fol. 23r (cont.)fol. 23r
Passus quintus de visione vt supra
The kyng and hise knyȝtes . to þe kirke wente
To here matyns of þe day . and þe masse after
Thanne waked I of my wynkyng . and wo was with-alle
That I ne hadde slept sadder . and yseiȝen moore
Ac er I hadde faren a furlong . feyntise me hente
That I ne myȝte ferþer a foot . for defaute of slepynge
And sat softely adoun . and seide my bileue
And so I bablede on my bedes . þei brouȝte me aslepe
And þanne sauȝ I muche moore . þan I bifore of tolde
For I seiȝ þe feld ful of folk . þat I bifore of seide
And how Reson gan arayen hym . al þe Reaume to preche
And wiþ a cros afore þe kyng . comsede þus to techen
He preued þat þise pestilences . were for pure synne
And þe Southwestrene wynd . on Saterday at euen
Was pertliche for pure pride . and for no point ellis
Pyries and Plumtrees . were puffed to þe erþe
In ensample þat ye segges . sholden do þe bettre
Beches and brode okes . were blowen to þe grounde
fol. 23vfol. 23v
Turned vpward hire tailes . in tokenynge of drede
That dedly synne er domes-day . shal for-doon hem alle
Of þis matere I myȝte . mamelen ful longe
Ac I shal seye as I sauȝ . so me god helpe
How pertly afore þe peple . Reson bigan to preche
He bad wastour go werche . what he best kouþe
And wynnen his wastyng . wiþ som maner crafte
He preide Pernele . hir purfil to lete
And kepe it in hire cofre . for catel at hire nede
Tomme Stowue he tauȝte . to take two staues
And fecche Felice hom . fro þe wyuen pyne
He warnede watte . his wif was to blame
For hire heed was worþ half marc . & his hood noȝt worþ a groteC
And bad Bette kutte . a bouȝ ouþer tweye
And bete Beton þer-with . but if she wolde werche
And þanne he chargede Chapmen . to chastizen hir children
Late no wynnyng hem forwanye . while þei be yonge
Ne for no poustee of pestilence . plese hem noȝt out of reson
My sire seide so to me . and so dide my dame
That þe leuere child . þe moore loore bihoueþ
And Salomon seide þe same . þat Sapience made
Qui parcit virge odit filium
The englissh of þis latyn is . who-so wole it knowe
Who-so spareþ þe spryng . spilleþ hise children
And siþen he prechedeT prelates . and preestes togideres
That ye prechen to þe peple . preue it on yow-selue
fol. 24rfol. 24r
And dooþ it in dede . it shal drawe yow to goode
If ye leuen as ye leren vs . we shul leue yow þe bettre
And siþen he radde Religion . hir rule to holde
Lest þe kyng and his conseil . youre comunes apeireC
And be Stywardes of youre stedes . til ye be ruled bettre
And siþen he counseiled þe kyng . his commune to louye
It is þi trewe tresorT . and tryacle at þy nede
And siþen he preide þe pope . haue pite on holy chirche
And er he gyue any grace . gouerne first hym-selue
And ye þat han lawes to kepe . lat truþe be youre coueitise           N
Moore þan gold ouþer giftes . if ye wol god plese           N
For who-so contrarieþ truþe . he telleþ in þe gospel
That god knoweþ hym noȝt . ne no Seynt of heuene
Amen dico vobis . nescio vos
And ye þat seke Seynt Iames . and Seyntes of Rome
Sekeþ Seynt Truþe . for he may saue yow alle
Qui cum patre & filio . þat faire hem bifalle
That seweþ my sermon . and þus seyde Resoun
Thanne ran Repentaunce . and reherced his teme
And garte wille to wepe . water wiþ hise eiȝen
C Pernele proudherte . platte hire to þe erþe
And lay longe er she loked . and lord mercy cryde
And bihiȝte to hym . þat vs alle made
She sholde vnsowen hir serk . and sette þere an heyre
To affaiten hire flessh . þat fiers was to synne
Shal neuere heiȝ herte me hente . but holde I woleT me lowe
fol. 24vfol. 24v
And suffre to be mysseyd . and so dide I neuere
But now I woleT meke me . and mercy biseche
For al þis I haue . hated in myn herte
C Thanne lechour seide allas . and on oure lady he cryde
To maken mercy for hise mysdedes . bitwene god and his soule
Wiþ þat he sholde þe Saterday . seuen yer þer-after
Drynke but myd þe doke . and dyne but ones
C Enuye wiþ heuy herte . asked after shrifte
And carefully mea culpa . he comsed to shewe
He was as pale as a pelet . in þe palsy he semed
And cloþed in a kaurymaury . I kouþe it nouȝt discryue
In kirtel and Courtepy . and a knyf by his syde
Of a Freres frokke . were þe foresleues
And as a leek þat hadde yleye . longe in þe sonne
So loked he wiþ lene chekes . lourynge foule
