cherubin & seraphyn & suche seuene & an o@(er)e
#af hem mi#te in his maiestie & @e merier he(m) @ou#t
and ouer his meyne & Made hem archangelis
he tau#t hem @orow @e trinite @e trw@e to knowe
To be boxome at his bidding he bad he(m) nou#t ellis
lucifer w(i)t(h) legiou(n)s lered it in heuene
he was @e louelist of li#t eftir our(e) lord
Til he brake boxomenesse @orow bost of he(m)-self?
Pona(m) pede(m) meu(m) i(n) aq(ui)lone / & si(mi)lis ero altissimo
Mada...whi wolt lucifer
lippe ...@e northe syde
...@e @e sonne rewi@
Ne wer ...for @e ..men and ...
...lady so@ely
...@(er) @e so(n)ne regne@
@a(n)ne ..@e nyppe of @e nor@e @e no ma(n) ...
For @ider ...fleigh his fote @(er)e he sette
..he failed & fe...selane alle
And hesse is @(er)e he is ...
mow be seker @(a)t her(e) soule / shal wende i(n)-to heuene
@e trw@e is i(n) t(ri)nite / & trone@ hem alle
for #it I seie as I seide / bi si#t of @is textes
whane al tresour is tried / trw@e is @e beste
Lere@ it lewde men / for lettred it knowen
@at trw@e is @e treso(ur) / triest on on er@e
#it haue I no ky(n)de knowing q(uo)d I / i#t mot ke(n)ne me bettre
By wat craft in my corps / it comse@ & whar(e)
@(o)u doted daff q(uo)d sche dul are @i wittis
For litel lerestow I leue of latyn i(n) @i #ow@e
Heu m(ichi) q(uia) st(er)ile(m) duxi vitam iuuenilem
It is a ky(n)de knowyng / @at kenne@ in @in herte
To loue lelly @i lord / leuer @anne @i-seluen
No didly sy(n)ne to do / deie @eigh @(o)u scholdest
Melius est mori in malo viuere & c(etera)
this I trowe be trw@e / who can teche @e bettre
loke @(o)u suffre hi(m) to seyn / & si@en lere it aftre
For loue is @e leuest @ing / @at our(e) lorde axe@
and eke @e plante of pes / p(re)che it i(n) @in harpe
@(er) @(o)u art mery at mete / #if me(n) bidde @e #edde
For in ky(n)de knowying / i(n) herte / comse@ a mi#te
tru@e telle@ it a treacle / to a-bate wi@ synne
....soueraigne salue / for soule & for bodye
For he ...holde it ne my#t / so heuy it first semed
Til it had vpon er@#e / y#oten it-self
was neure leef vpon lynde / li#tir @(er)aftre
...it had of @e fo.../ flesshe & blode @inke
...& p(er)saunt / to @e point of a nelde
....
and mene as a maire is / bitwene kyng & co(mun)e
So is loue a ledir / & al @e lawe shape@
on man for his mysdede / @e mercyment he taxe@
and for to knowe it kyndely / it comse@ by my#t
al in herte is @e hed / & @e hiegh welle
and @(a)t falle@ to @e fadre / @(a)t formed vs alle
he loked vpon vs wi@ loue / & lete his sone die
and #et ne wolde hem no woo / @at wrou#t hi(m) @(a)t peyne
But mekely w(i)t(h) mow@e / m(er)cy he besou#te
To haue pite of @e peple / @(a)t peynid hi(m) to de@
here mi#te @(o)u seen ensample / in hi(m)-selfen un.
one
That he was mi#tful & meke / & m(er)cy gan graunt
To hi(m) @(a)t hangid hi(m) by / & his herte @irled
@(er)fore I rede #ow ryche / haue rew@e of @e pore
@eigh #e be mi#ti to mote / be@ meke i(n) #owr(e) werkis
For @e same mesur(e) @(a)t #e mete / a-mysse o@er ellis
#e schal be weyn @(er)wi@ / whan #e wende hennes
Eadim me(n)sura q(ui) me(n)si fu(er)it(is) remiciet(ur) ?obis
Thei @(o)u be trwe of @i tonge / & trwly the wynne
and as chast as a childe / @at i(n) @e chirche wepi!@
But if @(o)u loue lelly / & lene @e pore
Of suche good as god sent / goddlyche p(ar)te
#e ne haue no m(er)yte / in masse ne in howris
@a(n)ne malkyn of hir / maidenhode @(a)t no ma(n) desire@
For Iames @e gentel / iuged i(n) his boke
That fe@ wi@oute fete / is febler @anne nou#t
& as ded as a dore naile / but #if @e dede folowe
Fides sine op(er)ib(us) mortua est & c(etera).
Chastite w(i)t(h)outen charite / worth chenyd in helle
It is as a lamp lewde / @(a)t no li#t is Inne
Many chapelynes ar chast / & charite is aweye
Ar no man hardar / @an hij / whan @ei ben a-vau(n)ced
vnkynde men to her kynne / & to alle c(ri)stene
Thei chewyn her charite / & chide aftir more
#e curato(ur)s @(a)t kepe #ow / clene of #our(e) bodyes
#e be(n) a-co(m)bred wi@ couettise / #e con nou#t crepe out
So harde now ha@ auaryse / hasped #ow to-gidre
@(a)t is no trw@e of @e t(ri)nite / but treacherie of helle
and a lernyng to lewde men / @e latter to dele
For @ise ar @e wordis / writin i(n) euangelio
Date & dabit(ur) vob(is) & c(etera) for I dele #ow alle
@(a)t is @e lok of loue / @(a)t lette@ ou#t my g(ra)ce
To conforte @e careful / a-combed w(i)t(h) synne
loue is @e leuest @ing / @(a)t our(e) lorde axe@
and eke @e g(ra)ciouse gate / @(a)t go@ i(n)-to heuene
For #it I seie as I seide / bi si#te of @e textes
whan alle treso(ur)e is ytried / trw@e is @e best(e)
now haue I telde @e what trw@e is . @(a)t no treso(ur) is better
I may no lenger lette / now loke @e our(e) lorde
Passus s(e)c(un)dus de visione . vt sup(ra)
&#;et I kneled on my knees / & cried hir of g(ra)ce
& seid m(er)cy madame / for mari loue of heue(n)
@(a)t bar(e) @e blisseful barne / @(a)t bou#t vs on @e rode
kene me be some craft / to know @e false
loke on @i left half / & se were he stande@
I loked on my left alf / as @(a)t lady me tau#t
and was war of a woman / wondirlyche yclo@id
ypurfyled wi@ pellur(e) /@e purest on er@e
ycrowned wi@ a crowne / @e kyng ha@ no(n) bettre
alle her(e) fyve fyngres / were fretted wi@ rynges
Of @e purest perre / @at pr(i)nce wered eure
In red scarlet yrobed & rybaned wi@ golde
Ther nis no quene queynter @@(a)t quikke is a-lyue
wat is @is woman q(uo)d I / so wonderlyche attired
@at is mede @e maide / ha@ niyed me oft
and lakked my lore / to lordes aboute
In @e popis palis / she is pryuei as my-selfe
and so scholde sche nou#t be / for wro(n)g was hir syre
out of wrong sche wex / to wro@(er)hiule many
Talis pater talis filij
For shal neur(e) brere bere / bery as a vyne
Ne on a croked @orne / kynde fygge waxe
arbor bona bornu(m) fructu(m) facit
I ou#t ben herre @a(n) she / for I come of a bettre
The fader @at me for@ brou#t filius dei hote@
@(a)t neur(e) louth ne lawghed / in al his lyf tyme
I am his ...u#ter / ...chesse of heuene
what man me loue@ / & my wille folowe@
shal ....haue grace / to make a good ende
and what man @at riche loue@ / ..
and al is lyars leding @(a)t @ei shal lye to-gydre
To-morne worthe @e mariage / made as I @e telle
@ere mi#t @(o)u wyten if @(o)u wilt / wiche @ei ben alle
That longe@ to @(a)t lordship / @e lasse & @e more
know hem @(er)e #if @(o)u canst / & kepe @e fro he(m) alle
3if @(o)u wilnest to wone / wi@ trw@e i(n) his blisse
I may no lenger lette / now lorde I @e bekenne
now alle @e ryche Retenaunces / @(a)t regne@ w(i)t(h) @e false
were boden to @e brydale / on bo@e two sydes
syre symonye is of sent / to seel fauel / by eny fyn holden
and feffe Mede @(er)-myde / in mariage for eur(e)
@ere nas halle ne hows / to herberewe @e peple
@(a)t iche felde ne was ful / of folke alle aboute
In myddes a mownteyn / at mydmorow tyde
was pi#t vp a paviliou(n) / proud for @e nonis
and ORIG>.x.ten @ousand of tentis / telded bi-sides
Of kni#tghes of co(n)tres / of comouners a-boute
For sisours for somono(ur)s / for sellars for biggars
For lered for lewde / for laborers of thropes
Bedellis & bailifs / & brocours of chaffre
Forgoers vitaillers / & vokettis of @e araches
I can nou#t rekne @e rowte / @(a)t ran a-boute mede
But symonye & syuyle / & siso(ur)s of contres
were p(ri)ueest wi@ hir / of any men me @ou#t
Fauel was @e first / @(a)t fette hir oute of chambre
a brokour hir brou#t for@e / to ioyne hir to false
and al to witnesse wel / what @e wryt wolde
In what man(er) @(a)t mede / in stout mariage
was fastned w(i)t(h) false / @e fyn is arered
Now fauel fecche@ her for@e / & hir to false take@
In forward @(a)t falshed / shal fynde hir for eure
and sche bowen at his bode / his hest to fulfille
at bedde & at borde / boxom & hende
Ri#t as symonye wil seyn / to suen his wille
Now symonye & syuyle / stonde for@ bo@e
and vnfolden @e feffement / @(a)t false ha@ imaked
Thus bigynne @ise gromes / to grede wel hiegh$
Siant p(re)sentes & futuri & c(etera)
Now witen & witnessen / @(a)t wone@ vp-on er@e
@(a)t I fauel feffe / falsed to mede
To be present in p(ri)de / for pore or for ryche
Wi@ @e erledom on envye / eure to laste
wi@ @e lordechip of leccherie / in lengh & i(n) brede
Wi@ @e kyngdome of couettise / I crowne hem to-gidre
a cross wi@ al @e isle of vsure / & auarise @e fast
Glotonie & grete o@es / I gif hem to-gidre
wi@ alle @e delites of luste / @e deuel for to s(er)ue
To be p(ri)nces in p(ri)de / & pou(er)te dispise
To bakbite & to bost / & bere false witnesse
To skorne & to skolde / & sklaundir to make
vnboxome & bolde / to breke goddis hestis
wi@ @e chastes of cheste / & chat(er)yng out of resou(n)
In bargaynes in brokages / in borowyng of @eft
al dai dronken of diuerse tauernes
There to Iangle & to Iape / & iuge her euene-c(ri)stene
To frete in a fasting / a-fore none & drynke
To swe suche felawchip / til @(o)u falle in slew@e
and waken in wanhope / & no wille to amende
For he leue@ be lost / whan he @is lif lete@
wi@ @e seign(ur)ie of slew@e / I seise hem to-gidre
To haue & to holde / & alle her(e) heiris aftre
wi@ @e purtenaunce of p(ur)gatorie / i(n) to @e peyne of helle
#eldyng for @is @ing / at on #eres ende
here soulis to satanas / to synkyn i(n) peyne .
There to wone w(i)t(h) wronge / wil god is i(n) heuene .
In witnesse of wyche @ing / wrong was @e firste
and piers @e p(ar)doner / pawlynes dou#ter
and bette @e bedel / of bukyngham shire
Randolfe @e reue / of rotolonde sokine
Mu(n)de @e myller(e) / & many mo o@re.
In @e date of @e deuel / @is dede I assele .
By sy#t of sire symonye / & notarie syngnes .
Thanne tened hi(m) Theoologie / whan he @is tale herde
And seide to syuile / now sorow on @i bokes .
Suche weddyngis to worche / to wrathe w(i)t(h) trw@e
And ar @is wedding be wrou#t wo @e bityde .
For mede is moillere / of me(n)nis engendrid with UD .
Theigh false were here fadre / & fykyltonge belsyre .
amendis was here modre / bi trw@e me(n)nis lokying
and wi@ her moder mede may nou#t be weddid .
For trw@e ply#t hir trow@e / to wedde on of hir dou#trin
#if god it graunt so / @at no gile nere . .
Syuile & @i-seluen / selden fulfille@
@(a)t god wolde were ydo / wi@-outen deceyte
I theoologie knowe as trwe dome deme@ .
That laurence @e leuite / @(a)t lay vp-on @e gredel
loked vp to owr(e) lorde / & aloude seide
God of @i g(ra)ce / heuene gatis opne
For I of @i mercye / mede haue deseruid / / /
and sythen man may an hye / Mede of god des(er)ue . /
It semi@ ful so@ely / ri#t so on er@e .
@at mede may be weddid / to no man but to trw@e .
God graunte@ to gyue / Mede for trw@e
and @(o)u hast gyuen hir to a gilo(ur) / now god gif @e sorow
Thi texte telle@ nou#t so / trw@e wot @e so@e .
Dignus est op(er)arius mercede sua & c(etera) .
wor@i is @e warkeman / his mede wel to haue
and @(o)u hast fastened hir w(i)t(h) false / fy on @i lawe
For al bi lesynges @(o)u lyuest / & lecherouse werkis .
Symonye & @i-self / shenden holychirche .
also @ise notaries / noien @e peple .#e shal abye bo@e / bi god @at me made
wyl #e wyte warnarades / but #if #o(ur) wittis faile .
@(a)t false is a faito(ur) / & feitheles of werkis
and as a bastard yborn / of belsebubbes kynne
and Mede is moillere / a maiden of gode
She mi#t kisse @e kyng / for cosyn & sche wolde .
worche@ be wisdom / & by witte aftir
lede@ hir to london / @(er)e lawe is yhanled .
#if eny lewte wil loke / @ei ligge to-gidre .
and @ei @e Iustices iugge hir / to be ioigned w(i)t(h) false .
#it be@ ware of weddyng / for witti is trw@e ./
Consciense is of his conseille / & knowe@ #ow ychone .
and #if he fynde #ow in defaute / & wi@ @e false holde .
It shal sitte #our soulis / sour(e) atte laste
here-to assented Syuyle / & symonye ne wolde .
Til he had siluer / for seles & signes
Thanne fett fauel / floreynes ynowe .
and bad gyle to gif / golde al aboute .
and namely to @e notaries / @(a)t hem none failed .
and feffe false witnesse / wi@ floreynis ynowe .
For he maie Mede a-maistre / & make it my wille
whan @e golde was ygyuen / grete was @e @onkyng .
To false & to fauel / for here fair(e) #iftes .
and comyn to conforte / for care @e false
and seiden c(er)tes / cesse schal we newr(e)
Tyl mede be @i weddid wif / @orow witte of vs alle .
For we haue mede a-maistred / wi@ our(e) mery speche .
That she graunte@ to gone / wi@ a god wille .
To london to loken / #if @e lawwe wile .
Iugge #ow ientely / in ioye for eure
@anne was false fayne / & fauel also bli@e
Thei lete somowne alle @e segges in shires aboute
Til her(e) bodis be bown / beggars & o@(er) To wende to westmester / to witnesse @is dede
@anne cared @ei for caples / to kairen he(m) @idre .
and @anne fette fauel / foles of @e beste
Set Mede on a shiryue / shodde al newe .
and false satte on a siso(ur) / @(a)t softely trotted .
and fauel vp-on fair(e) speche / fetisly attirid . .
and notaries vp-on p(ar)sones / @(a)t p(ar)myten often .
and on @e pore p(ro)uiso(ur)s / & appellees in arches . .
Somono(ur)s also token / sp(er)sedias .
on hem @(a)t loue@ lecherie / lep vp & ride@ . .
Symonye & Cyuile shal on her(e) fote gange
@anne seide syuyle / & swore be @e rode . / . / . /
Somono(ur)s schal be sadled / & s(er)ue #ow vchone . .
Thei lete apparaille p(ro)uiso(ur)s / in palfreies wyse .
Syre symonye hi(m)-self / shal sitte on her bakkes
and alle @ise archedekenes / as dext(er)es hem di#th{bar}
For @ei shal bere @ise bischopes / & bryng he(m) at reste .
paulynes peple / for pleyntis i(n) constorie . /
Shal s(er)ue my-self / @at Cyuile hatte .
@e carter shal @e comissarie in @e carte put
and fecchen oure vitailles of fornicatores .
Of liar make a longe carte / to lede alle @ise o@re .
as freres & faito(ur)s / @(a)t on her(e) fete renne .
False & fauel / fare@ for@ to-gidre
and mede in @e middes / & alle @ise meyne aftre .
I haue no tyme to telle / @e taille @(a)t hem folowed . /
Of alle man(er) of men / @at on @is molde lyuen .
But gyle was forgoer / & gied hem alle . .
So@enesse say hi(m) wel / & seid but lyche litle
he prike@ on his palfrey / & passe@ hem alle .
he cam to @e kynges courte / & conscience tolde . .
and conscience to @e kyng / carped it aftre
now be c(ri)st q(uo)d @e kyng / #if I my#th{bar} cacche . .
False o@(er) fauel / o@(er) eny of his feris .
I wolde be wroken of @o wrecches / @at worche so ille .
and done hem hange by @e halse / & alle @at he(m) may(n)tene
Shal neu(er) man on @is molde / menp(ri)se @e lest
But ri#t as @e lawe loke@ / lete falle on hem alle
he called a constable / @at come at @e first
To attache @e tiraunt / for eni treso(ur) yhote
Fetere@ falsenesse fast / for eni kyns #iftis .
and girdi@ of giled hed / & lete hi(m) go no for@re .
Bring mede to me / mawgre hem alle .
Sey symonye & Cyuyle / I sende hem to warne .
@(a)t holy chirche for hem / wor@ harmed for eur(e)
and #if #e lacche liar / lete hi(m) nou#t ascape
Til he be put on @e pilorie / for eny preier yhote
Drede at @e dore stode / & @at dome herde
and wightly went to warne / @e false .
and bad hym flee for fere / & his feris alle
Thanne falsenes for fere / fleigh to @e freris .
and gile do@ hi(m) to go / agast for to die .
a marchande mette wi@ him / & made hym abide .
Bishet hi(m) in her shoppis / to shewen her ware .
apparailled hi(m) as a preyntise @e peple to s(er)ue
li#tlyche lyar / lepe awey @ennes . /
lurked @orow lanes / to-lugged of manye
he was nowher welcome / for his many tales .
But ouer-al hu(n)ted / & yhote trusse
Til p(ar)doners had pyte / & pullyd hym to hous .
wisshe hi(m) & wyped hi(m) / & wounden hi(m) i(n) cloutis .
and sent hym on sondayes / wi@ seeles to chirches
and gaue p(ar)dou(n) for pens pounde-mele a-boute .
@en lowred leches / & l(et)res @ei sent
For to wonne wi@ hem / watres to loke .
spisers spoken wi@ hi(m) . to aspye her ware
For he cow@e on her craft / & knewe many go(m)mis .
Mynstralles & messang(er)es / mette wi@ hi(m) onis .
and helden half #er(e) / & eleuene daies .
Freris w(i)t(h) faire speche / fetten hi(m) @ennes .
For knowyng of comers / coped hi(m) as a frere .
and he ha@ leue to lepe out / as oft as hi(m) like@ .
and is welcome whan he wil / & wone@ wi@ he(m) oft .
@anne Symonye & Syuile / senten to Rome .
and putten he(m) i(n) a pele / in @e popis g(ra)ce .
Conscience to @e kyng / acused hem bo@e .
and seide sire kyng / but @i clergye amende
Thi kyngdome in couetise / out of kynde wende@ .
and holy cherche for hem / wor@ yharmed for eur(e)
alle @ei fledde for fere / & flowe in-to henes
saue mede @e maide / no man dorst abide .
ac truly to telle / she trembled for drede .
and ek wept & wrong / wha(n) she was attached . .
Passus tercius de visione vt pri(m)us .
Now is mede @e maide / no mo of hem alle .
wi@ bedellis & bailifs / brou#t a-fore @e kyng
@e kyng calle@ a clerke / I cna nou#t his name .
Take mede @e maide / & make hir at ese .
I wil say hir my-slef / & so@ely appose
what wi#t in @is worlde / @at hir wer(e) leuest
and #if she worche bi my wit . & my wille folowe
I wil forgyue her @is gilte / so me god helpe .
Curteisly @anne @e clerke / as @e kyng hi#t
Toke mede bi @e mydil / & brou#t hir to chaumbre .
@anne was @(er)e myr@e / & mynstralcie mede to plece .
@at went to westmyster / worchepid hir alle
Ientilyche w(i)t(h) Ioy / @e Iustices so(m)me .
Busked hem to @e bour(e) @(er)e @e bierde dwelled
Conforted her kyndely / by clergies leue
and seid morne no#t mede / ne make @(o)u no sorowe .
For we wisse @e kyng / & @i wey schape
For al Conscience cast / & craft as I trowe
Mildelyche Mede @anne / mercied hem alle /
Of here grete godnesse / & gaf hem vchone
Coppis of clene golde / & peses of siluer
Rynges wi@ rubies / & richesses manye
@e lest man of her(e) menye / a Motou(n) of golde .
@anne lau#t @ei leue / @eis lordes at mede .
wi@ @at come clerkys / wi@ conforme & game
and beden hir be blyth / for we be @ine owne .
To worche alwey @i wille / wil our(e) lif laste@ .
hendely she @anne biheght / @e same
To leuen hem lelly / & grete lordis make
In co(n)storye at courte / do callen her names .
shal no lewednesse lette / @e leode @(a)t I loue .
That he ne worthe first auanced / for I am beknowen .
Ther(e) konnyng clerkys / shul clokke bihynde .
purchase #ow p(ro)uendris / wil @e pans laste@ .
and bigge #ow benefyces / pluralite to haue .
@anne come @(er)e a confesso(ur) / coped as a frere
To mede @e maide / & mekely he lowted
and seid softely / in shrift as it were
@eigh lered & lewde had / leyne by @e bo@e .
and falshed had yfolowed @e / @is fyftene wyntre .
I schal assoile @e my-self / for a seem whete .
and also be @i baudkyn / & bere wel @i erande .
amonges clerkis & kni#tis / conscience to felle
@anne mede for hir mysdedis / to @at man kneled .
and shrof hir of hir sherewdnesse / shameles I trowe .
she tolde hi(m) a tale / & toke hi(m) a noble .
For to ben hir bedman / & hir baude aftir
thanne he assoilled hir sone / & sythen he seide .
we haue a wy(n)dowe iwrou#t / stant vs wel hiegh{bar} .
woldestow glase @e gable / & g(ra)ue @(er)e @i name .
Siker scholde @i soule be / heuene to haue
wist I @at q(uo)d @(a)t wo(m)man / I wolde nou#t spare
For to be #o(ur) frende frere / & faile #ow neur(e)
wil #e loue lordis / @(a)t lecherie hau(n)te@ .
and lakke@ nou#t ladies / @at loue@ wel @e same .
It is a freelte of flesche / #e fynde it in bokys .
and a course of kynde / where-of we comy(n) alle
who may scape @e sklau(n)der / @e ska@e is sone ame(n)did .
hit is synne of @e seuene / sonnest relest
haue mercy q(uo)d mede / of me(n) @(a)t it haunte .
and schal keur(e) #o(ur) kirke / #o(ur) closter to make .
wowes do whiten / & wyndowes glasen .
Do pointin & purtraye / & pay for @e makyng .
@(a)t eury segge schal seen / @(a)t I am sistre of #o(ur) hous .
But god to alle good folke / suche g(ra)uyng defende@
Nesciat sinist(er) quid faciant dext(er)
lete nou#t @i left half / late ne ra@e
Be war what @i ri#t honde worche@ or dele@ .
and so p(ri)uely p(ar)t it / @at p(ri)de be nou#t seyne .
nei@(er) in si#t nei@(er) in soule / for god hi(m)-self knowe@ .
who is curteise & kynde / coueitouse or elllis .
Therefore I lere #ow lordes / to leue suche writingis .
In wyndowes in waunting / of #o(ur) wel dedis .
Or grede aftir goddes men / wha(n) #e gyue dolis .
In auentur(e) #e haue / #owr(e) hir(e) @(er)e-of here
For hour(e) sauehour(e) it seide / & hi(m)-self p(re)ched .
ame(n) amen receperu(n)t mercedem
meires & masers / #e @(a)t be mene
Betwene @e king & @e co(mun)e / to kepe @e lawe .
as to punysche on pilories / & pynyng stolis .
Bakers & brewers / bochers & kokes .
For @ise ar men of @is molde / @(a)t most harme worche
To @e pore peple / @(a)t p(ar)cemel biggyn
For @ei poisen @e peple / priuely ful oft
and rychen @orow reg(ra)trie / & rentis he(m) biggen
Of @(a)t @e pore peple / sholde put i(n) her wombe
For toke @ei ontrwly / @ei ti(m)bred nou#t so hiegh{bat}
Ne bou#t none borgages / be #e wel sure .
@ei haue no pite of @e pore / @(a)t p(ar)cemel bigge .
Thei taken hem hem vntidy @ing no tresou(n) @ei ne holde
and #it @ei fille nou#t / @at bi @e lawe is seled .
and gripe @(er)fore / also gret / as for @e g(ra)@e trw@e
Many sondrye sondr sorowes / in Citees fallen oft
Bo@e in fyre & in flode / @orow @e false peple
@(a)t bigile@ @e gi?d & greue@ hem wrongly
The wiche crien on knees / @(a)t crist hem awene
here vp-on @is er@e / or ellis in helle .
@(a)t so bigyle hem of her god / @at w god wil hem sende
@e fyure or @e foule yuel / or fyre on her houses
Morayne or myschau(n)ce / many tyme it falle@ .
@(a)t Innocent is yherde / in heuene amonge seintis .
@(a)t lowten alle to howr(e) lorde / & to howr(e) lady bo@e
Graunt gilowrs in erthe / g(ra)ce to amende
To haue penauns in er@e / & nou#t p(ri)soned i(n) helle .
& @a(n)ne falle@ @e fyre / vpon false mennes howses
and goode me(n)nys for @e gilt / brenne for@e aftre
al @is haue we seen / @orow a false brewer
Many brogages brent / & bodies @(er)-Inne
Thorow clemyng of a candel / in a cursed place
It fel down & for-brent / for@e al @e rewe
For-@i maires @(a)t make fre men #ow ou#t
For to spire & aspie / for eny speche of siluer
what man(er) mi(n)straciou(n) / or marchandise he vsed .
Or he wer(e) fraunchessid fre / or felow i(n) #o(ur) rolles
It nys not semely forso@e in citee ne in borowgh{bar}
That any reg(ra)ters / for eny kyne #iftis .
Ben enfrau(n)ged fre / & han a false name
But mede @e mayde / @e maire sche besou
Of alle suche sellars / syluer to to take
Or p(re)sens w(i)t(h)-out pens / as peces of syluer
Rynges of rychesse / @e reg?ateres to mayteyne
For my loue q(uo)d @at lady / loue hem vchone
and suffre hem to selle / so(m)me-del a#en reson .
Salamon @e sage a sermou(n) he made
To mende wi@ maires / & men @(a)t kept lawes
And telde hem @is teeme / @at I telle @inke .
Ignis deuorab(i)t tab(er)nac(u)la eor(um) q(u)i libent(er) accipiu(n)t mun(er)a .
among @ise lettred lordes / @is latyn amu(n)te@ .
@at fire schal falle / & forbrenne atte laste .
@e howses & @e homes / of hem @(a)t desire@ .
To haue #iftes or #res#yues / in #ow@e or in elde .
@a(n)ne come @e kyng fro co(n)seille / & called aftir mede .
and sent hir also swy@e / s(er)iauntes hir fette /
and brou#t hir out of bowr(e) / wi@ blisse & wi@ ioye Corteisly @e kyng comse@ to telle
To mede @e mayde / Melioudiouse wordis .
vnwitly wo(m)man / wrou#t hastow oft .
and werse wrou#tstow neur(e) / @a(n)ne @o @(o)u false toke
But #it for-gif I @e @is gilte / & grau(n)te @e my g(ra)ce .
hennes to @i de@-day / do so no more
I haue forgyuen @e many gilt / & my g(ra)ce yg(ra)unted .
Bo@e to @e & to @ine / for @(o)u sholdest amende .
But euer @e lenger / @e werse / & lesse trw@e is w(i)t(h) @e .
#it for#yue I @e @is gilte / #if @(o)u do so eny more .
In @e castel of cors / I schal done @e close
Or ellis in a werse wone / by sent marie my ladye
@(a)t alle wo(m)men wantou(n) / shal be war by @e
and bitterly banne @e / & alle @(a)t bere @i name .
and teche @e to loue trw@e / & conseille of reson .
I haue a kni#t conscience / cam late fro be-#onde .
3if he wilne@ @e to wif / wiltow hi(m) haue
#e lorde q(uo)d @at lady / lorde forbede ellis .
But I be holely at #owr(e) hest / lete hang me i(n) hast
Thanne was conscience ycalde / to comen & a-per(e)
afore @e kyng & his conseille / clerkys & o@ere
kneling @a(n)ne conscience / to @e kyng lowted
what his wille were / & what he do scholde
wiltow wedde @is wo(m)man / #if I wil assent /
She fayne@ of @i felawchip / & wolde be @i make .
Quod conscience to @e kyng crist me for-bede .
ar I wedde suche a wyf / wo me bitide
She is frele of hir fai@ / fikel of hir speche .
She make@ men mysdo / mony score tymes
In truste of hir treso(ur) / sche tene@ wel many
wyues & wydowes / wantownes she techi@
lerne@ hem lecherie / @at loue her #ifts .
#owr(e) fader she felled / @orow false by-heste .
apoysene@ popis / peire@ holy chirche
Is nou#t a bettre bawe / by hi(m) @at me made .
at twix heuene & helle / in erthe @ei men sou#t a cross
She is tikyl of hir taile / talewyse of tonge .
also co(mun)e as @e carte wey / to knawes & to alle
To monkes & to mynstralles / to myssales i(n) heggis . a cross
Siso(ur)s & somono(ur)s / suche men hir praysen .
Shiryues of shires / were shent #if she ne wer(e)
She do@ men lese her londe / & here lif aftre .
She lete@ passe p(ri)soners / & paie@ for hem oft
She gyue@ @e gailers golde / & grotis to-gidre
She vnfeteri@ @e false / flee were hi(m) like@ .
She take@ @e trw@e by @e toppe / & tie@ hi(m) faste
and hange@ hi(m) for hatered / @at harmed neur(e)
To be cursed in constorie / she cou(n)te@ nou#t a rushe
She copi@ @e comessarie / & cote@ his clerkis .
She is assoiled @us sone / as hir-self like@
She may neigh{bar} as myche done / i(n) a mowth ones a cross
As #oure secret seel / in sex score #eres .
She is p(ri)uey wi@ @e pope / p(ro)uiso(ur)s it knowen
Symonye & hir-self / selen her bulles .
She blessi@ @ise bischopis / @eigh @ei be lewed .
p(ro)uendri@ p(er)sones / & stifly hem may(n)tene@ .
To holden her lemmanes al her lyf daies
To bryng for@ barnes / a#ein for-bode lawes
Su(n)t in-felices q(uia) matres su(n)t meretrices &
wha(n)ne she is wel w(i)t(h) @e kyng / woo is @e rewme .
For she fauore@ false / & folowe@ trw@e oft .
Barou(n)s & burgeis / she bringe@ in sorow .
By Ihesu wi@ hir Iuweles / #owr(e) Iustice she chendi@ .
She lie@ a-gayne @e lawe / & lette@ hi(m) eure
@(a)t fei@ may nou#t haue his for@ / her florens go so @ikke .
She lede@ @e lawe as hir lust / & louedayes make@ .
The mase for a mene man / @eigh he mote eur(e) .
@e lawe is so lordely / & lo@ to make an ende .
wi@-outen pr(e)sens or pens . sche pleci@ wel fewe .
Clergie & coueytise / she cople@ to-gidre .
This is @e li#f of @(a)t lady / now lorde gif hir sorowe .
& alle @(a)t her mayntene / Meschau(n)ce hem bityde .
@e pore ha@ no power to pleyne / @owgh hi(m) scholde .
suche a maistre . is mede / among men of gode .
a cross @a(n)ne morned mede / & mowed hir to @e kyng .
To haue space to speke . spede #if she my#th
The kyng grau(n)ted hir g(ra)ce / wi@ a gode wille .
Excuse @e #if @(o)u canst / I can no bettre seyne
For conscience acuse@ @e / to congey @e for eur(e)
#e lorde q(uo)d @(a)t lady / leue hy(m) @e werse .
whan #e wot witterly / where @e wrong li#the
There @(a)t myschef is gret / mede may helpe
and @(o)u knowest conscience / I come nou#t to chide .
Ne to de-p(ra)ue @i p(er)sone / wi@ a proud herte
wel @(o)u wost conscience / but #if @(o)u wilt lye
@(o)u hast hanged on my halse / eleuenr tymes .
and also grypen of my golde / gif wer(e) @e liked .
whi wra@@est @e now / wondre me @inke@ .
For #it I may as I myyth / Mensk @e wi@ #iftes .
& mayntene @i manhode / more @an @(o)u knowest
But @(o)u hast famed me fowle / a-fore @e kyng here .
For killed neure @e kyng / ne conseilled @ere-aftre a cross
Ne did as @(o)u demest / I do it on @e kyng ,
In normandye nas he nou#t / a-noied for my sake .
But @(o)u @i-self so@ely / shamedest hym oft .
@(o)u crepe into a kaban / for colde of @i nales . a cross
@(o)u wendest @(a)t wyntre / wolde haue laste eur(e)
@(o)u dreddest to haue bi ded / for a dym clowde .
and hasted @e homward / for hunger of @i wombe .
wi@-oute pite @(o)u pilo(ur) / pore men @(o)u robbeddest .
and bare here bras on @i bakke / to caleis to selle .
There I laft w(i)t(h) my lorde / his lyf for to saue .
and made hi(m) w(i)t(h) my myrthe / mornyng to leue .
I batted hem on @e bakk / & bolded her hertis .
I bad hem hoppe for hope / to haue me at wille .
had I ben marschal of his men / by mary of heuene .
I dorst haue leide my lif / & no lesse wedde
he had ben lorde of @at londe / in leng@e & in brede .
and ek kyng of @(a)t ki@@e / his kynne for to helpe .
The lest brolle of his blode / a barownes pere .
Cowardely @(o)u conscience / conseilldest hi(m) @ennes .
To leuen his lordechip / for a litel siluer
@(a)t is @e rychest rewme / @(a)t regne@ vnder heuene .
hit bicome@ to a kyng / @(a)t kepe sal a rewme .
To gyue his men mede / @(a)t mekely hi(m) s(er)ue .
To aliens to alle men / to hono(ur)e hi(m) for #iftis
For mede make@ hi(m) biloued / & for a man holden .
Emp(er)ours Erles / & alle man(er) lordes . .
#orow #iftes haue #onge men / to renne & to ryde
@e pope of his p(re)lat(es) / p(re)sentz vnderfonge@
and meden men hem-self to meyntene @e lawes .
a cross Seriauntis for her seruise / we sen wel @e so@e .
Taken mede of her maistres / as @ei mowe acorde Mynstralles for myr@es . mede @ei taken .
Men @(a)t ken clerkys / craue of hem mede .
Prestis @(a)t prechyn / @e peple to good .
axen mede & messe pans / & here mete also .
alle kynnes crafty men craue mede for her p(re)ntyce .
Mede & marchau(n)dise / mote nede go to-gidre .
Mi#te no man as I wene / lyue w(i)t(h)-oute mede
Quod @e kyng to conscience / bi crist as me @inke@
Mede is welwor@i / @e maistrie to haue .
Quod consciense to @e kyng / & kneled to @e grou(n)de .
Ther(e) be two man(er)e of medes . my lorde w(i)t(h) #owr(e) leue
@(a)t on god of his g(ra)ce / giue@ in his blisse
To hem @at ay wyrche wel / wil @ei ben here
@e p(ro)phete p(re)ched it / & put it in @e sauter .
Q(ui) pecunam sua(m) no(n) ded(i)t / ad vsuram & mun(er)a sup(er) i(n)noce(n)te(m) .
Take no mede my lorde / of men @(a)t ben trwe .
But loue hem & lene hem / for @e lordes loue of heuen
Goddis mede & his mercye / @(er)wi@ my#t @ow wy(n)ne
There is a mede mesureles / @at maistris desire@ .
To meyntene mysdoers / mede @ei take .
and @(er)of seith @e sauter / in ORIG>aspalm(us)a spalm(us) ende .
In quor(um) manib(us) inq(ui)tates su(n)t dextera eor(um) repleta e(st) mun
and he @at gripe@ @e gift / so me god helpe .
Shal a-bye it wel bitterly / ar @e boke lie@ .
@at laboreres & lowe folke / lacche(n) of her maistres.
It is no man(er) of mede / but a mesurable hure .
In marchau(n)dise is no mede / I may it wel a-wowe .
It is a p(er)mutaciou(n) ap(er)tly / a peny-worth for a-no@er
Ne redde @(o)u neure regu(m) / @at recreied mede .
whi @e venIau(n)ce fel . on saul & his childre
God sent hi(m) to seyn / by samueles mow@e .
That agag of amalek / & alle his peple aftre .
Sholde dye for a dede / @(a)t dou(n) had his heldres .
agayn Israel & aaron / & moyses his bro@e .
Samuel seid to saul / god sendi@ @e & hote@ .
wende @ider wi@ @ine ost / wo(m)men to kille .
children & cherles / choppe hem to @e de@ .
loke @(o)u kille @e kyng / couette nou#t his gode .
For eny Myliou(n)s of money / moldre hem vchone
Biernes & bestes / brenne hem to @e de@e .
and for he killed nou#t @e kynge / as crist hi(m) bode sent .
Coueited her catel / killed nou#t here best(es)
But brou#t for@ @e bestes / as @e bible telli@ .
God seid to samuel / @(a)t saul scholde dye
and al his seed for @at synne / shenfullyche ende .
Suche a myschef Mede made . @e kyng to haue
The culor(um) of @is cas / kepe I nou#t to shewe
O a-venture it annuyed me / non ende wil I make .
I conscience knowe . @is / for kynde witte me ta#te
That reson schal regne #it / & regnes gouerne
and ri#t as agag had / happe schal so(m)me
Samuel shal slen hi(m) / & saul schalbe blamed .
and d(aui)d shal be diademed / & daunten hem alle .
and on cristene kyng / kepe vs vchone .
Now shal no more mede / be maistre of erthe .
Bote loue & lownesse & lewte to-gidre
& who-so trespasse@ trw@e / or taki@ agayne his wille .
lewte shal done hy(m) lawe / or lese his lyf elles
Shal no S(er)iauntz for @(a)t s(er)uyse / were a silke howe a cross
Ne no raye robe / wi@ no ryche pellure .
Mede of mysdoers / Make@ hem so ryche
That lawe is lorde waxen / & lewte is pore .
a cross vnkyndenesse is comau(n)der / & kyndenesse is vanshed .
But kynde witt shal come #it / & conscience to-gidre .
and make of lawe a laborer / suche loue schal aryse .
Passus quartus de visione vt p(ri)(us) .
Cesse@ sei@ @e ky(n)g / I suffre #ow no lengre .
#e shul saughtle forso@e / & s(er)ue me bo@e .
kysse q(uo)d @e kyng / conscience I hote /
Nay by crist q(uo)d conscience / congeie me ra@(er) .
But resou(n) rede me @(er)to / ra@(er) wil I die .
and I comau(n)de @e q(uo)d @e kyng / to conscience @anne
Now rape @e to ryde / & resou(n) @(o)u fecche .
Comau(n)de hi(m) @at he come / my conseille to her(e) .
For he schal rewle my rewme / & rede me @e beste .
Of mede & mo o@(er) / & what man schal her wedde
and counte wi@ @e conscience / so me crist helpe .
how @(o)u lerest @e peple / @e lered & @e lewde
I am fayne of @(a)t forward / sei@ @e freke @anne .
he ride@ ri#t to resou(n) / & rowne@ i(n) his ere
and seide hi(m) as @e kyng sent / & sythen toke his leue .
I shal aray me to ryde q(uo)d resou(n) / now rest @e awhile
he called catou(n) his knaue / curteise of speche
a cross Set my sadel vp-on suffre / til I see my teme .
and lete warroke hi(m) wel / wi@ witful garthes .
and hange on hi(m) @e heuy bridil / to holde his hed lowe .
#it he wil make many wehe / ar we be @(er)e .
Conscience on his caple / care@ for@(er) faste .
& reou(n) w(i)t(h) hy(m) ryde@ / & rapi@ aftre .
But on waryn wisdom / & witty his fere
Folowed hem fast / for @ei had to done
In cheker & i(n) chaunserie / to be discharged of @ingis
@ei ryden fast for resou(n) / shulde rede hem @e beste
how to sauen hem-self / fro shame & fro harmys .
But conscience come first / to courte be a myle .
and rowmed for@ wi@ resou(n) / ri#t afore @e kyng .
Curteisly @e kyng @anne / come toward resou(n) .
and a-twix hi(m) & his sone / sett hi(m) on benche .
and wordyn a gret while / wel wysely togidre
@a(n)ne pees in @e p(ar)lement / put vp a bille .
how wrong a#ein his wille / had his wyf takyn
how he rauished Rose / Regynoldis loue .
and margarete of hir maydenhode / ma(n)gr(e) her chekis a cross .
Bo@e my gees & my gryse / his gadling(es) fecchen .
I dar nou#t for fer of hem / fytht ne chide .
he borowed of me bayerd / & brou#t hi(m) neure agayne .
Ne no fer@ing @(er)fore / for nou#t I cou@e plede .
he mey(n)tene@ his men / to robbe & to slee .
Forstalle@ my feyres / fightith i(n) my chepyng
he breke@ vp my barne dore / beri@ awey my where
he take@ me but a tayle / for ORIG>.x.ten quarter otis .
and #it he beti@ me @er-to / & li@ by my maide .
I am nou#t hardy for hem / onis for to loke .
@e kyng knewe he seid @e so@e / for conscie(n)ce hi(m) tolde
wrong was aferde @o / & wisdome he sou#t
To make pees wi@ his pans / & p(ro)ferd hy(m) manye .
For had I loue of my lorde @e ky(n)g / litle wolde I recche .
Theigh pees & his power / pleynid hi(m) eur(e)
wisdome wept @o / so did witte alse . . . .
For @(a)t wrong had ywrou#t / so wikkyd a dede .
and warned wronge @o / wi@ suche a wyse tale .
who-so worthe@ not by wel / wra@ make@ oft /.
I sey by my-self / @(o)u schalt it sone fynde
But #if Mede it make / @i myschep is vp .
For bo@e @i lif & @i lande / li@ in kyng(es) g(ra)ce .
wrong vp-on wisdom . wept & praied .
To helpe hi(m) for of his . handy-dandy payed .
Thanne wisdome & witt / went to-gidre .
and nomen Mede wi@ hem / mercy to axe .
Pees put for@ his heed / & his panne blody .
w(i)t(h)-out gilt god wot / gate I @is ska@e .
Conscience & @e kyng / knew wel @e so@e .
a cross and wist wel @at wrong / was a cherewe eure .
But wisdome & witte / were aboute faste .
To ouer-come @e kyng / wi@ catel #if @ei my#t .
@e kyng swore by crist / & by his crowne bo@e .
