The Piers Plowman Electronic Archive, Vol. ?: The former Duke of Westminster's Manuscript
William LanglandEdited by Robert AdamsAssociate Editors: Patricia R. Bart, M. Gail Duggan and Catherine A.
FarleyTechnical Editor: Daniel PittiGraduate Research AssistantMichael Blum, John Ivor Carlson, Carrie Lindley, Janice McCoy, Ashley Opps, Timothy L.
Stinson, and Jordan Taylor.Computer Consultants and ProgrammersRobert Bingler, Shayne Brandon, Cynthia Girard, Chris Jessee, Daniel Pitti, David Seaman,
and John Unsworth.The Medieval Academy of America and SEENET by Boydell and
Brewer, LTDWoodbridge, SuffolkISBN: (Individual) 9781843840947 (Institutional): 9781843840930
Commercially available:
copyright 2011, by SEENET
2006 Combined facsimile & documentary edition.Identification of handsIRA = Robert Adams1 computer optical disk : col. ; 4 3/4 in.The Medieval Academy of America and SEENET, by Boydell and
Brewer, LTD.Woodbridge, SuffolkSource copy consulted: London, British Library, MS Lansdowne 398 and
Oxford, Bodleian Library, MS Rawlinson Poetry 38
SEENET, A.9
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LatinFrenchGermanNovember 2005 revise header, update DTD and ent files Hoyt N. Duggan New header created Reade well & marke þe l leaff Folio / primoCapitulo primoIIN a somer seson whan soft was þe sonne . —I shop me in to a shrowedes as I a shep were . —In abite as an hermite . vnholy of werkes . —I went wide in the world . wondres to here . —But on a May mornyng . on maluerne hylles . Me befel a ferly . of fairie me thowthe...?... I wos wary of wandryng þer wente me to restOpon a brood bank . by a bourn syde . —As I lay & lenede . & loked on þe water .I slomered a slepe . it swied so mery .And þan gan . I . mete . a merueylouse sweuen .That I was in a wyldernesse . I wyst neuere where .As I be-held to þe est . an hey to the sonne .I saw a tour on a toft . trielych maked . —A depe dale al be-nethe . a downgeon þer-inne .Wiþ depe dykes & derk . & dredful of syght .A fair feld ful of folk . fonde I þer be-tweyne .Of alle manere of men the mene and þe ryche . —Worchyng and wandringe . as þe world askeþ . —Som putte hem to plowgh . & playeden ful selde . —In settyng & in sowyng . thei swonken ful sore ....?...And wonnen þat wastours in þe worlde. wiþ glotonie distroye.nSom put hem to pryde . apparailed hem þer-after .In continance of cloþing . comen in disgised . —To praieres & penance . putte hem manye .And for þe loue of owre lord . lyueden wel streyte . —In hope for to haue þerfor heuene ryche blysse .As Ancres an hermites . þat dwelle in here selles . —Coueite not in contrey . to carien a-bowte .For lykerouse lyflode . here lykam to plese . —Som chosen chaffare . to cheuen þe bettre .As it semeth to owre syght . þat swyche men thrive .And somme merthes to make . as menestralles kunne .And geten gold wiþ here glee . gylously I trowe .For iapers and iangelers . Iudace chyldren .Founden hem in fantesies & foles hem maken . —And han witte at wille. to worche .ȝif hem lyst . —That Poule precheþ of hem . I . may proue it here . —¶Qui loquitur turpeloquium is lucifers hyne .Than bidders & beggers . fast a-boute ȝeden —Til þe bely and þe bagge . were ful . I . crommed .They faited for here fode . and foghten at the nale . —In glotonie god wot go þei to bedde .And risen vp wiþ ribaudie as robardes hyne .Slogardie and sleuþ seweþ hem euere .¶Pilgrimes and palmers pight hem to-gederes . —To seke seint Iame and seintz of Rome .They went forth in here way wiþ many wise tales .And hadde leue to lye al here lyf after .¶Ermites on an hepe wiþ hokede staves . —Wenten to Walsyngham & here wenches afterGrete lobies and long . þat loþe were to swynke .Cloþed hem in copes . to be knowe from oþer .They shopen hem hermites . here ese to haue .¶I . fond þer freres . alle þe foure ordirs —Preching to þe peple . for profyght of þe wombe .And gloseden the gospel . as them selfe lyked .For couetise of copes construed as þei wolde .Many of þis maystres may cloþen hem at lykyng .Here mony & here marchandise meten to-gederesSiþ charite haþ be chapman & chef to shrive lordes .Many ferlyes han falle in a fewe yers .But holy chyrche & charite holden bet to-gederes .The most meschef of molde is mountyng an hie .¶Ther preched a pardoner . as he a prest were . —And brought forth a bulle . wiþ byshop seles .and said þat hem-self . myght assoille hem alle .Of falshode and fastyng . and of vowes y-broke .The lewed folk it lyked welle . and loued his speche .Thei comen vp knelyng . to kyssen his bulle .He bonched hem wiþ his brevet . & blered here eyen .And raught wiþ his ragman . ringes and broches .notaThus ȝe ȝeue ȝowre gold glotons to helpe And lenen it losels . þat leccherie haunten . Where þe byshop blyssid . & worthych boþe hese heres .His sele shold not be sent . to disceyue þe peple .It is not be þe bishop will* þat þe boy precheþ .But þe prest and the pardoner . partiþ the moneye .That þe peple shold haue . nyf þei hem pilden .¶Than persons and vicaries . pleyned to the byshop . —That here parishe was pore . siþ þe pestilence tyme . Thay asked a lycence . at london to dwelle .To synge þere for symonie . for syluer is sweete .Folio ij¶Than hoved þer an hondred in houes of sylk . —Sergeantz it semed þat serued at þe barre .To pleden for penys and poundes þe lawe .But for þe loue of oure lord not vnlese here lippes once .Thow might betre mete a myst on maluerne hillesThan gete a mombe of here mougth til mony be shewed .Bishoppes and bachelers of dyuine boþe .Bycome clerkes of accountes þe kyng to serue .Archedekenes and Denes þat diuine shold preche .The peple and þe poremen eueremore to fede .Beþ lopen to london by sbyshopes leue .To be clerkes of þe kynges benche . þe comune to shende .¶Than sawe I þat semble . as ȝe shal here-after .Barons and Burgeys . & bondige als .Bakers & brewers . and brewsters many .Wvllen webbes . and wevers of lynen .Tayllours Tokers . & tollers bothe .Masons mynours . and many oþer craftesDykers & deluers . þat don here dede ille .And dryue forth þe long day . wiþ dieu saue dame Emme .domine mihiCokes & here knaves / criede hote pies hote .Gode geys & grys / gowe dine go we .Than tauerners þe same . to þe folk told .White wyne of osey . & wyne of gascoyne .Of ryner & of Rochell . þe rost to defie .Alle þis saw I slepyng & seuene siþe moreCapitulo ijPassus primus de visione .Now what þe mountayne be meneþ & þe merk dale.And all þe field ful of folk I shal yow faire shewe .A louely lady of lere in lynen ycloþed .Come a donne and called me ful fayre .And sayd sone slepestow . seistow þis peple pat passeth on erþe .Haue þei wershope of þe world / ne kepe thei no bettre .Of oþer heuene þan here / hold þei no tale . .I. was a ferd of here face / so faire was here lyre .I. sayd mercy madame / what is þis to mene .¶The tour quod she on þe toft / treuth is þerinne .He wold þat ȝe wroght . as his worde techeþ .For he is fader of faiþ / that ȝow formed alle .Boþe in fell & in flesh . and ȝaf ȝow fyve wittes .To worship hym þei with / whil we ben here .And þerfore he heten þe erþe to serue vs echon .Of wollen and of lynen . to lyflode at nede .In mesurable manere . to make us at ese .¶He hete of his curtasie . in comune þre þynges .Eromn non so nedful as þo . & nembe hem .I. þenke .And reken hem be reson . reherse ȝe hem after .. 1 .That on of þis is vesture of cloþe . fro cold þe to hele .. 2 .That oþer is mete at mele . fro myshese þe to helpe .. 3 .The þredde drink whan þow drye art . but not owte of reson .That þow do the wors . whan þow worche sholdest .For lorth in his lyf days . for lykyng of drynk .Dide lye by his doghtres . þat þe deuell lykedHe delited hym in drink . as þe deuell wolde .And laght hym wiþ lecherie . & lay by him boþe .And al he witte it þe wyne . þat wikkede dede .¶Inebriamus eum vino & dormiamus cum eo & cetera .notaTh..ruȝ wyne and women . þer was loth acombred .And þere gate in glotenie . gyrles þat were churles .Drede delitable drink . & þow shalt do þe bettre .For mesure is medecine . if þow muche yern .Al is not good to þe gost . þat þe goute askeþ .Ne lyflode to þe lykam . þat is le to þe soule .Leue not þe likam . a here him techeþ .That is þe wrecched world . þe to be-tray .For þe fend and þe flesch . flowen to-gedere .And þat shendeþ þe soule take it in þi hert .For þow sholdest be war . I . wysse þe þe beste .¶Ma dame mercy quod . I . me lykeþ well þi wordes .But þe monoye of þis molde . þat men so faste holde...?...?...Tel me lady to whom . þat tresoure appendeth .Go to þe gospel quod she . þat god sayd hym self .What þe peple hym apposed . wiþ þe peny in þe temple .Ȝhif þei shold worship þerwiþ . cesare þe kyng .And god asked of hem . of whome spake þe lettre .And þe ymage ylyke . þat þerinne stondeþ .Cesar þei saide . we se wel ychon .. 1 .¶Reddite cesari . quod god . þat cesar befalleþ .Et que faut dei deo . or elles ȝe don ill .For rightfullich reson . shold reule ȝow all .And kinde witte be warden ȝowre welþe to kepe .And tutor of ȝowre tresoure . and take it ȝow at nede .Folio iijFor hosbondrie and he . shold hold to gederes .¶Than frained . I . here faire . for hym þat here made .The doungeoun in þe dale . þat dredful is of syght .What may it mene madame . I . wold þe beseche .Þat is þe castle of care . who so comeþ þerinne .May banne þat he bore was . to body or to soule .Ther inne dwelleþ a wyght . þat is wrong I hote .Fader of falshede . he fonde it him-self .Boþe Adam & Eue . he egged to ill .And conseilled kaym . to kyll his broþer .Iudace he iaped / wiþ þe Iues siluer .And siþ on an aldre . he hong him self .His is lettere of loue . & lithers he all .That trusten on his tresour . be-trays he sonnest .¶Than hadde . I . wonder in my witte / what woman it were .That swiche wise wordes . of holy wrytte shewed . . I . halsed hire on þe hie name / er she þens ȝede .What she where wittirly / þat wisse me she wolde .Holycherche . I . am quod she . þou aughtest me to knowe .I . vnderfong þe first / & þi faiþ þe taghte .Thou browghtest me borwes / my bidding in worche .To loue me lelly / whil þi lyf dureth .¶Than . I . courbed on my knees / & asked hire of grace . . I . pruied hire pitously / to pray for my synnes .And kenne me kendly / on cristes beleue .That . I . might worche he will . þat wroght me to man .Teche me to no tresoure . but kenne me þis ilk .How .I. may saue my soule / þat seint art I holde .Whan all tresoure beþ tried quod she . treuþ is þe best . I . do it on deus caritas / to demen þe sotheIt is as derworth a dreury . as dere god him selfFor who so is trewe of his tonge . tell it non oþerDo þe werkes þer wiþ / wil no man non ill .He is a god by þe gospel . on grounde and on loft .And also liker to oure lord . by seint lukes wordes .The clerkes þat it knowe wel / sholde kenne it aboute .For cristen and heþen / cleyme it ychone .Kynges and knygtes / shold kepe it by reson .And ryden & rappen doun / in reuames aboute .And taken trespasours / & bynden hem faste .Til treuþ haue termined / here trespas to þe ende .For Dauid in his dayes / dobbed knyghtes .He dide hem swere on here swerde . to serue treuþ euere .That is þe profession apert / þat pendeþ to knyghtes .And not to fast a friday / in fiuescore wynter .But hold wiþ him & wiþ here . þat asken þe truþ .And neuere let for loue / ne laching of þȝiftes .For who þat passeþ þat point . is appostata for euere .And Crist knyght & kyng / knyghted ten .Cherubyn & seraphin / shuche / seuen & a anoþer .He ȝaf hem myght in mageste / þe meriere hem þoughte .And ouer all his meyne / made hem Archangeles .He taght hem þrough þe trinite / treuþ to knowe .To be buxom at his bone / he bad hem not elles .Lucifer wiþ legions / lere it in heueneHe was þe loilfliest of sight after oure lord .Til he brak buxomnesse þrough bost of him self .And fel fro þe felashippe . in a fendes lykknes .In to a depe dark hell . to dwell þer for euere .And mo þousandes for him / þan may kouþe nombre .Lopon ought wiþ lucifer / in a loyly forme .And oute of heuene in to helle / hobeled þai fast .Som in eire & som in erþe / & som in helle beþe .But lucifer lowest biþ / of hem alle .For pride þat him putte out / of his peyn haþ non ende .¶So all that worche wiþ wrong / wende þei shull .After þi deþ day / and dwelle wiþ þe shrewe .But þo þat worche þe worde / þat holy writte techeþ .And enden as I er saide / in profitable werkes .Mowe be sikur þat her soules / shul wenden in to heuene .Thar treuþ is in trinite / & crouneþ hem all .¶For ȝit .I. say as .I. seide / by sight of þe textes .Whan al tresoure is tried / treuþe is the best .Lereþ it þe lewed men / for lettred it knowen .That truþ is a tresoure . triest open erþe .¶Ȝit ne knowe .I. quod .I. þe most kenne me bettre .By what craftor cours . it comseþ or where .notaA doted daf quod she / dul ar þi wittes .Ful litel lerestow .I. leue / of latin in þi þouȝt .. 1 .Heu miche quod sterilem / duxi vitam iuvemem .It is a kynde knowyng / þat kenneþ þe in þi hertTo loue lelly þi lorde / leuere þan þi selfe .Fo iiijNo dedly synne to do / dye þough þou sholdest¶Meleus est mori quam male viuere .. 1 .This as .I. trowe be trewe / who can ken þe bettre .Loke þou soffre him to say / & siþ I lere it after .For .I. wole wettenesse þis worde / worche þon þer after .That loue is þe louest þing / þat oure lord askeþ. And also þe plante of pes / preche it in þin harpe .Ther þou sittest a mete / ȝif men bidde þe ȝedde .¶For in kennying in hert / þer comseþ a might .And þat falleþ to þe fader . þat comsed us all .He loked upon us wiþ loue / & lete his sone dye .Mekely for oure misdedes / to amenden us alle .And wolde hem no wo / þat wroughte hym þat ill .But mekly be mowþe / mercy he besought .To haue pite on þe peple / þat peyned him to deþe .Here might þou for ensample / in him self one .That was myghtful and mek / & mercy gan grante .To hym þat honged him by / & his hert perssed .Therfor I rede þe riche / haue mercy on þe poure .Thou þow be myghty to mote / be meke of þi werkes .. 1 .¶h For what mesure þe mete / amys or elles .Ȝe shal be weyen þer wiþ / whanne ȝ wende hens .¶Eadem mensura ..Thow þow be treu of þi tonge / & treulyche wynne .And as chast as a child / þat in cherche wepeþ .But ȝif þou lode lelly / & leue þe pore .Of suche gode as god sent / goodlyche part .Ȝe ne haue no more merite / of messe ne heures .Than malkyn of here maidenhod / þat no man desireþ .For Iames the gentil / iugged in his boke .That feyþ wiþowten þe fect / is febeler þan nought .. 1 . And ded as a dorenaile / but ȝif þe dede folwe .¶Fides sine operibus & cetera ..Chastite sanz charite / worth cheyned in helle .It is as lewed a þing / as a lampe wiþouten lyghte .Many chapelyns arn chast / but charite is a way .Is noman houdere þan þei / whan þei biþ avuancedUnkynde to here kyn / also to all cristen .Thei chewen here charite / and chide after more .The curatours þat kepe ȝow / clene of ȝoure bodies .Ȝe beþ combred coueitise / ȝe conne nowght crepe oughte .So harde now haþ auarice / hasped hem to gedresAl trouþ ȝe haue tinte / & treches ȝe haute .To lernyng to þe lowed men / þe were to worche .For þe wordes arn wreten / in the wangelie¶Date & dabitur vobis . for I shal dele ȝ alle .That is þe lok of loue / & lateþ ought my grace .To confort of carful / a combred in synne .Loue is þe leuest þing / þat oure lord askeþ .And ek þe gracieuse gate / þat in to heuene ledeþ .For ȝit . I . lay as . I . sayde / be sith of þe textes .Whan alle tresours be tried / treuþ is þe best .Now haue . I . told þe what treuþ is / þat no tresour is bettre .I may no lengere dwelle now / loke þe our lorde .Capitulo iij// Secundus passus de visione /ȜȜIt kneled . I . on knes / & criede here of grace .And sayde mercy madame / for maries sone of heuene .That bar þe blyssid barn / þat bowght vs on þe rode .Kenne me be som craft . to knowe þe fals .Loke on þi left half . quod she / lo where he stondes .Boþe fals & fikill / & his fers many . ¶ . I . loked on my left half / as þat lady badde .And was war of a woman / wonderly cloþed .Y-purfiled wiþ pelour / þe purest on erþe .Y-corouned in a trone / þe kyng haþ non bettre .Al here fiue fyngres / y-fretted wiþ rynges .Of þe purest perreye / þat prince wered euere .In red skarlet y-robed / ribande wiþ gold .Ther nys no queyn queynte / þat quyk is on liue .What is þis woman quod . I . so worthily a tiredThat is mede þe made / þat haþ noied me ful ofte .And lakked my lore / to lordes aboute .She is in þe pope paleys / as priue as my selfe .And so shold she noght / for for wrong was here fyre .Oute of wrong she wex / to wroþe hele many .¶Talis þat talis filia .¶For shal þer neuere brere bere / berie as a vine .Ne on a croked kene þorn / kynde figes waxe .¶Bonus arbor bonus fructus & cetera .. .. I . oute ben hiere þan she / for I come of abettre .Now worth a mariage mad / of mede and of fals .Favel wiþ faux speche / haþ forged hem to gedres .And gile haþ be gon her so / she graunteþ al his wille .And al his liers lore / þat ledeþ hem to gederes .Now worht þere a mariage made / a I þe trealy telle .Ther mightestow wite ȝif þou will / whiche þai ben alle .That longeth to þat lordshipe / þe lesse and þe more .Fo vKnowe hem þer ȝif þou canst / and kepe þe fro hem alle .Ȝif þow wilnist to wone / wiþ treuþ in his blysse .. I . may no lengere let now / oure lord I þe be kenne .Ac me a goodman . I . rede þe / for any couettise .¶Now al þe riche retinaunce / þat woneþ wiþ þe fals .Were beden to þe dredale / open bothe sidesSire simonie is . I . sent / to sele þe charite .Of all þat als oþer favel / by any fare holdeþ .And feffeþ mede þer wiþ / in mariage or euere .Ther nas hall ne house / to herber we þe peple .That eche feld ne was ful / of folk al aboute .In þe middes of a mountayne / at mydemorwe tyde .Was pight vpenp a pauilon / a prude for þe nones .Ten þousand of tentes / telded by sides .Of knyghtes of contres . of comuners a boute .For sysours for somnours / for sellers for byggersFor beggers for borwes / & or many oþer .For lerid for lewed / for laborers of werkes .Bedeles & bailifs / & brocours of chaffare .Forgoers butlers / and vokectz of þe arches .¶I can not rekne þe route / þat run about mede .But Symonie and Ciuile / & sisours of þe contres .Were pryuiest bith hire / of any men me þoughte .All to witnesse . what þe writte wolde .In what maner þat mede / wiþ mariage was feffed .To be fastned wiþ fals / þe syn is a rered .Than favel fecheþ here forþ / & to fals taketh .In forwarde þat falsede / shal fine here or euere .And she be boun at is bode / his biddying to fulfille .At bedde and at bord / boxum and hende .And right as Symonie wil sayn / his bidding to fulfille .Now Simonie & Ciuile / stonden forþ boþe .And vndoþe þe feffement / þat fals haþ made .¶And þus beginneþ þis gromez / and gredan wel loude .Witeþ and witnesseth / þat wonen vpon erþe .. 1 .¶Sciant presentes & futuri & cetera .That I favel / feffe falshede to mede .To present in pres / for pore or for riche .Wiþ þe erldom of enuie / euere for to last .Wiþ the lordshipe of lecherie / in lenthe and in bredeWiþ the kyngdom of Coueitise / .I. cronne hem to gederes .And all þe ile of usurie & auarise als .Glotonie and gret oþes / y giue hem to gederes .Wiþ all delites of lust / þe deuel for to serue .To be prince in pride / & wherte to despise .To bakbiten & bost / & bere falswitnesse .To scorn and to scolde / and sclandre to make .Vxbuxum & bold / to breke goddes hestes .Wiþ þe chastel of chest / and chacing oute of reson .In burgayne in brocage / in borwing of þese .Alday in dronkenhode / of diuerse tauvernes .Ther to iangle and iape / & iuge here euen casten To freten in fasting / a for none and drynk .To sewe such felashipe / til þei falle in slouþeþeAnd waken in wan hope / & no wil to amendea mendeFor he leueþ to be lost / whan he his lif letteþlif letteþeWiþ the seignorie of sleuþ / I sese hem tohemtogederes .to haue and to hold / and all here heires after .Wiþ þe pertenaunce of purgatorie / & wiþ þe pine of hell .Ȝeldyng for þis þing / at o ȝers ende .Here soules to Satanas / to dwelle in peyne .Ther to wone wyth wrong whil god is in heuene .In witnesse of whiche þing þis wrong was þe first .And piers þe pardoner paulyns doctor .And bedde þe bedle of Bokkynhaam shire .Randolf þe reue . of Rutland sokne .Mund þe milnere / and many mo oþer .In þe date of þe deuell / þis dede is y seled .By sight of sire Simonie / wiþ notaries signes .¶Than tened hym teologie / whan he þis tale herde .And saide vn to Ciuile / sorwe on þe chekes .Such weddyng to make / to wreþthe wiþ treuþe .And er þis weddyng be wroght / wo þe be tide .God graunted to geue mede to þe trewe .And þow hast þif here to gile / god gife þe forwe .Thi text telleþ þe not so / treuþ wote þe soþe .Worthi is þe werkman / his mede wel to haue .And þow hast fastned here to fals / now fy on þi lawe .For al by lesinges þow lyuest / & lecherouse werkes .Simonie and þi self / shenden holycherche .And also þis notaries / noien þe peple .Ȝe shul abye boþe / be god þat me made .Wel ȝe witte wernerdes / but ȝif ȝowre witte faille .Fo vjThat fals is a faytour / and faiþles of werkes .And as a bastard y bore / of belsabubbes kyn .And mede is moillere / a mayde of gode myndShe myghte kisse þe kyng . for cosyn ȝif she wolde .¶And þerfore do by wisdom / & by witte after .And lede here to london / þer lawe is y handled .Ȝif any liaunce wil loke / to lye hym to gederes .And þogh iustise Iuge hire / be ioyned to fals .Beþ war of þe weddying / for witt...y is treuþe .Conscience is of his counseill . þat kenneȝ ȝow ychon .Ȝif he finde ȝow in defaute . wiþ fals þat ȝe holde .It shal sate ȝowre soules / ful sour atte laste .¶Here to assentiþ Ciuile / but Simonie nolde .Til he hadde siluer / for seles & signes .Than fet favel / florenns ynowe .And bad gile go / gife gold al aboute .And namely to notaries / þat hem non faille .And feffe falswitnesse / wiþ floreyns y nowe .For she may mede maystrie / & make at hym wille .Whan the gold was gefe / gret was þe þonkes .To fals and to favel / fore here same giftes .And come to confort fals / & fiberly þay saiden .Certes cese shal we neuere / til ȝe haue mede wedded .For we haue mede maistrede / wiþ oure meir speche .What she graunteþ to come / wiþ a gode will .To london to loke / ȝif þat lawe will .Iugge ȝow ioyntly / in ioye for euere .¶Than was fals fayn / and favel also blise .Thei let somon al þe segges / in shires aboute. To here bodes to be boun / beggers and oþer .To wenden to westmynster / to witnesse þis dede .Þan carede þei for caples / to carien hem þeder .Than fette favel / foles of the best .Mede on a shiref rode / shodde al newe .Fals sat on a sisour / ful softly gan trotte .Favel on fair speche / ful fetishly a tired .And notaries vpon personeȝ / þat perunite ofte .And on þe pore prouisours / & apeles in þe arches .Somnours alson taken supersedeas .On hent þat louen lecheire / loþen up and ride. Simonie and Ciuile / dide on her fete gon .¶Than said Ciuile / and saide be þe rode .Somnours shall be sadled / and serue him ychon .Ther lete apparaille prouisours / in palfreys wise .Sire simonie hym self / shal sitte on here bakkes .And all þis erchdeknes / on dextrers hem dighte .For þei shal bere þe bishopes . and bryng hem to reste .Paulnis peple . or pleintes in constarie .Shal serue my self . þat ciuile hatte .Oure comessaire wiþ cart sadle . our cart shal be drawe .And fethem our vitailes . of fornicatours .Of liars make a long cart . to leden al þis other .As freres and flatours . þat on here feet rennen .¶Than falsed and favel . faire forþ to gedere .And mede in þe meddes . and all þe meyne after.Thane no toome to telle . þe tail þat hem folwed .Of all manere of men . þat on þis molde lyven .But gile was forgoere . and gied hem all .Soþnes seiþ hem wel . and said but lital .He prikeþ on his palfrey . & paseþ hem all .He com to þe kynges court . & conscience tolde .And Conscience to þe kyng / karped it aftre .¶By Crist quod þe kyng þo / gif . I . myght cache .Fals other oþer favel / or any of hesre feres .I . wold of hem ben awreke / þat worche so illeAnd . I . shal hengen by þe hale . all þat hem meyntene .Shal neuere man on þis molde . manprise þe best .But as þe lawe loke . on hem shall it falle .He called a conestable . þat come at þe first .To cachen þis tirauntz for any þing . I . hote .Fetre falsnes fast . for any kyn giftes .And girde of giles hede . lete hym go no ferþer.Bryng mede to me . maugre hem all .¶Simonie and Ciuile / I . sende hem to warn .That holicherche for hem . worth harmed for euere .Ȝif þou maight lache here : lere hym not ascape .Putte hum on þe pelorie . for any þing . I . hote .¶Drede at þe dore stode / and þis dome herd .And wyghtly went : to warne þe fals .To sle forþ swiftly . and his feres alle .Þan falsnes for fere / fledde to þe freres .And gile to is hym togan go agast for to die .Fo vijBut marchandes hem mette . and made hem to bide .And shette hem in here shopes . to shewe heir ware .Apparailed hem as a prentiȝ.þe peple to serue .Lyghtlyche lyere . lepe a way þanne .Lorkyng þrow lanes . logged of monoie .He was now—here welcome / for his meri tales .But ouere al hunted . & hoted for to trusse .Til pardoners hade pite . and pulled him to house .Washe hym and wypt him : & wound hym in cloutre .Sent him on sundays . wiþ seles to cherches .To ȝif pardon for pens : pound mele a boute .¶Than loured leches / and lettres þei sent .To come and dwelle wiþ hem . watres to loke .Spicers spak wiþ hym . to aspie þe were .For he kenneþ here craft : & knoweþ many gomes .Minstrals & mesagers : mette wiþ hym ones .And wiþheld hym half a ȝer . & eleuen dayes .Freres wiþ faire speche . fette him þens .For knowyng of comers . coped hym as a frere .And ȝaf hym leue to lepe oute : as oft as hym lyked .And is welcome whan he will : & woneþ wiþ hem oft .¶Than Simonie and Ciuile / sent to Rome .And put hem in apele . in þe popes grace .Conscience to þe kyng . accused hem bothe .And sayd sire kyng : but þi clergie amende .Thi kyngdom in couettise : oute of kynde wendeþ .And holicherche for hem : worth harmed for euere .This oþer fledde for fer : and flowe in to hirnes .Saue mede þat mayde / noman dorst abyde .But treuly to tell / she trembled for fere .Boþe wepe and wrong . whan she was a tired .Capitulo iiij // Passus tercius de visione .NOW is mede þe mayde / no mo of hem all* . Wiþ bedeles & bailifis / broght a-fore þe kyng* .The kyng* calleþ a clerk . I can not his name .Take hym mede þe mayde / to make here at ese .I wil assaie here my-self / and soþly oposeapose .What man on þis molde / þat here were leuest* .Ȝif she worche be wyt / my witte folwe .I . wil for-gefe hir þis gylt / so me god helpe .¶Curtaisly þan þe clerk* / as the kyng* hete .Tooke mede by þe mydle / & broght here to chambre .¶Þan was þere good minstralcie / mede wiþ to plese .And þai þat wonne at westmynstre / worschip here all* .Gentelie wiþ grete ioye / þe Iustises sone .Busked hem to þe boure / þer the birde dwelled .Conforted here kyndely / by clergies leue .Moorne þow nowght mede / ne make þow no sorwe .For we wol wisse the kyng / & þi way shape .For al Conscience cast* / & craft as I trowe .¶Myldelych þe mayde / þan meried hem alle .Of here gret goodnesse / and gaf hem ychon .Coupes of clene gold / & coppes of siluer .Rynges wiþ rubyes / & richesse manye .The lest of hire men / a moton of gold .Þan laght þei leue / þis lordes at mede .¶Wiþ þat come clerkes / wiþ confort and game .And bad hire be bliþe / for we arn þin owen .To worche alway þi will* / while oure lyf* lasteþ .Hendly þan she / hyght me þe same .To loue hem lelly / & gret lordes make .In constorie at Court / to don calle here names .Shal no lewednesse hym lette / þat lede þat . I . loue .That he ne worth first auanced / for . I . am þer I knowe .Where conyng clerkes shal go / clokkyng be-hynde .Purchase ȝow prouendres . whiles ȝowre pens lasten .And brynge ȝow benefice / pluralite to haue . ¶Than come þer a Confessour / coped as a frere .To mede the mayde / mekly he louteþ .And said ful softly / in shrift as it were .Ȝif lered and lewed / haue leyn by þe ychon .Ȝif falshod haue folwed þe / þis fyftene wyntre .I . shal assoille þe my-self / for a seme of whete .And also be þi baudekyn / to bere wel þi erande .A-mong clerkes & knyghtes / concience to selle .¶Than mede for here mysdedes / to þat man kneles .And shrof hire of shrewednesse / shamles . I . trowe .She told hym a tale þer / and toke hym a noble .For to be here bedeman / and hire baude after .And þan assoiled he here sone / & siþe he saise .We han a wyndowe y-wroght / stont vs ful hye .Wilt þow glase þe gable / and graue þer þi name .Fo xiijAnd syker shal þi soule be / heuene to haue .¶Wist . I . þat quo þe wenche ...?...?.../ þer nys wyndow ne autereThat . I . ne shold make or amende / & my name wryte .That eueri man myghtsaynmyght sayn . I . were suster of ȝowre house .But god to al goodfolk / swyche grauiynggrauyng defendeþ .&saiþ Nesciat sinistra tua quid facit dextra & cetera . .Late not þi left hand / late ne raþe .Be war what þi right hand / woorche or deleþ .So priuilyche part it / þat pride be not sene .Noyþer in sight nor in soule / for god hym-self* knoweþ .Who is curteys or kende / coueitous or elles .¶Therfor . I . rede ȝow lordes / swyche writyng* to leteIn wyndowes in wastyng / of ȝowre wel dedes .Or grede after goodes men / when ȝe ȝos...ure good delesIn aunter ȝe haue / þe hire þer-of here .For oure Sauior it saide / as hym-selfe preched .¶Receperunt mercedem —suam¶Ȝe Mairs and maistres / þat beþ menes .Be-tweyn þe kyng / and þe comunes / to kepe þe lawes .As to ponyshe on pelorie / or pynnyng stole .Bakers and brewers / bochers and cokes .This ben men on þis mold / þat most harm worchen .To þe pore peple / þat parcelmele ..biggen .For þei apporesse þe peple / ful priuily oft .And beþ riche by regratrie / & rentes hem byggen .Of þat þe pore peple shold / putte in here wombe .For ne toke þei on treuly / thei tymbred not so hye .Ne bought no burgage / be ȝe wel seure .¶But mede þe maide / mayre she besoughte .Of alle such sellers / siluer to take .Or presentes wiþ-outen pens / as peces of syluer .Ringes of richesse / regratours to maynteyne .For my loue quo þe lady / soffre hem ychon .To byggen and to sellen / somdell* a-gayn reson .¶For-þi Salemon þe sage / a sermon he made .To amende þis mayde / and men þat kepe lawes .And told hem þis teme / þat . I . þe telle þinke .¶Ignis deuorabit tabernaculam eorum qui libenter acciperunt muneram . .Among þis lettrid men / latin amountiþ .That fyr shal afall* / & brenne at þe last /The hous and þe home / of hem þat desiren .To haue ȝiftes or mede / be-cause of here office /¶Than come þe kyng fro þe conseill* . and called aftere mede .And sent aftre hire swiþe / a serieant here fette .And broght hire to boure / wiþ merþe and wiþ ioye .Curtaysly þan þe kyng* / comseth to telle .And to mede þe mayde / meled þis woordes .Vnwittyly hastow wroght/ many tyme and oft .But wors destow neuere / þan whan þow fals toke .But . I . forgif* þe þe gilt / and graunt* þe my grace .Hens to þi ded day / do þow so no more .¶I . haue a knyght hiȝt Conscience / come late fro be-ȝond .Ȝif he will* þe to wyfe / wilt þou hym haue .Ȝe lord quo þe lady / god for-bede elles .But . I . be at yowir hest / lete honge me in hast* .¶Than was conscience / y-called to come & appere .A-forn þe kynges conseill* / clerkes & other .Knelying þan Conscience / to the kyng saide .To wyte what his wil were / and what he do shold .Wiltow wedde þis woman / ȝif . I . wil assentFor she wol fayn vnderfonge þe / to be þi fere .¶Quod Conscience to þe kyng* / crist me forbede .Er . I . wedde suche a wyf / wo me be-tyde .She is frele of here fayþ / fikel of here speche .She makeþ men misdo / manyscoremany score tymes .For trust of here tresour / she teneþ wel many .Wyves and wedowes / wontownesse techeþ .And lereþ lecherie þat louen here ȝeftes .Ȝour fader she felled / þrogh fals behest .She poysons popes / appaireth holycherche .Is not abetrea betre baude / by hym þat me made .By-twyx heuene and helle / and erþe ȝif men soght .She is tikel of her taille / talwys of tongeAs comun as þe cartway / to knawes & to alle .To monkes and to mynstrals / to meseles in heges .Sysours and Somnours / such men hyre praysen .Shirefs of shyres were shent ȝif* she nere .She doþ men lese here lond / & hyre lyfe boþe .She lateþ passe prisons / & paieþ for hem oft* .She ȝefeþ þe Gayler gold / and grotez to-geredes .To vnvnfetere fals / and fle wher hym lyketh* .She takeþ þe trewe by þe toppe / and tieth hym fast* .And hongeth for hatred / hym that harmed neuere .To be corsed in ..Fo ixTo be corsed in Constaire / she counteth noþ a rishe .She copeþ þe Commyssarie / and coteþ his clerkes .She is assoiled as sone / as hire-self lykes .She may nyȝ as muche doon / in a moneþ ones .As ȝowre secreselesecre sele / in Sexscore dayes .She is priue wiþ þe Pope / prouisours it knowen .Simonie and here self / selen hem here bulles .She byssid þe byschopes / þifȝif þay be lewed .Prouendreþ parsons / & styfly hem maynteyneþ .To holden here lemmans / al here lyf days .To bringe forþ barnes / al agayn þe lawe .¶Sunt infelices quorum matres sunt meretrices ..Whan she is wel wiþ þe kyng / woo is þe reaume .For she fauoreþ þe fals / & treuþ pursueþ oft .Barons & Burgeys / she bryngeþ to sorwe .With hem riche Iowelles / ȝouirȝour Iustise she shendeþ .She lyth a-gayn þe lawe / and letteþ hem euere .That faiþ may not haue his forþ / hire floreins go so þikke .She lediþ þe lawe / rith as here-self list .And louedays makeþ / a-gayn right .The lawe is now so lodrly / & loþ to maken ende .Wiþ-outen presens of pens / she pleseþ wel fewe .Clergie & couetise / she coupleþ to-gederes .This is the lyf of þat lady / now lord ȝef here sorwe .And all* þat here maynteyne / now sorwe hem betide .The pore haþ no power / to playn ȝif him smert .ShcheSuche a mayster is mede / and pleyned to the kyng .To haue leue to speke / spede ȝif she myght .The kyng graunteþ here grace / wiþ a good will* .Excuse þe ȝif þou canst . I . can no bettre say .For Conscience accuseþ þe / to conge þe for-euere .¶Ȝe lord quo þe lady / leueþ hym þe wers .Whan ȝe witte witterly / wher þe wrong lyth .Ther þat meschef itis gret / mede may helpe .And þou knowest conscience .I. come not heder to chide .Ne to depraue þi parsone wiþ a proud hert .Wel þou wost Conscience / but þou wilt lye .Thow hast hongen on my half / eleuene tymes .And also griped of my gold / & gef where þou lyked .Why þou wrathest þe now / wonder me þenketh .For ȝut . I . may as . I . myght / menske þe wiþ ȝeftesAnd mayntene þi manhode / more þan þou knowestBut þow hast defamed me afore þe kyng* .Ne killed . I . neuere kyng* . ne conseilled þer-after .Ne dide as þou demest / . I . do it on þe kyng* .In Normandie nas he noght / noyed for my sake .¶But þou þi-self soþli / shamed hem ful oft .Thou crope in-to a Caban / for cold of þi nayles .Þou wendest þat wynter / wold haue lasted euere .Þou dreddest to haue be ded / for a dymme cloude .And hastedest þe hamwarde / for hungre of þi wombe .Wiþ-oute pite Pilour / poure men þou robedest .Thou bare here bras on þi bakke / to Caleys to selle .Ther . I . left wiþ my lord / his lyf for to saue .And made him wiþ myrþe / mornyng to leue .I . batred hem on þe bak / and bolded here hertes . . I . dede hoppe for hope / to haue me at will* .Had . I . be Marchal of his men / by mari of heuene .I . dorst haue layd al my lyf / & no lesse wedde .He had be lord of al þat lond / in lenthe and in bredeAnd kyng of al þat kyth / his kyn þer-wiþ to helpe .The lest Baron of his blode / a Barons pere .¶Towardly þou conscience / consailled hem þens .To leuen his lordschip / for a litel siluer .Þat is þe richest reaume / þat regneþ vnder heuene .It comeþ to a kyng / þat kepe shal a reaume .To gefe hese men mede / þat mekly hym serue .To aliens to alle men / to haue honour for ȝeftes .For mede makes hem / and for a man holde .Emperours Erls / and alle manere lordes .For ȝeftes han ȝongmenȝong men / to renne and to ryde .The pope of his prelates / presentes vnderfongeþ .And medeþ men him-self / to maynteygne þe lawes .Seruantz for to serue / we sen wel þe sothe .Taken mede of here maistres / þei mown accorde .Mynstrals for merþes / mede þay taken .Men þat ken clerkes / crauen of hem mede¶Prestes þat prechen / þe peple to gode .Asken mede and messe pens / & here mote alsoAlkens craftmen / for craft taken mede .For mede & marchaundies / most nede go to-gedred .Ther is no wyght as . I . wene / may leue wiþ-oute ende .Fo x¶Quod þe kyng to Conscience / be Crist as me þenkeþ .Mede is wel worþi / þe maystirie to haue .//Than saide conscience / & knelyþ to þe grounde .Ther beþ too manere medes / lord be ȝowre leue .That on god of his grace / gyueþ in his blysse .To hem þat ay worche wel / whil þai lyue here .The profite preched so / and putte it in þe sautre¶Qui pecuniam suam &c.Take no mede my lord / of men þat beþ trewe .But loue hem and lene hem / for lordes loue of heuene .Goddes mede & mercy / þer-wiþ myghtow wynne¶Ther is a mede mesurles / þat maystres deseruenTo maynten mesdedes / mede þay taken .And þer-of sayþ þe sauter . in a salmesendesalmes ende .¶In quorum manibus iniquitatis &c.He þat grapeþ here ȝeftes / so me god helpe .Shal abye it biterly / or þe book lieth .Parsons & prestes / þat presentz desiren .Or take mede or moneye / for messe þat þei sing .Shal haue þe mede on þis mold / þat mathew haþ graunted .¶Amen dico vobis receperunt mercedem suam .An-oþer mede þer is / mesurable here .That laborers and Lewedfolk*lewed folk* / take of here maystres .In marchandise is no mede .I. may it wel avowe .It is a permutasion / a peny for an-oþer .¶Ne redde þou neuere . Regum . þou recreyde mede .How þat vengeaunce fell* / on saul and his childre .How god sent hem to say / by samuels mouþe .That agag of amalech / & al his peple after .Sholde die for a dede / þat donehad his elders .Agayne Israel Aaron / & Moyses brother .