His body was to-bollen for wraþe . þat he boot hise lippes
And wryngynge he yede with þe fust . to wreke hym-self he þouȝte
With werkes or wiþ wordes . whan he seyȝe his tyme
Ech a word þat he warp . was of a Neddres tonge
Of chidynge and of chalangynge . was his chief liflode
Wiþ bakbitynge and bismere . and berynge of fals witnesseT
I wolde ben yshryue quod þis sherewe . and I for shame dorste
I wolde be gladder by god . þat Gybbe hadde meschaunce
Than þouȝ I hadde þis wouke ywonne . a weye of Essex chese
I haue a neȝebore by me . I haue anoyed hym ofte
And lowen on hym to lordes . to doon hym lese his siluer
And maad his frendes be his foon . þoruȝ my false tonge
His grace and his goode happes . greuen me ful soore
fol. 25rfol. 25r
Bitwene manye and manye . I make debate ofte           N
That boþe lif and lyme . is lost þoruȝ my speche
And whan I mete hym in Market . þat I moost hate
I hailse hym hendely . as I his frend were
For he is douȝtier þan I . I dar do noon ooþer
Ac hadde I maistrie and myȝt . god woot my wille
And whan I come to þe kirk . and sholde knele to þe Roode
And preye for þe peple . as þe preest techeþ
For Pilgrymes and for Palmeres . for al þe peple after
Thanne I crye on my knees . þat crist ȝyue hem sorwe
That berenT awey my bolle . and my broke shete
Awey fro þe Auter þanne . turne I myne eiȝen
And biholdeT Eleyne . haþ a newe cote
I wisshe þanne it were myn . and al þe web after
And of mennes lesyngeC I lauȝe . þat likeþ myn herte
And for hir wynnynge I wepe . and waille þe tyme
And deme þat þei doon ille . þere I do wel werse           N
Who-so vndernymeþ me her-of . I hate hym dedly after
I wolde þat ech a wight . were my knaue
For who-so haþ moore þan I . þat angreþ me soore
And þus I lyue louelees . lik a luþer dogge
That al my body bolneþ . for bitter of my galle
I myȝte noȝt ete many yeres . as a man ouȝte
For enuye and yuel wil . is yuel to defie
May no sugre ne swete þyng . aswage my swellyng
Ne no Diapenidion . dryue it fro myn herte
Ne neiþer shrifte ne shame . but who-so shrape my mawe
Ȝis redily quod Repentaunce . and radde hym to þe beste
Sorwe of synnes . is sauacion of soules
fol. 25vfol. 25v
I am sory quod þat segge . I am but selde ooþer
And þat makeþ me þus megre . for I ne may me venge
Amonges Burgeises haue I be . dwellyng at Londoun
And gart bakbityng be a brocour . to blame mennes ware
Whan he solde and I nouȝt . þanne was I redy
To lye and to loure on my neȝebore . and to lakke his chaffare
I wole amende þis if I may . þoruȝ myȝt of god almyȝty
C Now awakeþ Wraþe . wiþ two white eiȝen           N
And neuelynge wiþ þe nose . and his nekke hangyng
I am wraþe quod he . I was som-tyme a frere
And þe Couentes Gardyner . for to graffen Impes
On lymitours and listres . lesynges I ymped
Til þei beere leues of lowe speche . lordes to plese
And siþen þei blosmede abrood . in boure to here shriftes
And now is fallen þer-of a fruyt . þat folk han wel leuere
Shewen hire shriftes to hem . þan shryue hem to hir persons
And now persons han parceyued . þat freres parte wiþ hem
Thise possessioners preche . and depraue freres
And freres fyndeþ hem in defaute . as folk bereþ witnesse
That whan þei preche þe peple . in many places aboute
I wraþe walke wiþ hem . and wisse hem of my bokes
Thus þei speken of my spiritualte . þat eiþer despiseþ ooþer
Til þei be boþe beggers . and by my spiritualte libben
Or ellis al riche . and ryden aboute
I wraþe reste neuere . þat I ne moste folwe
This wikked folk . for swich is my grace
I haue an Aunte to Nonne . and an Abbesse boþe
Hir hadde leuere swowe or swelte . þan suffre any peyne
fol. 26rfol. 26r
I haue be cook in hir kichene . and þe Couent serued
Manye Monþes wiþ hem . and wiþ Monkes boþe
I was þe Prioresse potager . and oþere pouere ladies
And maad hem Ioutes of Ianglyng . þat dame Iohane was a bastard
And Dame Clarice a knyȝtes douȝter . ac a cokewold was hir sire
And Dame Pernele a preestes fyle . Prioresse worþ she neuere
For she hadde child in chirietyme . al oure Chapitre it wiste
Of wikkede wordes . I wraþe hire wortes made
Til þow lixt and þow lixt . lopen out atones / at ones
And eiþer hite / hit[t]eT ooþer . vnder þe cheke
Hadde þei had knyues by crist . hir eiþer hadde kild ooþer
Seint Gregory was a good pope . and hadde a good forwit
That no Prioresse were preest . for þat he ordeyned
