For Spiritus fortitudinis . forfeteþ ful ofte
He shal do moore þan mesure . many tyme and ofte
And bete men ouer bittre . and some of hem to litel
And greue men gretter . þan good feiþ it wolde

[^964: W.20.24: W alone reads Ne; all other manuscripts have Neiþer.]

¶ And Spiritus Iusticie . shal Iuggen wole he nel he

¶ After þe kynges counseil . and þe comune like
And Spiritus prudencie . in many a point shal faille
Of þat he weneþ wolde falle . if his wit ne weere
Wenynge is no wysdom . ne wys ymaginacion
Homo proponit & deus disponit . and gouerneþ alle goode vertues
Ac nede is next hym . for anoon he mekeþ
And as lowe as a lomb . for lakkyng of þat hym nedeþ
Wise men forsoke wele . for þei wolde be nedy
And woneden in wildernesse . and wolde noȝt be riche

¶ And god al his grete Ioye . goostliche he lefte
And cam and took mankynde . and bicam nedy
So nedy he was as seiþ þe book . in manye sondry places
That he seide in his sorwe . on þe selue roode
Boþe fox and fowel . may fle to hole and crepe
And þe fissh haþ fyn . to flete wiþ to reste
Ther nede haþ ynome me . þat I moot nede abide
And suffre sorwes ful soure . þat shal to Ioye torne
For-þi be noȝt abasshed . to bide and to be nedy
Siþ he þat wroȝte al þe world . was wilfulliche nedy
Ne neuere noon so nedy . ne pouerer deide
W han nede haþ[^965] vndernome me þus . anoon I fil aslepe
And mette ful merueillously . þat in mannes forme
Antecrist cam þanne . and al þe crop of truþe
Torned it vp-so-doun . and ouer-tilte þe roote
And fals sprynge and sprede . and spede mennes nedes
In ech a contree þer he cam . he kutte awey truþe
And gerte gile growe þere . as he a god weere

[^965: W.20.50: W alone reads haþ; all other manuscripts have hadde.]

¶ Freres folwede þat fend . for he gaf hem copes
And Religiouse reuerenced hym . and rongen hir belles
And al þe Couent forþ cam . to welcome þat tyraunt
And alle hise as wel as hym . saue oonly fooles

¶ Whiche foolis were wel leuere . to deye þan to lyue
Lenger siþ Lenten . was so rebuked
And as[^966] a fals fend Antecrist . ouer alle folk regnede
Saue[^967] þat were mylde men and holye . þat no meschief dradden
Defyed alle falsnesse . and folk þat it vsede
And what kyng þat hem conforted . knowynge hem any while
They cursed and hir conseil . were it clerk or lewed

[^966: W.20.63: W alone reads as; all other manuscripts omit it.]

[^967: W.20.64: W alone reads Saue; all other manuscripts have And.]

¶ Antecrist hadde þus soone . hundredes at his baner
And pride it bar . boldely aboute
Wiþ a lord þat lyueþ . after likyng of body
That kam ayein conscience . þat kepere was and gyour
Ouer kynde cristene . and Cardynale vertues

¶ I conseille quod Conscience þo . comeþ wiþ me ye fooles
In-to vnite holy chirche . and holde we vs þere
And crye we to kynde . þat he come and defende vs
Fooles . fro þise fendes lymes . for Piers loue þe Plowman
And crye we to al þe comune . þat þei come to vnitee
And þere abide and bikere . ayeins Beliales children

¶ Kynde / Conscience þo herde . and cam out of þe planetes
And sente forþ his forreyours . Feueres and Fluxes
Coughes and Cardiacles . Crampes and tooþaches
Rewmes and Radegundes . and roynouse scabbes[^968]
Biles and bocches . and brennynge Agues
Frenesies and foule yueles . forageres of kynde
Hadde ypriked and prayed . polles of peple
That largeliche a legion . loste hir lif soone

[^968: W.20.82: W alone reads scabbes; all other manuscripts have scalles.]