¶Samuel sayde to saul / god sent þe to say .And hoteþ þe be buxom / his byddyng to fulfille .Wende þeder wiþ þin ost / wymmen to kylle .Children and cherles / choppe hem to deþLoke þow kylle þe kyng / take not his godesFor ony mylions of moneye / þou morþre hem ychon .Bernes and bestes / brenne hem to deþe .¶And for he quelled not þe kyng / as crist hym bode sent .For coueitise of catel / slow not here bestes .But drof forþ þe bestes / as the bible telleþGod said to Samuel / þat saul shuld dye .And al his sede for þat synne / shamfully ende .Suche an meschef mede made þe kyng* to haue .¶The . Culorum . of þis ne kepe I not to shewe .And an aunter if I noied me amendes wil I make . // I conscience knowe þis for kynde witte me taght .That reson shal regne ȝit and reaumes gouerne .And right so as agag happed shal somme .Samuel shal slen hym and Saul be blamed .And Dauid shal be dyademed & daunted of all* .And o cristen kyng kepe vs ychon .And mede shal nomore be maystres on erthe .But lele loue and leute & lyance to-gederes .And who-so tresspaseþ aganis treuþ or takeþ agayn his wille .Leelte shal don hym lawe & no lyf elles .No sergeant for þat seruice shal were a sylkyn howe .Ne no ray robes wiþ riche pelour .Mede of mesdoers makeþ many lordes .That lawe is lord waxen and lelte is pore .Vnkendenesse is comandour & kyndenesse is banished .But kynde witte shal come a-ȝen & conscience to-gedre .And make of lawe a laborere such* loue shal arise .Capitulo v\\ Quartus passus de visionecCEsseþ now quod þe kyng . I . soffre ȝow no lengere .Ȝe shal acorde forsoþe / and serue me boþe .Kysse me here quod þe kyng conscience I þe hote .Nay be crist quod conscience conge me raþer .But reson me rede þer-to raþer wil . I . dye . // I comande þe quod þe kyng to conscience þan .Now rape þe to ride reson to feche .Comande hym come my conseil to here .For he shal reule my reaume & rede m[minim] þe bestOf mede and of mo oþer what man shal here weddeAnd counte wiþ þe conscience so me crist helpe.How þow reulest þe peple þe lered and þe lewed.¶I am fayn now þer-of saiþ þe freke þan .He rideþ right vn to reson & rouneþ in his ere .And said hym as þe kyng bad & siþe toke his leve .I shal aray me to ryde quod reson reest þe the while .He called Caton his knawe curtays of speche .And also tom treu tonge telle me no tales .Nor lesyng to lagh of . for I loued hem neuer .Late sadle me suffrance / til I se my tyme .Fo xjAnd late warrok hym wel / wiþ witful garthes .And hong on hem an heui brydel / to bere his hed lowe . ȝut wil he make wehe / er he come þer .¶Conscience on his caple þo / caried forth fast .And reson wiþ hym rydeþ / & rouneth in his ere .Whiche maystres / mede makeþ in þis erþe .But one waryn wisdom / & witty hys fere .Folwed hem fast / for þai had to done .In chekere and in chauncerie / discharge hem þai þink .And riden after reson / to rede hem þe best .To saue hym for silu? / fro shame & fro harmes .And Conscience knew wel / þei loued couetise .He bad reson ride fast / & recche of hem neyþer .Ther beþ wiles in here wordes / & wiþ mede þei dwelle . // But concience comeþ ferst to court by amyle .And romed tho wiþ reson / right a forn þe kyng .Curtaisly þe kyng þan / to reson he romeþ .And be twyx hym and his sone / sette hem on benche .¶Than spak þai a gret while / wisly to-gederes . Than pes vn-to þe parlement / put vp a bille . How wrong a-ȝens his wil had his wyf taken .And how he raueshed rose reynoldes loue .And margarete of hir maydenhode / maugre here chekes .Boþe my gees and my grys / his gadlynges fechen .ȝit dar I neyþer for her / feght ne chide .He borwed ones bayard / and brought him neuer again .Ne no ferþing þerfor / for nowgh I couþ pledeHe meynteneþ al his men / to robbe and to slee .Forstalleþ my chepyng / & flyteþ in my fair .He brekeþ my berne dores and bereþ away my whete.He takeþ me a tayl / for ten quarter of otes .& yit he beteþ me þer-to / & lyth be my mayde .And I am not hardy for hym / ones forth to loke .¶The kyng knew he sayd soþ / for concience hym tolde .That wrong was a weked lyft / & wrowght muche sorwe .Wrong was þan a-ferd & wisdom besoght .To make pes wiþ his pens & profred hym many .For had he þe kynges loue / litil wold he reche .þow pes and hese powere / pleyned hem euere .Wisdom wan tho / and so dide witte als .For þat wrong had wroght / so wykkyd a dede .And warned wrong tho wiþ suche a wise tale . Whoso worcheþ be wil wreþ he makeþ oft .I say it be þi self þou shalt it sone fynde .But ȝif mede it make þi meschef is vp . For boþe þi lyf and þi lond lyþ in þe kynges grace .¶Wrong vpon wisdom þo weped fast . And prayed hym for his handydandy help hym at his nede . Than wisdom and witte went to-gederes .And toke mede wiþ hem mercy to wynne .Pes put forth his hede & his pan blodye .Wiþ-oute gilte god wot gate I þis skaþe .Conscience and þe kyng knew wel þe soþe .And wist wel þat wrong was a shrewe euere .But wisdom and wi.tt were aboute fast .To ouercome þe kyng wiþ catel ȝif þei myght . ¶The ...?king be crist swore & by hys croun boþe .þat wrong for his werkes shold wo þoleAnd comanded a conestable to caste hem in yrens .He shal not þis seuene ȝer sen hese feet ones . ¶Nay sire quod wisdom þat nere not þe best . And he amendes mow make late maynprise him raþer .And brynge borwes for his bale & bygge hem bote .& amende þis misdede & eueremore do þe betre . Witte accorded þerwiþ and saide þe same .Bettre is þat bote bale adoun bryng .Than maken bale be bote & bote neuer þe betre .¶Than mede gan to meke here & mercy besoght .And profred pes a present al pure gold .Haue þis man of me to mende wiþ þi scaþe . For I wil wage for wrong he wil do so nomore .Pes petusly prayed þe kyng þanne .To haue mercy on þat man þat mysdede hym oft .For he haþ waged me wel as wysdom hym taght .And I for ȝeve hym þe gilt wiþ a good will . So þat ȝe assent I can say no more . Mede haþ made me amende I may nomore aske .¶Nay quod þe kyng so god ȝeve me blisse . Wrong wendes not so til I wot more .lepe he so lyghtly / laghyng he wolde . Alwey þe bol.der be to bete myn hynes .But reson haþ reuþe on hem he resteþ in stokkes .Fo xijAs long as he lyueþ / but lownesse hym borwe .Som radde reson þo / to haue reuþ on þat shrewe .And conseilled þe kyng / and conscience boþe .To make mede maynpernour / reson þai besought .¶Rede I not quod reson / no reuþ to haue .Til lordes and ladies / loue al trowþe .And haten al harlotrie to heren or to mowþe .And pernels purfile / be put in here huche .Til childres chersing / be chastised wiþ ȝerde .And harlotes holynesse / be holde for an hyne .Til clerkes and kynges / beþ curtays of hyre mouþ .And clerkes coueytise / þe pore to cloþe and to fede .And religious romers / recordes in here cloystre .As seint Bernard hem biddes / Benet & Fraunceys .Til prestes here prechyng / prouen hem self .And don hem self as þei say / to drawe vs to goode .Til þe kynges consaill* / be þe comune profit .Til bischopes baierdes / beþ beggers chambres .Here haukes and hondes / to helpe þe pope . Til seint Iame be soght / þer I shal assigne .þat no man go to gales / but he go for euere .And all* rome renners / for robbyng be-ȝonde .Bere no siluer ouer þe se / þat signe of coyn haþ .Neþer grotes ne gold / graue wiþ þe kynges coroun .I forfeture of þe fee / who fynt hem at donorre .But he be marchaunde / or messager of lettres .Or prouisour or prest / or penant for his sinnes .And ȝit be þe rode / shal I no rouþ haue .Whil mede haþ þe maystrie / to mote in þis halle .¶But . I . may shewe an ensample / as I se oþer . . I . say for my self / ȝif it so were .ȝif . I . were a kyng crouned / to kepe a reaume .Ne shol neuere wrong more / þat I myght wytte . Be vnponysht for my power / for peril of my soule .Ne gete grace þrow ȝeftes / so me god helpe .Ne haue mercy for mede / but meknes it make .¶For Nullum malum. þe man mette wiþ impunitum .And bad þat . nullum bonum. shold be Irremuneratum .So þi confessour sire kyng construe it on ynglysh .And if þu worche it in werk / I wedde boþe myn eres .That lawe shal be a laborer / & lede dong on felde .And loue shal lede þi londe / as þe leue lykeþ .Clerkes þat were confessours / coupled hem to-gederes .For to construe þis cause / þai clined fast .But not for þe confort of þe komen / ne for þe kynges soule .¶Whan reson and angre rehersen / had þis wordes .Ther nas man in þe mote / neyþer more ne lesse .That ne held reson a mayster / and mede a muche wreche .Loue lete of here lyght / & laght here to scorn .And sayd þis so loude / þat soþnes it herde .Who so wylneþ here to wyf / for welth of here godes .But he be a Cokwolde / cutte of my nose .Waryn wisdom þo / ne witti his fere .Couþ warpen þo a worde / to wiþ-say reson .But stared forth studying / & stode stille as bestes .¶I saw mede in þe mote hall . on men of lawe wynken . Thai lopen many to hyr / & lete reson many .Warin wysdom / wynked vpon mede .And said I am ȝoure man madime / what so my mouþ iaingle .I fal in floreins quod þe freke / & fail speche oft .The kyng acorded anon / to reson sawes .And sayd he had / rightfullych shewed¶Mede morned þo / and made heuy chere . For þe most comune of þat Court / called heir an hore .A sisour and a somnour / sewed here fast And a shirefs clerk / I shrewe al þeroute .Oft haue I . quod she holpe .ȝou at þe barre .And ȝet ȝaf ȝe me neuere / þe worth of a ricshe . It is hard be myn hed quod þe kyng / here to it brynge .And al myn lege lordes / to lede þus euen .¶By hym þat rist on þe rode quod reson þan .But I reule þus þi reume rende of my ribbe .Ȝif so be þat buxomnesse be of myn assent .And I assent quod þe kyng be seint Mari my lady .Be my Conseil y-comen / of clerkes and of Erles .But I say þe reson þu shalt not ride hens .For as longe as ay loue / lete þe I nyll .¶I am redy quod reson to reste wiþ ȝow euere .Ȝif Conscience be of conseill* kepe I no bettre .I graunte þat quod þe kyng god forbede he faill .As longe as I leue be we to-gedres .Passus quintus de visioneFo xiijCapitulo viThe kyng and his knyghtes / to þe Cherche went . —To here matyns and messe / and to þe mete aftre .Tho waked I of wynkyng / and wo was wiþ-all .That I ne hadde saddere slept / and I-sey more .Er I had fared a forlong fantasie me hent .A fote ne myght . I . ferþer for defaute of slepe .I sat softly a-doun / and sayd my beleue .And also . I . babled on my bedes / til I was a-slepe .¶Than saw I a muche more / þan I may ȝow telle . —Al þe feldfulfeld ful of folk / þat I of tolde .And Conscience wiþ a cros / come for to preche .He praiede þe peple / haue pite on hem-self .And proued þat þe pestilence / was for pore synne .And þe souþwest wynd / þat so loude blewe .Was apertly for pride / & no point elles .Peries and plumtres / were puffed to þe grounde .In ensample þat ȝe shold / do þe bettre .Beches and Brode okes / were blowe to þe grounde .Þai turned vp þe tayl / in tokne of drede .That synne a-forn domesday / shal for-don hem all* .He bad wastours go worche / what þai best couþe .And wynnen þat þei wasted / wiþ som manere craft .And prayed pernell* þe proude / here purfil to leue .And kepe it in here cophre / for catel at nede .¶Thomas he taught / to take tot[w]o stauesAnd fecchen home felice fro wyllenpyne .He warned wattes wyf / þat she was to blame .Here hede was worth a mark / his hod worth a groteHe charged chapmen / to chastise here childre .That no wynnyng wanye hem / while þei beþ ȝong .For no pouste of penaunce / plese hem out of reson .¶My sire saide so to me / and so dide my dameThat euere þe leuere child / the more lore be-houeþ .The same said Salamon / þat sapience made .¶Qui parcit virge odit filium .The yngelysh of þis latin / who wole it knowe .Who-so spare þe springe hateþ þe chidechildeHe prayed prelates & prestes / eke to-geders .Al þat þei preched / preue it hem-selfe .And lyue as þei lerne vs / we shal it leue þe bettre .He radde religion / here reule wel to holde .Lest þe kynges consaill* / ȝour comunes apaire .And be stiwardes in ȝowre stede . til ȝe be cattelld bettre .And þan he conseilles þe kyng his comunes to loue .That is þi tresour in trouþ triacle at nede .And þan he prayede þe pope haue rouþ of holycherche .And er he ȝef any grace . gouerne wel hym-self .And ȝe þat haue þe lawe to loke . lete lelte be styward .More þan ȝiftes of gold . ȝif ȝe wole god plese .¶For he þat contrarieþ trouþ . he telleþ in his gospelThat he knoweþ hem not . ne no seint in heuene .¶Amen dico vobis nescio vos . .Tho þat seken seint Iame . and seintz of rome .Sekeþ seint treuþ for he may saue ȝow alle .¶Qui cum patre & filio þat fair mote ȝow befalle . —That sewen my sarmon & þis saide reson .And þan ran repentaunce . to reherce his teme .And made wil to wepen . water wiþ his eien .Pernel proude-hert . fel plat to þe erthe[†]She sighed soryfusoryful & saide lord mercy .And hight to hym . þat vs al made .She shold vnsowe here serke . & sette þer an heire .To affaite here flesh . þat fers was to synne .Shal neuere my hert be so heyh . but holde me lowe .And suffre to be myssayd . & so dide I neuer .But now wil I meke me . and mercy beseke .Of al þat I haue hadde pride in my hert .¶Leccherie saide allas . and on oure lady criede . —To gete mercy of god . in helpe of his soule .Wiþ þat he shold saturday . seuene ȝer þerafter .Drynk wiþ þe duk . and dine but ones .¶Enuie wiþ heuie hert . asked aftre shrift —Carfully his coulpe . begynneþ he to shewe .As pale as apeleta pelet. in a palasie he semed .He was clad in a caurimaury . I couþ it not deuise .A kirtil and a courteby . a knyf by his side .Of a freres frok . were his forsleues .As a leke had y-ley . long in þe sonne .So loked he wiþ lene chekes . louryng foule .Al forbolne for angre . þat he bete his lippes .And wroþly he wrong his fist . to wreke hem he þouþtþougtWiþ werk or wiþ woord . whan he se his time .Eche wordle þat he warpe . was of an naddere tonge .Of chidyng and of chalangyng . was his chif lyflode .Fo xiiijTo bakbyte and bysmare & bere falswitnessefals witnesse .This was al his Curtasie . where þat he shewed hym .I wold be shreve quod þe shrewe / & I for shame dorst .And ȝit woldywold ybe gladdere/ þat gibbe hadde myschaumcemyschaunce .Than I hadde þis wike / I-won awaya way of Excess chese .Venym or vernysh / or vynegre I trowe .Waldeþ in my wombe / and waxeþ as I trowe .Myght I not many day / do as a man sholde .Suche a wynde in my wombe / wareþ alway .I haue a neighbour by me / I haue noied hem oft .And blamed hym by-hynde / to putte hem in defaute .To payren by my powere / I pursued hem oft .Bylowen hym to lordes / to don hym lese siluer .Don his frendes ben his fone / þorgh my fals tonge .His grace & his good happe / greuen me ful sore .Be-twixe hym and his wyf / haue I made wraþþe .Boþe lyme and lyf . lost þorgh my tonge .And whan I mete in markette / þat I most hate .I hals as frendly / as I his frend were .He is doghtiere þan . I . I. dar dono harm do hym .But hadde I þe maystrie / I wold hym al at fort morthere .¶What I come to þe Chirche / to knele to þe rode . —To praye for þe peple / as þe prest techeþ .For pilgrimes for palmers / for al þe peple aftre .Aftre þat I crie as cof / þat god gyf hem sorwe .That bar away my bolle / and my broken shete .Þan fro þe auter . I myn eien cast .And be-hold how hane / had a newe cote .A-non I wyshe it were myn / and al þe webbe aftre .Of his lesing I lagh / it lyghteþ myn hert .But for his wynnyng I wepe / and weil þe tyme .I deme þat he doþ ille / & ȝit I do wors .Who þat haþ more þan I / it angreþ myn hert .And þus I leue louelesse / lyke a lyther dogge .Than al my brost bolneþ / for bitter of my galle .I might not ete many ȝere / as a man sholde .For enuie & euel will* / is ille to defieTher is no Sugre so swete / may swage it an yncheNe no diapenydion / dryue it fro myn herte .And ȝif þat shrift sholde / nowe a wonder it were .Ȝis redyli quod repentaunce / & redde hem to gode .Oft sorwe for synne . saueþ wel many .I am sory quod enuie . I nam butseldombut seldom oþer .And þat makeþ me mad . I may me not venge .¶Than come sire Coueitise . I can hym not discriue . —So hongrely & so holgh / sire henri he lokeþ .Bitil browed and baberlipped / wiþ two blered eyen .And as aletherena letheren purs / honged his chekes .In a torn tabarde / of twesuetwelue wynter age .But if a lous couþ lepe . leue þou for-soþe .She shuld not wandre on þat lugh / so was it þredbare .I am caytif coueitous quod he / I am it wel a-knowe .For sumtyme whan I serued / Sym atte Noke .I was his prentise aplight / his profit to loke .First I lerned to lye / a lef oþer twey .Wikkedlych to weye / formest I lerned .To wynchestre and to Wye / I went to þe faire .Wiþ many maner marchandise / as my mayster hyght .Ne had þe grace of gile goon / a-mong my ware .It nad be sold þis seuene ȝere/ so me god helpe .¶Than drogh I me to drapers / my donet to lerne . —To draw þe lesour on lengh / þe lenger it semed .Among þe riche rays / I rendred a lesson .Priked hem wiþ a paknedle / & plited hem to-gedre .Putte hem in a presse / & pynned hem þere .Til ten ȝerde or twelw / tolled oute þreten .My wyf was a webstere / & wollen cloþ wroght .And spak to þe spinsteres / to spynnen it soft .The pound þat she paied for . weied a quarte more .Than it is dede by myn ansere / whan I weied treuþ .¶I broght here also barlych / she brewed it to selle . —Boþe penyale & pewe . she poured it to-gederes .For laborers and londfolk . she layd it be it-self .The best in my bedchambre / lay by þe wowe .And who-so bumed þer-of . paied þer-aftereAy a galon for a grote . god wote no lesse .And so it come copmele . þat craft my wif vsed .Rose þe regratoure . was here right name .She haþ holden hucsterie . elleuen wyntre .Now wil I swere soþly . þat synne to leueAnd neuere wey wikkedly . ne chaffare myschaunge .But wend I wil to walsyngham . & my wif als .Fo xvAnd bidde to þe rode of Bromholme bryng vs out of dette .¶Than bygynneþ gloton for to go to Cherche . —And shope hym to shrift-warde hys synnes for to lete .Sone Beton þe breuster / bad hym good morwe .Fast she frayned hym whederwarde he fared .To holicherche quod he for to here messe .Siþ wil I shrive me and synne nomoreno more .A gossib quod she I haue good ale wiltow assay .Ye but hastow quod he þan any hote spices .A good gossib quod she god wot wel hote .Boþ peper and pionye & a pound of garlek .A ferþingworth of fenelsed for fastyng days¶Than goþ gloton in and gret oþes after . —And fond sisse þe semstere sittyng on þe benche .Watte þe wollen webbe & his wif bothe .Thom þe tynkere and twey of his knaves .Hyk þe hakney man & hewe þe nedelere .Clarys of cokkislane and þe clerk of þe chyrche .Dawe þe dychere and a dozemdozen oþer .A ribibour a ratonere a rakere of þe chepe .A ropere a redekyng and kitte þe kempstere .Of vpholders an hepe erlych on þe morwe .¶Eche man forhansel to gloton drank a galon ale . —Clement þe Coblere cast of his cloke .And atte þe newefaire he nemeþ it to selle .Hik þe hostelere hitte his hode after .And bade bette þe bochere ben on his side .Thus sone were chapmen chosen þe chaffare to prayse .An who-so hadde þe hode shold haue þe mendes .Tho risen vp þo radde & rouned to-gederes .And praysed þe peniworths apert by hem-self .There were oþes an hepe on aftre oþer .Thay couþ not by conscience acorde to-gederes .¶Tyl robyn þe ropere was radde for to rise . —And nempned hem for a noumper þat no debat nere .Hyk þe hostylere þan had þe cloke .In conant þat clement þe cop shold fille .And he shold haue hikkes hood & hold hym ful serued .And who-so repent raþest shold arise after .And gaynly grete sire gloton wiþ a galon ale .Ther was boþe laghyng & lowring & late go þe coppe .Bargayns & beuerages / gan for to rise .And seten til euensong / & songen somwhyle .Til sire gloton hadde golped a galon & a gille .Than pised he sone / a potel in a while .And blew þe rounde ruet wel / atte rigges ende .That all þat herden þe noise / held here nose after .And wysht it had be waxed / wiþ a wysppe of fyre .He hadde streyngh non to stonde / er he his staf hadde .But sone he saylleþ a-syde / and somtyme a-rere .As who-so layde lynes / foules to cache ¶And whan he drogh to þe dore / þan dymmes his eien . —He stombled atte þe þreshwold / & þrogh to þe grounde .Wiþ al þe wo of þe world / his wif and his wenche .Bere hym to his bed / þrow hym þer-in .And after al þis surfet / an axes he haddeThat he slepe þe sonday / til sonne ȝede to reste .Than waked he of his wynkyng / and wiped his eien .The first word þat he warpe / was where is þe bolle .Hys wyf blamed hym blyue / for his wykked synne .Than wax he shamed þe shrewe / & gan for to smert .Anf gan grete grymly / and gret doel to make .And forswor þe lytherlyflyther lyf. þat he lyued hadde . —And a-vowed fast / for hunger or elles .Shold neuere fysh on fryday / fyen in his mawe .Er þat abstinence his aunte / had gyf hym leue .And ȝit hadde he hated here . al his lyf tyme .¶Than sleuþ for sorwe / fel adoun a-swone .Til vigilate had fet . water at his eyen .And flascht hym ful al þe face / & fast on hym criedeAnd said war for wanhope / wil þe betray .If þou be sory of þi synne / say to þi-self .And bet bittyrly þi brest / and bidde god of grace .For is no gift here so gret / but godenesse is more .Than sat sire slouþ vp / and sayned hem fast .And made a-vowe to god / for his vile sleuþ .Eche sonday þis seuen ȝer / but seknes it make .I shal dight me or day / to þe dere cherche .And here messe and matyns / as I amonka monk were .Shal noon ale after none . hold me þens .Til I haue euensong herd . I hote to þe rode .Ȝet wil I ȝelde a-ȝen . if I . so muche haue .Fo xviAl þat I wokedly wan / siþ I witte hadde .And þoght my lyflode lake . letten I nyll* .That ychemanyche man shal haue his / er I hens wende .The residue of þe remenant / by þe rode of chestre .Shal I seke þer-wiþ / trouþ to fynde .¶Robyn þe robbere þan / on . Reddite . loked . —And for þer nas not wher-with . he wept welsorewel sore .And yet þe synful shrewe / said to him-self .Crist þat on Caluerie / vpon crosse dydest .Whan þat Dismas my broþer/ besought þe of grace .And haddest rowthe on þat man / for memento sake .Thy wil worth vpon me / as I haue wel deserued .To haue helle for euere . if þat hope nere .So rewe vpon Robyn / þat no rede haþe .Ne neuere wan wiþ craft / þat I knowe .But of þi muche . mytigacion I beseche .Dampne me not at domesday . for I dide ill .But what befel on þat freke . I can no ferþer shewe .Wel I wot he wept fast . watre wiþ his eien .And knewlaged his gret gylt / & fast on crist called .That penitencia . his pyke myght polysch hym newe .And lepe wiþ him ouer londe / al his lyf tyme .For he hadde lyen by latorlatro lucifers aunte .And þoussand men saugh I þo / þrongen to-gederesWepyng and weylyng / for here wykked dedesCride vp-ward to crist / and to his clene moder .To haue grace / treuþ for to fynde .Capitulo vijjSextus passus de visione .ȝȜit were þere fewe men . þe way þeder couþe .But blostred forþ as bestes / þrogh baches & hilles .Til it was late and longe / þai aluddea ludde mette .Apparailed as a paynym . in palmeres wede .He bar a burdoun I-bounde . wiþ a brode lyst .In an ynyn wise wounden aboute .Bothe a bagge and a bolle / he bar at his side .And an hundred of hampnels / on his hatte sette .Signes of Synay / and shelles of gales .And many a crouche on his cloke . & keyes of rome .And þe vernicle be-fore / for men shold knowe hym .And se by his signes / whom he sought hadde .This folk frayned fast fro whens he come .¶Fro Synay said he . and fro the sepular .At bedleem at babylon . I haue ben at bothe .In Ermonie in Alisandre / in many oþer place .Ye may se by þe signes / þat on myn hatte setten .That I haue walked wide / in wete and in drie .And soght many a seynt / for my soule hele .¶Knowest oght a corsaint quod I / þat me calleþ trouþ .Canstow ought wisse me / þe way þeder as he dwelleth .Nay so god me helpe / quod the gome þanne .Yit say I neuere Palmere / wiþ sclaveyn ne scrip .Asken aftre hym or now / neuere in my lyue .¶Petre quod a plowman / & putte forþ his hede .I know hym as kyndly / as clerk doþ his bokes .Conscience and clene witte / kenne me to his place .Boþe to sowe and to sette / while I swynke myght .So haue I folwed forth / al þis fourty wyntyr .Boþe sowen his sede / & siþ kept his bestes .And layd on and lad corn / & broght it to hous .And eke diked and delued / & don what he hight .Boþe wiþ-in & wiþ-oute / his profite a-waited .Is no labore in þis lond / þat he loueþ bettre .For þogh I say it my-self / I seche hym to plese .I haue myn here at my wyl / & oþer-whil more .He paieþ prest pore men / and þat dar I proue .Wiþholt no man here hire/hire but ȝeueþ hit hym at ones .He is as lowlych as a lomb / and louelych of speche .And if ye wol wete wher he dwelleþ / I wil ȝow wisse to his place .¶Leue piers quod þe pilgrim / & profred hym hyre .Nay be þe perel of my soule quod piers / and by-gan to swere .I nold not fong a ferþing / not for fyften shillyng .For he wold loue me þe wers / a long while here-aftre .But ȝe þat wilneþ to wite / þis is þe way .Ye must mete wiþ meknesse / boþe ȝe and ȝowre wyfe .Til ȝe come to conscience / Crist wot þe soþe .Than must ȝe loue hym / leuere þan ȝowre lyf .In ȝowre hert . and ȝowre neghbour in no wise appaire .Oþer-wayes þan þou woldest / he wroght to þi-self .And so shal ȝe bowe by a broke / hight boxom of specheTil ȝe fynde a-for ȝow / fadres honoureth .And þan wadeþ in watre. & washe yowe þer .And ȝe shole lepe þe lightlokere / al ȝowre lyf aftre .And þan shal ȝe . .Fo xvijAnd than shal ȝe se swere not . but if it be gret nede .And namelych on ydel . þe name of god almyghty .¶Than shalt þou come be a croft / but come not þer-inne .That hight coueitise / cast hym by-side .Coueite nomansno mans catel / his wif ne his hyne .His Norice ne no þing / þat hym noie myght .And loke þou breke no bonys . but it be þin owen .Twey stokkes þer stondes . stint not þere .Hight stele not ne sle not . but strike forth by boþe .Leue hym on þi left half . & loke neuere þer-after .And hold wel þin holiday . holi to þe ende .¶Than shaltow blenche be a bergh . bere no falswitnessefals witnesse .He is frayd in wiþ flours . and oþer foos many .Loke þou plok þer-of no plant . for peril of þi soule .Than shalt þow se say soþ . for þat is wel to done .And þan loke þou lie not / for no maner byddyng .¶Than shaltow come to a court / as clere as þe sonne .The mote is of mercy / þe manere aboute .And alle þe walles beþ of whytte to holde foule oute .The corners beþ of Cristendome / þat ken ȝou to saue .Botrace it witwith bi-leue wel or þow best not saued .All þe houses ben heled / boþe allehalle and chambre .Wiþ no lord but lownes / & loue echon oþer .The tour þat treuþ is in sette by þe sonne .He may do wiþ þe day sterre / what so hym likeþ .Deþ dar do no þing . þat he defendeþ .¶Grace is gateward / a good man for-soþe .His knaue hight amende ȝowe / for many man he knoweþ .Tel hym þis tokne / þat treuþ wot þe soþe .I parforme þe penaunce / þat þe prest mengeonedme engeoned .I am sory for my synne . and so shal I euere .Whan I þenk vpon hem / þogh I were pope .Bide amende ȝow þan / meke hym to his maystre .And wayue vp þe wiket / þat he steppet .Whan þat Adam and Eue / eten here bane .He haþ þe keye of þe kleket / þogh the kyng slepe .¶And if þat grace graunt þe to gon in þis wyse .Thow shalt sen treuþ hym-self / setten in þin hert .And lere þe for to loue hym / and his lawe holde .But be þou wel ȝit war . of wrath þe shrewe .For he haþ enuie to hym . þat sytte in þi herte .And wil prike þe wiþ pride / to prayse þi-self .Throgh boldnes of þi benfetts / make þe blynd sone .Than bestow dreven oute as dewe and þe dore closed .Boþe wiþ cleket and keye / to kepe ȝow þer-oute .And haply an hundreth wintre / er þou entre eft .¶ Thus þou myght lese his loue / to late much of þi-self .And gete it a-gayn wiþ grace / he wil no gift elles .But þere beþ seuen susters / þat serue treuþ euere .Beth porters of þe posternes þat to þat place longen .¶That one hight abstinence / & humilite þe toþer .Charite and chastite / beþ þe chief maydenes .Pacience and eke pes / þat þe peple helpen .And largesse þat mayde / lateþ in ful mony .Margrett littler //Who-so is sybbe to þese sustres / so me god helpe .He is wonder wel welcome / & faire vnderfonge .And but he be sib to somme / of þis seuen .It is wel hard by myn hed / any of ȝow alle .To gete in at any gate / but grace be þe more .¶By Crist quod a cutpurs . I haue no kyn þere .Ne I quod an Apward / by oght þat I knowe .God wote quod a waferere / wist I þis for soþeI nold forth no fote / for no frere prechyng .Lyttler /Yis quod piers / & poreth him to goode .Mercy is a mayde þere / & maystre of hem all* .She is sibbe to al synfol / & here sone als .And þrogh help of hem two / hope þou non oþer .Thou myght gete grace / so þu go be-tyme .Septimus passus de visioneCapi vijpen trial | This is NOT a pen trial but line-filler, a feature of the manuscript's regular decoration/mise-en-page. But I haven't corrected these, as we're going to deal with them en masse later.cCEsseþ now quod þe kyng / I suffre ȝow no lengere .This were a wel wykkid way / but who so hadde a gydepen trialThat myght gide vs eche fote / til we were þere .¶Quod piers þe Plouman / be Poule þe postle .I haue an half acre to here. by þe hey way .I wend wiþ ȝow hadde I don . til ȝe be richt þer* .This were a long lettyng / quod a lady in here share .What shold wymmen do þere / worche ony wiles .Nay somme shal sewe þe sakke quod piers / for shedyng of whete .And oþer wyues þat haue woll* / worche it fast .And spenne it spedyly / &spare not here fyngres .But if it be holyday / or ony holy euen .Loke vp ȝowre lyne towe / and laboureþ þeron . Fo xviijThe nedy and þe neaked / loke how þei ligge .Cast hem cloþes for cold / for so wil trouþe .And I shal lene hem lyflode beottree if þe lond faille .aAs longe as I leue / for lordes lowe of heuen .pen trial¶And ȝe louely ladyes / wiþ ȝowre long* fyngres .That han sylk and sendel / soweþ it in tyme .Chesiblez for chapell* holychirche to honoure .And all* maner men / þat by mete lybbeþHelpeþ wel for to worche / and wynneþ ȝoure fode .pen trial¶Be Crist quod a knyght þo / þou techest vs right .But on ...?... (10-12 chars)/tyme treuly so was I neuere taght .But ken þou me quod þe knyght / & I wil fayn lern .Be seint Poul quod Perkyn / þou profrest þe so lowe .Now wil I swete & swynk / & sowe for vs boþeAnd lelly laboure for þi loue / al my lyf tyme .In couenant þou kepe wel . þe right of holy cherche .Fro wastours and wikkedmen / þat it wil destroie .And go þou honte hardyly / to fox and to hare .Bothe to bor and to bukke / þat breken myn hegges .And sende after fauconers / þe foulles to kylle. For þei comen to my croft / & crop my whete .pen trial¶Curtaysly þe knyght / conceyued al his woordes .Be my powere Piers quod he / I plyght þe my trouþ .To fulfille þis forwarde / whil my lyf dureþ .Ȝe & ȝit a point quod Perkyn / I wil þe prayen forþere .Loke þou tene no tenant / but treuþ wil assent .And þogh pore men þe profre / presentz and ȝiftes .Nym it not in auntre / þou may it not deserue .For þou shalt ȝelden it a-ȝen / at oȝers ende .In a perelous place / þat purgatie is hoten .Mysbede not þin bonde men / þe bettere þow shalt spedeAnd euere be trewe of þi tonge / tales þow hate .But it be wisdom or witte / þi werk-men to charge .Hold witþ no harlotes / ne here not here wordes .And namelych at mete / suche men eschewe .Thei beþ þe deuelles disours / I do þe to vnderstonde .pen trial¶I assent be seint Jame / quod þe knyght þanne .For to worche by þi woord / while þat I libbe .I shal apparail me quod Piers / in pilgrimes wede .And wend wiþ ȝow þe way / til we treuþ fynde .Sone he cast on his cloþes / clutte as þei were .His cocres and his coffes for cold of* his naylles .And henge on his hopre at his hals in stede of a scrip* .A bushel quod he of bredcorn bryng me þerinne .For I wil sowe it my-self and siþe wil I wende .And who so helpeþ me to ere or any þing swynk* .He shal haue by hynde god þe more here in heruest .A make hym meri wiþ þat corn who so it begrocheþ .And alkyns Cristen þat trauail in trouþ .I shal fynde hem fode þat faiþfully libben .Saue Iak þe Iogelour and Ienet at þe Styues .And Robyn þe ribaudour for his rusti wordes .Trouþ told me of hem and bad me telle forth .pen trial†¶Deleantur de libro viuencium & cum iustis non scribentur. I shold not dele wiþ hem for holycherche is holden .Of hym no teche to take here wynnyng is so wik* .Thei be ascaped good auntre now god hem amende .Dame worche whan tyme is piers wyf hight* .His doghtyr hight do right so lest þi dame þe bete .His sone high soffre þi soueraign for to haue his wil .And greue hym not for if þou dost þu shalt it sore abigge .Late god worche wiþ al fo so his woord techeþ .For I am old now and hoor and haue of myn owen .To penaunce and to pylgrimage passe I wil wiþ oþer .And ȝit I wyl eere I wende my bequest make .pen trial†¶In dei nomine amen . I write it my-self .My soule hym-self shal haue he haþ best deserued .And defende it fro þe fende þat I wil beleue .Til I come to acountes so my crede techeþ .To haue remission þan & relesse I hope .The kyrke shal haue my careyn and kepe my bones .For of corn and of catel þer gaf I my tiþe .And paied it euere prestly for peril of my soule .He is holden I hope to haue me in mynde .And menge me in his memorie a-mong alle cristenMy wif shal haue half þat I wan wiþ treuþ & nomore .And dele among my frendes & my dere childre .For þogh I dye to-day my dettes beþ quyte .I bare home þat I borwed eer I ȝede to bedde .The residue and þe remenant by þe rode of chestre .I wil worship þer wiþ treuþ to my lyues ende .And be his pilgrym at plow for pore men sake Fo xixAnd helpe my cultre to kerue / and close þe forwes .pen trial¶And þus is piers and þe pilgrims / to þe plow faren .To eere þis half acre / hym help right many .Dikers & deluers / dyke vp þe balkes .Therof was perkyn wel paid / & praysed hem fast .Oþer werkmen þer were / þat wroght wel ȝerne .Eche man on his manere / made hym to done .And somme to plese Perkyn / carped of cof worde .And at hie prime / piers lete þe plow stonde .To ouerse hem he þoght / who þat best wroght .Thei shold haue hyre þeraftre / whan heruest were inThan fond he losels / þat lotred aboute .And holp to eere þe half acre / wiþ ie trolly lolly .pen trial¶Now be þe Prynce of paradis / quod Piers þan in wreythe .But if ȝe rise þe rather / and rape ȝow to worche .Shal no grayn þat here groweþ / glade ȝow at nede .And thogh ȝe dien for doyl / þe deuel honge þat reche .Than were faytours a-ferde / and feyned hym blynde .Some layde here legge a-lirie / as shuld lorels done .And pleyned em to Perkyn / wiþ pitous woordes .We haue no lymes to laboure wiþ / lord þonked be þow .But we praye for ȝow piers / & for ȝoure plow boþe .That god of his grace / ȝoure goodes multiplie .And ȝeld ȝow ȝowre almes / ȝe ȝef* to vs here .For we ne mow swynk ne swete / suche siknesse vs ailleþ .pen trial¶Ȝif it be soþ þat ȝe sayn quod piers / I shal it sone aspie .Ȝe be wastours I wene / & treuþ wot þe sothe .And I am his old hyne / & aght hym to warne .Ȝe eten þat þay shuld hete / þat tilen for vs alle .But trouþ most teche ȝow / his teme for to driue .Boþe to sette and to sowe / & sawen his tilth .Ga..ste gees fro þe corn / & kepen his bestes .Or þȝe shull* ete barly bred / & of þe brook drynke .But ȝe be blynde brokelymed / or bedrede lygge .Than shul ȝe ete as good as I . so god me helpe .Til þat god of his grace / gar ȝow arise .pen trial¶Ancres and armetes / þat holden to here selle .Shul haue of myn halmes al þe while I leue .I nogh eche day ert none / no more er þe morwe .Lest þe fend & þe flesh / greuen here soule .Ones at none is I-nowgh / þat no werk vseþ .He abideþ wel þe bettre þat bummeþ not oft .¶Than gan wastour arise and wold fayn haue foght* .To piers the plowman he profred his glove .And bretoner a braggere a-bosted hym als .And bad hym go pysse wiþ his plowe pilled shrewe .For wiltow or nyltow we shul haue oure willeOf þi flour & þi flesh fette whan vs likeþAnd make vs meri þer-wiþ maugre þi chekes .¶Than Piers pleyned to þe knygh & prayed hym to helpe .To kepe hym as conant was fro corsed shrewes .Fro suche wastours þat wayten wynners to stroye .Curtaislych þan þe knyght as his kynde wodde .Warned þe wastours and wyssed hem bettre .Or ȝe shul bygge it be þe lawe be þe ordre þat I bere .I nas neuere quod wastour wont for to worche .And ȝit I wil not begynne so me god helpe .And let litil of þe lawe and of þe knyght lesse .And sette Piers at a pere and his plowe boþe .And manases hym and his men when þei next metten .¶Now by þe perill* of my soule quod Piers I shal apeire ȝow alle .And hopped aftre hongre he herd hym a-non .A-wreke me of* wastours quod piers pat þe word stroie .And þus sone he hent* wastour by þe mawe .And wrong ym so by þe wombe þat his eyen watred .And buffeted þe bretoner so aboute the chekes .He loked lyk a lanterne al his lyf aftre .Hongre bote hym so boþe þat here mouþ brosten .Til piers wiþ a pese loof prayed hym to leue .And wiþ a benen batte he ȝede so be-twene .And hitte hungre þerwiþ right so by-twyx þe lippes .That he bledde in-to þe bodyward a bolle ful of growel .Nad þe fysician faster fette hym fresh watre .To abite wiþ þe barly bred & grounden benes .They hadde be ded ere þis day & doluen ful depe .Sone wastours for ferde flowe in-to þe berne .And flyp flapt on wiþ flaylles fro morwe til euen .Was not hungre so hardy on hem to loken .For a potful of pesen þat piers wif had made .And þan an hepe of hermites hent hem spades .And doluen dong and dryt* boþe to holde hongre oute .Boþe blynd and bedred were boted a þousande . Fo xxThat hadde laien longe lame by þe hie way .Hongre heled hem so wiþ an hote cake .That all* here lemes were louses & liþes þat tyme .And many of hem become knaves & kepte piers bestes .And prayed for charite Piers for to serue .For coueitise of þe corn to kepe away hungre.And Piers wel appaied putte hem in office .And ȝaf hem mete and monoie as þei mygh deserue .Than Piers hadde pite and prayed hungre to wende .Home to his owen hous & hold hym þer for euere .