They hadde þanne ben Infamis þe firste day . þei kan so yuele hele co[unseil]T
Among Monkes I myȝte be . ac many tyme I shonye itT
For þere ben manye felle frekes . my feeris to aspie
Boþe Priour and Suppriour . and oure Pater Abbas
And if I telle any tales . þei taken hem togideres
And doon me faste frydayes . to breed and to watre
And am chalanged in þe Chapitre-hous . as I a child were
And baleised on þe bare ers . and no brech bitwene
For-þi haue I no likyng . wiþ þo leodes to wonye
I ete þere vnþende fissh . and feble ale drynke
Ac ouþer while whan wyn comeþ . þanneT I drynke wyn at eue
AndT haue a flux of a foul mouþ . wel fyue dayes after
Al þe wikkednesse þat I woot . by any of oure breþeren
I couþe it in oure Cloistre . þat al oure Couent woot it
Now repente þee quod Repentaunce . and reherce þow neuere
Counseil þat þow knowest . by contenaunce ne by riȝt
And drynk nat ouer-delicatly . ne to depe neiþer           N
fol. 26vfol. 26v
That þi wille by cause þer-of . to wraþe myȝte turne           N
Esto sobrius he seide . and assoiled me after
And bad me wilne to wepe . my wikkednesse to amende
C And þanne cam Coueitise . kan I hym naȝt discryue
So hungrily and holwe . sire heruy hym loked
He was bitelbrowed . and baberlipped also
Wiþ two blered eiȝen . as a blynd hagge
And as a leþeren purs . lolled hise chekes
Wel sidder þan his chyn . þei chyueled for elde
And as a bonde-man of his bacon . his berd was bidraueled
Wiþ an hood on his heed . a lousy hat aboue
And in a tawny tabard . of twelf wynter age
Al to-torn and baudy . and ful of lys crepyng
But if þat a lous couþe . han lopen þe bettre           N
She sholde noȝt han walked on þat welþe . so was it þredbare           N
I haue ben coueitous quod þis caytif . I biknowe it here
For som-tyme I serued . Symme atte Style
And was his prentice ypliȝt . his profit to wayte
First I lerned to lye . a leef ouþer tweyne           N
Wikkedly to weye . was my firste lesson           N
To wy and to wynchestre . I wente to þe Feyre
Wiþ many manere marchaundise . as my maister me hiȝte
Ne hadde þe grace of gyle ygo . amonges my chaffare
It hadde ben vnsold þis seuen yer . so me god helpe
Thanne drouȝ I me among drapiers . my donet to lerne
To drawe þe liser along . þe lenger it semed
Among þe riche Rayes . I rendred a lesson
To broche hem wiþ a paknedle . and playteT hem togideres
And putte hem in a presse . and pyneT hem þer-Inne
Til ten yerdes or twelue . hadde tolled out þrittene
fol. 27rfol. 27r
My wif was a webbe . and wollen cloþ made
She spak to Spynnesteres . to spynnen it oute
Ac þe pound þat she paied by . peised a quartron moore
Than myn owene Auncer . who-so weyed truþe
I bouȝte hire barly malt . she brew it to selle
Peny ale and puddyng ale . she poured togideres
For laborers and for lowe folk . þat lay by hym-selue
The beste ale lay in my bour . or in my bedchambre
And who-so bummed þer-of . bouȝte it þer-after
A galon for a grote . god woot no lesse
And yet it cam In cuppemele . þis craft my wif vsed
Rose þe Regrater . was hir riȝte name
She haþ holden hukkerye . al hire lif-tyme
Ac I swere now so thee ik . þat synne wol I lete
And neuere wikkedly weye . ne wikke chaffare vse
But wenden to walsyngham . and my wif als
And bidde þe Roode of Bromholm . brynge me out of dette
Repentedestow euere quod Repentaunce . or restitucion madest
Ȝis ones I was yherberwed quod he . wiþ an heep of chapmen
I roos whan þei were areste . and riflede hire males
That was no restitucion quod Repentaunce . but a robberis þefte
Thow haddest be þeT bettre worþi . ben hanged þer-fore
Than for al þat . þat þow hast here shewed
I wende riflynge were restitucion quod he . for I lerned neuere rede on boke
And I kan no frenssh in feiþ . but of þe ferþest ende of Northfolk
Vsedestow euere vsurie quod Repentaunce . in al þi lif-tyme
fol. 27vfol. 27v
Nay soþly he seide . saue in my youþe
I lerned among lumbardes . and Iewes a lesson
To weye pens wiþ a peis . and pare þe heuyeste
And lene it for loue of þe cros . to legge a wed and lese it
Swiche dedes I dide write . if he his day breke
I haue mo Manoirs þoruȝ Rerages . þan þoruȝ Miseretur & comodat
I haue lent lordes . and ladies my chaffare
And ben hire brocour after . and bouȝt it my-selue
Eschaunges and cheuysaunces . wiþ swich chaffare I dele