@(a)t wronge for his werkis / sholde wo @ole .
he comau(n)ded a constable / to kast hi(m) in Irens .
he shal not @is seuene #er(e) / sene his fete onys .
God wot q(uo)d wisdom @(a)t were nou#t @e best .
a cross #if he may make amendes / late hy(m) maynp(ri)se hi(m) haue
& be borow for his bale / & biggyn hi(m) bote .
amende @(a)t mysdede / & eu(er)more @e bettre
a cross Mede gan to megen hir / & mercy be-sou#te .
& p(ro)ferd pes a present / al of pure golde
haue @is man of me / to mende w(i)t(h) @i sca@e .
For I wil wage for wrong / he wil do so no more /
Pees @anne pytously / preide to @e kynge .
To haue mercy of @at man / @at mysdid hi(m) oft
For he ha@ waieg me wel / as awisdome hi(m) tau#t .
For-gyue hi(m) @(a)t gilt / w(i)t(h) a gode wille .
So @(a)t #e assent / I can sey no more .
Mede ha@ made me amendes / I may no more axen .
Nay q(uo)d @e kyng @o / so god gif me blisse .
wrong wendes nou#t so / til I wit more
lepe he so li#tly / lawhen he wolde /
& ek be @e bolder / to bete myne heuene a cross
But resou(n) haue rew@e of hi(m) . he schal rest in my stokkis .
also long as I leue / but #if loue it make
@anne was resou(n) redde / to haue rew@e of @(a)t sherewe .
& @e kyng conseilled / & conscience bo@e
To make mede Maynp(er)no(ur) / resou(n) @ei be-sou#t
Red me nou#t q(uo)d resou(n) / no rewthe to haue .
Til lordis & ladies / louen alle trw@e
and p(er)nell(es) p(ur)fyle / be put in her huche .
Til children cherissyng / be chasted wi@ #erdis .
To clerkis & kni#tes / be curteise of her mow@es .
Til p(re)stes her p(re)chyng / p(re)uen hem-self .
and done i(n) dede / to draw vs to gode .
Til seynt Iame be sou#t / @(er)e I schal asigne
@(a)t no man go galis / but #if he go for eur(e) a cross
& alle Rome-renners / for robbers of by-#onde .
Bere no siluer ou(er) see / @at signe of kyng beris .
nei@er grotis ne golde / ygraue w(i)t(h) kyngis crowne .
vp for faito(ur) of @(a)t fee / whoso fynde hem at Douorre a cross .
But it be marcha(u)#nt or his ma(n) / or messanger w(i)t(h) l(ett)res
Or p(ro)uiso(ur) or prest / @at @e pope a-vaunce@
and by @e Rode q(uo)d resou(n) / I schal no rew@e haue .
wil mede ha@ @e maistrie / to mote in @is halle .
But I may seyn in example / as I se o@(er)e
I sey for my-self / #if it so were
That I were kyng wi@ crowne / to kepen a rewme
Sholde neure wrong i(n) @is worlde / @(a)t I wit my#te
Be vnpunisshed in my power / for p(er)il of my soule
Ne gete g(ra)ce @orow gift / so me god helpe
Ne for no mede haue m(er)cye / but mekenesse it made .
For nullu(m) malu(m) @e man / mette w(i)t(h) inpunitu(m)
& bad nullu(m) bonu(m) be irremuneratu(m)
Do @i confesso(ur) sire kyng / constru it on englissh{bar}
and #if @(o)u wirche it in werke / I wedde bo@e myne eres
@(a)t lawe schal be a laborer / & lede a-felde donge
& loue schal lede al @i londe / as @e leue lyke@ .
Clerkis @(a)t wer(e) co(n)fesso(ur)s / cowpled hem to-gydre .
For to construe @is clause / declined fast
whan resou(n) i(n) a rude wra@ / reh(er)sed alle @ise wordis .
halle, a crossTher nas man i(n) @e mote alle / more ne lesse .
@(a)t he ne helde resou(n) a Maist(er) / & mede a mychel wrecche
loue lete of hir li#t / & lowgh / hir to scorne
& seide it so lowde / @(a)t so@enesse it herde .
who-so wilne@ hir to wyf / for wel@e of hir godis
But he be cokewolde ycalde / cut of my nose .
waryn wisdom / ne witty his fere
Cou@e nou#t werpyn a worde / to wi@segge resou(n)
But stareden for studeing / & stoden stille as best(es) .
The kyng a-cordid anon / to resou(n)s sawes
and seid @(a)t resou(n) had ri#tfullyche shewid .
But it is herde by my hed / herto to bryng it
and alle my lege lordes / to lede @us euene
By hi(m) @(a)t rau#t on @e rode q(uo)d resou(n) to @e kyng
But I rule @us #owr(e) rewme / rende out my ribbes .
#if so be @at boxomenesse / be of myne assent .
and I assent sei@ @e kyng / by sent Marie my lady .
Be my conseille ycomen / of clerkis & erlis .
But redely Resou(n) @(o)u schalt nou#t ryde hennes .
For as longe as I leue / leten @e I nelle . .
I am redy q(uo)d resou(n) / to rest w(i)t(h) #ow eure .
#if conscience be of conseille kepe I no bettre .
and I graunt q(uo)d @e kyng / god forbede he faille
also longe as I lyue / libbe we to-gidris .
Passus quintus de visione vt p(rim)us
The kyng & his kni#tghtes / to @e kirke went
To here maytenys & messe / & to mete aftre .
Tha(n)ne waked I of my wynkyng / & wo was w(i)t(h)alle .
That I ne had sadder yslept / & Iseye more .
ar I had farn a fourlong / Fantyse me hente .
a fote ne my#t I fer@(er) / for defaute of slepyng
I sat softely a-down / & seide my bileue .
and so I babled on my bedes / it brou#t me a-slepe .
Thanne saw I mychel more / @anne I bifore tolde .
how conscience wi@ a crosse / come for to p(re)che
he praied @e peple / to haue pyte of hem-seluen
and preued @at pestylence / was for pure synne
and @e southwest wynde / on saterday at euene .
was ap(er)tily for p(ri)de / & for no poynt elllis
Pyryes & plomtres / were puffed to @e grounde {otiose tilde}
In ensaumple / #e scholde do @e bettre
Beches & brode okes / were blowen to @e er@e .
and torned vpward her tailles / i(n) tokenyng of drede .
@at dedly synne ar domesday / schal for-done hem alle .
he bad wasto(ur) go worche / wat he best cow@e
& wynne @(a)t he wasted / w(i)t(h) so(m)me man(er) craft .
he preid dame p(er)nel / her purfyle to leue
& kepe it in hir cofer / for catel at nede .
Thomas he tau#t / to take two staues . . .
and fecche home felyce / fro @e wyuene pyne
a cross warne watte @(a)t his wyf / was for to blame .
@(a)t hir hed was wor@ half marke / & his hode nou#t wor@e a grote
he charched chapmen / to chastice her children .
@at no wynnyng hem weny / whil @ei be #onge .
He praied prelates / & prestis to-gidre
al @at @ei preche / to preue it hem-self
a cross & libbe@ as #e lerne vs / we wil lowe #ow @e bettre .
he radde Religiou(n) / her rule wel to holde
lest @e kynges conseille / #owr(e) co(mun)es appaire
& be stwardes in #our(e) stedes / tyl #e be-stow it bettre .
Tho @at seken seint Iame & seintis at Rome .
Seke@ seint trw@e / for he may saue #ow alle
Qui cu(m) patre & filio @at fair(e) mote #ow befalle .
@anne ranne repentance / to reherse his teme
and made wille wepe / watre wi@ his eyen .
Sup(er)bia Pernel proude hert / plat hir to @e grownde
and syked ful sorowfully / & seide lorde m(er)cye .
a cross and bieght to hi(m) / @at vs alle made
she sholde vnsowen her serke / & sette @(er)on a heire .
a cross Fort affai-ten her flesche / @at fiers was to synne
shal neur(e) hiegh herte me hent / but holde me low
But now wil I meke me & mercye byseke .
Of al @(a)t I haue had p(ri)de in my herte
Luxuria lecherie seid allas / & on our(e) lady cried .
To gete mercy for his mysdedis / in mendyng of his soule
wi@ @at he sholde saterday seuene #ere @(er)aftre /
Drynke but Mid @e doke / & dyne but onys .
Invidia Enuy wi@ heuy herte / axed aftre shrift
and carefully his coupe / bigynne@ he to shewe .
also pale as a pelot / in a palsye he semyd .
Cladde i(n) a caury-maury / I cow@e it nou#t descreue .
a kirtil & a courte-pye / a knyf be his syde .
Of a frere frokke / were @e forsleues .
Os led @at had leyn longe in @e sonne
So loked he wi@ lene chekys / louryng ful fowle .
al for-bolned for angre / @at he bote his lippis .
and wro@ly he wrong his fist / to wreken hi(m) he @ou#t
wi@ werkys or wordis / whan he seigh{bar} his tyme
venym vernissh{bar} / or vynegre I trowe .
walowe@ in my wombe / & waxe@ as I wene
I my#t nou#t many day done / as a man ou#t
swche wynde in my wombe / waxe@ ar I dyne .
I haue a neighbore nyegh me / @(a)t I a-nyed oft a cross
& blamed hi(m) bi-hynde his bakke / to bryng hi(m) i(n) fame .
To peire hi(m) by my power / I pursued oft .
Bylowlen hi(m) to lordes / do done hi(m) lese siluer .
and done his frendis ben his fone / @orow my false tonge .
his g(ra)ce & his gode happis greue me wel sore
atwix hi(m) & his wif . haue I made wra@e .
Bo@e lym & lyf was lost / @orow my tonge .
I mete hi(m) in market / @at I most hate .
I hailse hi(m) as hendely / as I his frende were .
he is doughtier @an I I dar non harme done hi(m) .
But had I @e maistrie / morthere hi(m) I wolde .
whan I come to @e kirke / & knele to @e rode .
To pray for @e peple / as @e prest teche@
Thanne I cried on my knees / @(a)t crist gif hem sorowe .
@(a)t bare awey my bolles / & my broke shete .
& fro @e auter Myne hiegh{bar} / I torne & byholde .
how hayne ha@ a new cote / & his wyf ano@er .
Tha(n)ne I wyssh{bar} it were myne / & al @e webbe aftir
Of his lesyng I lawgh{bar} / it li#te@ myn herte .
And of his wynnyng I wepe / & weille @e tyme .
I deme @(a)t men do yuel / & #i#t I do worse .
who-so ha@ more @an I / @at angre@ myn herte .
and @(us) I lyue loueles / lyke a ly@er dogge .
@at al my brest bolne@ / for bitter of my galle .
a cross @(er)e nys no sugre ne swete @ing / may swage it an vche .
Ne no dyapenydyon / dryue it fro my(n) herte .
#if shrift sholde me @inke / it shope a grete wondre
#is redily q(uo)d repentance / & radde hi(m) to goode
Sorow for synnes / saue@ wel many
I am sory q(uo)d @(a)t sherew / I am but selden o@(er)e
and @at make@ me so mat / for I may me nou#t awe(n)ge .
Auaricia . @anne come coueityse / I can hi(m) nou#t descreue .
a cross So hu(n)gryly & so holow / syre henri @a(n)ne loked .
Bitilbrowed & baberlippid / wi@ two blered eyn .
and as a letherne porse / lolled his chekis .
In a torne taberde / of twelue wyntre age .
But #if a lowse couthe lepe / I may nou#t yleue .
he sholde wandre on @at welche / so was it @redbare .
a cross I haue be coueitouse q(uo)d @(a)t catyf / I beknewe it here .
For su(m)me tyme I s(er)ued sy(m)me / at Noke .
I was his preyntes pli#t / his p(ro)fyt to loke .
First I lerned to lye / ORIG>aleefa leef o@er two .
wikkidly for to weygh{bar} / was my next lessou(n)
To wynchestre & to wy / I went to @e feir(e)
w(i)t(h) many man(er) Marcha(n)dise / as my maist(er) hieght
Ne had @e g(ra)ce of gyle ygone / amonge my ware .
It had ben vnsolde / @is seuene #er(e) / so me god helpe
@a(n)ne drow I me to drapers / My donet to lere .
To drawe @e leser alonge / @e lenger it semyd .
a-mong
A-mong @e ryche rayes / I rendred a lessou(n) .
Broched hem w(i)t(h) a paknedle / & pleyted hem togidre .
put hem in a presso(ur) / and peyned hem @(er)-Inne .
Til ORIG>.x.ten #erdes or twelue / tolled out ORIG>.xiij.thrittene
My wyf was a vy(n)nestre / & wollen clo@e made a cross
She spake to spynestres / to spynne it soft
@e pound @at she payed by / paysed a q(ua)rter more .
@a(n)ne myn auncere did / whan I weygh{bar} trow@e .
I brou#t hir barly malte / sche brew it to selle
penyale & pylewyl / she pourid to-gidre
For laboreres & low folke / it lay by it-self
@e beste in my bedchau(m)bir / lay by @e wowe .
and who-so bu(m)med @(er)-of / bou#t it @(er)aftre .
a galou(n) for ORIG>agrotea grote / god wot no lesse
whan it cam in coppe-mele / @e craft my wyf vsed .
Rose reg(ra)tere was hir ri#t name
She had holden huxtrie / eleuene wyntre .
And I swere now so @ike / @at synne wyl I lete
and neure wikkydly weygh / ne wikke chaffre make
But wende to walsyngh(a)m / & my wyf aftre .
and bid @e Rode of bromeholme / bryng me out of dette
Now bygynne@ glotou(n) / for to go to shrift Gula
and kaire@ hi(m) to kirkward / his coupe to shewe .
Betou(n) @e brewster / bad hi(m) god morowe
& she axed @anne of hi(m) / whider-worde he wolde .
To holycherche q(uo)d he / @(er)e to here messe
& si@en wil I chryue me / & Synne no more
I haue gode ale Cossip glotou(n) / wiltow assaye .
#e hastow ough{bar}t in @i p(ur)se / eny hote spyces .
#e gossip q(uo)d she / god wot wel hote
I haue pep(er) & pyanye / & a pou(n)de of garlik .
a fer@ing-wor@ of fenel sede / for fastyng dayes .
Thanne go@ glotou(n) in / & grete o@is aftyr .
Cesse @e sowtere / sat on @e benche . . . .
what @e webster / & his wyf bo@e
To(m)me @e ty(n)ker & two of his knaues .
a crosshikke @e hoper his hors & hyne
Claryce of kokkeslane / @e clerke of @e kyrke
Sire piers of prydye / & p(er)nel of flawndris .
Daw @e diker & a dozein o@(er)e .
a Ribibour / a Ratoner / @e raker of @e chepe.
a roper a redyng-kyng / & rose @e dissheres .
a cross Godfrey of gloustre / & gryuy(n) @e walsch{bar}
Of vpholders a hep / @at erly by @e morowe .
Geuen glotou(n) w(i)t(h) glad chere / gode ale to hansel .
Clement @e cobler / cast of his cloke
and at @e newefair(e) / he nemyd it to selle
hikke @e hoper / hitte his hode aftre
& bette @e bocher / shulde ben on his syde
There were chapmen ychosen / @e chaffre to praise .
For whoso had @e hode / sholde make a-mendis .
To rysen vp in rape / & rownen to-gydre .
and praisen @e penywor@es / ap(er)t by hem-seluen .
There were o@is an hep / who-so it harde
Thei couthe nou#t by here co(n)scie(n)ce a-corde to-gidre .
Til Robyn @e roper was rad to ryse .
and nemyd for a nu(n)per / @at no debate nere
hichkok @e hoper had @e cloke
In couenaunt @at clement / sholde @e coppe fille .
and haue @e hop(er)is hode / & holde hi(m) yserued .
and who @at repented rathest / sholde a-ryse aftre
and grete sire glotou(n) / wi@ a galou(n) ale .
@ere was laughyng & lowryng / & lete go @e coppe .
Bargaynes & beuerages / by-gonne for to ryse .
and sytten so tyl euensong / & songe vmwhile .
Til glotou(n) had glowpyd / a galou(n) of ale
he pissed a potel in a pater-noster while
& blewe @e Rounde Ruet at his rigge bonis ende
That alle @(a)t herde @at horne / helde her nose aftir
and wysshed it were wexid / w(i)t(h) a wyspe of firsyn .
he had no strengthe to stonde / til he his staf hadde .
& @anne go@ he for@ / lyke a glewma(n)nes byche
So(m)me tyme a-syde / & so(m)me tyme arere .
as who-so leyde lynes / to lacche wi@ fowlys .
& made endentures / of @e brode worlde
But wha(n)ne he drowe to @e dore / @a(n)ne dy(m)med his eyen he stombled at @e @resfolde / & @rew to @e grownde .
@(a)t w(i)t(h) al @e wo of @is worlde / his wyf & his wenche
Bere hi(m) hom to his bedde / & brou#t hi(m) @(er)-Inne .
and affter al @is s(ur)fayt / an accesse he hadde
@(a)t al a somer he slepe / til sonne #ede to reste
whan he waked of his wynke / he wyped his eyn .
The first worde @(a)t he spake / was were is @e coppe a cross
his wyf blamed hi(m) @anne / of wickednesse & sy(n)ne .
Thanne was ashamed @(a)t sherewe / & gan sharape his eris
& gan grete grymly / & grete dole to make .
For his lither lyff / @(a)t he lyued hadde
and a-wowed to fast / for eny first or hu(n)ger a cross
shal neure fische on friday / defyen in my wombe
Til abstinence myne hau(n)te / haue #eue me leue
& #it haue I hated hir al my lif tyme .
Slew@e for sorow / fel dou(n) / in swowe . Accidia
Til vigilate @e veille / fet watre at his eyn a cross
& flapt it in his face / & fast on hi(m) cried .
Be wel war of whanhope . he wolde @e bytrye .
I am sory of my synnes / sey to @i-self .
Bet @iself on @e brest / & bid god of g(ra)ce
For nys no gilt here so grete / @(a)t his m(er)cy nys more /
@anne sat slow@e vp / & siked faste
a cross and awowed afor god / for his fowle slow@e .
a cross Sal no sonday be @is seuene #ere / but sekenesse it make .
That I ne shal do me ar day / to @e dere cherche .
a cross To here maytynes & messe / as I a mu(n)ke were .
a cross Sal none ale after / mete holde me @ennes .
Tyl I haue euensong yherde / y byhote to @e rode .
and #it shal I #elde a#ein / #if I so moche haue .
al @at I wikkydly wan / si@en I witt hadde .
and @eigh{bar} me lyflode lakke / leten it I nelle .
That yche man ne sclal haue his / ar I he(n)nes wy(n)de .
and wi@ @e resydue & remnau(n)t / by @e Rode of chestre .
I wil seke seynt trw@e / ar I se Rome .
Robert @e robber / on Reddite loked .
and for @(er)e nas nou#te wher-w(i)t(h) / he wepid ful sore
But #it @e synful sherew / seid to hi(m)seluen .
Crist @(a)t on caluarie / vpon @e crosse deydest .
To dismas my bro@er / by-sou#t @e of g(ra)ce
@(o)u haddest m(er)cye of @(a)t man / for memnto sake .
@(o)u haue m(er)cye of me / as wys / I haue deserued .
To haue helle for eure / #if @(a)t hope ne were
@(o)u rew on me Robert / @(a)t redde none ne haue
Ne neure wene to wynne / w(i)t(h) craft @(a)t I owe .
But for @i meychel mercye / Mitigacion I byseche
Dampne me nou#t atte domesday / for I did so ille .
bwhat bifel of @is felown / I can nou#t faire shewe .
But wel I wote he wept fast watre wi@ his eyn .
and knoleched his gilt / to crist #it eftesones .
@(a)t penitencia his pyke / he sholde polyssh{bar} newe .
and lepe w(i)t(h) hi(m) ou(er) londe al his lyf tyme .
For he had leyn by latro luciferes aunt .
a thowsand of men @o / @rungen to-gidres .
wepyng & waylyng / for her wikked dedis.
Cried vpward tro crist & to his clene modre
To haue g(ra)ce to seche trw@e / got leue @(a)t @ei mote a cross
Passus sextus de visione vt pri(mus)
Now wher(e) @(er)e fewe so wyse / @(a)t @e weye @ider cow@e
But blostre@ for@ as bestis ou(er) valeys & hilles .
Til late was & long / @at @ei a lede mette
Apparailled as a paynyme / in pilg(ri)mes wyse .
he bar a bourdou(n) ybounde / wi@ ORIG>abrodea brode liste .
In a wethewyndes wyse / wonden aboute .
a bagge & a bolle / he bar be his syde
A hu(n)dre@ of appolles / on his hat setten
signes of signay / & chellis of galys .
and many crowche / on his cloke / & keyis of Rome
And @e vernicle afore / for men cholde knowe .
And sene by his signes / wh{bar}o he sou#t hadde
This folke frayned hi(m) fair(e) / whennes he come .
Fro Synaye he seyde / & fro @e sepulcre .
At bedlem at babiloyne / I haue ben in bo@e
In hermonye in alysau(n)dre / & many o@(er)e place .
#e may se by my sygnes / @(a)t sittyn on my(n) hatte .
That I haue walked ful wyde / in wete & in drye .
and sough{bar}t gode seyntis / for my soulis hel@e .
knowest ough{bar}t a corseynt @at men calle trw@e .
Canstow wisse vs @e wey / where @(a)t wy dwelli@ .
Nay so me god helpe / sie@ @e grome @anne
I saw neur(e) palmere / wi@ pik ne wi@ scrippe .
axe aftire seynt trw@e / ar now in @is plase .
Peter q(uo)d a plougman / & put for@ his hed
I know hym as kyndely / as clerke do@ his bokis .
Conscience & kynde witt / kenned me to his place .
and did me suren hi(m) si@en to s(er)uen hi(m) for eur(e)
Bo@e sowen & sette while I swynke my#te .
a crossI haue ben his s(er)uaunt / al @is seuenty wyntre .
Bo@e ysowen his seed / & swed his bestis .
Dyked & doluen / & don @(a)the hi#te .
wi@inne & wi@outen / ywayted his p(ro)fyt .
@(er) is no laborer i(n) his lordeship / @(a)t he loue@ bettre .
For @owgh I sey it my-self / I s(er)ue hi(m) to paye .
I haue Myn hure of hi(m) wel / & o@(er)-while more .
he is prestest payer / @at pore men knowen
w(i)t(h)holde he none huwe his hir(e) / @(a)t he ne ha@ it at euene
he is as lowe as a lombe / louelyche of speche .
#if @(a)t #e wilne@ to wyte / where @(a)t wy dwelle@ .
I schal wisse #ow wel / ri#t to his place .
#e leue piers q(uo)d @e pilg(ri)mes / & p(ro)ferd hi(m) hir(e)
Nay by p(er)yl of my soule / q(uo)d piers / & gan for to swer(e)
I nolde fonge a fer@ing / for seynt Thom(a)s shiryne .
Trw@e wolde loue me @e lesse / a long tyme @(er)-aftre
But #e @(a)t wilne@ to wende / @is is @e wey @ider
#e mote go @orow mekenesse / bo@e man & wyues .
Til #e come to conscience / @(a)t criste wite @e so@e .
@(a)t #e loue hi(m) leuer @a(n) @e li#f in #oure hertis
& @a(n)ne #o(ur)e neighboris nexte / in none wyse apeire .
O@(er)-wyse @an @(o)u woldest / men wrou#t to @i-seluen .
& bowe@ for@ tyl a broke / be@ boxome of speche .
Til #e fynden a for@ / #oure fadres honowre@ .
wade@ in @at watre / & wasshe@ #ow wel @ere .
and #e schal lepe @e li#tlyar / al #our(e) lyf tyme
@a(n)ne shal #e se swere nou#t / but if it be for nede .
& namely i(n) ydel @e name of god almy#tty
@anne schal #e come to a croft / but come@ nou#t @(er)inne
@e croft hatt coueite nou#t / mennys catel & her wyues .
Ne none of her catel / @(a)t han any my#t
loke @(o)u breke no brau(n)che @(er)e / but if it be @i(n) owne
Two stokkys @e stonde but stynt #e nou#t @(er)e .
Thei high{bar}t stele nou#t ne sle nou#t / strike for@e by bo@e
leue hem on @i left half / & loke hem nou#t aftre
And holde wel @in holyday / alwey for@ til euene
@anne schal #e blenche at a berwe / bere no false witnesse
he is feffyd w(i)t(h) floreyns / & o@(er) foes manye .
loke @(o)u plukke no plau(n)te @(er)e / for p(er)il of @i soule .
@a(n)ne schal #e come to a courte / clere as @e sonne /
@e mote is of m(er)cye / @e maner a-bowte .
and alle @e wallys ben of witt / to holde wille
@e kyrnellys ben of cristyndome / @(a)t kynde to saue .
@e botraces of byleue / wher@orow we be saued .
wi@ no lede but wi@ loue / as bre@(er)en of o wombe .
@e towre there trw@e is / is vpon @e sonne
he may do wi@ @e day strerre / what hi(m) dere like@ .
Ded dar nou#t do @ing / @(a)t he defende@
Grace hat @e gatward / ORIG>agodmana god man forso@e .
his man hat amende #ow / for many man he knowe@ .
Telle hi(m) @is tokyne / trw@e wot @e so@e
I p(ar)forned @e penans / @e prest me enioyned
I am sory for my synnes / & so schal I eure .
whan I @enke @(er)-vpon / @ei I were a pope.
Bedde@ amende #ow / meke hi(m) to his maistre .
Ones to weyue vp @e wiket / @e @e wy chette
To adam & Eue / eten her bane /
For he ha@ @e keye & @e clykett / @eig @e kyng slepe
& #if g(ra)ce g(ra)unte @e to go in / in @is wyse
@anne schatow se trw@e / wel syttyng in @in herte .
lere @e to loue hi(m) / & his lawes kepen .
and be wel ware of wrathe @e nou#t / @(a)t wikkyd sherewe
he ha@ envye to hi(m) / @at in @yne herte sitte@
And put for@ p(ri)de / to prayse @i-seluen
@e boldenesse of @i bienfait / bly(n)de@ @e @anne .
So wor@ @ow dryuen out as dew / & @e dore closed .
ykeyed & yklyked / to kepe @e @(er)out
happyly an ORIG>.C.hundred wyntre / ar @(o)u eft entre
@us may @(o)u lesyn his loue / to lat wel by @i-self .
And gete it ageyn @orow g(ra)ce / & @orow no gift ellys .
But @(er)e ben seuene sustren / @at s(er)ue trw@e eure .
Porters of @e posternes / @(a)t to @e place longe@ .
That on hat abstenence / humylyte ano@(er)e
Chastite & charite / ben his chef maydenes .
Pacience & pes / Moche peple helpen .
largesse @at lady / lede@ in wel manye .
And who is sibbe to @is sustres / so me god helpe .
he is ri#t welcome / & faire vnderforgeyn .
And but #e be sibbe to somme of @ise seuene
hit is wel harde by myne hed / for eny of #ow alle .
To gete ingonge at eny gate / but g(ra)ce be @e more .
By crist q(uo)d a cutpors / I ne haue no kynne @(er)e
Ne I q(uo)d a napeward / for ou#t @at I knowe
wot god q(uo)d a wafrere / wist I @is forso@e
I wolde neure fer@er afote / for no freris p(re)cyng .
3is q(uo)d piers @e plowman / & powkid hir to gode
Mercy is a mayden @ere / ha@ my#t ou(er) hem alle .
She is sibbe to alle synful / & hir sone also .
And @orow @e helpe of hem two / hope @(o)u non o@(er)e .
Thow schalt gete g(ra)ce @(er)e / so @(o)u go by-tyme
Passus septimus de vsione vt p(rim)(us)
Now is @is a wykkyd weye / but who-so had ORIG>agydea gyde
@(a)t my#th folow vs vche fote / til we come @(er)e .
p(er)kyn @e ploughma(n) / by seynt poule @e apostle
I haue an half acre to ere / by @e hiegh{bar weye .
were it don I wolde fayn / wende for@ wi@ #ow .
and wysse #ow ri#t wel / til #e were @ere
This were long lettyng q(uo)d ORIG>aladya lady in ORIG>asklairea sklaire
what sholde we wo(m)men / worche @e while .
So(m)me shal sowe @e sakke / for chedyng of @e whete .
and #e wyues @(a)t han wolle / worche@ it fast
Spynny@ it spedely / spare@ nou#t #owr(e) fyngres .
But if it be holyday / or ellis holy euene
loke@ for@ #oure lynnen / & laboure@ @(er)on fast
@e naked & @e nedy / nym kepe how @ei liggen .
Cast hem clo@es for colde / for so techi@ trow@e
& I schal lene hem lyflode / but #if @e londe faille .
Also long as I leue / for @e lordys loue of heuene
#e louelyche ladyes / wi@ #owr(e) longe fyngres .
@(a)t han silke & sendel / sowe@ it whan tyme is .
Chesybles for chapelynes / chirche to hono(ur)e
and alle man(er) o@(er) men / @(a)t on @e molde lyuen .
helpe hem worche wythtyly / @(a)t wynne@ #owr(e) fode
By crist q(uo)d a kny#th @o / @ou kennest vs @e beste
For on @e tem trwly / tau#t was I newr(e)
Now kenne me q(uo)d @e kni#th / & I wil comse to erye .
By seynt poul q(uo)d p(er)kyn / for @(o)u p(ro)ferst @e so lowe .
I schal swynke & swete / to sowe for vs bo@e
and also labo(ur) for @i loue / al my li#f tyme
In couenaunt @(a)t @(o)u kepe / holy kirke & me .
From wastours & ORIG>wikkydmenwikkyd men / @(a)t wolde vs destrwe .
and go hunte hardely / to hares & to foxis .
To bores & to bukkes / @at brekyn my(n) hegges /
And fecche @e home facownes / @e fowlys to kylle
For @ei come to myn croft / & croppe of my whete .
Curteisly @anne @e kni#t / comsed @eise wordis
By al my power p(er)kyn / I pli#t @e my trow@e .
To fulfille @is forward / wil @(a)t I may stonde
& #it a poynt q(uo)d p(er)kyn / I prey to @e more
loke @(o)u tene no tenaunt / but trw@e wil assent .
and @ou#gh pore men p(ro)fre #ow / p(re)sens & #iftes .
Nyme@ it nou#t on a-ve(n)ture / #e mowe it nou#t des(er)ue .
For @(o)u schalt #elde it a#ein / at one #eres ende /
In a wel p(er)ilouse place / @(a)t purgatorie hatte
Misbede nou#t @i bonde men / @e bet schaltow spede .
@(a)t @(o)u be trwe of @i tonge / & talis @(o)u hate
But it be wisdome & witt / @i werkmen to chaste
holde w(i)t(h) no harlotes / ne here nou#te here talis .
And namelyche at mete / suche men eschewe .
@ei ben @e deuelis diso(ur)s / I do @e to vnderstonde
And I assent @e same / seid @e kni#t @anne .
To worchen by @i wordis / whil my li#f dure@
and I schal di#t me q(uo)d piers / in palmers wyse
& wende w(i)t(h) #ow @e wey / tyl we fynde trw@e .
he cast on his clo@is / yclowted & hole
his kokers & his coffys / for colde of his nailes .
heng his hoper at his halse / in stede of a skryppe
a buschel of bredcorne / bryng me @anne .
For I wil sow it my-self / & sy@en wil I wende
who @at helpi@ me to herye / or eny @ing to swynke
shal be allowed by owr(e) lorde / @e more hire in heruest .
& make he(m) mery w(i)t(h) @e corne / who-so be-grucche it .
& alle ky(n)nes crafty men / @(a)t conne lyue i(n) trow@e
I schal fy(n)de he(m) fode / @at fei@fully libben /
Saue Iakke @e Iogelo(ur) / & Iohannet atte stuwes
& Roby(n) @e Rybaudo(ur) / for his rusty wordes .
Tru@e tolde me ones & bad me telle it for@e
Deleant(ur) de libro viuenciu(m)
I sholde helde w(i)t(h) he(m) nou#t / he bad me also .
For holycherche wholden of he(m) no ti@es to axe .
Saue Et cu(m) iustis no(n) sc(ri)bantur & c(etera)
For @e i ben ascapyd @rift . now god hem amende .
Dame wirche whan tyme is / p(er)kynes wyf hat
his dou#ter / hat do ri#t so / or @i dame shal @e bete .
his sone hat soffre @i souereines / to haue(n) her wille .
kurse he(m) nou#t for if @(o)u do / @(o)u schalt it dere bigge
lat god a-wor@e wi@-al / for so his worde techi@
Now @(a)t I am olde & hore / @oughe haue of myne owne
To penaunce & to pilg(ri)mage / I wil passse w(i)t(h) @is o@er
Therfore I wil or I wende / do wryte my lyqueste .
In dei no(m)i(n)e Amen I make it my-self
he schal haue my soule / @(a)t best it ha@ deserued .
And defende it fro @e fende / for so I byleue
Til wa(n)ne I come to myne a-cou(n)tes / as my crede me techi@ .
In @(a)t re(n)tal to haue relesse / & remissiou(n) I leue
@e kirke schal haue my caryon / & kepe alle my bonys .
For of my corne & my catel / he craue@ @e ti@e
I paied it hi(m) ful prestely / for p(er)ile of my soule
he is holden I hope / to haue me in mynde
And mengen in his memorie / a-monge alle cristene
My wyf schal haue of @at I wan / w(i)t(h) trw@e & no more
& dele amonge my frendis / & my dere children .
#if I dye to-day / my dettis ar quitte
I bar home @(a)t I borowed / ar I to bedde #ede .
& w(i)t(h) @e resude & @e remenant / by @e Rode of chestre
I wil worchip @(er)-wi@ / trw@e i(n) my lyf .
and ben his pilg(ri)me atte plough / for pore me(n)nys sake
To rende vp @e rotis of @istlys & @ornes .
& helpe my cultre to kerue / to clense @e forowes .
Now is pers & @e pilg(ri)mes / to @e plow faren .
To herye @is half acre / helpyn hi(m) manye .
Dikers & deluars digged / vp @e balkys .
@(er)wi@ was p(er)kyn paied / & praised hem #erne .
o@(er) werkemen @(er) were / @(a)t wrou#ten wel faste /
Eche man on his maner . made hi(m) to done .
So(m)me to plese p(er)kyn / pyked vp @e wedis .
at hiegh p(ri)me p(er)kyn / lete @e plough stonde
To ou(er)seen he(m) hi(m)-self / For ho-so best wrou#t
Scholde haue hyre @(er)-aftre / whan heruest tyme come
But @a(n)ne seten so(m)me . & songen atte nale .
& hulpyn hi(m) to erye / w(i)t(h) hey trolly lolly . .
Now by @e p(ri)nce of paradys / q(uo)d p(er)kyn @o in wra@
But #e ryse @e ra@(er) / & rape #ow to worche
@(er)e shal no greyne @(a)t here growe@ . glade #ow at nede .
& @eigh #e dye for dole / @e deuel haue @(at)t recche
@a(n)ne wer(e) faightouris a-ferd / & feyned hem bly(n)de
So(m)me leyd @eire legges a-lery / as suche loselles knowe@
& pleynyd to p(er)kyn / w(i)t(h) such / pitous wordis .
we haue no lymes to labo(ur) w(i)t(h) / lord yg(ra)ced be @e .
But we pray for #ow piers / & for #ow plow bo@e .
@(a)t god of his g(ra)ce /#owr(e) greyne / m(u)ltiplye .
& #elde #ow of #owr(e) almes / @(a)t #e #if vs here
For we may in no maner swy(n)ke / suche sekenesse vs eyle@ .
#if it be so @e @(a)t #e seyn / I schal it sone aspye
#e be wasto(ur)s I wot wel / & trw@e wot @e so@e
& I am his holde hyne / & awght hi(m) to warne
wyche wasto(ur)s in worlde / his werkemen destrue@
#e eten @(a)t hij sholde ete / @(a)t ery for vs alle .
But trw@e shal teche #ow / his teem for to dryue
Bo@e to sette & to sowe / & sauen his til@e
Cacche crowes fro @e corne / & also kepe his bestys .
Or #e shal ete barly bred / & of @e broke drynke
But #e be blynde or brokshanked or bedered lygge .
hij shal ete as god as I . so me god helpe . .
ancres & hermytes / @(a)t holde hem in celles
Schal haue of myn almesse / al @e while I lyue .
Ynowgh eche day at none / but no more aftre .
Lest his flesche & @e fende / fowled his sowle .
Onys a day is ynow / @(a)t no craft ne vse@ .
he bide@ @e bettre / @(a)t bomme@ nou#t oft
Thanne rose wasto(ur) & wolde han I-fou#te .
To p(er)kyn @e ploughma(n) / he p(ro)fered his gloue .
a britoner / A braggar / abosted hi(m) alse
Bad hi(m) go pisse w(i)t(h) his plow pyled sherewe .
For wiltow ne wiltow / we wil haue our(e) wille .
Of @i flowre & of @i flesche / fecche whan vs lyke@
And make vs mery @(er)-wi@ / magre @i chek(es)
@anne piers @e plowman / pleynyd to @e kni#t
To kepe hi(m) as couenaunt was / fro cursed sherewes .
kurteisly @e kni#t @anne / as his kynde wolde
warned wasto(ur) / & wissed hi(m) bettre .
Or ellys bo@e @(o)u schalt abye / be @e ordre @(a)t I bere
I was nou#t wont to worche / now wil I nou#t bygynne
And lete li#t of @e lawe / & lasse of @e kni#t
And set piers at a pees / & his plow bo@e
And mansed hi(m) & his man / whan @ei nexte mette
By goddis pyte q(uo)d piers / I schal a-paire #ow alle
and howpid aftre hungre / @at harde hi(m) at firste /
A-wreke me on wastours / @(a)t al @e worlde shenden .
And hu(n)ger in hast / hent wasto(ur) by @e mawe /
And wronge hi(m) so by @e wombe / @(a)t bo@e his eyn watrid
he buffet @e brytoner / aboute @e chekys .
@at he loked lyke a lanterne / al his lyff aftre .
he bet so hem bo@e / @at he brast / neigh here mawes .
Ne had piers w(i)t(h) a pese loue / preide hi(m) to leue
and w(i)t(h) a bene batte / he #ede bytwene
And hitt hu(n)ger / @(er)-wi@ / a-myd @e lyppys .
@(a)t he bled into @e body-warde / a bolle ful of grwel
hadde @e Ficicyen defendid / hi(m) watre To a-bate @e barly bred / & @e benys ygrou(n)de .
@ei had ben ded by @is day / & doluen al warme .
Faito(ur)s for fere @o / flow into barnes .
and flappyd on wi@ fleyles / fro morow til euene
@at hunger was nou#t hardy / on hem for to loke .
For a potte ful of pesyn / @at p(er)kyn had made
a grete hepe of hermytes / henten hem spades .
And doluen dri#t & dong / to ditte hunger oute .
Of blynde & of bedred / were wotned a @ousand .
@ei had yleye for blynde / & for broke-legged .
vpon soft sondayes / by @e hiegh wey
hunger heled hem alle / wi@ a ote kake
and lame mennes lymes / wher(e) lythed @(a)t tyme .
and bycome knaues / to kepe piers bestis .
@ei preiden p(ar) charite / w(i)t(h) piers for to dwelle .
al for coueityse of corn / to cacche awey hu(n)ger
p(er)kyn was proud @(er)-of / & put hem in ofices .
he gaf hem mete & mone / as @ei my#t des(er)ue .
@anne had piers pytee / & preyd hu(n)ger wynde
home into his owne hous / & holde hi(m) @(er)e for eur(e) .
But #it I prey @e q(uo)d piers / ar @(o)u passse for@(er)e
Of bidders & of beggars / what best is to done .
I wot wel be @(o)u went / @ei wolle worche ful Ille
For myschef it make@ / @ei be so meke nowe .
And for defaute of fode / @us fast now @ei wirche .
It ben my blody bre@(er)en / god sent vs hider alle .
Tru@e tau#t me ones / to loue he(m) vchone
& helpe he(m) of alle @ing / aftir @at hem nedi@ .
Now wolde I wyten if @(o)u wost / wat here-of wer(e) beste .
and how I my#th a-maistre hem / & make he(m) to worche
here now q(uo)d hu(n)ger / & holde it for a wisdom
Bolde beggars & bigge / @(a)t mow her bred byswynke .
w(i)t(h) howndes bred & hors bred / holde vp her hertis .
a-baue hem w(i)t(h) benys / for bolnyng of her belyes .
and #if @e gromes grucche / bid hem go worche .
and @ei shal soupe swetter / whan @ei it han des(er)ued .
& #if @(o)u fynde any freke / @(a)t fortune ha@ apeyred
w(i)t(h) fire or w(i)t(h) false men / fonde suche to knowe
Comfort hem w(i)t(h) catel / for cristis loue of heuene
loue hem & lene hem / as lawe of kynde wolde /
and alle man(er) of men / @(a)t @(o)u may aspyen .
@at be naked & nedy / & nou#t han to spende .
wi@ mete or wi@ monye / lete hem be releued . . .
Or wi@ werke or w(i)t(h) worde / wyl @(a)t @(o)u art @ere .
Make @e frendis @(er)-myde / & so vs Mathew vs techi@ .
Facite vobis amicos & c(etera)
I wolde nou#t greue god q(uo)d piers / for al @e good on gru(n)de .
Mi#t I synneles / do as @(o)u seyst /
#e I hote @e q(uo)d hunger / or ellys @e bible lye@ .
In genesis @e Giaunt / engendrour of vs alle .
In sudore & swynke / @(o)u schalt @i mete tylye
and labour for @i lyflode / & so hour(e) lord hieght
Sapience sai@ @e same / I saw it in @e bible
Piger p(ro)pt(er) frigus / no londe nolde tylye
@(er)fore he schal begge & bidde / & no man bete his hu(n)gre .
Mathew @e ma(n)nys face / Mowthis @is wordis .
That s(er)uus neq(ua)m had a Mnam / & he nolde it vse .
he had magre of his maistre / for eu(er)-more @(er)e-aftre .
and bynome hym his Mnam / for he nolde wirchen
and gaf it hi(m) in hast / @(a)t had ORIG>.x.ten afore .
and si@en he seide / his s(er)uau(n)tz it herde .
he @(a)t ha@e shal haue . to helpe @(er)e it nedi@ .
& he @(a)t nou#t ha@ shal nou#t haue / ne no man schal hi(m) help
& he @(a)t weni@ wel to haue / It schal hy(m) by breuyd .
For kynde witte wolde / @(a)t yche wyght wrou#t .
Or wi@ techyng or tilying / or t(ra)ueillyng of handes /
God gywe@ hem his blessyng / @(a)t her lyflode so wynne .
Actyf lyf & contemplatyf / crist coueite@ als .
@e sawter sei@ it in @e salme / of b(eat)i om(n)es .
labores manuu(m) tuar(um) q(uia) manducabis . & c(etera)
he @(a)t get his fode here / wi@ trauaille of his handes .
Shal haue goddes b(e)n(e)dicciou(n) / & so is he wel worthy .
#it I prey @e q(uo)d piers / p(ar) charite #if @(o)u conne .
Eny lef of lechecraft / lere it me my dere
For somme of my s(er)uau(n)t(es) / ben seke o@(er)-while .
Of al @e woke longe @ei worche nou#t / so her wo(m)be ake@ .
I wot wel q(uo)d hu(n)ger / what sekenesse hem eyle@ .
Thei haue mawnged ou(er) myche / @(a)t make@ he(m) grone aftre
I byhote @e q(uo)d hu(n)ger / as @(o)u @i hele wilnest
loke @(o)u drynke no day / tyl @(o)u haue dyned somwhat .