¶But I praye þe quod Piers er þou passe ferþere .Of beggers and bidders what is best to done .I wote wel be þou went þay wol werchefulwerche ful ill* .Myschef mekeþ hem þe beþ so meke nowþe .And for defaute of fode þus fast þei worche nowe .And we beþ brethren of blood for god boght vs alleAnd trouþ tauþt me ones to loue hem ychon .And help hem of* alle þing* aftre hem nedeþ .¶Now wold I wete of* þe what were þe best .And wher-wiþ I may maystir hem & make hem to worche .Hire noon quod hungre & hold þat for a wisdom .Boold beggers and bigge þat may hire mete swynke .Wiþ hondbrede and horsbrede hold vp hire lyues .And fede hem wiþ benes for bornyng of hyre wombeAnd ȝif þei groche þer-wiþ bidde hem go worche .And he shal soupe swettere whan he haþ it deserued .But yf þou fynde any freke þat fortune haþ apaired .With fire or wiþ fals men fonde hem to knowe .Comforte hym wiþ þi catel for Cristesake of heuene .Loue hym & lene hym as lawe of kynde askeþ .And al manere suche men þat þu myght aspie .That beþ nedy or naked & haue noght to spende .Of þi mete & þi monoye late hem be þe bettre .Or wiþ wiþ werk or wiþ woorde while þou art here .Make þe frendes þer-wiþ as mathew þe techeþ .pen trial5.¶Facite vobis amicos de mamona iniquitatis .I nold not greue god quod Piers for no good in erþe .May . I . synles do þus as þu hast saide .Ther-of be þou wel bold or þe bible lieþ .In genesis þe giant þat gendred vs alle .In sudore . and swynk þou shalt þi mete wynne .SawysAnd laboure for þi liflode . for so oure lord hight .And sapience saiþ þe same . I sey þe book my-self .¶Piger propter frigus . no fote wold he tylie .He shal go begge and bydde & no man bete his hungre .Seint mathewe wiþ þe mans face he mouþed þis wordes .Seruus nequam . had a ilman & for he nold worche .The lord ȝaf it to a man þat hadde ten before .And siþ he saide hym also þat his seruant herde .He þat haþ shal haue to help ther is nede .That noght haþ nowgh shal haue ne no man hym helpe .And þat he weneþ best to haue shal hym be bereuded .Kynde wit wold wel þat eche wyght wroghte .Wiþ techyng or tellyng or trauaill*of honde .Actif & contemplatyf Crist it als .The sautre saiþ so in þe salmes . of . Beati omnes .pen trial¶Labores manuum tuarum quia manducabis . & cetera .He þat geteþ his fode hire wiþ trauaill* of his honde .God ȝefþ hym his blysse þat so wiþ treuþ geten .I pray þe ȝit par charite quod Piers if þou kenne .Any lef or lechecraft lerne þou me leue .For som of my seruantz ben seke oþer whileOf al þe woke worche not* so here wombe akeþ .I wot wel quod hungre what seknes hem ailleþ .Thei haue manged ouermuche þat make hem sek oft* .But I hote quod hungre as þin hele wilnest* .þat þou drynke no day er þou hast dyned somwhat* .Ne ete not I þe hote er hungre þe take .And sende of his sauce to sauere thi lippes .An kepe somme to soper time and sitte not to longe .Aris vp er apetite haþ eten his fille .late not sire surfete sitte at þi borde .leue not þat lechour for he is lykerouse of mouþ .And aftre many manere metes his mawe is a-longed .¶And if* þow diote þe þus I dar ley myn eie .Fysik shal for his fode his forred hode selle .And his cloke and his calabre wiþ knoppes of gold .And be ful fayn be my fay his fisike to lete .And lerne to laboure wiþ his hond lest lyflode hym faille .Ther beþ mo liers þan leches lord hem amende .They do men die wiþ here drynk* . er destenie it wolde .¶Be seint poul quod Piers þis be good wordes . Fo xxiO gode lordThis lesson is me lef lord þe forþeldeWende nowe where þi wil is þat euere be þow well* .¶I be-hote god quod hongre ȝit wil I. not wende .Er I haue dyned by þis day and I-dronke boþe .I na no peny quod Piers puletes to bygge .Neiþer goos ne gris but tweyne grene cheses .A lof of benes & braun bake for my clidre .A fewe croddes and creme & an hote cake .And ȝit I sai by my soule .I. na no salt bacoun.Ne no cokney be Crist colopes to make .But I haue percell* and plantes and many cold pores .And a cow and a calf* & a cartmere .To drawe on feld my dong* while þe droght lasteþ .By þis liflode most I leue til lammes tyme .By þan I hope to haue heruest in my croft* .¶ Than shal I dyght þe a dyner as þe wel likeþ .And þe pore peple þan pescodes fetten .Benes and bake apples þai broght in her* lappes .Cheboll* & Cheruell* & ripe cheries many .Grene garly and gresse for ple hem þai wolde .By þat heruest neghed & nenewe corn come to markett .Than was þe folk* fayn & fed hym wiþ þe best .Wiþ good ale and glotonie þai grathe hym on slepe .Than wold not wastour worche but wandred aboute .Ne no beggere ete brede þat benes wer* in .But coket and clere-matyne or of clene whete .Ne no halpeny ale in no wise drynke .But of þe best & bronnest þat breusters sell* .Laborers þat haue no lond but lyue by here honde .Deynen not to dynen a day nyght old wortes .May no penyale hem pay ne pece of bacon .But fresh flesh or fysh fried or rost* .And ȝit chaude or pluischaude for chyllyng* of hire mawesAnd but þay be hylych hired ȝit wil þai chyde .That þei were werkmen wroght þei warie þe time .¶And þan þei corseþ þe kyng and al his conseil aftre. That suche lawes conne loke laborers to chast* .But while hungre was her maistre wold þei not chide .Ne striue aȝeins his statute so sternly he loked .I warne ȝow wel ȝe werkmen worcheþ while ȝe mowe .For hungre hieþ hym a-ȝen and hast hym fast .He shal wake wiþ watre wastours to warne .And er þe fyne be fulle suche famyn shal arise .Throgh flode and foule wedres fodes shul faillen .And þus sayþ sire Satorn and sent ȝow to sayn .Capi viijPassus octauus de visione .tT.....reuþe herde telle here of / & to piers sent .For to taken his teme / and tilie þe erþe .And purchased hym a pardon /a pena & aculpaa culpa .For hym and for his hiers / eueremore after .And bad hym hold hym at home / & eren his laies .And al þat holp hym to eere / or sowe or sette .Or ony manere myster / þat might Piers heplpe .Part of þat pardon / Piers haþ hem graunted .Kynges and knyghtes boþe / þat kepe holycherche .And rightfullych* in reaume / reuleþ þe peple .By pardon þrowgh purgatorie / shold passe wel sone .wiþ patriarchez in paradis / to play þer-after .¶Bishopes þat blyssen / and boþe lawes comeþ .Lokeþ on þat lawe / and lere men þe toþer .And bereþ hem bonere here / as here banere sheweþ .And prechen to here parishens / þe peril of synne .How þe scabbed shepe / shol þe wol saue .And be Piers wiþ apostles / whan þai wende hens .And at þe dredful dome on des sitten .¶Marchauntz in þe margine / had many ȝeres .But a pena & a culpa/ þe pope nold hem grant .For þei hold not here dayes / as holycherche techeþ .And þei swere by here soule / & so god hem helpe .Clene a-ȝens Conscience / here catel to selle .But vnder his sette seal / treuþ sent hem a lettre .And badde hem bigge boldly / what þing hem best liked .And siþe selle it a-ȝen / and saue þe wynnynge .And makeþ mesondeux þer-wiþ / mesels to helpe .Wikked ways also / witterly to mende .And broken brigges also / þat aboute were .Maydens for to marien / and make hem wyfes .And warde wydous / þat wil be no wyfes after .Help to fynde hem fode / for lordes loue of heuen .Sette scolers to scole / or or to kynde craftes .Þat no deuel shal ȝou dere / die whan ȝe shull* .That I ne shal send ȝowre soule / sauf in-to blysse .Before þe face of my fader / fourme ȝow to sitteVsurie and auarice / and oþes I defende ȝowe .Late no gile go wiþ ȝow / but þe grathe trowþe .Than were marchantz / so mery þai wept for ioye .And ȝaf* wil for his wrytyng / wollen cloþes .And for þat copy of þat clause / þei ȝeue hem gret mede .Men of lawe had lef* for þai beþ lerned all* .And also saiþ sapience and þe sauter boþe .¶Super innocentem munera non accipies .¶A regibus & principibus erit merces eorum .Of princes & prelates here mede most arise .And of þe pore peple þai shold not taken .But ȝe þat spende ȝour speche & speke for þe poreThat is not nocent but nedeþ and noman apaireþ .Comforte him in þat cace take not here goodes .But for oure lordes loue lawe for hem showe .Shal no deuel at ȝoure deþ-day dere ȝow amyte .That ȝe ne shul sikerly be sauf or the sautre lieþ .Qui facit hec non mouebitur in eternumBut selle water ne wynde ne witte is þe þredde .Wold neuere holi wryttes god wot þe soþ .For þese þre beþ for þrall* þrowe among* vs alle .Boþe to waxe and to wane wheyþer þat god lykes .But who-so mede of mene men for motyng* receyueþThe pardon in purgatorie petit I trowe .¶Ȝe legisters of lawyers ȝe wetiþ if I lie .Siþ ȝe say þis is soþ seweþ þe best* .All* oþer lyues laborers þat lyuen by ȝoure hondes .That treuly taken for ȝour trauaill* & in tyme worche .And lyue in loue and lawe and wiþ lowe hertes .Shal haue þe same assaillyng / þat sent was to piers .Beggers and borwers be not in þe bill* .But if þe sugestion be soþ . þat þei for asken .For he þat beggeþ or borweþ but he haue nede .He is fals wiþ þe fend / & defouleþ trouþ .And be-gileþ þe gyuere / a-ȝens his will* .They lyue in no loue / ne no lawe holden .They wedde no woman / þat þei wiþ delen .But as þe wild wehe / worche vp to-gedrez .And bryng forth barns / þat barons beþ I-holde .Or his bakke or his bones / he brekeþ in his ȝowthe .And gooþ and fayteþ wiþ þe faunte euere more after .Beþ mo myschape amonge hem who-so takeþ hede .Than amonges al other* men þat on molde wander .Tho þat haue þus here lyf may lopen þe time .That euere he was man wroght whan he shalhens fair .But old men and oþer boþe þat help be here strength .And wymmen also wiþ child þat worche þei ne mowe .Blynde folk and bedrede þat han lost here lymes .And take meschef mekely as meseles and other .Thay han as pleyn pardon as piers hym-self .For loue of here lowe hert oure lord haþ hym grsunted .Here penaunce and here purgatorie here vpon erþe .¶Piers quod a prest þo : thi pardon most I rede .For I shal construe eche clause & kenne þe on e nglysh*englysh* .And piers at his prayere þe pardon vnlapped .And by-hynde hym boþe beheld I al þe bulle .And in two leues it lay & not a lettre more .And was wreten right þus in witnesse of trouþ .¶Qui bona egerunt ibunt in vitam eternam .Peter quod þe prest þo I can no pardon fynde .But dowe and haue wel & god shal haue þi soule .And do euil & haue euyl and hope þow non oþer .Than after þi lyf days to helle for to wende .And piers plukked it a-two and to þe prest sayde .¶Si ambulauero in medio vmbre mortis non timebo mala & cetera .Now wil I cesse of my sowyng* and swyng not so harde .Ne aboute my lyflode be so besi no more .Of praiers and penaunce my plowe bere here after .By þat þe sauter saiþ & so doþ many oþer .That loueþ god lelly his lyflode is leche .¶Fuerunt michi lacrime mee panes die ac nocte . &c .And but if luke lie he byddeþ by burdes .That we be nowght to bysy a-bout wombe ioye .¶Ne soliciti sitis dicentes quid manducemus .He saiþ it in his gospel & sheweþ is ... an . ensample .To done on þe-selue wise & wisdom it kenneþ .The soules in þe firmament who fynt hem in wynter .Whan þe frost freseþ fast : fode hem behoueth* .Haue þei no garner to go to but god fynt hem all* .What quod þe prest þo petre me þinkeþ .Thou art lewed a litel who lered þe on þe boke .Fo xxiijAbstinence þe abbesse quod he my . a b c . me taght .And Conscience come aftre and kenned me bettre .Were þou prest piers quod he þou myght preche where þe lyked .¶Quoniam literaturam non cognoui . myght be þi teme .Lewe.d lorel quod piers whi ne lokestowe on þe bible .The sawes of sire Salamon seld þou beholdest* .¶Ecce derisores & virga cum eis non quiescant .The prest & sire perkyn þo apposed eyþer oþer .And þrow here woordes I a-woke and loked me aboute .And se þe sonne euen souþ sitte þat tyme .Metles & moneles on maluernehill* .And musande on þis metyng* a myle way I ȝede .And many a tyme ȝit makeþ me for to studie .For Piers loue þe Plowman welpensif*wel pensif* in hert* .For þat I sawgh slepyng* if it so be myght .But Caton contrueþ nay and þe canoun eke .Caton saiþ him-self . Sompnia ne cures .But þe bible bereþ witnesse and telleþ vs an-oþer .How þat daniel deuyned of þe kynges dremes .Nabugodonosor so reden þese clerkes .Danyel said sire kyng þis sweuene is to mene .Þat vncouþ knyghtes shal come þi kyngdome to clayme .Among lowere lordes it mote be departed .And as he deuyned in-dede it be-fel aftre .The kyng lost his lordshipe & lesse men it hadde .¶And Iosep met as meruaill* of þe sonne & þe mone .And how þat elleuen sterres worshipt hym all* .Beau fitz quod his fader defaute shal vs make .Bothe my-self & my sones seche þe at nede .And it befel as his fader saide in pharuos tyme .That Iosep was iustise & egypt he kept .¶And al þis makeþ me on metyng to þink .Many tyme at mydnyght whan I shold slepe .On Piers þe ploweman whiche pardon he hadde .And how þe prest empugned it al by pure reson .And demed how þat dowel indulgence passed .Trienal & quinal & bishopes seles .Dowel atte day of dome is worthiere þan they alle .And passeþ al þe pardons of seint petre cherche .Now haþ þe pope powere pardon to graunt .The peple wiþ-oute penaunce to passe to ioye .This is a lef of oure byleue / þat lettreure vs techeþ .And so I beleue lelly . lord for-bede elles .That pardon & penaunce & prayeres shal saue .Soules of þat þe seuen dedly synnes .But to trust on þis trienals treuly me þinkeþsþinkeþ .Is not so seker sooþly as say I do well* .¶For-þi I rede þȝow / þinkeþ þat beþ in erþeFor no trust of ȝour tresour / trienals to haue .Be ȝe neuere þe boldere / to breke þe ten hestes .And namelych ȝe maystres / Iustices & Maires .That haue þe wele of þis world / & wise beþ y-holde .To purchace pardon / & þe popes bulles .And at þe dredful dome / whan dedes beþ I-reknedAnd al shal come before Crist / and here acountes ȝelde .Howe we led han oure lyf / and his lawe kept .What we haue done day be day / þe dome wil reherse .A pokeful of pardon þanne / ne prouincial lettres .Thogh þow be of fraternite / of al foure ordres .Ne noman* indulgence / but dowel þe helpe .I nold ȝef for þi patent / o pie hele .For-þi I consail to Crist we crie al mercy .And to marie his modre / be mene be-twene .That god ȝef vs such grace* / er we passe hens .Suche worchekes to worche / wlylez we be here .That aftre oure deth-day / dowel reherse .That at the dredful dome / we dide as he high*t .Capi ixSequitur prologus de dowel dobettre & dobest*Thus .I. robeydt in russet romed a-boute .Al a Somer seson to seke sire dowell* .And frayned ful oft / of folk þat I mette .Ȝif any wight wist / where Dowel was at inne .And what man it myght be / of many man I asked .Was neuere wight as I went / þat me wisse couþe .Where þis lede lopped / lesse ne more ¶Til it befil on a friday / two freres I mette .Maystres of þe menours men of gret wytte .I. halsed hom hendely / as I hadde lerned .And prayed purcharitepur charite/ er þei passed ferþere .Wher þat do wel dwelleþ / do me to witte .Mary quod þe menour / a-mong vs he dwelleþ .And euere hath as .I. hope / and euere shal aftre .Fo xxiiijContra . quod I as a clekclerk and comsed to spute .¶Sepcies in die cadit Iustus .Seuene siþe on þe day saiþ þe book / synneþ þe rightfull* .And who-so synneþ I sayde / certes as me þinkeþ .That dowel and Doeeuel / may not dwel to-gederez .Ergo . he is not alwey / among ȝou freres .He is oþerwhile elles-where / to wisse þe peple .¶ .I. shal say þe my sone / saide þe frere þan .How seuene sithes þe sadde man / synneþ on þe day .By forbysen quod þe frere / I shal þe faire shewe .Late bryngen a man in a bot / midde a brood watre .And þe wind & þe wawes / & þe waggyng* of þe bote .Makeþ þe man many tyme / to falle & to stom..ble .But stond he neuere so stiff* / he stombleþ in þe waggyng .And ȝit is he sauf / & so hym behoueþ .For ȝif he ne ros þe rapere / and raught þe sterne .The wind wold wiþ þe watre / þe bote ouere-þrowe .There were þe mans lyf lost / for laches of hym-self* .¶Riȝt þus it faireþ quod þe frere . by folk of þis erþeThe watre is lykned to þe world . þat waneþ and waxeth .The goodes on þe grounde . beþ lik to þe gret wawesThat as þe wynd and þe watre. walweþ aboute .The bote is lyk to þe body . þat brotil is of kynde .That þrow þe fend and þe flesch* / & þe fals worlde .Synneþ þe sadman / seuen siþes on þe day .But dedly synne doþ he nowght / for dowel hym helpeþ .And þat is chairte þe champion / chief* help aȝens synne .For he streyngheth þe to stonde / & stireþ þi soule .That þow þi body bowe / as abotea bote doþ in watir .Ay is þi soule sauf / but þou þi-self* will* .Folwen þi flesh will* / & þe fendes aftre .And don dedly synne / & drenche þi-selfGod wil suffre þou dye so / for þi-self hast þe maystrie¶I haue no kynde knowyng quod I / to conceyue thy wordes .But if I may leue and loke . I shal go lerne bettre .I be-kenne þe Crist . þat on crosse drede .And eke þe same saue the . fro mischeaunce .And gif þe grace on þis erþe / in good lyf to ende .Thus I went wyde where / Dowel to seche .And as I went by a wode . walkyng myn one .The blysse of þe bryddes / made me abide .And vnder a lynde on a Launde leued I a stounde .To leren þe layes þe louely foules maden .Blysse of þis byrdes broght me on slepe .The most merueillous metyng mette me þan .That euere dremed dught in þoght aas I wene .A muche man me þough lych to my-selfe .Come and called me by my right name .¶What art þou quod I þo . þat my name knowest*That þow wost wel quod he and no wightbettrewight bettre .Woote ich quod I what art þou þanne .Thoght quod he I haue serued þe þis seuene ȝereAnd saw þou me no raþere art þou þoght quod . I .Thou kouþest telle me where dowel dwelleþ & do me to wisse .Dowel quod he . & Dobet & dobest the þredde .Arn þre faire vertues & beþ not fer to fynde .Who-so is meke of his mouth mylde of his specheTrew of his tonge and his two hondes . & trewe of his laboure .Or þrow his hondes his lyflode wynneþ .And trusty is of taillend taketh but his owen .And is not dronklowe ne deynous Dowel hym folweþ .¶Dobet doþ þus but he doþ muche moreHe is as lowe as a lombe louely of speche .Whiles he hath ought of his owen he helpeþ þer-wiþ n...many .The bagge and þe by-gerdels he haþ broke hem all* .That þe Erl auerous hadde or his eyrs .And wiþ mamonas monoye he haþ made hem frendesAnd he is ronnen in-to religion & haþ rendred þe bible .And precheþ þe peple . seint Poules wordes .¶Libenter suffertis &cetera .The wise suffreþ the vnwise wiþ ȝowe for to libbe .And wiþ glad wil doþ hym good for god so hym-self hyght .¶Dobest is a-boven boþe and bereth a byshops croys .Y-hoked at þat on ende to hold men in good lyf .A poynt in þe potent to pynge doun þe wykkedThat waite any wikkednesse Dowel to reuen .And as Dowel and Dobet dede hym to vnderstande .Thay haue crouned on kyng* to kepen hem all* .That if dowel & dobet dide a-ȝen Dobest .And were vnbuxom at his byddyng & bold to don ill* .That þan shold þe kyng* come & don hym in prison .And putte hem þer in penance wiþ-oute pite or grace .But if Dobest þe þredde bidde for hym abide shal he þere for euere ... Thus Dowel ..Fo xxv¶Thus Dowel Dobet / & dobest the þredde .Crouned one to be kyng* / & worche by hyr* conseill* .And reule þe reume by rede of hem all* & non oþer wise .Ne elles not / but þai þre assended .I. þanked þought þo / þat he me so taght .But sauereþ me not þi siggyng / so me god helpe .¶More kynde knowyng* / I coueite to lerne .How Dowel dobet and dobest / don on þis erthe .But witte cone wisse þe quod þoght / wher þat þei dwelle .Elles wote no man / þat now is on lyue .Thoght and I þus / þre days ȝeden .Disputyng of dowel / day aftre oþer .And er we war were / wiþ wiftt gan we mete .He was long and lene / and lyk to noon oþer .Was no pride in his apparaill / ne pouerte nouþer .Sadde of his semblaunt / amp; soft of his speche . .I. dorst mene no matere / to make hem Iangle .But as I bad þoght þo / be mene be-tweyne .To put forth som purpos / to prouen his wittes .Than þaght þan / saide þese woordes .Where þat dowel & dobet & Dobest / ben in þis londe .Here is . wyll* . wold wete / if witte couþ him teche .Capi xjPrimus passus de dowelsSIre Dowel quod witte / dwelleþ not aday hens .In acastel of kynd / made of foure kyn þinges .Of erþe and eire is it made / medled to gederesWiþ wynd and watre/ wittylych y ioyned .Kynde haþ closed þer in / craftilych wiþ all* .A lemman þat he loueþ / like to hym self . anima . she hatte .To here hadde enuye / a proude prikere of Fraunce¶Princeps huius mundi .And wold wynne here a way / wiþ wiles if he might .kyndeBut kyn knoweþ it wel & kepeþ here þe bettre .And doþ don here to sire dowel Duk of þe marches .Dobet is hire damesell* and dobest here Doghtere .And seruen þis lady lelly boþe late & rathe .¶Thus Dowel and dobet & dobest þe þredde .Beþ maistres of þis manoire / þis maide to kepe .But þe Conestable of þis castel / þat kepeþ hem all* .Is a wise knyght wyth al / sire inwitte he hight .And hath fyue faire sones / by his fyrst wyf .Sire sewel & saywel / and here wel þe hende .Sire worche wel wiþ þin honde wight man and strong .And sire Godfray go wel gret lordes alle.This lordes ben sette to saue þe castelAnd kepe þis woman þese wismen be chargedTil kende come or sende to kepe here to hym self .What calle ȝe þat castel quod I þat kynde þus makeþ .And whatkyn þing is kynde conne ȝe me telle ....?...?...¶Kynde quod he is a creature of al þing best .Fadre and fourmere firstof alle þing .That is þe grete god þat gynnyng had neuere .The lord of lyf and lyst of blysse & of peyne .Angels and all* þing ern at his wille .But man is most lik to hym of merke & of shap .For þrow þe woord þat he spak wax forth al þing .His wil was wroght wiþ aspeche . ¶Dixit & facta sunt .Saue man þat he made ymage to hym self .And gaf hym gost of his godhode and grauntid hym blysse .lyf þat ay shal lesten and al hys lynage aftre .That is þe castel þat kende made caro it hatte .As muche to mene as aman wiþ þe soule .That he wroght wiþ werk and wiþ woord boþe .Throw might of þe mageste man was maked .¶Faciamus hominem ad ymaginem & similitudinem nostram .Inwitte and alle wittes enclosed ben þer inne .For loue of þat lady þat lyf is nempned þat is . anima .That in þe bodi wandreþ . but in þe hert is here home .Hiest of al he is lyf aledere & a lemman of heuen .Inwit is þe helpe / þat . anima . desireth .Aftre þe grace of god / þe grettest is inwitte .Inwitte in þe hede is / and helpeþ to þe soule .For þrogh his conyng / is kept caro & anima .In reule and reson / but rechelesnesse it make .He eggeth he ese & beryng to god of goos speche .Of good dede he is gynnere / in mans brayn he is most.And myghtiest to knowe þer is his boure bremest but if blode it make .For whan blood is bremere þan brayn .Than is inwitte wanton & eke bounden & wild wiþ oute any reson .In ȝong fauntes & in foles / whan hem failleþ Inwitte .And eke in sottes as ȝe se / þat sitten atte nale .Thei helden ale in here hedes / til Inwit be drenched .And ben braynwode as bestes / so her blode waxed .Fo xxvi¶Than haþ þe pouke power sire . Prynceps huius mundi .Ouer suche manere men myght in here soules .For no werk þat þei worche wykked or elles .Ac þe fadres and þe childres for þe fauntes shul be blamedAnd if þei beþ pore & catelles to kepe hem fro illeThan is holycherche holden to kepe hem & saueFro falsnesse & fro folys & to fynde hem til þai ben wise .For eche wight in þis world þat haþ his vnderstandyngIs chef soueraigne ouer hym self his soule to ȝeme .And cheuise ym fro euery charg whan he childhode passeþ .Saue hym self fro synne for so hym behoueþ .For worche well* oþer wrong þe witte is his owen .¶Than is Dowel a Duke þat distroieþ vices . And saueþ þe soule þat synne haþ no myght .To route ne to reste ne to rote in þe hert .And þat is dred of god dowel it makeþ .It is þe ginnyng of goodnesse for to drede godThat he makeþ men myld & meke of here speche .And alkyns scolers in scole to lerne .That is dobet to be war for betyng of þe ȝerde .And þer of saiþ þe sautre thi self þou might it rede¶Virga tua & baculus .....?...?...And if conscience accorde þat þi soule doþ well* .Whil þou art in þis world for to do bettre do for¶Intencio indicat hominemBy consail of Conscience accordyng wil holy chercheLoke þou wisse þi witte and þi werkes aftre .For if þou comsest a ȝens conscience þou combrest þi self .And witnesse holy wryt & goddesword boþe ¶Qui agit contra conscienciam ..And if þou worche by goddes worde I warne þe for þe best .What so men worden on þe wraþþe þou neuere .Caton techeþ þe so take kep of his tunge .¶Cum recte viuas ne cures verba malorum .. But suffre and sitte still* & seke no forþere .And be gladde of grace þat god haþ ysent þe .For if þou comsest to clymbe and coueytest hie .Thou myghtest lese þi lownes for alitil pride .I haue lerned ȝow lewed men lerne ȝe ȝoure childre .That selden moseþ þe stone þat men oft treden .But so fareþ be romers þat rennen aboute .Fro religion to religion rechelesse ben þai euere .Ne men þat connen all* craftes cleregie it telliþ .¶Qui circuit omne genus in nullo genere est .That þrift oþer þedam wiþ hym seldam is y seyn .Poule þe postle in his pistle wrote it in ensample .How such shold not romen a boute .For wisdom it is wreten & wytnessed in cherches .¶In eadem vocacione qua vocati estis state .If ȝou be man maried monk oþer chanon .Hold þe stable and stedefast and strenþ þi self .To be blyssyd for thy bering ȝe beggere þogh þow wel .Loke þou groche not on god þogh he ȝeue þe litill*Be payde wiþ þi possesseon pore oþer riche .Thus in drede by Dowel & dobette to suffren .For þrogh soffrance se þou myght how soueraignte ariseþ .¶And so lerned vs luk þat lied neuere .¶Qui se humiliat exaltabitur ..Suche is þe flour & þe froite fostred of boþe .Rith as a rose þat is red & swete oute of a ragged rote .And a rogh brere spryngeþ & spredeþ þat spiceres desiren .Or as whete out of wed waxeþ on þe erthe .So dobest out of dobet & dowel doþ sprynge .Among men on þis mold þat meke beþ and kende .For loue of here lownesse oure ȝeue hem grace .Such worche for to worche þat he is wiþ y paied .Formast & first to folk þat beþ wedded .And lyuen as he lawe will* it likeþ god almyghty .For þrogh wedlok þe world stont who wole it knowe .Thei beþ þe rechest of þi reume and roto of Dowel .For of kyng þei comen þat confessours be nemed .Boþe maydenes & martres monkes & and ancres .Kynges & knyghtes and alkyn clerkes .Barons & burgois & bonde men of tounes .¶Ac fals folk & faiþles þeues and liers .Beþ conceyued in corsed tyme as caym was of Eue .Aftre þat adam & Eue etem of þe aple .Aȝein þe hest of hym þat hem of nowht madeAn angel in angre hete hete hem for to wende .In to þis wrecched world to wonen & to lybben .In tene and in trauail vn to hire lyues ende .In þat corsed constellacion þai knew hem to gederes .And broght forth a barn þat muche bale wroght .Caym þai hem called in corsed tyme engendred .¶And so saiþ þe Sautre se it whan þe likeþ .¶Concepit dolorem & peperit iniquitatem .And al þat come of þat Caym Crist hated aftre .Fo xxvij And many milions mo of men and wymen .That of Seth and his sustre sith forth come .For they maried hym wyth* men of cayms kyn .For al þat comen of þat caym acorsed þei were .And al þa coupled hem to þat kyn crist hated dedlych* .¶For þi he sent to Sem and saide by an angell* .To kepe his kynred fro cayms þat þei couple not to gederes .And siþ sem and his sustre seþ were spoused .TTo kayms kyn aȝens þe hest of god .Girles þei geten þat god wroþ wiþ here werkes .¶ And suche wordes saide . Penitet me fecisse hominem .That is as muche to mene amonges vs all* .That I haue man made now it me for þinkeþ .And come to Noe a noon & badde hym not lette .Swyþe go shape a shippe of shides and bordes .Hym self & his sone þre and siþen here wyues .Bring hem to þat bote brime & bide þer inne .Til fourti days be fulfild þat flode haue washed .Clene a way þe corsed blode þat Caym haþ maked .Bestes þat nowe beþ shal banne þe tymeThat euere corsed Caym come on þis erþeAl shal die for his dedes by dounnes and hilles .Bothe fyshe and foule forth wiþ oþer bestes .Out take þe eyght soules & of eche best a couple .That in þis shyngled shippe shal ben y saued .Elles shal al die and to helle wende .¶Thus þrogh corsed Caym come care vp on erþe .And al for sem and hys sustres childres .Spoused eþer oþer aȝen þe lawe of oure lorde .Laien to gederes and were maried at myschef .As men don now here childre .For som as I se now soþ for to telle .For Coueitise of catel vnkendly beþ maried .A carful concepcion comeþ of such* weddyng .As fele // of þe folk þat I be for shewed .It is an vnkyndly couple by Crist as me þinkeþ .To ȝif a ȝong to an hold feble .Or weddyn any wedowe for welthe of here goodes .That shal neuere barn bere but it be in here armes .In ielousy ioiles þai goon to here beddes .Many paire siþþe þis pestilence time han plyght hem to gederes .Haue þai no childre but chest and choppes hem bytwene .Thai hien hym welfast to donmowe .To fechen þe flysh / cache þai it neuere .But þai boþe be for sworn / þat bacon þai tyne .¶For þi I conseill* all* cristen coueite not to ben .Wedded for coueitise of Catel ne of kyn richeBut maydens and maydens mache ȝow to gidre .Wydowers and wodewess worche ȝe þe same .And þan glade ȝe god and alle goode saintz .For in no tyme trewly be tweyn man & woman .Shold no beddebourde be but þai were bothe clene .Of lyf and of loue in lawe leuyng þat derne dede do noman sholde .As be twyx single and sengle siþ lawe haþ graunted .That eche man haue a make in mariage of wedloke .And worche þat werk on his wyf and of no woman elles .That oþer wise beþ geten for gadlynges beþ holden .And þo beþ fals folk fals heirs and foundelynges .And hers vngracieuse to gete loue or any good elles .But wandren aboute as wolues & wast what þei mowe .A ȝens dowel þai don ill* & þe deuel plesen .And aftre here deþ day shal dwell* wiþ þe same .Than is dowel to drede & dobette to suffren .And so comeþ dobest aboute and bryngeþ don mody .And his wykked will* þat many werkes shendeþ .Capi xijjPassus secundus de doweltThan had witte a wyf was hote dame studye .þat lene was of lyche & lowe of chere .She was wonderly wrooþ þat witte þus me taght .And al scornyng sternly she saide .q artow wys quod she any wisdome to telle .To flaterers or to foles þat frantike beþ in witte .And blamed hym and banned hym & bad hym be stille .wiþ suche wyse & vordes to wissen any foles & saide .¶Noli mittere . margerie perles among hogges þat han hawes at wille .They don but dreuel þer on draf were hem leuer .Than al þe precieuse perry þat in paradys waxxes .I say it be hem quod she þat shewen by here wordes .That were leuere londes & lorschipe on erthe .Richesse and rentes & rist at here will* .Than all* þe soþ sawes þat Salamon saide euere .But it be caried wiþ coueitise and desaytes .Fo xxviijTo conspire wrong and lede forþ a louedaye to lette treuþ .That shch craftes do can to consaille is called .And serued as a sire þat folweþ þe deuels lore .Iob þe gentil in his gest saide .¶Quare via impiorum properabitur . bene est. ve · omnibus qui praui sunt & inique agunt .And þat had holy wrytt euere in his mouþe .And can tell* of tobie and 5e twelue apostiles .Or prechen of penaunce þat Pilatus wroght .To Ihesu the gentil þat Iewes todrewen .On crosse on Caluarie as clerkes vs techen .Litil is he loued þat suche a sarmon sheweþ .Or daunsels or draweþ for þis disours wote þe soþe .For if harlotrie ne helpe hem þe bettre to haue good .In trouþ more þan musyk or making of god almyght .Wold neþer kyng ne knight ne chanoun of poules .ȝif hym to hyre ȝersȝeft worth a grote .Ac mynstralcie and merþ is now among men .Losengerie & lecherie and losels tales .And glotenie and gret oþes þis arn now adays .¶And ȝif þei carpe of Crist þis clerkes & þis lewed men .At mete in here merthes whan mynstrals beþ stille .Than tel þei of þe trinite . howe two sloweþe þredde .And take bernard to witnesse & brynge forþ a balled reson.And putte a presumpsion to prouen þe sothe .Thus thei dreuelen at þe dees þe deite to knowe .And gnawen god in Gorge whan here guttes ben fulle .Ac þe carful may carpen and crien atte gate .Boþe for hunger & for þrest & for chele quake .Is þer none to nyme hym in his noie amende .But hold him oute as an hound and hote hym go þens .Lytil loueþ he þat lorde þat leneþ hym þat blysse .That þus parten wiþ þe pore a parcell* whan hym nedeþ .Nere mercy in mene men more þan in riche .Many mendynauntȝ metles myght go to bedde .God is much in gorge a mong þis grete maistres .Ac a mongg mene men is his merci & his werkes .And so saiþ þe sautre seke it in . memento .¶Ecce audiuimus eam in effrata inuenimus eam in campis silue .Clerkes & kete men carpen of god fast* .And han hym muche in here muþ & mene men in hert .Freres and faitours han founden vp such questions .To plese wiþ proude men siþe þe pestilence tyme .Thai defoulen oure faith at festes þer þai sitten .¶ For now is iche boy bold if þat he be riche .To tell* of þe Trinite to be hold a sire .And fynt forth fantasies oure faiþ to apeire .A ek defame the fader þat ones al made .And carpeþ aȝens clergie crabbed woordes .Why wold our sauiour soffre such a worm.In his blysse begile suche a woman .And þe worm aftre þorgh swyche a werk and will* .Thei went to helle aftre & al here sede for synne .That same wo such* suffre moten .þat meuen þis maystres in here glorie .And make men in nice beleue þat leuen on here wordes .Ac austyn þe bold for al suche precheþ .And for al such tale Tellers in his teme shewed .¶Non plus sapere quam oportet & cetera .That is wil ȝe neuere wyten why þat godde .Wold suffre Sathanas hys sede to begyle .Ac beleueþ holych* on þe lore of holycherche .And pray hym of pardon here in þi lyf .And for his muche mercy to amende vs here .For al þat wilneþ wyte þe ways of god almyghty .I wold here eye were in here ars & here hele after .That euere eft wilneþ why þat godde .Wold suffre Sathan vnsaght his sede to bygile .Oþer Iudace þe Iue Ihesu to betray .Al was as he wold lord y worshipt be he .And worth as þou wilt what so euere we telle .¶But now comeþ a congeoun & wold cache of my wittes .What is dowel fro dobet now def mote worthe .Sith he wiþneth to wete whiche þai ben alle .But he leue in þe lest degre þat longeþ to dowel .For I dar be his bold borgh dobet wil he neuere .Thogh dobest draw on hym day aftre oþer .And whan þat witte & wate how hys wyf told .He become so confers þat he couþ not mele .And as dom as a dore drogh hym asyde .Ac for no carpyng þat I couþe ne knelyng to þe gronde .I couþ gete no grayn of here grete wittes .But al laghyng he louted & loke opon studie .Fo xxixIn signe þat I shold besekyn here of grace .¶And whan I was war þat such* was here will* .To his wif gan I gon & kneled to the grounde .And saide mercy madame ȝoure man shal I worth* .For to werche ȝoure will* while my lyf dureþ .To ken me kyndly to knowe what is Dowel .For thi meknesse man quod she & for þi mylde speche .I shal kenne þe to my Cosyn þat clergie is hoteþ .He haþ wedded a wyf with in þis wokes sexxe .Is sibbe to þe seuen artes þat scripture is nempned .They two as I hope aftre my besekyn .Shul wisse þe to dowel I dar wel vndertake .¶Than was I as fayn as foule of faire morn .Gladdere þan glewmen þat han gold to ȝift .And asked herre þe hie waye where clergie dwelt .And tel me som tokene to hym for tyme is þat I wende .Aske þe hie way quod she fro hens to suffre boþe weel & woo .ȝif þou wilt lerne & rideforþ by richesse ac rest not þerin .For if þou couplest þe wiþ hym to clergie comstow neuere .And eke þe long launde þat lecherie hate .Leue it on þi lyft hande a myle oþer more .Whan þou comme to a court kepe wel þi tonge .Fro lesyngs & lither speche & lykerous drynkes .Than shaltow se sobrete & symplece of speche .That eche wight be in wil his witte þe to shewe .¶So shaltow come to Clergie þat can manye þinges .Say hym þis signe I sette hym to scole .And I gret wel his wif for I wrote here þe bille .And sette here to sapience & to þe sautre yglosed .Logike I lerned here & al þe lawe after .And al þe musons in musyke I made hire to knowe .Plato þe Poete I put hym first to boke .Aristotle & oþer mo to argue I taght .Gramere for girles I made first to wryten .And bet hem wiþ a balice til þei wold lerne .Of alle kyns craftes I contreved toles .Of carpenters & keruers & kenned first masons .Leuel and lyne I hem lerned þogh I loke dym .Ac teologie haþ tened me ten score tymes .For þe more I muse þerin þe mystoloker it semeþ .And þe deppere þat I dyuened þe derkere me þoght .It is no science for sothe / for to sotelen in .Nere the loue þe more þat lyth þerin / a wel lewed þing it were .Ac for it lateþ best by loue / I loue it þe bettre .For þer þat ooue is ord . þer lakkeþ neuere grace .Leue now lelly þeropon / ȝif þou þink to do well* .For dobet & dobest . beþ drawe of loues lore .In oþer science it saiþ / in Caton þou might it rede .¶Qui simulat verbis / non est corde fidus amicus .Tu quoque fac simile sic ars diluditur arte .Ac teologie telleþ not so / who so take hede .He kenneþ vs þe contrarie / & aȝens Caton voordesAnd biddeþ vs ben as bretheren / & blisse our fomen .And loue hem þat lien on vs / & lene hem at nede .And do good aȝens euill* / so god hym slef hoteþ .And sheweþ hem self / in ensample for þe best .Necesse est enim vt veniant scandalaAc astronomie is hard / & euil for to knowe .Geometrie & geomesie / is synful of speche .That þinken worche wiþ þis þre . þriuen wel late .For sorcerie is souerayn boke / þat to þis science longeþ .ȝit ar þer fybyches in forels / of many mens wittes .Experimentes of alconomie / of albertus makyng* .Nigromancie & peramancie / þe pouke to reisen .ȝif þou þink dowel / del wiþ hem neuere .Al þis science sicre / I my self first hem formed .In fayþ folk to deceyue / I beken þe to Crist quod sheI can teche þe no bettre .I. saide gramercy madame & mekly her* grette ..Capi xiijjTercius passus de dowel .