¶ There was harrow and help . here comeþ kynde
Wiþ deeþ þat is dredful . to vndo vs alle

¶ The lord þat lyued after lust . þo aloud cryde
After Confort a knyght . to come and bere his baner
A-larme a-larme quod þat lord . ech lif kepe his owene

¶ And þanne mette þise men . er Mynstrals myȝte pipe
And er heraudes of Armes . hadden discryued lordes
Elde þe hoore . þat[^969] was in þe vauntwarde
And bar þe baner bifore deeþ . bi riȝt he it cleymede

[^969: W.20.94: W alone reads þat; all other manuscripts have he.]

¶ Kynde cam after . wiþ many kene soores
As pokkes and pestilences . and muche peple shente
So kynde þoruȝ corrupcions . kilde ful manye

¶ Deeþ cam dryuynge after . and al to duste passhed
Kynges and knyghtes . kaysers and popes
Lered and lewed . he leet no man stonde
That he hitte euene . þat euere stired after
Manye a louely lady . and lemmans of knyȝtes
Swowned and swelted . for sorwe of hise[^970] dyntes

[^970: W.20.104: W alone reads hise; most other manuscripts have deþes.]

¶ Conscience of his curteisie . to kynde he bisouȝte
To cesse and suffre . and see wher þei wolde
Leue pride pryuely . and be parfite cristene

¶ And kynde cessede þo . to se þe peple amende
Fortune gan flatere þanne . þo fewe þat were alyue
And bihighte hem long lif . and lecherie he sente
Amonges alle manere men . wedded and vnwedded
And gaderede a greet hoost . al agayn Conscience

¶ This lecherie leide on . wiþ a Ianglynge chiere
And wiþ pryuee speche . and peyntede wordes
And armede hym in ydelnesse . and in heigh berynge
He bar a bowe in his hand . and manye brode arewes
Weren feþered wiþ fair biheste . and many a fals truþe
Wiþ hise vntidy tales . he tened ful ofte
Conscience and his compaignye . of holy chirche þe techeris

¶ Thanne cam Coueitise . and caste how he myȝte
Ouer-come Conscience . and Cardinale vertues
And armed hym in Auarice . and hungriliche lyuede
His wepne was al wiles . to wynnen and to hiden
Wiþ glosynges and wiþ gabbynges . he giled þe peple

¶ Symonye hym sente . to assaille Conscience
And preched to þe peple . and prelates þei hem maden
To holden wiþ Antecrist . hir temporaltees to saue
And cam to þe kynges counseille . as a kene baroun
And kneled to Conscience . in Court afore hem alle
And garte good feiþ flee . and fals to abide
And boldeliche bar adoun . wiþ many a bright Noble
Muche of þe wit and wisdom . of westmynstre halle
He Iogged[^971] to a Iustice . and Iusted in his eere
And ouer-tilte al his truþe . wiþ tak þis vp amendement
¶ An An[d][^972] to þe Arches in haste . he yede anoon after
And tornede Cyuyle in-to Symonye . and siþþe he took þe Official
For a Mantel of Meneuer . and[^973] made lele matrymoyne
Departen er deeþ cam . and deuors shapte

[^971: W.20.133: W alone reads Iogged to, a nonce usage which apparently means "spurred his horse towards" (MED jaggen v. 2(b)). Most other scribes wrote Iug(g)ed til, presumably understanding the phrase to mean "condemned" (MED jugen, v. 2(b)).]

[^972: W.20.135: W alone reads An; all other manuscripts have And. The W scribe nowhere else uses this form for And.]

[^973: W.20.137: W alone reads and; all other manuscripts have he.]

¶ Allas quod Conscience and cryde þo . wolde crist of his grace
That Coueitise were cristene . þat is so kene a fightere
And boold and bidynge . while his bagge lasteþ

¶ And þanne lough lyf . and leet daggen hise cloþes
And armed hym anhaste an haste . wiþ[^974] harlotes wordes
And heeld holynesse a Iape . and hendenesse a wastour
And leet leautee a cherl . and lyere a fre man
Conscience and his[^975] counseil . he counted at a flye[^976]

[^974: W.20.143: W alone reads anhaste wiþ; all other manuscripts have in haste in.]

[^975: W.20.146: W alone reads his, which is inserted above the line; all other manuscripts omit it.]

[^976: W.20.146: W alone reads at a flye; all other manuscripts have it (or it a/it but/at) folye.]