Ete nou#t I hote @e / ar hu(n)ger @e hente .
'and sende of his sause / to sauo(ur) @i lippis .
and kepe some tyl sop(er) tyme . & syt nou#t to longe .
and leue of ar appetit / haue eten his fille .
lat nou#t sire s(ur)fait sit at @i borde
For he is a lecho(ur) & lykerouse of tonge .
and aftir many maner metis / his mawwe is alonged
#if @(o)u dyete @e @us / I dar leye myn harmes .
@at fysyk shal his furred hode . for his fode selle .
and ek his cloke of calabre / & knoppis of golde .
& lerne labo(ur) w(i)t(h) londe / lest lyflode hi(m) faile .
Thei do men dye w(i)t(h) her drynke / or destyne it wolde
By sent poule q(uo)d p(er)kyn / @ise ar p(ro)fitable wordes .
@is is ORIG>alouelya louely lessou(n) / oure lorde it @e for-#elde
wende now whan @i wille is / @(er)e wel @e be eur(e)
#e I byhote @e q(uo)d hunger / @at hennes wil I wende .
ar I haue dined bi @is day / & Idronke bo@e .
I haue no peny q(uo)d piers / poletes to bye .
Nei@er gose no@er gryse / but ORIG>agrenea grene chese .
& also curdes & creem / & an hot kake . .
A lof of
A lof of banes & bran / bake for my childen
#it I sey by my soule / I haue no salt Bacou(n) .
Ne no kokeney by crist / coloppes w(i)t(h) to make .
But p(ar)celly & porettes / & many cole plantes .
And a cow & a calf / & a kart mere .
To drawe a felde @e donge / wil @e drou#t laste@ .
By @is lyflode I mote lyue / to lammasse tyme .
By @(a)t I hope to haue heruest in my croft
Thanne I may dyght @i dyner / as @e dere lyke@ .
Alle @e pore peple @anne / pesecoddes feccheden .
Benes & bacou(n) & apples / in her lappis
Chibolles cherueles / & rype cheries manye
And p(ro)ferd piers to present / to plese myd hu(n)ger
hu(n)ger ete al @is in hast / & axed aftir more .
Thannne @e folke sore a-ferde / fecchede hi(m) manye
Grene porettis & pese / apoysen hi(m) @ei wolde .
By @(a)t was comyn heruest / & new corn to chepyng
Thanne was @e folke fayn / gaf hungre of @e beste
w(i)t(h) gode al in glotonie / @ei gret hi(m) to slepe .
Tho wolde wasto(ur) not wyrche / but wandre aboute .
Ne no beggar ete bred / @(a)t benys in comyn
But koket & clermatyn / & of clene whete
ne non halpenyale / in non wyse drynke
But of alderbest / @(a)t brewstars selle .
laborers @(a)t haue no londe / to lyue on but her hondes .
Dyne@ nou#t to dyne a day / ni#t olde wortis .
May no peny ale hem paye / ne no pece of bacou(n) .
But #if it be fresshe flesche / or fysche @(a)t is fried .
Chaude & plus chaude / for chillyng of his mawe .
But if he be hieghlyche heryed / ellis wil he chide .
@(a)t he warkeman was wrou#t / wary @e tyme .
and @anne curse @e kyng / & al @e co(mun)e aftre .
Suche lawes to loke / laboreres to chaste .
But wil hunger was her maistre / wolde @(er)e non chide
Ne stryue a#in @e statutz / so sternely he loked .
I warne #ow werkemen / worche wil #e mowen .
For hu(n)ger hiderward / haste@ hi(m) fast
he schal awake #ow @orow watre / wasto(ur)s to chaste
Er fyue be fulfilled / suche famyne / schal aryse .
Thorow flodes & fowle wedres fruitis schal faile
and so sei@ satorne / & sent #ow to werne .
Passus octauus de visione vt p(rim)us .
Trw@e herd telle her-of / & to piers sente
to taken his teem / & tylye @e er@e .
he purchased hi(m) a p(ar)cou(n) a pena & a culpa
For hi(m) & for his heires / for eu(er)-more aftre
he bad hi(m) helden hi(m) at home / & erie his leyis .
and alle @o @(a)t holpen / to erien & sowen Or any maner mystyer / @at piers my#t helpen
part in @(a)t p(ar)dou(n) / @e pope ha@ hem g(ra)unted
kynges & kni#tes / @at kepyn holy cherche .
and ri#tfully in Rewwmes / rewle@ @e peple .
han p(ar)dou(n) @orow purgatory / to passe ful sone
w(i)t(h) patriarches in paradis / to playen @er-aftre
Bysshopes @(a)t blessen / & bo@e lawes conne .
loken on @(a)t o lawe / & lere men @(a)t o@(er)
& bere he(m) bo@e on her bakke / in bering & in dede .
and prechen her p(er)sones / @e p(er)elles of synne /
how @(a)t a scabbed shep / shal his wolle saue
@ei han p(ar)dou(n) wi@ aposteles / whan @ei passe hennes
and at @e day of dome / on her deys sytte .
Marchauntz in @e margyn / had many #eres .
But none a pena & culpa / @e pope nolde he(m) g(ra)unte .
For @ei holde nou#t here holydaies / as holy chirche techi@
& & for @ei swere by her soule / & so god most hem helpe .
Agayn clene conscience / her catel to selle
But vndre his secret sel / trw@e sent
and bad hem bigge boldely / wat he best lyked
& si@e(n) selle it a-gayn / & saue @e wy(n)nyng
& make mesou(n) dicux @(er)-myd / @e myseise to helpe
also wikke weies / wi#tly a-mende
and bete burgis a-boute / @(a)t to-broken were
help mary maydenes / elles make hem nonnes
Pore wydowes @(a)t wole / be no wyues aftre
Fy(n)den he(m) her fode / for @e lordes loue of heuene ?
sette scolars to scole / or so(m)me ky(n)nes craftes .
Releue relygyou(n) / Rente hem bettre .
And I schal #ow my-self / saynt Mechel my(n) angel .
@(a)t no deuel shal #o@ dere / whan @(a)t #e ben dede .
I schal sende #our# sowlys / sauf into heuene .
Afore @e face of my fadre / furme #our(e) setes .
vsure & auarise / & o@es I defende
@(a)t no gile go w(i)t(h) #ow / but @e graythe trw@e .
@a(n)ne were marchanddis merye / many wepe for Ioye .
Thei gaf wille for his writyng / wollen clo@es .
For he coped @us her clause / @ei cow@e hi(m) grete mede
Men of lawe had leue / for @e ben alle l(et)red
To loke vpon he sawter / sapience to teche .
Sup(er) i(n)noce(n)te(m) mun(er)a no(n) accipies a regib(us) & p(ri)ncipib(us) er(i)t m(er)ces eor(um)
Of p(ri)nces & of p(re)lates / her penciou(n) sholde a-ryse .
And of @e pore peple / no peny-worth to take .
But he @(a)t spendi@ his speche / & speki@ for @e pore .
@(a)t is Innocent & nedy / & no man he appaireth
But for oure lordes loue / law for hi(m) chewe@
Shal no deuel at his de@ / dere hi(m) a myte
That he ne worthe / syker sauf / & sent for@ to ioye .
To bigge watre ne wynde / & witt is @e ridde .
wolde neure holy writ / crist wot @e so@e
@ise @re for @ralles / ben @rowen among vs alle .
To waxen or to wanen / whe@(er) god lyke@ .
his p(ar)dou(n) in p(ur)gatorie / full{bar} petit is I trowe .@(a)t eny moneee of mene men / for motyng reseyue@ .
#e legistres & lawers / #e wytyn #if I lye .
Si@en #e sene it is @us / swe@ to @e best
Alle lyuyng laboreres / @(a)t lyuen by her hondes
@(a)t trwlyche token / & trwlyche wonne
@(a)t lyue in loue & in lawe / for her lowe h(er)tes
hadden @e same absoluciou(n) / @(a)t sent was to piers
But @e suggestiou(n) be so@e / @at shape@ he(m) to begge .
For he @(a)t begge@ o@(er) bidde@ / or he bide nede
he is false w(i)t(h) @e fende / defraude@ @e nedy .
and gile@ @e gyuer / agayne goddis wille
Thei lyue nou#t in no loue ne lawe holden .
@ei wedde no woman / @(a)t @ei wi@ delyn
But as wilde bestis / wi@ vche wor@ vp & ryde
@ei bring for@ barnes / @at bastardes ben holden
Or his legge or so(m)me lyme / he breki@ in his #ow@e
& gon & faite w(i)t(h) her fauntes / al her lyf aftre .
Ther ben mo myschapen amonge he(m) / who-so take@ hede .
@a(n) of alle man(er) men / @(a)t on @is molde wenden .
@o @(a)t lyue @(us) her li#f / may lothe @e tyme
@at euer he was man wrou#t / whanne he schal he(n)nes
But holde men & hore / @(a)t helples ben of strenght /
and wo(m)men w(i)t(h) childe @(a)t worche ne mowen
@e blynde & @e bedred / & broken her membris .
@at take myschef mekely / as meseles & o@er .
han as pleyn a p(ar)dou(n) / as @e plowman hi(m)-self
For loue of her lowe herte / owr(e) lorde ha@ hem g(ra)unted
her penau(n)ce of purgatorie / vp-on @is pure er@e .
Piers q(uo)d a prest @o @i p(ar)dou(n) most I rede
I schal constru @e vche clause / & kenne @e it on englissh
And piers at his praier / @e p(ar)dou(n) vnfolded .
Am I byhynde hem bo@e / byhelde al @e bulle
In two lynes it lay / & nou#t ORIG>alettrea lettre more .
and was ywrytyn ri#t @us / In witnesse of trow@e .
Et qui bona egeru(n)t ibu(n)t i(n) vitam eternam .
Qui vero mala in ignem et(er)nu(m) .
Peter q(uo)d a p(re)st . I can no p(ar)don fynde
But dowel & haue wel / & god schal haue @i soule .
Do yuel & haue yuel / & hope @(o)u non o@(er)e
@(a)t aftir @i de@-day / to helle shaltow wende .
and piers for pure tene / pullid it a-sondre .
Si a(m)b(u)lau(er)o i(n) medio t(ri)bulac(i)o(n)is no(n) ti(m)ebo mala q(uonia)m tu mecu(m) es
I shal cesse of my sowyng / & swynke nou#t so harde
ne a-boute my lyflode / so bysy be no more .
Of preiers & penau(n)ce / my plow shal ben her-aftir
and bilour(e) @at I lowgh{bar} / @e lyflode me faille .
@e p(ro)phete his payne ete / in penaunce & weopyng
By @at @e sauter vs sei@ / so did many o@(er)e
Fueru(n)t m(ichi) lac(ri)me mee . panes die ac nocte
and also seynt luk lerne@ vs by fowlys
That we ne sholde be to besy / to make @e bely Ioye
Ne soliciti sitis . he sei@ in his gospel .
And shewe@ vs example . owr(e) sowlys to wisse .
The fowlys in @e firmament / who fynt he(m) i(n) wy(n)tre
whan @e frost frese@ / fode he(m) be-houe@ .
haue @ei no geuer to go to / but god fynt hem alle
Piers q(uo)d a prest @o / peter as me @inke@ .
Thow art lettred a lyte / who lerned @e on boke .
Abstinence @e abbesse / myne .a . b. c. me tau#t .
and conscience come afterward / & kenned me bettre
wer(e) @(o)u a prest piers / @(o)u my#t p(re)che whan @e lyked .
Q(uonia)m lit(er)at uram non cognoui / my#t @i teme be .
lewed lorel q(uo)d he / litel lokestow @e bible .
On salamones sawes / selden @(o)u biholdest
Ecce derisores & iurgia / cu(m) eis ne crescant
The p(re)st @anne & p(er)kyn / apposed ei@(er) o@er
and wi@ her wordis I a-woke / & waited a-boute .
I saw @e sonne euene sow@e / sittyng @at tyme .
Meteles & moneles / on malu(er)ne hilles .
Musyng on @is meteles / ha@ made me to studye .
and for piers loue @e plowman / wel pensyf i(n) herte
Of @at I saw slepyng / if it so be my#t
and catou(n) construe@ nay / & canonistres bo@e
Sompnia ne cures ne mens hu(m)ana
But Danyel deuyned / as witnesse@ @e bibe
@e dremes of ORIG>akynga kyng / ones / Nabugodonosor
Daniel seid syr(e) kyng / @i swenene is to mene .
@(a)t vncowthe kni#tys / shal come @i kyngdome to clem
A-mong lower lordes / @i londe shal be dep(ar)tid .
As daniel deuined in dede / it fel aftre
The kyng lost his lordechip / & lasse me(n) it hadde .
and Ioseph mette merueylousely / how @e mone & @e sonne
and @e eleuene sterris / hailsed hym alle .
Bew filtz q(uo)d his fadre / for defaute we shulle
I my-self & my sones / seche @e for nede
It bifel as his fadre seide / in pharoes tyme .
That Ioseph was iustice / Egipt to kepe .
al @is make@ me / on meteles to @inke .
Many tyme at mydni#t / whan I scholde slepe .
Of p(er)kyn @e plowman / @at suche a p(ar)done hadde .
and how @e prest enpugned it / al by pur(e) resou(n) .
and demed @(a)t Dowel / Indulgences passed .
Bienales & Trienales / & bischopes lettres .
Dowel at domesday / is dignely p(ra)ised .
he passe@ al @e p(ar)dou(n) / of seynt petres chirche .
Now ha@ @e pope / power p(ar)dou(n) to grau(n)te
@e peple w(i)t(h)-out penaunce / to passe to Ioye .
@is is a lef of howr(e) byleue / as lettred men vs techen
Quodcu(m)q(ue) ligau(er)is sup(er) t(er)ram / & c(etera)
and so I leue lelly / lorde forbede elles .
@at p(ar)dou(n) & penaunce / & p(ra)iers dou(n) salue .
Soules @(a)t han synned / seuene sithes dedly
But for to trust on trienales . trwely me @inke@ .
Is nou# so syker for @e soule / certis as is Dowel .
Therfore I red #ow renkes / @(a)t ryche ben on er@e .
vp trust of #owr(e) tresore / trenales to haue .
Be #e neuer @e bolder / to breke @e ORIG>.x.ten hest(es) .
and namely #e maistres / maires & Iugges .
@(a)t ha(n) @e wel@e of @is worlde / & wyse men ben holden .
To p(ur)chase p(ar)dou(n) / & @e popis bullys .
at @e dredfuldome / whan dead schal a-ryse . .
and come for@ afor crist / a-comptis to #elde
how @(o)u leddest @i lyf / & @e lawe keptest
what @(o)u didest day by day / @e dome wil reherse
a pokeful of p(ar)dou(n) / & p(ro)ui(n)ciales l(et)res .
Thei @(o)u be fownden i(n) frat(er)nite / amo(n)ge @e four(e) ordres
& haue indulgences dowblefolde / but Dowel #ow help
I nolde gyue for #our(e) p(ar)dou(n) / one pies hele .
Therfore I conseille / al cristene / to crye god m(er)cye
and marye his modre / to be mene bytwene .
@(a)t god gif vs g(ra)ce here / or we go hennes .
To do so @at Dowel / reherse it att Dome
Passus nonus de visione & vltim(us) & h(ic) desunt Et decet(er)o tangit auctor de i(n)q(ui)sic(i)o(n)ib(us) de Dowel . Dobettre & Dobest sicut patebit speculantib(us)
Inq(ui)sicio p(ri)m
Thus yrobed in russet / I Rowmed aboute .
Al a somer sesou(n) /for to feche dowel .
And frayned ful oft / of folke @(a)t I mette
#if eny wi#t wist / where he was at Inne
And what man he my#t be / of many man I axed .
was neur(e) wyght as I went / @(a)t me wisse cow@e .
where @is leode lenged / lassse ne more .
Tyl It fel on a Friday / I mette two freris /
I hailsed hem hendely / as I had lerned .
& praide he(m) p(ar) charite / ar @ei passed for@er
#if @ei knewe eny contre / or costis a-boute.
wher(e) @(a)t Dowel dwelli@ / do@ me to wisse
For @ei ar men of @is molde / @(a)t most wyde walkyn .
And knowe contrees & kourtes / & many ky(n) plac(es)
Bo@e p(ri)nces paleys / & pore mennes cotes .
and Dowel & Doyuel / where @ei dwelle bo@e .
So@ely seid @e frere / w(i)t(h) vs soio(ur)ne@ Dowel .
and eu(er) ha@ as I hope / & eu(er) schal her-aftre .
Cont(ra) q(uo)d I as a clerke / & comsed to dispute
And seid so@e ly . Sepcies in die cadit iustis .
Fallynbg fro Ioye / Ihesu wot @e so@e
Seuene sythes sei@ @e boke / synne@ day by day
@e ri#tfullyst creature / @at dwelle@ here on er@e .
and he @at sy(n)ne@ ou#t I seide / is voided fro Dowel .
and Dowel & Doyuel / may nou#t dwelle to-gidre
Ergo he nys alwey dwellyng w(i)t(h) #ow freris .
But here & @(er)e & ellys-were / to wysse @e peple .
I schal sey @e my sone / seide @e frere @anne .
how seuene sythes @e sad man / synne@ on @e daye
lat bryng a bierne in a bote / a-myd a brode watre
@e wynde & @e watir & @e wagging of @e bote .
Make@ @e man many tymes / to wagge #if he stonde .
@eigh he stonde styfly / @orow styryng of @e bote
he by(n)de@ & bowe@ / @e body is vnstable
and #it is he sauef & sou(n)de / & so it fari@ by synne
@eigh he falle he falle@ nou#t / but as fel in a bot .
@(a)t ay is sauf & sownde / & sitte w(i)t(h)-Inne @e brynke
So it fare@ q(uo)d @e frere / by ry#tful mannes fallyng .
Theigh he in fondyng falle / he falle@ nou#t fro charite
So dedly synne do@ he nou#t / for Dowel hi(m) helpi@
@enne lau#te I leue of @e frere / & went for@ alone .
By a wylde wyldernesse / & by a wodis syde
The blisse of @e birdis @o / a-bide me made
And vnder lynde on a lau(n)de / lened I a-stownde .
@e myrthe of her mowthes @(er)e / made me to slepe .
Ful merueillousely me mette / a-mydde al @(a)t blisse .
A mykel man as my-self / @at lyke me was me @ou#te
Cam & calde me a-non / by my kynde name .
what art @(o)u q(uo)d I to hi(m) / @ou#te he seide @anne .
Artow @ou#t q(uo)d I @o / @anne canstow me wisse .
where @at Dowel dwelli@ / & do me @at to knowe .
Dowel & Dobet q(uo)d he / & Dobest @e @ridde
@ei ben fair(e) al @re / @ei be nou#t far to fynde
who is trwe of his tonge / & of his two handes .
And @orow lele loue lyue@ / & loue@ his euene-cristene
And @(er)to trwe of his taille / & lele of byleue
#if he be nou#t deynous / Dowel @a(n)ne hi(m) folowe@
Dobet also do@ al @is & @(er)to mykel more /
he is lowe as a lombe / & louely of speche
And helpi@ wel alle men / of @(a)t he may aspare .
@e bagges & @e bigurdeles / ha@ he broken alle .
@at @e Erle sire auarice had / & alle his heires .
And of Mamonaes mone / maked many frendis .
Dobest he bere solde / an Erchbisshopis croce .
And alen w(i)t(h) @e hoked ende / ille men to gode .
And wi@ @e pyke pot a-down . preuaricatores legis.
lordes @(a)t lyuen as hem lust / & no lawe acownte@ .
For here muk & her moebles / many of he(m) @i(n)ke@
That @(er)e shulde no lawe be / her lykyng to wysitte
But Dobest hem drede@ nou#t / he do@ as god comau(n)de@
Nolite ti(m)ere eos q(ui) possu(n)t occidere corpus .
@us dowel & Dobet / demed @anne a dobest .
And crowned hi(m) to be ORIG>aky(n)ga ky(n)g / to sle wi@-owten synne
@(a)t wolde nou#t done as dobest / deuyned hi(m) & tau#te
Thus Dowel & Dobet & Dobest @e @ridde
Crowned on to be kyng / he to kepe vs alle .
And I @onked @ou#t @o / @(a)t he me so tau#t
But al sauere@ me nou#t @i sawe / so me god helpe
A more ky(n)der knowy(n)g / I coueite to here
Of Dowel & Dobet / & who do@ best of alle .
Sire witte shal wisse @e q(uo)d @ou#t / wher(e) @(a)t @ei dwelle@
& ellys ke(n)ne I none @(a)t can / in none kynges ryche
Thowght & I to-gider @us / @re daies we #ede .
Disputyng vpon Dowel / day aftyr o@er
And as it were an vn ywar / wi@ witte gan we mete
he was longe & lene ylyk to non o@er
was no p(ri)de hi(m) vpon / ne pouerte nei@er
sadde of his Semblant / & of soft speche .
I dorst meue no matere / to done hi(m) to Iangle .
But @a(n)ne bad I syre @ou#t / be mene vs betwene .
To put for@ Some p(ur)pose / & p(re)uen his wittis
what dowel is fro Dobet / & Dobest fro hem bo@e .
@anne @ou#t in @(a)t tyme / seide @ise wordis .
where Dowel & Dobet / & Dobest ben in londe .
here is one wolde ywyte / sire wit @(o)u hi(m) teche .
And what lyues @ei lyuen / & what law @ei vse .
what @ei dreden & louen / dere sire hi(m) telli@ .
Sire Dowel dwelli@ q(uo)d witte / nou#t half a io(ur)ney hennes .
In a tour(e) @(a)t kynde made / of foure kyn @ingis .
Of er@e & ayr is it made / medeled to-gidres .
wi@ wynde & wi@ watir / wittyly enioigned .
kynde ha@ closed @(er)-Inne / craftly w(i)t(h)-al .
a lemman @at he lelly loue@ / ylyk to hi(m)-self
Dame a(n)i(m)a che hat / to hir ha@ envye .
a proud pryker of frau(n)ce / princeps hui(us) mu(n)di
And wolde wynne hir a-wey / wi@ wyles #if he mi#t
But ky(n)de knowe@ @is wel . & kepi@ hir @e bettre
And ha@ hir done to dowel . Duk of @ese marches .
Dobet is hir dou#ter / sire Doweles dame .
To lere @at lady lelly / bo@e late & ra@e
Dobest is a-bowen bo@e / a archebisshopis pere
And by his leryng is ledde / @at ylke lady a(n)i(m)a
The constable of @at castel / @(a)t kepi@ hem @(er)e alle .
he ha@ fyue faire sones / by his first wif . . .
Sire Sewel & seywel / & here-wel @e ende
Sire wirchewel w(i)t(h) @ine hande / a wytht man of strenght
And sire gowel @e fift / grete lordes alle .
Thise fyve ben yfette / for to saue a(n)i(m)a
Tyl kynde come or sende / & kepe hir hi(m)-self
what man is kynde q(uo)d I / canstow me telle .
kynde is creature q(uo)d witte / of alle ky(n)nes @ingis .
Fader & fo(ur)mer / of @at for@ growe@ .
The wyche is god grettest / begynnyng had he neur(e)
lorde of lyf & of ly#t / of blisse & of peyne .
Angelis & al @inge arn at his wille .
But man is hi(m) most lyke / of me(m)bre & face .
And in soule lik to hi(m) / but #if synne it make
For as @(o)u seest @e sonne / sometyme for clowdes .
May nou#t shyne ne chewe / on shawes in er@e .
So lette@ lecherye / & o@(er) ly@er synnes .
@(a)t god see@ no synful men / suffre@ hem mysfar(e)
As dauid in @e saut(er) / sei@ by alle suche
Et dimisi eos s(e)c(un)d(u)m desideria eor(um) .
Fore ly@er lyuyng men / lome ben ryche
Of golde & of o@er gode / but g(ra)ce hem faille@ .
For @ei loue@ & byleue / al her li#f tyme .
On catel more @an on kynde / @(a)t al @e worlde wrou#t .
@e wyche is loue & lif / & last w(i)t(h)-outen ende .
For In-witt & alle his sonis / ben hi(m) alle wi@ine
By loue & by lewte / lyue@ @e lady a(n)i(m)a . . . .
her lyf is Inwitt / & lernyng of kynde .
Inwitt is in @e hed / & a(n)i(m)a wi@-Inne hi(m)
Ful mochel woo wor@ hi(m) . @at Inwit myspendit .
For @at is goddis owne gode / his g(ra)ce & his treso(ur) .
That many man lesi@ / by lykorous drynkes .
As lot did & Noe / & heroude @e fole .
Gaf his dou#ter for daunsyng / in a disshe @e hed
Of seint Iohan @e baptyst / a-fore alle his gestis .
ORIG>Amana man @at ha@ Inwyt / & his hele bo@e
ha@ tresore ynowgh / to fynde wi@ hi(m)-self
But fauntekyns & folys / @e wyche faylen Inwytte
here frendes schal fynden hem / & fro foly kepen
and enemyes loue enterly / & help hem in nede .
@e catel @(a)t crist hade / @re clo@es were .
And @(er)-of was he robbed / or he on rode diede
and @(er)to lese his owne lyf / for @e loue of a(n)i(m)a
Prelatis prestis & p(ri)nces of @e chirches .
Sholde dowty no de@ / ne no dere #eris
To wende for@ also wyde / as @e worlde were .
To telle wi@ her tonge / & teche goddis lore .
For who-so loue@ god wel / he wil not lete hi(m) st(er)ue
In myschef wi@-out mete / ne myssyng of clo@is .
Inquirentes d(omi)n(u)m no(n) minuentur / bono . & c(etera)
who-so lyue@ in @e lawe / & lowe@ wel his neste .
As do @ise weddid men / su(m)me of hem but fewe
Of her kynde @ei come / confesso(ur)s & martres .
Prophetes patriarkys / popys & maydenes .
For god sei@ hi(m)-self / ne sal no good apple .
by no sotyle science / ORIG>asourea soure stok on growe .
It is no more to mene / but men @at be bygeten .
Out of Matrimoigne ne mowe / nou#t han @e g(ra)ce
That @e legitme / lawefully may clayme
@(a)t my lawe is al so@e / @e sawter bere@ witnesse .
Concepit in dolore & pep(er)it iniquitatem . & c(etera) .
Caym @e cursed creature / conseyuyd was In synne
wil @(a)t adam & Eue / of al her mysdede .
Ne were nou#t repentaunt / of her(e) rowly trespas
A Iawel @ei engendrid / as on @(a)t ere@ nou#t . . .
auentri@ hy(m) to sowe / on a ley-lande .
Agayn @e loue of his lorde / so was caym conceyued .
and o@er cursed creatures / al agayn @e lawe .
For alle @(a)t come of caym / catyues wer(e) ewre .
and for @e synne of caymes sede / seide god to Noe .
Penitet me fecisse ho(m)i(n)e(m) . & c(etera)
he bad hi(m) shape hi(m) ORIG>ashippea shippe / of shides & bordes .
Thi-self & @i sones @re / & si@en #our(e) wyues .
Buske #ow into @at bote / & byde #e @(er)Inne .
Til ORIG>xl.fourty daies be(n) fulfilled / @(a)t flode haue ywassh .
Clene aweye @e cursed blode / @at of Caym is spru(n)gen
For bestis @at now be / shal banne @e tyme .
That eur(e) cursed caym / cam on @is er@e .
alle shal dye for his dede / by dalys & hillis .
And @e fowles @(a)t fleighe for@ wi@ o@(er) bestis .
Except onlyche . of vche kynde a cowple .
That in @i shynled ship . shal be w(i)t(h) @e saued .
@ere a-bou#te @e barne / @e belsyres giltes .
and for here for-fadres / @ei farden alle 2e werse .
The gospel is @(er)-agayn / @at often men rede .
Filius non portabit iniquitatem p(at)ris .
holy writ witnesse@ / @at for no wikkyd dede
@e syre by hi(m)-self do@ @e sone shulde be @e werse .
But @e law at westmystre / worche al @e cont(ra)rye .
For @ei @e fadir be fre / & for a felou(n) hanged .
@e heritage @e heire sholde haue / is at @e kynges wille
But whi @e worlde was a-dreynt / holy writ vs telli@
For maryages makyng / @(a)t men made @(a)t tyme .
Aftir caym @e cursed / had Islayn abel .
Seth adames sone / sy@en was engendrid . . .
And god sent to seth / so sone he was of age
That for no kynnes catel / ne for no fair(e) byhest .
Schulde suffre his sede sedyn / wi@ caymes sede his bro@er .
and he seth suffred it / god seide me for@inke@ .
@(a)t I heuer made man / to dwelle on @is molde
? For goode shulde wedde good / @ough no good hadde .
I am via & veritas . I may avaunce #ow alle
But fewe folke now folowe@ @is / for @ei gif her childre
For coueitise of catel / to konnyng chapmen .
Of a sely kynrede / count @ei but lytle .
Thowgh{bar} she be faire to loke on / & louesome a-bedde
But if she haue o@(er) goode / haue wil hir no ryche .
But let her ben vnlouely / a beguyldys dow#thtre
That no curteisie ne kan / but let hir be byknowe .
For ryche o@(er) for rented wel / @eigh she rynuele for elde
@(er)e nys squier ne kni#t / in contre aboute
That he nyl bowe to @(a)t bonde / to bede(n) hir a howbo(n)de .
and wedden hir for her wel / & wysshe(n) on 2e morowe .
@(a)t his wyf were wex / or ORIG>awaleta walet ful of nobles
In Ialowsye Ioyelees / & Iangelyng on bedde .
@e frute @at @ei bryng for@ / ar many foule wordis
haue @ei no childre(n) but chest / & choppis he(m) bitwene .
@owgh @ei done he(m) to Do(n)mowe but / if @e deuel helpe .
To folowe aftr(e) @e flicche / fecche @ei it neure .
But @ei bo@e be forsworn / @(a)t bacou(n) @ei tyne .
@(er)fore I conseille alle c(ri)stene / coueite nou#t be wedded .
For coueitise of catel / in no ky(n)nys wyse
But maydenes & maydenes / macch #ow to-gidres .
wydwes & wydwers / wedde@ ei@(er) o@er
That loue be @e cause / more @an @e nobles . . .
And eu(er)y man seculer @(a)t may now continue
wisly go wedde / & war hi(m) fro synne
For lecherye & lykyng / is lym#erde of helle .
whiles @(a)t @(o)u art #onge / & @i wepnye kene .
wreke @e w(i)t(h) wyewyng / #if @(o)u wil ben excused .
Du(m) sis vir fortis ne des tua robora scortis .
Scribitur in portis m(er)etrix est Ianua mortis
whan #e haue wyued be war / & worche@ i(n) tyme .
Nou#t as Adam & Eue / wha(n) caym was engendrid
Co(n)?ciou(n) ne sholde be but #if @ei bo@e were .
Clene of lyf & of soule / & @er-to in wedlok .
For @(a)t dede derne do no man ne sholde .
But wyues & wedded men / as holy writ techi@ .
Vnusquisq(ue) uxorem sua(m) h(ab)eat p(ro)pt(er) fornicac(i)o(n)em .
@(a)t o@(er)gatis be(n) ygete / for gadlynges ben holden .
vng(ra)ciouse to gete goode / & loue of @e peple .
Dowel my frende is / to done as law techi@ .
To loue @i frende & @i foo / leue me @(a)t is Dobet .
To gyuen & to #emen / bo@e #onge & olde .
To helyn & to helpen / is do-best of alle .
Primus passus deDowel .
Tha(n)ne had wit a wif / was hoten dame studye .
@(a)t ful lene loked / & lyf-holy semed .
She was wonderly wroth / @at wit me so tau#t .
Al staryng dame studye sternely seyde .
To wit vnwys artow / wisdome to shewe .
To fole or to flaterer / or to peple frantyke .
Nolite mittere man mariorie p(er)les . .
Amonge hogges @(a)t han / hawes at wille .
@ei wyl dreuele @(er)on / draf wer(e) hem leuer .
Thanne al .
Tha(n)ne al @e p(re)c(i)ouse p(er)ye / @(a)t eny prynce welde@ .
I sey it be suche / @at shewe@ by her werkys .
That he(m) wer(e) leuer londe & lordchip . & lykyng of body .
Than he(n)denesse & holynessse / & al @at seyntis techi@ .
For wisdome & wit now is nou#t wor@ a kerse
But it be karded wi@ coueitise / as clo@ers kembe wolle .
who can cast a countredit / to deceyue @e ri#tful .
and lede for@ a loueday / to lette wi@ trw@e .
@(a)t couiette can @us / as clepid in-to conseille .
Robed & Reu(er)enced / @at robbe can @e peple .
Thorow fallas & falshed / & @orow fykel speche .
Iob @at is Ientil / telli@ in his Iest /
what shal wor@en of suche / whan @ei lyf leten .
Ducu(n)t bonis dies suos / & fine desendent ad infernu(m) .
The sauter sei@ @e same / of alle suche ryche . .
Ibu(n)t in p(ro)genie patru(m) suor(um) / & vsq(ue) i(n) et(er)nu(m) no(n) videbu(n)t lumi(n)e(m)
Ecce op(s)i p(ec)c(a)tores optiuueru(n)t dimicias & c(etera)
lo sei@ holy leterure / suche lordes be @ise sherewes .
Tho @at god most gyue@ / greue@ most sire trw@e .
Que p(er)fecisti destruxeru(n)t & c(etera)
harlotes for harlotrie / ar holpen or @e pore .
For he @(a)t ha@ holywrit / eure in his mow@e .
And can telle of tobye / & of @e ORIG>xij.twelue apostoles .
and of @e passiou(n) of c(ri)st / of purgatories peynes .
litel is he loued @e bet / at any lordes feste .
Now is man(er) at mete / whan mynstrellis ar stille .
@e lewde to @e lered / ful loude / to dispute .
and bryng for@ a balled resou(n) / to preue @e so@e .
@(us) @ei dryuele at @e deis /ydelnesse in veyne .
& gnawen god wi@ @e gorge / wha(n) her guttis fillyn .
But @e careful may crye / & quake at gate .
Bo@e a-fyngred & a-first / & for defaute spille .
Is none @(a)t wil helpyn hi(m) / but hote hi(m) go @ennes .
Thanne it seme@ to my si#t / to suche @(a)t it vsen .
God is nou#t in @(a)t home / ne his helpe nei@er .
For litel loue@ he @at lorde / @(a)t lent hi(m) al @(a)t blisse .
@(a)t so p(ar)ti@ wi@ @e pore / ORIG>ap(ar)cela p(ar)cel whan hi(m) nedi@
Ne were mercye in mene men / ,ore @an i(n) ryche .
Many tyme mendinauntz / my#t go ful hu(n)gred .
Now preiers haue no power / @e pestilence to lette .
For god is def now-adaies / & digne@ nou#t vs to her(e)
and goode men for our(e) gilt / he al to-grynt to de@ .
And #it @ise wrecches of @is worlde / is none ywar by o@@re .
Ne for drede of sire de@ / wil drawe hi(m) fro pride .
Ne p(ar)te wi@ @e pore / as p(ar)fitnesse wolde .
But al in gaynesse & gle / for-glotten her godis /
The more he wynne@ & ha@ . @e worlde at his wille .
And lorde@ in ledes / @e lasse gode he deli@
Tobie teche nou#t so / take #ede #e ryche .
how he tolde on a tyme / & tau#t his sone dele .
Si t(ibi) copia habu(n)dant(er) t(ri)bue / si t(ibi) exiguu(m) imp(er)tire stude .
And is to mene no more / but who-so myche welde@ .
Be large wil it lasti@ / to he(m) @(a)t ben nedy
And #if @(o)u haue litel / loke by @i lyue .
wynne @e loue @er-wi@ / @ei @ow @e werse fare
But now lordes lust nou#te / on suche lore to here .
But how @ei may best ascape / lest for to spende
And @(a)t loue lordes wel / & leten it a Dowel . . .
For now nys no witt wor@ / but it of wy(n)ny(n)g sowne
For @i wit q(uo)d she be war / holywrit to shewe
Amonges hem @(a)t han now / hawes at her wille .
And whan wit was I-war / what his wyf ment
I my#t gete no greyne / of his grete wittis .
But al lawghyng alowd / he loked vpon studye .
Semyng @at I sholde / biseche hir of grace
And whan I wist wittis wille / to hir I gan to lowte .
And seid mercy madame / #owr(e) man shal I be wor@
For to worche #owr(e) wille / wil my lif dure@ .
And kenne me dame kyndely / to knowe what is Dowel .
For @i mekenesse q(uo)d she / & for @i mylde speche .
I shal kenne @e to blergye my cosyn / @(a)t wel knowe@ .
Al maner connynges / & comsyng of Dowel .
Of Dobet & Dobest / for Docto(ur)is he knowen .
To construe by sc(ri)pture / #if scryuenes be trwe .
That is clergies wyf / as wyse as hi(m)-self
Of lore & of letterure / of lawe & of reson .
So @at be clergye & conseille / of sc(ri0pture .
Thow shalt kenne wel & knowe / kyndelyche Dowel .
@a(n)ne was I als fayn / as foule of fair(e) mowowe .
Gladder @an gleman / @at golde ha@ to gift .
And axed of hir @e weye / where clergye dwelled .
A tokne telle me q(uo)d I / for tyme is @(a)t I wende
Take @e wey to suffre / bo@e wel & wo .
And ryd for@ bi rychesse / but rest @(o)u nou#t @(er)-Inne .
For #if @(o)u wylne to be ryche / to clergye comestow neur(e)
Bo@e women & wyn / glotonye & slewthe .
#if @(o)u wilt it haunte / haue god my trow@e .
To clergye shaltow neur(e) come / ne know wat is Dowel .
#if @(o)u may hapne q(uo)d she / clergye to mete /
And hast vnderstondyng / what he wolde mene .
Sey hi(m) @i-seluen / he ouer-se his bokys .
and teche @e to Dowel / @e ri#t wey to holde
and sey I grete wel his wyf / I made @e hir sibbe .
I sette hir to sapience / & to @e sauter yglosed .
logyk I lerned hir / & al @e lawe aftre
@e musouns of musike / I made hir to knowe
Plato @e poete . I put first to boke .
Arestolle & o@(er) mo / to argwen I tau#te
Gramer for gerles / I gret first wryte .
And bet hem w(i)t(h) ORIG>abaleisa baleis but #if @ei wolde lerne .
To alle kynnes craftes / the tolis I deuysed .
Of carpentrie of keruers / @e compas I sette .
And cast out by squyre / bo@e lyne & leuel .
@us haue I hem lered / @owgh I loke dymme .
Theologye ha@ tened me / tenscore tymes .
The more I mvse @(er)on / @e mystiers it seme@
@e depper I devyne / @e derker me @inke@ .
It is no science so@ely but so@fast byleue .
For it lere@ men to loue / I leue @(er)on @e bettre .
For loue is lykyng @ing / & lo@e for to greue
Therfore lere @e to loue / #if @e lyke Dowel .
For Dobet & Dobet / her Dokto(ur) is loue .
@o went I my way / w(i)t(h)-out more lettyng
And so to clergye I come / as clerkys me seyde .
I gret hi(m) goodly . & graythly hym tolde .
how @(a)t wit & his wyf / wyssyd me to hi(m) .
To kenne & to knowen / kyndelyche Dowel . . .
By crist q(uo)d sire clergye / #if @(o)u coueite Dowel .
kepe @e ORIG>.x.ten hestis or comau(n)deme(n)t(es) / & @e fro dedly synne .
Also byleue lelely / how goddis sone a-li#te .
In @e Maide marye / for mankynde sake .
and bycam a man here . w(i)t(h)-oute mannes kynde .
leue @(o)u it lelly / & loke @(o)u do @(er)-aftre
For austyn @e olde / her-of made bokys .
who was his autor / & hi(m) of god tau#t .
Patriarkes prophetes / apostoles & angelis .
Also @e @e Trwe trinite / to austyn apered .
And he vs seide as he seigh / & so I byleue .
he seigh @e fader & @e sone / @e holygost to-gidre .
and alle @re but o god / her-of made he bokys .
Ego in patre & pat(er) in me est q(ui) videt me videt & p(at)rem .
Alle @e clerkys vndre c(ri)ste / ne cow@e @is assoille .
But @us it longe@ to leue / alle @at lyke Dowel .
For had neur(e) freke wit / @e fei@ al to despute .
Ne man haue merit @(er)of / #if it wer(e) ipreued fides no(n) h(ab)et m(er)itu(m)
Thus to loue lelly in loue & in pes
Do@ men a Dowel / Dobet & Dobest .
@a(n)ne sc(ri)pture scorned me / & many skyles shewed .
And signes made on clergye / to congeie me it semyd .
She lakked me in latyn / & ly#t by me seet
And seid . Multi m(u)lta sciu(n)t/& seip(s)os nescu(n)t
@anne wepid I for wo / & wra@ of her wordes .
And so in dreme was I dreight / & wonderly me mette .
@(a)t I was rauysshed ry#t @o / & fortune me fette.
In-to @e londe of logynge allone / she me brou#t
And in a Miro(ur) Midlerde / she made me to loke
Thanne she saide to me / here mi#tow se wondres .
And knowe @(a)t @(o)u coueitest / & come @(er) to p(ar)auenture .
Ther folowed fortune @o / two fair(e) maydenes .
Concupiscencia carnis / men called @e elder mayde .
And couetise of catel / called was @(a)t o@(er) .
And p(ri)de of p(ar)fyte lyuyng / @anne pursued me faste .
And bad me bere vp wel @e berde / & sette of lore ly#t
Concupiscencia carnis / al wi@ a lawghyng chere
Seid @(o)u art #ong & #ep / & hast #eres ynowe .
To lyuen wondre longe / & ladyes lele to loue .
For in @is Miro(ur) Mi#tow se / myrthes ful many .
@(a)t @e wil lede to lykyng / in al @i lif tyme .
Coueityse seide @e same / I shal @e swe at wille .
Til @(o)u be lorde of many londe / leten @e I nelle .
I schal nou#t fleen @i felawship / #if fortune lyke .
he schal fynde me his frende / q(uo)d fortune @(er)-aftre .
The man @at me lyst help / may nou#t myshappe .
But @(er) was @(a)t hieght elde / @(a)t euy was of chere .
Quod he #if I mete wi@ @e / by mary of heuene .
@anne shaltow se fortune / faille at @i most nede
And concupiscencia carnis clene @e forsake .
Ful bitterly @anne shaltow banne / bo@e day & ny#t .
Coueitise of catel / @at eu(er) @(o)u hir knewe .
And p(ri)de of p(ar)fyte lyuyng / may @e to p(er)el bryng .
#e recche #e neure q(uo)d recheles / & stode for@ al to-rent .
Folow fortunes wille / @(o)u hast ful far to elde .
A man may stowpe tyme anowgh / wha(n) he shal tyne his crowne
Sire whanhope was sibbe to hi(m) / as so(m)me me(n) me tolde /
For reccheles in ribawdrye /ri#t @us he seide .
Go I to helle or to heuene / I shal nou#t gone alone .
were it al so@e @at #e seyn / @(o)u clergie & sc(ri)pture .
I trowe lady nei@(er) lorde / @at lyue@ here on er@e .
Sholde sitte in goddis si#t / ne se god in his blisse .
Ita possibile e(st) diuite i(n)t(ra)re i(n) reg(nu)m celor(um) / sic(ut) camelu(s) i(n) fo(ur)me(n) ac(us)
For clergie sei@ @at he seigh{bar} / in seint euangelye .
That I a man made was / & my name entred .