And lene folk þat lese wole . a lippe at euery noble
And wiþ lumbardes lettres . I ladde gold to Rome
And took it by tale here . and tolde hem þere lasse
Lentestow euere lordes . for loue of hire mayntenaunce
Ye I haue lent toT lordes . loued me neuere after           N
And haue ymaad many a knyȝt . boþe Mercer and draper
That payed neuere for his prentishode . noȝt a peire gloues
Hastow pite on pouere men . þat mote nedes borwe
I haue as muche pite of pouere men . as pedlere haþ of cattes           N
That wolde kille hem if he cacche hem myȝte . for coueitise of hir skynnes           N
Artow manlich among þi neȝebores . of þi mete and drynke
I am holden quod he as hende . as hound is in kichene
Amonges my neȝebores namely . swich a name ich haue
Now god lene þee neuere quod Repentaunce . bu / bu[t] þow repente þe raþer
The grace on þis grounde . þi good wel to bisette
Ne þyne heires after þee . haue ioie of þat þow wynnest
Ne þyne executours wel bisette . þe siluer þat þow hem leuest
fol. 28rfol. 28r
And þat was wonne wiþ wrong . wiþ wikked men be despended           N
For were I frere of þat hous . þer good feiþ and charite is
I nolde cope vs wiþ þi catel . ne oure kirk amende
Ne haue a peny to my pitaunce . so god my soule saueT
For þe beste book in oure hous . þeiȝ brent gold were þe leues
And I wiste witterly . þow were swich as þow tellest
Seruus es alterius . dumT fercula pinguia queris
Pane tuo pocius . vescere . liber eris
Thow art an vnkynde creature . I kan þee noȝt assoille
Til þow make restitucion . and rekene wiþ hem alle
And siþen þat Reson rolle it . in þe Registre of heuene
That þow hast maad ech man good . I may þee noȝt assoille
Non dimittitur peccatum . donec restituatur oblatum
For alle þat han of þi good . haue god my trouþe
Ben holden at þe heiȝe doom . to helpe þee to restitue
And who-so leueþ noȝt þis be sooþ . loke in þe Sauter glose
In Miserere mei deus . wher I mene truþe
Ecce enim veritatem dilexisti &c
Shal neuere werkman in þis world . þryue with þat þow wynnest           N
Cum sancto sanctus eris . construwe me þis on englissh
Thanne weex þat sherewe in wanhope . & wolde han hanged hym[-selfe]T
Ne hadde repentaunce þe raþer . reconforted hym in þis manere
Haue mercy in þi mynde . and wiþ þi mouþ biseche it
For goddes mercy is moore . þan alle hise oþere werkes
And al þe wikkednesse in þis world . þat man myȝte werche or þynke           N
Nis namoore to þe mercy of god . þan in þe see a gleede           N
Omnis iniquitas quantum ad misericordiam dei . est quasi sintilla in medio ma[ris]TC
fol. 28vfol. 28v
For-þi haue mercy in þy mynde . and marchaundise leue it
For þow hast no good ground . to gete þee wiþ a wastel
But if it were wiþ þi tonge . or ellis wiþ þi two hondes
For þe good þat þow hast geten . bigan al wiþ falshede           N
And as longe as þow lyuest þer-with . þow yeldest noȝt but borwest
And if þow wite neuere to whiche . ne whom to restitue
Ber it to þe Bisshop . and bid hym of his grace
Bisette it hym-self . as best is for þi soule
For he shal answere for þee . at þe heiȝe dome
For þee and for many mo . þat man shal yeue a rekenyng
What he lerned yow in lente . leue þow noon ooþer
And what he lente yow of oure lordes good . to lette yow fro synne
C Now bigynneþ Gloton . for to go to shrifte
And karieþ hym to kirkeward . his coupe to shewe
And Beton þe Brewestere . bad hym good morwe
And asked atT hym wiþ þat . whiderward he wolde
To holy chirche quod he . for to here masse
And siþen I wole be shryuen . and synne namoore
I haue good Ale gossib quod she . Gloton woltow assaye
Hastow ouȝt in þi purs quod he . any hote spices
I haue pepir and piones quod she . and a pound of garleek
And a ferþyngworþ of fenel seed . for fastynge-dayes
Thanne goþ Gloton In . and grete oþes after
Cesse þe Souteresse . sat on þe benche
Watte þe warner . and his wif boþe
Tymme þe Tynkere . and tweyne of his prentices
Hikke þe hakeneyman . and hugh þe Nedlere
fol. 29rfol. 29r
Clarice of Cokkeslane . and þe Clerk of þe chirche
Dawe þe dykere . and a dozeyne oþere
Sire Piers of Pridie . and Pernele of Flaundres
A Ribibour a Ratoner . a Rakiere of Chepe
A Ropere a Redyngkyng . and Rose þe dyssheres
Godefray of Garlekhiþe . and Griffyn þe walshe
And vpholderes an heep . erly by þe morwe
Geue Gloton wiþ glad chere . good ale to hanselle