¶ Thus relyede lif . for a litel fortune
And prikeþ[^977] forþ wiþ pride . preiseþ he no vertue
Ne careþ noȝt how Kynde slow . and shal come at þe laste
And kille alle erþely creatures . saue conscience oone
Lyf lepte aside . and lauȝte hym a lemman
Heele and I quod he . and heighnesse of herte
Shal do þee noȝt drede . neiþer deeþ ne elde
And to forȝyte sorwe . and ȝyue noȝt of synne

[^977: W.20.148: W alone reads prikeþ; all other manuscripts have priked.]

¶ This likede lif . and his lemman fortune
And geten in hir glorie . a gadelyng at þe laste
Oon þat muche wo wroȝte . Sleuþe was his name
Sleuþe wax wonder yerne . and soone was of age
And wedded oon wanhope . a wenche of þe Stuwes
Hir sire was a Sysour . þat neuere swoor truþe
Oon Tomme two tonge . atteynt at ech enqueste[^978]

[^978: W.20.161: W alone reads enqueste; all other manuscripts save F have a queste.]

¶ This Sleuþe was war of werre . and a slynge made
And threw drede of dispair . a dozeyne myle aboute

¶ For care Conscience þo . cryde vp-on Elde
And bad hym fonde to fighte . and afere wanhope

¶ And Elde hente good hope . and hastiliche he shifte hym
And wayued awey wanhope . and wiþ lif he fighteþ
And lif fleiȝ for feere . to phisik after helpe
And bisouȝte hym of socour . and of his salue he hadde
He[^979] gaf hym gold good woon . þat gladede his herte
And þei gyuen hym ageyn . a glazene howue

[^979: W.20.170: W alone reads He; all other manuscripts have And.]

¶ Lyf leeued þat lechecraft . lette sholde Elde
And dryuen awey deeþ . wiþ Dyas and drogges[^980]

[^980: W.20.173: W alone reads drogges, "drugs"; most other manuscripts have dragges, "sweet medicines." Scribes are apt to confuse the two words (e.g. Chaucer, Canterbury Tales Prologue 426).]

¶ And Elde auntred hym on lyf . and at þe laste he hitte
A Phisicien wiþ a furred hood . þat he fel in a palsie
And þere dyed þat doctour . er þre dayes after

¶ Now I se seide lif . þat Surgerie ne phisik .
May noȝt a myte auaille . to mede[^981] ayein Elde
And in hope of his heele . good herte he hente
And rood forþ to a[^982] reuel . a ryche place and a murye
The compaignye of confort . men cleped it som-tyme

[^981: W.20.178: W alone reads mede, "bribe, reward"; other manuscripts have medle, "take action."]

[^982: W.20.180: W alone reads forþ to a; all other manuscripts have so to.]

¶ And Elde anoon after me . and ouer myn heed yede
And made me balled bifore . and bare on þe croune
So harde he yede ouer myn heed . it wole be sene euere

¶ Sire yuele ytauȝt Elde quod . I . vnhende go wiþ þe
Siþ whanne w as[^983] þe wey . ouer mennes heddes
Haddestow be hende quod . I . þow woldest haue asked leeue

[^983: W.20.186: The scribe has begun by writing an <h> and changed it to an <a>.]

¶ Ye leue lurdeyn quod he . and leyde on me wiþ Age
And hitte me vnder þe ere . vnneþe myȝte[^984] ich here
He buffetted me so[^985] aboute þe mouþ . þat out my teeþ he bette[^986]
And gyued me in goutes . I may noȝt goon at large
And of þe wo þat I was Inne . my wif hadde ruþe
And wisshed ful witterly . þat I were in heuene
For þe lyme þat she loued me fore . and leef was to feele
On nyghtes namely . whan we naked weere
I ne myghte in no manere . maken it at hir wille
So Elde and she sooþly . hadden it forbeten

[^984: W.20.189: W alone reads myȝte; all other manuscripts have may.]

[^985: W.20.190: W alone reads so; all other manuscripts omit it.]

[^986: W.20.190: W alone reads þat out my teeþ he bette; most manuscripts have either and bet out my teth or & bett me on þe teth.]