Iwent wightly my way / wiþ oute more lettyng* .And fonde as she for told / and forþ gan I wende .And er I com to Clergie / couþ I neuere stynt .And grette þe good man / as þe goode wyf me taght* .And aftreward þe good wyf / I worshipt als .And told here þe tokenes / þat me told were .Was neuere gome on þis grounde / siþ god made heuen .Fairere vnderfornge / ne frendlokeke at ese .Than I my self soþli / &assone so þai wist* .That I was of wittes hous / & wiþ his wif dame studie .And I saide soþly þai sent me hidere / to lerne to dowell* .And dobet aftre / & to se somwhat of Dobest* .It is a wol lelle lyf quod he / among þe lewed peple .Actif it is hoten / hosbondes it vsen / trew tiliers on þe erthe .Fo xxxTaillours and Tonkers / & alkyn craftes men .That conne here fode wynnen / wiþ here trewe trauaill* .Tylien for here fode / dyken or deluen dowel it hatte .To breke beggers brede / & bakke hem wiþ cloþes .Confort / ȝe carful / þat in Castels ben fetred .And seche out þe seke / & send hem þat hem nedeþ .Obedient as bretheren þese ben / þo þat dobet askeþ .So þe Sautre bereþ witnes ./ Ecce quam bonum þ quam iocundum & cetera ..Sike wiþ þe sory / and syng wiþ þe gladde ..¶Gaudere cum gaudentibus & flere cum flentibus ..Dredles þis is dobet . dobest wote þe sothe .++ Sir dobest hath* be in office & so he is best worþyBy þat : god in gospel graunteþ & techiþeQui facit & docuerit hic magnus vocabitur & ceteraFor þi dobest is byshopes pere / prince of goddes peple .To prechen & to chasten / dobet doþ ful wel & Dowel also .And haþ possession in pluralte / for poer men sake .For mendinantȝ at myschef / þo men were dowed .And þat is right religion / no renners aboute .Gregorie the gret clerk / a good pope in his tyme .Of religion þe reule / he reherseþ in his moral .And saiþ it in ensample / þat þai shuld do þe bettre .¶Whan fyshes faylen þe flode / oþer þe fresh watre.Thei dyen for droght / whan þei drie liggen .Right so by religion / it rolleþ and sterueþ .That oute of couent & Cloistre / coueyte to lybbe .Ac now is religion a ridere / & a romere by stretes .A ledere of ladies / & a londe biggere .He popreth on his palfray / fro toun to toun .A bydowe or a baslard / he bereþ by his side .Goddesflesh & his blode / his fet & his fyue woundes .Is more in his mynde / þan þe memorie of his foundours .This is þe lyf of þe lordes / þat shuld lyue wiþ dobet .And wellaway wors / if þat I wold telle .I went þat kynghode & knyghthode quod I / & keysers wiþ erles ....?...?... dobest is all* .Were dowel dobetre / and dobest of alle .For I haue sen it my self / & siþ redde it aftre.How Crist consailled þe comune / & telleþ hem þis tale .¶Super cathedram moysi sederunt ......scribe & pharisei quie dicunt facite & cetera .For þi I wende þat þoughtes were dobest of all* .Y nyl not scorn quod Scripture / but if þat skriueneres lie .Kynghode ne knyththode / by not I can aspie .Helpeþ not to heuenward / on heers ende .Ne richesse ne rente / ne rialte of londes .Poule proueþ it in possible þat riche men in heuen .Ac pore men & patience and penance to gedere .Han heritage in heuen ac riche men noon .Contra quod I by Crist þat wil I wiþ say .And proue it be þe pistole þat Petir is nempned .¶Qui crediderit & baptizatus fuerit saluus erit . ¶Qui vero non condempnabitur .That is in extremis quod scriputre among sarsyns & Iues .Thei mowe be saued so & so is our byleue .That vncristen in þat cace may cristen & hethen .And for his lele byleue whan his lyf endeth .Have heritage in heuene as a man þat is cristened .Ac Cristen men god it wote ne come not so to heuene .For cristen men han a degre & is he comune speche .¶Dilige dominum deum tuum & cetera . & proximum tuum sicut & cetera .Goddes worde witnesseþ þat we shold ȝeve and dele .Oure enemys & almen þat arn nedi and pore .And sheweþ þis sermon þat sone seweþ aftre.¶Dum tempus est operemur bonum ad omnes maxime autem ad domesticos fidei .Alkyn creaturs þat to Crist ben lyke .We beþ holden hielych to herie & honoure .And ȝif hem of oure goodes as god haþ to oure seluen .Soueraynly to such as sewen oure byleue .That is eche Cristen creature be kynde eche to oþerAnd siþ hethen to helpe in hope hem to amen .To harme hym ne to sle hem god hight bs neuere .¶ For he saiþ it hym self in his ten hestes .¶Non mecaberis .Ne sle not is þe kynde ynglysh for . ¶michi vindictam & ego retribuam .I shal punishe in purgatorie or in þe putte of helleEche man for his misdede but mercy it lette .ȝit am neuere þe nere quod I for oght I hawed .To wite what dowel & vitterly in hert .For how so I werche in þis world wrong oþer ellesI was mad wiþ oute mercy & my name y entred .In þe legende of lyf long eri I were .Or elles vnwriten for wikke as wytnesse þe gospel .¶Nemo ascendit in celum nisi qui descendit de celo .I leue it wel by oure lord & no lettrure bettre .For salamon þe sage þat sapience made .God gaf hym grace & richesse to gederes .For to reule his reume right at his will* .Dide he not wel and wysly as holy writte techeþ .Bothe in werk & in woord in þe world in his tyme .Fo xxxiAristotle and he who wrote bettre .And al holycherche holden hem in hell* .And was þer neuere in þis world two wisere of clerkes .¶For all* connyng Clerkes siþ Crist ȝede on ertheTake ensample of here sawes in sarmons þat þei make .By here werk & by here woordes wisse vs to dowell* .And if I shal worche by here werk to bryng me to heuen .And for here werkes wynne me pyne .Than wroght I vnwisly wiþ al wit þat I lere / on good fryday .I fynde a felon was I saued þat had leuyd al his lyfWiþ lesyng & þeft / & for he beknew on þe crosse .And to Crist shrof hym sonnere had he sauacion .Than seint Iohan þe baptist or Adam or ysaye or any of þe prophetes .A robbere had remission rather þan þai all* .Wiþ penance or purgatorie to haue paradis for euere .Than mary þe Magdalene . who myght do wors .Or she dede wors or dauid þat vrie destroied .Or Poule þe apostle þat no pite hadde .Cristen kynde to kill* to the dethe .And arn þer non for sothe souerainlych* in heuen .As þise þat wroght so wikkedly in world wher þai were .And ȝit arn þai forked forþere of fyue wittes techyng .¶For he said it hym self to som of his disciples .¶Dum steteritis ante reges & cetera .And is as muche to mene to men þat ben lewed .Whan ȝe ben apposed of prynces & prestes of lawe .For to answere hem haue ȝe no doute .For I shal graunte ȝow grace of god þat ȝe serue .The help of þe holygost to answere hem all* .The doghtiest doctour or deuinour of þe Trinite .That was austyn holden and þe hiest of þe foure .Saide þis for a sarmon so me god helpe .¶Ecce ipsi ydiote rapiunt celum vbi nos sapientes in infermo mergimur .And is to mene on oure mouþ more ne lesse .Arn þer non raþer rauyshed fro þe right byleue .Than arn þis kete clerkes þat connen many bokes .Ne non sonnere ysaued ne sadder of conscience .Than pore peple as plowmen & pastours of bestes .Sawiers and sowers & such* lewed iottes .Percen wiþ a pater nostere þe Paleys of heuene .Wiþ oute penance at here partyng in to þe hie blisse .Passus iiij de dowelCapitulus xiiijALlas I say quod olde / and holynesse boþeThat Witte shal turne to wrechednesse / for wele haþ al his will .Than saide rechelesse / reche þe neuere .So þat þou riche were / haue þou no conscience .how þat þou com to good / confesse the to som frere .And he wil assoille þe ful sone / howe so euere þou wynne it .For while fortune is þi frend / frere wil þe loue .And fastne þe in here fraternite / & for þe beseche .To þe priour prouincial / his pardon to haueAnd for to pray for þe & þin / pol by poll .And þou be pecuni[minim]o..us :pena pecuniaria non sufficit .By wissyng of þis wenche I dide / here wordes were so swete .Til I for-ȝat ȝouthe / & ran in to elde .¶Than was fortune my foo / for al here faire speche .And pouerte pursued me / & put me to be lowe .Than flytyng fonde I þe frere / þat me confessed .And said he might not assoill me / but I siluer hadde .For restitute resonable / for al vnrightful wynnyng .Oute howe quod I þo / & myn hande wagged .By my faiþ frere quod.I / ȝe fare lyk* þe wowere .That wil not þe wodwe / but weddeþ here good .Right so be þe rode quod .I / roght þow neuere .Where þat my body beried were / so ȝe hadde my goodes .Than lowgh lowete / for I lowred on þe frere .Whi lourests..eþou . quod lowete / leue sire I saide .For þis frere flatererd me for he fonde me riche .Now I am pore and penyles / at litil pris he setteþ me .I wold it were no synne I saide / to say þat were trouþ .The sautre sayþ it is no synne / for such as be trewe .For to sigge as þai sayn / saue onlych prestes .¶Existimasti inique quod ero tui similis . arguam te & statuamcontra faciem tuamThei wold alegge also / and by þe gospel proue it .Iudicare quemquamWher-of serueþ lawe quod leute / & noman hym mystokeFalsenes ne f..ayterie / for somwhat þe postle saide .¶Non oderis fratrem tuum secrete in corde .Thyng þat al þe word wote / wherfore sholdestow spare .To reherse it be þe retorike / to araten dedlysynne .Ac be þou neure þe first / þe faute for to blame .Though þou se say not / somtyme þat is trewe .Thing þat wold be pryue / publish þou it neuere .Neþer for loue labbe it oute / ne lakke it for enuye .Fo xxxij¶Thow sais soþ quod scripture þo / & skypt an hie & prechede .Ac þe matere þat he mened / ȝif lewed men it knewe .Tho lesse as I trowe / leuen þai wold .The beleue of oure lord / þat lettred men techen .Of here teme & here tale / I toke ful good hedeShe saide in here sermon / selcouþ wordes .¶Multi .sunt vocatiTo þe mete and to þe mangerie / manye were sompned .And whan the peple was plenere ycomen . þe porter opned þe gate .And plyght in paucos . & lete þe remanant go play .Al for tene of þe text / þer trembled many hertes .And in a waiour gan I wax / & wiþ my-self sputen .Where I were chosen or noght / on holycherche I þoght .That vnderfonge me at font / for one of goddes chosen .For Crist cleped vs al / come if we wold .Sarsyns & sysmatikes / & so he dide þe IuesAnd bad hem souke at his brest / salue for here synne .And drynk bote for here bale / drynk it who-so myght .¶Omnes scicientes venite ad aquas & cetera .Than may al cristen come / & clayme þer heritage .Thorgh þe blode þat he bought vs by / & þe baptisme þat he taght¶Qui crediderit et baptiȝatus fuerit saluus erit .For þogh a Cristen coueite / his cristendom to reneyeRighfullych to renoye / no reson it wolde .Ther may no churll no chartre mak / ne his catell sell .Wiþ-oute leue of þe lord / no lawe wil it grante .Ac he may renne in rerage / & rome fro home .As a reccheles caytif / or renoyde as it semeþ .Ac reson shal rekne wiþ hym / & reboyke hym at þe last .And conscience acounte wiþ hym / & cast hym in rerage .And cast hym þan in prison / in purgatorie to brynne .Rewardyng hym þer for his recchelesnes / right to þe day of dome .But he contricion & confession / crie by hys lyue .Mercy for his mesdede / wiþ mouþ & wiþ hertThat is soþ saide scripture / þer is no synne may lette mercy .þat she ne may amende / if meknesse her folwe .Thei boþe as oure boke telleþ / arn abou.e goddes werkes .¶Misericordia eius super omnia opera eius .The bawe for þe book quod on / was broke oute of helle .I troianes a trewe knyght . toke wytnesse atte pope .how I was ded & dampned / to dwel in helle .For an vncristen creature / seint Gregorie wot þe soþe .That al Cristendom ne myght* me cache þens .But only loue & lewte as In my lawe demyng .Gregory wist þis wel and wilned to my soule .Sauacion for my soþ þat he sagh in my werkes .And for he wylnyd wepyng þat . I . were saued .God of his goodnesse sagh his gret will .With-oute mo bodys byddyng his bone was vnderfonge .And ych I-saued as ȝe may se / wiþ-oute syngyng of messe .Loue wiþ-oute lele byleue and my lawe rightfull .Saued my sarasyns lyf and my soule boþe .¶Lo lordes what lewte dide & lele dome y-vsede .Wel aght ȝe lordes þat lawe kepe haue þis lesson in myndeAnd on troianus treuþ þink al þe time of ȝoure lyf .And for ȝoure lordes loue to loue and do leute eueremore .For lawe wiþ-outen lewte ley þerabenea bene .Or ony science vnder sonne þe seuen arts & all .On hym þat trauailleþ þeron but treuþ be his lyuyngLowe loue and leute ben our lordes bokes .And Crist his owen clergie he come fro heuen to teche it .And siþ seint Iohan said it on his techyng .¶Qui non diligit manet in morte .And namelych pore peple here praiers may vs helpe .For god as þe gospel saiþ ȝede euere as þe pore .And as þe wangelie witnesseþ whan we make festes .¶Cum facitis conuiuia nolite vocare amicos .We shol clepe no knyghtes þer to ne no kyn riche .Ac calleþ þe croked þer to þe carfal & þe pore .For eche frend fedeþ oþer & foundeþ how to quite .On Caluerie onf Cristesblode cristendom gan springe .And blody breþer become we þer þorgh o body I-wounde .¶Quasi modo geiniti // .. infantes ..Gentil men echon no boy ne beggere among vs .But if synne it make all be we lyche .¶Qui facit peccatum . seruus est pectati .In old lawe as lettre telleþ men sones me called vs .Of Adam yssue & Eue til god man died .And aftre his resurection redemptor was his name .And we his blodie bretheren as wel beggers as lordesFor þi loue we as lele chyldren lene hym þat nedeþ .And euery man help oþer for hens shal we wende .To haue as we haue serued as holycherche witnesseþ .¶Qui bona egerunt* .For þi lerne we lawe of loue as oure lord vs taght .The pore peple faill we oght whils any peny vs lasteþ .For in here lyknes oure lorde here haþ ay ben knowe ... Witnesse in the p ..Fo xxxiijWitnesse in þe pasch woke whan he went to þe emaux .Cleophas ne knewe hym not þat he cast were .For his pore apparail in pylgrymes cloþing .Til þat he blyssed here brede & brake it betweyn hem .Thus by hys werkes thai wist þat he was oure lord Ihesu .Ac by his cloþyng þai knewe hym so carfully he ȝede .Al was ensample soþly to vs sinful here .We shold be lowe & lovyng & lele eche man to other .And pacient as pylgryms for pylgryms ar we all .In þe parayl of pylgrym & in a pore likenesse .holy seintz vs seyn ac neuere in þe sewt of richesse .And seint Marie oure lady as mathewe bereþ witnes .Was a symple pore mayde and to a poremanpore man wedded .¶Martha on Marie Magdaleyn an hewge pleynt she made .And to oure sauiour here-self saide þis wordes .¶Domine non est tibi cure .quod soror meaAnd here boþer will hastely god assoilles .And eiþer werk & will* right wel allowed .Ac god putte poerte before & proued it þe best .¶Maria optimam partem & cetera .And al þe wise þat euere were by oght I can aspie .Praysen pouerte for best ȝif pacience it folwe .And boþe bettre and blyssedere be manyfold þan richesse .Thogh it be soure to suffre þer comeþ a swetnesse aftreAs a walnote wiþ-oute þer is a bittre berk* .And aftre þat bittre berk þat scale away .Ther is kernel of confort kynde to restore .Rith so aftre penaunce & pouerte rightfullyche take .Makeþ man to haue mynde in godde & his mercy craue .The whiche is a kernel of confort to al cristen soules .And wel þe sykerere he slepeþ þe segge þat is pore .And lesse drede be day or in derk to be robbed .Than he þat is right riche reson bereþ witnes .¶Pauper ego ludo . dum tu diues meditaris .Holycherche witnesseþ who so forsakeþ .His fadre or his frendes frembe oþer sibbe .Or any welþe in þis world wyf other chyld .For the loue of oure lord loweþ hym to be pore .He shal haue an hundreþ-fold heuene riche blysse .And lyf lastyng for-euere before oure lord in heuen¶Qui reliquent patremaut matremCrist acordeþ oft here wiþ clerkes wote þe soþe .What god hym-self saide to agog þat he loued . Ȝif ȝe like quod god to lyue þe lyf þat is parfite .Al þat þou hast wonne hastely go sell it .And ȝif pore peple þi pens ne purse þou none .And ȝif it forth to pore folk þat for my loue it asken .For-sake al and sewe me for so is þe best .¶Si vis perfectus esse vade & vende vniuersa que habes & cetera .Thus consailleþ Crist in ensample to vs alle .Who-so coueyte to come to my kynriche .He must forsake hym-self his sustre & his brother .And al þis world richesse and my will folwe .¶Nisi renunciaueritis omnibus que possidetis . & cetera ..Many prouerbes might I haue of many holy seintzTo testefie for treuþ þe tale þat I shewe .And poetz to prouen it pophirus and plato .Aristotle & ouidus & elleuen hondred .Tolleus and Tholomeus I can not tell hire names .That prouen pacience and pouerte prynce of al vertues .And by þe grayn þat groweþ god ws al techeþMischief of þis world mekely to suffre .¶Nisi granum frumenti cadens in terta . mortuum fuerit & cetera¶But if þe sede þat sowen is in þe slowe sterue .Shal neuere spryng ne ere on stalk cornee .Thar shold euil whete waxe but whete first diedeOþer also in þe same wyse .That beþ layde on lowe erthe y lore as it were .And þorgh þe gret grace of god agayn sede on erþe .At þe laste launceþ vp wher-by we lyuen alle .Ac sedes þat ben ysowe & mowe suffre wyntrez .Arn tidiere and towere to mans byhoue .Than sedes þat sowe beþ & may not wiþ frost .Wyndes and wedres as in wyntre tyme .As lynsed and leksede and lenten sedes all .Arn not so worthi as whete ne so wel dure mown .In þe feld wiþ þe frost and it dure longe .Right so for soþe þat soffre mowe penaunce .Shal be lowed of owre lord atte last ende .And for his pacience be praised as for a pure martre .Or for a confessour ykedde & coueite not arishe .Fere ne famyn ne fals men tonges .But as a hosbonde hopeþ aftre an hard wyntre .Ȝif god ȝif hym lyf to haue a good heruest .So prouen þese profetes þat paciently soffren .Mischiefs & myshappes & many tribulacions .Fo xxxiiijBe-tokneþ ful treuly in tyme comyng aftre .Merþ for his mornyng & þat muche plente .For Crist saide to saintz þat for his sake þoleden .Pouerte and penance / & perseccionpersec[u]cion of body .Angels in here angre / in þis manere hem gretten .¶Tristicia vestra vertetur in gaudium & cetera .Ȝoure sorwe in-to solace / shal torn atte last .And oute of care in-to wele / ȝoure dedes shold chaunge .Ac who-so redeþ of þe riche / þe reuerencese he may fynde .How god as þe gospel telleþ / ȝeueþ hem fool to name .And þat his gost shal go / ȝ& his goodes beleue .And askeþ hym aftre / who shal it haue .The catel þat he kepeþ so . in coffres & in bernes .And art so loþ to lenen . þat leuen shaltowe nedes .¶O stulte ista nocte animam tuam raepieturetent a te tesaurisat & ignorat . & cetera .An vn-redy reue / þi residue shal spendeAnd al þe Iowel þat þou art maystre of in a litil stounde .Vpholsters on þe hill . shal haue hem to selle .Lo lo lordes lo & ladies takeþ hede .It lesteþ not longe / þat is licoure swete .As pescodes & notes plombes & cheries .That lyghtly launceþ vp & lytil tyme dureþ .And þo þat raþest ripen / roten most sunnest .On fat londe þat is ful of dunge . foulest wedes growen .Rith so for soþe . suche as ben byschopes .Abotes and Erchedekenes & oþer riche clerkes .That chaffare as chapmen . & chynchen but þai geten .And haue richesse at here hert . al oþer ese to lete .¶Right as wedes waxen . in wodes & in donge .So of richesse vpon richesse . vaxen all vices .Lowe londe ouerlaude wiþ donge & wiþ merke .Whete þat waxeþ þeron worth* ligge er it be ripe .Right so forsoþe for to sigge trouþe .Ouerdone pride norisheþ synne þer pouert stroep it .For how so it be wone but it be wel despended .He mystymeþ euyl his þing to hym þat it kepet .For if he be fer þer-fro oft haþ he drede .Lest falsfolk fechen a-way fouliche his goodes .And ȝit more it makeþ men many tyme and oft .To synnen & to sotelyn soteltes of gile .For Couetise of catel to kille hym þat kepe it .And þus is many a man morthered for hese goodes .And þo þat don þis arn dampned aftre .And he for his hard holdyng in hell parauenture .Thus coueitise of catel is combraunce to hem all .Lo how pens purchasen faire places and grete .That rote is of roberes þe gret richesse wiþin .Capi xvpassus vus de dowelI-Blyssed euere be pouerte / for he may go vn-robbed . A-mong pelours in pes / ȝif pacience hym folwe . Oure prynce Jhesu pouerte chese . and his postles all* . And ay þe lengerere þai leued / þe lesse good þay hadde . ¶Tanquam nichil habntes & omnia possidentes .And Abram & Iob han / be wonder riche . And oute of nombre þo men / many moebles hadde . Abram for his goode . hadde much tene . In pouerte he was put / a prisoner as it were . And taken fro hym his wyf / holden fro hym longe . And abram not ones so hardy / to letten hem . Ne for brighnesse of here bounte / here spouse be aknowe . And for he soffred and saide not / oure lorde sent tokne . That þe kyng shold crie Abram mercy . And deleueren h.ym his make / wiþ muche ioye aftre . Also Iob þe gentile / what ioye hadde he on erþe . How bittere he it boght / as þe boke telleþ . ¶ And for he song* in his sorwe .¶Si bona suscepimus a domino .—mala ante quare nonDerworth dere good do noman no harme . And his songe to solace / þorgh þat þoght torned . And Iob be-come a Ioly man / and his ioye newe . Lo how pacience in pouerte / þis patriarche releued . And brogh hem al a-boue / þat in bale were . And as a greyn þat lyth in grete / by grace at þe last . Spryngeþ vp and spredeþ / so dide þis gode Abram . And also the gentil Iob / here ioye haþ noon ende . Ac leueþ not ȝe lewed men / þat I lakke richesse . Þogh I prayse pouert þus / & proue it by ensample . Bettre as by holy wrytt* / & holy philosophres . Bothe two be ful goode / be ȝe ful certain . And leueþ þat oure l... loueþ / large ways to heuene . Ac þe pore pacient / purgatorie passeþ . Rather þan þe riche / þogh þei renne at ones . Ȝif a marchaunde and a messagere / metten to-gederes . Fo xxxvAnd shold boþe goon o-way / þer bothe most rest . And rekne be-fore reson / accountes þat is resonable . What one haþ & an-oþer haþ / & þat þai haue boþe . The marchande most nedes be lengere þan þe messagere . For þe parcell* of his paupere / & oþer priue dettes . Wil lette as I leue / þe length of a myle . The messagere doþ noght so / but of his mouþ telleþ . His lettre and his erunde sheweþ / & anon is deliuered . And þogh þei gon by þe way / þei two to-gederes . Ȝogh þe messager make his pay / a-mydde þe whete . Wil no . wisman be wroþ / ne his wedde take . ¶Necessitas non habet legem ..As if þe marchand make his way / ouer mens corn . And the kepere happe happe wiþ hym for to mete . Oþer his hatte oþer his hode / or elles his gloues . The marchande mote for-go / or moneye of his purs . And ȝit be letted as I leue / as þe lawe askeþ . Marchantz for marchandise / in many place tollen . Ȝit þogh þai ȝede o-way / as to wynchestre faire . The marchant wiþ his marchandise / may not go so swythe . As þe messagere may / ne wiþ so muche ese . For þat one bereþ but a box / & a breuet þer-in . Ther þat oþer ledeþ a male / wiþ many kyn þinges . He dredeþ to be ded þer-fore / and he in derk be mette . Wiþ robbers & reuers / þat ryche men dispoillen . Ther þe messager is ay merye / & his mouþ ful of song* . And wher his lettres beth y-shewed / he is ay wel-come . Ther wil noman hym greue / in place wher he dooþ noon . Ac ȝit myght þe marchant / þorgh monoie & ȝiftes . Have hors and hardymen / þogh he mette theues . Thare shold noon assaillen hym / for hem þat hym folwe As safly passe as þe messagere / and as sone athis ostell* . ¶Ȝe witeþ wel ȝe connyng* men / what þis is to mene . The marchant is nomore / but men þat ben riche . That arn countable to Crist / þat hie kyng of heuen . That hold most þe hie way / euen þe ten hestes . Boþe to loue & to lene / þe lele and þe vnlele . And haue routhe and releue hem / wiþ here gret richesse . By his powere al manere men / þat in mischef ben f.llle . Fynde beggers bred / and cloþes for colde . And to tyþen here goodes trewly / a toll* as it semeþ . This ouir lorde lokeþ aftre / of eche lyf þat wynneþ . Wiþ-oute giles or wrong* / or Ionet atte Syves . And ȝit more to make pes / & quite men here dettes . And boþe to spelen & to spare / & spende vpon nedy . As crist hymself comaundeþ / to all* cristen peple .¶Alter alterius onera & cetera .=The messagers arn men nedy / þat lyuen by almesse . That beþ not ybounde as beþ þe riche / to boþe two lawes . To loue ne to lene / þe lenten to fast . Al right ȝeueþ leue / such* lowe folk to ben excused . And no tiþes to tiþen / ne cloþe þe naked . Ne on questes to come / ne contumax be yseye . Holy day or holy eue / his mete to deserue . ¶ For if he loue and byleueþ / as þe lawe techeþ . ¶Qui crediderit & cetera.And who-so telleþ the lord a tale / as a trewe messager* And sheweþ by dede & siþ by lettrr* / wiþ what lord he dwelleth . And knowlacheþ hym cristen / and on holycherche byleueþ . Ther is no lawe as I beleue / may lette hym þe gate . Ther god is gateward hym-self / & knoweþ eche a gome . The porter of his pure rouþ / may parforme þe lawe . In þat he desireþ & wold / eche wight as hym-self . For þe desire at mete / is worth a fel beggere . As much as þe riche may reyn / & rightfullych* dele . And as muche mede / for a nyght þat he suffreþ . As þe riche man for al his moneye / as by þe gospell* . ¶Amen dico vobis hec vidua paupercula plus omnibus misit .So þat pore pacient / is proficest lyf of all* . Al parfite prestes / to pouerte shold drawe . For Spera in deo . spekeþ of prestes / þat haue no spendyng siluer . For if þai trauail trewly / and trust in god almyghty . Hem shold neuere lak lyf-lode / neþer lynen ne wolen . The tytil þat ȝe take ȝoure ordres by / til ȝe be auaunced . Ȝow nedeþ not to take siluer / for messe þat ȝe syng* . For he þat took ȝow þat title / shold take ȝow wages . Or þe byshop þat blyssyd yow / & baumed ȝowre fyngres . For þer mad neuere kyng* knyght / but he hadde katel to spende . As be-fel for a knyght / or fonde hym for his strengthe . ¶I saw floures in þe feldes / of many diuers colours . How out of grete & gresse / growed many hewes . Som soure & som swete / & selcouþ me þoght . Of here fynde & here colours to carpen it were longe . Ac þat most mened me in my mode chaunged . xxxvjTho þat I sawe reson / passe all* bestes . Saue man and mankynde / many tyme me þoght . Reson reuled hem not / neþer riche ne pore . ¶Than I aresoned reson / & right to hym saide . I haue storbaunce in my þoght / so conyng* þou art holde . Wherfore & whi / so longe as þow regnest* . That þou ne reulest rather / segges þan oþer bestes . I se noon surfete so oft* soþly as mankynde . In metes oute of mesure and many tyme in drynkes . I se wymmen misdo in werk and in speche bothe . Thai ouerdon it day & nyght & so don noon other . Bestes reule hem al by reson & segges wel fewe . And þerfor merueilleþ me for man as in mankynde . Is most lewed þe mynde and þe werkes bothe . Whi he ne loueþ þi lore and lyueþ as þou techest . And reson answered me & saide reche þe neuere . Whi I soffre or noght suffre certes he saide . Eche a segge for hym-self Salamon techeþ . ¶De re que te non molestat noli certare . Who soffreþ more þan god I no gomes as wene . Who myght amende in a mene while al þat a-mys stonte . Ac he soffre in ensample þat we shold all* . Ther is no vertue I knowe so faire ne of priuite neuere þe mo . As is treu soffrantlych* so it be for goddes loue . And so saiþ þe wyse and techeþ me frenshe . Beale vertue est suffrance male scire petit vengeaunce . Quod reson þo reule þi tonge euere . And er þou lakke any lyf loke who is to prayse . For I not man vnder crist* can hym-self make . And if any creatures couthe make hym-self . Eche lad wold mastrie hym-self leue þou noon oþer . Man is mad of suche matere he may not euer astert* . That sum-tyme hym tyde fall in his kynde . ¶Caton acordeþ her-to . ¶Nemo sine crimine viuit .Thoo caught I a colour a-noon & conceyued to be ashamed . And abashet me a-noon right and abrayd þens & was sory . That ne hadde more mette so meri as I slept . And saide a-noon to my-self slepyng I hadde grace . To knowe to dowel ac romyng neuere . And þan frayned .I. at a byrde as he sat in his nest . To knowe dowel quod þat byrde and who it is he saide . To se muche and suffre al certes sire is dowel . Haddestow soffred he saide slepyng þo þow lay . Then sholdest haue knowe þat clergie taght & þe more for reson . For reson wolde haue rehersed to the right as cleregie saide . And for þin entremetyng here þou art for-sake . ¶Si tacuisses philosophus fuisses locutum me aliquando penituit tacuisse nunquam . Adam som-tyme spak not & hadde paradys at will* . Ac þo he mombled a-boute mete & mused for to knowe .The connyng and þe witte oure lord put hym out of blisse . Right so ferd reson by þe for þi muche spekyng . And for þou couþest al þing of resons priuite . Pride hadde presumpsion of þi parfite lyuyng . Tho reson refused þe & þoght to rest with þe . Ne cleregie of his conyng ne kepty þe not to shewe . For þer shal neuere er shame come a shrewe be wel chastised . For late a dronk daf in dyche fall* . Late hym ligge loke not on hym til hym-self lyst arise . Thou reson foule rebouke hym þan reccheþ hym neuere . Of clergie ne of kynde craft* ne greueþ he not a rishe To blame hym or bete hym þan h hold it but synne . Ac but mede take hym vp anoon he is a-shamed . Ȝe sayn soþ by my soule quod I & haue sen it oft . Ther smokeþ no þing so smert ne smelleþ so foule . As shame þer he comforteþ hym eche man loþe his companye . Al þat ȝe chide me þus is for þat I aresoned reson . Ȝe certes quod he þat is soþ & shop hym to flyght* . And I aros vs wiþ þat & reuerensed hym faire . And ȝit was he in a studie & þoght his name to telle . Capi xvjPassus vi de DowelIIAm ymaginatif qoud he ydel was I neuere .Thou I sitte by my-self such is my grace .I haue sought trouþ infaiþ more þan foure score ȝere .And itisit is fals founded oft & dowel from it departed .And I consail þe oft for cristes sake no creature be-gile .Neþer to lye nor to lak þe lore þat is distudide .Ne to spill speche ac to spece any ydel .And in no tyme to say þat is trwe þing to tene .And also þat þou leue wel þe law of holycherche .Than destow wel wiþ-oute drede who so can do bet no fors .Cherles þan connen all .I. hope can do betre .Ac of holy chirche to be saued it is to do as I haue taught þe .Fo xxxvijFor to loue and do ryght is muche wiþ þe beleue .Is caritas . is kynde loue on ynglysh .And þat is dobet ȝif and such be ablissed man þat helpeþ .That pes be & paciens & pore wiþ-oute defaute .¶Beatus est dare quam accipere .Ac catel and couetise combres ful many .As lorels to be lordes & lewed men techers .And holicherche here help auerous & coueitise .Thei dryuen oute dowel & destroien dobest .Ac grace is a gresse þerfore to don hem eft growe .Ac grace ne springeþ not til god be-gyn to regne .And destroie þorgh goddes craft wykked hertes .Ac or such a well spring god hym-self it makeþ .And sendeþ forþ seint spirit to do loue sprynge .Thus grace wiþ-oute grace of godde and goode dedes .May not be sykere be þou þogh ȝe abyde euere .Clergie comeþ but of syght & of kynde of sterres .As to be bore or geten in vnkynde constellacioun .That redes comeþ þerof & other wordes bothe .¶Aspectus huius seculi subiecta sunt vultibus celestibus .Thus grace is kynde ȝift of god & kynde sight of chaunce .And clergie and conyng kynde mynde techyng .And ȝit is clergie to comende for cristes loue more .Than any conynges of lewednesse but clergie it reule .For moyses wytnesse þat god wrote in þe stone wiþ his fynger .Lawe of loue god it wrote longe er crist dide .And crist come and confermed it & holy cherche made .And in the sonde a signe made & saide to þe Jues .he þat seyþ hym-self synlesse go forth & ȝowe hote .And strike wiþ stone or staf þis strompetto deþe .¶Qui vestrum sine peccato est primo mittat in eam lapidem .For þi I conseill al cristen clergie to honour.For as a woman may not sene þat mysseþ his eien .No more can no clerkes but þei be on bokes .And þough men maden bokes god shal ben here maystre .And sent seint spirit þe sampler* & saide what men shuld write .And right as sight serveþ a man to se þe hie strete .Right so lereþ lewed men lettrure to reson .And as a blynd man in bataille bereþ wepne to fight .And haþ noon happe wiþ his axe his enemye to hytte .No more can a kynde witte man but cheregie hym teche .To come for al his kynde witte þorgh cristendom to be saued .The which is coffer of cristes tresour & clerkes kepe þe keyes .To vnloke is at here lykyng þe lewed and þe lered to helpe .To ȝif mercy for mysdede ȝif men wold it aske .Boxomlych & bonourlych to beden it of grace .Archa dei . In old laws leuets it kepten .Hadde neuere lewede man leue to legge honde on þat chist .But it were prest or prest sone patriarche or prophete .Saule for his sacrifice sorwe hym by tidde .And his sones for his synnes sorwe þai hadde .For-þi I consail all creatures no clerkes þai despise .Ne set short by here science what so þai do hem self .Take we her wordes aworgh for here witnesse beþ trewe .And medle we not to muche wiþ hem to meue any wraþþe./>Lest chest chastise vs so þat we choppe eche man othere .And do we as david techeþ for doute of goddes vengeance .¶Nolite tangere cristos meos .For chlergie is cristes vicare to comfort and to couere.Both lered and lewed were lost nere ne were .Kynde witted men han a cleregie by hym self .Of cloudes and of costomes þat coutreue many þinges .And merken it in here manere & musen ther-on to knowe .And of þe selcouþes þat þay seyn here sones þer-of þai techen .Thei hold it for an hie science here sotels to knowe .Ac þorgh here sely science was neuere soule saued .For here kynde knowyng come but of divers syghtes .Of briddes and of bestes of blysse and of sorwe .Patriarches & prophetes reproueden hire science .And saide here wordes & here wysdome nere but al foly .As to þe clergie of crist þei counted it but a trifle .¶Sapientia huius mundi stultia est apud deum .For the hye holygost heuen shalto cleue And loue shal lepyn oute aftre. vn to þis lowe erþe .And clennes shal cachen it & clerkes shal it fynde .pastores loquebanturadinuicemad inuicemTo spekeþ of riche men right noght ne of riche lordes .But of clennes of clerkes & kepers of bestes .¶Ibant magi ab oriente ..If any frere were founde þere I ȝef þe fyue shillinges.Neþer in corte ne in caytyf hous was crist bore .But in a burgeys hous þe best of al þ toun .To herdes & to poetes apered þe angell .And badde hem go to bedlem goddes byrthe to honoure.And singe a songe of solace . ¶Ghi>loria in excelsis deo .Fo xxxviijRiche men routeden þo & were in here rest .Tho shone to þe shephe a schoure of blysse .Clerkes knewe þe comyng and come wiþ here ȝeftes .And dide here homage to hym þat was almighty .¶Whils I haue told þe al þis / I haue take ful good hede .How þou contrarides clergie / wiþ clobbed wordesThat is how lewed men and lether / were lyghloker saued .Than conyng clerkes / of kynde vnderstondyng .And þou saide soþ of somme / ac I ne say in what manere .Take two stronge men in temmpest / & cast hem in watre .And both naked as anele / & loke þat none be heuiere þan oþerThat one haþ connyng / & can swyme & dyue .And þat oþer is lewed of þat labour / & lerned neuere to swyme .Wyche trowest þou / of hem most hym dredeþ .He þat cunne not swymme saide I / it semeþ to all wittes .Right so was þat renk reson it sheweþ .That he þat knoweþ clergie / can sonnere arise .Out of synne and be sauf / þough he synned oft .Ȝif hym lyke and lust / þan ony lewed soþly .For ȝif þe clerk be conyng / & wote what is synne .And how contricion wiþ-oute confession confort mansoule .And we sayn in the sauter / in salmes on or two .How contricion is commended / for it cacheþ a way synne .¶Beati quorum remisse sunt iniquitates . And þat conforteþ eche clerk / & coureþ hem fro wanhopeIn which flode the fende / fondeþ me hardest .And has no contricion / til he cometh to schrift .But as his lores man leres / hym he leues and trowes .And þat is after person or parish prest / perantre boþe be lewed .For to lere lewed men / as þe boke bereþ witnesse .¶Dum ducit cecus cecum & cetera . . For muche wo was hym maked / þat wade shal wiþ þe lewed .Wel may þatbarn hem blysse / þat hem to boke settet .The lyuyng aftre lettre / saueþ hym body & soul .¶Dominus pars hereditatus mee . is a mery vers .It hath a taill fro tyborn / of twenty stronge þeues .Ther lewed þeues be plukked vp / loke how þay be saued .The þef þat haþ grace of god / þe goodfriday as þou toldest .Was for he ȝeld creaunce to Crist / & his grace asked .And god is ay graciouse / to al þat to hym greden .He wil not wikked man be lost / but he will hym self .¶Nolo mortem peccatoris .Ac þogh he had heuene / he had not so hie blysse .As seint Johan & oþer saintz þat han a serued bettre. Right as som men ȝeuen mete and sette som a mydde þe flore .They han mete more þan ynough . a not so muche worschipp .As þo þat sitten atte side table or wiþ þe souerains in hall .But as beggars burdeles by hym-self on þe grounde .So it fareþ by þe felon þat was saued on goode friday .He sitte nether wiþ seint Johan ne wiþ Symon ne Jude .Ne wiþ maydens ne wiþ marters ne wiþ mylde wydowes .For he þat is ones a þef is euermore in daunger .And as þe lawe lokeþ to lyue or to die .¶De peccato propiciato noli esse sin metu .And for to serven a seint and a ȝef to-gederes .It were no reson ne right to seruen bothe yliche .Right as troianus þe trewe knyght tulled not depe in helle .That oure lord ne had hym lyghlych oute so I leue of þat þef in heuen .For he is in þe lowest heuen if oure leue be trewe .And looslyche lolleþ þere as by lawe of holicherche .¶Et reddet vnicuique iuxta opera sua .Ac whi þat ȝef on þe crosse recreaunce hym ȝelde .Rather þan þat oþer þogh thou woldest aposeIf þe clerkes vnder crist ne couþ it not assoille ¶Quare placuit qui voluitAnd so I say by þe þat sekest aftre ways .How creaturs and kynde witte & clerkes come to bokes .And how þe flour in the frith come to faire hewes .Was neuere creature vnder crist þat couþ wel þe bygynnyng .But kynde þat contened it fist of cortaisies will .He taught þe turtle to trede þe pecok to caude .And Adam & Eue & oþer bestes alle .A cantel of kynde witte her kynde for to saue .Of good & of wikked kynde was þe first .He sey it & soffred it saide it be sholde .