Clement þe Cobelere . caste of his cloke
And at þe newe feire . he nempned it to selle
Hikke þe Hakeneyman . hitte his hood after
And bad Bette þe Bocher . ben on his syde
Ther were chapmen ychose . þis chaffare to preise
ThatT who-so hadde þe hood . sholde han amendes of þe cloke
Two risen vp in Rape . and rouned togideres
And preised þise penyworþes . a-part by hem-selue
Thei kouþe noȝt by hir Conscience . acorden in truþe
Til Robyn þe Ropere . aroos by þe Southe
And nempned hym for a nounpere . þat no debat nere
Hikke þe hostiler . hadde þe cloke
In couenaunt þat Clement . sholde þe cuppe fille
And haue Hikkes hood hostiler . and holden hym yserued
And who-so repented raþest . sholde aryse after
And greten sire Gloton . wiþ a Galon ale
There was lauȝynge and lourynge . and lat go þe cuppe
And seten so til euensong . and songen vmwhile
Til Gloton hadde yglubbed . a galon and a gille
fol. 29vfol. 29v
Hise guttes bigonne to goþelen . as two gredy sowes
He pissed a potel . in a pater noster while
And blew his rounde ruwet . at his ruggebones ende
That alle þat herde þat horn . helde hir noses after
And wisshed it hadde ben wexed . wiþ a wispe of firses
He myȝte neiþer steppe ne stonde . er he his staf hadde
And þanne gan he to go . lik a glemannes bicche           N
Som-tyme aside . and som-tyme arere
As who-so leiþ lynes . for to lacche foweles
And whan he drouȝ to þe dore . þanne dymmed hise eiȝen
He stumbled on þe þresshfold . and þrew to þe erþe
Clement þe Cobelere . kauȝte hym by þe myddel
For to liften hym olofte . and leyde hym on his knowes
Ac Gloton was a gret cherl . and a grym in þe liftyng
And kouȝed vp a cawdel . in Clementes lappe
Is noon so hungry hound . in hertford-shire
Dorste lape of þat leuynges . so vnlouely þei smauȝte
Wiþ al þe wo of þis world . his wif and his wencheC
Baren hym hom to his bed . and brouȝte hym þer-Inne
And after al þis excesse . he hadde an Accidie
That he sleep Saterday . and Sonday . til sonne yede to reste
Thanne waked he of his wynkyng . and wiped hise eiȝen
The firste word þat he warp . was where is þe bolle
His wif gan edwyte hym þo . how wikkedly he lyuede
And Repentaunce riȝt so . rebuked hym þat tyme
As þow wiþ wordes & werkes . hast wroȝt yuele in þi lyue
Shryue þee and be shamed þer-of . and shewe it with þi mouþe
I Gloton quod þe grom . gilty me yelde
That I haue trespased with my tonge . I kan noȝt telle how ofte
Sworen goddes soule . and so me god helpeT
fol. 30rfol. 30r
There no nede was . nyne hundred tymes
And ouerseyen me at my soper . and som-tyme at Nones
That I Gloton girte it vp . er I hadde gon a myle
And yspilt þat myȝte be spared . and spended on som hungry
Ouer-delicatly on fastyng-dayes . dronken and eten boþe
And sat som-tyme so longe þere . þat I sleep and eet atones / at ones
For loue of tales in Tauernes . and forT drynke . þe moore I dyned
And hyed to þe mete er noon . whan fastyng-dayes were
This shewynge shrift quod Repentaunce . shal be meryt to þe
And þanne gan Gloton greete . and gret doel to make
For his luþer lif . þat he lyued hadde
And auowed to faste . for hunger or for þurste
Shal neuere fyssh on Fryday . defyen in my wombe
Til Abstinence myn Aunte . haue ȝyue me leeue
And yet haue I hated hire . al my lif-tyme
C Thanne cam Sleuþe al bislabered . wiþ two slymy eiȝen
I moste sitte seide þe segge . or ellis sholde I nappe
I may noȝt stonde ne stoupe . ne wiþ-oute a stool knele
Were I brouȝt abedde . but if my tail-endeT it made
Sholde no ryngynge do me ryse . er I were ripe to dyne
He bigan Benedicite with a bolk . and his brest knokked
And raxed and rored . and rutte at þe laste
What awake renk quod Repentaunce . and rape þee to shryfte
If I sholde deye bi þis day . me list nouȝt to loke
I kan noȝt parfitly my Pater noster . as þe preest it syngeþ
But I kan rymes of Robynhood / Robyn hood . and Randolf Erl of Chestre
Ac neiþer of oure lord ne of oure lady . þe leeste þat euere was maked
fol. 30vfol. 30v
I haue maad auowes fourty . and foryete hem on þe morwe
I parfournede neuere penaunce . as þe preest me hiȝte
Ne riȝt sory for my synnes . yet was I neuere
And if I bidde any bedes . but if it be in wraþe
That I telle wiþ my tonge . is two myle fro myn herte           N
I am ocupied eche day . haly-day and ooþer
Wiþ ydel tales at þe Ale . and ouþer-while atT chirche