In @e legende of li#f / long or I were
Predestinat @ei prechen / preco(ur)s @(a)t it shewi@ .
Or p(re)che@ inp(ar)fyt / ypot out of g(ra)ce .
wnwrytyn for so(m)me wykkednesse / as holy writ shewi@ .
Nemo ascendit ad celu(m) n(isi) qui de celo decendit .
And I leue y oure lorde . in no letterure bettre .
For salamo(n) @e sage / @at sapience made
God gaf hi(m) good wit / to deme wat he wolde .
Neuer #it to man so myche / @(a)t clergye can telle .
To rewle alle Rewmes / & ryche to make .
And deme wel & wisly / wo(m)men bere witnesse .
Nec m(ichi) n(ec) t(ibi) set diuidat(ur) & c(etera)
Arestotle & he / who tau#t men bettre .
Maistres @at meuen / of goddis holy m(er)cy
witnesse @at here wordes / & here werkys bo@e .
weren wonder gode / & wysest in her tyme
#it holychirche as I here / holde@ bo@e in helle .
#if I sholde worche by her werks / to wy(n)ne me heuene .
@at for al her wisdome / wone@ now in peyne .
@a(n)ne wrou#t I vnwisely / for al #o(ur) wyse techyng .
& #it I seie @e clergye / & to @i wyf sc(ri)pture
@at wo-so do@ #o(ur) doctrine / he do@ wel I leue .
But me were leuer / by our(e) lorde / a lippe of goddis g(ra)ce
@a(n)ne al @e wit & wisdome / @at #e welde bo@e .
Of fele witty men in fai@ / ferly I haue
@at @ei be vng(ra)ciouse god for to plese
For many men on 2is molde / more sette her herte .
In good @an i(n) god for@i hem grace faille@
Ac here moste myschef / mercy wer(e) beste .
And mercy of mercy / nede mote a-ryse .
As holywrit witnesse@ / in @e holy gospel .
Eadem me(n)su
wel ywytted men / & wel ylered clerkys . .
Ful selden ar @ei seyn / so lyuen as @ei leren .
I wene it worth of many / as was in Noees tyme .
whan he shope @e ship of schides & bordes .
Ne was no wri#t @(er)on wrou#th ; ne warkeman ysaued .
But birdis & bestis / & @e blessid Noe .
And his wyf w(i)t(h) his sones / & his sones wyues .
Of wri#tes @at wrou#t @(er)on / was nou#t one ysaued .
Ergo dred I @e foke / @at @e fei@ techi@ .
That ben sette here to kepe / c(ri)stene soulis .
For archa Noe nyme@ hede / nys no more to mene .
But holychirche herberwe / to alle @at be blesse
The culor(um) of @is clause / curato(ur)s is to mene
Carpenters vnder crist / holy chirche to make
For lewde folke goddis folys / & his fre bestis .
ho(m)i(n)es & Iumenta saluabis d(omi)ne & c(etera)
At Domesday a Deluuye wor@e / of de@ & fyre at onys
worche@ wri#tes #our(e) werke / as holy wri#t #ow techi@
lest #e be lost as laboreres / @(a)t labowred vnder Noe
On gode friday I fynde / a felow was saued
That oute of @e lawe had yleued / al his lyf tyme .
For he byknewe on @e crosse / & to crist shrof hi(m)
Sonner was ysaued / @an seint Ion @e baptiste .
Or adam or ysaye / or eny of @e p(ro)phetis
That hadden leye wi@ lucifer / many longe #eris .
A robber was raunceou(m)ed / ra@(er) @an @ei alle .
wi@-outen any passiou(n) / or eny o@er peyne .
Passed for@ pacient / to @e blisse of heuene .
Also mary magdaleyn / who my#te do werse .
As in lust of lecherye / no lyf she demed .
Dauid @e dou#ti / deuised how vrye.
Mi#t sonnest be slawe / he sent hi(m) to werre .
Poule w(i)t(h)-oute pite / @e peple put to de@ .
And now be @ise seintis / & sette w(i)t(h) our(e) souereynys .
By @at salamon sei@ / no wi#t wot .
who is wor@i to wele / or wykkyd peyne .
Sine iusti sine i(n)iusti op(er)a eor(um) in manu dei su(n)t
@us I reccheles haue red / in alle Registres .
And fonde I neur(e) #it in fai@ / for to telle trw@e .
That clergye of cristis mow@e / comaunded was eure .
For c(ri0st seid to seintis / to suche as he loued .
Du(m) stet(er)itis ante reges & p(re)sides . & c(etera)
@ough #e come a-for kynges / & clerkis of @e lawe .
Be nou#t aferde of @e folke / for I schal gyue #ow tonge
And konnyng of clergye to conclude hem alle .
So@ely seid Recheles / #e seen be euydens .
@(a)t witte ne ne wisdome / whan @e maistrie .
wi@-outen gift of good god / & g(ra)ce of his fortune .
For he @at as myche seigh{bar} of @e holy Trinite .
As any man @at euer was / austyn @e olde .
he seide in his s(er)mou(n) / example to clerkis
Ecce ip(s)i ydioty rapiu(n)t celu(m) / vbi nos sape(n)tes i(n) infernu(m)m(er)gim(ur)
@is is to mene no more / to men @(a)t ben lewde .
Ar none rauysshed rather / fro @e ri#t leue . . . . .
Comunely @an clerkys / best connyng in Crede .
Ne none sonner ysaued ne sadder in byleue .
Than plowmen & pastores / & pore co(mun)e peple .
For @ise lewde laborers / & @ise londe tilyers .
percen wi@ her pat(er) n(ost)r / paradis & heuene .
And li#tly passe p(ur)gatorye / for stedefast byleue
Breuis or(ati)o penett.. celum
As do@ @e countetroller / @at for al acounte@ .
Of @at he ha@ reseyuyd / of hi(m) @(a)t is his maistre
For @ise lewde laborers / of lytil vnderstondyng .
Selde falle@ so fowle / & so depe in synne
As clerkys of holy kyrke / @at kepe sholde & saue .
lewed me(n) i(n) her bileue / & lene hem at her nede .
homo p(ro)ponit q(uo)d plato @e poete .
Et deus disponit lat god done his wille .
Al @(a)t trw@e attache@ / & testifie@ for gode .
Concupiscencia carnis / shal nou#t greue gretely .
#e farewel phippe q(uo)d fauntelet / & for@ can me drawe .
Of dowel ne Dobet no deynte / me ne @ou#te
Clergie & his conseille / a-counted I ful li#te .
Passus s(e)c(un)dus de Dowel .
Allas @e rew@e q(uo)d elde / & holynesse bo@e .
@at wit shal torne to wo / & nycete of wille
Couetise of catel conforted me aftre
ne care for no conseille / but do @(o)u ryche wer(e)
Confesse @e to some fr(m)ere / he wil assoille @e sone .
whil @(a)t fortune is frende / freris wil @e loue .
and feste @e in fraternite / & for @e byseche .
To her hiegh p(ro)uyncial / his p(ar)dou(n) to haue .
and prey for @e pelike mele / #if @(o)u be pecuniosus .
Set pena pecunaria no(n) sufficit & c(etera)
By wyssy(n)g of @is we(n)che I wrou#t / her wordes were swete .
Til whan I me bi@ou#t / @(a)t I was ronne to elde .
Tha(n)ne was fortune my foo / for al her fair(e) byheste .
And pou(er)te pursued me / & put me ful lowe .
The frere fonde I flytyng / @at me here confessed .
he seide he my#t me nou#t assoille / but #if I silu(er) had
To restore resonably / for al vnri#tful wynnyng
Out allas q(uo)d I @o / & gan my hed to waggen .
Frere by my fei@ q(uo)d I @(o)u farest lyke a wowere .
@(a)t wilne@ nou#t @e wydow / but for to han her godis
Ri#t so trwly no @ing / @(o)u Ne rowghtest
where my body biried were / so @(o)u had my godis .
& @anne lowgh{barred} lewte / for I lowred on @e frere
whi lowrestow q(uo)d lewte / leue sir(e) I seide .
For @e frere flatered me / whil he me fonde ryche .
and now for I am penyles / at li#t pris he me sette@ .
a dot I wolde it were no synne I seide / to seyn al @(a)t is trewe
The saut(er) sei@ it is no synne / for men @(a)t ben trwe .
To seyn as @ei sene / saue houly prestis
Existimasti iniq(ue) q(uo)d ero tui si(mi)lis argua(m) & statua(m) co(n)t(ra) facie(m) tua(m)
Thei wil alleggen also / & by @e gospel preue it .
non oderis f(rat)rem secrete in corde . & c(etera)
Thing @(a)t al @e worlde wot / wherfore sholde @(o)u spare .
To reherse in Rotoryke / to arate synne .
So @at @(o)u be nou#t @e first / @e defaute to blame .
@owgh @(o)u see ne sey nou#t / some tyme @(a)t is trwe .
For @ing @(a)t wolde be pryuey / puplisshe @(o)u it neur(e) .
For no luf ne labbe it out / ne lak for enuye
paru(m) lauda vitip(er)a parcius
he sei@ so@ q(uo)d sc(ri)pture / & skipt an hiegh to p(re)che .
The mater @at she mowed / #if lewde men it knewe .
@e lasse I leue / loue god @ei wolde .
Of her teme & of hir talis / I toke gode hede .
She seide in her s(er)mou(n) / selcow@e wordes .
Multi to a maungerye / & to @e mete wer(e) somownde .
And wha(n) @e peple was ycome / @e portar at @e gate .
plyght i(n) pauci p(ri)uely / & lete @e remenaunt Rowme .
Al for tene of hir texte / trembled myne herte .
And i(n) a were gan I waxe / & w(i)t(h) my-self dyspute .
where I were chose or nou#t chose on holy kirke I @ou#t .
That vnderfonge me at fonte / for one of goddis chosne .
For c(ri)st clepid vs alle / come #if we wolde .
Sarazines sismatikys / & so he did @e Iuwes .
And bad hem sowkyn for synne / sauely at his breste
And drynke bote of al bale / browke it woso my#t .
O vos om(n)es scicientes / venite ad aquas .
Thanne may alle cristene come / & cleyme @(er) to entre .
By @at blode he bou#t vs wi@ / & bapteme vs betau#t
Qui crediderit & baptizatus fu(er)it & c(etera)
The a crestene man coueite / his c(ri)ste(n)dome reneye .
Ri#tfully to reneye / no resou(n) it wolde .
A clerke ne may no chartre make / ne his catel selle .
w(i)t(h)-outen leue of @e lorde / no lawe wil it graunt .
he may wel renne i(n) arerage / & row(m)e so fro home
as a Recheles Reue / reneye as it semey .
But resou(n) shal hi(m) rekne wi@ / & rebuke at laste .
And conscience a-counte wi@ hi(m) / & kast hi(m) in arerage .
And put hi(m) i(n) to p(ri)sou(n) / in p(ur)gatory to brenne
And so for al his reccheleshed / reward hi(m) @(er)e .
But #if he confessiou(n) crye / by his lyue a cross
Fro @e tyme he die@ / into @e day of dome
But #if mercye @e mayde / of hi(m) haue rew@e .
@(a)t is so@e quod sc(ri)pture . ne may no synne it lette
Mercye al to amende / & mekenesse his / felawe .
M(isericord)ia eius super omnia opera eius . & c(etera)
#e baw for bokys q(uo)d one / was broken out of helle .
I troian a trwe kni#t / take witnesse of ORIG>apopea pope .
how I was dampnable / to dwelle euer in helle .
For an holy creature / seynt Grigorie . wot @e so@e .
@(a)t al c(ri)steanete ne my#t me cacche @ennes .
But onlyche lewte / as in my lawes demyng
Gregorie wist @is ful wel / & welned to my soule .
Sauacion for so@nesse / @at he sey in my werkys .
And for he wilned wepyng / @at I sawed were .
God of his godnesse / say his gode wille . . .
wi@-outyn any bidding / his bone was vnderfongen
And I saued as #e may se / w(i)t(h)outen songe of masse .
loue wi@-outen byleue / as in my law ri#tful .
saued me sarazine / soule & body bo@e .
lordes lo wat lewte id / & lele dome yswed .
wel owght #e @at lawes kepe . @is lesson haue i(n) mynde
And on my trow@e wel to @enke / @e tyme of al #owr(e) lyue .
For lawe wi@out lewte / lay @(ere) a bene
Or eny science vnder sonne / @e sene artz & alle .
But #if lewte hem lede / ylost is al @e tyme
Of hi(m) @at trauaille@ her-vpon / but trw@e be his lywyng .
For trwe loue & lewte / ben owr(e) lordes bokys . . . . .
And cristis owne clergie / he come fro heuene to teche it .
And seint Ioh(a)n euangeliste / seide it of his techyng .
Qui non diligit manet in morte / & c(etera)
And namely @e pore peple / her praier may vs help
For god in his gospel to vs sei@ / go@ ay of herte pore .
By wytnesse of eu(a)ngelye / whan we make festis .
we shal no kni#ttes calle / @(er)-to : ne men of ky(n)ne rayche
Cu(m) facitis conuiuia nolite / vocare amicos & c(etera)
But calle @e careful @(er)-to / @e croked & @e pore
whan vche frende fede@ o@(er) / he fonde@ it to quyte .
here meles & here manshipis / vche a man til o@er
But for @e pore may nou#t paye / I wil pay my-self .
@(a)t loue@ he(m) & lene@ hem . lelly shal I quite
At caluarie of c(ri)stis blode / cristondome gan spring .
and bretheren alle by-cam we @(er)e / of o body ywonne .
as quasi modo geniti . gentil men vchone .
no beggar among vs / but #if synne it make .
Qui facit peccatu(m) seruus est p(ec)c(a)ti & c(etera)
Some tyme in @e olde lawe / as holy lettre telli@ .
@en vs called mannes sones / @orow adam & Eue .
Ay tyl god & man here deide / in help of alle his bre@(er)en .
Now be we alle his brethre / as wel beggars as lordes .
& @(er)fore goddes leue childre / lene we he(m) @(a)t nedi@
And eny man helpe o@(er) / for hennes shal we alle .
To haue as we haue s(er)ued / as holy men witnesse .
Et qui bona egeru(n)t ibu(n)t & c(etera) . . .
Therfore lere we @e lawe / as howr(e) lorde vs tau#t .
@e pore faille we nou#t / wil eny peny laste@
For in her lykenesse owre lorde / lome ha@ be-knowen .
witnesse in @e paske-woke whan he #ede to Emaus .
Cleophas ne knewe hi(m) nou#t / @at he crist were .
For his pore app(ar)alled / & pilg(ri)mes clo@es .
Til whan he blessid @e bred / & brak @er bitwene .
By @e werkys he wist / @at he was Ihesu .
By clo@ing he ne knewe hi(m) nou#t / so catyuyly he #ede .
@at was so@ely example / to vs synful here .
@at we sholde be lowe / & eche man loue o@(er)e .
And pacient as pilg(ri)mes / for pilg(ri)mes ar we alle . .
In paraille of a pilg(ri)me / & al in pore wede .
holy seyntis hi(m) seigh / but neur(e) in si#t of ryche .
And seint mary his modr / as Mathew make@ mynde .
was a pore pure mayde / & to @e pore yweddid
and alle wyse @at eure were / by owght I can aspye .
Pouert @ei presie beste / #if pacience it folowe .
Thei it be sowre to suffre / @er come@ ORIG>aswettera swetter aftre .
As an a walnot wi@-out is / a bittre barke
And aftre @e bittre barke / be @e schale aweye
A kyrnel is of comforte / kynde to restore .
So afte peyne & pouerte / paciently ytake .
Make@ men haue mynde i(n) god / his mercy to craue
That kyrnel is of comfort / to alle c(ri)stene sowlys
And wel @e sekerer he slepi@ / @e man @at is pore .
And lasse dredi@ also / in derke to be Robbed .
@an he @at is ryche . resou(n) bere@ witnesse .
Paup(er) ego ludo du(m) tu diues meditaris .">
holichirche witnesse@ / who @(a)t here forsake@ .
his fader or his frendis / fre(m)med o@er sibbe .
Or eny wel@e in @is worlde / his wyf or his children .
For @e loue of oure lorde / lowe@ hym so pore .
he schal haue a ORIG>.C.hundred folde rewarde i(n) heuene-ryche blisse .
And lif lastynge eure / afore owr(e) lorde of heuene .
Quicu(n)q(ue) reliquid p(at)rem aut m(at)rem . & c(etera)
For god seid here hym-self / to men @(a)t he lowed .
#if @e like@ to lyue / @e lif @at is p(ar)fyte .
Al @at @(o)u hast here / hastely go selle it .
#if pore peple @e pans / porse @er-of none .
But #if it to pore folke / @at for my loue it axe .
For-sake al & swe me / for so is @e beste . Si vis p(er)fect(us) e(ss)e vade & ve(n)de & c(etera)
#it conseille@ here c(ri)st / in co(mun)e to vs alle .
who @at coueite@ come / to my kynneryche
he mote forsaken hi(m)-self / his sistre & his bro@(er)e .
And al @at he welde@ / & my wille folowe . Nisi q(ui)s renu(n)ciau(er)it o(m)(n)ia q(ue) possidet & c(etera)
Mo p(ro)u(er)bijs @(er) ben / of many holy seintis .
To testifye trw@e / @e tale @(a)t I chewe .
Also poetes preuen it . porphurye & plato .
Arestotle Enedye / & elleuene hu(n)dere@ .
Tolleus tholomeus / I can nou#t alle her names .
@ei p(ro)ue pacient pou(er)te / p(ri)nce of alle vertues .
And by @e greyne @(a)t growe@ / god vs alle techi@ .
Mischef on molde / mekely to suffre : Nisi g(ra)nu(m) frum(en)ti cadens i(n) t(er)
But @e seed @at sowen is / in @e slough st(er)ue .
Sholde neuer whete waxe / but he first deide .
And o@(er) sedes also / in @e same wyse
That leyde ben in lowe er@e / ylorne as it were
And @orow @e grace of god / of greyne ded in er@e .
Atte last launce@ vp /wherby we lyuen alle .
For sedes @at ar sowne / @(a)t suffre may @e wyntre .
Ar tidier
At tydier & better / to manys byhof .
@anne sedes @(a)t sowe be / & may nou#t w(i)t(h)frostis .
Ne wyndes ne wedres / as in wyntre tymes .
As lynsede & leke sede / & lent sedes alle .
Ar nou#t so worthi as whete / ne so wil mowe
In @e felde w(i)t(h) @e frost / #if it frese longe .
Ri#t so so@ely @at suffre / may penaus .
wor@ allowed of owr(e) lorde / at here last ende .
For pacience is preised / as a pure martir .
Or a confesso(ur) ykydde / @at counte@ nou#t ORIG>aryschea rysche
Fere ne famyne / ne false mennes tonges .
But as an housbonde hopi@ / aftir harde wyntre .
#if god gif hi(m) g(ra)ce / to haue a gode heruest
So preue@ @ise p(ro)phetis / @at pacient suffre@ .
Mischef & myshappe / & many t(ri)bulacio(n)us
Bytokene@ ful truly / in tyme comyng aftre .
Mir@e for his mornyng / & @(a)t ful mycul plente .
Tristicia v(est)ra vertetur in gaudiu(m) & c(etera)
#owr(e) sorow in-to solas / shal torne atte laste .
And oute of wo in-to wel / #owr(e) werdes shal chaunge
And who-so rat of @e ryche / @e reu(er)se he may fynde .
God in his gospel gyue@ hem fole to name
And sei@ @(a)t @e goste shal gone / & @e gode byleue .
he axe@ of hi(m) who shal haue / @e catel @(a)t he kepi@ .
And art so lo@ for to leue / @(a)t lete shal-tow nedis .
O stulte i(sta) nocte egrediet(ur) a(n)i(m)a de corpore tesaurizat & ignorat
A recheles Reue @i resydue / shal spene .
@(a)t mow@es had maistrye in / in a short while .
vpholders on @e hil / shal haue it to selle . .
lo lordes lo lo / & ladies take@ hede .
I laste@ nou#t longe / @at is so lyper swete .
As pescoddes pere rouetes / blu(m)bes & chiryes .
@at lightlyche launce@ vp . lytel while dure@ .
@at rathest is rype / rote@ most sone .
On fat lande ful of donge / fowlest wedes growe@ .
Ri#t so so@ely suche grete lordes . .
Erles & Archedekenes / & o@ir ryche clerkys .
a cross That schaffer as chapmen / & chide but @ei wynne
And han @e worlde att her wille / o@(er) wyse to lyuen .
a cross So as wede waxe@ / mose & in donge .
So of redy rychesse / rise@ alle vices .
So londe ouerleyde / wi@ marle & wi@ donge .
whete @(a)t @(er)-on wexe@ / whil ligge ar it rype
Ri#t so so@ely / for to sey trw@e .
plente pride norisse@ / @at pou(er)te destrue@ .
worldes wele is wikke / to hem @(a)t it kepi@ .
#if @at he be fer @(er)-fro / ful often ha@ he drede
@at false folke shal fecche awey / felounly his godis .
And @(er)to it make@ men / many tyme & oft .
To synne & to sowche / sotiltees of gyle .
For coueitise of catel / to kille hem @at it kepi@ .
And so is many mor@ered / for his owne gode
And @o @at did @at dede / dampned @(er)fore aftir.
And he for his holdyng / in helle p(ar)auenture .
So combra(n)ce of catel / was co(m)bra(n)ce to he(m) alle .
lo how pans purchase@ / places & drede
The rote is of robbers / @e ricchesse wi@inne . . .
Passus tercius de Dowel .
Ac wel wor@e pou(er)te for he may passe vnrobbed .
Amonge pilours in pes / #if pacience hi(m) folowe .
Oure prynce Ihesu it chese / & his aposteles alle .
And ay @e lenger @ei lyued / @e lesse gode @ei hadde .
Tanq(ua)m nichil habentes & o(m)(n)ia possidentes .
But men seye @at habrah(a)m / & Iob wer(e) ful ryche .
And out of nowmbre @o men / many moebles hadde .
Abraham for his p(ar)te / had mychel tene .
A p(ri)nce ful of p(ri)de / in pou(er)te hi(m) putte
By-name hi(m) his howswyf / & al his hows aftre .
And habraham not hardy / onys hi(m) to lette .
For bri#t of hir bewte / ne dorst he hir a-wowe .
And for he suffred / @at sorow / @orow goddis soude .
@e kynge cried hi(m) m(er)cy / & sent hi(m) his make .
And made restituciou(n) @e dowble / & @e treble . .
Job @at was Ientil / Ioye had in er@e .
Ful bitterly he it bou#t / as @e boke vs telli@
And he songe in his sorowe / Si bona sustepim(us)
Derwor@ dere god / do we so @e mala .
Al his sore to solas / for @at songe torned .
And bykam a Ioly man / & al his Ioye newe .
lo how @is pacience / pat(ri)arkes halpe .
And brou#t hem al aboue / @at in bale roted .
But leue@ nou#t leue men / @at I lakke rycchesse .
@ow I p(ra)ise pouerte / & p(re)ue it by exampes .
wor@ier by holy writ / & wyse philosophres .
For bo@e @ei be gode / be #e @er-of certeyne .
her hei@er is owr(e) lorde lief / & large wey tyl heuene
@e pore pacient / purgatoreye passe@ .
@anne @e ryche / @eigh hij renne at onys .
marchaunt & a messang(er) / #if @ei mete to-gydre .
And schal wende be o way / @e bo@e wolde reste .
The marchaunt mot be let lenger @an @e messag(er)e .
For @(a)t he ha@ to done / to pay wel his dettis .
@(a)t lette@ hy(m) I leue wel / @e leng@e of half a myle .
@e messager ne do@ no more / but telli@ his erande .
he shewe@ @(er)e ORIG>alett(er)a lett(er) / & sone is he delyuered .
@e marchaunt wi@ his marchaundise / May nou#t go so swi@e .
As @e messanger may / ne wi@ so mykyl ese .
For he beri@ but ORIG>aboxea boxe / & a breuet @(er)-Inne
And @e marchaunt moue@ / many kynnes @ingis .
And dredi@ to be dead @(er)-fore / #if he in derke mete@ .
wi@ robbers or reuars / @(a)t ryche men despoylen .
The messag(er) way mery / his mow@e ful of Ionges .
And leue@ for his lettris / @at no wyght wil hi(m) greue
#e wote now #e wyse men / what is @is to mene .
@e marchaunt is to mene / @o men @(a)t ben @(a)t ben ryche .
To c(ri)stre @at be countable / @e hyegh kynge of heuene
@e hiegh wey to holde / @(a)t ben @e ORIG>.x.ten hestis
Bo@e loue & lene / lele & vnlele .
And haue rew@e & releue / wi@ rychesse at his power
Alle man(er) of men @(a)t in myschef ar fallen .
Fynde beggars bred / & baggys for @e colde .
Ti@e here godis trwly / a tol as it seme@ .
@(a)t our(e) lorde aske@ / of yche man @(a)t wynne@ .
wi@-oute wyles or wrong / or women atte stwes . .
And #it is @(a)t more at do / to quite mennes dettes .
To spelen & to sparen / to spende vpon @e nedy . .
As criste ha@ comaunded / alle c(ri)stene peple . Alt(er) alt(er)ius
@e messager @ise mendinauntz / @(a)t lyue@ by almes .
Be nou#t bou(n)nde so @e ryche / to bo@e two @o lawes .
To gyue ne to lene / ne lentes to faste
And o@(er) p(ri)uey penaunce / @at @e p(re)ste disposi@ .
@e lawe #iue@ leue / @at low ben excused .
No ti@es to ti@en / ne clo@e @e naked .
In none enquestes to come / ne gilty @ough he worthe .
holy day or holy euene / his mete to des(er)ue .
So @at he byleue / as @e law techi@ . Q(ui) credid(er)it & bapti(zatus) fu(er)it
@ei telle @e lorde a tale / ri#t as do@ @e messang(er) .
@at shewi@ by his lett(er) / wi@ what lorde he dwelli@ .
Cristene hi(m) kuowleche@ / in holy chirche byleue .
@(er) mys no lorde as I leue / wil letten hi(m) @e gate
There god is @e porter hi(m)self / & @e grome knowey . .
And so @e pore of pure ri#t / may p(ar)forme @e lawe
wi@ @at he wolde eche wyght / as wel as hi(m)seluen .
@e wille is as myche wor@e / of ORIG>awrecchea wrecche beggar
As al @e ryche may arayine / & rytfullyche dele . Amen dico vob(is) q(ui)a vidua paup(er)c
Si@en @at pou(er)te is / most p(ar)fyte of alle .
Eche a prest p(ar)fyte / to pou(er)te sholde drawe
The title #e toke #owr(e) ordre by / teche@ #ow be a-vaunced .
For he @at toke #ow tytle / shal take #ow wages .
And @e bischope also / enbawmed #owr(e) fyngres .
For made neuer kyng kni#t / but if he had to spende .
As by-fel for a kni#t / or fonde hi(m) for his streng@e .
For it is a karful kni#t / & of a bad makyng
@at ha@ noi@er londes ryche / ne gode lose of handes .
@e same I sey for so@e / by hem @at be p(re)stis .
his tytle is @anne ORIG>atalea tale of nou#t / of lyuyng in dawere
And lytle vnderstondyng han / of @at he in story fynde@ .
A Ch(art)re is chalengeable / a-for ORIG>achiefa chief iustice . .
#if false latyn be @(er)-in / anon he it enpugne@ .
Or peynted p(ar)entrelynarye / p(ar)celles ouerskippyd .
@e grome @at glose@ a Ch(art)re / a koky he is holden . . .
So is a prest by holy god / @at in @e gospel faille@ . Q(ui) offend(i)t i(n) vno i(n) om(n)ib(us) e(st) reus
Psallite deo n(ost)ro qui(a) rex terre d(eu)s psallyte sapienter . .
The bischop shal be blamed / a-for god as I leue .
@(a)t crowne@ suche goddis kni#tes / @(a)t can nou#t wel her crede .
@ei sauoure nou#t in sapient(er) / to synge ne to rede
Nei@(er) of hem is blameles / @e bishop ne @e chapeleyne .
For ignorancia non excusat as I haue herd in bokys . .
Thus reccheles in ORIG>aragea rage / aresoned clergye .
And sc(ri)pture he scorned / @at many skyles schewyd .
Tyl @at kynde cam / clergye to helpe
In @at Miro(ur) Midlerd / eftsones I loked . .
To knowen eurye creature / kynde for to loue .
And @anne bowed I myne hed / byhelde al aboute .
I seigh @e sonne & @e see / & al @e sonde aftre .
I seigh @e birdes & bestis / @at by her make #ede .
wilde wormes in wodes / & wondre fele fowlys .
wi@ flekked fetheres / of alle maner colo(ur)s
Man & his make / @(er)e I my#t se bo@e
Pou(er)te & plente / bo@e pes & werre .
The blisse & @e bale / bo@e I seye at onys .
And how @at men Mede toke / & m(er)sy refused .
I saw reson in so@e / swen alle bestis .
In etyng in drynkyng / in gendryng of kynde .
@at aftir her concepciou(n) / none toke kepe of o@(er)e
But whan @ei had yroteyed / @ei rest a-non aftre .
Ne was @(er) cow ne best none / @at conceyued hadde .
@(a)t wolde bere aftre bole / ne sowe aftir bore .
Alle @ei lese her lust / of flesche as it were .
Saue man & his make / & @(er)-of me wondred .
For out of reson @ei ryde / & recheles @ei were .
As in derne dedes / in drynkyng & mete .
Birdes I byhelde @(er)e / in buskes made nestis .
had neure wy#t witte / to worche @e leste .
I had wondre at whom / & wher(e) @(a)t @e pye .
lered stikkys to legge / @at lay on her neste .
Ther nys no wri#t as I wene / @(a)t wolde hir apaye .
#if eny masou(n) molded it / wondre me @inke@ .
And #it I merueilled more / how mony of @e briddes
hidden & hileden / holdely her eyren
For no fowle scholde hem fynde / but his fere & he
And so(m)me trede I toke kepe / & on trees bredde
And brou#t for@ her briddes / on @e bare grou(n)de .
In Maryes in mores / in myres in watres .
Donlynges dyued / dere god I seide
where haue wilde / suche witt / & in what scole .
and how @e poe cauded / @(er)-of had I wondre
how curteisly @e cokke / his kynde for@ streynyd .
I wondred of his fairnesse / & of his foule lede .
And @anne I loked on @e see / & vpwarde to @e sterris .
And many selcow@e I seigh / ar nouet to say now@e .
I sawe flowres in @e felde / of ful faire colo(ur)s .
Out of gru(n)de & of gresse / grewe i(n) many hewys .
Bo@e of sowr(e) & of swete / selcow@e me @ou#t .
Off her kynde & colo(ur) / to carpe it wer(e) to longe .
That moste moeued me / & my mode chau(n)ged .
was for I saw resou(n) / swen alle bestis
Saue mankynde allone / many tyme me @ou#te .
Reson rewled hem nou#t / ryche mey@(er) pore . .
Thanne resouned I resou(n) / & ri#t to hi(m) seide
I haue wonder in my witte / so wyse as @(o)u art holden .
wherfore it is & whi / as wyde as @(o)u regneste
@(a)t @(o)u ne rewlest ORIG>amana man / er @an o@er bestis .
For furfeti@ no shaft / so@ely but man
In metes out of messure / & many tyme in drynke .
In wo(m)men In wedes / in wordes ful oftr
@ei ouerdon day & ny#t / so ne do@ ne beste .
@ei mesure hem mekely / so men do wel fewe .
and @(er)fore I merueille / for man is moste lyke @e .
Of wit & of werkys / whi he ne loue@ @i lore .
Thanne seide reson to me / ne rekke @e newr(e) .
whi I suffre as @(o)u seest / c(er)tes he seide
Eche man for hi(m)-self / Salamon vs techi@ De re q(ue) te non molestat noli c(er)tare & c(etera)
who suffre@ more @an god / no grome as I leue .
he my#t amende in a mynute while / al @at mystandit
he suffre@ i(n) example / we scholde suffre alle .
Is no v(er)tu so faire / ne so good of value .
So is suffraunce I sey / so it be for goddis loue .
And @(a)t witnessi@ @e wyse / & wisse@ vs in frenche .
bel v(er)tu est soeffrance / & maldyre petit veniance .
Bien dier & bien suffrere / fait luy suffrable abien venyr
@(er)fore q(uo)d reson / I red @ow rewle @i tonge .
And er @(o)u lakke eny lyf / loke who is to praise .
Man is made of mater / he may not wel astert .
@(a)t ne some tyme hi(m) bitit / to folowen his kynde .
Caton corde@ @er-wi@ / nemo sine cri(mi)(n)e
@anne cau#t I colour / agan to be aschamed .
& waked @er-wi@ / wo was me @anne
@(a)t I ne hadde ymette more / so mery as I slept .
I seide @anne to my-self / slepyng had I g(ra)ce .
To wyten wat is Dowel / but wakyng neure .
And @anne was @(er)e a wyght / wat he was I nyste .
what is Dowel q(uo)d I . ywys syre he seide . . .
To se moche & suffre al / c(er)tes is a Dowel .
had @(o)u suffred he seide / @o @(o)u were slepyng
@(o)u scholdest haue knowe / clargye / & conseyued ou(er) reson .
But for @in entermetyng / here artow forsaken .
philosophus esses si tacuisses & aliby / locutu(m) me penituit tacuisse nu(n)
Adam whil he spake nou#t / had paradise at wille .
But wha(n) he mameled aft(er) mete / & mused to knowe .
@e grete wisdome of god / put he was fro blisse .
So ferde resou(n) bi @e / for @i rude speche .
And for @(o)u woldest ywyte / @e pryuete of resou(n) .
Resou(n) @e refused / wi@ @e ne wolde he reste .
Ne clergye of his connyng / ne kepi@ @e nou#t to shewe .
Ne schal @(er)e nou#te but schame / a sherew wel shaste .
For lete a dronken daffe / in a dike falle .
lete hi(m) lye se hi(m) nou#t / tyl hi(m) lyst aryse .
@ei resou(n) rebuke hi(m) / ne recche@ hi(m) neur(e) .
Ne clergye ne kynde witte / he counte@ nou#t a rysshe .
To blame hi(m) @anne or bete hi(m) / I ne holde it but synne .
But wha(n) nede hi(m) neme@ vp / a-none he is asshamed .
@anne wote he wer-fore & whi / @at he is to blame .
That is so@e q(uo)d I @o / I haue yseye it oft .
Ther smyte@ no @ing so sm(er)te / ne smelli@ so fowle .
As chame wha(n) he schewi@ / for eury man hi(m) schone@ .
whi #e worde to me @us / was for I spake to resou(n)
#e sertis q(uo)d he / & schope hi(m) to walke .
And I a-ros vp wi@ @at / & preide hi(m) wel faire .
If it his wille were / he wolde his name telle .
Passus tercius de Dowel .
Ac wel wor@e pou(er)te for he may passe vnrobbed .
Amonge pilours in pes / #if pacience hi(m) folowe .
Oure prynce Ihesu it chese / & his aposteles alle .
And ay @e lenger @ei lyued / @e lesse gode @ei hadde .
Tanq(ua)m nichil habentes & o(m)(n)ia possidentes .
But men seye @at habrah(a)m / & Iob wer(e) ful ryche .
And out of nowmbre @o men / many moebles hadde .
Abraham for his p(ar)te / had mychel tene .
A p(ri)nce ful of p(ri)de / in pou(er)te hi(m) putte
By-name hi(m) his howswyf / & al his hows aftre .
And habraham not hardy / onys hi(m) to lette .
For bri#t of hir bewte / ne dorst he hir a-wowe .
And for he suffred / @at sorow / @orow goddis soude .
@e kynge cried hi(m) m(er)cy / & sent hi(m) his make .
And made restituciou(n) @e dowble / & @e treble . .
Job @at was Ientil / Ioye had in er@e .
Ful bitterly he it bou#t / as @e boke vs telli@
And he songe in his sorowe / Si bona sustepim(us)
Derwor@ dere god / do we so @e mala .
Al his sore to solas / for @at songe torned .
And bykam a Ioly man / & al his Ioye newe .
lo how @is pacience / pat(ri)arkes halpe .
And brou#t hem al aboue / @at in bale roted .
But leue@ nou#t leue men / @at I lakke rycchesse .
@ow I p(ra)ise pouerte / & p(re)ue it by exampes .
wor@ier by holy writ / & wyse philosophres .
For bo@e @ei be gode / be #e @er-of certeyne .
her hei@er is owr(e) lorde lief / & large wey tyl heuene
@e pore pacient / purgatoreye passe@ .
@anne @e ryche / @eigh hij renne at onys .
marchaunt & a messang(er) / #if @ei mete to-gydre .
And schal wende be o way / @e bo@e wolde reste .
The marchaunt mot be let lenger @an @e messag(er)e .
For @(a)t he ha@ to done / to pay wel his dettis .
@(a)t lette@ hy(m) I leue wel / @e leng@e of half a myle .
@e messager ne do@ no more / but telli@ his erande .
he shewe@ @(er)e ORIG>alett(er)a lett(er) / & sone is he delyuered .
@e marchaunt wi@ his marchaundise / May nou#t go so swi@e .
As @e messanger may / ne wi@ so mykyl ese .
For he beri@ but ORIG>aboxea boxe / & a breuet @(er)-Inne
And @e marchaunt moue@ / many kynnes @ingis .
And dredi@ to be dead @(er)-fore / #if he in derke mete@ .
wi@ robbers or reuars / @(a)t ryche men despoylen .
The messag(er) way mery / his mow@e ful of Ionges .
And leue@ for his lettris / @at no wyght wil hi(m) greue
#e wote now #e wyse men / what is @is to mene .
@e marchaunt is to mene / @o men @(a)t ben @(a)t ben ryche .
To c(ri)stre @at be countable / @e hyegh kynge of heuene
@e hiegh wey to holde / @(a)t ben @e ORIG>.x.ten hestis
Bo@e loue & lene / lele & vnlele .
And haue rew@e & releue / wi@ rychesse at his power
Alle man(er) of men @(a)t in myschef ar fallen .
Fynde beggars bred / & baggys for @e colde .
Ti@e here godis trwly / a tol as it seme@ .
@(a)t our(e) lorde aske@ / of yche man @(a)t wynne@ .
wi@-oute wyles or wrong / or women atte stwes . .
And #it is @(a)t more at do / to quite mennes dettes .
To spelen & to sparen / to spende vpon @e nedy . .
As criste ha@ comaunded / alle c(ri)stene peple . Alt(er) alt(er)ius
@e messager @ise mendinauntz / @(a)t lyue@ by almes .
Be nou#t bou(n)nde so @e ryche / to bo@e two @o lawes .
To gyue ne to lene / ne lentes to faste
And o@(er) p(ri)uey penaunce / @at @e p(re)ste disposi@ .
@e lawe #iue@ leue / @at low ben excused .
No ti@es to ti@en / ne clo@e @e naked .
In none enquestes to come / ne gilty @ough he worthe .
holy day or holy euene / his mete to des(er)ue .
So @at he byleue / as @e law techi@ . Q(ui) credid(er)it & bapti(zatus) fu(er)it
@ei telle @e lorde a tale / ri#t as do@ @e messang(er) .
@at shewi@ by his lett(er) / wi@ what lorde he dwelli@ .
Cristene hi(m) kuowleche@ / in holy chirche byleue .
@(er) mys no lorde as I leue / wil letten hi(m) @e gate
There god is @e porter hi(m)self / & @e grome knowey . .
And so @e pore of pure ri#t / may p(ar)forme @e lawe
wi@ @at he wolde eche wyght / as wel as hi(m)seluen .
@e wille is as myche wor@e / of ORIG>awrecchea wrecche beggar
As al @e ryche may arayine / & rytfullyche dele . Amen dico vob(is) q(ui)a vidua paup(er)c
Si@en @at pou(er)te is / most p(ar)fyte of alle .
Eche a prest p(ar)fyte / to pou(er)te sholde drawe
The title #e toke #owr(e) ordre by / teche@ #ow be a-vaunced .
For he @at toke #ow tytle / shal take #ow wages .
And @e bischope also / enbawmed #owr(e) fyngres .
For made neuer kyng kni#t / but if he had to spende .
As by-fel for a kni#t / or fonde hi(m) for his streng@e .
For it is a karful kni#t / & of a bad makyng
@at ha@ noi@er londes ryche / ne gode lose of handes .
@e same I sey for so@e / by hem @at be p(re)stis .
his tytle is @anne ORIG>atalea tale of nou#t / of lyuyng in dawere
And lytle vnderstondyng han / of @at he in story fynde@ .
A Ch(art)re is chalengeable / a-for ORIG>achiefa chief iustice . .
#if false latyn be @(er)-in / anon he it enpugne@ .
Or peynted p(ar)entrelynarye / p(ar)celles ouerskippyd .
@e grome @at glose@ a Ch(art)re / a koky he is holden . . .
So is a prest by holy god / @at in @e gospel faille@ . Q(ui) offend(i)t i(n) vno i(n) om(n)ib(us) e(st) reus
Psallite deo n(ost)ro qui(a) rex terre d(eu)s psallyte sapienter . .
The bischop shal be blamed / a-for god as I leue .
@(a)t crowne@ suche goddis kni#tes / @(a)t can nou#t wel her crede .
@ei sauoure nou#t in sapient(er) / to synge ne to rede
Nei@(er) of hem is blameles / @e bishop ne @e chapeleyne .
For ignorancia non excusat as I haue herd in bokys . .
Thus reccheles in ORIG>aragea rage / aresoned clergye .
And sc(ri)pture he scorned / @at many skyles schewyd .
Tyl @at kynde cam / clergye to helpe
In @at Miro(ur) Midlerd / eftsones I loked . .
To knowen eurye creature / kynde for to loue .
And @anne bowed I myne hed / byhelde al aboute .
I seigh @e sonne & @e see / & al @e sonde aftre .
I seigh @e birdes & bestis / @at by her make #ede .
wilde wormes in wodes / & wondre fele fowlys .
wi@ flekked fetheres / of alle maner colo(ur)s
Man & his make / @(er)e I my#t se bo@e
Pou(er)te & plente / bo@e pes & werre .
The blisse & @e bale / bo@e I seye at onys .
And how @at men Mede toke / & m(er)sy refused .
I saw reson in so@e / swen alle bestis .
In etyng in drynkyng / in gendryng of kynde .
@at aftir her concepciou(n) / none toke kepe of o@(er)e
But whan @ei had yroteyed / @ei rest a-non aftre .
Ne was @(er) cow ne best none / @at conceyued hadde .
@(a)t wolde bere aftre bole / ne sowe aftir bore .
Alle @ei lese her lust / of flesche as it were .
Saue man & his make / & @(er)-of me wondred .
For out of reson @ei ryde / & recheles @ei were .
As in derne dedes / in drynkyng & mete .
Birdes I byhelde @(er)e / in buskes made nestis .
had neure wy#t witte / to worche @e leste .
I had wondre at whom / & wher(e) @(a)t @e pye .
lered stikkys to legge / @at lay on her neste .
Ther nys no wri#t as I wene / @(a)t wolde hir apaye .
#if eny masou(n) molded it / wondre me @inke@ .
And #it I merueilled more / how mony of @e briddes
hidden & hileden / holdely her eyren
For no fowle scholde hem fynde / but his fere & he
And so(m)me trede I toke kepe / & on trees bredde
And brou#t for@ her briddes / on @e bare grou(n)de .
In Maryes in mores / in myres in watres .
Donlynges dyued / dere god I seide
where haue wilde / suche witt / & in what scole .
and how @e poe cauded / @(er)-of had I wondre
how curteisly @e cokke / his kynde for@ streynyd .