¶Dixit & facta sunt .Ac whi he wold þat wykked were I wene & I luue .Was þer neuere man on mold þat migh it aspie .Ac long lyuyng men lykned mens lyuyng .To brydes & to bestes as here bokes tellen .That the fairest fourle foulest engendreþ .And the feblest foule of flight is þat flees or swymmes .That is þe pecok or þe papegay wiþ here proude fetheres .That she be tokne right riche men þat regnen vpon erthe .For pursue a pecok & a pahenne to cacheAnd haue hem in hast at þin owen will .For þai may not fle ful ferre ne ful hie nouþer .Fo xxxixFor here feþeres þat faire been to flee fer hem lette .His leden is vnlouelych & loþlich is his careyn .And for his peynted feþeres þe pecok is honoured .More þan for his faire flesh or for his mery note .Right so men reuerence þe riche more for his muche moble .Than for his kyn þat he comeþ of or for his grete witte .Thus þe poete prased þe pecok for his fetheres .And þe riche for his rentes or þe licour in his coppe .The . lark . þat is a lesse foule & louelych of ledenAnd swettere of sououre & swyftere of wehyng .e .To low leuyng men / the larke is resonable .And to lele and lyf holy / þat louen al trouþ .Thus pophirius & plato / & many other poets .Lykne in here logike / the lest foule oute .And wher any be sauf or noght þe soþ wote no clergie .Ne of sort ne of Salamon no scripture can telle .Wheþer þai ben in helle or in heuen or Aristotle þe wyse .Job was a painym / & plesed atte best .And Aristotle also sewed þe same seit .And ladde ful holy lyf aftre þe lawe of kynde .Wherfor it semeth soþly sondre sotels to schewe .That he was saued so was Job / I can not say þe soþe .Ac god is so good I hope / siþ he gan hym witte .To wissen vs ways þer wiþ þat wenen to be saued .And the bettre for here bokes to byde we beþ holde .That god for his grace ȝeue here soule rest .For lettred men nere but lewed ner þe lore of þis clerkesAl þis clerkes quod I þo þat lyuen on crist .Syngyn in here sermons þat nere sarazins ne Jues .Wiþ-oute baptisme as by here bokes ne beþ not ysaued .¶Contra . quod ymaginatif & by-gan to loure .And said . Vix saluabitur iustus in die iudicij .Ergo saluabitur . quod he & spak no more latyn .Troianus was þe trowest knyght þat tok neuere cristendome .And he is sauf saiþ þe book and his saule in heuen .Ther is follyng in fonte and in blod shedyng .And þorgh fire is fullyng & al his ferme byleue .¶Aduenit ignis diuinus non comburens sed illuminans . Ac þo trew þat trespassed neuere ne trauersyde aȝens þe law .But leued as lawe taght & leuen þer be no bettre .And if þer were he wold & in such a will he dyes .Wold neuere trewe god but trew trouþ were allowed .And were it wers were it not wers þe by-leue is gret of trouþ .And hope hongeþ ay þer on to haue þat trouþ desires .¶Quia in pauca fuisti fidelis supra multa te constituam .And þat is loue & large hire if þi lord be trewe .And a Curtasie more þan couenant was whas-so clerkes carpe .For al beþ as god wole & þer-wiþ he vanyst . vij passus de dowelCapi xvijaANd I waked þerwiþ witles nere honde .A.ds a freke þat feynt were forth gan I fare .In þe manere of a mendinant many ȝers aftreAnd many tymes of þis metels muche þoght I hadde .First how fortune failled at my most nede .And how olde manassed me so it mygh happe .That if I lyued longe it wold leue me by-hynde .And vanysh al my vertues & my faire lokkes .And how þat freres folwen folk þat ben riche .And þe peple þat were pore . at litil pris sette .Ne þe corsed of þe pore commune ne myght not in here chircheȝerd lygge .But he quyk bequeþe hem oght or helpe quite here dettes .And how coueitise ouercome alkyn sectes .As wel lered as lewed / and lordes & bonde .And how þat lewedmen be ladde / but oure lord hem helpe .Thorwgh vnconable curatours & vnconable peyns .And how ymaginatif . in dremyng me tolde .Of kynde & his connyng and what conyng he ȝaf beste .How lovyng he is to eche a lyf . on lande & on watre .For al he wisses & ȝeues . witte þat walkes oþer crepes .And I meruailled in hert how ymaginatif saide .That shal haue Iustus byfore Iesu . in die Iudicij . ¶Non saluabitur . but if . vix . helpe .And whan he hadde said so / how sodeynlych* he vanysht .And so I mused on þis matere þat me lest slepe .Than come conscience & clergie & clergie aftre .And bad me rise and rome forth . wiþ reson shold I dyne .And I a-ros & romed forth* . wiþ reson we mette .We reuerensed reson / & romed forþ softly .And mette wiþ a maistre . a man lyk a frere .Conscience knew hym and welcomed hym faire .They wesh & wypt & went to dyner .Pacience as a pore þing . come and praiede mete for charite .Fo xlLike to piers ȝe plowman / as it a palmere were .He craued and cride / for cristes loue of heuen .A meles mete for a pore man / or monoie if þai hadde .Conscience knew hem well* / & welcomed hem als .Thay wysh* & wyped and went satte .The maistir was made sette first / as for the most worthi .Reson stode and styhyld as for steward of hall* .Pacience and I . were sette to-gederes .Al by oure-self . atte a syde table .Cleregye called aftre mete and than come scripture .And serued hym þus sone of sondry metes many .Of Augstyn & Ambrose & þe foure Euaungelys .¶Edentes & bibentes que apud illos sunt .Ac of þis metes þis maystre . myght not wel chewe .For þi hete mete of a more cost mortreux & bodynges .Of þat þat men myswan . þay made hym wyl at ese .And oure sauce was euere soure and vnsauerlych* ygrounde .In a mortere . post mortem . of many bittre peyns .But if þai sunge for þe soules & wepe salt teres .¶Vos qui peccata commeditis nisi pro eis lacrimaueritis & eorum eff ea que in delicijs commeditis in tor . euo .. That reson radde right a-noon aftre. That conscience comande shold . to don come scripture .And bryng bred for pacience bytyng a-party .And to me þat was his felow þo & oþere mete boþe .And sette a sour lof and saide . Agite penitenciam . And siþ he drogh vs drink . dire perseuerancie .As longe quod he as þe lyf . & þe lykam may dure .This is a symple service quod pacience þo .And þo come contricion & had loked for vs alle .And broght forth a pitance wiþ ¶pro hac orabit omnis sanctus in tempore oportuno .Conscience conforte vs bothe / cleregie & scripture .And saide ¶cor contritum & humiliatum deus non despicies . Pacience wel appaied of propre seruice .And made mery wiþ þis mete / ac I morned euere .For a doctour at hie des drunk wyn fast .¶Ve vobis qui potentes estis ad bibendum vinum . And ete many sondry metes / mortreux & bodyngs .Braun & blode of þe goos bacoun & colops .Than saide I to my self þat pacience it herde .It is not þre days ago þat þis doctour prechede .At seint poules before the peple what penaunce þay soffre .Al þat coueite to come to heuen riche blysse .And of Poule þe postle what penance he þoled .For oure lordes loue as holy lettre telleþ .¶In fame & frigore .¶Ac me wondreþ in my witte whi þat þai ne precheAs poule þe postle prechede to þe peple oft .¶Periculum in falsis fratribus .Holy wrytte biddeþ men be war & wisly hem kepe .That no fals frere þorgh flateryng hem bygele .Ac me is loþ þogh I latyn knowe to lak any sekte .For we beth brethren þogh we be dyuerslych* ycloþed .Ac I wist neuere freke þat frere is called .Of þe fyue ordres þat made any sermon .That tok þis for here teme & told it with-oute glose .Thay preche þat penaunce is profitable for þe soule .And what meschef & male-ese crist for man þoled .¶Ac þis doctour and diuinour & decretestre of Canoun. And also a gredy gloton wiþ two gret clekes . Has no pite on vs pore he parformes ill* .That he preches he proues not to pacience I tolde .And wisht ful witterly wiþ a wil ful egre .That in þe mawe of þat maistre . al þe mete were .Dishes & doblers wiþ al þe deyntes aftre .I shal to þis Jordan wiþ his iost wombe .And appose what penance is & purgatorie on erþe .And whi he leueþ not as he lerneþ . late be quod pacience & saide .Thow shalt se right sone whan he may no more .He shal haue a penance in his paunche / & pisse at eche a worde .Than shal his guttes gothel . & he begynne to galpe .Now he haþ dronk so depe he wil deuyne sone .And prouen by his pocalips . & þe passion of seint Auereye .That neuere bacoun ne braun ne blaunchemangere ne mortreux .Is neþer fysh ne fleshe but fode for penauntzAnd take wytnesse atte Trinite & al his felaws . als .That he fonde in a forel of a freres lyuyng .And but þe first lhfef be lesyng leue neuere aftre .¶And þan is tyme to talk . & to apose þis doctour .Of dowel & dobet & if Dobest do any penaunce .I satte still* &asas pacience wold & þus sone þis doctour .As ruddy as a rose . rubbed his chekes .Counted & carped & Conscience hym herde .And told hym of þe Trinite & toward me he loked ... What is Dowel ..Fo xljWhat is Dowel sire doctour & he drank aftre .Do þi neghbour no harm ne þi self nouþer .Than dostow wel & wisly I dar it wel avowe .Certes sire saide I . it semeþ not wel here .In þat ȝe part not wiþ vs pore þat ȝe passe dowel .Neiþer leue as ȝe lerne vs / as oure lord wold .¶Et visitatint & fecit redempc & cetera .And ȝe fare þus wiþ ȝoure seke freres / ferly me þinkeþ .But dowel indite ȝow . In die Iudicij . ¶Than conscience ful curtasly a contenaunce he made .And twynkeled on paciencie / to pray me be stylle .And saide hym-self sire doctour . if it be ȝowre will* .What is dowel & dobet . ȝe deuinours knowen .I haue saide quod þe segge . I can say no bettre .But as doctours teche dowel .I. it holde .And ȝif he do as he telleth . I holde it for þe best .¶Qui facerit . & docuerit . & cetera .¶Now þou clergie quod concience / carpe þou what is dowell* .Haue me excused quod Clergie by crist but in scole .Shal noon suche motyf be moued for me but þere .For piers loue þe plowman þat I enpugned ones .Alkyns conynges & alkyns craftes .Saue loue & leute & lowenesse of hert .And no tixt taketh to proue þis for trewe .¶But . Dilige deum & proximum tuum . Domine quis habitabit & cetera . And proue by pure skyll* . al þinges in parfite .But lele loue & treuþ / þat loþ is to be founde.¶Nemo bonus .Quod piers þe plowman / pacientes vincunt . Byfor perpetuel pes I shal proue þat I saide .And awowe it be-for god / & forsake it neuere .¶That . Disce doce dilige deum & þin enemye .Hertly thou hem helpe / euene forth wiþ þi myght .Cast hote coles on his hede / of alkyn speche .Fond þorgh witte & wiþ worde his loue for to wynne .And ȝef hym eft & eft / euere at his nede .Conforte hym wiþ þi catel . & þi kynde speche .And lie on hym þus wiþ loue / til he lagh on þe .And but he bowe for þis betyng . blynd mote he worth .¶And whan he hadde woorded þus . wist ne man aftre. Where piers þe plowman bycome . so pryuely he went .And resoun ran aftre . & right wiþ hym ȝede .Saue conscience & clergie I couþ no mo aspie .And pacience spak proprelych / tho piers was þus past .He loueþ lelly quod he þat litil þing coueiteth .I wold & I will* hadde . wynne al fraunce .Wiþoute brekyng of burgh or ony blody shedyng .I take witnesse quod he . at holy wrytte apertely .¶Pacientes vincunt .For by hym þat me made . myght neuere pou .Missay me in myschef ne man wiþ hys tonge .Tene þe any tyme and þou take pacience .And bere it in þis bosom aboute wher-so thow wendes .In a cornere of a cart whele wiþ a crouwe crone .Shal neuer barn be abasht þat has þis aboute hym .Neþer hete ne haill* ne hell* pouke hym dere .Neyþer fere ne flode to be ferde of henemye .Ther nys wiȝt in þis world þat wolde þe lette .To haue al londes at þi likyng / & þai here lorde þe make .And Maistir of all* here moebles / & here monoie aftre .The kyng & þe comoun / & þe clergie to þe lowte .As for here lorde & for here ledere / & leue as þou techest .¶This is a dede quod þe doctour a dysours tale .Al þe witte of the word ne wismen strenþe .Can not perfourmen a pes / of þe pope and his enemys .Profitable for boþe parties / & putte þe buddeyn fro hym .And þow he tok Concience / & clergie to conseill* as it were .Ac conscience I toke kepe / conged sone þis doctour .¶And siþ he saide to cleregie so þat .I. it herde .By Crist quod Conscience Clergie I wil not lye .Me were leuer by oure lord lyuen & I shold .Haue parfitlych* þan half þis pak of bokes .Lettre & longe studie / letteþ ful many .That þai knowe not quod Conscience / What is kynde pacience .For þi quod conscience / Crist I þe beteche .Wiþ pacience wil I passe / parfitenesse to fynde .¶Thus þai went forth here way / wiþ gret wil I folwed .Than had pacience as pilgryms haue vitailles in his poke .Sobrete and simple speche / & soþfast byleue .To conforte hym & conscience / if þai come in place .Ther vnkyndenesse is & coueytise þai here hongre countreþ boþeAnd as thai went by þe way / of dowel gan þai carpe .And mette wiþ a menstral / as me þo þoght .Pacience apposed hym & prayed he shold telle .What Craft þat he couþ / & he cortaysly saide .I. am a menstrall* quod þis man my name is . actiua vita . Fo xlijPiers prentiz þe plowman all* men to conforten .¶With what manere mynstralcie my dere frende quod conscience .Hastow vsed and haunted al þi lyue tyme .Mynstralcie can I not muche but make men merye .As a waferere wiþ wafres to welcome goddes gestes .Of my laboure þei lagh þe lesse and þe more .The pore and þe riche I plese . & hym payn fynde .And fewe robes I fonge . or furred gouns .Wold I lie & do men lagh þan lachen I shold .Mantels and monoie among lordes mynstrals .I can not tabour ne trompe ne tel faire gestes .Sautrien at festes ne fethelen ne harpe .Iape ne Ianglen ne gentiliche pipen .Ne citalon ne gitaroun ne synge wiþ þe crowþe .I haue no good ȝeftes of þis grete lordes .Ne were it þat þe parish prest prayeþ for me on sondays .I am sory þat I sewe or sette but for myself allon .Ac þe prest & þe peple prayn for piers þe plowman .AcidAnd me actif hys þat ydelnesse hate .For lordes and lorels lythere and goode .Fro myghelesse to myghelmesse I fynde mete & drynk .I fynde payn for þe pope and prayn I wold .That pestilence to pes & parfite loue torne .For fonde I þat his blyssyng & his bull* might .Letten þis lether eire and þe seke lechen .As þe boke bere witnesse þat he bere myght .¶Super egros manus imponent & bene & cetera .In his mouþ mercy & amende vs all* .Than wold I be buxom & besy to helpe .Eche kyn creature þat on Crist leueþ .For soþe he haþ þe pwere þat saint petre had .And haþ purchased þe potte wiht þe same salue .¶Argentum & aurum non est mihi & cetera .Ac if myght of miracle hym falle it is for men be not worthi .For to haue no grace of god & no gilt in þe pope .For may no blyssyng doon vs bote but if we wil amende .Ne mans prayere maken pes amonges cristen people .Til pride be puirlich for-do & þat þorgh payn defaute .¶Habundancia panis & vini turpissimum peccatum aduenit .Thorgh pure plente of payn þe peple of sodomye .And rest & riche metes ribaudes hem made .Pes quod pacience I pray þe sire actif .For if ne payn ne plow ne potage were .Pride wold putte hym-self forth* . if no plogh went on erthe .And it am I þat fynde all* folk & fro hungre hem saue .Thorgh the hie helpe of hem þat me hyder sent .And saide lo here lyflode I -nowgh if oure lyflode be treweFor lyf lente was þer neuere but if lyflode were shape .Wher-of & wherfore and wherwiþ to lyuen .The worm þat woneþ vnder erþe & in watre fysh* .And þe creket be þe kynde & þe Corlow by þe wynde .And bestes by grenes & grayns & by grene rotes .In menyng þat all* men myght þe same .Leuen in lele byleue as oure lord wytnesseth .¶Quodcumque pecieritis patrem in nomine meo dabit vobits & alibi .¶Non in solo pane viuit homo sed in omni verbo quod precedit de ore dei ..Hastow euer quod actif such mete wiþ the .ȝ e quod pacience & hent oute of his poke .A pece of þe pater noster & profered to us all* .And lystned * loked what lyflode it were .Than was it . fiat voluntas tua . þat shuld fynde vs all* .Haue actif quod pacience & ete þis when þe hungreþ .Or whan þou slomsest for cold or clyngest for þorst .And shal neuere gyues þe greue ne gret lordes wragh .Prison ne noon oþer payn deþe for . pacientes vincunt . So þat þou be sobre of syght & of þi tonge bothe .Fo xliijWhat is parfite pacience quod . actiua vita .Meknesse and milde speche & men of o will* .The wheche wil lediþ loue vn-to oure lordes place .That is charite a champion chief of alle vertues .þThorn;an þe rightful riche resonably to spende .ȝe . quis est ille . quod pacience . quia laudibimus . Thow men reden of riche right to þe wordes ende .And whan he draweþ hem to þe deþ & he ne drede hym sore .Than ony pore pacience & þat proue I be reson .To haue a-lowance of þis by lawe he claymes ioye .That neuer ioye hadde of þe righful Iuge he askeþ .And saiþ lo byrdes & bestes þat no blysse knowen .And wilde wormes in þe wode wyntre þou hem greuest .And makest hem þat neuere were meke myld for defaute .After þan þou sendest hem sommer þat is to hem soueraigne ioie .And blysse to all* þo þat beþ boþe wild & tame .Than may beggers & bestes aftre a blysse asken .That al hire lyue han lyued in angre & defaute .But god sende hem tyme of som manere ioye .Or here or elles where ell*s were it rouþ .Fro wroth ere here was he wroght neueuere ioye was shape .Angels þat in hell* now ben hadde sumtyme ioye .And now þai bye it bitterly as beggers of helle .Many man haþ his ioye here for al here wel dedes .And lordes & ladies ben called for þe londes þat þai have .And slepen as it semeþ & somere euere hem folweth .Whan deth a-wakeþ hem of here welth* þat were here so riche .Than ar þai but pure pore þinges in purgatorie or in helle .Dauid in þe sautre of suche makeþ mynde & saiþ .¶Dormierunt & nihil inuenerunt omnes viri diuicarum in manibus suis & alibi¶Et alibi velud sompnium surgencium ciuitatis & cetera .Capi xviijviijus & vltimus passus de dowelAllas þat richesse shal regne & robbe mansoule. —For þe loue of oure lord atte last ende .Thai þat han here here byfore ern eueremore pore. —And shal not dien out of dette ne dien er þai serue it . Whan his dynere is done and his day iourrne . —Than may men witte what he is & what he haþ deserued . And nat fange byfore for drede of disalowyng. —So I say by ȝou riche it semet not þat ȝe sholl* . Haue two heuenes for ȝowr here beying . —Muche merthe is in may / among wild bestes . And forth while somer lasteþ here solace dureþ . And much merth a-mong riche men þat han moebles Inowe & hele . Ac beggers aboute medsomere bredelesse þai soupe . An hondred & a þorst and foule rebouked . Of þis worldes riche men that is rouþ to here . Now lorde send hem somer som tyme to solace & to ioie . That here lyf leden in lownes & pouerte . For alþou mygtest haue made men of grete welthe . And hylych witti and wys & to lyue wiþ oute nede . Ac for þe best as I hope ern som pore & riche . Right so haue rouþ on vs þat on þe rode didest . And amend vs of þi mercy & make vs alle meke . Lowe & lele & louyng and of hert pore . ¶And sende vs contricion to clanse wiþ oure synnes. —And confession to kill* with al synne . And satisfaccion þat fulfylleþ the fadres will* of heuen . And þese beþ dowel dobet & dobest of all* . ¶Cordis contricio . comeþ of sorwe of hert . —And oris confessio comeþ of shryf of mouþe . And satisfaccio þat for soulle synne paieth . And for all* synnes soueranlych quiteth . ¶Cordis contrisio oris confessio & operis satisfactio . —These þre wiþoute doute þolen al pouerte . And lerne lered and lewed hie & lowe to knowe . Who þat doþ wel or bet or best aboue alle . And holy cherche and charite hereof a chartre made . Bote þese þre þat y spak of on domesday vs defende . Elles is al in idell* al oure lyuyng here . Oure praiers and oure penance & pilgremage to Rome . But oure spenses and spendyng siluer spryng of a trewe well* . Elles is al oure laboure lost lo howe men wryten . In fenestrals & in freres ȝef fals be þe foundement . Forþi Cristen men shold become riche & no couetise dide hemselve . ¶For seuen synnes þer beþ þat assailleþ vs euere. —The fende folweþ hem all* and fondeþ hem to helpe . And wiþ richesse þo rebaudes þe richest men begyle . For þer þat richesse regneþ reuerence folweþ . And þat is plesant to pride in pore & in riche . The riche is reuerenced for cause of his richesse . The pore is put byhynde and parauntre can more þan he . Of witte and of wisdome þe forway is bettre . Fo xliiijThan richesse or rialte & raþer is herde in heuene . For the riche haþ muche to rekne & ryth soft walkeþ . The hie way to heuene he halde it not ful euene . The ...pore passeþ afore wiþ a pakke on his rigge. ¶Opera illorum sequuntur illos .Batanlych as beggers doon' and boldlych he craueþ . For his pouerte & pacience parpetuel ioye . ¶Also pride in richesse regneþ raþer þan in pouerte. —On in þe maistre of þe man to many on he sheweþ . Ac in pouerte þer pacience is pride haþ no powere . Ne noon of þe seuen synnes sitte may þer longe . Ne haue powere in pouerte if pacience it folwe . For þe pore is ay prest to plese the riche . And boxom at his byddyng for his brede & drynk . And boxomnesse & bost beþ eueremore at wraþthe . And eiþer hateþ oþer and mowe not dwell* togederes . ¶Ȝif wraþ wrastele wiþ the pore he haþ þe wers ende. —For þai boþe playne the pore is but feble . And if he chide or chatre he cheueþ þe wors . For louelych he lokeþ & lowe is his speche . That mete oþer monoie of stronge men mote begge . ¶And if glotonie greue pouerte he gadreþ þe lesse . —For his rentes wil not reche riche metes to bygge . Thogh his glotonie be of ale he goþ to cold beddyng . And his hed vnheled & vnselilych ywried . For whan he streyneþ hym to strecche þe strawe is his whytle . So for his glotonie and gret synne he haþ a gret penance . That is wele away whan he wakeþ & wepeþ for colde . So is he neueremore ful mery so myschief hym folweþ . ¶Thow coueytise wold wiþ þe pore wrestle þai mowe not come togederes. —By þe nekke namelych here non may hent oþer . For men knowe þat coueytise is a kene will* . And haþ hondes & armes of a long lenthe . And pouerte is a peti þing apeyreþ not his navell* . A louely layk was it neuere betwene a long and a short . ¶Thow auarice wold angre pouerte he haþ but litil myght . —For pouerte haþ but pokettes to put in his goodes . Ther auarice haþ almeries and thre bounde chestes . And whedre be bettre to breke lesse bost it makeþ . To breke a beggeres bagge þan ony yrebounde cofre . ¶Lecherie loueþ no pore for he haþ but litil siluer. —Ne doþ men dyne dylicatlyche ne drynk wyn oft . A strawe for þe Styues it stode not ful long . And þai hadde noon haunte but of þe pore peple . ¶Thowh slowthe sewe pouerte & serue not god to payeMischef is ay a mene & makeþ hym to þinke . That god is gretest helpe . & no gome elles . And he is seruant alway & of his assent boþe . And wheþer he be or he be not he bereþ þe signe of pouerte . And in þat sute oure sauiour saued al mankynde . Forwhi al pore þat pacient is may clayme by pure righ . Aftre here endyng here . heueneriche blysse . Muche hardylokere may he aske yat here may haue his will* . In londes & lordship & lykyng of body . And for good love leueþ al & leueþ lyk a beggere . As a maide for a mans loue here moder forsaketh . Here fadre & here frendes and gooþ forþ wiþ here paramour . Muche is suche a mayde to loue of man þat such on takeþ . More þan þat mayde þat maried is by brocage . As by assent of sondry bodyes and siluer to bote . More for coueitise of catell* þan for loue of mariage . So it fareþ by eche a person þat possession forsakeþ . And putteþ hym to be pacient & weddeþ hym to pouerte . The whyche is lyk to Crist hymself & semblable bothe . Quod actyf angrilych al argowyng as it were . What is pouerte pacience quod he .I. pray þe þat þou telle it . ¶Paupertas / quod . Pacience . est obdibile bonum remocio curarum possessio sine ca-lumpnia donum dei santatis mater absque sollicitudine semita sapiencie temperatur nego-cium sine dampno incerta fortuna absque sollicitudine felicitas .I can not construe al þis quod actiua vita . Parfay quod paciencie proprely to telle . ¶In ynglysh it is ful hard ac somdel I shal tell* þe . ¶Odibile bonum . Pouerte ? is þe first poynt þat pride most hateþ . Than is pouerte gode quod he gode skil þogh it greue a litill . Al þat may putte of pride in place þer he regneþ . Ful seldom sytte pouerte þe sothe to declare. ¶Remocio curarum ..As a Iustise to iuge men me put þerto no pore . Ne be no Maire ouer mote ne mynystre of þe kyng . Selden is þe pore yputte to ponysh any peple . Ergo . pouerte & pore men parforme þe comaundement . ¶Nolite Iudicare quemquam . ¶Possessio sine calumpnia .He wynneþ not wiþ fals weghtes ne wiþ vnseled mesure . Ne borweþ of his neighbour but þat he may wel pay .. Fo xlvAnd lighly me leneþ to no man and þei knowe hym pore . ¶ Fortuna. —¶The ferth is a fortune þat florisheþ þe soule. ¶Fortuna .Wiþ sobrete for all* synnes and ȝit also more . It defendeþ þe flesh fro folyes ful many . And is a colatural comfort cristes owen sonde . Ȝit is it modir of myght & of mans helþe. ¶Donum dei .. —Frende in al fondyng & in al foule euils leche. .. Sanitatis mater ..¶The six hight I say pax of pes þe þorgh þe pes of Alcoiun . Pouerte myght passe wiþoute robbyng . For þer as pouerte passeþ pes folwyþ comunlych . And euere þe lesse þat any ledeþ þe lighter is his hert þer . As he þat not nere in nyghtes tyme wiþ whom to mete . ¶Seneca . Paupertas est absque sollicitudine semita .. The seuenþ it is a wel of wysdom & fewe wordes it sheweþ . For lordes allowen hym & laien eres to his reson. ¶Temperatrix sapiencie dapno nogocium sine . He tempereþ his tunge to resonwarde þat no treson coueiteþ. Te eight it is a lele labour & loþ to take more. Than he may soþly deserue in somer or in wynter . And he chaffare he chargeþ no losse mowe he charite wynne . ¶The nynthe is swet to þe soule no sugre swettere. ¶Semita iu.s..sticieFor pacience is pantere & payn to þe pore fyndeþ . And sobrete ȝeueþ here swet drynk & solasseth here in all angres . Thus lered me a lewed man & taght me for oure lordes loue . That pouerte & pacience was long lyf on erthe. ¶So Absque sollicitudine Felicitas .And a blyssed lyf wiþoute besynesse but only for þe soule. Now god þat al þing ȝeueþ nowe ȝeue his soule rest . That wroght þis to wisse men what pouerte was to mene . Than had .Actyf. a ledere þat hyght . liberrum arbitrium . He knew conscience ful wel & cleregie bothe . He þat haþ lond & lorship quod he at þe last ende . Shal be porest of powere at his departyng hens . Than I wondred what he was þis . Libum arbitrium . And prayde pacience þat I hym appose myght . And he soffird me & saide / assay his other name . Leue liberum arbitrium . quod .I. of what contre be ȝe . Ȝif þou be Cristes creatures or Cristes loue tell* me . I am Cristes creature quod he & cristend in many place . And in Cristes court I knowe & of kyn a party . Is neþer petre þe porter ne paule wiþ his fauchen . That wil defende me heuene dore come I neuere so late . At midnyght ne at mydday my vois is so yknowe .. That eche creature þat loueþ crist welcomeþ me faire . ¶Wherof serue ȝe I sayde sireliberum arbitrium . Somtyme to fight quod I falsnes to destroye . And somtyme to soffre sorwe and tene . Layke oþer leue at my lykyng chese . To dowel wiþ a wykked a wyl wiþ a reson . And may not be wiþ-oute a body to bere hym wher hym lykeþ . Than is þat body bettre þan þou quod I nay no bettre quod he . But as wode were and fire . þan worchen bothe . And either is other helpe & eyther of o wyll* . And so is man þat haþ his will* wiþ . liberum arbitrium .And whil* I queke þe corps called I am . anima . And whan I wilne or wold / þan animus I hatte . And for þat I kan & knowe / called I am mans þought . And whan I make mone to godde . Memoria . I hatte . And whan I deme domes / & do as trouþ techeþ . Than is . Racio . my name / reson on ynglyshe . And whan I fele þat folk telleþ / þan am I . sensus . And þat is witt and wisdom / welle of alle craftes . And whan I chalange or chalenge not . chepe or refuse . Than am I conscience Icalled / goddes owne Notarie . And whan I wil do or not / goode dedes or ill* . Than am I . liberum arbitrium . as lettred men tell* . And whan I loue lelly / oure lord & al oþer . Than is lelle loue my name / in latin þat is amor . And whan I fle fro þe body / & fayll* þe careyn . Than am I a spirit specheles . & Spiritus . am hoted . Austyn & ysodre ether of hem bothe . Nempned me þus to name . now þou myght chese . How þou couetest to calle me . now þou knowest al my names . ⛄¶Anima pro diuersis accionibus diuersa nomina sortitur . dum viuificat corpus . anima est . dum vult . animus est . dum sentit . sensus est . dum iudicat . racio est . dum recolit . memoria est . dum amat . amor est. dum declinat . a malo ad bonum . liberum arbitrium est . dum negat vel consentit . consciencia est . dum spirat . spiritus est .Ȝe be as a byshop quod I . al bourdyng þat tyme . For bishopes yblyssed . bere many names . As . Presul . & . Pontifex . & metropolitanus . And oþer many an hepe . Episcopus & pater . That is soþ he saide . now I knowe þi will* . How þou woldest knowe & kenne . þe sothe of al here names . And of myn if þou myghtest . me þink by þi speche . Fo xlvjȜe sire I saide / so no man were agreued . Al þe science vnder sonne / & al þe sotil craftesI wold I kouþ & knewe . kyndely in myn hert . Than were þou imparfite quod he / & one of pride knyghtes . For suche a likyng & lust / lucifer fel fro heuen . ¶Ponam pedem meum in aquilone . —It were again kynde quod he / and alkyn reson . That any creature shold come all* . except crist one . Aȝen al such Salamon spekeþ / & despiseþ here wittes & saþ.¶Sicut qui comedit mel multum non est ei bonum. Sic qui est scrutator ma-iestatis non est ei bonum set opprimatur in gloria . —To ynglish men it is to mene / þat mowe speke and here . The man þat muche hony eteþ / his mawe it englemeþ . The wittiere þat any wyght is / but if he worche þeraftre . The bitterere he shal abigge / but if he wel worche . ¶Beatus . seith . seint Bernard . qui scriptura legit . Et verba vertit in opera . euenforth his myght . Coueitise to conne / and to knowe science . Putte out of paradys Adam & Eue . ¶Sciencie appetitus homini . set immortalis gracia spoliauit . —And right so as hony / is euyl to defieRight so soþly / science swelleþ a man soule . And doþ hym to be deynous / & deme hem þat be not lered . Non plus sapere . saide þe wyse . quam oportet . lest synne waxe . Freres fele siþe / to þe folk þat þai prechen . Meuen motifs many tymes / insollibles & fallaces . That boþe lered and lewed / of here byleue douten . To techen þe ten comandementz ten were bettre . And how þat folk foulych / here fyve wittes myspendeAs wel freres as oþer folk / folyliche spenden . In housyn & in helyng / & in hie clergie shewyng . More for pompe and pride / as þe peple wote well* . That I lie not / lo for lordes þai plesen . And reuerence þe riche / þe raþer for here siluerAȝens þe consail of Crist / as holycherche witnesseth . ¶Ne sitis acceptores personarum . —Lo what holy writte wytnesse / of wikked techers . As holynesse and honeste / oute of holycherche . Spryngeþ and spredeþ / & enspireþ þe peple . Thorgh parfit presthode / & prelates of holychirche . Right so oute of holycherche / al euyl spredeth . Ther vnparfite prosthode is precheour & techour . And se it by ensample of trees in somertyme . Ther som bowes blome not ne bere no grene leues . Ther is a myschef in þe more of such maner stokkes . Right so persons & prestes & precheour of holychirche . Is þe rote of right to reule þe peple . Ac þer þe rote is roten reson wote þe sothe . Shal neuere floure ne froyte wexe ne leues be grene . For wolde the lettred leue þe cloþyng of lecherie . And be curtaise and kynde of holycherche goodes . Departe wiþ þe pore & here pride leue . And þerto trewe of here tonge & here tailend als . And haten harlotrie to vnderfonge here tiþes . Of vserers of hores of al euyl wynnynges . Loþ were lewed men but þai here lore folweden . And amenden of here mysdede þe more for ȝowre ensample . Than for to preche and proue it not ypocrisie it semeþ . And lykned in latyn to a loþly donghepe . That were snowed al wiþ snow and snakes wiþinne . Right so many precheours and prelates . That beþ blaunched wiþ bele paroles & wiþ bele cloþes . And as a lombe þai loken & lyue lyk wolues . ¶Iohannes Crisostomus . carpeþ þis of clerkes . Sicut de templo dei . Omne bonum progreditur sic de templo omne ..[minim]malum processit si sacerdotumium integrum fuerit tota floreret ecclesia si autem coruptum taota fides marcida est . si sacerdocium fuerit in peccatis : totus populus conuertitur in pec-catum . Sicut cum videris arborem in folijs pallidam & marcidam intelligis quod vicium habet in radice ita cum videris indisciplinatum & irriligiosum populum sine dubio sacerdocium non est sanum ..Allas lewed men muche lese ȝe þat fynden . Vnkynde caratours to be kepere of ȝoure soules . Ac þing þat is wykkedlych wonne wwiþ fals slegges. Wold neuere oþerwyse god but wykked men it hadde . And vnparfite prestes Prechour aftre siluer . Sectours & sodomyes & sompnours & her lemans . That wIþ gile was gete vngraciously he despended . Curatours of holycherche & clerkes þat beþ auerouse . Lightlych þat þai leuen lorels it doþ wasten . leueþLeueþ it wel lordes bothe lered & lewed . That þus forgon here goodes at þe last ende . Thay lyuen aȝens holy lore & aȝen loue of charite . Fo xlvijClergie quod I þo þat is a þing forsoþe . That maistres comende muche weer it may be founde . I haue lyued in londe many longe ȝers . And fond I neuere in faiþ as freres it prechen . Charite þat chargeþ not ne chide þogh men gre hym . As poule in a pistle of hym bereþ witnesse . ¶Non inflatur non est ambiciosa . —I ne knewe neuere by Crist clerk nether lewed . That he ne askeþ aftre his & coueiteþ oþerwhile more . þing þan nedeþ hym nought & nemeþ it if he may . For þogh men soght al sektes of brethren & sustren . And fynde hym but figuratifly ferly me þenketh . ¶Hic in enigmate tunc facie ad faciem . —And so I trowe treuly by þat men of charite . Charite is a chyldysh þing as holycherche witnesse . ¶Nisi efficiamini sicut paruuly non intrabitis . & cetera .As proude of a peny as of a pounde of goldAnd als glad of a goun of gray russet As of a cote of Camoca or of clene scarlete .. He is as gladde wiþ al gladde as girles þat laghen all* . And sory whan he seiþ men sory as þou seist of childre . They laghen þer me laghen & louren ther men louren . And whan a man swereþ for soþe for soþe he it troweth . He weneþ þat no wyght wil lie and swere . Ne þat any gome wil begyle oþer or greue . For drede of god þat is so gode & þusgate vs techeþ¶Quodcumque vultis vt faciant vobis homin.zes facite . —He haþ no lykyng to lagh ne lykyng men to scorn' . As seknes & sorwe for solace he it takeþ . And al manere myschief as mynstralcie of heuen . Of deþ ne of derþ adradde was he neuere . Ne misliked þogh he lore or lened to þat ilk . That neuere payed peny aȝen in place þer he borwed . Qwo fyndeþ hym his frendes quod I or what frendes haþ he . Rentes oþer richesse to reule hym at his nede . Of rentes ne of richesse quod he ne recheþ he neuere . A frend he haþ fyndeþ hym þat failleþ hem neuere . ¶Aperis tu manum . all* þis hym fynt .And . fiat voluntas tua fodeþ hym eche day . And also he can Cleregie . Credo in deum patrem . And portreuþ wel þe . pater noster . & peynteþ it wiþ auez . And oþer while wone is to wende on pilgremage . Ther pore men & prisons beþ he paieþ for here lyflode . He cloþeþ & comforteþ hem & of Ihesu Crist precheþ hem . What sorwe he soffred en ensample to vs all* . That pouerte & pacience parfitly ytake . Is muche merite to þat man þat wel may soffre . Whan he haþ þus visited fetred folk & oþer pore . ¶Than he ȝerneth into slouþ & ȝeply he seketh. —Pride wiþ al þe purtenance & pakke hem togedres . And laueþ hem in þe lauandrie . laboraui in gemitu meo . And boucheþ hem at his brest & beteþ hem oft . And wiþ warm watre of his eyen wokeþ it til be white . Lauabis me & super niuem dealbabor . Than syggeþ he whan he doþ so & somtyme wepeþ . Cor contritum & humiliatum deus non despicies . Were I wiþ hym quod .I . I. nold neuere fro hym . Thogh I my lyuyng shold begge aboute al mens hachez . Where clerkes knowe hym not quod I þat kepen holycherche . Piers þe plowman quod he most parfitly hym knoweþ . ¶Et vidit deus cogitaciones eorum .By cloþing no by carpyng knowe hym shaltow neuere. ¶Operibus credite & cetera . . Ac þorgh werk þu myght wete wherþorgh he walkeþ . He is þe meriest of mouþe at mete þer he sitte . And companable in companye a Crist hymself techet . ¶Nolite fieri sicut ypocrite tristes . —I haue sey hym in russet somtyme myself . Bothe in gray & in grys & in gylt harneys . And as gladly he gyueþ to gomes þat it nedeþ . Edmond & Edweirde eiþer were seintz . And chief charite wiþ hym & chast al here lyues . I haue sene charite also singe & rede . Ride & renne in ragged clothes . Ac byddyng as a beggere beheld I hym neuere . Ac in þe riche robes rathest he walkeþ . Called & Icrymyled & his croun shaue . And in a frere frokke he was foundenȝ ones . Ac hit is fele ȝers & fer in fraunseys tyme . In þat sewte forsoþe he haþ be selden founde . Riche men he comandeþ & of hem robes takeþ . Of þo þat lellych lyuen & louen & byleuen . ¶Beatus est diues sine macula .. —Fo xlviijIn þe kynges court he comeþ ȝif his consail be trewe . Ac if coueitise be of Conseil he wil not come therinne . Among þe comouns in court he comeþ bot selde . For braulyns and bakbytyng & beryng of fals wittenes . In constorie byfor þe consaill* & before þe comissarie he is not oft . For here lawes beþ not ouerlonge but if þai lache siluerWiþ bishops he wold be for beggers sake . Ac auarice oþerwhile holdeþ hym wiþoute þe ȝate . Kynges and Cardinals knewe hym somtyme . Ac þorgh conscience & his conseil conged is he oft . And whoso Coueite to knowe hym such a kynde hym folweþ . As I told þe wiþ tonge a lytel tyme passed . For nouþer he beggeþ ne bydeþ ne borweþ to ȝelde . He halt it auyste & a foule shame . To begge or to borwe but of godde one .. ¶Panem nostrum cotidianum .. —explicit vltimus passus de dowelCapi xix& incipit primus passus de dobethHere is noon such I saide þat som tyme ne borweþ .Oþer beggeþ oþer byddeþ be he riche or pore .And ȝit oþer-while borweþ wiþ-oute any synne .Who-so is wroþ & wold be awroke holy wryt it proueþ .