Goddes peyne and his passion . ful selde þenke I on it
I visited neuere feble men . ne fettred folk in puttes
I haue leuere here an harlotrye . or a Somer game of Souters
Or lesyngeT to lauȝen at . and bilye my neȝebores
Than al þat euere Marc made . Mathew Iohan . and Lucas
And vigilies and fastyngdayes . alle þise late I passe
And ligge abedde in lenten . and my lemman in myne armes
Til matyns and masse be do . and þanne go to þe freres
Come I to Ite missa est . I holde me yserued
I nam noȝt shryuen som-tyme . but if siknesse it make
Nouȝt twyes in two yer . and þanne vp gesse I shryue me
I haue be preest and person . passynge þritty wynter
And yet kan I neyþer solue ne synge . ne seintes lyues rede
But I kan fynden in a feld . or in a furlang an hare
Bettre þan in Beatus vir . or in Beati omnes
Construe oon clause wel . and kenne it to my parisshens
I kan holde loue-dayes . and here a Reues rekenyng
Ac in Canoun nor in decretals . I kan noȝt rede a lyne
If I bigge and borwe auȝt . but if it be ytailed
I foryete it as yerne . and if men me it axe
Sixe siþes or seuene . I forsake it wiþ oþes
And þus tene I trewe men . ten hundred tymes
And my seruauntz som-tyme . hir salarie is bihynde
fol. 31rfol. 31r
Ruþe it is to here þe rekenyng . whan we shul rede acountes
So wiþ wikked wil and wraþe . my werkmen I paye
If any man dooþ me a bienfait . or helpeþ me at nede
I am vnkynde ayeins curteisieT . and kan nouȝt vnderstonden it           N
For I haue and haue had . som-del haukes maneres
I am noȝt lured wiþ loue . but þer ligge auȝt vnder þe þombe
The kyndenesse þat myn euencristene . kidde me fernyere
Sixty siþes I Sleuþe . haue foryete it siþþe
In speche and in sparynge of speche . yspilt many a tyme
Boþe flessh and fissh . and manye oþere vitailles
Boþ bred and ale . buttre / melk and chese
Forsleuþed in my seruice . til it myȝte serue no man
I ran aboute in youþe . and yaf me nauȝt to lerne
And euere siþþe haue I be beggere . for my foule sleuþe
Heu michi quia sterilem vitam duxi Iuuenilem
Repentedestow noȝt quod Repentaunce . & riȝt wiþ þat he swowned
Til vigilate þe veille . fette water at hise eiȝen
And flatte it on his face . and faste on hym cryde
And seide ware þee . for wanhope wolde þee bitraye
I am sory for my synnes . seye to þi-selue
And beet þi-self on þe brest . and bidde hym of grace
For is no gilt here so gret . þat his goodnesse nys moore
Thanne sat Sleuþe vp . and seyned hym swiþe
And made auow tofore god . for his foule sleuþe
Shal no Sonday be þis seuen yer . but siknesse it lette
That I ne shal do me er day . to þe deere chirche
And here matyns and masse . as I a monk were
Shal noon ale after mete . holde me þennes
fol. 31vfol. 31v
Til I haue euen-song herd . I bihote to þe Roode
And yet wole I yelde ayein . if I so muche haue
Al þat I wikkedly wan . siþen I wit hadde
And þouȝ my liflode lakke . leten I nelle
That ech man ne shal haue his . er I hennes wende
And wiþ þe residue and þe remenaunt . bi þe Rode of Chestre
I shal seken truþe erst . er I se Rome
Roberd þe Robbere . on Reddite loked
And for þer was noȝt wher-of . he wepte swiþe soore
Ac yet þe synfulle sherewe . seide to hym-selue
Crist þat on Caluarie . vp-on þe cros deidest
Tho Dysmas my broþer . bisouȝte yow of grace
And haddest mercy on þat man . for Memento sake
So rewe on þis Robbere . þat Reddere ne haue
Ne neuere wene to wynne . wiþ craft þat I owe
But for þi muchel mercy . mitigacion I biseche
Ne dampne me noȝt at domes-day . for þat I dide so ille
What bifel of þis feloun . I kan noȝt faire shewe
Wel I woot he wepte faste . water wiþ boþe hise eiȝen
And knoweliched his gilt . to crist yet eft-soones
That penitencia his pik . he sholde polshe newe
And lepe wiþ hym ouer lond . al his lif-tyme
For he hadde leyen by Latro . luciferis Aunte
And þanne hadde Repentaunce ruþe . and redde hem alle to knele
For I shal biseche for alle synfulle . oure Saueour of grace
To amenden vs of oure mysdedes . and do mercy to vs alle
Now god quod he þat of þi goodnesse . bigonneT þe world to make
And of nauȝt madest auȝt . and man moost lik to þi-selue
And siþen suffredest for to synne . a siknesse to vs alle
fol. 32rfol. 32r
And al for þe beste as I bileue . what-euere þe book telleþ
O felix culpa . o necessarium peccatum Ade &c C