¶ And as I seet in þis sorwe . I sauȝ how kynde passede
And deeþ drogh neiȝ me . for drede gan I quake
And cryde to kynde . out of care me brynge
Lo Elde þe hoore . haþ me biseye
Awreke me if youre wille be . for I wolde ben hennes
If þow wolt be wroken . wend in-to vnitee
And hold þee þere euere . til I sende for þee
And loke þow konne som craft . er þow come þennes

¶ Counseille me kynde quod I . what craft is best to lerne

¶ Lerne to loue quod kynde . and leef of alle oþere

¶ How shal I come to catel so . to cloþe me and to feede

¶ And þow loue lelly quod he . lakke shal þee neuere

¶ Mete ne worldly weede . while þi lif lasteþ

¶ And þere by conseil of kynde . I comsed to rome
Thoruȝ Contricion and Confession . til I cam to vnitee
And þere was Conscience Conestable . cristene to saue
And bisegede sooþly . wiþ seuene grete geauntz
That wiþ Antecrist helden . harde ayein Conscience

¶ Sleuþe wiþ his slynge . an hard assaut he made
Proude preestes coome with hym . mo þan a þousand
In paltokes and pyked shoes . and pisseris longe knyues
Coomen ayein Conscience . wiþ Coueitise þei helden

¶ By Marie quod a mansed preest . of þe March of walys[^987]
I counte namoore Conscience . by so I cacche siluer
Than I do to drynke . a drauȝte of good ale
And so seiden sixty . of þe same contree
And shotten ayein wiþ shot . many a sheef of oþes
And brode hoked arwes . goddes herte and hise nayles
And hadden almoost vnitee . and holynesse adown

[^987: W.20.220: W alone reads walys; all other manuscripts have Irlonde. An Irish manuscript of the C-Text, Douce 104, fol. 109v, also has the reading Wales. See the comment by Derek Pearsall in Piers Plowman: A Facsimile of Bodleian Library, Oxford, MS Douce 104 (Cambridge: D.S. Brewer, 1992), p. xiv.]

¶ Conscience cryede help Clergie . or ellis I falle
Thoruȝ inparfite preestes . and prelates of holy chirche
Freres herden hym crye . and comen hym to helpe
Ac for þei kouþe noȝt wel hir craft . Conscience forsook hem

¶ Nede neghede þo neer . and Conscience he tolde
That þei come for coueitise . to haue cure of soules
And for þei are pouere parauenture . for patrymoyne þei faille
They wol flatere and fare wel . wiþ[^988] folk þat ben riche
And siþen þei chosen chele . and cheitiftee pouerte
Lat hem chewe as þei chose . and charge hem with no cure
For lomere he lyeþ . þat liflode moot begge
Than he þat laboureþ for liflode . and leneþ[^989] it beggeris
And siþen freres forsoke . þe felicite of erþe
Lat hem be as beggeris . or lyue by Aungeles foode

[^988: W.20.234: W alone reads and fare wel wiþ. Hm has and fare wel; most other manuscripts have to fare wel.]

[^989: W.20.238: The reading could as well be leueþ.]

¶ Conscience of þis counseil þo . comsede for to laughe
And curteisliche conforted hem . and called in alle freres
And seide sires sooþly . welcome be ye alle
To vnitee and holy chirche . ac o þyng I yow preye
Holdeþ yow in vnitee . and haueþ noon enuye
To lered ne to lewed . but lyueþ after youre reule
And I wol be youre boruȝ . ye shal haue breed and cloþes
And oþere necessaries ynowe . yow shal no þyng faille
Wiþ þat ye leue logik . and lerneþ for to louye
For loue lafte þei lordshipe . boþe lond and scole
Frere Fraunceys and Domynyk . for loue to be holye

¶ And if ye coueite cure . kynde wol yow teche
That in mesure god made . alle manere þynges
And sette hem at a certein . and a siker nombre
And nempnede names newe . and noumbrede þe sterres

¶ Qui numerat multitudinem stellarum . et omnibus eis &c

¶ Kynges and knyghtes . þat kepen and defenden

¶ Han Officers vnder hem . and ech of hem a certein
And if þei wage men to werre . þei write hem in noumbre
Alle oþere in bataille . ben yholde Brybours
Pylours and Pykeharneys . in ech a place y-cursed
Wol no man tresore[^990] hem paie . trauaille þei neuer so soore[^991]

[^990: W.20.262: W alone reads no man tresore; most other manuscripts have no tresorer.]