I wondred of his fairnesse / & of his foule lede .
And @anne I loked on @e see / & vpwarde to @e sterris .
And many selcow@e I seigh / ar nouet to say now@e .
I sawe flowres in @e felde / of ful faire colo(ur)s .
Out of gru(n)de & of gresse / grewe i(n) many hewys .
Bo@e of sowr(e) & of swete / selcow@e me @ou#t .
Off her kynde & colo(ur) / to carpe it wer(e) to longe .
That moste moeued me / & my mode chau(n)ged .
was for I saw resou(n) / swen alle bestis
Saue mankynde allone / many tyme me @ou#te .
Reson rewled hem nou#t / ryche mey@(er) pore . .
Thanne resouned I resou(n) / & ri#t to hi(m) seide
I haue wonder in my witte / so wyse as @(o)u art holden .
wherfore it is & whi / as wyde as @(o)u regneste
@(a)t @(o)u ne rewlest ORIG>amana man / er @an o@er bestis .
For furfeti@ no shaft / so@ely but man
In metes out of messure / & many tyme in drynke .
In wo(m)men In wedes / in wordes ful oftr
@ei ouerdon day & ny#t / so ne do@ ne beste .
@ei mesure hem mekely / so men do wel fewe .
and @(er)fore I merueille / for man is moste lyke @e .
Of wit & of werkys / whi he ne loue@ @i lore .
Thanne seide reson to me / ne rekke @e newr(e) .
whi I suffre as @(o)u seest / c(er)tes he seide
Eche man for hi(m)-self / Salamon vs techi@ De re q(ue) te non molestat noli c(er)tare & c(etera)
who suffre@ more @an god / no grome as I leue .
he my#t amende in a mynute while / al @at mystandit
he suffre@ i(n) example / we scholde suffre alle .
Is no v(er)tu so faire / ne so good of value .
So is suffraunce I sey / so it be for goddis loue .
And @(a)t witnessi@ @e wyse / & wisse@ vs in frenche .
bel v(er)tu est soeffrance / & maldyre petit veniance .
Bien dier & bien suffrere / fait luy suffrable abien venyr
@(er)fore q(uo)d reson / I red @ow rewle @i tonge .
And er @(o)u lakke eny lyf / loke who is to praise .
Man is made of mater / he may not wel astert .
@(a)t ne some tyme hi(m) bitit / to folowen his kynde .
Caton corde@ @er-wi@ / nemo sine cri(mi)(n)e
@anne cau#t I colour / agan to be aschamed .
& waked @er-wi@ / wo was me @anne
@(a)t I ne hadde ymette more / so mery as I slept .
I seide @anne to my-self / slepyng had I g(ra)ce .
To wyten wat is Dowel / but wakyng neure .
And @anne was @(er)e a wyght / wat he was I nyste .
what is Dowel q(uo)d I . ywys syre he seide . . .
To se moche & suffre al / c(er)tes is a Dowel .
had @(o)u suffred he seide / @o @(o)u were slepyng
@(o)u scholdest haue knowe / clargye / & conseyued ou(er) reson .
But for @in entermetyng / here artow forsaken .
philosophus esses si tacuisses & aliby / locutu(m) me penituit tacuisse nu(n)
Adam whil he spake nou#t / had paradise at wille .
But wha(n) he mameled aft(er) mete / & mused to knowe .
@e grete wisdome of god / put he was fro blisse .
So ferde resou(n) bi @e / for @i rude speche .
And for @(o)u woldest ywyte / @e pryuete of resou(n) .
Resou(n) @e refused / wi@ @e ne wolde he reste .
Ne clergye of his connyng / ne kepi@ @e nou#t to shewe .
Ne schal @(er)e nou#te but schame / a sherew wel shaste .
For lete a dronken daffe / in a dike falle .
lete hi(m) lye se hi(m) nou#t / tyl hi(m) lyst aryse .
@ei resou(n) rebuke hi(m) / ne recche@ hi(m) neur(e) .
Ne clergye ne kynde witte / he counte@ nou#t a rysshe .
To blame hi(m) @anne or bete hi(m) / I ne holde it but synne .
But wha(n) nede hi(m) neme@ vp / a-none he is asshamed .
@anne wote he wer-fore & whi / @at he is to blame .
That is so@e q(uo)d I @o / I haue yseye it oft .
Ther smyte@ no @ing so sm(er)te / ne smelli@ so fowle .
As chame wha(n) he schewi@ / for eury man hi(m) schone@ .
whi #e worde to me @us / was for I spake to resou(n)
#e sertis q(uo)d he / & schope hi(m) to walke .
And I a-ros vp wi@ @at / & preide hi(m) wel faire .
If it his wille were / he wolde his name telle .
Passus quartus de Dowel .
Ymaginaciou(n) q(uo)d he / ydel was I neur(e) .
@ei I sitte by my-self / suche is my g(ra)ce .
I haue folowed @e in fei@ / more @anne fourty wyntre .
And wissed @e ful oft / what dowel is to mene .
And I conseilled @e / no creature bygyle .
Nei@(er) lye ne lakke / ne lere @(a)t is defendid .
Ne spille no speche / as for to speke in ydel .
lowe @e & lyue for@ / in lawe of holy cherche .
And @anne I seye @(o)u dost wel . who can do bet no forse .
Clarkys @(a)t cone al / I hope @ei can do bettre .
But it suffici@ to be sauf / to done as I @e tau#te
To louen & to lene / & lyue in good byleue
@(a)t is ycalled caritas / kynde loue in Englissh
@at is Dobet if eny be / a man @(a)t mycul helpi@ .
@(a)t pes be & paciente / & pore out of defaute . Beacius est dare q(uam) pet[ere]
But catel & kynde witt / a-combre@ ful many .
who schal hi(m) be @(a)t hem welde@ / but he wel dispene
Scienti & no(n) facienti / varijs flagellis vapulatur
For comunenlyche konnyng / & vnkynde rycchesse .
As lorellys to be lordes & lewde men techers .
Auarous & coueitouse / holychirche horen .
Thei drie@ vp Dowwel / & Dobet al destrwen .
wi@-outen g(ra)ce @enne ne mowe / @ai neur(e) growe .
And g(ra)ce ne growe@ nou#t / tyl good wil be-gynne .
And weyke wi@ goode werkys / wykkyd hertys .
But or suche a wil waxe / worthi god worche@ .
& sent for@ @e holigoste / to done loue spryng . Spirit(us) vbi vult spirat
It may nou#t ben amendid / @owgh we bid eure .
Clergie come@ al of si#t / & kynde wit of sterris .
As to be borne or bigete / in suche a constellaciou(n) .
@(a)t witt wax @(er)of / & destynye bo@e . . .
Vultus hui(us) seculi subiecti su(n)t / vultib(us) celestib(us)
So g(ra)ce is a gyft of god / & kynde witt a chau(n)ce .
And clergye is a konnyng / of kynde wittes techyng .
#it clergye is to comende / for c(ri)stis loue more .
Thanne connyng of kynde witt / but clergye it rewle .
For moyses it witnessi@ / @(a)t god w(i)t(h) his fyngre .
The lawe in clergye wrote / longe ar crist were .
And c(ri)st it confermed / & holy kyrke made .
he wrote a signet in sonde / & seide to @e Iuwes .
@(a)t seeth hi(m)-self synneles / cesse nou#t I hote
To stryke w(i)t(h) a stronge stone / @is strompet to de@ . Q(ui)s v(est)rum
Therfore I conseille @e / clergye to hono(ur)e .
For no man ne may se / @(a)t mysse@ his eyen .
No more can a clerke / but if it come of bokys .
For god was her maistre / & @e holy goste
The sawmplayre & seyde / what men scholde wryte .
As si#t s(er)ue@ a man / to se @e hyegh strete .
So lere@ letterure / lewde men to reson
So @e blynde in bataille wepne / bere@ to fy#t .
Ne may hapne wi@ his axe / his enemye to hitte
No more a kynde witted man / but clerkes hy(m) teche .
Can for al his kynde witt / & cristondome be saued .
For @(a)t is c(ri)stis tresore / & clerkys kep @e keyis .
To vnloke at lykgu(n)g / lewde me(n) to helpe .
To gyf m(er)cy for gilt / #if @(a)t men it axe
Boxomly & fair(e) . & bidden it of g(ra)ce .
Archa dei in @e olde lawe leuites it kept
leue had no lewde man / to ley hande on @at chest
But he were prest or prest sone / patriake or p(ro)phete .
Saul for he sacrificed / sorow hym bytyde .
And alle his sones / for his synne suffred sorowe .
For-@i #e creatures / no clerkys #e dispise .
Ne set at schort @e science / what-so @ei done he(m)-self .
Take here wordes a wor@ / her wytnesse is ful trwe .
Medle we nou#t moche w(i)t(h) hem / to meuen any wra@@e
lest cheste a-chauf vs / & choppe vr ei@(er) o@(er)
Do we as dauid techi@ / for dowte of venIau(n)ce .
Nolite tangere christos meos .
Clergye is cristes vykorye / to conforte & to cure .
Bo@e lered & lewed / were lorne #if clerkys ne wer(e) .
kynde witted men haue konnyng / by hem-seluen
Of clowdes & of customes / @ei constru many @ing(es) .
And marken it in her manere / @ingis to knowe .
And of @e selcow@e @(a0t @ei see / her childre @ei it schewe .
@ei holde it sou(er)eigne science / @e soteltees to knowe .
But @orow @(a)t ilke science / was neure sowle saued
Ne brou#t by her bokys / to blisse ne to Ioye
For al her kynde knowyng / come but of diu(er)se sy#tes .
Of briddes & of bestis / of blisse & of sorowe .
patriarkes p(ro)phetis / rep(ro)uid her science
And seide @at her wysdomes / was nou#t but a folye
As to @e clergye of criste / @ei counted it a trwfle
Sapiencia hui(us) mu(n)di stulticia est apud deum .
For @e hiegh holygost / heuene schal to-cleue .
And loue schal lep out aftre / in-to @is lowe er@e .
And clennes schal cacchen it / & clarkys schal it fynde
Pastores lo/quebant(ur) he speki@ of ryche men nou#t / ne of ryche lordes .
But of clennes of clerkys / & kep(er)s of bestis .
#if eny frere is fownde @(er)e / I gyue @e fyue shille(n)ges
To pastores & to poetes / appered @(a)t angel . . . .
And bad hem go to bedlem / @e bir@e to hono(ur)e . .
Thei songe a songe of solas / Gl(or)ia in excelcis deo .
Ryche men rutte @o / & in her reste were .
Tho it schone to shep(er)des / a shewer of blysse .
kynges knewe @e conteaunce / & comen wi@ her p(re)sent
And did homage mekely / to hy(m) @(a)t was almy#tty . Ibant magi ab oriente .
whi @(a)t I haue telde @is / I toke ful god hede
how lewde men & lyther / lythlyer were saued .
@anne konnyng clerkys / of kynde vnderstondyng
& @at is so@e of so(m)me / I se in what man(er)e .
Take @e two strong men / & cast hem in Tamyse .
And bo@e naked as a nedle / her none heuyer ORIG>@ano@(er)e@an o@(er)e
@(a)t one ha@ connyng & kan swy(m)men & dyuen .
@(a)t o@(er) lewed is @er-of / & lered neure to swy(m)me .
wyche @anne of hem two / is in most drede .
@(a)t swymme can nou#t I seide / it seme@ to my wittis .
Quod ymagynaciou(n) / so reson it shewi@ .
@(a)t he @(a)t knowe@ clergye / can sonner a-ryse .
And out of sy(n)ne be sauf / @ow he synne oft .
#if hi(m) like@ & leste / lighter @an @e lewde . .
For #if he be knonnyng / & knowe what is synne .
And how @(a)t confessiou(n) / conforte@ @e sowle .
we sen in @e saut(er) / @e salmes of dauid .
ContrcionContr[i]cion @e kynde cacche@ a-wey synne : Beati quor(um) remisse
@(a)t conforte@ @e clerke / & whan hope weyue@ .
@(er) in @e fowle fende fonde@ man hardest
@e lewde li@e stille . & loke@ aftir lente
wi@-out contriciou(n) / come@ he to schirft .
lytel can he @anne telle / but #if he be priked .
his p(re)cher p(ar)auenture / is petit in lore . . .
To lere @e lewde men / as luke beri@ witnesse . Du(m) cecus cecu(m) dc(i)t
Ful mychel is he marred / @e man @(a)t is lewde .
wel may he @anne blesse / @(a)t hi(m) to boke sette .
@(a)t by lele letterure / may saue lyf & sowle .
D(omin)us p(ar)s hereditatis / is a mery verset .
It ha@ fro tyburne ytake / twenty strong @eues .
There lewed ar lolled vp / lo how @ei be saued .
A stronge @ef had g(ra)ce / on @e gode fridaye .
For he #elt hi(m) creaunt / & axed aftir g(ra)ce .
And god is ay g(ra)ciouse / to hem @(a)t grede to hi(m) .
he wil no wikke man be lost / #if he wil hi(m)-self
Nolo mortem p(ec)c(a)toris s(et) magis conuertat(ur) & c(etera)
Thow @at @ef had heuene /he had no hiegh blisse .
As seynt Ioh(a)n & o@(er) seintis / @(a)t bettre han as(er)ued
But as so(m)me man gyue@ mete / amyddes of @e flore .
he ha@ mete ynow & more / & al w(i)t(h)-out hono(ur)
Nou#t sittyng atte table / w(i)t(h) souereynis in alle .
But as a beggar bordeles / & lowe on @e grou(n)de .
Ri#t so @e felown / @(a)t on godfriday was saued .
he si#t nou#t w(i)t(h) seint Ioh(a)n / wi@ symonde ne w(i)t(h) Iude .
wi@ martir ne w(i)t(h) maiden / ne w(i)t(h) mylde wydwe /
But as a soleyn by hy(m)-self / ys(er)ued on @e gru(n)de .
For @(a)t is onis @eef / is eu(er)more in dau(n)ger
As @e lawe like@ / to lyue or to dye . de p(ec)c(a)to p(ro)piciato noli /e(ss)e sine metu
& for to s(er)uen a seint / & suche a @ef to-gydre
It were no(n) resou(n) ne ri#t / to rewarde hem alycke
As troian @e trwe kni#t / was nou#t depe i(n) helle .
No more is @e felown / feffed hiegh i(n) heuene .
For he is in @e lowest / #if owr(e) byleue is trwe .
he lolle@ @(er)e ful losely / by law of holy chirche Et redd(i)t ..
And whi @at o @ef on @e crosse / creant @(er)e hi(m) #elt .
Ra@(er) @an @(a)t o@er / now wolde @(o)u me appose .
But alle @e clerkys vndyr crist / ne cow@e it wel assoille .
But quare placuit deo / quia voluit .
And so I sey by @e her(e) . @(a)t sekest aftir science .
how cr(e)atures haue kynde wit / how clerkys cam to bokis .
how @e flowris in @e felde / come to faire hewis .
was neur(e) creature of c(ri)st / @(a)t knewwe wwel @e gynnyng
But kynde construed it first / of his curteise wille .
he tau#t @e turtyl to trede / @e pecok to kauke .
And adam & #ue / & alle o@er bestis .
haue a cantel of kynde witt / her(e) kynde to saue
Of good & of wykke / kynde was @e firste .
But whi he wolde wikke were / I wene & I leue .
was neure man aboue molde / @(a)t it my#t aspye .
But Maistres of @e lawe / likue@ men lyuynge
To birdes & to bestis / as her(e) bokes telli@ .
@(a)t @e fairest fowle / fowlest engendri@ .
And febelest of fly#te is / @(a)t fleth o@(er) swy(m)me@ .
@e pekoc & @e popynIay . wi@ her her proude fe@eres .
@(a)t tokene@ @e ryche men / @(a)t regne@ vp-on er@e .
For pursue a pecok / in hast hi(m) to cacche .
and haue hi(m) in haste at @ine owne wille .
For @ei may nou#t fleye far / ne ful hiegh nei@(er) .
her fetheres @(a)t fair(e) ben / to fleygh fer hem lette@ .
his ledene is vnlouely / & lo@ely his cors .
But for his paynted pennes / @e pecok is honowred .
More @an for his fair(e) flesche / or for his mery note .
So men reuerence@ more / @e ryche for his mobles .
@an for @e kyn @at he cam of / or for his kynde wittis .
Thus @e worlde preise@ / @e pekoc for his fetheris .
And @e ryche for rentis / & ricchesse in shoppe .
@e larke is a lasse fowle / & li@er of ledne .
swetter of sauowr / & swyfter of wynge .
To lowe lyuyng men . @e larke is resembled .
And also to lyf holy / @at lowen al trw@e
Thus porphure & plato / & poetes manye .
Lykne@ in her logykes / @e fowles to @e folke .
wher @ei be saued or none / clergye ne wote .
Of salamon @e wyse / no sc(ri)pture can telle .
whe@(er) in helle o@(er) in heuene / ne aristotle noi@er
God is so gode I hope / @(a)t gaue hem grete wittis .
wel to wysse vs @(er)-wi@ / @(a)t wene to be saued .
The better for her bokys / to bidde we be holden .
@(a)t god of his g(ra)ce / gyf her sowlys reste
For lettered men were lewde #it / ne were lore of @o clerkys
Alle @ise clerkis q(uo)d I @o / @at in c(ri)st byleuen
Seggen in her s(er)mou(n)es / @(a)t serzyne ne Iuws .
wi@out bapteme by her bokys / ne mowe neur(e) be saued
Tha(n)ne seide ymagynaciou(n) /& bygan to lowr(e) vix saluabit(ur) & c(etera) / In die Iudicij
Troian was ORIG>atrwea trwe kni#t / & neur(e) toke bapteme .
#it he is sauf as sei@ @e boke / & his soule in heue
For @(er)e is fullyng of fonte / & in blode chedyng .
And in fyre is fullyng / & al is ferme byleue
Aduenit ignis diuin(us) non comburens set illuminans .
Trw@e @(er) trespasset nou#t / a-gayne @e trwe lawe
But lyue@ so his lawe lere@ / & leue@ @(er) be no bettre .
And #if @(er) were he wolde / in suche ORIG>awillea wille he dye@ .
Ne wolde neur(e) trwe god / but trw@e wer(e) alowed .
and wher .
And wher it wor@ quyte or no / @e loue is gret of trw@e .
And hope hange@ ay @(er)on / to han @(a)t trow@e deserui@ .
And @(a)t is loue & large hir(e) / #if @e writ be trwe . Quia sup(er) pauca fuisti fidelis .
And for@er #it @an forward / what-so clerkis karpe
For al it wor@ as god wel / & @(er)wi@ he vanschid .
Passus quartus deDowel .
Tha(n)ne wakyd I @(er)wi@ / witles nerehande
& as freyke @(a)t fey were / for@ gan I walke .
In maner of a mandinaunt / many #er(e) @ere-aftir
And euer amonge of @is dreme / gret @ou#t I hadde .
First how fortune me fleigh / at my most nede .
And elde gan manace me / so it my#t happe
@(a)t #if I lyued longe / lykyng scholde me faille .
And how @e frere folowed / @e folke @(a)t was ryche .
@e peple @(a)r was pore / at lytle pris he sette .
No corps of @e co(mun)e / in her kirke schal ligge .
But lordes & ladyes / @at money may for@ leye .
how coueitise ouercome / connyng & o@(er)e
As wel lered as lewde / @e lorde os @e bonde .
And how @e lewde ben ledde / but owr(e) lorde helpe
@orow badde curato(ur)s / to vncurable peynis
And how ymaginaciou(n) / in dremeles me tolde .
Of kynde & of konnyng / @(a)t he gaf to bestis
how al he wisse@ in witte / @(a)t walke@ or crepi@ .
And also I merueiled / of @(a)t he to me seide
Afore Ihesu / @(a)t Iust(us) In die Iudicij .
Non saluabit(ur) he seide / but #if vix hi(m) helpe .
And whan he had yseide @is / how sodenly he wanshid .
And so I mused vpon @is / til me liste slepe .
And @anne cam conscience / & clergye to-gydre .
@ei bad me ryse vp & rowme / w(i)t(h) resou(n) schulde I dyne .
I ros & rowmed for@ / wi@ resou(n) we mette .
we reu(er)ensed hi(m) / & rowmed for@ in fere .
we mette wi@ a maistre / a man lyke a frere .
Conscience knew hi(m) wel / & welcomed hi(m) fair(e)
@ei wesshen & wyped / & went to @e dyner .
Ther(e) pacience a pore @ing / p(ar) charite bad mete .
ylyk piers plougman / as he a palmere were .
he craued & cried / for c(ri)stis loue of heuene
Mete for a pore man / or monee #if @ei hadde .
Conscience knew hy(m) / & welcomed hi(m) fair(e)
The maistre was set first / as for @e most wor@i .
& resou(n) @o stode @ere / as stward of halle .
paciens & I @o was put / to be macches .
And set by vs self / at a syde table .
Clargye called mete / & sc(ri)pture cam
And s(er)ued hem ful smertely / of sondry metes many
Of austyn & ambrose / of Gregor of Ierom . Edentes & /bibe(n)tes que / ap(u)d eos su(n)t
Of marke & of Mathew / of luk . & of Ioh(a)n
@e maistre of @is mete / my#t no @ing chewe .
he hete mete of more cost / mortrwes & nowmbles
Of @(a)t men Myswone / he made hi(m) wil at hese .
his sawse was euer sowr(e) / vnsauorlyche ygrownde .
In a morter post morte(m) / of many bitt(er) peynes .
But he syng for @e sowles / & wepe salt teres .
vos q(ui) p(ec)c(a)ta ho(m)i(nu)m comeditis n(isi) p(ro) eis or(ation ea que i(n) delicijs
comeditis / in tormentis euometis . . .
@a(n)ne resou(n) redde a-none / ri#t @(er)-aftre .
@a(n)ne co(n)science sholde / do come sc(ri)pture .
& bryng pacience bred / bytyng a partye .
To me also his macche / & o@(er) mete bo@e
he sette a sowr lof / & seide agite penitenciam .
And @(er)to he drowe vs drynke / diu p(er)seuerans .
Also longe as @e lyf / in lykam may dure .
@anne come cont(ri)ciou(n) / @(a)t coked for hem alle .
& brou#t for@ a pytaunce / was moche to seye
p(ro) hac orabit ad te o(m)(n)is s(an)c(t)us / i(n) tempore oportuno .
Conscience conforted vs / clergye & sc(ri)pture .
and seid cor humiliatu(m) deus no(n) despicies .
pacience was wel paied / of @is p(ro)pre s(er)uise .
And made hi(m) mery w(i)t(h) @is mete / but I moned eure .
For @e Docto(ur) atte deis / dranke wyn so faste .
ve vob(is) q(ui) potentes est(is) vinu(m) ad bibendum .
he maunged vp many metis / mortrewes & sewis .
Brawne & blodepuddinges / bacou(n) & fressh bef .
venisou(n) & volatile / & o@(er) mete ynowh .
It is nou#t @re daies gone / @(a)t @is Docto(ur) prechid .
At powles to @e peple / penaunce to suffre .
Alle @(a)t coueite come / to eny kynnes Ioye .
Of seint poul @e apostle / wat penau(n)ce he @oled . In fame & f[cropped]
But now me wondre@ i(n) witt / whi @ei ne p(re)che nou#t
As seint poule p(re)chid / to @e peple oft .
peric(u)l(u)m est in falsis fratribus & c(etera)
holy writ bit men be war / & wysely hem kepe .
@(a)t no false frere / in flateryng he(m) bygyle .
But me @inke@ eu(er) lo@ / @owh I latyn knowe .
For to lak eny lyf / for alle we be bretherne . .
But #it wist I newr(e) wye / @(a)t frere was ycalled .
Take @(a)t for his teme / but if it were yglosed .
Thei p(re)che @at peanunce / is wondre p(rofytable .
what myschef & malese / god for man @oled
But @is Deuino(ur) q(uo)d I / & decretistre of canou(n)
And a gredy glotou(n) / wi@ two grete chekys .
ha@ no pite of vs pore / he p(ar)forme@ yuel .
@(a)t he prechi@ preue@ nou#t / compacience I tolde .
Thanne I wisshed in wra@ / wi@ a wode angre .
That in mawe of @e maistre / alle @e metes wer(e)
Bo@e disshe & dobler / & alle @e deyntes aftre
I wyl Iangle to @is Iurdan / w(i)t(h) his Iuste wombe .
Appose hi(m) what penaunce is / & purgatorie on er@e .
Nay pes q(uo)d paciens / @(o)u schalt se @us sone
wha(n)ne he may no more ete / a penaunce he shal haue .
w(i)t(h) his fowle paunche / shal he puffe at eche worde .
his guttis shal @anne gowlyn / & he shal gyne galpe
Now he ha@ droken so depe / he schal devyne sone .
And p(ro)uen by @e apocalips / & o@(er) bokys manye .
@(a)t nei@(er) bacou(n) ne brawn / blawmanger ne mortrews
Nys nei@(er) fysshe nei@(er) flesshe / but fode for a penaunt .
he schal recorden a-non / & @(er)to fynde his autor .
he fonde it in a forel / of a freris lyuyng
And but @e first leef be lees / ne leue me neur(e) aftr(e)
And @a(n)ne is tyme forso@e / @is docto(ur) to appose
Of Dowel & Dobet / #if @ei do any penaunce
I sat stille a-stou(n)de / & @us @is doctour
Also Rody as a rose / he rudded his chekys
he cowed & carped / & conscience hi(m) h(er)de
he tolde hi(m) of a t(ri)nite / & to hi(m) I loked
Sire docto(ur) q(uo)d I @o / is Dowel any penaunce .
Dowel q(uo)d @e docto(ur) /& toke @e coppe & dranke . . . no bettre .
So @(o)u as docto(ur)s techi@ / for dowel I it holde .
So @i neighbour none harme / ne @iself nei@(er) .
@a(n)ne dostow wel & wysely / I dar it wel awowe .
Certis sire I seyde it seme@ now her(e) .
#e p(ar)te no @ing wi@ @e pore . @at #e passe Dowel .
I seie #if #e fare @us / wi@ #owr(e) lyke freris .
Dowel shal endite #ow ; In die Iudicij"> .
Conscience corteisly / a contenaunce made .
And preyut vpon pacience / to pray me be stille .
he seide syr(e) docto(ur) in so it / be #o(ur) wille .
what . Dowel is & Dobet / #e Deuynours knowe@ .
I haue seide q(uo)d @at segge / I can sey no bettre .
So @(o)u as docto(ur)s techi@ / for dowel I it holde .
@(a)t techi@ or @(a)t trauaille@ / I holde it for a Dobet .
And who @(a)t do@ al as he techi@ / I holde it for @e beste .
Qui facit & docu(er)it magnus vocabit(ur) .
Now clergye q(uo)d conscience / carpe what is dowel .
haue me excused q(uo)d he bi crist but in scole .
It schal be mewed no more for me / #if I may .
For piers loue @e plougman / @(a)t enpigned ones .
Alle kynnes konnynges / & alle kynnes craftes .
Saue lowe & lewte / & lownesse of herte .
And no texte ne take@ / to p(ro)ue @is for trwe .
But dilige deu(m) & p(ro)ximu(m) / & d(omi)ne quis h(ab)itabit .
he preue@ by pure skyl / inp(ar)fyt alle @ingis .
But lele loue & trw@e / @(a)t lo@ is to befou(n)de . Quia pauci bon(us)
Quod p(er)ky(n) @e plowman pacientes vincu(n)t .
A-for pees p(er)petuel / @(o)u shal preue @at I seide .
& @(a)t awowe afor god / & forsake it neur(e) / Disce doce dilige deu(m)
& @ine enemye helpe / euene-for@ @i mi#tte .
Cast hote colis on his hed / & al kynde speche .
Fonde Inwit & Inworde / his loue for to wynne .
Agayn & agayn #it gyf hi(m) at his nede
Conforte@ hi(m) w(i)t(h) catel / & wi@ @i kynde speche . . . .
A-ley on hi(m) @(us) wi@ loue tyl / he on @e lawgh
And but he bowe for @is & brist / blynde mote he wor@e .
And whan @is was al I seyde / ne wist I neur(e) aftre .
wher(e) @e plowman bycome / so p(ri)uely he went
An resou(n) ran aftre / & ri#t w(i)t(h) hi(m) #ede .
But conscience & clargye / I cow@e no mo aspye .
@anne spake pacience / @o p(er)kyn was I-passed .
@(a)t loue@ lelly q(uo)d he / lytel coueyte@
I wolde & I wille had / wynne al fraunce
wi@-out brytnyng of bierne / or eny blode schedyng
I take witnesse q(uo)d he of holy writ a p(ar)tye . Pacie(n)tes vincu(n)t
For by hi(m) @(a)t me made / my#t neur(e) pouerte
Mischef ne miseise / ne man w(i)t(h) his tonge
Tene @e any tyme / #if @(o)u take pacience
And bere it in @ine bosme / about wer(e) @(o)u wendest
In corner of a cartewhel / w(i)t(h) a corne crowne .
shal neure hete ne haille / ne helle powke hy(m) greue .
nei@(er) fyre no@(er) flode / ne be aferde of enemye . Caritas /expellit o(m)(n)em timorem
@(er) nis no wy#te in @is worlde / @(a)t @e wolde lette .
Alle londes to lede / & @e her lorde make
@e kynge & al @e co(mun)ete / to @e scholde a-lowte /
As for her schyef leder / & lyuen at @ine hestis .
@is dido q(uo)d @e Doctor / telle@ an ydel tale .
Al @e wit of @e worlde / ne wiygh mennes strenthe
kan nou#t p(er)forme a pees / of @e popys enemys .
p(ro)fitable for bo@e / & put @e burde fro hi(m) .
he toke clergye & conscience / to conseille . as it were .
But conscience I toke kepe / congeid sone @e doctor .
he seide to clergye / so @(a)t I it herde
Me were leuer by howr(e) lorde / & I lyue sholde .
haue a p(ar)fyte pacience / than haluendel @i bokys .
For letterure & studye / lette@ ful manye
@(a)t @ei ne knowe nou#t ari#t / what is kynde pacience .
For-@i q(uo)d conscience / crist I @e biteche .
wi@ pacience wil I passe / p(ar)fitnesse to fynde .
@ei went for@ in her wey / wi@ gret wille I folowed .
In pilg(ri)mage pacience / purueid our vitailles
sobrete & symple speche / / & so@fast byleue
To conforte conscience / #if @ei come in place .
@(er)e vnkyndenesse is kydde / ful hu(n)gry is @e contre .
As @ei went by @e way of Dowel gan @ei carpe .
@anne mette @ei w(i)t(h) a mynstral / as me @ou#t @(er)e .
Pacience apposed hi(m) / & preid he wolde hi(m) telle .
wat craft @(a)t he cow@e / & curteisly he seide .
I am a mynstral q(uo)d he / my name is actiua vita .
The plowmannys p(re)ntis / to conforte @e peple .
what manere mynstralsye / my frende q(uo)d conscience .
hastow vsed here a-fore / al @i lif tyme
Mynstralcye can I none / but make men merye
A wafrer wi@ wafres / I welcome geftis
Of my labo(ur) @ei lawegh / @e lesse & @e more .
@e pore & @e .
ryche I plese & payne fynde
Fewe robes I fonge / or furred gownes .
wolde I lye to do hem lawegh / lacche hem I scholde
Or mantel or monee / a-monge @ise lordes .
I can nou#t taboure ne trompe / ne telle fair(e) Iestis .
Fart nei@(er) fi@el / at festis nei@(er) harpe
Iape ne Iogely /e gentilyche pipe .
Ne sally ne sawtry ne synge / to @e geterne .
Ne haue I no giftis / of @ise grete lordes
For @e bred @(a)t I bryng / & ley on me(n)nes bordes .
Ne were @at men preie@ / for me on @e sonday
solde I neur(e) sette / ne sowe no more
But for @e p(re)st & @e peple . preie@ for @e plowman . . .
And for me actyf his man / @(a)t ydelnesse hate .
lordes & lorellys / @e ly@er & @e gode
Fro myschelmesse to mydsomer / I fynde hem @e fode .
I fynde payne for @e pope / & preyen hi(m) I wolde .
@at pestilence to pes / & p(ar)fi#t loue my#t brynge torne .
Fonde I @at his beneceou(n) / & his bulle mi#te
lette @e lythher / & leche @e seke . sup(er) eg(ro)s man(us) impone(n)t
Thanne wolde I be besy / & boxome to helpe .
Eche a kynnes creature / @(a)t on c(ri)st leue@ .
he ha@ @e power of peter / @e potte w(i)t(h) @e salue . Argentu(m) & auru(m) no(n) e(st) m(ichi) q(uod) h(ab)eo t(ibi) do
But for @is forse hi(m) faille@ / is for we be nou#t wor@i .
@e g(ra)ce of god to vnd(er)-gon / & no gilt of @e pope .
For no blessyng may do vs bote / but if we amende
Ne mannes p(ra)ier make pes / among @e c(ri)stene peple
Tyl @(a)t pride be put dou(n) / & @(a)t @orow payne defaute .
habu(n)dancia panis & vini p(ec)ct(atu)m turpissimu(m) nut(ri)uit .
For @e plente of payn / @e peple of sodome
And o@er rest & ryche metes / rybandes hem made .
Pees now q(uo)d paciens / sire actyf I #ow pray
For @ei payn ne plowe / ne potage were .
Pryde wole put hi(m) for@ / @eigh neur(e) plowe ne erye
For I may fynde alle folke / & fro hu(n)ger saue .
Thorow @e helpe of hi(m) / @(a)t hider me sent .
lo here lyflode ynowgh / #if owr(e) byleue is trwe
For lent was @er neure lyf / but lyflode were schapen
wherof or werfore / or wherwi@ to lyuen
@e wormes vnder @e er@e / in watre @e fysches .
@e kryket by kynde fyre / @e curlew be @e wynde .
And o@er bestis by gresse / & by grene rotis .
In menyng @(a)t alle men / my#t do @e same .
And lyue wi@ byleue / as hour(e) lorde witnesse@ .
Quodcu(m)q(ue) pecieritis i(n) no(m)i(n)e meo & c(etera) / & alyby . No(n) in solo pane
hastow q(uo)d actyf / suche mete ay wi@ @e
#e q(uo)d paciens / & out of pok hent .
a pese of @e pater n(oste)r / & p(ro)ferd to vs alle
And @a(n)ne I lepe ner & loked / wat lyflode it were .
It was fiat volu(n)tas tua / @at cholde fede vs alle .
haue actyf q(uo)d pacience / & ete @is whan @e hu(n)gre@ .
Or whan @(o)u clomsest for colde / or clengest for drye .
shal neure gynes @e greue / ne grete lordes wra@
pryson nei@(er) o@(er) peyne / for pacientes vincu(n)t
so @(o)u be symple of si#t / & speche of @i tonge .
In heryng & in handlyng / in alle @i fyue wittis .
Dar @(o)u care for no corn / for clo@ing ne for drynke .
Ne drede neur(e) @e deuel / to dye as god lyke@ .
whe@(er) in hu(n)ger or in hete / at his wille be it .
For #if @(o)u louest his lore / @e shorter lyf @e bett(er)
si q(ui)s amat christum mu(n)du(m) no(n) dlig(e)t istu(m)
@orow his bre@ bestis wex / & al a-brode #ede Dixit & f(a)c(t)a fuer(un)t
Ergo @(er)wi@ bestis lyuen / bo@e men & fisshes .
And @(a)t witnessi@ holywrit / whan we se@ owr(e) g(ra)ces .
Ap(er)is tu manu(m) tuam & imples om(n)e a(n)i(m)al b(e)n(e)dicc(i)o(n)e
It is fourty wyntre gon / @(a)t folke ne tilyed nou#t
Out of @e flynt @anne fleigh @e flode / @(a)t folke & best(es) dro(n)ke
And in helyes tyme / heuene was enclosed
@(a)t no maner reyn ne rone / @(us) rede folke i(n) bokis
@(a)t manye wyntre me(n) lyued / & no mete tilied .
Seuene slepe sei@ @e boke / more @an sixty wyntre .
And lyued wi@out lyflode / & @(er)e-aftre waked .
3if men in mesur(e) wolde lyue / sholde neur be defaute .
Among cristene creatures / #if cristes lore be trwe .
Dabo t(ibi) s(e)c(un)d(u)m peticionem tuam .
what is p(ar)fyt pacience q(uo)d actiua vita .
Mrkenesse & mylde speche / in myschef mylde wil
@e wyche v(er)tu loue lat / to owr(e) lordes place
And @at is charite @e chief / & choise of alle v(er)tues .
@(a)t is pure pacience / vche p(er)el to suffre
whe@er pou(er)te & pacience / plese more our(e) lorde .
Than @e ri#tful rychesse / resonably to spene .
quis est hic q(uo)d pacience & quikke / laudabim(us) eu(m) .
For @ough men rede of rychesse / ry#t to @e worldes ende .
That whan he drow to @e de@ / @(a)t he ne dred hi(m) sorer
Than any pore pacient / & @at I p(ro)ue in resou(n)
@e most p(ar)fyt of @e ryche / fallen in arerage .
@(er)e @e pore dar plede / & preue in pure resou(n) .
To haue a-lowance of his lorde / by @e lawe he clayme@ .
And Ioye @(a)t neur(e) Ioye hadde / of ri#tful Iugge he axe@ .
lo @ise briddis & bestis / @(a)t no blisse knowe@ .
And wilde wormes in wodis / @orow wy(n)tres @ei be greued .
@(a)t make@ hem ful meke / & mylde for defaute
There-aftre sesou(n)able somer / is he(m) a souereigne Ioye .
And blisse to alle 2(a)t ben / bo@e wilde & tame .
Ergo beggars & bestis / may @e blisse axe
That han al her li#f lyued / in langor & defaute .
To ro@er-hele was he wrou#t / @(a)t neur(e) Ioye was shape
Angeles @(a)t in helle ben / so(m)me-tyme had Ioye .
And diues in his deynte / lyued in douce vye
And now he bye@ it bittre / he is a beggar of helle .
Many wy ha@ his Ioye here / for alle his wel dedis .
lorde & lady @ei ben called / for ledes @(a)t @ei haue
An slepi@ as it seme@ / & alwey somer folowe@ .
whan de@ a-wake@ he(m) of wele / @(a)t wer(e) ere so ryche
@a(n)ne ar @ei ful pore / @ingis / in p(ur)gatorie or helle .
Dauid in @e saut(er) / of suche make@ mynde .
And sei@ Dormieru(n)t / & nichil inuenru(n)t & alyby . velut so(m)pnu(m) s(ur)ge(n)ciu(m)
Passus sextus de Dowel
Allas @(at) rycchesse shal reue / & robbe ma(n)nes sowle
Fro @e loue of howr(e) lorde at his last ende .
An hwe @(a)t ha@ his hire afore / is eu(er)more pore . .
And selden dye@ he out of dette / @(a)t dyne@ ar he des(er)ue it .
whan his deuor is done / & his dayes Iorney .
@anne may men ywyte / what he is wor@i to haue
And nou#t to fongen afore / for drede of disallowyng .
So I sey by ryche / it seme@ nou#t hij sholle
haue two heuenes / for her beyng here
Mikel myr@e is in mayj / among wilde bestis .
And so for@ wil somer laste / her solace endure@ .
so mery be @ise ryche men / so @(a)t @ei haue here hele .
But beggars at mydsomer / bredles @ei sowpe .
And #it is wyntre for hem worse / for wateshod @ei walke
A-first & a-fyngred / & fowle #it rebuked .
Of @is o@(er) ryche men / @(a)t rew@e is to here
Now lorde sende hem so(m)metyme / to solase & to Ioye .
@(a)t al her lyf leden / in lownesse of herte
For alle my#ttestow haue made / men of grete wel@e
And also a lyche wyse / to lyue wi@-out nede .
But for @e best as I hope / ar so(m)me pore & ryche .
So @(o)u haue rew@e of vs alle / & sende vs of @i mercy .
lownesse & lele lyuynge / & of hert pore .
And sende contriciou(n) / to clense w(i)t(h) owr(e) sowlis .
And confessiou(n) to quelle / alle kynne synnes .
And satisfacciou(n) @(a)t fulfille@ / @e fader wille of heuene .
Thise be Dowel & dobet / & Dobest of alle
For cordis cont(ri)tio come@ of sorow of herte .
And oris confessio . come@ of shrift of mow@e
And op(er)is satisfaccio assoille@ al a pena .
For @e sowle he paie@ / & al @e synne he quyte@ . .
Thise @re wi@-outen dowte / @ole@ al @e pore .
he lere@ lewde & lered hiegh & lowe to knowe .
who @(a)t do@ wel or bett / or best a-bowen alle .
holichirche & charite / her(e)of a chartre made .
But @ise @re at Domesday / clenly vs defende .
Ellys is al in ydel / al howr(e) lyuyng here
Preiers & penaunce / & pilg(ri)mages to Rome .
But our(e) spendyng / spryng of a trwe welle . .
al howr(e) labour is lost / as lewte declare@ .
seuene synnes @(er) ben / @(a)t assaille vs eure .
The fende fowle@ he(m) ay / & fonde@ he(m) to helpe .
But w(i)t(h) ricchesse @(a)t rybande / ra@este men bigile@ .
There ricchesse regne@ / reuerence folowe@
And @(a)t is plesaunt to pride / in pore & in ryche .
@e ryche is yreuerensed by resou(n) / of his ricchesse .
@e pore is al byhynde put / p(ar)auenture more of konny(n)g
Of wit & of wisdome / @(a)t fer awey is bettre .
Then richesse in realte / & ra@er herde in heuene
The ryche ha@ to rekne / & ri#t soft walke@
The hiegh wey to heuene-ward / he halt nou#t wel euene .
The pore p(re)se@ a-fore w(i)t(h) his li#t pakke . Op(er)a eor(um) secu(n)t(ur) illos
Batuandly as beggars done / & boldely he craue@ .
For his pore pacience / ORIG>ap(ar)petual Ioyea p(ar)petual Ioye
And p(ri)de in rychesse regne@ / ra@(er) @an in pou(er)te .
Ere in maistre @an in man / so(m)me mansiou(n) he ha@
But in pore pacience p(ri)de ha@ no my#t .
ne none of @e seuene synnes / sy#t may @(er) longe .
ne haue power in pore / #if pacience hi(m) folowe .
For @e pore is ay prest / to plese @e ryche
And boxome at his biddyng / for bred & for drynke
For boxomenesse & boste / arn eu(er)more at werre . . .
And ei@(er) hate@ o@(er) / @ei may nou#t wone to-gidre .
#if wra@ wrastle w(i)t(h) @e pore he ha@ @e werse ende .
And #if @ei chide or chatre / @e pore ha@ @e werse .
For lowlely he loke@ / & lowe Is his speche .
@(a)t mete o@(er) mone / of my#tty men mote begge .
#if glotou(n) greue pouert / he gedre@ @e lasse
his rentis wil nou#t reche / ryche metes to bigge
Thow he be glotou(n) of gode ale / he go@ to bed a-colde .
and his hed vnhiled / vnesylyche ywrye /
For whan he streyne@ to strecche / @e straw is in his chetis
And so for his glotonye / & for his grete synne .
he ha@ a greuous penauns / @(a)t is welowey .
For whan he wake@ / he wepi@ for colde .
And mery is he selde / so myschef hi(m) folowe@
Thei coueitise wolde / wi@ @e pore wrestle .
@ei may nou#t come to-gydre / @ei be so vinete
And by @e mekke namely / her none may hentyn o@(er)e
For men knowe coueitise / is of ki a kene wille .
wi@ handes & armes / of a large lenghte .