¶Omnia suffert ..He passeþ chief charite ȝif holy cherche be trewe .Holy wryt witnesseþ þer were such ermites .Solitaire by hem-self & in here selles lyueden .Wiþ-oute borwyng or beggyng but of god one .Exept þat to Egide an hynde oþerwhile .To hym selden come & soffred to be mylked .Elles foules fedde hym in frithes þer þai wonedenBothe Antoine & ersonie & oþer mo fele .¶Paulus primus heremita . had parroked hym-self .That noman myght sen hym for much & leues .Foules hym fedde ȝif þe frere Augstyns be trewe .For he ordeynede þat ordre or elles þai gabben .Poule aftre his prechyng panyers he made .And wan wiþ his handes al þat hym nedede .Petre fyshede for his fode & his fere Andrew .Som þai sold & som þai sent & so þai lyueden bothe .Marie Magdaleyn by mores lyued and by dewes .Loue and lele by leue held lyf & soule togederes .Maria Egipciata . eite in þretty wyntre .But þre litil loues & loue was hyre soule .I can not rekne hym right now ne reherse her names .That lyued þus for oure lordes loue many longe ȝers .Wiþ-oute brwyngb[o]rwyng or beggyng or elles þe boke lies .And woned in wyldernesse among wilde bestes .Ac þer dorst no best byte him by day or by nyght .But myldlych whan þai mete made lowcherelow chereAnd faire by-for þe forlkfolk fauned wiþ here tailles .Ac bestes broght hym no mete but onlyche foules .In tokenying þat trewe men altyme shuld .Fynd honeste men & holy men & oþer rightful peple .For wold neuere faþfulfa[i]þful god þat monkes & freres tokne .Lyflode of lyther wynnyng in al here lyf-tyme .As witnesseþ holy wryt what tobie saide .To his wyf whan he was blynde he herd a lombe blete .A wyf be ware qoud he what ȝe haue here-inne .Lorde leue quod þat lud þat no stole þing be here .¶Videte ne furtum sit & alibi . Melius est mori quam male viuere .This is no more to mene but men of holycherche .Shold receyue right not but þat holycherche wolde .And refuse reuerence & raueners offrynges .Than wolde lordes & ladies ben loþ to agylt .And to taken of here tenantz more þan trouþ wolde .And Marchaundes merciable wold be & men of lawe bothe .Wold religion refuse raueneres almesse .Than grace shold growe ȝit & grene loues waxe .And charite shold newe bryng loue on gronde .And conforte al cristen wold holy cherche amende .¶Iob . þe profite & patriarch þis prouerbe wrote & taght .To make men to loue mesure þat monkes beþ & freres .¶Nunquid dicit Iob rugiet onager cum habuerit herbam aut mugiet ...?......?...?...bos cum ante presepe plenum steterit . brutorum animalium contra naturum te condempnat quis cum paululum comune sufficiat ex adipe prodijt / iniquitas ..Ȝif lewed men knewe þis latin a litil þai wold auyse hem .Er þai mortaised any more for monkes or chanouns .Allas lordes & ladies lewellewe[d] consaill* haue ȝe . To feffen swyche & fede þat founden beþ atte fulle .Of þat ȝowre barnes & ȝoure blode by good lawe may clayme .For god badde on his blyssyng as þe book techeþ . ¶honora patrem & cetera .To helpe þi fadre formast before monkes & freres .And or prestes or persons or any peple elles .Helpe þi kyn Crist byddeþ for þer begynneþ charite .And aftreward awayte who haþ most nede .And þer help .Fo xlixAnd þer help if þou may & þerholdþer hold I charite .Lo how laurence for his largenesse as holy lore telleþ .That is mede & his manhede for euermore shal last .¶Iusticia eius manet in seculum seculi .He ȝaf goddesmengoddes men goddes goodes & not to grete lordes .And fed þat hungird were & in defaute lyueden .I dar not carpe of clerkes now þat Cristes tresour kepen .That pore peple by pure right / her part myght asken .Of þat þat holicherche / of þe old lawe claymeþ .Prestes on here paral / & here purfill* spenden .Men may lykne lettred men / to a losheborn or wors .And to a badde peny / wiþ a good prynt .For of muche monoye / þe metel is right noght .And ȝit þe prynt pure trewe / & parfitlych y-graue .And so it fareþ by fals cristen / here pratts beþ trowe .Cristendome þorgh holycherche / is þe kynges merk of heuen .Ac þe metal þat is mansoule / of many of þis techers .Is aa[l] alaied wiþ lecherie / & other lustes of synnes .That god coueite not þe knowyng / þat Crist hym-self printed .And for synne of þi soule / forsakeþ his owen knowynk .¶Thus ar lither y-lykned . to losheborn sterlynges .notaThat fane be-fore folk / prechen & techenAnd do not as þai techen / þorgh werkyng & wissyng þe peple .For what þorgh werre & wrake / & wikked heds .May no prayere pes make / in þe place it semeth .Lewed men han be-leue / so lettred men erre .Neyther þe see ne þe sonde / ne þe sede ȝeldeþ .As þai ware wont in whom is þe defaute .Noght in god þat he ne is good / & þe ground boþe .And þe see and þe sonde / and þe sonne & þe mone .Do here deuoir day & nyght & if we dide als .Ther shuld be plente and pes / perpetuelle for euere .¶Wondre wyse shipmen now / & oþer witty peple .Haue no byleue in þe firmament / ne to þe lode sterre .Arstronomiers in here art / nowe alday fayllenThat somtyme warned men by-fore / what shold falle aftre .Shipmen & shepherdes / by þe seuen sterresWist somtyme & told / whanne þe rayn shold rayne .And tiliers þat tilien þe erthe / told here maystries .By þe sede þat þai sewe / what þai shold noty .And what to loue & lene / þe londe was so trewe .Now fail þis folk boþe sowers & shipmen .Neyther þai konne ne knowe o cours by an-oþer .Astronomiers also arn at her wyttes ende .That calculled was on þe clymake þe contrayre þai fynde .Gramarie þat ground is of all* be-gyleth childre .For þer is now noon who-so takeþ hede .That can versefie faire or enformalych endite .Ne can construe kyndelyche þat poetes maden .¶Go we now to any degre & but gile be half maystre .And flaterie his oisehere ferly me þenkeþ .Doctour of decre & of diuinite a maistere .That shuld þe seuen artz cunne & assoile hem as quyke .But þay faile in philosophie & philosopheres leden .Lorde leue þat þis prest say lelly her messe .That þai ouerhippe not for hast as I hope þai do not* .Thogh it soffice for oure sauacion & soþfast byleue .As clerkes in corpus Cristi feste syngen & reden .That sola fides sufficit to saue wiþ lewed peple .Ac if prestes don here deuoire we shal do þe bettre .For sarsyns may be saued so if þai beleue .In lenthyng of here lyf to leue on holycherche .¶What is holicherche frend quod .I. Charite he saide .Lyf loue & leute is in o byleue a lawe .Of loue knotte & leute & of lele byleue .Alkyn Cristen cleuyng on o will* .Wiþ-oute gile & gabbyng goon selle & leue .Loue lawe wiþ o lewte allowable was it neuere .God lered no lyf to loue wiþ-oute lele causeIues gentils & sarasins iuggen hem-self .That lelly þai beleue & ȝit here lawe diuersiþAnd o god þat al began wiþ good hert þai honuren .AdA[n]d either loueþ & byleueþ on o god almyghty .Ac oure lord loueþ no loue but lawe be þe cause .For lecchours loue aȝens þe lawe & atte laste be dampned .And þeues leute haten & atte last be honged .And lele men as lawe techeþ & loue þer-of ariseth .The wheche is hede of charite & loue of mansoule .¶Dilige deum propter deum . id est . propter veritatem & inimicum tuum propter mandatum. id est . propter legem & amicum propter amorem . & propter caritatem ..Loue god for he is godde & grounde of al trouþ .Loue þin enemy tendrely goddeshestegoddes heste to fulfill* .Fo lAnd loue þi frend þat folweþ þi will* þat is þi faire soule .For al frendes faillen & fle away in dyyng .Than seweþ þe þi soule to sorwe or to ioye .And ay hopes for to ben wiþ þe body atte last .In mery or in mornyng nede oft to departe .And þat is charite leue child be chere of þi soule .And contrarie not þi conscience as þou wilt come to heuene .¶Where sarasyns I saide se not whatt is charite .It may be þat sarasyns han suche amanerea manere herte .To loue as by lawe of kynde our lord god al-myghty .It is a kynde þing a Creatoure his creator to honoure .For þer is no man þat mynde haþ þat he ne mekeþ hym & besecheþ .To þat lord þat hym lyf sent & lyflode hym sendeth .And many manere men þer ben . as sarsyns & Iues .Loue not þat lord a-right as by legenda sanctorumAnd leuen oute of lele byleue for þai leue on amenea mene¶A man þat hight Makomede for messie þai honouren .And aftre hys lyuyng þai lyue as by lawe of kynde .And whan kynde haþ his cours & no contrarie fyndeþ .Than is lawe y-lost & lettre vnknowe .Beaute saunz beaute in no contre is praysed .notaMen fynde þat macomete / was a man ycristned .And cardinale of court of rome / a gret clerk wiþ-all*And pursued to be pope / prynce of holy cherche .And for he was lych a loshebourne .I. leue oure lorde hym lette .For-þi went he in-to Sorrye / & soght how he myght .Be maystre ouer al men / & on þis manere he wroght .He daunted a dowe day & nyght he here fedde .In eiþer of his eris / priuilych he haddeCorn þat þe coluer ete / whan he come in presAnd in what place þat he preched / & þe peple taght .Than shold þe coluer come / to þe clerkes ere .Monyng as aftre mete / þus macomete hym taght .And whan þe coluer come þus / þan kneled þe pepleThus macomete in mysbyleue / broght man & womman .And on his lore þai leuen ȝit / as wel lered as lewed .¶And siþ oure sauiour soffred / such a fals cristen .Deceyue so many sarsins / soþly me þinkeþ .Holy men as .I. hope þorgh þe help of þe holy gost .Shold conuerten hem & þai Cristendome toke .Allas þat men so longe on macomete byleue .So many prelates as þe peple makeþ to preche .Of nazareth of Niniue of Neptalym of damask .Ȝit þai ne wenden þe way þat holy wryt byddeth .¶Ite in vniuersum mundum . sith ȝe will* þe same .Of prelates . & prechen þe passion of Ihesus .And as hym-self saide so to lyue and die .¶Bonus pastor animam suam pro ouibus suis .It is rouþ to rede how right holy men lyueden .How þai deffouled here fleshe & forsoke hire owen will* .Fer fro keþ & kyn / euel cloþed ȝede .And oþer-ways not bode / but in here conscience a-nyght .Ne in oþer richesse by þe rode / to reioysse hem in .¶Absit nobis gloriari nisi in cruce domini nostri Ihesu cristi .And þo was pes and plente among pore & riche .And now is rouþ to rede / how þe rede noble .Is reuerensed by-for þe rode / & receyued for þe worþiere .To amenden & to make / as wiþ men of holycherche .Than Crist of þe crosse / þat ouercome dedly synne .And now is werre and woo / & who-so whi askeþ .For couetise aftre þe crosse / þe croune stont in gold .Bothe riche and religious / þat rode þai honouren .That in grotes is grauen / & in gold nobles .For coueitise of þe crosse / clerkes of holy cherche .Shold ouertorne as templers dide / þe tyme approcheþ fast .Haue ȝe no mynde þe lettred men / how þat men honourde .More tresoure þan trouþ / I dar not telle þe soþe .How þe corsed cristen catel honourde & worscheptenMore þan reson and rigfuldome / þat þe religion dampnednota¶Right so ȝe clerkes ȝowre coueitise / or come oght longe .Deposuit potentes & cetera .Shal damnpne . dos ecclesie . & . depone ȝoure pride ..Ȝif knyghode & kyndewittekynde witte & þe conyng of conyng ofconyng of conscience .To-gedre loue lelly / leueþ it wel byshoppes .¶&Decimas per primicias ..The lordshipp of londes besen ȝe shal for euere .And lyuen as a leuetici diden / &as ȝour lord yow techeþ .Whan Constantin of his curtasie holy cherche dued .Wiþ londes and ledes / lordschips and rentes .An angel men herden an hie / at rome crien .¶Dos ecclesie . þis day haþ dronken venym .And þo þat han petres powere ar pusned all* .AmedecinA medecin most þer-to þat myghte amende þo prelates .That shold pray for þe pes . & possession hem letteth .Fo ljTakeþ her londes ȝe lordes / & lateþ hem lyue by dymes .Ȝif þe kynges coueite / in cristes pes to lyue .For ȝif possession be poison / & imparfite hem makeThe hedes of holycherche / & þo þat beþ vnderhemvnder hem .It were charite to discharge hem / for holicherche sake .And purge hem of þe old poyson / er more perill* falle .For were presthode more parfite / þat is þe pope formast .That wiþ monoye manteneþ men / to werre opon Cristen .¶ Aȝens þe lore of oure lorde / as seint luk witnesse .¶Michi vindicta & cetera .His praiers wiþ his pacience to pes shold bryng .All* londes in-to loue & þat in a litel tymeThe pope wiþ al prestes . Pax vobis . shold make .And take hede how macomete þorgh a mylde dove .Had al Surrie as hym-self wold & þe Sarsyns in quiete .Not þorw manslaghe & sleght macomete had the maistrie .But þorgh paciencie & priue gile he had þe maistrie of hem all* .In suche a manere me þinkeþ most þe pope .Prelates & prestes prayn & byshoppes besechen .Deuoutlych day & nyght & wiþ-drawe hem fro synne .And pray to crist þat he wold his coluer sende .The whiche is þe holy gost þat out of heuene descendede .To make a perpetuel pes / be-twene þe lord of heuene .And al manere men þat on þis mold lybben .¶ȝif presthode were parfite & pride left / þe peple shold amende .That now contrarien Cristendome & cristen lawe despisen .For-soþe þat þese sarsyns weren & also þe Iues .Han a lyppe of oure byleue þe lyghtlokere me þinkeþ .Than shold torne þat trauail wold & of þe Trinite teche .For al paynyme prayn / & parfitly lyuen .In þe grete hie god & his grace asken .And make here mone to macomete here message to shewe .Thus in a faiþ lyuen þise folk & in a fals mene .And þat is rouþ for þe rightful / þat in rome wenen .And apparell* for þe prelates þat þe peple maken .That bereþ þe name of þe neptalym nenyve & damaske .¶For whan þe hie kyng sent his sone to þe erþe .Many miracles he wroght man-kynde for to torn .In ensample þat men shold se by sadde reson .That men myght not deserue but þorgh merite & grace .And þorgh penaunce & passion & parfite byleue .And be-come man þorgh a mayde & . Metropolitanus .And baptised & blyssed / wiþ þe blode of his hert .All* þat wilne & wold / wiþ inwitte byleue it .Many a seint siþ / haþ soffred deþ also .To conferme þe faiþ / þat wyde-where was desheseddesesed? .In Iude & in Alisandre / in Ermonye & in spayn .Fro þe mysbyleue / many amana man tornedAnd saluacion of mansoule / seint Thomas of cantirbury .Among vnkynde Cristen / in holy cherche was slawe .And al holycherche hym honourede / for þat dede doying .He is a bryght way to al bishopes / and a clere merour .And soueraignly to al such / þat of surrie bereþ þe name .And not in Inglonde hoppe aboute / & halowe autrees .¶Nolite mittere falsem in messem alienam .Many amana man was martred / for Crist a romeyns .Er Cristendom were knoweþ / or any crosse honourde .And pacientlych to his peple / hym shewe þorgh his promice .Fede hem & fulle hem / & afere hem fro synne .¶In baculi forma presul sit hec tibi norma .Fer trahe punge .....remu / seruando per omnia legem .AndenchantenAnd enchanten hem to charite / & on holicherche to byleue .Fare as þe kynde is of a knygh / or of a kyng to be take .To be kylled and ouercome / þe comune to defende .So is þe kynde of a Curatour / to preche for cristes loue .And die for his dere childre / to destroie synne .¶Bonus pastor . & cetera .And namelych þer as lewed lyuen / & no lawe knowen .Ac we Cristen knowe þe lawe / & haue of oure tonge .Byshopes & bokes / þe byleue to teche .Iues lyuen in þe lawe / þat oure lord taght .And made moyses to be maistre / þer-of til þat messie come .And on þat lawe þai lyuen / & hold it for þe bestAnd knowen crist þat Cristendom taghtFor a profite / þat muche peple saued .And of selcouþ sorwes / saued many wel oft .By þo miracles þat he made / messie he semed .Lo he lyft vp lazare / þat layd was in grounde .¶Quatriduam . colde : a-noon he made hym walke .Iues saide þat it ....?siȝe / þat wiþ socerie he wroght .And fonded how to destroie hym / & destroied hem-selfAnd here power þorwgh his penaunce / to pure noght broghtAnd ȝit þai say soþly / & so do þe sarsins .That Ihesu was but a Iogolour / & a iapere a-mong þe commune .Fo lijAnd of socerie soffistre . parcendo propheta .And þat his lore was lesyng / & lakked it al .And hopen he be to come / þat shal releue hem all* .Moyses & Macomete / here maistres dyuynen .And han a suspecion to be saued / boþe sarsyn & Iues .Thorgh Moyses & Macomete / & god þat made all* .Now siþ þe sarsyns / & also þe Iues .Can þe first clause of oure byleue .¶Credo in deum patrem .Prestes & prelates shold proue if þay myght .Lere hem litillum& litillum . & in ihesum Cristum .Til þai couþe spell* & speke / & in spiritum sanctum .Retorne & rendre it wiþ remissionem peccatorum .¶Carnis resurreccionem & vitam eternam amen .Capi xxij passus de dobetLEue liberum arbitrium quod .I . I. beleue as I hope .Thow couþest tell & teche me to charite as I leue .Than logh he & led me forth wiþ tales .Til we come in a contre . cor hominis . it hight .Herberwe of al priuetees / & al holinesse .And euen in þe myddes / a nempet as it were .That hyght . ymago dei . gracioulichgraciou[s]lich it groweþ .Than gan I hax what it hight & he me sone tolde .The tre hight trewe loue quod he / þe Trinite it sette .Thorgh louely lokyng it lemeþ & launceþ vp blosmes .The whiche blosom Benye speche is called .And ther-of comeþ a good froyte / þat me calleþ werkes .Of holynesse of hendenesse / to helpe hem þat nedeth .The whiche is . Caritas . called Cristes owen fode .And solasseþ alle soules / þat beþ sorweful in purgatori .Now certes I saide / & sighed for ioye .I þonk ȝow a þowsand siþe / þat ȝe me heder kende .And siþ ȝe vouchesauf to say me / what it hyght .And he þonked me þo . but þan toke I hede .¶It hadde shoriss to shore it vp / þre shides of o lengh .And of okyns colour / & of o kynde as me þoght .Al þre yliche long & ylyche large .Muche meruailled me / on what more þai growed .And I asked eft of him / of what wode þai were .This þre shoris quod he / þat bereþ vp þis plantte .Thei by-tokne treuly / þe Trinite of heuene .Thre persons partable / perpetuel for euere .Of owilo wil of owytteo wytte & here-wiþ I kepe .This froite of þis faire tre fro þre wykked wyndes .And for fallyng of þe stokke it falleþ not of hys myght .The world is a wykked wynde to hym þat wold trouþ .Couetise comeþ of þat wynde . & . Caritas . it byteþ .And for-freteþ þat froite wiþ many faire sightes .¶And wiþ þe fistfi[r]st plante I pulle hem doun . ¶potencia dei patrisAnd þan is flesch a fel wind in þe floryng tyme .Thorgh þe lecherie & lustes so lowe he gynneþ to blowe .That it norisheþ nyse wordes & som tyme sightes .And many wikked wormes werkes of synne .And al forbiteþ Caritas right to þe bare stalk .¶Than sette I þe secunde plante . Sapientia dei patris .The which is þe passion & þe penaunce & þe parfitnesse of ihesu .And þer-wiþ I warde it oþer-while til it waxe rype .Than fondeþ þe fende my froite to destroye .And laiþ a laddeladde[r] þer-to of lesynges be þe ronges .Wiþ al þe wiles þat he can he waggeþ þe rote .Thorgh bakbyters & braulers & bold chiders .Ne were it vndersette certes it shuld not stonde .So þis lordeyns lither þer-to þat al þe leues fallen .And fechen away þe froite som tyme a-for myn eien .¶Than palle I adoun wiþ þe þredde shore .The which is . spiritus sanctus . and soþfast byleue .And þat is grace of þe holygost & þus gate I þe maistrie .Icoitedtoited? . vp þe tre / & þan toke I hede .Where þe froite were faire or foul to loken on .And the froite was wondre fayre noon fairere be myghtAc in þre degrees it groweþ & ferly me þoght .¶I asked þo if it were al of o kynde .Ȝe certes quod he & soþly þou leue it .It is al of o kynde / & þat shal I prouen .Ac som er swettere þan som / & sonnere wil roten .Men may see on an apletre / many tymes & oft .Of okynso kyns aples / er not ylyke grete .Ne of o sewyng smal . ne of o swetnesse swet .Tho þat sytten on þe sonne side / som arn rypere .Swettere & saueryere / & also grettere .Than þo þat selden han þe sonne / & sitte on þe north half .And so it fareþ soþly / so by oure kynde .Adam was a tre / & we arn his apples .Fo liijSom of vs soþfast / & som of vs variable .Som litil & som large / lich an apple of kynde .And wedded men & wydows / & right worthi maydenes .The which þe seint spirit / þe his sone of heuen .Conforteþ hem in here contenance . þat lyue in contemplacion .As monkes and monyals / & men of holicherche .This men han of þe holigost / as þe crop of a tre haþ of þe sonne .Wydows & wydowers / þat her owen wil han forsaken .And cast leden here lyf / in lyf of contemplacionAnd more lykynd to oure lord / þan lyf of kynde askeþ .And folwe þat þe flesh wol and bryng forth froyte .That lettred men in here langage . Activa vita . clepen .Ȝe sire I saide siþ ther ar but two lyues .That oure lord aloweþ as lettred men vs techen .¶That is . Actiua vita . & . vita contemplatiua .Why groweþ þe froyte in þeþ[r]e degrees . for a good skyl he saide .Her by-nyþ I may take & I nede hadde .Matrimonie is þe most froyt þat multipleþ þe world .Than above is bettre froyte . as boþe two beþ gode .But wydowehode more worthiere þan wedloke as in heuene .For þat is euen wiþ angels & angeles pere .It was þe first froyt þat þe fader of heuen blyssed .And bad it ben abatte of erþe / a man & a mayde .In menyng þat þe sanest þing / þe fyrst þing honoure .And þe clennest creature his . Creator . first knowe .In kynges court & knyghtes . þe fayrest men & clennest .Shold serue for the lord hym-self / so fareþ it by god almighty .¶Maydens & martres mynstred hym in ertheWyth swetnesse wiþ-oute swellynge / soure worth it neuere .This is a propre plante quod I & proprelych it floureþ .And bryngeþ forþ faire froite for of al nacions .Boþe parfite & imparfite ful fayn wold .Assay what sauoure it hadde I saide þat tyme .¶Leue liberum arbitrium . late some man it shake .And a-noon he comaund eld an hie for to clymbe .And to shake it sharpely . þat þe ripest myght falle .Elde clame toward þe cropp / & it be-gan to crie .He wagged wydowhode / & it be-gan to wepe .And he moued matrimoyne / & it made a foul noise .For euere as eld haþ any doun þe fend was redy .And gadered hem to-gedres / boþe gret & smale .Adam Abram ysaac & þe prophetes .Sampson & Samuel . & seint Iohan þe baptiste .And bar hym forth boldlych þo no body hym letted .And made of holy men his horde . In limbo domus inferniTher is derknes & dred / & þe deuel maystre .Than meued he mode . in magisterio dei .That . libera voluntas dei . launceþ vp the mydle shory .And hitte aftre þe fend happe how it myghte .Filius . by the fadre will flowe wiþ . spiritus sanctus .To ransake þat ragman & reue hym his apeple .That man first deceyued þorgh froyte . & fals behestAnd þan spak . spiritus sanctus . in gabriels mouþ .To a mayde þat hight marie a myld þing wiþ all* .That on Ihesus a Iustice sone most / ioure in here chambre .Til . plenitudo temporis . þat tyme come were .¶Elde felde eft þat froyte / er it fel to be rype . That Ihesus þer-for shold Iust & by iuggement of armes .Who shold haue þi froyt / þe fend or ihesus hym-self .That mayde mylde þo þe angel graunted .And saide hendeliche to hym lo his hande mayde .¶Ecce ancilla domini ..For to worchen his wil wiþ-outen any synne .¶ And in þat wombe of þat maide he was fourty wykes . And man be-come of here to saue man-kynde .Ful bygge & abydyng & bold in his barounhede .For to feight wiþ þe fend / ar ful tyme tymetyme comeAc liberum arbitrium . leche-craft hym taght .Til plenitudo temporis . ful hiegh tyme aproched .That suche a seriant* seyn was þer neuere .Ne noon so faiþful a fesician / for al þat hym besoght .¶leprosi mundantur .claudi & cetera .He leched hym of here angres / lazare & blynd boþeAnd comune wymmen conuerted / & clensed of here synneAnd he lyft vp lazer / þat lay in his tombeQuatriduanus . cold quyk dide rome .¶Ac or he made þat myracle . mestus cepit esse .And wep watre wiþ his eien . whi weten fewe .Ac þo þat se þat selcouþ . saide þat tyme .That he was god / sone for þat gret wondre .And som of þe Iues saide þat wiþ sorcerie he wroght .¶Demonium habes .And þorgh myght of mahum & þorgh mysbyleue ..That " ȝoure sauiour " Sathan / quod Ihesus & y sauede ȝowe oft .As y saued ȝow sondry & also fedde ȝow .Fo liiijWiþ fyue fyshes & fyue loues fyue þousand at ones .And þer-of laft basketts ful of broke mete .Of broken brede to bere it a-way who-so wolde .Vnkynde & vnknowyng quod Crist & wiþ a rope smote hem .¶Eiecit ementes & vendentes . Domus mea domus oracionis & cetera .And ouertorned in þe temple here tables & her stalles.And saide þis is an hous of orisons & holynesse ..And whan þat my will* is I wil it ouer-þrowe .And er þre days aftre edefie it newe .¶Infra triduum reedificabo illud ..I The Iues told þe Iustise how þat Ihesus saide .And þe ouertornyng of þe temple be-tokeneþ þe resureccion .Enuie and euil will* ronnen in þe Iues .And pursued hym priueliche & for pens boght . Ne forte tumultus fieret in populoOf Iudace þe Iue Ihesus owen disciple .This bifel on a fryday nyght a litil be-for Estre .¶That Iudace & þe Iues . Ihesus þai mette . Aue Rabi . quod þat rebaude & right to hym ȝede .And kyst Ihesus to be knowe þer-by & was caght of þe Iues .Than Ihesu to Iudas & to þe Iues saide .Falsnesse I fynde in ȝowre faire speche .And kene care in þi c.ussyng & combrance to þi soule .Thow shalt be merour to many men to deceyue .¶ve homini ille per quem scandalum & cetera .Woo to hym þat þi wiles vse to þe worldes ende .Siþ I am by treson take & to ȝowre wil Iues .Sinite eos abireSuffre my postles in pees for to gone .¶Thus þe Iues to þe ....iusticeIhesu þai ledde .Wyþ muche noyse þat nygh ney frantike I waked .In wit & al wittes aftre . liberum arbitrium .I awayted witterly ac I nyst wheder he went .And mette I wiþ a man on mydlent sonday .As hore as a hawe-þorn & Abraham he hyght .¶Of whens artowe quod I / & hendelych him grette .I am wiþ faiþ quod þat freke / it falleþ me not to lie .An heraud of armes / er any lawe were .What is his conusance / quod I . in his cote armour .Þre persons in o pensel quod he / departable from oþere .O speche & o spirit / springeþ oute of all* .Of o wyt þamp; owill* . were neuere atwynne .And sondry to se vpon solus deus he hoteþSiþ þai ben sondry-lopes quod I þai haue sondry names .That is soþ quod he þe sire hight pater ..The secunde is a sone of þe sire . filius .And þe þredde is þat halt / al oþingo þing by hym-self .The holy gost is his name / & he is in all .¶This is a merk þing for me quod I / & for many anoþer .How o lord myght lyf on þre / I leue I not I saide .Muse þe not to muche þer-on quod faiþ / til þou more knowe .Ac loke þou leue it lelly / al þi lyf tyme .That þre belongen to o lord / þat legeance claymeþ .Myghty & men to see / þorgh his owen myght .Of hym-self & his seruant / what soffreþ hem bothe .God þat begynnyng haþ neuere / but þo hym good þoght .Sent faiþ his sone / as for seruant þat tyme .To occupien hym here / til issue wer spronge .The whiche childe arn charite / and holy cherche þe moder .Patriarchez & prophetes / & postles were chyldren .And Crist & cristendom / & cristend holicherche .Be-tokeneþ þe Trinite / & hole byleue .O god al-myghthy / þat man made & wroght .Semblable to hym-self / er any synne were .On þre he is þer he is / þer-of bereþ witnesse .¶Celi enarrant & cetera¶The werk þat hym-self wroght / & þis woorde boþe .That he is þre persons partable .I. proue it by mankynde .And o god almyghty / if al men be of Adam .Eue was of Adam / & oute of hym y-drawe .And Abel of hem bothe / & al þre of o kynde .And þis þre can I carpe / Adam & Eue .And Abel here Issue / ar but on in manhode .Matrimonie wiþ-oute moillere / is not muche to prayse .¶The bible bereþ witnesse a boke of þe old lawe .That a-corsed al couples þat no froit forth broght .¶Maldictus sit qui non reliquit . semen in Israel .And man wiþ-oute make / myght not wel of kynde .Multiplie ne more-ouer . wiþ-oute a make lyue .Ne wiþ-oute sorwe ben suche þis we sene all* .Now go we to þe godhede / god fadre of heuene .xWas þe sone in him-self in a file as Eue was .Whan god wold out of þe way drawe .And as Abel of Adam / & of his wyf Eue .Sprong forth & spred / a spyre of hem two .So oute of þe sire þamp; þe sone / þe seint spirit owt of boþe .Is and ay was & worth wiþ-oute ende .Fo lvAnd þre persons palpable / is purelych but o mankynde .The wheche is man & his make / & moille here issue .So is god godsone / þre persones in Trinite .In matrimonie er þre / & of o man al þre .And to godhede goþ þre / & o god is al þre .Lo troys encontre troys/ in godhede & manhedeHastow sayn þis I sayde / al þre & o godde .¶In a somer I sawe hym quod he / as I sat in my porche .Where he come goyng al þre right by my gate .¶Tres vidit & vnum adorauit ..I ros vp & reuerensed god / & right faire hym grette .I washe here fet & wipt hem / & aftre þai ete .And what I þoght & my wyf / wel he vs tolde .He be-hight vs issue & eyre/ in oure old gate .Ful trewe tokne is betwene vs / whan þat we mette .How he founded me first / my faire sone ysaac .To make sacrifice of hym / he hete me hym to honoure .And I wiþ-sat not his hest / I hope & .I. leue .Where I walk in þis world / he wil it me alowe .¶I circumsised my sone / also for his sake .My-self & my mene / & al þat male were .Bledde blod for þat lordes loue / I hope to blysse þe tyme .Myn affiance & my faiþ / is fer in my beleueFor hym-self saide I shuld haue / & myn issue boþe .Lond & lordshipp ynogh / & lyf wiþ-oute ende .To me & to myn Issue / & more he me behyght .Mercy for oure mysdedes / as many tymes .As muche as we wold / wiþ mouþ & hert asken .¶And siþ he sent me to sayn / & saide þat I shulde .Worship hym wiþ wyne / & wiþ bred boþe .And ones on an autre/ in þe worshep of þe Trinite .I make sacrifice so somwhat it be-tokneþ .¶Fiet vnum ouile & cetera .I leue þat ilk lorde þink / a new lawe to make .Thus haue I ben his heraude / here & in hell .And conforte many carful þer þat aftre his comyng loken .For-þi I seke hem he saide / for seint Iohan þe Baptiste .¶Ecce agnus dei & cetera .Sayde þat he sawe hym here / þat shuld saue vs all* .¶Than hadde I wondre of his wordes / & his wide cloþes .For in his bosom he bar a þing / & þat he blysse oft .And I loked in his lappe / a lazare lay þerin .Wiþ patriarkes & prophetes / playing to-gedres .¶What awaytestow quod faiþ & what woldestow haue .I wold wytte quod I what were in þi lappe .Lo quod he & lete me see lord mercy I sayde .This is a present of muche pryse what prynce shal it haue .It is a precious present quod he ac þe pouke it haþ a-tached .And vs þerwiþ quod he þer may no wedde vs quyte .Ne no barun be oure borgh ne bryng vs oute of daunderedaun[g]ere . Fro þe poukes pynfold ne no maynpryse vs feccheTil he come þat I carpe of Crist is his name .That shal deliueren vs somday fro þe deuels powere .And a betrre wedde for vs wage þan we all* be worth .And þat is lyf for lyf or lugge þer for euere .Longyng in my lappe is til suche a lord vs fecche .¶ Allas I sayde þat synne shal so longe lette .The myght of goddes mercy þat myght vs all* holpe .And wept for his woordes & wiþ þat I sawe a-noþer .Rapelich renne þe rygh way he went .And I frayned hym first from whenss he come .What he hight & whedre he wold & wyghtlyche he vs tolde .Capitulo xxiiij passus de dobetIIhAm . spes . a spie quod he & spere aftre a knyght .That took me a mandement on þe mont of synay .To reule al reumes þer-wiþ in right & in reson .Lo here þe lettre quod he in latyn & in ebrewe .That at I say is soþ se who-so likeþ .Is it seled I saide may men se þe lettres .Nay he say I seke hym þat haþ þe sele to kepe .The whiche is Crist & Cristendom & on a Croys shal hongewere it þerwiþ aseled I wote right wel þe soþeThat lucifers lorshipp shold lygge ful lowe .¶late se þi lettre quod I we myght þe lawe knowe . he plyght forth a patent a pece of an hard stone .wher-on were wreten two worde in þis wyse glosed .¶Dilige deum & proximum .This was þe tixt treuly I toke ful goode ȝeme .The glose gloriously was wryten wiþ a gylt penne .¶In his duobus & cetera . pendit tota lex & cetera .Is here al þi lordes lettre quod I ȝe leue me he saide ..And who-so worcheþ aftre þis wrytte I dar vndertake .Shal neuere deuel hym dere ne deth in soule hym greue .For þogh I say it my-self I haue saued wiþ þis charme .Of men & women many score þousand .he saiþ soþ saide faiþ I haue founde hym trewe .Fo lvjLo here in my lappe quod faiþ þat leueþ on his lettre .Bothe Iusue & Iudiþ & Iudas makabeus .And sexty þousand mo .I. can not telle here names .¶ȝoure wordes ar wondreful quod I where any of ȝow be trewe . And lele to byleue on to body or to souleAbraham saiþ þat he sey / holych þe Trinite .Thre parsonez partable parcelmele fro oþer .And all* þre but o god þus abram bereþ witnesse .And haþ saued þat beleuen so & sory for here synnes .he can no certayn som tell* & som ar in his lappe .what nedeþ it þan a Newe lawe to bryng .Syn þe first soffiseþ so to beleue . & to be saued .And now comeþ heder þis spes & haþ aspied þe lawe .That of þe trinite ne telleþ ne spekeþ of mo parsones .To godhede but o god & o lorde almyghty .The wiche al men arn ouer al þing holde to honoren .And siþ to loue & to leue for þat lordes sake .Al manere men as muche as oure-self .And for to loue & byleue in a god almyghty .It is light for lewed & for lered boþe .Ac for to beleue in a lorde þat lyueþ in þre parsons .And lereþ þat we loue sholde as wel lieres & lele .To þi gate quod I to . spes . so me god helpeTho þat leren þi lawe ful litil while it vsen .¶And we went on þis way þus wondryng* on þis matere . Than sawe we a Samaritane come syttyng on a mule .Rydyng ful raply þe rygh way þat we went .Comyng from a contre þat men call* Ierico .To Iusten in Iherusalem he raked a way faste .Boþe Abraham & spes & he metton at ones .In a wild wildernesse where þeues had bounden .A man as me " þoght " þo to muche care þai broght .For he myght steppe ne stonde ne styre fote ne honde .Ne helpe hym-self soþly ful neigh the deþ he semed .And lay as naked as a nele & no helpe aboute hym .Faiþ first on hym had syght ac he fle a-syde .And wold not nye hym be euen a longe lenthe .hope come hoppyng aftre þat I had so ybosted .how he wiþ mossies maundement many men hadde holpe .And whan he had sight of þis a-syde he gan hym drawe .And dredfully wiþ-drow hym & dorst go no nerre .¶Ac as sone as þe Samaritane had sight of þis carful . he alight a-noon of lierde / & ledde hym in his honde .And to þis wrecche he went / to be-holde his woundes .he parceyued by hys chere / he was in poynt to die .And but he hadde recouer þe raþere / þat rise shold he neuere .he vnbocled his botels / & boþe to a-tamede .he enbaumede hym & bonde his hede / & on liarde hym sette .And led hym to . lauacrum lex dei . agraunde .Is sexe myle or seuen / by-syde þe Newe markette .And left hym þere on lechyng / lyue if he myght .And toke pens to þe hostilere to take hede to hym .And þat goþ more for his medecin I make good aȝen-warde .For I may not lette quod þat ludde & liarde he be-strideþ . And rapeþ hem to ride þe ryght way to Iherusalem .Boþe faiþ & his felawe spes folwed aftre fast .¶And I folwed aftre þe samaritane / & sayde how þai boþe . were a-ferde & flowe fro þe man wonded .haue hem excused quod þe samaritann / þare help may not availl* .Ne medycine vnder sonne / may to hele hym brynge .Neiþer faiþ ne fyne hope / so festred ar his wondes .wiþ-oute þe blode of a baroun/ he beþ not y-saued .The whiche baron most nedes be bore of a mayde .And wiþ þe blod of þat baroun / baumed & baptised .And þogh he steppe & stonde / strong worth he neuere .Til he haue eten al þat baron / & his blode dronken .And ȝit be playstred wiþ pacience / whan fondyng hem prikeþ .For þer went neuere man þis way þat he ne was y-rifled .xSaue my-self soþly & such as I loue .And ȝit to be-leue lelly / vpon þat litil baby .That his lykam shal lechen atte last vs all* .¶A sire I sayde / shul we not beleuen . As faiþ & his felow . spes . enformed me boþe .In þre parsones partable a parcele frome oþer .And all* þre but o god þus abram me taght .And hope aftreward of god / more me tolde .And lered me for his loue / al mankyndeAnd hym aboue all* & hem as hym-self .Neþer laken ne alose ne leue þer were .Any wykkeder in þis world þan I were my-self .And most imparfite of all* parsons & pacientlych soffre .Al manere of men þogh .I. myght me a-venge .I shold thole ..Fo lvijI shold þole & þonk hem / þat me evil wold .he saide soþe quod þe samaritane / & I rede þe also . ¶And as Abram þe old / þe taght of o god . Loke þou lenge & byleue / al þi lyf-tyme .And if witte carpe here-a-gayn / or any kyn þogh*t .Or heretykes wiþ argumentz / þin hond þow hem shewe .For god þat al bygan / in þe bygynnyng of þe world .¶Mundum pugillo continens .Farde first as a fist . & ȝit is as . I . leue .As with a fist wiþ o fyngre yfolden to-gedere ..Til hym lyked and lyst to louse þat fyngre .And profre it forth wiþ þe paume / to what place it shold .The paume is þe pith of þe honde / & profereþ þe fyngre .To mynstre & to make þat mygh*t of kynde knoweþ .And be-tokeneþ treuly tell* who-so lykeþ .The holigostholi gost of heuene he is þe paume .The fyngres þat fre ben / to folde & to cleche .Be-tokneþ sothly þe sone / þat sent was til erthe .Touched & tasted at touchyng of þe paume .¶Seint Marie a mayde mankynde laght . And þe fadre is þan as þe fist wiþ fyngres & paume .¶Omnia traham ad me ..To hyden & to holden / as holy wryt techeþ .Al þat þe fyngre gropeþ / grayly he gripeth .But if þat at he gropeþ / greue þe paume .Thus þai al but one // as it an honde were .A fist wiþ a fyngre / & a ful paume .And as a fist wiþ a ful honde / folden to-gederes .So is þe fadre a ful god / þe fist of hem all* .And as my fist is a fist er my fyngres shewe .¶So is þe fadre a formere þe first of al þinges . And al þe myght wiþ hym is was & worth eueere . ¶Tu fabricator omnium .The fyngres is a ful hende for failleþ þer a þombe .he ne mygh*t portray þe peyng parfitlych* I trowe .Ther shold no wight worche were he away .Riþ so ȝif failled þe sone þe sire ne be myght .Ne hold ne helpe ne hent þat he loued . ¶Dextera dei tu digitus .The paume is purelich þe hond oþerwise .