[^991: W.20.262: Apart from WHmB, the other scribes copied this line after W.20.259.]

¶ Monkes and Moniales . and alle men of Religion
Hir ordre and hir reule wole . to han a certein noumbre
Of lewed and of lered . þe lawe wole and askeþ
A certein for a certein . saue oonliche of freres

¶ For-þi quod Conscience by crist . kynde wit me telleþ
It is wikked to wage yow . ye wexen out of noumbre
Heuene haþ euene noumbre . and helle is wiþ-oute noumbre
For-þi I wolde witterly . þat ye were in þe Registre
And youre noumbre vnder Notaries signe . and neiþer mo ne lasse

¶ Enuye herde þis . and heet freres to go to scole
And lerne logyk and lawe . and ek contemplacion
And preche men of Plato . and preue it by Seneca
That alle þynges vnder heuene . ouȝte to ben in comune

¶ And yet he lyeþ as I leue . þat to þe lewed so precheþ
For god made to men a lawe . and Moyses it tauȝte
Non concupisces rem proximi tui

¶ And yuele is þis yholde . in parisshes of Engelonde
For persons and parissh preestes . þat sholde þe peple shryue
Ben Curatours called . to knowe and to hele
Alle þat ben hir parisshens . penaunce to enioigne
And sholden ashamed [be] ashamed[^992] in hir shrift . ac shame makeþ hem wende
And fleen to þe freres . as fals folk to westmynstre
That borweþ and bereþ it þider . and þanne biddeþ frendes
Yerne of forȝifnesse . or lenger yeres loone

[^992: W.20.283: W alone reads ashamed; most other manuscripts read be ashamed.]

¶ Ac while he is in westmynstre . he wol be bifore
And maken hym murie . wiþ ooþer mennes goodes

¶ And so it fareþ with muche folk . þat to þe freres hem shryueþ
As Sisours and executours . þei wol ȝyue þe freres
A parcel to preye for hem . and make hem-self murye
Wiþ þe residue and þe remenaunt . þat oþere men biswonke
And suffre þe dede in dette . to þe day of doome

¶ Enuye herfore . hatede Conscience
And freres to philosophie . he fond þanne[^993] to scole
The while coueitise and vnkyndenesse . Conscience assaillede
In vnitee holy chirche . Conscience held hym
And made pees porter . to pynne þe yates
Of alle tale-telleris . and titeleris in ydel
Ypocrisie and he . an hard assaut þei made[^994]
And woundede wel wikkedly . many a wys techere
That wiþ Conscience acordede . and Cardynale vertues

[^993: W.20.295: W alone reads þanne; most other manuscripts read hem.]

[^994: W.20.300: Following this line, all other manuscripts have Ypocrysie atte ȝate . hard gan fiȝte (in the spelling of L).]

¶ Conscience called a leche . þat koude wel shryue
To go[^995] salue þo þat sike ben . and þoruȝ synne ywounded
Shrift shoop sharp salue . and made men do penaunce
For hir mysdedes . þat þei wroȝt hadde
And þat Piers were ypayed . redde quod debes

[^995: W.20.304: W alone reads To go; HmCrGYOLMR omit To. C2CBF omit go.]

¶ Some liked noȝt þis leche . and lettres þei sente
If any surgien were þe segge . þat softer koude plastre
Sire leef to lyue in lecherie . lay þere and gronede
For fastynge of a fryday . he ferde as he wolde deye

¶ Ther is a Surgien in þis sege . þat softe kan handle
And moore of phisik bi fer . and fairer he plastreþ
Oon frere Flaterere . is phisicien and surgien

¶ Quod Contricion to Conscience . do hym come to Vnitee
For here is many a man . hurt þoruȝ ypocrisye

¶ We han no nede quod Conscience . I woot no bettre leche
Than person or parisshe preest . penitauncer or bisshop
Saue Piers þe Plowman . þat haþ power ouer hem alle
And Indulgence may do . but if dette lette it