@e pore is but a petit @ing / he peri@ nou#t to his nowle
Atwix a long & a short / a louely layke was neur(e)
Thei auarice wil greue @e pore / he ha@ ful lytel my#te
For pouerte ha@ put pokys / to put in his godis .
Auaryce ha@ almaryes / & yre-ybownde cofres .
It is wel hesier I sei / a lasse bost it make@
To breke a beggars bagge / @an a bownde cofre
& lecherye @e pore ne loue@ / for he ha@ lytle sylu(er)
he may nou#t dyne w(i)t(h) delicat / ne drynke no wyn oft .
#e strawe for @e stwes / #if @(er)e cam but pore
Theigh slew@e suwe @e pore / he s(er)ue nou#t god to paye .
Mischef is ay mene / & make@ hm to @inke .
@at god is his grete helpe / & so is no grome ellys .
@(er)fore @e pore pacient / of pure ri#t may clayme .
Aft(er) alle his endyng here / heuene-ryche blysse
And #it hardyer may he / @at here may haue his wille .
In londe & in lordship / in lykyng of body .
For goddis loue @at leue@ al / & lyue@ an a beggar .
So mayde do@ for mannes loue / here modre forsake
hir fader & hir frendis / & go@ w(i)t(h) her p(ar)amo(ur)s .
Moche is suche a mayde to loue / of hi(m) @(a0t hir taki@ .
More @an @(a)t mayde / @(a)t is maried be brokage .
By assent of sondry p(er)sones / & silu(er) to bote
More for @e catel @en kynde lowe of mariage
So it fare@ by @e freke / @at al his gode forsake@ .
And put hi(m) to be pacient / & pou(er)te weddi@ .
he by sibbe to crist self / & semblale bo@e .
Quod actyf @o al angrely / & argued as it semyd .
what is pou(er)te in pacience / I prey @(a)t @(o)u me telle .
Paup(er)tas q(uo)d pacience e(st) odibile bonu(m) . Remoc(i)o curar(um)
Possessio sine calumpnia / Donu(m) dei / sanitatis mater
Absq(ue) solitudi(n)e semita / sapie(ncie) temp(er)atrix negociu(m) sine da(m)pno
In certa fortuna / absq(ue) solicitudi(n)e felicitas .
I can nou#t co(n)stru al @is / q(uo)d actiua vita .
P(ar)fey q(uo)d pacience / p(ro)purly to telle it .
In Englissh{bar} it is ful harde / some-del I shal @e telle .
Pou(er)te is @e fyrst poynt / @at p(ri)de most hate@ .
@a(n)ne is goode by gode skil @eigh it greue a lyte .
For he putte@ of p(ri)de / in places @(er)e he regne@
Ful selden sit @e pore man / @e so@e to declare
For Iustice to Iugge men / enioigned is no pore
To be a mayre a-bowe men / to mi(n)stre vnder kynges
Ful selde is any pore yput / to punyshe @e peple . . .
Ergo pou(er)te @e pore / p(ar)fo(ur)me@ @e comaundement / Nolite iudicar(e) quemq(ua)m
he wy(n)ne@ nou#t w(i)t(h) weightes false / ne w(i)t(h) mesur(e) vnseled .
Ne borowe@ of his neighbore / @at he nys bysy to #elde .
Men leue@ ly#tly fewe men / #if men leue hem pore
@e fif@e is a fortune / @at floresshe@ wel @e sowle .
wi@ sobrete fro alle synnes / & also #it more .
he defendi@ @e flesshe / fro folyes ful many .
A collat(er)al conforte / crystes owne sonde
3it it is moder of my#t / & of mannes hel@e .
And frende in alle fondynges / of fowles yueles leche .
The sixte is a pa@@e of pes / @orow @e passe of altou(n) .
There pou(er)te may passe / wi@oute p(er)el of robbyng
@ere alle passe@ pouerte / co(mun)ely pes folowe@ .
@e lasse @(a)t a man @ere leue@ / @e li#ter is his herte
The seuene@ is a welle of wit / & few wordes schewe@ .
lordes hi(m) allowe@ lytle / / or listene@ to his resou(n) .
he torne@ his tonge trw@e to / @(a)t no tresore coueite@ .
The eighte@ is ORIG>alelea lele labo(ur) / & lo@ to take more
@anne he may so@ely des(er)ue / in somer & in wyntre .
In chaffre losse he cou(n)te2 none / so @(a)t he charyte wynne .
The nyne@ to @e sowle is swete / swetter is no sugre .
For pacience is panter / pou(er)te / payn hir fynde@ .
And sobrete hir seche@ drynke / & solace@ hir in angre .
Thus lered me a lettred man / our(e) lordes s(er)uaunt austyn .
@(a)t a pore pacient was low lyuyng on er@e . . .
A blessid lyf no @ing busy / but only for @e sowle
Now god @(a)t al gode gyue@ / graunt his sowle reste .
@at wrote @us to wysse men / what pou(er)te was to mene .
@anne had actyf a leder / liberum Arbitriu(m) . . . .
he knewe conscience wel / & clergye bo@e
A lorde of londes q(uo)d he / at his last ende .
Shal porest ben of power / at his p(ar)tyng hennes .
Thane had I wondre / what he was @(a)t lib(er)um arbit(ri)um
I preid pacience @(a)t I appose hi(m) moste .
And he me suffred & sayde / assaye his o@(er) name .
leue arbit(ri)um q(uo)d I / of wat londe ar #e .
#if @(o)u be cristis creature / for cristis me telle .
I am his creature q(uo)d he / yknowe in many place .
In c(ri)stis courte I-knowe wel / & of his kyn ap(ar)tye
Is nei@(er) Piers @e porter / ne powle wi@ his fachou(n) .
That wole defende me @e dore / ding I neure so late .
At mydny#t at mydday / my voyce is @(er)e Icnowe .
And eche creature of crist / me welcome@ fayr(e)
wherof s(er)uestow I seyde / syre lyb(er)um arbit(ri)um
Sometyme I fy#t q(uo)d he / falshede to destroye .
And so(m)me-tyme to suffre / bo@e tene & sorowe .
layke o@(er) leue / at lykyng I chesse .
To dowel or wikke / a wille w(i)t(h) a resou(n)
I am eure in o body / to bere me were hi(m) lyke@ . .
Thanne is he bettre q(uo)d I / nay q(uo)d he no bettre .
But as wode were a fyre / & @anne worche@ bo@e .
And ai@er gyue@ o@(er) hete / & bo@e of on wille .
Ilka man ha@ his mynde / in lib(er)um arbit(ri)um
And whil I quyke mannes corps / calde I am a(n)i(m)a
wha(n)ne I wilne & welde / animus I hatte
whan I @inke on a @ing / calde am I mens .
whanne I mowe to god / Memoria I hatte . . .
whan I deme
whan I deme domes / Resou(n) is my name .
wha(n) I fele wordes / my fyrst name is sensus .
what is witte & wisdome / @e wel of alle craftes
whan I chalange or chepe / calde am I conscience
whan I owt wel do gode dede or ille
lib(er)um arbit(ri)um / lettred men me calle@ .
wha(n)ne I loue lelly / owr(e) lorde & alle o@(er)e .
@anne am I lele loue / & in latyn Amor
whanne I fleghe fro @e body / spiritus I hatte .
austyn ysodorus / ei@er of hem bo@e
@ise names me named / now @(o)u my#t chese .
wyche @(o)u wilt calle me / of alle @ise names .
A(n)i(m)a p(ro) diu(er)sis ac(i)to(n)ib(us) diu(er)sa no(m)i(n)a sortit(ur) . du(m) viuificat corp(us
a(n)i(m)a e(st) . du(m) vult a(n)i(m)(us) e(st). du(m) recolit memoria e(st) . du(m) iudicat r(ati)o e(st) .
du(m) sentit sensus est . du(m) amat amor e(st) . du(m) declinat de malo .
ad bonu(m) sine de bono ad malu(m) . lib(er)um arbit(ri)um est
du(m) negat v(e)l co(n)sentit (con)sciencia est . du(m) spirat spiritus e(st)
@a(n)ne artow as a bisshop / al bourdyng I seide
A bisshop @(a)t lessi@ / beri@ many names
Presul & pontifex / & Metropolitan(us)
And autistes also / & deocesanus .
and o@(er) names also / Ep(iscop)us & pastor
@(a)t is so@e he seyde / now I se @i wille .
@(o)u woldest knowe & conne / @e cause of alle @ise names .
And of myne #if @(o)u my#t / me @inke@ by @i speche .
#e syre he seide / wi@ so no man were greued .
Al @e syence vnder sonne / & alle @e sotel craftes .
I wolde @(a)t I wel knew . kyndely in herte .
@anne artow inp(ar)fyte q(uo)d he / & one of p(ri)des kni#tes .
For suche a lusty lykyng / lucifer lese heuene .
It were al agayne kynde / & al kynnys resou(n)
That any one shulde conne al / excepte c(ri)st allone .
Salamon of alle suche / @e wittes he dispised .
'Sicut q(ui) mel comedit multu(m) / acorporis sanitate opp(ri)mit(ur)
Sic q(ui) scrutator est maiestatis opprimit(ur) a gl(or)ia . & c(etera)
To englisshe men @is is to mene / @(a)t speke mowe & her(e)
@e man @(a)t mykel hony et / his mawe it engleyme@ .
@e wittier @at any is / but #if he worche @(er)-aftre .
The bitterer / he schal abye / but #if he wel do .
Beatus sei@ seynt bernard . qui sc(ri)pturas legit .
Et v(er)ba vertit in op(er)a / euene-for@ his power
Coueitise to conne / & to knowe sciences .
Put out of paradis Adam & Eue .
Scie(n)ce appetitus ho(m)i(n)em imortalitatis gl(or)iam spoliauit
For ri#t so as hony is yuel / to defye
Ri#t so sotel science / swelli@ mannys sowle .
And do@ hi(m) to be deynouse / & deme @(a)t be nou#t lered .
Non plus sap(er)e q(ua)m sap(er)e oportey . sei@ @e wyse lest p(ri)de w[axe}
Freres fele tymes to folkys / @(er)e @ei p(re)chen .
Many motyues moeue@ / insolyt & false .
That bo@e lewde & lered / of her byleue dowtyn .
To teche ten comaundementis / ten si@es wer(e) bettre .
For alle folke in gode fei@ / her(e) fyue wittes trwe .
In lyuyng & in leryng / in holy writ @e chewyng .
In p(ri)de of her p(re)chyng / as @e peple wot wel .
@(a)t I lye not lo / @e lordes to plese
And reuerence @e ryche / @e ra@(er) for her sylu(er) .
A-gayne @e conseille of c(ri)st / @is witnessi@ clerkys
Ne sitis p(er)sonar(um) acceptores .
lo what holy writ sei@ / of wikkyd techers .
As honeste & holynesse / out of holy chirche .
Sprynge@ & sprede@ / inspire@ @e peple .
In presthode p(ar)fyte / & holy chirche prelates .
Ri#t so out of holy chirche / al yuel sprede@ .
There inp(ar)fit p(re)sthode is / p(re)chers & techers .
And se it by example / in som(er) tyme on trees .
@(er)e so(m)me bowes bere@ leues / & so(m)me bere@ none .
That ilke bowe @(a)t beri@ nou#t / & is nou#t grene yleued .
Ther a myschef in @e more / of suche maner stokkys .
Ri#t so p(ar)sones & prestis / prechers of @e chirchis .
In rote of ry#t feye / to rewle @e peple .
There as @e rote is roten / reson wot @e so@e .
Ne schal @er neuer fruyte waxe / ne fair(e) leue be grene .
But wolde @e lettered leue / lecherye & lykyng .
And kynde ben & curteis / of holy kyrke godis .
To p(ar)te wi@ @e pore / & her(e) p(ri)de leue .
vnde in ewangelis accepistis & [?] date
And @(er)to trwe of her tonge / & of her taille also .
To haten harlotrye / to vnderfonge ty@es . .
Of vsureres & hores / & alle yuel wynnyngis .
Ful lo@e were @e lewde / but @ei here lore folowed .
To menden of her mysdede / @e more for her example .
But for to p(re)che & preue it nou#t / ypoc(ri)sye it seme@ .
@(a)t is a brawnche of p(ri)de / & most a-mong @e clerkys .
In latyn @(a)t is likned / to a lo@ely donge hep .
@(a)t were bysnowed wi@ snow / & snakes w(i)t(h)-Inne .
Ri#t so many p(ar)sones / p(re)chers & techers .
Enblaunghted w(i)t(h) p(ar)oles / & w(i)t(h) belle clo@es .
That loken as lombes / & lyuen as wolfes .
I(o)h(ann)es crisostomus . carpe@ @us of clerkys .
Sicut de templo om(n)e bonu(m) p(ro)gredit(ur) / sic de templo om(n)e
malu(m) p(ro)cedit / si sac(er)dociu(m) integ(ru)m fu(er)it / tota floreret
eccl(es)ia / si a(utem) coruptu(m) fu(er)it o(m)n(i)u(m) fides marcida e(st) si sac(er)dociu(m)
fu(er)it i(n) p(e)c(ca)tis tot(us) p(o)p(u)l(u)s co(n)u(er)tit(ur) ad P(ec)cand(um) / sicut cum
videris arborem pallidam & marcidam intelligis .
q(uo)d viciu(m) h(ab)et in radice / Ita cu(m) videris p(o)p(u)l(u)m indiscipli
natu(m) / & irreligiosu(m) / sine dubio ei(us) sac(er)dociu(m) no(n) e(st) sanu(m) & integ(ru)m
For @i(n)g @(a)t wikkydly is wonne / & al w(i)t(h) false sleightes
Ne wolde neure ri#twis god / but wikked men hadde
As p(ar)sones inp(ar)fyt / @(a)t p(re)chen aftir silu(er) /
Executours also / & somono(ur)s to bote .
@(a)t w(i)t(h) gile was ygete / g(ra)celes is spendid .
Curato(ur)s of holy kirke / set in coueitise
lightly @(a)t @ei leue / loselles it deuour(e) .
leue@ it wel lordes / bo@e lewed & lered .
@(a)t @us go@ here godis / at here laste ende .
@(a)t lyue agayne holy lore / & @e loue of charite .
Charite q(uo)d I @o / @(a)t is a @ing forso@e .
@(a)t Maistres comende moche / wher(e) it may be fownde
I haue lyued in londou(n) / many longe #eris
#it fonde I it neure / so as freres preche .
Charite @(a)t charge@ nou#t / ne chyt @ough me(n) hy(m) greue .
As poule in his pistle / of hi(m) beri@ witnesse
No(n) inflat(ur) no(n) e(st) ambiciosa / no(n) quer(i)t que sua su(n)t
I knewe neur(e) #it by crist / clerke no@er lewde
@(a)t he ne axed aftre his / & o@(er)-whyle coweyted .
Thyng @(a)t neded hi(m) nou#t / to nyme it #if he my#tht
Charite is childissh @ing / as holy chirche witnesse@ .
As proud of ORIG>apenya peny / as of a pownde of golde . Nisi efficia(m)ini sic(ut) p(ar)uuli .
And as glad of a gowne / of a gray russet .
As of a cote of Camaka / or of clene scarlet
he is glad w(i)t(h) @e glad / as gerles lawghen alle .
And sory w(i)t(h) @e sory / as @(o)u sest childre .
whan ORIG>amana man sei@ #e forso@e he it trowe@
wene@ he @at no wyght / wolde lye ne swerye
Ne @at any grome wolde gyle man ne greue .
For drede of god @(a)t goode is / @(us)-gatis he techi@ .
Quodcu(m)q(ue) vultis vt faciant vobis ho(m)i(n)es facite eis .
ha@ he no lykynge to lawghe / to lere men to scorne .
Al sekenes & sorow / for solace he it take@ .
And alle manere myschief / as mynstralcie of heuene .
Of de@ ne of der@e / dred he hi(m) neur(e)
Ne myslyked @ouw he lore / or lened @(a)t ilke .
@(a)t neure paied peny agayne / in place @(er)e he borwed .
who fynt hi(m) fode q(uo)d I / & what frendis ha@ he .
Or rentis or ricchesse / to releue hy(m) at nede .
Or ryche rentis q(uo)d he / ne recched he neur(e)
A gode frende fynt hy(m) / @(a)t failed hi(m) neur(e)
Que ap(er)is tu manu(m) al @ing hi(m) fynde@
Fiat volu(n)tas tua eche day hym feste@ .
And also he can clergye / Credo in deu(m) patrem .
he can portrey @e pater noster / & peynt it w(i)t(h) aues .
And o@(er)while his wone is to wende in pilg(ri)mage .
Ther(e) as pore prysounes ben / & pay for her fode .
Clo@e hem & conforte@ / & hem of crist p(re)che@ .
what sorowe @(a)t he suffred / in ensample of vs alle .
@(a)t pou(er)te & penau(n)ce / paciently take .
worthe moche merite to @(a)t man / @at it may suffre .
Thus he visite@ fettred folke / & o@(er) folkys pore .
@anne renne@ he a#ein to #ow@e / & #eply he seche@ .
Pride w(i)t(h) @e apportenaunce / & pakke@ hem to-gydre .
he laue@ hem in lauendrye / laboram in gemitu meo .
he bowke@ hem at his brest / & beti@ it ful oft .
wi@ warme watre of his eyen / he wamie@ he(m) ful wyte
lauabis me & sup(er) niuem dealbabor
he synge@ whan he so do@ / & some-tyme he wepy@ .
Cor cont(ri)tu(m) & hu(m)iliatu(m) deus non despicies
were I wi@ q(uo)d I @)o / ne wolde I neure fro hym .
Theygh I scholde begge bred a-bout at mennes hacches .
wher clerkys ken hym ou#t q(uo)d I / @(a)t kepyn holy kirke
Piers @e plowman q(uo)d he / most p(ar)fytly hy(m) knowe@
By clo@ing ne carpyng / knowest hy(m) neure
But in werke may @(o)u wyte / werfor@ he walke@ . Op(er)ib(us) credite
he is @e myriest of mow@e / at metes @(er)e he sitte@ .
And companable in companye / as c(ri)st hi(m)-self teche@ .
Nolite fieri tristes sic(u)t ypocrite . & c(etera) .
I haue seyne hym myself / some tyme in russet .
Bo@e in gray & in gris / & in gilt hernes .
And gladly he gaf it to gromes @at it nedid .
Edmonde & Edwarde / bo@e were @ei seyntis .
And chief charite wi@ hem / & chast al her lyues .
I haue sene hy(m) also syngen & reden .
Ryden & rennen / in ragged clo@es .
And biddyng as a beggar / bihelde I hi(m) neur(e)
For al in ryche robes / ra@est he walke@ .
ycalled & ycrmyled / & in corone yshaue .
And in a freris frokke / he was yfounde onys .
But it is fele #eres gone / in fraunces tyme
Si@en in her sute / fol selde ha@ he fownde .
Ryche men he recomende@ / & of her robes take@
Of @o @(a)t lellyche lyuen / louen & byleuen
Beatus vir qui inuentus e(st) sine macula .
In @e kynges court he come@ / #if his conseille be trwe
#if coueityse is of conseille / he wil nou#t come @(er)Inne .
Amonge @e co(mun)es in curte / come@ he but selde .
For brawlyng & bakkebytyng / & false witnesse beryng .
At constorye in co(n)tres / he come@ nou#t ful oft .
For @e lawe is so longe / but @ei lacche syluer .
wi@ bisshopes he wolde be / for beggars sake .
But auaryse o@(er)wile / holt hi(m) wi@out @e gate .
kynges & cardinales / knewe hy(m) some tyme .
By conseille of coueitise / congeyed is he oft .
#if @(o)u coueite hym to knowe / suche a kynde hi(m) folowe@ .
As I tolde @e wi@ tonge / a lytle here aforne
he begge@ nei@e bidde@ / ne borowe@ to #elde .
he halt it for a vice / & a fowle shame
To begge or to borow / but of god one . Panem n(ost)r(u)m
Passus septimus de Dowel / & h(ic) definit Et h(ic) i(n)cipit Inquic(i)o p(ri)ma de Dobet .
Ther(e) nys none suche / I seide @(a)t su(m)me tyme ne borowe@ .
Or bidde@ or begge@ / be he ryche or pore
And #it o@(er)while wro@ / w(i)t(h)-out eny synne .
who-so wolde ben a-wroken / in wra@@e q(uo)d he
he passe@ out of charite / #if holy chirche be trwe .
prim(us) h(er)emita / had parroked hi(m)-self .
@(a)t no man my#t sene hi(m) / for mosse & for leues .
Fowles @(er) hi(m) fedde / #if frere austynes be trwe
For he ordeyned @(a)t ordre / or ellis @ei gabbe .
Poule aftir p(re)chyng / panyers made .
And whan w(i)t(h) his handes / al @(a)t hi(m) neded .
Peter fysshed his fode / & his fere andrewe .
Marye @e magdeleyne / by more lyued & dewes .
loue & lele byleue halt lyf & soule to-gydre .
Maria egipciata / ete in @ritty wyntre .
But @re lytel loues / & loue was in her soule
I can nou#t rekne hem alle now / ne reherse her names .
@at lyued @us for goddis loue / many longe #eres .
& nei@(er) borowed ne begged / or @e boke lye@ .
@ei woned in wildernesse / amonge wilde bestis .
But no best dorst byte hem / by dayes ne by ny#ttes .
But myldely whan @ei mette / maden lowe chere .
And faire afor @o men / fawned wi@ her tailles .
Bestis brou#t no mete to hem / but only fowlys .
In tokenyng @(a)t trwe men / alle tymes sholde .
Fynde honest men & holy / & o@(er) ri#tful peple .
For wolde neur(e) fei@ful god / @at freris & monkys .
Toke mete of false men / in al her lyf onys
As witnesse@ holywrit / of tobie & his wyf .
Aftir @(a)t he was blynde / he herde a lombe blete .
wyf be war q(uo)d he / what we haue her-Inne
God graunt q(uo)d @e grome / no stole @ing it be .videte ne fur[] sit & c(etera)
This is no more to mene / but men of holycherche
Sholde no @ing receyue / but @at ri#t wolde .
And refuse reu(er)ence / & raueners offerynges .
@a(n)ne wolde lordes be lo@ / for to a-gilt
To take of her tenauntz / more @an trw@e wolde .
Marchauntz wolde meke be / & men of lawe bo@e .
wolde religiouse refuse / raueners almes .
@anne g(ra)ce sholde growe / & grene loue waxe .
And charite @(a)t childe is / a-chaufen of hi(m)-selue .
And conforte alle c(ri)sten / wolde holy chirche amende /
Iob @e noble patriarke / @is p(ro)u(er)be tau#te
To make men loue mesure / @(a)t monkes ben & freris .
Nu(n)q(ua)m vt dicit Iob rugiet onag(er) cu(m) h(er)bam h(ab)uerit n(e)c mugiet
bos cu(m) ante plenu(m) presepe stet(er)it brutor(um) a(n)i(m)aliu(m) nat(ur)a te
co(n)depnat q(ui)a cu(m) pabulu(m) co(mun)e sufficiat exaipe p(ro)dijt i(n)q(ui)tas tua
#if @e lewde knew @is / so(m)me-del @ei wolde a-wyse hem .
Or @ei morteised any more / for monkes or for chanou(n)s
Theise lordes & ladyes ful lewde conseille han .
@(a)t feffe suche & fede / @(a)t be fownden to @e fulle
@(a)t #owr(e) barnes & #o(ur)e blode / by gode lawe may clayme
For god bad his blessid / as @e boke teche@ /
To helpe @i fader formest / aforne any freris .
Or prest o@(er) p(ar)doner or eny peple elles .
helpe @i kyn Crist bidde@ / for @(er)e bygynne charite
And after @(a)t awatte wel / who @(a)t ha@ most nede .
And @(er)e helpe #if @(o)u hast / & @(a)t holde I charite
lawrence for his largesse / as holy lore tellys . Iusticia ei(us) manet i(n)et(er)nu(m)
his mede & his manhode / for eu(er)more schal laste
he gaf @e pore goddis godis / & nou#t to @e ryche
& fedde @(a)t a-fyngred were / & defaute lyued .
I dar nou#t carpe of clergye now . @(a)t cristis tresore kepe .
@at @e pore in pure ri#t / here p(ar)te my#t aske .
Of @(a)t holy chirche / of @e olde lawe cleyme@ .
prestis on apparaille / & on p(ar)nel now spene .
Now lykne may me lettred men / to @e lyshborow or worse
and also to a bad peny / wi@ a wor@i prent
Of so(m)me mone @e metal is nou#t & #it @e prent is trwe .
Cristondome of holykirke / @e kynges merke of heuene .
But @e metal ma(n)nes sowle / of many of @ise techers .
It is allayed w(i)t(h) lecherye & o@ lust of synne
22a)t god coueite@ @(a)t crist hi(m)-self p(ri)nted .
and for @e forsake@ his owne coyne.
Thus ar @ei to lyssheborow st(er)lynges
@(a)t faire al afore p(re)chen & techen
& worche@ nou#t / as it is write / ne wisse@ @e peple .
For of @is werre & @is wrake
& wikkyd heuedes .
May no praier make pes / in no place it seme@ . .
The lewde han no byleue / & @e lettred erren .
Nei@(er) se no@(er) londe / ne @e sedes #elde@ .
As @ei afore were ywont / in whom is @e defaute .
Nou#t in god for he is goode / & @e grownde bo@e .
And @e se & @e ed / @e sonne & @e mone .
Done her deuor day & ni#t / did we so alle .
There sholde be plente & pes / p(ar)petual eur(e) .
wederwyse shipmen now / & o@(er) witti peple .
han no byleue to @e lift / ne to @e lode st(er)res .
Astronomyenes alday / in her art faillen .
@(a)t were ywont to wyte afore / what aftir sholde falle .
Shipmen & shp(er)des / by @e seuene sterres .
wisten wel & tolden / whan it sholde reyne
Tylyers of er@e / telden her maistres
By @e sede @(a)t @ei sewe / what @ei sulle my#t
And what lyue by & lene / @e londe was so trwe
Now faille@ alle @is folke / herdes & shipmen .
Ne kenne @ei ri#t nou#t / o cours by o@(er)e
Astronomiens also / arn at her wittis ende .
The gramer @e grownde of al / now gile@ @e childre
Among twenty nou#t two / @(a)t versyfye@ / faire .
Or formalyche endyten / her dytes ben in dowte .
Go we for@ to alle but gyle be a maystre
And flaterere his me @inke@ .
Docto(ur)s of decre of
The seuen artz sh
Thei wille fdaillen
lorde leue @(a)t p(re)stis lelly
@(a)t @ei ouerhippe nou#t / no more I trowe @ei do .
Theigh it suffyce to vs / so@fast byleue .
As clerkys in kyrkys / syngyn & rede .
That sola fides / to saue @e lewde peple
#if prestis don her deuour / we shal do @e bettre .
The sarazines be saued / #if @ei so byleuen .
In @e lettyng of lyf / to leue on holychirche .
what is holy kirke q(uo)d I / charite he seide .
Trwe loue & lewte / in o byleue & lawe .
A lowe knotte of lewte / & of lele byleue .
Alle kynnes c(ri)stene / cleuyng on o wille .
w(i)t(h)-out gyle or gabbyng / gyue & selle & lene .
lawe w(i)t(h)-out lewte / allowable was neur(e)
The Iuwes & @e sarezines / Iuggen hem-self .
That lelly @ei byleue / & #it her lawe diu(er)se@ .
But o god @(a)t al gan / al holely @ei hono(ur)e
her ei@er lowe@ & byleue@ / in o lorde almy#ty
But god allowe@ no loue / but law be @e cause .
lechours louen agayne @e lawe / leut it may amende .
Theues loue no lewte / @(er)fore atte last @ei lollen .
lele men @e lawe techen / & loue @(er)-of aryse@
The wyche is hed of charite / & hele of mannes soule .
Dilige deu(m) p(ro)pt(er) deu(m) .i(d est). veritatem & inimicu(m) tuu(m) p(ro)pt(er) mandat(um)
.i(d est). legem / & amicu(m) p(ro)pt(er) amorem id est caritatem
loue god for he is gode / & gru(n)de of al trw@e
And @ine enemy enterly / @e hestes to fulfille .
And @i frende @(a)t do@ @i wille / @at is @i fair(e) sowle .
whan alle frendes @e faillen / & fleen awey in deyng
Thanne swe@ @e @i sowle / to solace or to sorow .
And ay hope@ to be wi@ @e atte laste .
In myr@e or in mornyng / & neur(e) eft to dep(ar)te .
A charite is leue childe / to be chere of @i soule .
Contrarye hi(m) nou#t in conscience #if @(o)u wil come to heuene .
wher sarazines I seide / ne sen nou#t what is charite .
It may be so q(uo)d he / @(a)t sarazines haue charite .
#if @ei loue by lawe of kynde / owr(e) lorde god almy#ty .
For kynde is eche creature / his creato(ur) hono(ur)e
Ther nys no man @(a)t mynde ha@ / @(a)t mekely ne byseche@ .
To @(a)t lorde @(a)t lyf hy(m) lente / lyflode hy(m) to sende .
But many maner men @(er) ben / as sarazines & Iuwes .
Ne lowe@ nou#t @(a)t lorde ari#t / as by legende s(an)c(t)or(um) .
@ei lyue out of lele byleue / for @ei lyue in a mene .
he wyte ? to be A man @(a)t hight makemeth / for messye @ei hi(m) holde@ .
And aftre his leryng @ei lyue / & by lawe of kynde .
And whan kynde ha@ his cours / & no cont(ra)rye fynde@
@anne is lawe al for-left / & lewte vnknowe
Bewte saun bounte blessyd was neur(e)
Ne kynde saunz curteisie / in no contre is preised .
Men fynde wel @(a)t makemeth / was a man ycrystened .
And a cardynal of court / a grete clerke wi@-al .
he wyte ? he pursued to haue be pope / prynce of hoychirche .
For he was lyke a lyssheborow / I leue owre lorde hi(m) letted .
Thanne sou#t he in-to surree / & sotellyd how he my#t
Be al maistre of @o men / on @is maner he wrou#t
he endaunced a dowve / & day & ny#t hir fedde /
In ei@(er) of his eres / al p(ri)uely he hadde
Corn @(a)t @e colu(er) ete / whan he cam to place .
In what place he p(re)ched / & @e peple tau#te
Thanne sholde @e coluer come / to @e clerkys ere .
Menyng as aftir mete / so had he hir enchaunted .
And whan @e coluer cam @us / @anne kneled alle @e peple
& makemeth it named / a messag(er) of heuene .
And so@ely @(a)t goddis self / in suche a colu(er) liknesse .
Tolde hi(m) & tau#t hy(m) / how to teche @e peple
Thus makemeth in mysbyleue / man & wo(m)man brou#t
And on his lore @ei lyue #it / as wel lered as lewde .
And si@@e owr(e) saueour suffrid / suche a false c(ri)stene
deseyue so @e peple sarazines / so@ely as me @inke@ .
holy men I hope / helpyng @e holygost .
Sholde conerte hem to crist / & cristondome to take
Allas @(a)t men so longe / on makemeth byleue@ .
So many p(re)lates to p(re)che / as @e pope make@ .
Of Nazareth of Niniue of Neptalym of Damaske .
@(a)t @ei ne went as bit / Ite vniu(er)sum mu(n)du(m) .
Si@e @ei wilne @e name / to be prelatis & p(re)che
The passiou(n) of Ihesu criste / @(er)-on to lyue & dye /
Bonus pastor a(n)i(m)am sua(m) dat p(ro) ouib(us) suis .
It is rew@e to rede / how ry#twyse men lyued .
how @ei defowled her flesche / forsoke her(e) owne wille .
Fer fro ki@@e & fro kynne / yuel clo@ed #eden .
Badly ybedded no boke but conscience /
Ne no rychesse but @e Rode / to reioysse hem Inne .
Absit nobis gl(or)iari nisi in cruce d(omi)ni n(ost)ri & c(etera)
And @o was plente & pes / amonge pore & ryche .
And now is rew@e to rede / how @e rede noble .
Is reu(er)enced ar @e rode / receyued for @e wor@ier
Than cristes cros @(a)t ou(er)come / de@ & dedly synne .
And now is werre & wo / & who-so why axe@
For coueitise aftre crosse / @e corone stant in golde .
Bo@e ryche & religiouse / @(a)t rode @ei hono(ur)e .
@(a)t in grotis is yg(ra)ue / & in golde nobles .
For coueitise of @(a)t crosse / men of holy kyrke .
Shal torne as templeres did / @e tyme approche@ faste .
wyte nou#t gode men / how @o men hono(ur)ed .
More tresore @an trw@e / I dar not telle @e so@e .
Reson & ri#tfuldome / @o religious demed .
Ri#t so @ise clerkys / for coueitise ar longe Deposuit pote(n)tes de sede
Shal deme dos eccl(e)sie / & #o(ur)e p(ri)de depose
#it kni#thode & kynde wit / & co(mun)e conscience .
To-gidre loue lelly / leue@ it wel #e bisshopes .
@e lordechip of londes / for eu(er) schal #e lese
And lyuen as leuitici / as oure lorde #ow teche@ .p(er) p(ri)micias . & deci(m)as
whan constantyne of curteisye / holy kyrke Dowed .
wi@ landes & leodes / lordeshipes & rentis .
An angel men herde / an hiegh at Rome crye .
vos eccl(es)ie @is day ha@ ydronke venyme .
And @at haue petres power / arn apoysoned alle .
A medycyne mote @(er)to / @(a)t may amende p(re)latis .
That sholde prey for @e pes / possessiou(n) hem lette@ .
Take here londes #e lordes / & lat he(m) lyue by dymes .
3if possessiou(n) be poysen / & inp(ar)fi#t hem make .
Gode were to deschargen hem / for holychirche sake .
And purgen hem of poysen / or more p(er)el falle .
where presthode more p(ar)fyt . @(a)t is @e pope formest
wi@ mone he meyntene@ men / to werren vpon c(ri)stene .
Agayne @e lore of owr(e) lorde / & sent lukes wytnesse .
M(ichi) vindicta(m) his preier wi@ his pacience / to pes schulde brynge
Alle londes into loue / & @(a)t in lytel tyme .
@e pope w(i)t(h) his p(re)stis/ pax vobis sholde make
And take hede how makemeth / @orow a mylde Dowue
had alle surre at his wille / & sarazines in equite .
wi@ no my#t of maslant / makemeth had @e maistrye
But @orow pacience & gile / he was p(ri)nce of he(m) alle .
In suche a manere me @inke@ / most owr(e) lorde @e pope .
his p(re)latis his p(re)stis / preyen & bysechen .
Deuowtly bo@e day & ni#t . w(i)t(h)-drawe he(m) fro synne .
And cryen to crist vp / he wolde his coluer sende .
@(a)t is @e heigh holygost / out of heuene decende
To make a pes p(ar)petuel / a-twene @e p(ri)nce of heue
& alle man(er) of me(n) / @(a)t on @is molde lyuen .
3if p(re)stehod wer(e) p(ar)fyt / @e peple scholde amende
@(a)t co(n)t(ra)rye Cristes lawe / & c(ri)stendome despise . .
For sy@en @at @e sarazines scribes & @e Iuwes .
han a lippe of howr(e) byleue . @e li#tlyer me @inke@ .
Thei scholde come to helpe / & leue vpon @e t(ri)nite .
For alle paynemes preie@ / & p(ar)fi#tly byleue@ .
In @e holy gret god / & his g(ra)ce hij axen .
& make her mone to makemeth her message to shewe .
In suche a feye @e folke lyuen / & on a false mene .
That rew@e it is of ri#tful men / @(a)t i(n) rewmes dwelle@ .
& p(er)yl for @e p(re)lates / @(a)t @e pope make@ .
And bere@ @e name of Nazareth of Niniue & Damaske .
whan @e hiegh fader of heuene / sent his sone til er@e .
he did manye a myracle / mankynde to torne .
In example @at me scholde / sen by sadde reson .
That men may nou#t be saued / but ing(ra)te of m(er)cye .
In penau(n)ce & in passiou(n) / & in p(ar)fyte byleue
And bycam man of a mayde / & Metropolytan(us)
And boxomly bou#t w(i)t(h) blode of his h(er)te .
Alle @(a)t wylned & wolde / wi@ Inwit byleue it .
Many seyntis sy@en / suffred de@ also .
For to enforme @e fay / ful wyde-wher(e) deide .
In ynde & in alysaundre / in hermonye & spayne.
And fro @e mysbyleue / many men @ei torned .
For @e trwe lawe also /
A-monge vnkynde c(ri)stene . in holy kyrke was slawe .
And alle holycherche hono(ur)ed / @orow @(a)t deying
To bisshopes yblessyd / he is a bri#t myro(ur) .
And namely of @at / of Surre bere@ @e name .
@at hippe abowte in Englonde / to halow mennes auters
& crepe a-bowte a-monge curato(ur)s / co(n)fesse a-gayne @e lawe
Nolite mittere falsem i(n) messem alienam
Many man for c(ri)stis loue / was martired in Romayne .
Or c(ri)stendome was knowe @(er)e / or eny crosse hono(ur)ed .
Eury bysshop by @e lawe / boxomly sholde walke .
And p(ar)ly in his p(ro)uynce / to his peple shewe hym
Feden hem &8 fullen hem . & fere hem out of synne .
In baculi forma sit p(re)sul / h(e)c t(ibi) norma .
Fer t(ra)he punge gregem / s(er)uando p(er) o(m)(n)ia legem .
Enchaunten he(m) to charite / in holy ch . rche byleue
For as @e kynde is of a kni#t / or kynges to be take .
And amonge here enemyes / in mortel batailles .
To be kylde & ou(er)comen / @e co(mun)e to defende
So is @e kynde of a curato(ur) / for cristes loue to p(re)che .
To dye for his dere childre / destroye dedly synne .
And namely @(er)e as lewed lyuen / no lawe knowen
For we cristene can @e lawe / & han of owr(e) tonge .
Bisshopes & bokys . @e byleue to teche .
Iuwes lyuen in @e lawe / @at owr(e) lorde tau#t .
And moyses a maistre @(er)-of / tyl messye come
On @(a)t lawe @ei lyue #it / & lete it for @e beste
And #it knewe @ei criste / @(a)t cristo(n)me tau#te .
For a p(ar)fyt p(ro)fyth / @(a)t myche peple saued
And of selcow@e sorys / sauen men oft .
By myracles @(a)t he made / messye he semed .
whan he lyft vp lazar / @(a)t leyde was in g(ra)ue .
Quatriduanus colde / quyk did hy(m) walke .
Iuwes seid @(a)t it seigh / wi@ sorcerye he wrou#t
@ei stwdied how to struen hy(m) / & stroied he(m)-self
And her power in pacience / to pure nou#t brou#t
And #it @ei seyn stydfast / & so do@ @e sarazines .
@(a)t Ihesu was Iogelo(ur) / a Iaper of Iestis .
A sophistre of sorcerye / a pheudo p(ro)p(et)a . . . pentrials
And al his
And al his lore lesynges / @ei lakken it alle .
And hopyn @(a)t he be to come / @(a)t schal hem releue
Moyses & makemeth / her maistres so deuyne@ .
And han a suspecc(i)ou(n) / to be ysaued alle .
Thorow moyses & makemeth / & my#te of god @(a)t made al .
And sy@en @(a)t @e sarazines / & also @e Iuwes .
kan @e firste clause / Credo in deu(m) patrem
prelates & pr(e)stis / scholde preue / #if @ei my#te .
lere hem litlome & litlome / & in Ihesum christum .
To speken & to spellen / & in sp(iritu)m s(an)c(tu)m .
Recorden it & reden it wi@ Remissionem .
Passus p(ri)mus de DobetLeue arbitriu(m) q(uo)d I / I leue as I hope .
@ow cowthest telle & teche me / to charite I leue .
@anne lowgh arbitriu(m) / & ladde me for@ wi@ talys
Til we cam in a contre / cor ho(m)i(n)is it hieght .
#erberow of alle priuetees / & of holynesse .
Euene in @e myddes / an hympe as it were .
That hieght ymago dei / graciously it grewe .
I axed hym @anne what it hight / & he me sone tolde .
This tree hat trwe loue / @e Tinite it sette
wi@ loue lykynge it lyue@ / & launte@ vp blosomes .
And @(er)e-of come@ a kynde frute / @e wyche me calle@ werkys
Of holynesse of hyndenesse / of help hy(m) @(a)t nedi@
The wyche is caritas ycalde / cristes owne fode
And solace@ alle sowles / in purgatorie soroweful .
Now certes I seide @o / & syked for Ioye
I @anke #ow a @owsande sythes / @(a)t #e me hidre kende
And si@e @(a)t #e wyche sauf / to sei me as it is .
Thanne loked I @(er)-on / & @(er)-of toke gode hede
Of shoriers to shyue it vp / @re shides of o lenghe
& alle of o colo(ur) / & kynde as me @ou#t
Alle @re a-lyche longe / & a-lyche large .
Moche merueilled me / on what More hir grewe .
And oft I axed of hi(m) / of what wode hij were .
Thise shides q(uo)d he / @(a)t beri@ vp @is plante .
Bitokene@ ful trwly / @e Trinite of heuene .
Of o wille of o witt / wherwi@ to kepe .
The frute of @is faire tree / fro @re wikked wyndes
For fallyng of @is fair(e) stokke / it faille nou#t of his my#te
The worlde is a wikkyd wynde / to hem @(a)t wilne trw@e
Coueitise come@ of @at wynde / & charite it bite@ .
And al for-frete@ @(a)t frute / @orow many faire sightes .
Thanne wi@ a pole / I palle hi(m) downe potncia dei patris
Thanne is @e flesshe a fel wynde / in his flowryng tyme .
Thorow lecherye & lustes / so lowde he gynne@ blowe .
@(a)t he norisse@ nice si#tes / & some tyme wordes .
And also wikke werkes / @e wormes of synne .
@(a)t al forbit charite / to @e bare stakkes .
@anne sette I @e secu(n)de / sapi(enci)a dei
@e wyche is @e passiou(n) / @e peynyng of Ihesu
@(er-wi@ I warde it a while / til it wax rype .
And @anne fonde@ @e fende / my frute to destrwe .
he lei@ a ledder @(er)to / of lesynges @e ronges .
wi@ alle @e wiles @(a)t I can / he wagge@ @e rote .
Thorow bakbiters / & chiders so bolde .
vnnethes @(a)t shakyng / it may agayne stonde .
So @ise lo@e lordeynys / lychere@ of @e leues .
And fette frute some-tyme / a-fore bo@e myn eyen
And @a(n)ne palle I @e powke / wi@ @e @redde pole .
@e wyche is spiritus s(an)c(tu)s / & so@fast byleue
@(us) wi@ @e g(ra)ce / of @e goste gete I @e maistre .
I totid vpon @e tree / & @anne toke I hede
where @e frute were faire / or fowle for to loke on .
@anne was @e frute fair(e) / non fairere be my#te
In @re degrees it grewe / gret ferly me @ou#te
And axed of hi(m) @o / is it al of o kynde .
#e certis he seide / so@ely it leue .
It is al of o kynde / & @at schal I preuen .
But so(m)me is swetter @an som / & sonner wil roten .
Men may seen an apple tre / many tyme & oft
Of o kynde apples / ar nou#t a-lyche grete
Ne sewyng smale / ne alle a-lyceswete
Tho @(a)t sitten in @e sonne / sonner ben rype .
Swetter of sauo(ur) / & also more gretter
@a(n)ne @o @(a)t selden haue sonne / @(a)t sitte in @e Norhalf .