þan þe writhen fist or werkmanshipp* of fyngres .For þe paume haþ powere to put out þe ioyntes .And to vnfolde þe fist for hem it be-longeth .And receyue þat þe fyngres rechen / & refuseþ ȝif hym likeþ .Al þat þe fyngres & fyst felen & touchen .Be he agreued wiþ here grype / þe holigostholi gost late fall* .Thus the holigostholi gost god neþer grettere ne lesse .Than is þe sire & þe sone & of þe same myght .And al þre is but o god as myn hond & my fyngres .Vnfold or fold fist-wise or elles .Al it is but on hond how-so-euere y torne it .And who-so it hurt in þe hondes euen in þe myddes .he may receyue right nowght reson it sheweþ .For þe fyngres þat fold shold & þe fist make .For peyn of þe paume powere hem failleþ .To clecche or to clowe to clyppe or to holde .Were þe myddes of myn honde wiþ-oute male-ese .In many kyn manere I myght my-self helpe .Boþe meue & amende þogh al my fyngres oken .By þis sample I saide I se an euidence .That so synneþ in þe seint spirit assoilled worth he neuere .Nether here ne elles-where as I haue herd tell* . ¶Qui peccat in spiritum sanctum ..¶he prikeþ godde as in þe paume þat . peccat in spiritum sanctum .For þe fadre is as þe fist & þe sone as þe fyngre .And þe holigostholi gost of heuene he is as þe paume .Who-so synneþ aȝen þe seint spirit it semeþ þat he greueþ .Godde þer he gropeþ & wold his grace quenche .For to a torche or a tapre þe trinite is lykned .And to þe waxe & to þe wyke þat ar torned to-gederes .And a flambe of fyre come of hem bothe .And as wax & weke & warme fyre to-gedres .Fostren forth a flaume & a fayr lyght .That serueþ þise fyngers to see by a nyght .So doþ þe syre & þe sone & þe seint spirit to-gederes .Fostren forth among folk fyne loue & byleue .That alkyn Cristen clenseþ of synne .And as þou sest sodanly somtyme of a torche .The blase be blowen oute ȝit byrneþ þe wyke .wiþ-oute lie & lyghtliþ forth in þe mache .So is þe holigostholi gost goode & gracience wiþ-oute any mercy .To al vnkynde creatours þat coueite to destroie .Lele lykam & lyf þat oure lord shopeAnd as a glowyng glede glade not þis werkmen .That worchen & wakyn þis wyntre nyghtes .As doþ a kex or a candel þat haþ cagh*t fyre & blaseþ .Ne more doþ þe sire ne þe sone ne þe seint spirit to-gedres .Graunten any grace ne forgefnes of synne .Fo lviijTil þe holygostholy gost begynne to glowe & to blase .So þat þe holigostholi gost gloweþ but as a glede .Til þat loue & byleue lelich to hym blowe .Than flameþ he as fyre on þe fadre & on þe sone .And melteþ mygh*t in-to mercy as we see in wyntre .ysokkess on euesinges / þorgh hete of þe sonne .Melten in a mynt-while / to myst & to watreSo grace of þe holygostholy gost / melteþ al to mercyThe gret myght of þe Trinite / to merciable & non oþer .¶And as wax wiþ-oute more opon a warm glede . wil bryn & blase be þai to-gedres .And solace hem þat mowe not see / syttyng in derk .So wil þe fadre for-ȝife [minim]uolk þat ben on myld hertes .That reufullich repenten / & restitucion make .In as muche as þai mowe amende & paye .For if it soffice not þat in such* awila wil dien .Mercy for his meknes wil god make þe remanant .And as þe weke & þe faire fire make faire flaumbe .For to merthen men wiþ þat sitten in derk .So wil Crist of his curtaisie & men crie mercy .Both for-ȝif & for-ȝeteþ / & ȝit bidde for vs .To þe fadre of heuene for-ȝefnesse to haue .Ac hew fyre of a flynt four hondreþ wyntir .But þou haue a mache to take it wiþ toendre & brochez .Al þi labour is lost & al þi longe trauaill* .For þer may no fyr flaume make faill* it his kynde .So is þe holigost gode & gracieuse wiþ-oute mercy .To al vnkynde creatours as crist hym-self witnesseþ .¶Amen dico vobis nescio vos .Be vnkynde to þin euen cristen & al þat þu canst bydde .Dele & do penance day & nyght euere .And purchace al þe pardon of Iherusalem & rome .And indulgence ynowe & be vncurtaise to þi kyn .The holygostholy gost hereþ þe noght ne helpeþ þe be þou certayn .For vnkyndenes quencheþ hym þat he may not shyne .Ne birne ne blase clere for blowyng* of vnkyndenesse .¶Seint poule þe appostle proueþ where I lye . ¶Si linguis hominum loquar .For-þi beþ war ȝe wysmenwys men þat wiþ þe world dele .That riche beþ & reson knowe reule wel ȝoure soule .Be not vnkynde I consaille ȝow to ȝoure euen cristen .For many of ȝou riche men be my soule I lie not .ȝe birne ac ȝe blase not þat is a blind bekne .¶Non omnis qui dicit mihi domine domine intrabit in regnum celorum .haue ȝe no mynde ȝe richemenriche men to whiche amischauncea mischaunce .That diues dide & dampned was for his vnkyndenesse .Of his mete & his moneye to men þat it neded .ȝit wan he it not wiþ wrong* ne wiþ queynte sleghtes .But rightfullyche as men rede al his men come hym .And hym-self saiþ þe book soteld how he myght .Most lordlyche lyue & his lycam cloþe & wery .And of most costful colour as clerkes bere witnesse .¶Epulabatur cotidie splendile & induebatur bisso .As for he was a nygard to þe nedful pore .For goddes Traytour he is told for al his trew catel .And dampned is & dwelleþ wiþ þe deuels in helle .Siþ he wiþ-oute wiles wel myght atame .Lordlych* for to lyue & likynglich* ben ycloþed .And is in hell* for al þat how wil riche doþ nouþe .Excuse hem þat beþ vnkynde & ȝit here catell wynne .wiþ wyles & wiþ lither weghtes & ȝit mowe not atame .To go semelych & sitte siþ holywrytholy wryt techeþ .That of þat is wykedlych wonne to make frender þer-of .¶Facite vobis amicos de mamona iniquitatis .Ac ȝe riche men I rede rewarde her-of take .And ȝif ȝoure goodes to þat god þat alle grace of riseth .For ȝe þat be vnhende to his / hope ȝe non oþer .But to deel þer dyues is days wiþ-outen ende .This is vnkyndenesse & quencheþ as it were .The grace of þe holygostholy gost goddes owen kynde .For þat þat kynde doþ vnkyndenesse fordoþ .As cursed þeues vnkynde Cristen men for coueitise of richesse .Sleþ a man for his moebles wiþ his mouþ or wiþ his hond .For þat þat the holygostholy gost haþ to kepe suche harlotes destroien .The whyche is lyf & loue þe lie of mans body .For euery manere good man may be lykned to a torche .Or elles to a tapre to reuerence wiþ þe Trinite .And who-so mortherth a good man me þinkeþ by my wytte .he for-doþ þe light þat oure lord lokeþ to haue worship of .And ȝet in mo maneres men offende þe holigostholi gost .Ac þis is þe worst wise þat any wyght myght .Synnyn a-ȝen þe seint spirit þat assentyn to destroie .For Couetise of any kyn þing þat Christ dere aboght .Fo lixHow myght he aske any merci hym deffende .That wykkedlych* & wilfullych* mercy wil neynt .Innocentz er next good & nygh*t & day it creep .Vengeaunce vengeance for-ȝif be it neuere .That shenden vs & shedde oure blode for-shop vs as it semed .¶Vindica domine sanguinem iustorum ..Thus vengeance verray charite askeþ .And suche charite as holichercheholi cherche is chargeþ þe sore .Leue I neuere þat oure lord atte last ende .wil loue þat lyf þat loue and charite destroieþ .I suppose I hadde synned so quod I & shold not die .& now am sory þat I mowe so seint spirit agilt .I wil confesse me & crie grace to god þat al ....?made .And myldely his mercy aske elles I myght not besauedbe saued .ȝis saide þe samaritane so þou mygh repent .That righ-wysnes þorgh repentance to reuþ myght torne .Ac it nys but selde sey þat soþnesse bereþ witnesseAny creature be copable befor a kynges Iustice .Be raunsonde for repentaunce þer al reson hym dampneþ .Ther þat party pursueþ þe a-pele is so hoege .Ther may no kyng ȝeue no grace til þe parties ben accordede .That euery part haue equyte holi writte witnesseþ . ¶Namonquam dimittitur peccatum .nisi restituatur ablatumThus it fareþ by swyche folk þat folwe hire owen will* .That euyl lyuen & leuen it not til hym forsake synne .Drede of desparacion þan driueþ away grace .That no mercy in hire mynde may for no þing falle .For good hope þat hym help shuld to whom hope torneþ .And not of þe non powere þat he ne is ful of myght .To amende al þat a-mys is & his mercy grettere .Than al oure wikked werkes as holy wryt vs techeþ .¶Misericordia eius super omnia opera eius .As er his rightfulnesse to rouþ torne restitucion it make .As sorwe of hert is satisfaccion to hym þat may not paye .Ac þre þinges þer beþ þat doþ a man to stert .Out of his owen hous as holiwrytt*holi wrytt* techeþ .That is a wykked wyf þat wil not be chastised .here spouse fleþ fro here for fer of here tonge .And ȝif his hous be vnheled & rayn on his hedde .he sekeþ & sekeþ where he may slepe drye .And whan smoke smoþereþ in his eien .It doþ hym more wers þan his wif or wete for to slepe .For þorgh smoke & smother smerteþ his eien .Til he be blerreide or blynde & þe burre in his þrote .He cogheþ & curseþ þat Crist ȝif hym sorwe .That shuld brynge in bettre wode or blowe til it byrnne .This þre þat I tell* of þei be to vnderstonde .The wyf is oure wykked fleshe þat wil not be chastised .For kynde cleueþ on hym euere to contrarie þe sole .And þogh he falle he fynt skyll* þat frelte it makeþ .And þat is lyghtlych* for-ȝif & forȝete bothe .Ac þe rayn þat rayneþ þer we rest sholde .Is boþe secknesse and oþer sorwes þat we soffre on erþe .¶As seint paule þe postle in his pistle techeþ . ¶Virtus in infirmitate perficitur .Ac þogh þat men make muche dole in here angre .And beþ impacient in here angre pure reson it knoweþ .That þay haue cause to contrarien by cause of here syknesse .And lyghtlyche þan oure lord at here lyues ende .haþ mercy on such* men þat may wel soffre .And þe smoke and the smoþer þat smyteþ in oure eien .That is coueitise and vnkyndenesse þat quencheþ goddes mercy .For vnkyndenesse is contrarie by alkyns resonFor þer nys seke ne sory ne noon so muche wrecche .That he ne may loue whom hym like & leue whom hym lyst .God wold good woorde boþe wyshen & willen .All* manere of men boþe mercy & forȝefnesse .And loue hym lych hym-self þat here lyf wold amende .I may no lengere lette quod he & hard he priked .And went a-way as þe wynde & þe wiþ I awaked .iiij passus de dobetCapitulus xxijWolleward and white-hede went I forth aftre .As arechelessea rechelesse freke þat reccheþ nowght of sorwe .And ȝed forth lyk a lorel al my lyf tyme .aw Til I wexxe wery of þis world & wilned to slepe .I lened me to lenten & longe tyme I sleptOf girles & of gloria laus gretly memetteme mette .And how . osanna . by orgon old men songen .O was semblable to þe samaritane & somdel to piers plowman .Barfote on a nassean asse bak botlesse comeþ prikyng .Wiþ oute spore or spere spaklyche he loked .As is þe kynde of aknyghta knyght þat comeþ to be dobbed .To gete his gilt spores & galages ycaped .¶Than was feiþ in a fenestre & cride a fili Dauid . Fo lxAs doþ an heraude of armes whan antrous come to Iusten .Old Iues of Ierusalem for ioye þai songen . Benedictus qui venit in nomine domini .Than frayned I at þat faiþ what al þat Ioie bement .And who shold Iust in Ierusalem Ihesus he saide .And fechen oute þat þe fend cleymeþ piers froite þe plowman .¶Is piers in þis place quod . I . & he prynt vpon me .Liberum dei . arbitrium . quod he for loue haþ vnder-take .That þis Ihesus of genterie shal Iust in piers armes .In his helm & his habergon . humana natura . That Crist be not I-knowe for . consummatus deus .In piers plates þe plowman þis priker shal ride .For no dynt shal hym dere . in deitate patris .Who shal iust wiþ Ihesus quod I þe Iues oþer scribes .Nay quod faiþ but þe fend & fals dome to die .Deþ saiþ he wil fordo and adon brynge .Al þat lyue oþer loke on lond or on watre .¶Lyf sayþ þat he lieþ & layþ hys lyf to wedde .That for al þat deþ can do wiþ-in þre days .He shal walk & feche fro þe fend piers froite þe plowman .And lay it þer hym lyked & lucifer bynde¶O mors ero mors tua .And for-bite adoun & bryng deþ bale for euere. ¶Than come pilatus wiþ muche peple sedens pro tribunale .To se how dowghtily deþ shold do & deme boþe her right .The Iues & þe Iustice aȝen Ihesus þai were .And al þe contre cride . crucifige loude .Than put hym forth a pelour byfore pylate & saide .This Iues of oure Iuen temple iaped & desputeden .To for-don it on a day & in þe þredde day aftre .Edifie it eft newe here he stant þat saide it .And ȝit make it als muche in al manere poyntes .Boþe as long & as large & in lengh & in brede .And as wyd as euere it was & þat we wytnesse all* .¶Crucifige . quod acachepoll*a cachepoll* he can on wychecraft .Tolle tolle quod anoþer & toke of ken þornes .And began of grene þorn a gerlonde to make .And sette it sore vpon his hede & saide in enuie .Aue rabi quod þat ribaude & a-noon hidde his eien .And nailled hym wiþ þre nailles & honged hym on þe rode .And wiþ a pole poyson putte to hys lippes .And bad hym drynk his deþ to lette & his lyf to lenghe .And saide ȝif he soþfast be he wil hym-self helpe .And now if þou be Crist goddes sone .Come a-doun on þe rode . & þan wil we leue .That lyf þe loueþ & wil not late þe die . ¶Consummatum est . quod Crist & comsed for to swone .PytoulyPytously and pale as prisoner þat dieþ .The lord of lyf & of lyght þo laied his eien to-gederesThe day for dred þerof wiþ-drow & derk become þe sonne .The wal of þe temple clof euen a two pece .And þe right harde roche rof & derk nyght it semed .The erþe quok & quaued als it quyk were .And dede men for þat deþ come oute of depe graues .And told whi þat tempest so longe dured .For a bittre bataill* þe dede body saide .Lyf and deþ in þis derknesse her one fordoþ þe oþer .Ne shal no lyf witterly witte who shal haue þe maistrie .Er sonday come aboute þe sonne rysyng .And wiþ þat woord þai shoke to þe erþe .¶Vere " filius " Dei erat iste .¶Som saide he was goddeson / þat so faire diedAnd som sayde he wroght wiþ soceriesorcerie / good it is we assay .Where he be dede or noon a-doun er he be take .Two þeues þer were / þat þoled deþ þat tyme .Opon þe cros byside crist / so was þe commune lawe .Quyklyche come a cachepoll* / & craked boþe here legges .And here armes aftre / of eiþer of þo two þeues .And þer was nobody so bold / goddesbodygoddes body to touche .For he was knyght & kyngessonekynges sone / kynde forȝaf þat tyme .That no-body had hardinesse / hym to touche in dying .¶Ac þer come forth a blynd knyght wiþ a kene spere grounde .That hight longius as lettre telleþ / longe had lost his syght .To-for pilate & oþer peple / in þe place houed .And maugre his mayn teþ / he was made þat tyme .To Iust wiþ Ihesu / þis blynd knyght longeus .For al þai were vnhardy / þat houed þer or stode .To touchyn or to tryn / or take hym doun & graue hym .But þis blynd bachilere / þat bar hym þorgh þe hert .The blood ran doun by þe spere / & vnsparde the knyghtes eien .And þo fil þe knyght vpon knes / & cried Ihesu mercyAȝen my wil it was quod he / þat I þe a wounde made .He sighed & saide it me sore aþenkeþ .Of þe dede þat I. haue don I do me in þi grace .My londe & my lycam atte þi likaming take it .Fo lxiHaue mercy on me rightful Ihesu / & þan riht sore he wept .¶Than gan faiþ / foule þe fals Iues to despisen .And called hem caytifs acorsed / for þis was afoula foul vengeanceVengance is to ȝow yfall* . þat made me blynde .Beten hym þat was dede . it was a boys dede .Corsed caytyfs / knyghthode was it neuere .To bete a body bounde / wiþ any bryght wepne .The gre ȝit haþ he geten / for al his grete woundesFor ȝowr champion a chief knyght / chiualer of ȝou all* .Ȝeld hym recreaunte wepyng / riht at the will*For be þis derknesse y-do / þis deþ worth vencused .And ȝe lordynges haue lost for lyf shal haue þe maystrie .And ȝowre fraunchise þat fre was / fallen it is to þraldome .And al ȝowre chyldre chorls / cheue shal þay neuere .Neuere haue lorschiplordschip in londe / ne neuere londe tilie .And as barreyn be as by vsurye lybben .The which is a lif þat oure lord / in al lawe deffendeþ .¶Now be ȝoure good days done . danyel of ȝow telleþ .Whan Crist wiþ cros ouercome ȝoure kyngedom shal to-cleue . ¶Cum venit sanctus sanctorum cessabit vnccio vestra . What for fer of þis ferly / & of þis fals Iues . I drow in þat derknes to . descendit ad inferna .And þer I sagh soþly . secundum scripturas .Oute of þe west as it were / a wenche as me þoght .Come walkyng in þe way / to helleward she loked .Mercy hight þat mayde / a myld þing wiþ all* . A ful benyng byrde / and buxom of speche .And here sustre as it semed / com softlie walkyng .Euen oute of þe Est / & westwarde she þoght .A comely creature & a clene / trouþe forsoþ she hyght .For the vertue þat here folwed / aferd was she neuere .¶Whan þis maydens metten mercy and trouþe .Eyþer asked at oþer / of þis grete wondre .Of þe deuyn & þe derknes / & how þe day roued .And which a light & allume / lay before hell* .I haue ferly of þis fare in faiþ saide trouþe .And am a-wendyng to wete / what þis wondre meneþ .Haue no meruail þer-of quod mercy / merth it be-tokneþ .A mayde þat hight marie / modre wiþ-oute weillyng*Asemblychsemlych creature / conceyued þorgh speche .And þorgh þe grace of þe holigostholi gost / wex gret wiþ chylde .Wiþ-oute womans wembe in-to þis world hym broght .And þat my tale is trewe I take god to witnes .Siþ þis barun was bore is þretty wyntre and more .He died & deth þoled þis day aboute mydday .That is cause of þis clypps þat now ouer-closeþ þe sonne .In menyng þat man shal fro merknes be ydrawe .And þeeþe while þis lightnes & þis leme shal lucifer ablynde .For patriarkes & prophetes han preched her-of oft .That þat þinkþing þat lost was wiþ tre . tre shal it a-ȝen wynne .And þat þing þat deþ doun broght deþ shal releue .¶This þat þou tellist quod treuþ / is but a tale of waltrette .For Adam & Eue Abram and many oþer .Patriarchz & prophetes þat in payn liggen .Leue neuere þat lyght on loft shal hem brynge .Ne haue hem out of hell* . hold þi tonge mercy .It is trifle þat þou tellest .I. trouþ wote þe soþe .That þing þat ones is in hell* oute comeþ it neuere .For Iob þe patriarch & profite reproueþ þi sawe .¶Quia in inferno nulla est redempcio ..Than mercy ful myldly mouþed þis wordesÞorgh experience quod she I trowe þai shul be saued .For venym fordoþ venym þer feche I myn euidence .That Adam & Eue shul haue bote .Of al fretyng venymous þe vilest is þe skorpion .Ther may no medecyn amende þer he styngeþ .Til he be ded & don þer-to & þan it destroieþ .The venym fyrst þorgh vertue of hym-self .And so shal þis deþ for- do I dar my lyff legge .Al þat deþ & þe deuel dede formast to eueRight as gylour þorgh gyle be-gylede man formast .So shal grace þat al bygan make a good ende .¶Ars vt artem falleret .And begyle þe begiloure & þat is a good sleight .¶Now soffre we sayde treuþ I se as me þinkeþOut of þe Nippe of þe North not ful fer hens .Rightwisnesse come rennyng ryst we þe while .For she wot more þan we she was er we boþe .That is soþ saide mercy & I se here by souþe .Where comes pes playying in placience cloþed .Loue here haþ coueited longe leue I non oþer .But loue hath sent here som lettre what þis light bemeneþ .That euere houeþouere-houeþ hell* þus she shal vs telle .Fo lxijPes in pacience y-cloþed / here aiþer aprocheþ oþer .Rightwisnes reuerensed pes / in her riche cloþing .And prayed pes to tell* here / to what place she wold .In here gay garmentz whom she myrthe þowght .My wil is to wenden quod pes / to welcome hem all* .That many day myght noght se / for merknes of synne .As Adam þamp; Eue / & other mo in helle .Moyses and many mo / mercy shold synge .And I shal daunce þerto / do þou also sustre .For Ihesus Iusted so wel / ioye begynneþ to dawe .¶Ad vesperam demorabitur fletus & ad matutinum leticia .Loue þat is my lemman / suche lettres me sent .That mercy my sustre & .I. mankynde shold saue .And þat god haþ for ȝeue / & graunted to man-kynde .To mercy my sustre & me / to maynprise hem all* .And Crist haþ conuertede / þe kynde of rihtwisnes .In-to pes & pyte / of his pure grace .¶Lo here þe patent quod pes . in pace in idipsum .And þat þis dede shal dure / dormiam & requiescam .Rauest þou quod ryghtwisnes / or þou art right dronk .Leuestowe þat ȝondre light / vnloken myght hell* .And sauen mansoule / sustre wene it neuere .At þe begynnyng of þe world / god ȝaf þe dome hym-selue .That Adam & Eue & here issue .Shold die doun-right / & dwell* in payn euere .Ȝif þat þay touched þe tre / & of the froyte ete .And Adam aftrewarde / aȝen his deffense .Ete of þe froyte / & forsok as it were .The lele loue of oure lord / & þe lore bothe .And folwed þat þe fend taght / & þe fleshes will* .Aȝen reson & rightwysnesse / receyue þis wiþ trouþ .That here peyn is perpetuel / no prayere may hem help .For-þi late hem chowe as þai han chosen / & chide we not sustre .For-þi it is a botles bale / þe bote þat þai han ete .And I shal praye quod pes / þat here bale mote haue ende .And þat here wo in-to wele / at þe last mot wende .For had þai wist of no wo / wele hadde þai noon knowe .For þer wot no wyght what wele is . þat neuere wo suffred .Ne what is hote hongre / þat neuere had defaute .Who couþ kyndly / with colour descriue .Ȝif al þe world were witte / or wan þorgh al þingesȜif no nyght nere / no man as I leue .Sold wytte witterly / what day were to mene .Ne had god soffred / somwhat hym-selfHe ne hadde wist witterly / where deþ were soure or swete .For shold neuere right riche man / þat lyueth in rest . & hele .Wite what wo is / nere þe deþ of kynde .¶So god þat al began / of his good will* .Become man of a mayde / mankynde to saue .And soffred to be sold / & se sorwe of dyyng .The wheche vnquyteþ al care/ & comsyng is of rest .For til moreyn mete wiþ it / I may wel avowe .Ne wot no wyght as I wene / what is wo to mene .For-þi god of hys goodnesse / þe first man Adam .He sette hym in solace first / & in souerayne merthe .And siþ soffred hym to synne / sorwe to fele .To witte þer-þorgh what wele was / & kyndely to knowe .¶And after antred god hym-self / & toke mankynde .To wite what he hadde soffred / in þre sondry place .Boþe in heuene & in erþe / & now in helle he þinkeþ .¶Omnia probate quod bonum est tenete ..To wite what is al wo / þat wote of alle ioye ..So shal it fare by þis folk / hyre foly & here synne .Shal lere hem what loue is / & lisse wiþ-outen ende .For wote no wight what werre is / þer as pes regneþ .Ne what is witterly wele / til / welaway hym teche .¶Than was þer a wight / wiþ two brode eien .Boke hight þat beupiere/ a bold man of speche .By goddys body quod þe book / I wil bere witnesse .Tho þat baroun was born / þer blased a sterre .That al þe wise of þe world / in o wytte acorded .That suche a beroun was born / in Bedlem þat Cite .That mansoule shold saue / & synne destroie .All* þe elementz quod þe book / here-of bere witnesse .That he was god þat al wroght / þe walken first shewed .Tho þat were in heuene toke . stella comata .And teyned it as a torche / to reuerence his birthe .That light folwelfolwed oure lorde / in-to þe lowe eþeerþe .The watre wytnesseþ / þat he is veray god .For god went on þe watre drie / peter parceyued his grace .And as he went on þe watre wel he knew & saide .¶Domine iube me venire ad te .Lo how þe sonne gan louke / here lyght in here-self .Fo lxiijWhan she sawe hym soffre deþ / þe sonne þat þe see made .Lo þe erþe for heuynesse / þat he wold soffre .Quaked as a quyk þing / al to quashed þe rotes .Lo hell* ne myght not hold / but opend þo god þoled .And lete out Symon sonnes / to sen hym honge on rode .¶Non visurum se mortem nisi & cetera .Now shal lucifer leue it / þogh hym loth þink . For Ihesus as a geaunt . wiþ a gyne comeþ ȝonde .To breken and bete adoun / al þat be aȝens hym .And to haue oute all* þo / þat hym lykeþ .And ȝit I book wil be brent / but he arise alyue . And comfort al his kyn / & out of care hem bryng .And al þe Iues ioie / vngeoin & vnlouke .And but þai reuerence his resurreccion / & þe rode honoure .And leue on a newe lawe / þai ben lost lyue & soule .¶Soffre we saide trouþ / I here & se botheA spirit spekeþ to helle / & bidde vndo þe ȝates . attolite portas principes vestrasA vois loude in þat lyght / to lucifer saide .Pryince of þis paleys / prest vndo þe gates .For here comeþ wiþ coroune / kyng of all* glorie .¶Than sighed Sathan / & saide a-non to hell* .Suche a light wiþ-oute oure leue lazare out fette .All* care & combraunce / is come to vs alleȜif þis kyng come in / mankynde he wil feche .And leden it þare lazare is / & lyghlych me bynde .Patriarkes & profetes / han patred her-of longe .That suche a lord and a leme / shal lede hem al hens .¶Ac rise vp ragamuffyn & reche me alle þe barres .That belial þi beustere bette wiþ þi damme .And I shal bette þis lord / & his light stoppe .Ac no lyght may leme in / at louere ne at chynne .And þou astaroch hote oute / & haue vp oure knaves .And coltyng & his kyn / oure catel to saue .Bromstone brynnyng / bryngeþ & casteþ it oute .Al hote on here hedes / þat entre wiþ-inne þis walles .Setteþ bowes of brake / & brasen gonnes .And shoteþ oute shote ynogh / his sheltrom to blynde .Sette mahown atte magnell* / melstons to þrowe .Wiþ crokes & wiþ caltrapes / aclay hem echon .¶Lystneþ quod lucifer / for I þis lorde knowe .Boþe þis lord and þis lyght / it is longe ago I knewe .Ther may no deþ þis lord dere ne no deuels queyntise .And where his will* is he haþ way ware vs for þe perils .Ȝif he reue me my right he robbeþ me by maystrie .For by right & reson þe frekes þat beþ here .Body & soule beþ myn boþe goode and ill* .For he hym-self it saide þat fadre is of heuen .That Adam & Eue & al here issue . Shold die wiþ doyle & here dwellyng euere .Ȝif þat þai touched a tre & toke þer-of anaple .¶Þus þat lord of myght suche a lawe he made .Siþ he is so lele a lord I leue þat he wil notReue vs oure right siþ reson haþ dampned hem .And siþ we haue be sesed seuen þousand wyntre .And neuere he was þper-aȝen & now wil begynne .He were vntrewe of his woord þat is treuþ witnesse .¶That is soþ saide Satan but I me sore doute .For þou gate hem wiþ gile & his gardein brake .Aȝen his loue and his leue vpon his londe ȝedest .Not in forme of a fend but in forme of a nedre .And entisedest Eue to ete by hys owen will* .And byhyghtest here & hym aftrewarde to know .As two goddes wiþ god boþe good & ill* .¶Thus wiþ treson & trecherie þou deceyuedest hem boþe .And madest hem breke here buxomnesse þorgh fals behest .Than hadest hem oute & hedre atte last .It is not grathly geten þere gyle is þe rote .And god wil not be bygyled quod gobelyn ne iaped .We haue no trewe title to hem & þat þi treson makeþ .For I drede me quod þe deuel þat trouþ wold feche hem .And as þou bygylest goddes ymage in lyknes of a neddreSo haþ god bygyled vs all* in goyng of a man .¶For god hath goon quod goblyn in a mans lyknesse .This þretty wyntre as I leue & went aboute & preched .I haue assailled hym wiþ synne & som tyme I asked .Where he were god or goddesone & he ȝaf me short answere .Thus haþ he ytrolled & trauailled in his tyme .For like a tydy man þis two and þretty wyntre .¶And whan I saw þat it was so I soteld how I myght .Lette hem þat loued hem not lest þai wold hym martre .For I wold haue longhed hys lyf for I leued ȝif he diede .And his soule hydre come it shuld shende vs all* .Fo lxiiijThe body while it on erþe ȝede it was euereabouteeuere aboute .To lere man to be lele & eche man to loue oþer .The whiche lyf and lawe be it longe y-vsed .It shal vndo vs deuels & a doun bryng vs all* .Now I se where his soule come saillyng hedrewarde .Wiþ glorye & wiþ gret light god it is I wot wel .¶I rede we fle quod þe fend al fast hens .For vs were bettre noght be þan byde in his sight .For in lesyngs lucifer we losten oure ioye .And oute of heuene hider þi pride made vs falle .For we leued on þi lesynges þer lost we our blysse .And now for a lattre lesyng þat þou madest to Eue .We haue lost lordshipp on erþ & in helle . ¶Nunc princeps huius mundi .¶Siþþe þat Satan myssayd þus foule .Lucifer for his lesyng leue I noon oþer .But oure lord atte last liers revoke .And witeþ hem al þe wrechednesse þat wroghwroght is on erþe .Beþ ware ȝe wise clerkes & witty men of lawe .That þȝen begile not þe lewedmenlewed men for atte last . dauid .Wittenesseþ in his wrytyng what is here mede .¶Odisti omnes qui operantur iniquitatem perdes oeseos qui loquntur mendacium .A litil I ouer- lep / for lesynges sake .That I ne saw as I sawe sowyng my tyme .For eft þat light bad vnlouk & lucifer answerede .¶What lord artow quod lucifer / & a voys alowd sayde .The lord of myght & of mayn þat made al þinges .And Duke of þis dym place anon vndo þo ȝates .That crist may come in / þe kyngesone of heuene .And wiþ þat breth hell* brake / for al belials barres .For any manere ward . wyde opende þe ȝates .¶Patriarches & prophetes . populus in tenebris . Songen wiþ seint Iohan . Ecce agnus dei .Lucifer loke þo ne myght / so lyght hym ablyndeAnd þo þat oure lord loued / wiþ þat light forth flowe .Lo me quod oure lord / lyf & soule boþe .For al synful soules / to saue oure boþer right .Myn þay were & of me I may þe bettre hem clayme .And þogh reson recorde & right of my-self .That for þai ete of þe aple al shold die .I be-hight hem not here helle for euere .For þe dedly synne þat þai dyde þi deceyte it made .With gile þou hem gate a-gain al reson .For in my paleys paradys in lyknes of a neddre .Falslich fetest þer þat me befel to loke .Thou glosedest & bygiledest / hem and my gardyn broke .Aȝen my loue & my leue þe old lawe techeþ .Or any manere membre mahayne or hurteþ .¶Dentem pro dente ..The same sore shal he haue þat any so smyteþ .So lyf shal lyf lete til lyf haue lyf amendede .So þat lyf aquyte lyf lawe it askeþ .¶Ergo soule quyte soule & synne to synne wende .And al þat man misdede a man doþ amende it .And þat deþ for-dide I deþ to releuen .Boþ aquite & quyken þat was aqueynt þorgh synne .¶Ars vt artem falleret .And gyle shal be bygyled þorgh grace atte last .So leue it not lucifer þat I aȝens þe lawe .Fecche here any synful soule soueraynly by maystrie .But þorgh right & reson / I raunson here my lyge .So þat þorgh gyle was gete / þrogh grace was now wonne . + non veni soluere legemAnd as Adam & all* / þorgh a tre diden .Adam & alle / þorgh atrea tre shal torn to lyf .And now bygynneþ þi gyle / agayn on þe torn .And my grace to growe / ay whydre & whidre .The byttyrnesse þat þou hast brow / brouke it þi-self .That art doctor of deþ / now drynk þat þu madest .For I þat am lord of lyf / loue is my drynk .And for þat drynk to-day / diede as it semed .¶Ac I wil drynk of no dyshe / ne of no depe clergie .But of coy commune coppes / for al Cristen soules .And þi drynk worght deþ / & depe helle þi coppe .I foght so þat I fele it ȝit / mansoule for to saue ¶Scicio ..Ther may no pyment ne pomade / ne precious drynkesMoyst me to þe full* / ne my þorst slake .Til vintage falle / in þe vale of Iasaphath .And drynk þan right ripe must . resureccio mortuorum .¶Than shal I come as kyng / wiþ coroun & wiþ angels .And haue oute of helle / al men soules .Fendes & fendeskyns / before me shul stonde .And ben at my byddyng / at blysse or at pyne .And to be merciable to man / þat tyme my kynde askeþ .For we be broþeren all* / ac not alle baptised .Ac all* þat ben myn half breþeren / in blode & in baptisme .Shal neuere eft ..Fo lxvShal neuere eft in hell* come / be he ones oute . Tibi soli peccaui & cetera .¶It is not vsed in erthe / to honge any felons .Ofter þan ones / þogh þai ware taitourstraitours .And if þe kyng of þe kyngdom / come in þe tyme .Ther a þef shold þolen / deþ or Iuesse .Lawe wyl þat he ȝeue hym lyf / & he loke opon hym .And I þat am a kyng of kynges / shal come suche a tyme .Ther þat dome to þe deþ / shal deme al wykkede .And if lawe wil þat .I. loke on hem / it lyth in my grace .Wheþer þai die or die not / dide þai neuere so ill* .I may do mercy of my rightwisnesse / & all* my wordes trewe .For holy wryt wil I be a-wroke / of hem þat wroght ill* .¶Nullum malum impunitum & nullum bonum irremuneratum .And so of al wykkednesse / I wil take vengeance .And my kynde in my kynde ȝowre shal contrarie my will* .¶Domine ne in furore tuo arguas me & cetera .To be merciable to many / of my half brether .For blode may se blode / boþe a-þorst & acolde .Ac blode may not se blode / bleden but hym rewe .¶Audiui archana verba que non licet homini loqui .And my rightwysnes & ryght / shal reigne in helle .And mercy and mankynde / be for me in heueneFor I were an vnkynde kyng / but I my kyn holpe .And namelych at suche a nede / þat nedes help askeþ .¶Non intres in iudicio cum seruo tuo . & cetera .Thus by lawe quod oure lord / leden I wil from hens .Alle þo þat I loue / & loned in my comyng .Ac for þe lesyng þat þou lowe / lucifer til eueThou shalt abye bittirly quod god / & bond hym wiþ cheyns Astroth & al oþer / hidde hem in hernesThei dorst not loke on oure lord / þe strongest of hem all* .But lete hym lede forth which hym list / & leue þat hym lykede .Many hondreþ of angels / harpeden & songen .¶Culpat caro purgat caro regnat deus dei caro .Than piped pes / of poets a note . ¶Post inimicicias clarior est amor .After sharpe shoures quod pes / shyneþ þe sonne .Ther is no weder warmer / þa.n aftre wete cloudes .Ne loue leuere / ne more souerayn frendes .Than aftre werre & wrake / whan loue & pes be maystres .Ther was neuere werre in þis world / ne wykkedere enuysThat ne loue & hym lyst / to laghyng broght .Trowest quod treuþ . þou tellest þe soþe by Ihesus .Clippe we in couenant . & kysse we eche oþer .And late no peple quod pes . parceyue þat we chydde .For in-possible is no þing . to hym þat is almyghty .Thou sais soþ quod rightwysnes ; and frendly þai kyst .Pes & pes here . per omnia secula seculorum .¶Misericordia & veritas obuiauerunt sibi . iusticia & pax osculate sunt . Trouþe trembled þo & song . Te deum laudamus .And þan loyted loue ; in a loude note .¶Ecce quamd bonum et quam iocundum habitare fratres in vnum .Til þe day dawed ; daunsed damesels .Til men ronge to þe resureccion ; & wiþ þat I awoke .And called kytte my wyf ; & calot my doghter .And bad hem rise ; & go reuerence þe resurreccion .And crepe on knees to þe crosse ; & kysse it for a iowel .And rightfully kysse þe relike . noon richere on erþe .For goddes blyssed body it bare . for oure bote .And it a-fereþ þe fend . for suche is þe myght .Ther may no grysly gost glide . þer it shadoweþ .explicit vltimus passus de dobetCapi xxiij& incipit primus de dobestTHus I waked & wrote . what I dremed .And dight me derworhlyderworthly . & dide me to cherche .To heren holy þe messe . & be houseld aftreIn myddes of þe messe . þo men ȝede to þe offryngI fel eftsones a-slepe . & sodaynly me metteThat piers þe plowman ; was peynted al blody .And come in wiþ a crosse . be-for þe comune peple .And right lyke in al lymes . to oure lord IhesuAnd þan called I conscience . to kenne me þe soþe .Is þis Ihesus þe iuster quod I . þat þe Iues dide to deþe .Or is it piers þe plowman . þat haþ paynt hym þus rede .¶Quod concience & kneled þo . þis arn Cristes armes .His colours & his cote armour . & he þat comeþ so blody .It is Crist wiþ his crosse . conquerour of Cristen .Whi call* ȝe hym Crist . siþ þe Iues called hym Ihesus .Patriarkes & prophetes . profesied byfore .That alkyn creatours . shold knelyn & bowe .Anoon as men nempned . þe name of Ihesus .Ergo . þer is no name . to þe name of Ihesus .Ne so nedful to nempne . by nyght nor by day .For all* þe derk deuels . dreden it to here .Fo lxviAnd synful be solaced . & saued by þat name .And ye call* hym Crist . for what cause tel me .Is Crist more of myght . & þe more worthierereworthiere name .Than Ihesu or Ihesus . þat all* oure ioye comeþ of .¶Thou knowest wel quod conscience . & þou conne reson .That kyng knyght & conquerour . may be o persone .To be called a knyght is fayr . for men shal to hym knele .And to be called a Kyng is fairere . for he may knyghtes make .And to be called a Conquerour . þat comeþ of a speciale grace .Of hardinesse of hert . and also of hendenesse .To make lordes of laddes . of londes þat he wenneþ .And fre men foule þralles . þat folwe not his lawes .The Iues þat were gentil men . Ihesu þai dispisedenBoþe his lore and his lawe . now ar þei lowe churles .And þey þat be-come cristen . by consail of þe baptist .Arn frankeleyns & fre . þorgh fullyng þat þai token .Of gentil men wiþ Ihesus . for Ihesus was y-fulled .And vpon caluarie on þe crosse . crouned kyng of Iues .It becomeþ for a kynge . to kepen & defende .And a conquerour of his conquest . his laies & his large .¶So dide Ihesus wiþ þe Iues . he Iusted and taght hem .The lawe of lykyng lyf . þat lasten shal euere .And deffended hem fro foule euyls . feueres & flyxe .And fro þe fendes þat were in hem . & fro fals byleueTho was Ihesus of Iues called . gentil profete .And kyng of here kyngdom . & Croune bare of þorn .And þo Conquerede he on Crosse . as a Conquerour noble .Ther myght no deþ hym for-do . ne Adam oute bryng .That he ne aros & regned . & rauashed helle .And þo was he conquerour called . of quyk & of dede .For he ȝaf Adam & Eue . & oþer mo blysse .That longe had y-be before . lucifers churles . And tok lucifer þe loþlych . þat lord was of hell* .And bond hym as is bounde . wiþ bondes of yren .Who is hardiere þan he is / blode he shede...?...de of his herte .To make all* folk fre . þat folwen his lawe .And siþ he ȝaf lardgelych . all his lele lege .Places in paradys . at here partyng hens .He may wel be called a conquerour . þat is Crist to mene .And whi he comeþ þus . wiþ crosse & his passion .Is to wissen vs þer-wiþ . whan we be temptede .Ther-wiþ to fight & defende vs fro fallyng in-to synne .And .I. se by his sorwe who so loueþ ioye .To penaunce & to pouerte he most put hem-self .And muche woo in þis world willen to soffre .And to carpen more of Crist & how he come to þe name .Soþly for to speke his firste name was Ihesus .Tho he was bore in bedlem as þe boke saiþ .And come to take mankynde kynges & angels .Reuerensed hym right faire wiþ richesse of erþe .¶Angels of heuen come knelyng & syngyng . ¶Gloria in excelsis deo .And þe kyng come aftre & kneled & offred .Muche gold and myrre wiþ-oute mercy askyng .Or anyken Catel beknowlached hym souerayn .Boþe of erþe sonne & se & siþþen þai went .In-to here kynde kyth by consaill* of angels .Ther was þe word fulfilled whiche þou of spekest .¶Omnia celestia terrestria flectantur in hoc nomine Ihesu .For all* angels of heuen at his birth kneleden .And all* þe wit of þe world was in þo þre kynges .Reson & righwisnesserightwisnesse & rouþe þai offreden .Wherfor & whi wysmen þat tyme .Maistres & lettred men magi hem called .