For þoruȝ þat synne þi sone . sent was to þis erþe
And bicam man of a maide . mankynde to saue
And madest þi-self wiþ þi sone . and vs synfulle yliche
Faciamus hominem ad ymaginemT nostram
Et alibi . / Qui manet in caritate in deo manet & deus in eo
And siþþe wiþ þi selue sone . in oure secteT deidest
On goodfryday / good fryday for mannes sake . at ful tyme of þe daye
Ther þi-self ne þi sone . no sorwe in deeþ feledest
But in oure secte was þe sorwe . and þi sone it ladde
Captiuam duxit captiuitatem
The sonne for sorwe þer-of . lees liȝt ofT a tyme
Aboute mydday whan moost liȝt is . and meel-tyme of Seintes
Feddest wiþ þi fresshe blood . oure fore-fadres in derknesse
Populus qui ambulabat in tenebris . vidit lucem magnam
And þoruȝ þe liȝt þat lepe out of þee . Lucifer was blent
And blewe alle þi blessed . in-to þe blisse of Paradys
The þridde day after . þow yedest in oure sute
A synful Marie þe seiȝ . er seynte Marie þi dame
And al to solace synfulle . þow suffredest it so were
Non veni vocare iustos . set peccatores ad penitenciam
And al þat Marc . haþ ymaad . Mathew / Iohan / and Lucas
Of þyne douȝty dedes . wasT doon in oure armes
fol. 32vfol. 32v
Verbum caro factum est & habitauit in nobis
And by so muche me semeþ . þe sikerer we mowe
Bidde and biseche . if it be þi wille
That art oure fader and oure broþer . be merciable to vs
And haue ruþe on þise Ribaudes . þat repenten hem here soore
That euere þei wraþed þee in þis world . in word . þouȝt or dedes
Thanne hente hope an horn . of Deus tu conuersus viuificabis
And blew it wiþ . Beati quorum . remisse sunt iniquitates
That alle Seintes in heuene . songen atones / at ones
Homines & iumenta saluabis . quemadmodum multiplicasti misericordiam tuam deus
A þousand of men þo . þrungen togideres
Cride vpward to Crist . and to his clene moder
To haue grace to go wiþ hem . truþe to seke
Ac þere was wiȝt noon so wys . þe wey þider kouþe
But blustreden forþ as beestes . ouer bankes and hilles
Til late was and longe . þat þei a leode mette
Apparailled as a paynym . in pilgrymes wise
He bar a burdoun ybounde . wiþ a brood liste
In a wiþwyndeT wise . ywounden aboute
A bolle and a bagge . he bar by his syde
An hundred of Ampulles . on his hat seten
Signes of Synay . and shelles of Galice
And many a crouch on his cloke . and keyes of Rome
And þe vernycle bifore . for men sholde knowe
And se bi hise signes . whom he souȝt hadde
This folk frayned hym first . fro whennes he come
Fram Synay he seide . and fram oure lordes Sepulcre
fol. 33rfol. 33r
In Bethlem and in Babiloyne . I haue ben in boþe
In Armonye in Alisaundre . in manye oþere places
Ye may se by my signes . þat sitten on myn hatte
That I haue walked ful wide . in weet and in drye
And souȝt goode Seintes . for my soules helþe
Knowestow auȝt a corsaint . þat men calle truþe
Koudestow auȝt wissen vs þe wey . wher þat wye dwelleþ
Nay so me god helpe . seide þe gome þanne
I seiȝ neuere Palmere . wiþ pyk ne wiþ scrippe
Asken after hym er . til now in þis place
Peter quod a Plowman . and putte forþ his hed
I knowe hym as kyndely . as clerc doþ hise bokes
Conscience and kynde wit . kenned me to his place
And diden me suren hym sikerly . to seruen hym for euere
Boþe to sowe and to sette . þe while I swynke myȝte
I haue ben his folwere . al þis fifty wynter
Boþe ysowen his seed . and suwed hise beestes
Wiþ-Inne and wiþ-outen . waited his profit
I dyke and I delue . I do þat truþe hoteþ
Som-tyme I sowe . and som-tyme I þresshe
In taillours craft and tynkeris craft . what truþe kan deuyse
I weue and I wynde . and do what truþe hoteþ
For þouȝ I seye it my-self . I serue hym to paye
I haue myn hire wel . and ouþer-whiles moore
He is þe presteste paiere . þat pouere men knoweþ
He ne wiþhalt noon hewe his hire . þat he ne haþ it at euen
He is as lowe as a lomb . and louelich of speche
And if ye wilneþ to wite . where þat he dwelleþ
I shal wisse yow witterly . þe wey to his place
Ye leue Piers quod þise pilgrimes . and profred hym huyre
fol. 33vfol. 33v
Forto wende wiþ hem . to truþes dwellyng place
Nay by my soules helþe quod Piers . and gan for to swere
I nolde fange a ferþyng . for seint Thomas shryne
Truþe wolde loue me þe lasse . a long tyme þer-after
Ac if yowT wilneþ to wende wel . þis is þe wey þider
Ye moten go þoruȝ mekenesse . boþe men and wyues