And so it fare@ so@ely . sone by owr(e) kynde .
Adam was appeltre / & we ben alle his apples .
so(m)me of vs so@fast / & some veriable .
lytler & larger / & alle of o kynde
As wyues & wydwes / & ri#t wor@i maydenes .
@(a)t bishyue @e spirit / @e sonne of al heuene
And conforte in contenaunce @(a)t lyue in tontemplaciou(n)
As monkes & moniales / men of holychirche .
These han @e holygost / as apples han @e sonne
wydwes & widwers / @(a)t wille may forsaken
More like@ owre lorde / @an lye as kynde aske@
Thanne seid I si@@e @(a)t it is so / @(er) be but two lyues
@(a)t owr(e) lorde allowe@ / as lered men vs teche@ actiua vita & co(n)te
whi growe@ it in @re degrees / a goode skil he seide
here byne@e I may nyme / #if I nede hadde
Mat(ri)moigne a moist frute / @(a)t multiplie@ @e peple .
And @(er)e aboue is bettre / @eigh hij be gode bo@e
widwed @e wor@ier @an wedloke / as in heuene
& @anne is virginite fairest of alle
For @(a)t is euene wi@ angeles / archangeles pere .
For it was @e first frute / @e fader of heuene blessid .
he bad a batte of er@e / be man & a mayde
In menyng @(a)t @e fairest @e first sholde hono(ur)e .
The clennest creature / first ycnowe his creature .
In kynges court & kni#tes / @e clene men & fairest .
The chief lorde s(er)ue shal / so fare@ god almi#ty .
Maidenes & martires / mynystred hy(m) in er@e .
And an hiegh in heuene / ben nexte hy(m) by resou(n)
For @e fairest frut / a-for hy(m) of er@e
Swete nou#t swellyng / sowr(e) wor@e it neur(e)
This plante q(uo)d I @o / priuelyche it blowe@ .
And for@ bringe@ frut / folke of alle naciou(n)s .
p(ar)fyt & ellys / & pure fayn I wolde
Assaye @e saueour @(er)-of / & sayde @(a)t tyme
lib(er)um arbit(ri)um / lete some lyf it shake .
And @anne he bad elde / an hiegh for to clymbe
And shaken it sharpely / @e rip sholde falle .
whan elde clombe vpward / it / comsed to crye .
he wagged widwed / a-non it wept aftre
he moued Matrimoigne / it made a fowle noise
For eur(e) as elde felde it / @e deuel was ful redy .
And gedred it to-gidre / @e grete & @e smale .
Adam & habrah(a)m / & ysaye @e p(ro)ph(et)e
Samuel & sampson / & seynt Ion @e baptist .
he made of holy me(n) his horde / in lymbo inferni
Ther is derkenesse & drede / & @e deuel maistre .
Thanne meued mode / in maiestate dei
That libera volu(n)tas dei / lau#t myddel shorier
And hipt aftir @e fende / happe how it my#te .
Filius in fadre wille / fleigh in spiritus s(an)c(tu)s .
To ransake raggeman / & reue hi(m) his apples . . .
That @orow false byhest / first man deceyued .
@anne spake spiritus / in Gabrielis mow@e .
To @e mayde marie / a meke @ing wi@-al .
@(a)t Ihesu @e iustice / schal Iowke in hir chaumbre
Tyl plenitudo temp(or)is / fully comen were .
That elde eft felled frut / & fel to be rype .
That Ihesu sholde Iuste fore / by iugement of armys .
who sholde haue @e frute / @e fende or @e fendor .
The mayde ful mekely / @e messag(er) graunt
& seide hendely to hy(m) / lo me his hande mayde . Ecce ancilla
Ay to worchen his wille / wi@-owten eny synne
In @e wombe of @e wenche / was he ORIG>xl.fourty wykes .
By-cam man of @(a)t mayde / mankynde to saue .
suche a surgiene si@@e / sey was was @er neu(er)e . .
Ne none suche Fyscicyen / For alle @at bysou#t hym .
he leched hem of langor / lazares & blynde
Claudy ambulant / lep(ro)si mu(n)dant(ur) .
Co(mun)e wo(m)men conu(er)te / & clensed hem of synne .
he lift vp lazar / @(a)t lay in his towmbe .
Quatriduan(us) colde / quikke did hy(m) rowme
But ar he moued @at man / mestus cep(i)t e(ss)e
And wept wi@ his eyghen / why wyten fewe .
But so(m)me Iuwes seide / w(i)t(h) sorcerye he wrou#t . demoniu(m) h(ab)es
And @orow @e my#te of Mahu(n) / & @orow mysbyleue .
I haue saued #ow q(uo)d he . & often also fedde #ow .
wi@ fyue fysches & two loues / fyue @owsande at onys .
And @(er)e I left of broke mete / take it woso wolde .
vnkynde & vncristene / I haue vnderenomen .
And torned in @e temple / here tables & stalles .
And drof out @enne alle / @at @ere bou#t & solde .
For @is is hous of orisonnes / & of holy bedes .
And wha(n) @(a)t my wille is / I wil it ou(er)throwe . .
And wi@Inne @re dayes / edyfye it newe
The Iuwes tolde @e Iustice / how @(a)t Ihesu seide
But @e tornyng of @e temple / is his resurrexiou(n) .
Enuye @o & euel wil / was among @e Iewes .
And p(ur)sued hym p(ri)uely / & for pens bou#t Ne forte tum(u)ltus fieret in p(o)p(u)lo .
This by-fel on a Friday / a lite afore paske
Tha Iudas & Iuwes / Ihesu mette
Aue rabby q(uo)d @(a)t Rybaude / & ri#t to hi(m) #ede .
And kyst hym @(er)e to be knowe / & cau#t of @e Iewes .
Thanne Ihesus to Iwdas / & to @e Iuwes seide .
Falsenesse I fynde / in @i faire speche .
Thow shal be myro(ur) / to many men to deceyue .
wo to @o @(a)t @i wiles vsen / into @e worldes ende .
ve ho(m)i(ni) illi p(er) quem scandalu(m) venit .
Si@@e I In treson am take / to @e wil of Iuwes
lat my postoles in pes / fro defoule gange
The Iuwes to @e Iustices / Ihesu @ei ladde .
wi@ mochel noyse @(a)t ny#te / al frentike I waked .
In Inwit & alle wittes at lib(er)um arbit(ri)um
Ia-wayted wisly / but wheder he wente I nyste
And @anne mette I wi@ a man / at mydlentes sonday .
As hor as an haw@orne / & habraham he hi#te .
Of whennes artow q(uo)d I . & hy(n)dely hy(m) grette .
I am wi@ fei@ q(uo)d @(a)t freyke / it falle@ nou#t to lye .
And heroude of armys / ar any lawe were .
what is @e knowyng q(uo)d I / of his cote armo(ur)e .
@re p(er)sones q(uo)d he / dep(ar)table fro o@(er)e
O speche & o spirit / sprynge@ out of alle .
Of o witt of o wille / were neur(e) atwynne /
And sondry to sen vpon / & solus deus hote@ .
Si@@e @ei be sondry q(uo)d I / @ei haue sondry names .
That is so@e he seide / @e syre hatt pater
The secu(n)de is a sone / of @e syre filius
The @ridde is @(a)t halt al / a @ing by hi(m)-self .
holigost is his name / & he is in alle
This is merke for me q(uo)d I / & for many a no@(er)e .
how o lorde may lyue in @re / I leue it nou#t I seide .
Muse nou#t @(er)on q(uo)d he / tyl @(o)u more knowe
But leue @(o)u it lelly / al @i lyf tyme .
Thes @re longe@ til o lorde / @(a)t lygeaunce clayme@ .
Mi#t & a mene / to sene his owne my#te
Of hi(m) & of his s(er)uant / & what @ei suffre bo@e .
God @(a)t gynnyng had neur(e) / but @o hi(m) gode @ou#te .
Sent for@ his sone / as s(er)uaunt @(a)t tyme .
To ocupie hi(m) here / tyl issue were yspronge .
The children of charite / & holycherche @e modre .
Patriarkes p(ro)phetis apostoles / were @e children .
Crist & his cristondome / & cristene holy chirche
Bytokene@ @e t(ri)nite / & trwe byleue .
And o god almy#ty / @at made & wrou#t .
Semblable to hi(m)-self / ar eny synne wer(e)
O @re her is @(er)e he is / & @(a)t beri@ witnesse .
The werkys @(a)t he wrou#t / & @e worlde bo@e . Celi enarra(n)t
@(a)t he is @re dep(ar)table / I preue it by mankynde .
And o god almy#ty / #if alle men be of adam .
Eue of adam was / & out of hi(m) ydrawe
And abel of bo@e / & alle @re o kynde
And @ise @re I carpe / of adam & Eue .
And abel her issue / ar but on in manhode
Matrimonium sine fructu / is nou#t myche to preise
As @e bible witnesse@ / ORIG>abokea boke of @e olde lawe .
he cursed alle @e couples / @(a)t no frute brou#t . Maled(i)c(tu)s ...no(n) re...
And man w(i)t(h)-outen a make / my#t nou#t of kynde .
Multiplye no more-oure / @is we se wel alle .
Now go we to @e godhed / in god fadre of heuene .
was @e sone in hi(m)-self / in symule as Eue .
was whan god wolde / out of @e man ydrawe
As abel of adam / & of his wyf Eue
Sprange for@ & spake / a spire of hem tweye .
so out of syre & of sone / @e spirit of hemn bo@e
As @re palpable p(er)sones / it but o mankynde .
The wyche is man & his make / & bo@e her issue .
So is god goddes sone / in @re p(er)sones @e Trinite .
In mat(ri)moigne @(er) be @re / of o man cam alle @re .
And to @e godhed @er go@ @re / & o god is alle @re .
lo treis encontre treis / q(uo)d he / in godhed & i(n) manhode
hastow sen @is I seide / alle @re & o god .
So@ely saw I hym q(uo)d he / as I sat in my porche .
wher god cam goyng / in @re / ri#t for@e by my gate .
I ros & reu(er)enced god / & ri#t fair(e) hi(m) gret . Tres vid(i)t & unu(m) adorauit>
wyssh{bar} her fete & wyped he(m) / & aftirward @ie ete .
And what I @ou#t & sare my wyf / he vs wel ytolde
he behet vs @ere an heire / in owr(e) olde age
Ful trwe tokne @(er) is / whan we to-gidre meti@ .
how he fonded me firste / my fair(e) sone ysak
To make sac(ri)fyce of hi(m) / he het me hy(m) hono(ur)e .
I wi@-sat nou#t his sawe / in so@e I byleue
wer(e) I walke in @is worlde / he wil it me allowe .
I circu(m)sised my sne / also for his sake
Myne affiaunce in faye / is ferme i(n) his byleue .
For he seide I sholde haue / & myne issue bo@e
londe & lordship ynow / & lyf w(i)t(h)-outen ende .
To me & to myne issue / more he bihieght
Mercy for owre myssededis / also many tymes .
As he wilned & wolde / wi@ h(er)te & mow@e it aske .
And si@en he sent me to seyn / & seide @(a)t I sholde
worchipe hi(m) w(i)t(h) wyn / & wi@ bred bo@e
At onys on an auter / in worchep of @e t(ri)nite .
And make sacrifice so / som-what it betokene@ . .
I leue @at my lorde @enke@ / a newe lawe to make . Et fiet vnu(m) ouile & vnn(us) pastor . .
Thus haue I ben his herawde here / & also in helle .
And conforted careful / @(a)t aftir his comyng loken .
For-@i I seke hi(m) I seyde / for sent Ioh(an) @e baptiste .
Saide @(a)t he sawe here / @at sholde saue vs alle . Ecce agn(us) dei
@a(n)ne had I wondre of his wordis / & of his wyde clo@es .
For in his bosme he bar / @(a)t he blessid oft
And @anne I loked in his lappe / a lazar lay @(er)Inne .
wi@ patriarkes & p(ro)phetes / @(er)e pleyinge to-gidres .
what awaitestow q(uo)d he / & woldestow haue
I wolde wyten q(uo)d I / what is in @i lappe
lo q(uo)d he & let me se / mersy lorde I seyde .
This present is of myche p(r)se / what p(ri)nce shal it haue .
This fair(e) p(re)sent q(uo)d he / @e powke ha@ attached .
And me @(er)-wi@ q(uo)d @e man / ne may no mede vs quite .
May no bierne ben owr(e) borow / to bryng vs out of daunger
Fro @e powkes pynfolde / no maynpryse may vs fecche
Til he come @(a)t I carpe of / crist is his name
That shal vs delyuere / out of @e deueles power
A bettre wedde for vs to wage / @an we ben alle wor2i .
And @(a)t is lyf for lif / or ligge stille eure .
lollyng in my lappe @us / tyl suche a lorde vs fecche .
Allas I seide @(a)t synne / so longe shal lette
The my#t of goddis m(er)cy / @(a)t my#t vs alle amende .
I wept for his wordis / wi@ @(a)t saw I ano@er .
Rapely renne for@e / @e ri#t wey he went
And I afrayned hy(m) fast / fro wennes he come .
whate hieght wyte I wolde / & wisly he me tolde .
Secundus Passus / De Dowel
I am spes q(uo)d he @o / & spir aftyr ORIG>akni#ta kni#t
@(a)t toke me ORIG>amaundementa maundement / vpon @e mownt of synaye
To rewle alle rewmes wi@ / in ri#t & in resou(n)
lo her(e) @e l(et)re q(uo)d he / in latyn & in ebrew
That I sey @e so@e / se it wo-so lyke@
Is it asseled I seide / may men se @i l(et)res .
Nay he seide I seke hi(m) / @(a)t ha@ @e sele to kepe
@(a)t crist is c(ri)stendome / & cros @(er)on to honge .
were it @er-wi@ asseled / I wote wel @e so@e
@(a)t lucyfers lordshipe / lowe sholde ligge
lete se @i l(et)res q(uo)d I / we my#t @e lawe knowe .
he plyght for@ a patent / a pece of a harde roche .
Ther-on ywrytyn two wordes of texte wel yglosed .
Dilige deum & p(ro)ximu(m) tuu(m) & c(etera) .
This was @e texte trwly / I toke ful gode hede
And gloriously @e glose ywryte / w(i)t(h) a gilt penne .
In hijs duobus mandatis tota lex pendet .>
Is here alle @i lordes l(et)res / #e leue it wel he seide
& who @(a)t worchep @is writt / I wil vnd(er)take .
Ne shal neur(e) deuel hi(m) dere / ne de@ i(n) sowle agreue .
For @ow I sey it my-self / I haue kept wi@ @is charme .
Of men & of wo(m)men / mony score @owsande
he sei@ so@ seide fei@ / for I haue fownde it trwe .
lo here in my lappe lyue / @(a)t leued on @(a)t l(et)re
Iosue & Iudith / & Iudas Makabeus .
And sex @owsand mo #it / I can nou#t sey her names
#owr(e) wordes ar wonderful q(uo)d I / wher eny of #ow be trwe
lelly to be-leuen on / for body or for sowle
Abrah(a)m sei@ @(a)t he seigh / @e t(ri)nite al holely
Thre p(er)sones p(ar)celmele / dep(ar)table fro o@re .
& alle @re but o god / @us sei@ he in his sawe .
And ha@ ysaued @(a)t it bileued / & sory were of synne .
he can no c(er)teyne su(m)me telle / & so(m)me ar in his lappe .
what nede@ it @anne / a newe lawe to gynne .
Si@@e @e first sufficed / to leue & be saued .
And now come@ here spes / @(a)t ha@ aspied @e lawe .
That of no t(ri)nite ne telli@ / ne take@ mo p(er)sones
To godhed but o god / @(a)t ay is almy#tty .
That alle men ben holde / ou(er) alle @ing to hono(ur)e
And si@@e to louen & to lene / for @at lordes sake .
Alle man(er) of men as mochel as vs self .
For to louen & byleue / on o lorde almy#ty
light is for lered / & for lewde bo@e
But for to leuen on a lorde / @(a)t is @re p(er)sones .
And @(a)t we loue sholde / @e li@er as @e lele .
#e go @i gate @ow spes / for so me god helpe .
@o @(a)t leren @i lawe / wil lytle while it vse
And as I went in @e wey / meuyng on @is mater
I saw a samaritane / sittyng on a Mule /
Rydyng ful rapely / @e ry#t wey he #ede .
Comyng fro a contre / @(a)t men called Ierico .
To Iuste i(n) Ierusalem / he Iaced ful faste
Bo@e abrah(a)m & spes / & he mette at onis .
In a wilde wildernesse / @(er)e @eues had I-bownde
A man as me @ou#t @o / to moche care & sorowe .
For he stonde ne my#t / ne stire fote ne hande
Ne helpe hym-self so@ely . for semyuyf he semyd .
As naked as a nayle / & none helpe aboute hym
Fei@ first hi(m) of seigh / but he fleigh aside .
Ne wolde he nou#t neighen hy(m) / by ORIG>ixnine londes lenght
And hope hippid aftre / @(a)t had so ybosted
how he w(i)t(h) his maundement / many men ha@ holpen
But whan he say @e seke / a-syde he can hi(m) drawe .
And dredfully wi@-drowe hi(m) / he dorst go no nerre .
But whan @(a)t samaritan / say @e sely seke .
he light anon of lyard / & ledde hy(m) in hande .
And to @e why he went / he wou(n)des to be-holde .
hym @ou#t by his chere / he was in poynt to dye .
And but he sonner were softned / ryse sholde he neur(e)
he braided for@ his botellis / & bo@e hem atamed .
wi@ wyn & w(i)t(h) oyle / his woundes gan he lyche .
Enbaumed @(er)e his body / & on bayerd sette /
And ledde hi(m) for@ / to lauacru(m) / lex dei < ORIG>agraungea graunge . .
Is six myle or seuene / biside @e new market .
he left hym @ere a-leching / to lyue #if he my#te
he toke @e hosteler two pans / to take kepe to hym
And al @(a)t go@ for medycyne / I make @e gode agaynward
For I may nou#t lette now / & lyard he bistride@ .
And rapid hym to ride / @e ri#t wey to Ierusalem .
@a(n)ne fai@ & his felaw spes / folowed faste aftre .
I suwed @(a)t samaritan / & seide how @ei bo@e
were aferde & fled awey / fro @e man ywounded .
haue hem excused q(uo)d he / her help may nou#t auaille .
Ne medycyne vnder molde / @e man to hele brynge .
Nei@(er) fei@ ne fyn hope / so fostred ar his woundes .
wi@-outen blode of a bierne / he be@ nou#t ysaued .
@(a)t ilke bierne nede mote / be borne of a mayde
And wi@ @e blode of @(a)t bierne / enbawmed & baptized .
Thow he stonde & for@ steppe / strong wor@e he neur(e)
Tyl he haue eten al @e bierne / & his blode ydronke .
And plastred wi@ pacience / wha(n) fondyng hy(m) prike@ .
For went neure why @is way / @(a)t he ne was @ere yryfled
Saue my-self so@ely / & suche as I loued /
#it mote he leue lelly / vpon @(a)t lytle baby /
@(a)t his lykam shal leche / & at last vs alle .
A swete syre I seyde / ne shal nou#t we be-leue
As fei@ & his felawe / enformed me bo@e .
In @re p(er)sones on p(ar)celles / dep(ar)table fro o@(er)e .
And alle @re but o god / @us abrah(a)m me tau#t .
And hope #it @(er)-aftirward / @(er)-of more tolde .
he lered me for his loue / to louen alle mankynde .
And hi(m) abouen alle / & hem as my-self .
Nei@(er) lakke ne lose / ne leue @(a)t @(ere)e were .
Any wikkedder in worlde / @an I my-self were /
And most inp(ar)fit of alle / & paciently suffre .
Alle man(er) of men / @ou#gh I my#t a-venge me .
I sholde @ole & @onken hym / @(a)t me yuel wolde .
#e q(uo)d @(a)t samaritan / & so I rede @e also .
That as h abraham @e olde / of o god @e tau#te
loke @(o)u loue & byleue . al @i lyf tyme .
#if kynde witte be @(er)-agayne / or eny kynnes @ou#tes .
Or heretyk w(i)t(h) argument / @i honde @(o)u hi(m) shewe .
For o god @(a)t al gan / in gynnyng of @e worlde .
Ferd as a fiste / & #it do@ as I leue / Mu(n)du(m) pugillo co(n)tinens .
As a fiste wi@-out fyngre / yfolde to-gidres .
Tyl hym lyked & lyst / vnlese / @e fryngre .
And p(ro)fre it wi@ @e pawme . to what place it sholde .
The pawme is pe@@e of @e hande / & p(ro)fre@ @e fyngris .
To mynystre & to make / @(a)t my#t of hande knowe@ .
That trwly bytokene@ / telle who-so lyke@
The holy gost / of heuene / he is as @e palme .
The fyngres @(a)t fre ben / to folde & to clicche .
Signifie@ @e sone / @at sent was to er@e
That towched & tasted / at techyng of @e palme .
That in mayden marie / mankynde lau#te Natus ex maria v(ir)gine .
The fader @anne is al @e fiste / wi@ fyngre & w(i)t(h) palme .
To hyde & to hele / as holy writ telli@ . O(m)(n)ia t(ra)ham ad me ip(su)m . . .
That fyngre grepi@ he gripe@ / but #if it greue .
Thus ar @ei alle but on / as it an hande were .
A fiste wi@ a fyngre / & a ful palme
As fiste is a ful hande / yfolde to-gidres .
So is @e fader ful god / @e first of hem alle .
Os my fyste is firste / ar I my fyngre shewe .
So is @e fader formeo(ur) / @e first of alle @ingis .
Dext(er)e dei tu digit(us)
The palme is purely @e hande / & power by hi(m)-self
For @e palme ha@ power / to put out alle @e Ioyntis .
& to vnfolde @e fiste / @(a)t to hi(m) bilongi@
& take @(a)t @e fyngre reche@ / refuse #if hi(m) like@ .
al @(a)t @e fyngre & @e fyste / feli@ & towchi@ .
#if he be greued w(i)t(h) @e gripe / @e palme lat it falle .
And @us is holygost god / gretter ne lesser .
Then in is @e syre or @e sone / & of @e same my#te .
And alle @re but o god / as hande & @e fyngres .
vnfolden or folden / a fist wyse or ellys .
Al is but one honde / how-so I torne it .
But who-so is hurt in @e hande / euene in @e myddes .
he may reseyue ri#t nou#t / reson it shewi@ .
For @e fyngres @(a)t folden / & @e fiste maken .
For peyne of @e palme / power hem faille@ .
To clicche or to clawe / to clippe or to holde .
were @e mydde of myn honde / w(i)t(h)-out malice .
In many kynes maner / I my#t me helpe .
Be @is simile he seide / I se an euydence .
That who synne@ in spirit / assoilled wor@e he neur(e) .
Qui peccat i(n) sp(irit)u(m) s(an)cto no(n) dimittet(ur) i(n) hoc s(an)cto neq(ua)m in fut(ur)o
he prikke@ god in @e palme . qui p(ec)cat in sp(irit)u(m) .
For @e fader as @e fiste / @e filius as @e fyngre .
The holygost of heuene . he is as @e palme
he @at synne@ in spirit / it seme@ @at he greue@ .
God @(er)e he gripe@ / & wolde his grace quenche .
To a torche or a tapre / @e t(ri)nite is likned . .
As wex & a weke / were twyned to-gydre .
And @anne flaumbyng / fyre / for@ on hem bo@e .
So as wex & weke / & warme fyre to-gydre .
Festren & flaumbe / & faire leye
@(a)t s(er)ue@ @ise swy(n)kers / to se by a ny#ttys .
So @e syre & @e sonne / & @e spirit alle to-gydre .
Fostren a-monge folke / loue & byleue .
That alleky(n)nes c(ri)stene / clense@ of synne
& some tyme as @(o)u seest / sodenly a torche .
The blase be blowen out / #it brenny@ @e wyke .
w(i)t(h)-outen leye or li#t / fyre in @e mache .
So is @(er)e holygost / grace w(i)t(h)-out mercye
To vnkynde creatures / @(a)t coueite to destrwe .
Mannes lykame & li#f / @(a)t owr(e) lorde shapt
Os glowyng gledes serue@ / nou#t to werkemen .
To wirche by & waken / in wyntris ny#ttes .
As do@ a candel & a kex / @at lau#t ha@ a blase .
No more @e syre & @e sone / & Spiritus to-gidre .
Graunt no g(ra)ce / forgifnes of synnes .
Tyl @(a)t @e holigoste / a-gynne to blase .
For @e hiegh{bar) holigost / glowe@ but as glede .
Tyl @at loue & byleue / lelly hi(m) blowe .
Thanne flaumbe@ he as fyre / on fader & on fili(us)
he melti@ my#te in-to mercy / as we sen in wyntre .
I-se-iklle in euesyng / in hete of @e sonne .
Melte@ in a moment / to myste & to watre .
So g(ra)ce of @e holygoste / @e my#t of @e t(ri)nite .
Melte@ al to mercy / @(a)t merciable is eure . .
As wex al wi@-oute weke / vpon a warme glede .
wil brennyn & blasyn / be @ei to-gidre
So wyl @e fader for-gyf / folke . of mylde hertis .
That repent refully / & make restituciou(n) .
Inas-myche as @ei mowe / amenden & payen . .
And #if it suffyce nou#t / @at so gatis dye@ .
Mersy for his mekenesse / wil make gode @e remnant .
So as @e weke & warme fyre / wil make ORIG>afairea faire flawmbe For to myr@e men wi@ / @at in merke sitte@ .
So c(ri)st of his curteisye / & men crie hi(m) mercye .
wil forgyue & forgete / & #it bidde for vs .
To @e fader of heuene / for#ifnesse to haue .
But hewe fyre at a flynte / fowre hu(n)dre@ wyntre .
But @(o)u haue towe to talke it wi@ / tondre & broches
Al @i labour is lost / & @i longe trauaille .
May no fyre make flawmbe / faile it is kynde .
So is @e holigost god g(ra)ce w(i)t(h)-out mercy
To alle vnky(n)de creatures / as crist sei@ hym-self .
#if @(o)u be vnky(n)de / for al @(a)t @(o)u canst bidde . Ame(n) dico uob(is) nescio vos .
And purchace p(ar)dou(n) / of Rowncyuale & Rome .
#if @(o)u be ingratus / to @ine euene-c(ri)stene
@e holigoste ne here@ @e nou#t / ne helpi@ @e i(n) c(er)teyne .
vnkyndenesse hi(m) quenchi@ / @(a)t he ne can nou#t shine .
Ne brenne ne blase clere / for vnkynde blowyng .
Poule @e holy postle / preue@ @(a)t I seye . Si ling(ui)s ho(mi)nu(m)
Be@ ywar #e wyse men / @(a)t w(i)t(h) @e worlde dele@ .
@(a)t knowe@ ry#t & resou(n) / reule wel #o(ur)e-selfwe .
Ne be #e nou#t vnkynde / to #our(e) euene-cristene .
For many of @ise ryche men / so@ely to seye .
Brenne but @ei blase nou#t / @(a)t is a blynde bekne .
No(n) o(m)(n)is q(ui) dic(i)t d(omi)ne d(omi)ne / intrabit in regnu(m) celor(um) .
Ne mene@ #ow
Ne mene@ #ow nou#t ryche men / wyche a mysauenture
That Diues died dampned / for his vnkyndenesse .
Of mete & of mone / to men @(a)t had nede .
#it toke he no @ing wi@ wrong / ne wi@ queynte sleyghtes .
But ri#tfully as men rat / al his ricchesse cam hy(m) . .
But he so@ely sei@ @e boke / sotilled how he my#t
lyuen moste lordely / & on hislykame were /
Clo@es of most coste / as clerkys declaren . Epulabat(ur) sple(n)dide & in bisso & c(etera)
And for he was a nygard / to @e nedi pore .
Goddis traito(ur) he is tolde / for al his trwe catel .
And dampned he dwelle@ / depe dou(n) in helle .
And si@@e he wi@-oute wyle / wi@ trw@e & wi@ resou(n) .
wan his lordeshipe here / & #it is demed to helle .
how wil ryche men now / @(a)t lyuen on @is molde .
Excuse hem @(a)t ben vnkynde / & #it her catel wynne .
wi@ treson & w(i)t(h) trecherie / in alle her lyf-tyme .
Facite vobis amicos de mamona iniq(ui)tatis>
Eche a ryche I rede / rewarde her-of take .
And gyue #o(ur)e good to god / @(a)t grace of a-ryse@ .
who is vnkynde to hi(m) / hope he no o@re .
But dwelle w(i)t(h) Dyues / day wi@-owten ende .
For cursed is vnkyndenesse / @(a)t quenche@ as it were
The g(ra)ce of @e holygost / goddis owne kynde .
For al @(a)t kyndenesse do@ / vnkyndenesse vndo@ .
Os cursed @eues / vnkynde cristenemen
For coueitise & enuye / sley a man in er@e
For monee or for nobles / wi@ mow@e or wi@ handes .
That ha@ @e holygost to kepe . @e harlotes destrue@ .
@at is @e lyf & loue / @e leye of mannys body .
For eury maner god man / is likned to a torche .
Or ellis to ORIG>ataprea tapre / @e t(ri)nite @(a)t reu(er)ence@ .
& who-so m(ur)@reth a man / me @inke@ by myne Inwit .
Fo-do@ @e ly#t @(a)t owr(e) lorde / sholde w(i)t(h) be worchepyd .
how my#t he axe mercye / or mercy hym defende .
That wil no mercy graunt / to hi(m) @(a)t mercy axe@ .
Innocence is nexte god / & ny#t & day it crie@ .
venIaunce . venIaunce / for#iuen be it neure .
That shent vs & shed blode / a#eins goddest heste .
Vindica sang(ui)nem u(sto)r(u)m / Deus n(ost)r(e) . .
Thus venIaunce verre / charite it axe@ .
And sythen holycherche / charge@ it so sore .
leue I nou#t oure lorde / atte laste ende .
wil loue lelly @(a)t lyf / @(a)t charite destrue@ .
I suppose q(uo)d I / @(a)t synned had I so . . .
#if it repente me / a-fore @(a)t I dye
Confesse me & crye / to god of his g(ra)ce .
And axe mercy of hi(m) / may I nou#t be saued .
#is q(uo)d @e samaritan / so wel @(o)u may repent .
@(a)t ri#t wi@ his resou(n) / to rew@e may torne .
But @is is selden yseyn / in selcow@e si#tes .
@(a)t any man coupable / afore a kynges Iustice .
Be rawmceounde for rew@e / @e resou(n) hi(m) deme@ .
whan p(ar)tye pursue@ / @e pel is so huge
May no man m(er)cy graunt / til bo@e men a-corde .
That @ei haue bo@e equite / as witnesse@ holy wryt
nu(m)q(ua)m dimittit(ur) p(ec)ct(a)m n(isi) restituatur ablatu & c(etera)
Thus it fare@ by folke / @(a)t folow her owne wille .
That yuel lyuen & lete nou#t / tyl synne hem forsake .
@anne drede of desp(er)aciou(n) / al for-drie@ grace .
That m(er)cy in her mynde / may nou#t wel ben axed .
whan al @e helpe of hope / to whanhope torne@ . . .
And nou#t of nou(n)power / of god ful of my#t .
To mende @at misse is / his mercy is gretter .
Than al owr(e) wikked werke / as holy writ telli@ .
M(isericord)ia eius super omnia opera eius .
But ar ri#t to rew@e torne / he make@ restituciou(n) .
his sorow is satisfacciou(n) / for hym @(a)t may nou#t paye .
Tre @inges @(er) ben / @(a)t do@ a man to sterte
Out of his owne hows / as holywrit shewi@ .
That on is a wikkyd wyf / @(a)t wil nou#t be chasted . .
here fere fley fro hir / for fer of her tonge .
#if his hows be vnhiled / & rayne on his bedde .
he seke@ & seke@ / tyl he slepe drye .
whan smoke & smoldre / smyt in his eighen .
@(a)t is werse @an his wyf / or wetnesse to slepe .
Thorow smoldre & smoke / smerte@ his si#the
Til he be blereied or blynde / @e borre in his @rote .
Thise @re I telle of / be@ @us to vnder-stonde .
@e wyf is owr(e) wikke flesshe / @(a)t wil nou#t be chasted .
For kynde kenne@ hi(m) eure / to cont(ra)rye @e sowle .
Thei he faille he fynt skile / @e frelete it made .
That is li#tly for#iue . & for#et bo@e .
#if he mercy aske@ / & amende @enke@ .
The reyne @(a)t @(er)e regne@ / @(er)e we reste sholde .
Be@ sikenesse & sorowes / @(a)t we suffre oft .
Os powle @e holy postle / in his pistle teche@ . Virtus i(n)nfirmitate p(er)ficitur
& @ei @(a)t men make moche dole / in angre .
To grucchen i(n) penaunce / pure resou(n) kenne@
The cause of her co(n)t(ra)rie / bi kynde of her sekenesse
And ful li#tly owr(e) lorde / at her lyues ende .
Mercy ha@ of suche men / @(a)t yuel may suffre
But @e smoke & @e smoldre / @(a)t smyt in owr(e) eighen .
@(a)t is owre vnkyndenesse @(a)t quenche@ goddis mercye .
vnkyndenesse is co(n)t(ra)rie / to all kynnes resou(n) .
For @(er)e ne is syke ne sory / ne none so myche wrecche .
@(a)t he ne may loue & hi(m) lyke / lelly in herte .
For good wille & good worde / wisshen & wilnen .
Alle maner of men / mercy & forgifnes .
And louen hym as hy(m)-self / @(a)t he his lif amende .
I may nou#t lette q(uo)d he / & lyard he pryked .
And went a-wey as @e wynde / & @(er)wi@ I a-waked .
Tercius Passus De Dobet .
Wollewarde & weetshodde / went I for@ aftre
As a recheles renke / @at rou#t nou#t of sorowe .
And #ede leke a lorel / al my lyf tyme /
Tyl I was wery of @e worlde / & wilned eft to slepe .
I lened me to lentyn / & longe tyme I slept .
Of greles & gl(or)ia laus / gretely me dremed .
and how osanna by organ / olde folke songen .
On lyke @(a)t samarytan & also piers plowman .
Barfot on asse bakke / boteles cam prykye .
wi@-out spores o@(er) spere / spertely he loked .
As is @e kynde of a kni#t / @(a)t come@ to be dubbed .
To geten her(e) gilte spores / & galoches cowped .
And fei@ in a fenestre / cried fili dauid .
As do@ an heroude of armis / whan auntrous come2 to Iustis
The Iuwes of Iherusalem / for Ioy @ei songen .
@a(n)ne frayned I at fei@ / wat al @(a)t far(e) ment B(e)n(e)dict(us) qui ven(i)t i(n) no(m)i(n)e d(omi)ni
& who shal Iuste i(n) Ier(usa)l(e)m / Ihesus he seide .
And fecche @(a)t @e fende stale / piers frut @e plowman
Is piers in @is place q(uo)d I / & he vpon me preynte .
liberum dei arbitriu(m) / for loue ha@ vndertake .
That Ihesus of his Ientrice / shal iuste in piers armys .
In his helme & habreoun / humana natura .
@(a)t criste be nou#t knowe / for consumatus deus .
In @e plowma(n)nes plates / @is priker shal ryde .
For no dynt shal hi(m) dere / in deitate patris .
who shal Iuste w(i)t(h) hi(m) q(uo)d I / @e Iuwes or @e sc(ri)bes .
Nay q(uo)d he @e foule fende / @(a)t false is in his demyng .
For de@ sei@ he wil for-do / & al adown brynge
al @(a)t lyue@ o@er loke@ / in lande or & in watre .
lyf sei@ @(a)t he lyk@e / & ha@ leyde his lyf . . . .
For @(a)t al @(a)t eur(e) de@ can do / wi@Inne @re daies to walke .
& fecche a-wey fro @e fende / piers frute @e ploughma(n) .
& leyne it @(er)e hi(m) lyke@ / & lucifer to bynde .
For-betyn & bryng doun / bale de@ for eure . O mors ero tus m[]
@(a)t cam pilat in pres / sedens p(ro) t(ri)bunali
To se @e doughtynesse of hem / & deme her bo@es ri#t .
The Iuwes & @e Iustice / agayne Ihesu @ei were
And alle @e courte cried / crucifige loude .
Thane put hi(m) for@ an a pelo(ur) / a-for pilat & seide .
This Ihesu owr(e) Iuwes temple / Iaped & dispised .
To for-done it on a day / & in @re dayes aftre .
Eidfye it eft newe / here he stant @(a)t seid it .
& #it make it as moche / in alle man(er) poyntes .
Bo@e as longe & as large / a-loft & agrounde .
And as wyde as eure it was / @is we witnesse alle .
Crosse hi(m) q(uo)d a cacche-polle / he can of wychecraft .
Tolle tolle q(uo)d a-no@er / & toke of kene @ornes . .
And bygan of grene @orne / a garlonde to make
he sette it sone on his hed / & seide in grete enuye
Que rabby q(uo)d @(a)t rybaude / & rysed hi(m) to scorne .
Thei nailed hi(m) w(i)t(h) nailes / naked on @e rode .
and w(i)t(h) a pole poysoun / put vp to his lippis .
@ei bad hi(m) dry(n)ke his de@ to lete / & his daies leng@ .
And seide #if he sotile be / hi(m)-self now wil he helpe
Consu(m)matu(m) e(st) q(uo)d crist & comsed / for to swowe .
Ful pitously & pale / so as a prison die@
The lorde of lif & of li#t / @anne leide his eighen to-gidre .
The day for drede @(er)of w(i)t(h)-drow / & derke bikan @e sonne .
The wal of @e temple clef euene / in two pecis
@e harde roche al to-rof / & derke ni#t it semyd .
@e er@e quaked & quoke / as it quikke were
& ded men for @(a)t dene / come out of depe g(ra)ues .
& tolde whi @e tempeste / so longe tyme dured .
For a bitter bataille / @e ded body sayde
lyf & de@ in @is derke / @(a)t on fordo@ @(a)t o@(er)e .
But shal @(er)e no wight ywyte / who shal haue @e maistrie .
Ar a sonday sonne riste / & sank w(i)t(h) @(a)t tyl er@e .
Tha(n)ne seide one / he was goddis sone / @(a)t so faire died ver(e) fili(us) dei er(a)t iste
An-o@(er) seide he can sorcerye / good is we assaye .
where he be ded or nou#t ded / doun or he be taken .
Two stronge @eues @o / tholed de@ @(a)t tyme
vpon @e cros biside criste / so was @e co(mun)e lawe .
A cacchepol for@ cam / & craked alle her legges .
And @anne her armys after / of either of @o @eues .
But @(er)e was boy none so bolde /goddis body to towche .
For he was a kynges sone / kynde #af @(a)t tyme
@(a)t no boy was so hardy / hi(m) to towche in deyng
But @(er)e cam ORIG>ably(n)dea bly(n)de kni#t / w(i)t(h) a spere ygrou(n)de .
A-for pilat & o@(er) peple / in @e place he houed .
And maugre his te@ @o / he was made @(a)t tyme
To Iuste w(i)t(h) Ihesu sire longeus / @e blynde .
For @ei were nou#t so hardy / @(a)t houed @(er)e & stode .
To touche hi(m) nou#t onis / to take hi(m) @(er)e adou(n)
But @(a)t blynde bacheler / @(a)t bare hi(m) @orow @e h(er)te .
Blode spronge by @e spere / & vnsperid his eighen .
Tho fel @e kni#t on his knees / & cried Ihesu m(er)cy .
For it was a-gayne my wille / @(a)t I @(a)t wounde made .
he siked & seide @o / sore it me for-@inke@
Of @e dede @(a)t I haue don / I do me in @i g(ra)ce .
Al my lande & my lykame / at @i wille @(o)u take it .
And rewe on me @(o)u ri#tful kynge / & ri#t w(i)t(h) @(a)t he wept
And @a(n)ne fei@ felly / @e Iuwes gan dispise .
he called hem cayteues / cursed for eure .
For @is fowle vylene / venIaunce #ow be-falle .
To beten a ded body / @is was a boyes dede . .
#e cursed caytyues / kni#thode was it neure .
To beten a body bounden / wi@ a bri#t vepne .
And #it @e gre ha@ he geten / for alle his grete woundis .
For #owr(e) beste chyualer / chi And alle f kni#t of #ow alle
#elt hi(m) recreaunt rennyng / at Ihesu wille .
And be @is derkenesse done / his de@ wor@ auenged .
And alle #o(ur)e false fraunchise / falne is to @raldam .
And alle #o(ur)e childre cherles / cheue schal #e neure
Now be #o(ur)e gode daies done / as daniel #ow tolde .
wha(n) c(ri)st i(n) crosse #ow ou(er)come / #owr(e) kyngdome sholde cleue .
& so for fere of ferly / & of @e false Iuwes . Cu(m) uen(er)it s(anc)t(u)s s(anc)tor(um) cessat .
I drowe to @e derkenesse / to decendit ad i(n)ferna .
And @(er)e I sawe so@ely . s(e)c(un)d(u)m sc(ri)pturas .
Out of @e west as it were / a wenche @e me tau#te
She cam walkyng in @e wey / to helle-warde she loked .
Mercy hi#t @(a)t maide / a mylde @ing wi@-alle .
And ri#t a benyng bierde / & boxome of speche .
her sustre as it semed / soft walked aftre
Euene out of @e este / & westward she @ou#te .
A comelyche creature / & trw@e was her name .
For @e vertu @(a)t hir folowed / a-ferde was sche neur(e) .
wha(n)ne @ise maydenes metten / mercy & trw@e .
Aither axed o@(er) / of @is gret wondre .
Of @e dene & derkhede / & how @e day clered .
And wiche a li#t & a lem / lay a-forne helle .
I haue ferly of @is fare / in fei@ seide trw@e .
And am wendyng to wyte / wat @is wondre meni@ .
haue no meruel q(uo)d mercy / myrthe it be-tokeni@ .
A maide @(a)t hat marie / a modre bout fylyng
Of eny ky(n)nes creature / conceyued @orow speche .
And w(i)t(h) @e g(ra)ce of @e holigost / was gret w(i)t(h) childe .
wi@-owten wo(m)ma(n)nes wemme / in-to @is worlde brou#t hy(m)
@(a)t my tale is al trwe / I take god to witnesse . . .
Si@@e @is bierne borne was . is . ORIG>xxxtithirti wyntre passed .
he died & de@ @oled / @is day aboute none
@(a)t is @e cause of @is clips / @(a)t close@ al @e sonne .
In menyng @(a)t man shal / fro merkenesse be drawe .
whil @is li#t & @is lowe / shal lucifer ablende
For patriarkes & p(ro)phetes / had p(ar)led her of oft .
That@orow a tree tynt was / a tre schal it awynne .
And @at de@ adou(n) brou#t / de@ shal releue .
@(a)t @(o)u tellest q(uo)d trw@e / is but a tale of waltrot .
For adam & Eue / & abraham w(i)t(h) o@(er)e .
Patriarkes p(ro)phetes / @(a)t in peyne liggen .
leue it neure #one li#t / hem a-loft brynge
no haue hem out of helle / holde @i tonge m(er)cy .
It is a trwfle @(a)t @(o)u tellest / I trw@e wot @e so@e .
who @(a)t onys is in helle / come@ he neur(e) out .
Iob @e Ientil patriarke / rep(ro)ue@ @i sawes . Q(ui) i(n) inferno nulla e(st) rede(m)pcio
The(n)ne mercy ful myldely / mowthed @ise wordis
Thorow exp(er)ience q(uo)d she / I hope @ei shal be saued
For venym shal for-do venym / @(er)e fecche I euydence .