¶That o kyng come wiþ reson couerde vnder sence .iiAnd þe seconde kyng soþly he offredde .Rightwisnes vnder rede gold resounes felowe .Gold is likned to leute þat lasten shal euere .And reson to riche gold to resoun & to trouþ .3The þridde kyng come & kneled to IhesuAnd present hym wiþ pite apperyng by myrre .For it is mercy to mene & mylde speche of tonge .¶Erþly honest þinges was offred þus at ones .Thorgh þe kynde kynges knelyng to Ihesu .Ac for al þis precious presentz oure lord prince Ihesu .Was nowþer kynge ne conquerour til he comsed to waxxe .In the manere of a man þat by muche sleight .Ac it becomeþ for a conquerour to conne many sleghtes .And many wiles & wittes þat wil ben a ledere .And so dide Ihesu in his days who so dorst it say .Som tyme he soffred and somtyme he hide hym .And somtyme he flow fast & faght oþer-while .And somtyme he gaf good & graunted hele .Ac I fo... sayFo lxvijBoþe lyf & lyme as hym lyst he wroght .As þe kynde is of a conquerour so comsed IhesusTil he hadde al hem þat he fore bledde .¶In his . Iuuentute . þus Ihesus at Iues festeTorned watre in-to wyn as holy wrytte telleþ .And þer began god of his grace grathly to do well* .For wyn is lykned to lawe & lyf holynesse .And lawe lakked þo for men loued here enemys .So atte þe fest first as I befor tolde .oo .Be-gan god of his grace & goodnes to dowel .And þo was he not cleped ne called but only Ihesus .A fauntkyn ful of witte a filius Marie .For befor his modyr Marie mad was þat wondre .That she first & formast shold beleue .That he þrogh grace was gete no gome ells .He wroght þat by no witte but þorgh worde one .Aftre þe kynde þat he come of þer comsed he to dowell* .¶ And whan he was waxen more in his modre absence .He made lame to lepe & ȝaf sight to blynde .And fedde wiþ two fyshes & fyue loues .Sore a-hongred fele folk mo þan fyue þousand .Thus he comfort carful & caught a gret name .Which was dobett where þat he went .For defe þorgh his doyngs & dom speke & herde .And al he heled & halp þat his grace asked .¶Tho was he called in þe contre of þe commune peple .For þe dedes þat he dede . Fili dauid Ihesus . For Dauid was doghtiest of dede in his tymeThe byrdes þo songen .¶Saul interfecit mille & dauid decem milia .For-þi in þe contrey þerIhesu þay called hym Fili dauid .Thei nempned hym of Nazareth & no mo so worthi .To be caisere or kyng / of þe kyngdom of Iuda .Ne on Iues Iustice / as Ihesus was hem þoghten .There-of hadde Caifas inuye / & oþer mo of þe Iues .And for to do hym to þe deþ / day & nyght þay cast .And killed hym crossewise / vpon a fryday .And siþ beried hys body / & bad þat men shold .Kepe it fro nyght comers / wiþ foure knyghtes y-armed .For noon of his frendes shold / it fecche for prophetes hem tolden .That his blyssyd body of beriels shuld arisen .And gone to Galile / & gladen his postles .And his modir marie þus men dyuined .The knyghtes þat kept it beknewe hem-self .That angels & archangels er þe day spronge .Come knelyng to þe crosse & songen ful fast .¶Cristus resurgens . & it aros aftre .Verra man before hem all* & befor hem ȝede .The Iues praiede hem of pes & besoght þo knyghtes .To tel þe commune þat þer come a companye of his postles .And be-wiched hem as þai woke & a-way stolen it .Ac marie magdaleyn mette hem by þe way .Goyng / toward galile in godhede & manhede .Alyue & lokyng & she alowde cride .In eche companie wher she cam Cristus resurgens .Thus come it oute þat Crist recouered & lyued . ¶Sic oportebat pati christum & ita intrare in gloriam suam .For þat as wymen wote may not wel be consaill* .Petre parceyued al þis & pursued aftre .And bothe Iohan & Iames Ihesu to seke .Tadeus & ten mo wiþ Thomas of ynde .As al þis wyse wyghtes were to-gedre .In an hous al to-gederes & here dore barred .Crist come in & was closed Boþe dore & ȝates .To petre & to his apostles & sayd . pax vobis .And toke Thomas by þe hond & made hem to grope .And fele wiþ his fyngre his fleshly hert .¶Thomas touched it & wiþ his mouþ saide . ¶ Dominus meus & deus meus .Thou art my lord I beleue god lord IhesuThat didest & deþ soffredest & shalt deme vs all* .And now lyuyng & lokyng & last þou shalt euere .Crist carped þan & Curtaisly he saide .Thomas for þou leuest þus & treuly trowest it .I-blyssed mot þu ben & be shalt for euere .And blyssed mot þai ben in body & in soule .That neuere shal se in sight þat þou seest nowe .Al lele beleuen al þis loue hem & hem blysse .¶Beati qui non videriunt & crediderunt .And whan þis dede was done he þoght to do best .And ȝaf piers powere & pardon hym graunted .To al manere of men mercy & forȝifnesAnd ȝaf hym myght to assoill* men of al manere synne .In conant þat þai come & knowlache to paye .Fo lxviijTo piers pardon þe plowman . Redde quod debes .Thus haþ piers powere by hys pardon y-splayde .To bynde & vnbynde boþe here & elles-where .And to assoyll* of al synne saue dette one .And a-noon aftre he autredantred vp on hie in-to heuene .He went þer heder & woned þere & wil come atte last .And rewarde hym right wel þat . reddet quod debet .Paiþ nowe parfitely as piers trouþ woldAnd what payþ not to punysch he þinkeþ .And demen hem at domesday boþe quyk & dede .The goode to godhede & to gret ioye .And wiked to wonne in wo wiþ-oute ende .¶Thus conscience of Crist & of þe crosse carpedde .And consailde me to knele þerto & þo þer come me þoght .One spiritus paraclitus to piers & to his felowes .In liknes of lyghtnyng & lay on hem all* .And made hem conne & knowe alkyn langage .I wondred what þat was & wagged conscience .And was a-ferde of þat light for in fir lyknesse .¶Spiritus paraclitus . ouerspred hem all* .Quod conscience þo & kneled þis is Cristes messagere .And comeþ fro þe grete god grace is his name .Knele nowe quod conscience & if þou conne synge .Welcome hym & worship hym wiþ ¶Veni creator spiritus .And I song þat song þo & so dide many hondreþ .And cride wiþ conscience help vs lord of grace .¶Tho began grace to go wiþ piers plowman .& consailled hym & conscience e comune to sompne .For I wil dele to-day & diuide grace .To alkyne creatours þat can here fyue wittes .Tresour to lyue by til here lyues ende .And wepne to fyght wiþ þat wil neuere faille .For antecrist & his shal al þe world greue .And encombren þe conscience but if crist þe helpe .And fele fals prophetes flaterers & glosers .Shal come & be curatour ouer kynges & erls .Than shal pride be pope & prince of holicherche .Couetise & vnkyndenes Cardinals to leden hym .For-þi quod grace I wil ȝife ȝow tresour er y go .And wepne to fight whan antecrist assailleþ ȝow .And gaf eche man a grace to gyde wiþ hym-self .That deuels ne encombre hym not ne enuie ne pride .¶Deuisiones graciarum sunt ..To som he ȝaf witte / wiþ woorde to shewe .To wynne wyth trouþ / þat þe world askeþ .As prestes & prechours / & princes of lawe .Thay to lyue lelly / by labour of tonge .And by witte to wyssen / oþer as grace hem wil teche .And somme he kenneþ craftes / & konyng of syghtes .Wiþ sellyng & byggyng / here lyflode to wynne .¶And som he lereþ to laboure / on lond & on watre .And lyue by þat labour / a lele lyf & a trewe .And som he taght to tilie / to teche & to cokke .And here witte wold whan / þat time come .And som to deuine & deuide / noumbrez to kenne .And to compassen / & colour to make .And som to se & som to say / what shuld befall* .Boþe of wele & of wo / to be war before .¶As astronomiers þorgh astronomye / & philosophres wise .And to ride & recouer / þat vnrightfullyche was wonne .It wysseþ men to wynnen it aȝen / wiþ wyghtnes of honde .And to fecchen it fro fals men / wiþ folvile lawes .And som he lerneþ to loue / in longyng to be hens .In pouerte & pacience / to pray for al cristen .And he lerned to be lele / & eche man to loue oþer .Neyþer bost ne debate / be among hem all* .¶Thogh som be clennere þan som / ȝe se wel quod grace .That al craft of conyng / come of my ȝift .Loke þat noon lakke oþer / but lyue as breþren .And he þat most maystrie can / be lowe of beryng .And crouneþ conscience kyng / & late craft be ȝoure styward .And aftre craftes consaill* / cloþe ȝow & fede .For I make piers plowman / my procatour & my reue .And registre to receyue /Redde quod debes .My procatour & my plowman / piers shal be on erþe .And for to tilie treuþ / a teme shal he haue .¶Grace gaf to piers a teme / of foure grete oxen .1That one was luk a large best / & a lowe cherde .3Mark & Mathew þe þredde / myghti beste boþe .4And Ioyned to hem on Iohan / most gentile of all* .The prise nete of piers plow / passyng al oþer .And siþ grace of his goodnes / gaf piers foure stottes .Fo lxixAl þat þis oxen ered / þai harowed aftre .¶On hyght Austyn / & Ambrose anoþer .And gregorie þe gret clerk / & Ieromie þe goode .This foure þe faiþ to teche / folwed piers teme .And harowed in an hand-while / al holy writte .Wiþ two harowes þat þay hadde / an old & a newe . id est. vetus testamentum & nouum .And gaf piers grayn / Cardinal vertues .And sewe it in mansoule / & seiþ he told here names .¶Spiritus prudencie . þe first sede hyght .That who-so ete þat sede / ymagyne sholde .Er he dide any dede / a-vise wel þe ende .And lered men a ladle / to bygge wiþ a long stele .And cast for to kele a crokke / & saue þe fatte above .¶And þe seconde sede is . spiritus temperancie .He þat ete of þat sede / hath soch a kynde .Shal neuere mete ne meschief / make hym swell* .Ne studyyng ne delicious metes / oute of skyll* bryng .Ne neuere welþ ne wynnyng / of worldlych richesse .Ne wast woord of ydelnesse / ne wykked speche meue .Shal neuere no keroun cloþe / come on his rigge .Ne mete in his mouþ / þat maystre Iohan spyced .¶The þredde sede þat piers sewe / was spiritus fortitudinis .And who so ete of þat sede / hardy was he euere .To soffre al þat god sent / boþe seknes and angre .Ther myght no liere wiþ lesyng / ne no worldly catell* .Make hym for any mornyng / þat he ne was mery in soule .Bold & abydyng / bysmarez to soffre .Allied wiþ pacience . Parce mychi domine .And couerde hym vnder consel / of Caton þe wise .¶Esto forti animo cum sis dampnatus inique .4The ferþe sede þat piers sewe was . spiritus Iusticie .And he þat ete of þat sede / shal be euen treuþ .Wiþ god & not agast / but of gile one .For gyle goþe so pryue / oþer-while þat good faiþ .May not be spedde þorgh . Spiritus iusticie .¶Spiritus Iusticie spareþ not to spill* .Hem þat be gylty / for to corect .The kyng & he falle / at any þing giltyCounteþ he no kynges wraþþe / whan he in court setteTo demen as domesman / a-dradde was he neuere .Neyþer of duk ne of deth / þat he ne doþe þe lawe .For presentz or for praieres or any prince lettresHe doþ equite to al men euen forth his conyng .This foure sedes þis piers sewe & siþ he dide harowe .Wiþ þe old lawe & þe newe þat loue myght waxe .Among þis foure vertues & vices destroen .¶For comunlych in contreys camokes & wedes .Fouleþ þe froyte in þe felde þer þai growe to-gederes .And so doþ vices vertues & for-þi quod piers .Harweþ al þat come kyndewittekynde witte by conseill* of þis doctours .And telleþ aftre here techyng þe cardinal vertues .Aȝens þat þi grayne quod grace begynneþ for to growe .Ordeyn þe an hous piers to herberw in þi corn .By god grace quod piers ȝe most ȝeue me tymbre .And ordein þat hous er ȝe hens wende .And grace gaf hym þe crosse wiþ þe croun of þorn .That Crist vpon Caluarie for mankynde peynede .And of his baptisme & blode þat he bledde on rode .He had a manere morter mercy it hight .And þerwiþ grace began to make a good foundement .& walled it & wowed it wiþ his peyns & passyons .¶And of al holy wrytte he made a rof aftre .And called þis hous vnite holicherche on ynglysh .And whan þis dede was do grace deuisde .A cart þat ben cristendome to carie home piers shaues .And gaf hym caples to his cart contricion & confessionAnd made presthode hayward whils hym-self wenteAs wide as þe world is wiþ piers to tilie treuþ .And þe lond of byleue lawe of holicherche .¶And now is piers to plow pride it aspied .And gadred hym a gret of ost to greue hym he þinkeþ .Conscience & al cristen & cardinal vertues .To blowe hem adoun & breke hem & byte a-two þe rotes .And sent forth circuitours his sergeantz of armes . And his aspie spille loue one speke euyl by-hynde .¶This two come to conscience & to cristen peple .And piers bern wor.tth to-broke þamp; þo þat beþ in vnite .Shold come out & conscience & ȝour two caples .Contricion & confession & ȝour cart byleue .Shal be coloured so queyntly & coiuerde vnder Sofistrie .That conscience shal not know by contrission .Ne by confession were he is cristen or heþen .Fo lxxNe nomanereno manere marchant þat wiþ moneye deleþ .Where he wynne wiþ righright or wiþ wrong or wiþ osorie .With such colours y-armed come pride þamp; queyntise .Wiþ þe lord þat lyueþ aftre þe lawe of his bodye .To wasten in welfare & in wykked kepyng .Al litil worth in a while þorgh oure wytte quod pride .¶Quod conscience to al cristen þo my consail is we wendeHastily in-to vnite & hold we vs þer .And pray we þat pes were in piers bern . þe plowman .For wytterly I wot we be not of strengtheTo goon aȝen pride but grace wiþ vs were .And þan come kyndewitte conscience to teche .He cride a comande al cristen peple .To delue & dyche a depe diche al aboute vnite .That holicherche stonde in holinesse as þogh it were apilea pile .¶Conscience comande þo al cristen to delueAnd make a muche mote þat myght be a strengthe .To help holicherche & hem þat it kepen .Than alkyn Cristen saue comune wymen .Repentid & refused synne saue þai one .And a sysoure & a sompnour þat was forswore oft .Wytyng & wilfully wiþ þe fals þai hold .And for siluer were for-swore / soþly þai wist it .Ther nas cristen creature þat kynde witte hadde .That he ne holpe a quantite holynesse to waxe .Som by bedes byddyng & som by pylgrimages .Ouþer 0þer priue penaunce & som þorgh pens delyng .¶And þan watre walwed for wikked werkes .Egrelych rynnyng oute of mens eyen .Clennes of Commune & clerkes of clene lyuyng .Made vnite holycherche in holinesse stonde .¶I care not quod conscience þogh pride come nowe .The lord of lust shal be bete al þis lente I hope .Comeþ now quod conscience ȝe cristen & dyneþ .That haue labourde lelly al þis lente tyme .Nota de corpore . christi .note þis wellHere is ...?...liknes of breed & goddesbodygoddes body þer-ondre . Grace gaf þorgh goddes word to piers plowman power .And myght to maken it & men to eten it .In helpe of here hele ones in amonþea monþe .Or as oft as þai had nede þo þat hadde payed .To piers pardon þe plowman . redde quod debes.How quod þe commune / consaillest þou vs to ȝelde .Al þat we owen any wyght / or we go to housell* .That is my consail quod conscience / & cardinale vertue .Or eche man for-ȝif oþer / & þat wil þe paternoster .¶Et dimitte nobis debita nostra sicut & nos & cetera .And so to ben assoilled / & siþ to ben houslede .ȝe bawe quod a brewere / I wil not be reuled .By Ihesu for al ȝowre ianlyngianglyng/ aftreSpiritus Iusticie .Ne aftre conscience by crist / for I couþ sell .Boþe dragges & draf / & drawe at one hopehole .Thikke ale & þin ale / þat is my kynde .And not to hakke aftre holynesse .Hold þi tonge quod Conscience .Of Spiritus Iusticie þou spekest muche ydle .Caytif quod conscience / þou corsed wrecche .vnblyssed artow brewere / but if god þe helpe .But if þou lyue by lore / of . Spiritus Iusticie . The chief sede þat piers sewe / I-saued worth þou neuere .But conscience þe come & sede / & cardinal vertue .Leue it wel we beþ lost / boþe lyf & soule .¶Than is many man lost / quod a lewed vicarie .I am a curatour of holycherche / & come neuere in my tyme .Man to me þan couþ tell* / of Cardinale vertues .Or þat acounted conscience / at a coke fethere .I knew neuere Cardinal / þat he ne come fro þe pope .And we clerkes whan þay come / for here comunes paie .For here pelour & palfray mete / & pilours þat hem folweThe comune . clamat cotidie . eche man to oþer .The contre contre>contre is þe cursedere / þer cardinal come in .And þer þai ligge & lenge most / lecherie þer regneþ .¶For-þi quod þis vicarie / by verra god I wold .That no cardinal come / among þe comune peple .But in here holynesse / holde hem still* .At auinon among Iues . cum sancto & sanctus eris .Or in rome as here reule wolde / þe relikes to kepe .And þou conscience in kynges Court / and shuld neuere go þens .And grace þat þou gredes so / of a gyour oof clerkes .And piers wiþ his newe plowgh / & his olde boþe .Emperour of al þe world / þat al men were cristende .Inparfite is þe pope / þat al þe peple shold helpe .And sowdeþ men to sle hem / þat he shold saue .Fo lxxiAc wel worch piers þe ploweman / þat pursued god in doyng .¶Qui pluit super iustos & iniustos . at ones .And sendeþ þe sone to saue / corsed mans tylth .As brygh*bryght as to þe best man / or þe best woman .So piers þe plowman / peyneþ hym to tilie .As wel for a wastour / or a wenche of þe styues .As for hym-self or his seruantz / saue he is first serued .And blyssed be piers plowman / þat peyneþ hem to tilie .And trauailleþ for a traytour as sore .As for a trewe tydy man / al tyme ylyche .And worship be he þat al wroght / boþe goode & wykke .And soffred hem þat synful be / til tyme þat hem repent .And god amende þe pope / þat pileþ holycherche .And cleymeþ befor þe kyng / to be kepere of holicherch .And acounteþ at noght / þogh a cristen man be kylled & robbed .And fyndeþ folk to fyght / aȝen Cristen pepleAȝen þe lawe bothe old & newe / as luk bereþ witnesse .¶Non occides for michi vindictam .Sikerly it semeþ be so / þat hym-self had his will* .That he recheþ right noght / of al þat oþer remanant .And Crist of his Curtasie / þe Cardinals saue .And torne here witte to wisdom / & welþ to here soules .For þis communes quod þe curatour/ counten ful litill* .The consail of Conscience / or cardinal vertues .But if it torne as by sight / somwhat to wynnyng .Of gyle ne of gabbyng / gyf þai neuere tale .For Spiritus prudencie . among þe peple is gyle .And two faire vertues / ac vices þai seme .Eche soteleþ a sleght / synne to hyde .And coloureþ it for conyng / & clene lyuyng .Than logh þer a lord / & by þe lyght saide .I holde it right & reson / to take of my reue .Al þat myn auditours / or elles my stiward .Conseilleþ me be here acountes / & my clerkes wayten .Wiþ . Spiritus intellectus . þai toke þe reue þe rolles .And wiþ . Spiritus fortitudinis . feche it nyl he will* he .¶Than come þer a kyng / & by hys coron saide .I am a kyng wiþ croune / comune to reule .And holycherch & clergie / fro corsed men to fende .And if me lak to lyue by / þe lawe wil þat I take .Ther I may haue it hastilychest / for I am hede of all* .Siþe I am ȝoure allere hede . I am ȝoure aller hele .And holycherche chief help . & cheften of þe comune .And what I take of ȝow .to w I take it þorgh techyng .Of . Spiritus Iusticie . for Iuge ȝow all* .So I may boldlych be houseld . for I borwe neuere .Ne craue of my Comune . but as my kynde askeþ .In . condicione . quod Consciencie . þat þou conne deffende .And reule þi reume in reson . right wel & trouþ .That þou haue þin askyng . as þe lawe will* .¶Omnia sunt tua ad defendendum set non ad depre...?...dandum .The vicarie had fer home & þerfore toke his leue .And I wakede þer-wiþ & wrote þat I mette .Capi xxiiij & vltimoij passus de dobestaANd as I went by þe way . whan I was þus awaked .Heuy cherde I ȝede . & eyllyng in hert .For I ne wyst where to ete . ne in what place .And it neghed ney þe none . & wiþ nede .I. mette .That afrounted me foul . & faitour me called .Canstow not he sayde excuse þe . as þe kyng did & oþer .That þou toke to lyue by . & sustenance & cloþesAnd by techyng & tellyng . of . spiritus temperancie .And þat þou nemed nomore . þan nede þe taght .Nede haþ no lawe . ne neuere shal fall in dette .For þre þinges þat he takeþ . his lyf for to saue .That is mete whan men hym warne . for he no moneye weldeþ .And he cache it in þat case . & come þerto be sleight .Soþly he synneþ not . þat so wynneþ his fode .And þogh he come so to a cloþe . & conne no bettre cheuisance .Nede nemeþ hym anon . vnder his maynprise .And ȝeueþ hym lust for to lape . lawe of kynde will .That he drink of eche dishe . er he die for þorst .So nede at gret nede . may nyme as for his owen .Wiþ consail of Conscience . or cardinal vertues .So þat he sowe & saue . ¶Spiritus temperancie .Nouþer . Spiritus Iusticie . ne. ¶Spiritus fortitudinis .For . Spiritus fortitudinis . forfeteþ wel ofte .He shal do more þan mesure . many tyme & ofte .And beten men ouer bitter. & som men to litil .And greue men grettere . þan good faiþ wold .And . spiritus Iusticie . shal iugge nyll he well heAftre þe kynges consaill . & þe comune like .Fo lxxijAnd . Spiritus prudencie . in many folk shal faill .Of þat he weneþ wil fall . if þat his witte ne were .Wenyng ne is wisdom . ne wyse ymaginacion .¶Homo proponit & deus disponit . god gouerneþ alle.Gode vertues nex is nede for anon he makeþ .As is as lowe a lombe for hym lakkeþ þat hym nedeþ .For nede makeþ nedy for nede loue hie or drede .Filosopheres forsoke welþ . for þai woll be nedy .And woned wel aillyngly . for þai wold not be riche .And god al his gret ioye . gostliche he left .And come and toke mankynde . & become ful nedy .He was so nedy sayþ þe book . in many sondri place .That he sayde in his sorwe . on þe self rode .Boþe foxxe & foules . & many fle to hole & on trees lepe .And þe fishe han fynnes . for to swyme wiþ to rest .Ther nede haþ take me so . þat nede I most abyde .And soffie sorwe som . þat shal to ioye torn .For þi be not abashed to bidde . if þou be nedy .Syn he þat wroght al þe world . was wilfullych nedy .Neuere noon so nedi . ne so pore dide .Whan nede had vndernome me þus . anoon I fel aslepe .And mette ful merueillously . þat in a mans forme .Antecrist come þan . & al þe crop of trouþ .Torned vpsadon . & til vp þe rote .And made fals sprynge & sprede . & spede men nedes .In yche a contre þer he come . he conged a way trouþ .And gart gyle growe þer. as he a god were .Freres folwed þat fend . for he ȝaf hem coppes .And religious reuerensed hym . & rongen here belles .And al þe couent þo come . to welcome þe tiraunt .And al his as well as hem self . saue onlyche foles .Whiche foles . were gladdere to die .Than to lyue lengere . so lellete was rebouked .And a fals fend antecrist . ouer folk regned .That were mylde men & holy . & no meschief dredde .But deffended al falsnes . & þe folk þat it vsed .+And what comfort hem knowyng here gyle .Thay corsed hem & here consaill . were it clerk oþer lewed .Antecrist þus sone . had hondreþes at his bener .+And pride bar þat banere boldelych aboute.Wiþ a lord þat lyueþ . aftre lykyng of his body .And come aȝeyns conscience þat kepere was & gyour .Ouer kynde Cristen & Cardinale of vertues . ¶I consail quod Conscience þo ȝe come wiþ me ȝe foles .Into vnite holycherche hold we vs þere .And crie we to kynde þat he come & defende vs .Fro þe fendeslymes piers frende þe plowman .And crie we on al þe comune þat þai come to vnite .And þerto abide & becre aȝens belials childre .Kynde herde þo conscience & come oute of þe planetes .And sent forth his forgoers feuers & flyxxe .Brysynges & cardiaches craunpes & toothaches .Remies & radegundes reues & scabbes .Byles & bocches & brynnyng anguysshe .Frantiks & foule eyuls þis forage® of kynde .Had oerpriked & affrayde many polles of pepleLargelych a legion lorn þe lyf sone .¶Ther was harrow & help here comeþkynde . —Wiþ deþ þat is dredful to vndo vs alleThe lord þat lyued aftre lust þo aloude cride .Aftre comfort a knyght to come & bere his banere .Allarum Alarum . quod þe lord eche lyf kepe his owen .That mette þis men wiþ deþ er mynstrals myght pipe .And er heraudes of armes had dyscryued lordes .Eld þe hore þo was in þe vautward .And bare þe banere before deþ by right he it cleymed .And kynd come aftre hym wiþ many kyn sores .As pokkes & pestilence & muche peple shent .¶So kynde þorgh corrupcion kylled ful many . —And deþ come dryuyng aftre & al to deþ pushed.Kynges & knyghtes caysers & popes .Lered ne lewed he left noman stondyng .That he hitte euen styred neuere aftre .Many a louely lady for here lemans knyghtes .Swoned & swelted for sorwe of deþes dyntes .¶Tho consciencie of his curtasie kynde besoght . —To sesen & soffre & se where þay wolde .Leue pride purelych & be parfit Cristen .And kynde seced þo to se þe peple amende .Fortune gan flatere þo þe fewe þat we alyue .And be hight hem longe lyf & lecherie he sent .Among al maner men wedde & vnwedded .And gadred a grete ..Fo lxxiijAnd gadered a gret oft al aȝen Conscience .This lecherie layd on wiþ a laghyng chere .And wiþ priue speche & wiþ peynted woordes .And armede hem in to ydelnesse & in hie beryng .He bar a bowe on his hond & many brode arwes .That were fethered wiþ faire behest & many fals trouþes .And wiþ vntidie tales he tened will oft .Conscience and his companie of al holycherche .¶Than come Couetise & cast how he myght —And armed hym in auarice & hongrelyche lyued .His wepne was al wils to wynnen & to hyde .Wiþ glosyng wiþ gabbyng he begyled þe peple .Symonie hym sewed to assaillen conscience .And preced on þe pape & prelates þai made .To hold wiþ Antecrist here temperalte to saue .And come to kynges Consaill as kene barons .And knokked Conscience in þe Court before hem alle .And gart good faiþ to fle & falnesse abide .And boldlych bare adoun wiþ many a bygge noble .Muche of þe witte & wysdom of Westminster halle .He iogled to a iustice & rostled in his ere .And ouertilt al his trouþ wiþ take þis on amendement .And to þe Arches in hast he hied anon after .And corned Ciuile into Simonie & siþ toke þo officialle .For a meniuere mantell he made lele matrimonie .Departed er deþ come & atte dore shift .¶Allas quod Concience & cride wold Crist of his grace . —That Couetise were cristen þat is so kene to fight .Bold & abydyng whils his bagges lasten .And þan logh lewed lyf & lete dagge his cloþes .And held holynesse a iape & hendenesse a wastour .And held leute a churll & lythernesse a ffreman .Conscience & his conseill counted it folye .Thus roylled lyf for a litil ffortune .And priked forth wiþ pride prayseþ no vertue .Ne careþ how kynd slowe & shal come atte last .And kyll al worldly creatures saue conscie one .¶Lyf þo flow asyde & laght hem a lemman. And hele & eche saide hoo & heuinesse of hert .Shal do þe not to drede neþer deþ ne elde .And to forȝete ȝouþ & ȝif noght of synne .This lyked lyf & fortune his lemman .And gaten in here glorie a goillyng atte last .One þat muche woo wroght slouþ was his name .¶Slouþ waxxe wondre ȝern & sone was of age.And weddede one wanhope a wenche of þe styues .Here sire was a Sysour þat neuere swoor trouþ.And on Thom two tonged a teynt a eche aquest .This slouþe was sliȝ of were & made hym a slenge .And þrew drede of despaire a doȝein mile aboute .For I care & Conscience cride þo vpon elde .And bad hym fonde to fight & afere wanhope .¶Elde þo hent goodhope & astylych shrof hym . —And wayued away wanhope & wiþ lyf he feghteþ .And lyf fle ful fere to ffysyk aftre help .And besoght hym of his salue þat he hadde .And gaf hym gold good woone þat gladeþ here hertes .And þay gafen again a glasen hose .Lyf leued þat lechecraft shauld make hym Elde .And to dryue away deþ wiþ riche metes & drynkes .Eld antred hym on lyf & atte last he hitte .A ffysician wiþ a furred hode þat he fel in a palasie .And þer died þat doctour er þre days aftre .¶Now I se sayde lyf þat surgerie ne fysike . —May not a myte availl to medle aȝens elde .And in hope of his hele good hert he hent .And rode so to a place þat is riche & mery .The companye of comfort me clepeded som tyme .And held hasted aftre hym & ouer myn hede he ȝede .And made me balled before & bare vpon þe croun .So harde he ȝede on myn hede it wil be sone euere .Sire evil taght elde quod I vnhende go wiþ þe .Siþ whan was þe hey way ouer mens hedes .Haddest ben hende þou woldest han asked leue .¶ȝe leue lurdeyn quod he & layde on me wiþ age . —And hitte me vnder þe erre þat vnneþe may here .He buffette me so aboute þe mouþ he put out my wytes .And gyued me wiþ goutes þat I may not go at large .And of þe wo þat I was in my lyfwif hadde rouþe .And wyshed wel witterly þat I were in heuene .For þe lyme þat she loued me fore & lef was to fele .And namelycche on nyghtes whan we naked were .Fo lxxiiijI ne myght in no maner make it at here will .For eld & sho it hadde forfaynted & forbeten .And as I satte in þis sowe I saw how kynde passed .¶And deþ drogh & neyhed me for drede þo gan I quake . —And cride carfully to kynde out of care me brynge .Lo how eld þe hore haþ me besey .A wreke me ȝif ȝowre wil be for I wold be hens .Ȝif þou wilt be a wroke wende in to vnite .And hold þe þere euere still al I sende aftre the .And loke þou come som craft er þou come þens .Conseil me quod .I. to kynde what craft were best to lere .Lerne to loue quod kynde & leue al oþer þinges .How shal I come to catal so to cloþe me & fede .And þou loue lelly lak shalt þou neuere .Wede ne worldly mete while þi lyf lasteþ .¶And þorgh þe consail of kynde I come to rome . —Thorgh contricion & confession til I come to vnity .Ther was Conscience conestable cristen to saue .He was beseged soþly wiþ seuene gret geantz .That wiþ antecrist held harde aȝens conscience .Slouþ was his sleng an hardy saut he made .Proude prestes come wiþ hym passyng an hondreþ .In paltokes & pyked shos & yrish longe knyves .Thay come aȝens conscience wiþ coueitise þay helden .¶Be þe Mary quod a mansed prest was of þe marche of Irlande . —I a counte conscience nomore so I cache siluer .Than I do to dryng a draght of good ale .And so seyde sixty of þe same contray .And shote aȝen hym wiþ shote many a gret oþe .And brode hoked arwes goddes hert & his naylles .And hadde almost vnite & holynesse adoun .¶Conscience cride help cleregie or I falle . —Thorgh inparfite prestes & plates of holycherche .Freres herd hym crie & come hem to helpe .Ac for þai couþ not wel þe craft conscience forsake hem .Nede ȝede þo nere to conscience he told .That þai come for couetise to haue cure of soule .And for þai ern pore parantere & patrimonie hem failleþ .They wel flatere to fare well to folk þat ben riche .And siþ þay chesen chele & caityfs pouerte .Late hem chewe as þay haue chose & charge hem wiþ noo cure .Ful oft he lyeþ & sayþ / his lyflode he most begge .Than he þat laboureþ for his lyflode / & leueþ it to beggers .And siþ freres forsoke / þe felicite of erthe .Late hem lyue as beggeres / or lyue by angels fode .¶Conscience of þis consail / comsed to lagh.And curtaysly confort hem / & called in all freres .And saide sirs soþly / wel come be ȝe alle .To vnite & to holicherche / ac o þing I ȝow praye .Hold ȝow in vnite / & haueþ noon enuie .To lered ne to lewed / but hold aftre ȝoure reule .And i myself shal be ȝoure borgh . ȝe shal haue brede & cloþe .And oþer necessaries ynowe / ȝe shul no þing lakke .So þat ȝe loue logyk / & lerne for to loue .For ofte lasten lordshipp boþe lond & scole .Frere ffraunceys & dominike / for loue to ben holy .And if ȝe coueyte Cure / kynde wil ȝow telle .That in mesure god made / al maner þinges .And sette it atte a certayn / & at a sykre nombre .And nempned hem names / & nombred þe sterres .¶Qui numerat multitudinem stellarum . —Kynges & knyghtes / þat reumes kepe & defende .Han officers vnder hem / & eche of hem a certain .And if þai wage hem to werre / þay wryte hem in noumbre .Wil no tresore take hem wages trauail þai neuere so sore .But þai be nempned in þe nombre / of hem þat ben waged .Al oþer in bataille / beþ hold but bribours .Pelours & pykeharneys / & in eche parish acorsed .Monkes & monyals / & alle men of religion .Here ordre and here reule / wil haue a certayn nombre .Of lered & of lewed / þe lawe wil & askeþ .A certayn for acerteyna certeyn / saue onlych of freres .Forþi quod conscience by crist / kynde witte me telleþ .It is wykked to wage ȝowe / ȝe waxxe out of nombre .Forþi I wold witterly / þat ȝe were in registre.And ȝowre nombre vnder notarie signe / neþer more ne lesse .¶Envye herd þis / & bad freres go to skole .And lerne logyk & lawe / & eke contemplacion .And preche men of plato / & proue it by seneca .That alle þing vnder heuen / oweþ to be in commune .He lieþ as I leue / þat to þe lewed so precheþ .For god made to men a lawe / & moyses it taght .Fo lxxv¶Non concupissces rem proximi tui . —And vnite is þis I hold / in parischez of ynglond .For persons & parish prestes / þat þe peple shold shryue .They beþ curatours ycalled / to knowe & to hele .And al þat beþ h.ir parishens / here penance to engeon .And ben ashamed in here shryft / ac shame makeþ hem wende .To fle to þe freres / as fals men do to westminster .That borwe & bere þedre / & þan bydde frendes .Ȝern of forȝefnes / or lengere ȝers lene Ac þe while he is at westminster / he wil be before .And make hym mery / wiþ oþer men goode .So it fareþ be muche folk þat to þe freres shryue hym .All as sysour & sectours / þay shuld ȝeue the freres .A parcel to pray for hym / & make hem mery .Wiþ þe remenant of þe godes / þat oþer men beswonke .And soffre þe dede in dette / to þe day of dome .¶Enuye herefore / hated conscience . —And freres to phelosophie / he fonde to scole .The while couetise & vnkyndenesse / assailled conscience .In vnite holicherche / conscience held hym .And made pes portere / to pynne þe ȝate .All tale tellers & tyterers in ydell .Ypocrisie & þay / an herd saute made .Ypocrysie atte ȝate / herd þe couent fyght .And wounded wykedly / many a wys techere .That wiþ conscience acorded / & cardynal vertues .¶Conscience called a leche / þat couþe wel shryue . —To salue þo þat seke were / & þorgh synne wounde .Shrift shope sharpe salue & made men to do penaunce .For here mysdedes / þat þai wroght hadde .And þat piers pardon were payede . Redde quod debes .Som like not þis leche / and lettres þai sent .Yf any sorgeours were in þat sege / þat softere couþ playstre .Sire loþ to lene lecherie / lay þer & grouned .For fastyns of frydays / he ferd as he wolde die .Ther is a sourgeon in þis sege þat softere can handle .And more can of fysyke . be fere & fayrere can plaster .O frere a flatere is a fosician & surgeon .¶Quod contricion to conscience late hym come to vnite .For here is many amana man y hurt þorgh ypocrisie .We haue no nede quod Conscience I wot no bettre leche .Neyþer person ne parsh prest / pentencer ne byshope .Than piers þe plowman / þat haþ power ouer vs alle .And indulgence may graunt / but if dette it lette .¶I may we soffre quod conscience / siþ ȝe desiren .That þe frere be fette / to visite ȝow sike .The frere hereof herd / and hiede fast .To a lord for a lettre / to haue leue to shryue .As þogh a curatour he were / and come wiþ his lettres .Boldly to þe byshope / & his bref hadde .In contrays þere he come / confession to here .And come þer conscience was / & kneled atte ȝate .And pes opende it / þat was portere of vnite .And in hast he asked / what his wille were .¶In fayth quod þe frere / for profite and for hele .Carpe I wille wiþ contricion / & þerfor .I. come hidre .He is sayde pes / & so er many oþer .Ypocrisie haþ hurt hym / ful harde it is if euer he come .I am a surgion quod þe frere / & salue can I make .Conscience knoweþ me wel / & wote what I can don .I pray þe quod pes / er þou passe ferther .What hightestow I pray þe / wiþ hele not þi name .¶Certes sayd his felowe sire . Penetrans domos .Ȝe go þi gate quod pes / foor good for alle þi fisyke .But þou come oþer craft / þou comest not herin .I knewe suche one ones / noght eigh wyntre passed .Come in þus coped / at a court þer I dwelled .He was my lordes leche / & my ladyes bothe .And atte last þis limitour / þo my lord was oute .He salued so oure wymen / til som were wiþ chylde .¶Hende speche bad pes þo / open þe ȝates .And late in þe frere & his felowe / & make hem faire chere .He may se & here / so it may be falle .That lyf þorgh his lore / shal leue couetise .And to be dradde of deþ / & drawe hym fro pride .And accorded wiþ conscience / & curtaysly hem grette .Thow art welcome quod conscience / my Cosyn is wounded .Confort hym quod he / & take hede to his sores.The plastre of oure person / & þe poudres beþ so sore .He lateþ hym ligge ouer longe / & loþ is to chaunge .For leute to leute / he lateþ þis plastres bite .That is ouer longe quod þis limitour .I..I. leue .I. shal it amende .Fo lxxviHe goþ and gropeþ contrission / & gaf hym a plastre .Of a priue paiement / & I shal pray for ȝowe .And for h[extra arch of h]em þat ȝe ar to hole al my lyf tyme .And make ȝow my lady in messe & in matyns .As a frere of oure fraternite for a litel siluer .¶Thus he gooþ & gadreþ / & gloseþ þer he shryueþ .Til contricion had clene forȝete / to crie & wepe & wake .For his wikked werkes / as he was wont before .Thorgh comfort of his confessour / contrission he left .That is þe souerein salue / for alkyn synne .And now slouþ se þat / & so dide pride .And come wiþ a kene knyf conscience to assail .¶Conscience cride aftre clergie to come & help hym .And badde contrission to come / & helpe to kepe þe ȝate .He liþ adreynt sayde pes & so doþ many anoþer .The frere wiþ his fisike / þis folk haþ enchaunted .And doþ men drynk dowale / þat men drede no synne .By Crist quod conscience þo / I wil be come a pilgrym .And wende as wide / as þe world regneþ .To seke piers plowman / þat mygh pride destroie .And þat freres had a fyndyng / þat for nede flateren .And contreplede me conscience now kynde me avenge .And sende me happe & hele / til I haue piers plowman .And siþ he gradde aftre grace til I gan awake .And when I wos wytterly awakyd // I wrote all thys dreameAnd theys mervellys þat I met // on mawlverne hyllysIn a seyson of sommer / as I softe nappydFor þe peeple after ther power / wold persen after dowellThat ys treysure moost tryed // and tryacle at needeNow god gravnt vs hys grace / to make a good endAnd bryng vs all to þe blysse // as he bowghte vs on þe Roode // amen. Explicit . tractatus piers plowman nominatus .R HRichard Grasuenor