Til ye come in-to Conscience . þat crist wite þe soþe
That ye louen oure lord god . leuest of alle þynges
And þanne youre neȝebores next . in none wise apeire
Oþer-wise þan þow woldest . he wrouȝte to þi-selue
And so boweþ forþ by a brook . beþ buxom of speche
Til ye fynden a ford . youre fadres honoureþ
Honora patrem & matrem &c
Wadeþ in þat water . and wasshe yow wel þer-Inne           N
And ye shul lepe þe liȝtloker . al youre lif-tyme           N
And so shaltow se swere noȝt . but if it be for nede
And nameliche on ydel . þe name of god almyȝty
Thanne shaltow come by a croft . but come þow noȝt þer-Inne
That croft hatte Coueite noȝt . mennes catel ne hire wyues
Ne noon of hire seruauntz . þat noyen hem myȝte
Loke ye breke no bowes þere . but if it be youre owene
Two stokkes þer stondeþ . ac stynte ye noȝt þere
Thei hiȝte Stele noȝt & Sle noȝt . strik forþ by boþe
And leue hem on þi lift half . and loke noȝt þer-after
And hold wel þyn haliday . heighe til euen
Thanne shaltow blenche at a Bergh . bere no fals witnesse
He is fryþed In wiþ floryns . and oþere fees manye
Loke þow plukke no plaunte þere . for peril of þi soule
fol. 34rfol. 34r
Thanne shul ye see seye sooþ . so it be to doone
In goodT manere ellis noȝt . for no mannes biddyng
Thanne shaltow come to a court . as cler as þe sonne
The moot is of mercy . þe Manoir aboute
And alle þe walles ben of wit . to holden wil oute
And kerneled wiþ cristendom . mankynde to saue
Botrased wiþ bileef so . or þow beest noȝt saued
And alle þe houses ben hiled . halles and chambres
Wiþ no leed but wiþ loue . and lowe speche as breþeren
The brugge is of bidde wel . þe bet may þow spede
Ech piler is of penaunce . of preieres to Seyntes
Of almes-dedes are þe hokes . þat þe gates hangen on
Grace hatte þe gateward . a good man for-soþe
His man hatte amende yow . for many men hym knoweþ
Telleþ hym þis tokene . þat truþe wite þe soþe
I parfourned þe penaunce . þat þe preest me enioyned
And am ful sory for my synnes . and so I shal euere
Whan I þynke þer-on . þeiȝ I were a Pope
Biddeþ amende yow meke hym . til his maister ones
To wayuen vp þe wiket . þat þe womman shette
Tho Adam and Eue . eten apples vnrosted
Per Euam cuntis clausa est . et per Mariam virginem patefacta est
For he haþ þe keye and þe cliket . þouȝ þe kyng slepe
And if grace graunte þee . to go in þis wise
Thow shalt see in þi-selue . truþe in þyn herte
In a cheyne of charite . as þow a child were
To suffren hym and segge noȝt . ayein þi sires wille
fol. 34vfol. 34v
And be war þanne of wraþe þee . þat is a wikked sherewe
He haþ enuye to hym . þat in þyn herte sitteþ
And pokeþ forþ pride . to preise þi-seluen
The boldnesse of þi bienfetes . makeþ þee blynd þanne
And þanne worstow dryuen out as dew . and þe dore closed
Keyed and cliketted . to kepe þee wiþ-outen
Happily anhundred / an hundred wynter . er þow eft entre
Thus myȝtestow lesen his loue . to lete wel by þi-selue
And neuere happily eft entre . but grace þow haue
And þer are seuen sustren . þat seruen truþe euere
And arn porters of þe Posternes . þat to þe place longeþ
That oon hatte Abstinence . and humilite anoþer
Charite and Chastite . ben hise chief maydenes
Pacience and pees . muche peple þei helpeþ
Largenesse þe lady . she let in ful manye
Heo haþ holpe a þousand out . of þe deueles punfolde
And who is sib to þise seuene . so me god helpe
He is wonderly welcome . and faire vnderfongen
And but if ye be sibbe . to some of þise seuene
It is ful hard by myn heed quod Piers . for any of yow alle
To geten ingoing at any gate þere . but grace be þe moore
Now by crist quod a kutte-purs . I haue no kyn þere
Nor I quod an Apeward . by auȝt þat I kan knowe
Wite god quod a wafrestere . wiste I þis for soþe
Sholde I neuere ferþer a foot . for no freres prechyng
Ȝis quod Piers þe Plowman . and poked hem alle to goode
Mercy is a maiden þere . haþ myȝt ouer alle
And she is sib to alle synfulle . and hire sone also
And þoruȝ þe help of hem two . hope þow noon ooþer
Thow myȝt gete grace þere . so þow go bityme .
fol. 35rfol. 35r
Bi seint Poul quod a pardoner . parauenture I be noȝt knowe þere
I wol go fecche my box wiþ my breuettes . & a bulle with bisshopes lettres
By crist quod a comune womman . þi compaignie wol I folwe
Thow shalt seye I am þi Suster . I ne woot where þei bicome
Bitwene manye
In Bethlem and