¶ I may wel suffre seide Conscience . syn ye desiren
That frere flaterere be fet . and phisike yow sike

¶ The frere her-of herde . and hiede faste
To a lord for a lettre . leue to haue to curen
As a Curatour he were . and cam with hise lettres
Boldely to þe bisshop . and his brief hadde
In contrees þer he coome . confessions to here
And cam þere Conscience was . and knokked at þe yate

¶ Pees vnpynned it . was Porter of vnitee
And in haste askede . what his wille were

¶ In faiþ quod þis frere . for profit and for helþe
Carpe I wolde wiþ contricion . and þer -fore cam I hider

¶ He is sik seide Pees . and so are manye oþere
Ypocrisie haþ hurt hem . ful hard is if þei keuere

¶ I am a Surgien seide þe segge . and salues kan make
Conscience knoweþ me wel . and what I kan do boþe

¶ I praye þee quod Pees þo . er þow passe ferþer
What hattestow I praye þee . hele noȝt þi name

¶ Certes seide his felawe . sire Penetrans domos

¶ Ye go þi gate quod Pees . by god for al þi phisik
But þow konne som ooþer[^996] craft . þow comest nouȝt her-Inne
I knew swich oon ones . noȝt eighte wynter hennes
Coom in þus ycoped . at a Court þere I dwelde
And was my lordes leche . and my ladies boþe
And at þe laste þis lymytour . þo my lord was oute
He saluede so oure wommen . til some were wiþ childe

[^996: W.20.341: W alone reads ooþer; other manuscripts omit it.]

¶ Hende speche heet . Pees . opene þe yates
Lat in þe frere and his felawe . and make hem fair cheere
He may se and here . so it may bifalle
That lif þoruȝ his loore . shal leue coueitise
And be adrad of deeþ . and wiþ-drawe hym fram pryde
And acorde wiþ Conscience . and kisse hir eiþer ooþer

¶ Thus þoruȝ hende speche . entred þe frere
And cam in to Conscience . and curteisly hym grette

¶ Thow art welcome quod Conscience . kanstow heele þe sike
Here is Contricion quod Conscience . my cosyn ywounded
Conforte hym quod Conscience . and tak kepe to hise soores
The plastres of þe person . and poudres biten to soore
He lat hem ligge ouer-longe . and looþ is to chaunge hem
Fro lenten to lenten . he lat hise plastres bite

¶ That is ouer-longe quod þis Lymytour . I leue I shal amende it
And gooþ and gropeþ Contricion . and gaf hym a plastre
Of a pryuee paiement . and I shal praye for yow
For al þat ye ben holden to . al my lif-tyme
And make yow my lady . in masse and in matyns
As frere of oure Fraternytee . for a litel siluer

¶ Thus he gooþ and gadereþ . and gloseþ þere he shryueþ
Til Contricion hadde clene foryeten . to crye and to wepe
And wake for hise wikked werkes . as he was wont to doone
For confort of his confessour . Contricion he lafte
That is þe souerayneste salue . for alle kynne synnes

¶ Sleuþe seigh þat . and so dide pryde
And comen wiþ a kene wille . Conscience to assaille

¶ Conscience cryed eft . and bad Clergie helpe hym
And also Contricion . for to kepe þe yate

He lyþ and dremeþ seide Pees . and so do manye oþere
The frere wiþ his phisyk . þis folk haþ enchaunted
And plastred hem so esily . þei drede no synne

¶ By crist quod Conscience þo . I wole bicome a pilgrym
And walken as wide . as þe world lasteþ
To seken Piers þe Plowman . þat pryde may destruye
And þat freres hadde a fyndyng . þat for nede flateren
And countrepledeþ me Conscience . now kynde me avenge
And sende me hap and heele . til I haue Piers þe Plowman
And siþþe he gradde after Grace . til I gan awake[^997]

[^997: W.20.385: A final, formal nota abbreviation ends the text. We have ordinarily taken this form to represent a flourish. The explicit is written in ornamented letters touched in red and about twice normal size.]

Explicit hic Dialogus Petri Plowman