That Adam & Eue / haue shal @ei bote .
Of al fretyng venym / @e vilest is @e scorpyon
May no medycyne amende / @e place @(er)e he stynge@ .
Til he be ded & do @(er)to / & @anne he destrue@ .
Al @at de@ @(a)t @e deuel . did formest to Eue .
And also @(a)t gilour / giled man formest
So @at grace @(a)t al gan / shal make a gode ende .
& so @e gilo(ur) agile / @(a)t is a goode sleight . Ars vt artem fall(er)[]
Now suffre seide trw@e / I se as me @inke .
Out of @e hiegh nor@e / nou#t wel far hennes .
Ri#t come@ rennyng / rest we @e wyle . . .
For he wote more @an we / he was ar we bo@e
That is so@e seide mercye / & I se here bysowght .
how pes come@ pleying / in pacience / yclo@ed .
hir loue hir ha@ coueited longe / hope I none o@(er)e . . .
But loue hir ha@ a l(et)re sent / what @is li#t by-meny@ .
That ou(er)-houe@ helle / @(a)t shal she vs telle .
wha(n) pes i(n) pacience / cladde had salued her ei@(er) o@er .
Ri#t @enne reu(er)enced pes / in her ryche clo@ing .
And preid pes to telle her / to what place she wolde .
and i(n) hir gaye garment / whome she gald @ouEt
I wil wende q(uo)d pes / & welcome hem alle .
@(a)t I ne my#te longe sen / for merkenesse of synne .
Adam & Eue / & o@(er) mo in helle .
Moyses & many mo / of mercy shal synge . . .
And I shal daunce @(er)to / do @(o)u so sostre
For Ihesu Iusted wel / ioye gynne@ day . Ad vesp(er)u(m) demorabit(ur) flet(us) & ad leticia
loue @(a)t is my le(m)man / a l(et)re to me sent
@(a)t mercy my sistre & I / shal haue al mankynde .
And @(a)t god ha@ forgyuen / & graunte@ al mankynde . .
Mercy my sostre & me / to menp(ri)se hem alle .
And @(a)t kynde ha@ conuert / @e kynde of ri#tfulnesse .
In to pes & pitee / of his pure g(ra)ce . .
lo here @e patent q(uo)d pes . in pace in idip(su)m
And @(a)t @is dede shal dure / dormiam & requiescam .
Rauestow q(uo)d ri#t @o / or ellys artow dronke .
leuestow @(a)t #one li#t / vnloke my#t helle .
And saue mannes sowle / sustre wene it newr(e)
At @e gynnyng of @e worlde / god gaf @e dome hi(m)-self
@(a)t Adam & Eue / & al his issue aftre .
Sholde dye down-ri#t / & dwelle in peyne eure .
#if @ei towched @(a)t tre / & of @e frute ete .
And adam @(a)t aftirwarde / agaynes his defence . . .
Fret of @e frute @o / forsoke as it were .
Al @e loue of owr(e) lorde / & his lore bo@e .
And folowed @e fende al / & did his flesshe wille . .
Thorow resou(n) & ri#t / recorde it wi@ tru@e
her peyne is p(er)petuel / no p(ra)ier may hem helpe .
For it is boteles bale / @e bite @(a)t @ei eten /
#it shal I preue q(uo)d pes . here peyne may haue ende .
& @(a)t here wo into wele / may wende atte laste
For ne had @ei wist of woo / wel had @ei neur(e) knowen .
For no wi#te wote what wel is / @(a)t neur(e) wo ne suffred
Ne what is hote hu(n)ger @at neure had defaute .
who cow@e kyndely whyte / colo(ur) discreue .
'#if alle @e worlde were white / and alle me(n) alyche .
#if no ni#t ne were / no man as I leue
Sholde ywyte wisly / what day is to mene .
Ne had god ysuffrid / of o@(er) @an hi(m)-self .
Ne had he wist redyly / were de@ is sowr(e) or swete .
For sholde neure ryche ma(n) / @(a)t lyue@ in ORIG>alhel@eal hel@e
wyten wat wo is / ne were de@ of kynde
So god @(a)t al gan / of his gode wille
Bekam man of a mayde / mankynde to saue .
And suffred here to be solde / to se @e sorow of deyng
@(a)t vnknitte@ @e care / & comse@ to rest
For til defaute fede vs / I may it wel a-vowe .
Ne wot @er none as I wene . what is ynow to mene .
For @i god of his goodnesse / @e first man Adam .
Set in solace firste / & sou(er)eigne in myr@e .
And si@en soffred hi(m) to synne / sorowes to fele .
To wyten wat wel was / & kyndely it knowe .
And now ha@ owr(e) lorde lau#t / of adames kynde .
To wyte what he suffred / in @re sondry places
Bo@e in heuene & in er@e / & now in helle @inke@ .
To wyten what woo is / @at wot of al Ioye . O(m)(n)ia p(ro)bate quo bonu(m) est tenete
So sal it fare by @is folke / her foly & her sy?ue .
Sal lere hem what loue is / & blisse wi@-outen ende .
For wot none what werre is / @(er)e as pes regne Than was a wight w(i)t(h) two ? ey?
Ne what is kyndely wel / tyl welowey hi(m) teche .
Boke hi#te @(a)t beupere / a bolde man of speche .
Trwly q(uo)d @e boke / I wil bere witnesse
@o @is bierne was Iborne / @e blased a sterre .
@(a)t alle @e wyse of @is worlde / in o wit acorded .
@at suche a bierne was ybore / in bedlem sytee . .
That sholde mannes soule saue / & synne destrue
The elementis q(uo)d @e boke / her-of bere witnesse .
That he was god ful of my#t / @e welkne wel Ishewed
For @o @(a)t weren in heuene / token a sterre Comato
And tenden it as a torche / to reu(er)ence his bir@e
The li#te folowed @e lorde / into @e lowe er@e .
The watir wiste he was god / he went @er-on drye
And peter @e apostle / pursued his gate .
And har he went on @e watre / tristily he seide D(omi)ne iube me venire .
lo how @@e sonne gan to lowke / her li#t i(n) her-self .
whan she seigh hi(m) dye / @at sonne & se made
The er@e for euynesse / @at he wolde dye
Quaked as a quyk @ing / @o rasshet alle @e roches .
Now lucifer shal leue it / @ow hi(m) lo@e @inke .
For Ihesu @e gyaunt / come@ now in haste .
To breken & bete doun / alle @(a)t be@ agayne hi(m)
And to han out of helle / hem @at hi(m) like@ .
And I boke wil be brent / but he aryse to lyue
And conforte al his kynne / & out of care brynge .
And al Iuwne ioye / vnioigne & unlowke .
And but @ei leue his vpriste / & @e rode hono(ur)e
And leue on a New lawe / be lost lyf & sowle
Now suffre we seide trw@e / I here & se bo@e .
how a spirit speki@ to helle / & bit vnspere @e gatis Attollite portas p(ri)ncipes
A voice lowde in @at li#te / to lucifer seide .
Prynces of @is place / prest vndo @is gatis .
For here come@ wi@ ORIG>acrownea crowne @e kyng of alle glorie .
Than siked sathan / & seide to hem alle .
kare & combraunce / vs come@ at fulle .
#if @is kyng in come / mankynde to fette .
And lede it owt of @is lede / & li#tly me bynde .
For patriarkes & p(ro)phetes / han p(ar)led here-of loude
@(a)t suche ORIG>alordea lorde ful of li#te / shal lede he(m) alle hennes
But ryse vp Ragamoffyn / & reche me @e barres .
That belial @i belsyre / bet w(i)t(h) his damme .
And I shal lette @is lorde / & his i#t stoppe .
Ar @is bri#tnesse vs blende / barre we @e gatis .
Chekyn & cheyne he(m) / & eury chyne stoppe .
That no li#t lippe in at louer ne at hole .
Astrot hot out / & haue out alle our(e) knaues .
kostyng & al his kyn / @i caban to saue /
Breustande boiland / al brennyng out cast it .
Al hot on her hedes / @(a)t neighen @e wallis .
Beke we herbonis / wi@ brasyn gonnys .
And cheti@ out sharpely / his sheltrown to blynde .
Set Mahoun at Magonel / & Milstonis @rowi@ .
wi@ crokis & caltrappis / a-clo@e we hem alle .
liste@ q(uo)d lucifer / for I @is lorde knowe .
Bo@e lorde & his li#t / is longe ago I knewe hi(m) .
Ne may no deryng hi(m) dere / ne no deueles queyntyse .
For wher he wil his wey is / but ware hi(m) of @e p(ar)eles .
#if he reue me my ry#t / he robbe@ me w(i)t(h) maistrie .
For ri#tfully in resou(n) / @e men @(a)t ben here
Bodyes & sowlis ben myne bo@e gode & ille .
For he seide it hi(m)-self / @at syre is of heuene .
That Adam & Eue & al her hole issue /
Sholde dyen wi@ dole / & here dwelle eure .
#if @ei towched a tre / to take @(er)e ORIG>a napplean apple
Thus @is lorde of @is li#t / suche a lawe made .
And si@en he is lele lorde / I leue @at he wil not .
Reue me of my ri#t / si@@e reson he(m) demed .
And si@en I was seised / Seuene @ousande wyntre .
And neur(e) was he @(er)-agayn / wolde he now bygynne .
Thanne were he variaunt of worde / @(a)t witnessi@ trw@e
@(a)t is so@e q(uo)d sathan / but I me sore dowte
For @(o)u gete hem wi@ gile / & his gardyne broke
Agayn his loue & his leue / on his londe @(o)u #edest .
Nou#t in forme of a fende / but lyke to a addre .
@(o)u entised Eue / to ete by her-self
And bihe#test hem bo@e / aftre to knowe .
To godis wi@ god / bo@e gode & ille
@us wi@ @i tresou(n) / @(o)u traidest hem bo@e .
And didest hem ben vnboxome / bi false byhestis .
And so @(o)u haddest he(m) out / & hider at laste .
It is nou#t trwly ygete / @ere gile is @e rote .
And god wil nou#t be bigiled / q(uo)d gobelyn in angre .
we haue no title to hem / for @i false tresou(n) .
I drede me q(uo)d @e deuel @at trw@e wil hem fecche.
For @(o)u bigilest hem / in goying of an addre .
So ha@ god igiled vs / in going of a man
God ha@ gone q(uo)d gobelyn / in a gromes liknesse .
This @retty wyntre I wene went about & preched .
I haue assailled hi(m) wi@ synne / & some-tyme yaxed . . .
where @at he was goddis sone / he gaf me short ansuere .
And @us ha@ he trolled for@ / @is two & @ritty wyntre .
And whan I say it was so / I sotelled how I my#te .
lette hem @(a)t loued hi(m) nou#t / @(a)t @ei hi(m) ne martired .
I wolde haue lengthed his lif / for I say #if he died
#if his soule hider come / he wolde shende vs alle .
wyl his bowke on bonis #ede / a-bowte was he eur(e) .
To lere men to be lel / & eueryche loue o@(er)e
#if @(a)t his lore lelly / longe be yvsed .
It shal vndo @is dwellyng / & doun bryng vs alle .
Now se I where @e sowle come@ / seillyng hiderward .
wi@ glorie & w(i)t(h) gret li#t / god it is I wote wel
I red vs fle q(uo)d @e fende / fast alle at onis
For bettre were vs nou#t be . @an in his si#te abide
For @i lesyng lucifer / we lost first owr(e) Ioye .
And out of heuene hidre . @i p(ri)de made vs falle .
And for we leued @i lesyng / @(a)t @(o)u lowe tyl Eue .
we haue lost owr(e) lordechip / in er@e also in helle . Nunc p(ri)nceps hui(us) mu(n).. eicietur foras .
And sithen @(a)t sathan / mysseyde @us fowle .
lucifers lesinges / ne leue I non o@(er)e .
But our(e) lorde atte laste / lyars rebuke .
And wyte hem al @e wo / @at wrou#t is here in er@e .
Be@ ywar #e wyse / & witty of @e lawe .
@(a)t #e bilyegh nou#te @e lewde / for at laste daui@ .
wisse@ in his writyng / @e liars mede . Odisti om(n)es . q(ui) op(er)ant? i(n)iquitatem p(er)des o(m)(n)es q(ui) loqu(n)t(ur) ?
A litle I ouerleep / for lesynges sake .
To sey for@ as I seigh / swyng my teme
An angel @anne bad vndo / @e #atis of @e dwellyng .
what artow q(uo)d lucifer / a voice @anne to hi(m) seide .
@e lorde of my#t & of may(n) / @at maked alle @inges .
Dukes of @is dym place / a-non vndo @is gatis .
That c(ri)ste may @(er)e at come in / @e kynges sone of heuene .
And wi@ @(a)t bre@ helle brake / wi@ beliales barres . for ony wye or ward wide open the #at(es)
a caret Patriarkes p(ro)phetis / populus in tenebris
Songen wi@ seint Ioh(a)n / Ecce agnus dei .
lucifer ne my#t loke / so li#te hi(m) a-blente .
And @o @(a)t owre lorde loued / for@-wi@ hi(m) folowed .
lo me here q(uo)d owr(e) lorde / lif & sowle bo@e .
For alle synful soulys / to saue owre bo@es ri#t .
Myne @ei were in verite / I may @e bet hem clayme.
Al-@eigh resou(n) recorde / & ri#t of my-self
@at #if @ei ete of @e apple / alle sholde dye .
I biheght hem nou#t here / helle for eure .
For @e synne @(a)t @ei did / @i deceyt it made
wi@ gile @(o)u hem gete / agayn al reson .
For in my paleys p(ar)adise / in p(er)sone of an addre .
Falsely @(o)u fettest @(er)e / @(a)t me bifel to loke /
@(o)u glosedest hem & giled hem / & my gardyne broke
A-gayne my loue & my leue / @e olde lawe techi@
That gylours be bigiled / & in her gile falle .
For who hitte out a mannes eygh / or ellis his tethe .
Or any man(er) membre / mayme@ or herte@ .
The same sore shal he haue / @(a)t eny so smyte@ . Dente(m) p(ro) dente
So lif shal @e lif lete / @(er)e lif ha@ lyf annoyed .
So @at lyf quyte lif / @e olde lawe it axe@ .
Ergo soule shal quyte soule / & synne to synne wende .
And al @(a)t @(a)t man mysdede I man shal now amende
And al @(a)t eure de@ for-did / de@ shal now releue . .
Bo@en quyken & quite / @(a)t queynte was @orow synne .
And gile be bigiled / @orow grace at @e laste .Ars vt arte(m) falleret .
Ne leue @(o)u nou#t lucyfer / a#ein @e lawe I fecche
Eni synful soule here / souereignly by maistrie .
But in ri#t & resou(n) raunceou(m) / here my leges . No(n) veni solu(er)e legem set adi(m)plere .
So @(a)t wi@ gile was gete / w(i)t(h) g(ra)ce is ywonne .
And os adam & alle / @orow ORIG>atrea tre deide .
Thorow ORIG>atrea tre shal @ei torne / ageine to @e lif .
For now bygynnes @e gyle / ageyne @e to torne .
And my grace to growe / gretter & more
@e browes @(a)t @(o)u brew / now browk it @i-self .
For @(o)u art Doctor of de@ / drynk @(a)t @(o)u madiste .
For I am lorde of lyf / & loue is my drynke .
And for @(a)t drinke to daye / I died as it semed .
I fau#t so me firste #it / for mannes sowle sake .
Ne may @(er)e no piment / ne preciouse drynkes .
Moistre me to @e fulle / ne my @rest slake .
Til @e ventage falle / in @e vale of Iosaphat .
And dronke ri#t rype must / resurrexio mortuor(um) .
And @a(n)ne shal I come as kyng / w(i)t(h) crowne & w(i)t(h) a(n)gelis
And haue out of helle / alle mennys sowlis
Fendes & fendikenes / a-fore me shal stonde .
And ben at my bidding / at blisse or at peyne
To be m(er)cyful to man / @anne my kynde axe@
for we ben brethern in blood but not in babtsym But alle myne hole bre@(er)en / i(n) blode & i(n) bapteme
Shal neure in helle come / be he onys out . Tibi soli p(ec)caui et malum
It is nou#t vsed in er@e / to hangen ORIG>afelowna felown
Ofter @anne onys / @eigh he were a treitour
And #if @e kynge of @e ki@@e / come in @e tyme .
where a @ef sholde be hangen / or drawen .
he sholde lenghe his lif / #if he loked on hi(m) . . .
And I kyng .
And I kyng ou(er) kynges / shal come suche a tyme
Ther @(a)t dome to @e de@ / deme@ alle wikked .
#if lawe wil I loke on hem / it li@e in my g(ra)ce
where @ei dye or dye nou#t / did @ei neur(e) so ille .
Be it eny @ing abou#te / @e boldenesse of synne .
I may do mercy of my ri#t / & alle my wordes trwe .
But my worde wil @(a)t I be wroken / of he(m) @(a)t wrou#te(n) ille
Nullu(m) malu(m) i(m)punitu(m) / & nullu(m) bonu(m) irremunertatu(m)
And so of alle wikked / I wil here take venIaunce .
But #it my kynde in myne ire / co(n)t(ra)rie shal my wille . D(omi)ne ?
To be m(er)cyable to manye / of myne half bre@(er)en .
For blode may se blode / a-first & a-cale
Ak blode may nou#t se blode blede but hi(m) rewe .
For my ri#twisnesse / shal regne in helle .
And mercy and mankynde / afor me in heuene .
And I were vnkynde kyng / but I my kyn holpe
And namely at suche nede / @(a)t nedis help axe@ . no(n) intres i(n) iudiciu(m)
Thus by lawe q(uo)d owr(e) lorde / lede I wil fro hennes .
Tho @(a)t I loue wel / & leued in my konnyng
But for @(a)t lesyng @(o)u leighe / lucifer til #ue .
@@(o)u shalt a-bye bitterly / & bonde hi(m) w(i)t(h) cheynes .
Astrot & alle o@(er)e hidden hem in hernes .
Thay dar nou#t loke on owr(e) lorde / @e lest of he(m) alle .
@ei lete hi(m) take what hi(m) liste / & leue what hi(m) lyked .
Many hu(n)dre@ angelis / hoped @o & songen . Culpat caro p(ur)gat caro .
Thanne piped pes / of poetes a note .
Clarior est solito post maxima nebula pheb(us) . Post i(n)imicicias .
Aftir showres q(uo)d pes . shene is @e sonne .
Is no weder warmer / @an aftre watre clowdes .
Ne no loue leuer / ne leuer frendis .
Thanne aftir werre & wrake / @(a)t pes ha@ @e maistrye .
was neure werre in @e worlde / ne wikked enuye .
@at loue #if hi(m) lyst / to laughyng ne brou#t
And pes @orow pacience . al @e p(er)el stopped .
Trwes q(uo)d trw@e / @(o)u tellest @ so@e .
Clippe we in couenaunte / & kisse vs ei@(er) o@er
let no peple q(uo)d pes / p(ar)ceyuey @(a)t we chidde .
For inpossible is no @ing / to him @(a)t is almy#ty .
@(o)u seist so@e seide ri#t / & redely @ei kiste .
Pes & pes here p(er) secula seculor(um) M(isericord)ia & v(er)itas obuiaueru(n)t sibi iusticia & pax osculat[]
Trw@e tru(m)ped @o . te deu(m) laudam(us)
And @anne chau(n)ted loue / w(i)t(h) a clere note / Ecce q(ua)m bonu(m) & q(ua)m iocu(n)d[]
Tyl @e day dawed / @is damoseilles daunced
Men ronge to resurrecciou(n) / w(i)t(h) @(a)t I can a-wake .
I called kitte my wyf / & kalot my dou#ter .
To ryse & to reu(er)ence / @e ryche I resurreccion .
And the cros on owr(e) knees / to kisse for a Iuwel .
Ful ryche is @(a)t relike / non rycher in erthe .
For goddes blessid body / he bar for owr(e) bote .
And it affraie@ @e fende / for suche is @e my#te .
Ne may no griselyche gost / glide @(er)e it shadwe@ .
Quartus passus de dobet & h(ic) defin(i)t & incipit Dobest
Thus I waked & wrot / what I had dremyd .
And di#t me derely / & did me to kyrke .
To here holy @e masse / & howseled ben aftre
In myddis of @e masse / @o men #ede to offryng .
I fel eft aslep / & sodendly me mette .
@(a)t p(er)kyn @e plowman / was peynted al blody .
And cam for@ wi@ a crosse / a-fore @e co(mun)e peple .
And ri#t lyke in al lymes / to our(e) lorde Ihesu .
Thanne called I conscience / to kenne me @e so@e . .
Is @is Ihesu q(uo)d I / @(a)t Iuwes did to de@
Or it is piers plowgman / who peynted hi(m) so red .
Quod conscience & kneled @o / @ise ar piers armys .
his haberiou(n) his armis / but he @(a)t come@ blody .
Is criste wi@ his holy crosse / conquerour of cristene .
whi callest hi(m) criste / & @e Iuwes Ihesus
Patriarches p(ro)phetes / p(ro)phecied a-fore .
That alle kynnes creatures / knele sholde & bowe
A-non as men named / @e name of god Ihesu
Ergo is no name / to @e name of Ihesus .
Ne none so nedful to name / be nyght ne by day
For alle derke deueles / ar dred it to heren .
And synful ben solaced / & saued by @(a)t name .
And @(o)u callest hi(m) criste / for wat cause telle me
a dot? Is crist ought of more my#t / & worthier name .
That Ihesus @e Iustere / @at al owr(e) Ioye cam of .
Thow knowest wel q(uo)d conscience / #if @(o)u canst resou(n)
@at kni#t kyng conquerour / may be o p(er)sone .
For to be called a kni#te is faire / for men shal to hi(m) knele
To calle hi(m) kyng is fairere / for he may kni#tes make .
But to be a conquerour / @(a)t come@ of special g(ra)ce .
Of hardinesse of herte / & of hendenesse
To make lordes of laddes / of lande @(a)t he wynne@ .
And fre men @ralles / @(a)t folow nou#t his lawes .
The Iuwes were Ientilme(n) Ihesu @ei dispisede
Bo@e his lore & his lawe / now ar @ei cherles .
As wyde as @e worlde is / ne wone@ Iuwes none .
But vnder tribute & trwe / as tikes & cherles .
But @ei @at be cristene / bi counseille of @e bapteme
Ar frankelens fre men / in fullyng @at @ei toke .
And Ientil men w(i)t(h) Ihesu / for Ihesu was yfolled . . .
On caluarye vpon @e cros / crowned kyng of Iuwes .
hit bicome@ for a kyng / to kepe & to defende .
As conquerour of conquest / his lawes & his large
So Ihesu did @e Iuwes / hem iustified & tau#t .
The lawes of lele lyf / @(a)t laste shal eure
And fended from fowle euel . feures & fluxes .
And fro @e fende @(a)t in hem was / & false byleue .
Tho was he Ihesu called / Ientil p(ro)phete
An kyng of Iuwes kyngdome / & crowne bare of @ornes .
Tho conquered he on crosse / as conquerour so noble .
Mi#t no de@ hym for-do / ne a-down holde . . . .
That he ne ros & regned / & rauisshed helle
Tho was he conquerour ycalde / of quikke & of ded .
For he gaf adam & Eue / & many mo @e blisse .
That had a-fore longe yleyne / as luciferes cherles .
he toke lucifer a-non / @at lorde was of helle .
And harde gan hi(m) bynde . wi@ bondes of Iren .
who was hardier @an he / his herte blode shadde .
To maken alle folke fre / @at folowe@ his lawe .
And si@@e he gyue@ largely / alle his lele leges .
Places in paradise / at her p(ar)tyng hennes .
he may be wel a conquerour / @at is crist to mene
@e cause @(a)t he com@ @us / wi@ crosse & his passiou(n) .
Is to wisse vs @(er)-wi@ / @(a)t whan we be temptid .
Ther-wi@ to fyght & fende vs / fro fallyng in-to synne .
And sen be his sorow / @at who-so loue@ Ioye
To penaunce & to pou(er)te / he mut put hi(m)-seluen .
And moche wo in @is worlde / wilnen & suffren .
Feithfully for to speke / his first name is Ihesus
whan he was firste ybore / as @e boke telli@ .
And cam to take mankynde / kynges & angelis .
Reu(er)enced hi(m) faire / wi@ rychesse of erthe .
Angeles of heuene / comen & songen . Gl(or)ia in excelsis deo
kynges cam aftre / kneled & offred .
Mirre & mykel golde / wi@-out mercy axyng
Or any kynnes catel / but knoleched hi(m) sou(er)eigne .
Bo@e @e sonne & @e see / & sithen @ei went .
In-to here kyngene ki@@e . by councel of angelis .
And @ere it was fulfilde / @(a)t @(o)u speke
Om(n)ia celestia t(er)restia / flectant(ur) in h(oc) no(m)i(n)e Ihesu .
For alle @e angelis in heuene at his bir@e kneled .
And al @e witte of @is worlde / wi@ @o @re kynges .
Reson & ri#tfulnesse / & rew@e @ei offred .
where-fore & why / wyse men @(a)t tyme
Maistres & l(et)red men / Magi hem calde .
The first cam w(i)t(h) resou(n) / keured vndre sense .
The secu(n)de sithen offred swetely
Ri#t vnder red golde / resounes felawe
Golde is like to lewte / @(a)t shal laste eur(e)
And resou(n) to ryche golde / to ri#t & to trw@e .
The @ridde kyng kurteis / kneled to Ihesu
And present hi(m) pitee / appering be myrre .
For myrre is mercy to mene / mylde speche of tonge .
Three @ingis honest / was offred @us attones .
Thorow @re kynges / knelyng to Ihesu
But for al @is present / oure lorde prynce Ihesus
was neure kyng conquerour / til he comsed waxe .
In @e maner of a man / & @(a)t by moche sleight .
As seme@ for a conquerour / to konne mony sleightes .
And mony wyles & wit / @(a)t wil ben a leder .
And so he did in his daies / who-so dorst telle it
Some-tyme he suffred / & some-tyme he hidde hi(m) .
And some he -tyme he fau#t / & fleigh o@er-while . .
And some-tyme he gaf god / & graunted hele .
Bo@e lyme & lyf / os hym leue liste .
So kyng o@er conquerour / comsed Ihesu
Til he hadde alle hem / @(a)t he fore bledde .
In his Iuuent Iesus / at Iuwene feste .
Torned water in-to wyn / as holy writ telle@1 . .
And @(er)e agan god @o / of his grace Dowel .
For wyn is likned to lawe / & lif holynesse .
And lawe lakked @o / men loued nou#t her enemyes .
And crist conseille@ @us / & comaunde@ bo@e .
To lered & to lewed / to loue wel her enemys .
So first in @e feste / as I beifore tolde .
Bigan god of his g(ra)ce / & godnesse to Dowel .
Tho was he named & calde / nou#t crist but Iesu
A fauntkyn fool of witte / fili(us) marie .
A-fore his modre marie / made he @(a)t wondre .
That she firste & formest / ferme sholde bileue .
@(a)t he was gete of goddes g(ra)ce / goddis sone of heuene .
he wrou#t @(a)t by no witte / but in worde one .
Aftre kynde he cam of / @(er)e agan he Dowel .
whan he was more / in his modres absens .
he made to lepe / & li#t #af to blynde
he fed wi@ to fisches / & wi@ fyue loues
Sore a-fyngred folke / mo @an fyue @owsand
he comfort @e careful / & cau#t a gretter name .
The wyche was a Dobet / where @at he went .
The def to here / the dowmbe speke he hight
And alle he heled & halpe / @(a)t hi(m) of grace axed .
Tho was he called in contree / of @e co(mun)e peple .
For @e dedis he did / fili dauid Iesus .
For daui@ was dou#tiest / of dedis in his tyme .
Saul interfecit mille / & daui@ decem milia .
And @(er)fore @(er)e as Iesu cam / @ei calde hi(m) fili daui@ .
And named hi(m) of nazareth / & no man so worthi .
To be kayser or kyng / of @e kyngdom of Iuda .
Ne owre Iuwes Iustice / as Iesus was hem @ou#t
here-of had caiphas enuye / & o@(er) of @e Iuwes .
And for to done hi(m) to de@ / day & ni#t he caste
And quelled hi(m) on caluarie / in crosse vpon a Friday
And si@en his body buryed / & bede @at men sholde .
kepen it fro comers / wi@ kni#tes yarmed
That no frende sholde hi(m) fecche / for p(ro)phetes tolde
That his blissid body / fro burying sholde aryse
And gone in-to Galilee / & Gladde his apostles .
And his modre Marie / @us men afore deuyned .
The kni#tes @(a)t kepid it / byknewe it hem-self
@(a)t angeles & archagelis / ar @e day spronge .
keme knelyng @ere / & to @e corps song . christus resurgens .
And @(a)t he ros v(er)ely @ere / afore hem alle .
And went for@ on his wey / where hi(m) god lyked .
And @anne @e Iuwes aferde / preid @e kni#tes .
To seyn @(a)t his aposteles / hi(m) a-wey stele .
But @e marie magdeleyn / met hi(m) by @e weie .
Goying toward Galilee / in godhed & manhed .
And lyues & lokyng / she alowde cried .
In eury ki@@e @(a)t she cam / christus resurgens .
Thus cam to recourer / Crist agayne to lyf . Sic christum pati & reg(nu)m celor(um) intrare
And @(a)t a woman ywot / ne may nou#t be conseil
Peter p(ar)seyued @is / & pursued aftre .
Bo@e Iames & Ion . Iesu to seke
Tadde & ten mo / wi@ Thom(a)s of ynde .
As alle @ise godmen gedred were to-gidre . . .
In an hous al bishette / @e dores fast ybarred .
Crist come in-to @e clos / closed dore & #atis .
To alle his apostles / & seide pax vobis .
he toke Thom(a)s to hi(m) . & tau#te hi(m) to grope
And fele wi@ his fyngres / his fleschelyche herte .
Thanne Thom(a)s it towched / & seide w(i)t(h) his tonge D(e)us m(eu)s & d(eu)s
@(o)u art now as I bileue / my lorde god Iesu
Thow deidest in harde de@ / & deme shalt vs alle .
Crist carped @anne / & curteisly seyde
Thom(a)s for @(o)u trowest @is / trwly in herte .
My beneceou(n) @(a)t is so fre / I gyf @e for eure .
That me ne may here nou#t ysee / as @(o)u me seest nowe
And lellyche yleue@ @is / I loue hem & blesse .
Beati qui non videru(n)t & credideru(n)t & c(etera) .
And whan @(a)t @is was al ydone / Dobest @anne he @ou#t .
And gaf peter power / p(ar)dou(n) to grau(n)te .
To alle man(er) of men / holely ful for#ifnes .
That he my#t men assoille / of alle man(er) synnes .
In couaunt @(a)t @ei come / & knowleche to paye . . . .
To p(er)kyn @e plowman / redde q(uo)d debes . .
Now ha@ piers power / be his dette paied .
To bynde & to vnbynde / bo@e here & ellys-were .
To assoille of alle synnes / saue of dette one .
A-non aftre an hiegh / vp into heuen . . .
he went for@ & wone@ @ere / & wil come at laste
And wil rewarde ri#t wel / @(a)t reddit quod debet .
That paie@ p(ar)fitly / as pure trw@e wolde .
And what p(er)sone paie@ nou#t / punysshen @anne he @inke@
And demen at domesday / bo@e quykke & dede
The gode to godhed / & to grete Ioye . . . . .
And wikkid to wonye / in wo wi@-oute ende
Thus conscience of c(ri)st / & of @e crosse carped .
he bad me knele @erto / & @anne come me @ou#t
On spiritus p(ar)aclitus to peter & his feres .
In liknesse of leitnyng / a-ly#t on hem alle . .
And made hem to kenne / alle kynnes laungages .
I wondred al of @(a)t cas / & conscience I poigned .
I was aferd of @(a)t li#t / for in fyre lyknesse
Spiritus p(ar)aclit(us) ouer-spred hem alle .
Quod conscience / @is is cristis owne Messag(er) .
he come@ fro @e gret god / g(ra)ce is his name .
knele now q(uo)d conscience / & #if @(o)u canst synge
welcome hi(m) w(i)t(h) ORIG>asongea songe / veni creator spiritus
Thanne sange I @at song / so did many hundre@ .
And cred wi@ conscience / help vs god of grace
And @anne agan g(ra)ce to go / wi@ piers plougman .
'Conseilled hi(m) & conscience / @e comou(n)s to somoun .
For I wil dele to day / & deuyde g(ra)ce .
To alle kynnes creatures / @(a)t can his fyue wittis .
Tresore to lyue by / to here lyues ende
And wepne to fi#te wi@ / @(a)t wil neur(e) faille .
For antecrist & his men / alle @e worlde shal greue .
And @e acombre conscience / but #if criste @e helpe .
For false p(ro)phetes / flateres & glosers .
shal bycome curatours / of kynges & of erles .
And pride shal be pope / prince of holycherche .
And coueityse wi@ hi(m) / Cardinales pryue
Ergo q(uo)d grace ar I go / I wil gyf #ow treso(ur) . . .
And wepne to fyght wi@ / whan antecrist regne@ .
Thanne gaf he eche ORIG>agromea grome / grace to gye wi@ hi(m)-self .
@(a)t slewthe ne sle hi(m) nou#t / enuye ne pride . Diuisiones .
To some man he gaf / wit wordis to shewe .
To wynne w(i)t(h) a trwfle / @(a)t @e worlde aske@ . . . .
As presits @(a)t prechen / & preyntyse of lawe .
That @ei lyue lelly by labour of handes . tonge .
And wissen o@re wi@ her witte / as grace wil hem teche .
And some craft he kenned / & konnyng of si#t
And some labo(ur) he lerned / in lande & in watre . .
And lyf by @at labo(ur) / a lele lyf & trwe .
wi@ bying & sellyng / her bilyf to wynne .
And some he tau#t tylye / wi@ tagge & wi@ gore .
By witte & bi wisdome / whan @e tyme come .
And some he lerned to lyue / in longyng to be hennes .
In pouert & pacience / to preye for al cristene .
And alle he lered to be lele / & eche craft loue o@(er)e .
@(a)t no boste ne debate / be a-monge hem alle .
Theigh some be clenner @anne some / #e sene wel q(uo)d g(ra)ce .
That eche maner connyng / come holly of my gift .
loke @(a)t none lakke o@(er)e / but loue@ #ow as bretheren .
And he @(a)t moste maister is / be myldest of alle .
& crowne@ conscience kynge / & make@ craft #o(ur) stward .
And aftre craftes conseille / clo@e #ow & fede .
For I schal make @e plowman / my p(ro)cato(ur) in er@e .
And register to receyue / Redde q(uod) debes .
My p(ro)uyour & my plowman / piers shal be on er@e .
For to tylye trw@e / a tem shal he haue .
Grace gaf ORIG>atema tem / fowre grete oxen .
@(a)t on was luk a large best / & a lowe ychered . .
Marke Mathew @e @red / my#ty bestis bo@e
And Ioh(a)n he ioygned to hem / most Ientil of alle .
The pris-net of piers plowgh / passyng alle o@(er)e .
And si@en grace of godnesse / gaf hi(m) foure stottis .
Alle @at his oxen ered / @(a)t @ei sholde harw aftre .
That on hieght austyn / & Ambrose an o@re .
Gregory @e gret clerke / & Ierom @e gode .
Thise foure stottis / folowed piers tem .
And harwed in an hande-while / al holy writte Vetus testame(n)tu(m) & nouu(m)
wi@ two harwes / @(a)t he had & olde & a newe
And g(ra)ce gaue hi(m) graynes / @e cardinales vertwes .
To sowe it in mannys sowle / & tolde hi(m) her names .
spiritus prudencie / @e first seed hieght .
who-so ete @(er)of / ymagyne he sholde .
Er he did eny dede / deuise wel @e ende .
The secu(n)de seed hight / Spiritustemp(er)ancie .
he @at ete of @(a)t seed / had suche a kynde .
Ne sholde neure no mete / make hi(m) to swelle .
Ne sholde neure scorner / out of skil hi(m) bryng
Neither worde in ydel / ne wikke speche mene .
Shal @(er)e neure curiouse clo@ / comyn on his bakke .
Ne mete in his mow@e / @at maister Ioh(a)n made .
The @ridde seed @(a)t he sewe / was spriitus fortitudi(n)is
And who ete of @(a)t sed / hardy he was eure
To suffre al @at god sent / sykenesse & angre .
Ne may @(er)e no lyar / ne los of worldely catel .
Makyn him for mornyng / vnmery ben in soule .
But bolde & a-bydyng / bismere to suffre .
he oplaie@ al wi@ pacience / & parce m(ichi) D(omi)ne
And keure@ hym in conceille / of caton @e wyse
Esto forti a(n)i(m)o cu(m) sis dampnatus iniq(ue) . .
The fir@e seed @(a)t piers sewe / was spiritus Iusticie
And who-so ete of @(a)t seed / shal be eure trwe .
And of no @ing a-gast / but of gile one .
For gyle go@ so pryuely @(a)t fei@ o@er-while .
May nou#t wel ben aspied / @orow spiritus Iusticie
Spiritus Iusticie spare@ nou#t to spille .
hem @at ben gilti / & hem to corecte .
Of kynges & kaisers / he contreth @e gilte .
he counte@ no kynges wra@@e / i(n) courte whan he sitte .
To demen as domesman / adred was he neure
Of Duk nei@er of de@ / @at he ne did @e lawe .
For p(re)sent or preier / or eny p(ri)nces lettres .
he did equite to alle / euene-for@ his knowyng
Thise fowre seedes piers sew / & si@en did hem harwe .
wi@ @e olde lawe & @e newe / @(a)t loue my#te waxe .
A-monge @ise foure v(er)tues / & vices destrue
For comenly in contre / carlokes & wedes .
Fowle@ @e frutis in @e felde / @(er)e @ei grow to-gidre .
And so do@ vices verutes / vileignly & fowle .
For-@i w(i)t(h) #owr(e) kynde witte / by conseille of @ise docto(ur)s
Tilie@ os @ei teche@ / @e cardinal v(er)tues .
A-gayne @i graynes q(uo)d grace / agynne for to rype
Ordeigne an hous piers / to herborow @i cornes .
By god grace q(uo)d piers / #e most gyuen tymbre .
And ordeyne @at hous / ar @(o)u hennes wende .
And grace gaue hi(m) @e crosse / wi@ @e crowne of @ornes .
3 points arranged in a triangle That crist vpon Caluarie / for mankynde on pyned .
And of his baptisme & blode / @(a)t he bledde on rode .
he made ORIG>amanera maner morter / & mercy it hight
And @(er)-wi@ al grace a-gan / to make ORIG>agooda good fu(n)dament .
he walled it a-bout / wi@ goddes owne passiou(n) .
And of alle holywrit / he made a rof aftre .
And called @at hous vnite / holycherche on englisshe .
whan @is dede was ydone / grace @anne deuysed .
A karte @(a)t hight cristondome / to kary home @e sheues .
he gaf hi(m) caples to @e carte / contriciou(n) confessiou(n)
he made made presthode haiward / wil hi(m)-self went .
As wyde as @e worlde is / wi@ pirs forto tylie
The lawe of byleue & of holychirche .
Now is piers to @e plow / & pride is aspied .
And gedred hi(m) ORIG>agreta gret ost / to greuen he @inke@ .
Cristene conscience / & cardinal vertues .
To blowe hem & brek doun / & bite atwo @e mores .
he sent for@ surueiours / his seriauntz of armys .
And spilloue his aspie / & speke yuel byhynde .
Thise come to conscience / & to cristene peple
And tolden hem ty@inges / @(a)t tyme @ei sholde @e sedes .
@(a)t @e plowman sew / @e cardinal vertues .
Piers berne worthe to-broke / & @ei @(a)t bren in vnite .
Shal come out of @at ki@@e / & #owre two caples .
Cont(ri)ciou(n) confessiou(n) / & #owr(e) karte byleue .
Shal now so be keured / wi@ owr(e) sophistrye .
@(a)t conscience shal nou#t knowe be cont(ri)ciou(n) .
Nei@(er) by confessiou(n) / @e cristene fro @e he@ene .
Ne no maner marchaunde / @(a)t whi@ monee dele@ .
wher(e) he wynne wi@ ri#th / wronge / or wi@ vsure .
wi@ suche ORIG>amanera maner queyntyse / come@ pride yarmed .
wi@ @e lorde @(a)t vse@ / @e lustis of his body
To wasten on welfare / & in wikke kepyng .
Al @e worlde in ORIG>awhilea while / @orow @e witte of p(ri)de
Quod conscience to cristene @o / my conseille is to wende
hastely to vnite / & helde we vs @ere /
preie we @(er)e for @e pes / in piers berne @e plougman .
For suerly I wot wel / we be nou#t of strenthe
To gone agayne pride / but grace wi@ vs were
And @anne come kynde witte / conscience to teche
he cried & comaunded / alle cristene peple . . .
To doluen ORIG>adepea depe dyke / al about vnite .
That it stode in holinesse / as it were a pool .
Conscience bad @o / @e cristene to delue .
And makyn a moche mote / @(a)t my#t ben a strenthe .
To helpe holycherche / & hem @(a)t it kepi@ .
@anne alle kynnes cristene / saue co(mun)e women
And sysours & somono(ur)s / @(a)t were forsworn oft
@(a)t witing & willing / wi@ @e false helden
Out set suche men / @(a)t openly synned .
Ne was @(er)e no creature / @at kynde witte hadde
That he ne halpe ORIG>aq(ua)ntytea q(ua)ntyte / holynesse to encresse
Some in bedis bidding / & in pilg(ri)mages
wi@ deling of dolis / & o@(er) maner almes .
And @anne welled watre / for wikked warkys .
Egerly ernyng / out of mennes eyn .
Clennes in co(mun)ete / & clerkys clene lyuyng
/ holynesse to stande .
@owgh p(ri)de come nowe
shal be letted / all @is lente I hope .
#e cristene@ & dyne@
al @is lente tyme .
& goddis body vndre .
@orow goddis worde / gaf piers power .
for to maken it / & men it to mynystre .
In helpe of her sowles / /ones in a non@e
oft as nede is / @o @(a)t han ypayed .
@e ploughman / Redde q(uo)d debes .
conseillest vs to #elde .
@(a)t we owen / ar we go to howsel .
& cardinal vertues
forgyf o@(er)e / @(a)t whil @e pat(er) noster
And so to be assoiled / & sythen to be howseled .
#e baw q(uo)d a brewer / I wyl nou#t be rwled
For al @at #e Iangelyn / wi@ spiritus Iusticie .
Ne conscience for @e / wil @i I canselle .
Dregges & drostes / & al at an hele .
Thikke ale & @ynne ale / for @at is my kynde
Nou#t hakken aftre holynesse / holde @i tonge conscience
Of spriitus Iusticie@(o)u spellest / moche in ydel .
Catyf q(uo)d conscience / cursed wrecche
For bar ?ed artow brewer / but #if ..helpe
But #if @(o)u wilt lyf by @e lore / of spiritusIusticie">
The chief seed @at piers sewe / saued worth thow neur(e)
But conscience @e co(mun)e fede / & cardynal vertues .
Leue it wel @ei be lost / bo@e lyf & sowle
Thanne is many leode lost / q(uo)d a lewde vicory .
I am a curator in kirke / & com neur(e) in my tyme .
Man to me @(a)t cowthe telle / of cardinal vertues .
Or conscience a-counted / at a kokkes
And we clerkys whan he come
For her palfreis mete / &
The co(mun)e clamat cotidie