The Piers Plowman Electronic Archive, Vol. 5: London, British Library, MS Additional 35287 (M) William Langland Edited by Eric Eliason, Hoyt N. Duggan, and Thorlac Turville-Petre Associate Editors: Patricia Riles Bart and Gail Duggan Technical Editor: Daniel Pitti Graduate Research Assistants Michael Blum, John Ivor Carlson, Carrie Lindley, Janice McCoy, and Timothy L. Stinson. Computer Consultants and Programmers Shayne Brandon, Cynthia Girard, Kirk Hastings, Sue Munson, David Seaman, and John Unsworth. Society for Early English and Norse Texts ISBN (individual use) 1 84384 051 0 (institutional use) 1 84384 052 9

copyright 2005, by SEENET

2005 London, British Library, MS Additional 35287

early 15th century Source copy consulted: London, British Library, MS Additional 35287

SEENET, A.7

Attribute Values brown ink anglicana bastarda italic Lombard Cap ornamented capital, N lines high rubricated touched in red textura underlined underlined in red green ink blue ink

Latin French German 14 Dec 2004 editor Hoyt N. Duggan New header created, and SGML converted to XML. Minor revisions in TOC, mainly alphabatization of names. Assit principio Sanctafilius Mariae meoM.P.0: The heading is written in a similar ink to that of the text but in a much less formal style, and is probably later than the main scribe. Though rubbed, it appears originally to have read Assit principio Sancta Maria meo with Sancta then deleted by way of underlining and replaced by filius, and Maria altered to Mariae. Christopher de Hamel notes that "invocations such as 'assit principio meo ihesus maria'" were typical pen-trials "written in tiny script along the very upper margin of the first page" (Medieval Craftsmen: Scribes and Illuminators [London, 1992] p. 37).Prologue IN a somer seson  whanne softe was the s.onne I sho..op me intoM.P.2: M's original reading without to agreed with GYOC2CLH. shroudes  as I a sheep were In habite as an hermite  vnholy of werkes Wente wyde in þis worlde  won.....dres — to here AcM.P.5: Kane and Donaldson note that Ac is erased. But the word is simply worn—as are many places on this first leaf. on a may mornynge  on maluerne hulles Me byfel a ferly  of fair.y me thouȝte I was wery for-wandred  and wente me to reste Vndur a brode banke  by a ..bournes syde And as I laiy and lened  and loked on þe wateres I slombrede in a slepinge  it swey..ed so merye . Thanne gan I to meten  a meru......eilous sweuene That I was in a wildernesse  wyste IM.P.12: M's original reading without I agreed with Cr. neuere where ...?...And as I bihelde in-toM.P.13: It may be that the original reading was As I bihelde into, but the corrector miscalculated the space and so had to put in above the line. þe est  an heiȝgh to þe suonne I sa..y a tour on a tofte .rielycheM.P.14: The erasure of what is probably a <t> is evidence of discomfort with the rare word trielyche. The same erasure is found in C, while H reads ryaly and HmCr12 read rychely. y-makede A de..ep dale bynethe  a doungeoun þere-...Inne With depe diches & derke  and dredeful of sighte A faire fielde ful of folke  fonde I there bitw...ene Of alle manere of men  þe mene and þe ryche Worchinge and wandrynge  as þe world askeþ . Summe put hem to þe plow  pleied ful selde In settynge and sowynge  swonken ful harde And wonnen that wastours  with glotonye destruyeth . And summe putten hem to pruyde  apparailled hem ..þer-aft..rraft..erM.P.23: The scribe usually wrote aftur, and the corrector occasionally alters to after, e.g. at M.1.70. Here he miscorrects. . In continaunce of clothynge  comen disgisede . In praiers and in penaunce  putten hem manye Al for loue of oure lorde  lyueden ful streyte In hope ...for to haue  heuenriche blisse . As ancres and herm.ytes  that holden hem in here selles . And coue....iten nouȝte in contre  to kairen a-bouten For no likerous l.....iflode  her lykame to plese And somme chosen chaffare  thei cheued the bettr.e As it semeþ to oure siȝt  þat suche men thryueth And somme murthes to make  as mynstrales conneth And geten gold with here glee  syn.....nelees I leueM.P.34: A wormhole has damaged half the <u>. AsM.P.35: The <s> on As has an extra blot of ink, but it is the same hand and ink as the rest of the word, pace Kane and Donaldson. iapers and iangelers  Iudas chyldren ÞatM.P.36: The addition of Þat brings M into agreement with YOC2. Faynen hem fantasies  and fooles hem maketh And han h.....ir wyt at wille  to worchen ȝif þei sholde . That poule precheþ of hem  I nel no...ght preue it heere . Qui loquitur turpiloquium & cetera. est seruus diaboliM.P.39: The abbreviated reading has been expanded by two different fifteenth-century hands. No other manuscript (in any version) lacks the supplied loquitur. The second half-line is lacking also in LCr1C; other manuscripts have is luciferes hyne or variants upon it, of which the added est seruus diaboli in M is a translation. No direct source for the line has been found (see John Alford, Piers Plowman: A Guide to the Quotations [Binghamton, 1992] p. 33), so that the additions presumably derive from another text of the poem. Bidders and beggers  faste aboute yeden Wyþ here bely and here bagge  of breed ful ycrammed . Faiteden for here fode  fouȝten atte ale  In glotonye god it wot  goon ..thei to bedde And rysen with rybaudie  þo Roberdes knaues . Sleep and sory sleuthe  suweth hem euere . PilgriymesPilgri[r]ymesM.P.46: Pilgymes was formed inadvertently when the corrector combined the <r>and the <i> to form a <y>. and palmers  pliȝted hem to-g.idre To seke seint Iames  and saintuys in Rome . Thei wenten forth in here way  with many wyse tales And hadden leue for to lie  al hire l..yf a...fter . I seigh somme that saiden  þei had ysouȝte seint.es To eche a tale that þei toolde  here ...tongeM.P.51: The intent was to alter the <u> of tunge to <o>, but the result looks more like <a>. was tempred to lie More ....than to saie soth  it semed by here speche . Hermytes on a heep  with hokud staues Wenten to walsingham  and here wenches aftur . Grete lobyes and longe  þat loþe weren to swynke Cloþ.eden hem in Copus  to be knowen from othere And shoopen hem heremytes  here ese to haue . I fo..ond there frer.es  offM.P.58: The addition of off brings M into agreement with H. alle the foure ordres contra Glosers euaungeli Precheden þe p.eple  for profit of hem-seluen Glosud þe gospell  as hem good liked For couetise of copus  construede it as þei wolde Many of þise maystur freres  mowe clothen hem at likynge For here money and marchaundise  marchen to-g.idre . For sith charitee haþ be chapman  and chief to shryue lordus Many ferlis han fallen  in a fewe ȝyeeres . But holy churche and hijM.P.66: And hij has been crossed through. Kane and Donaldson erroneously read hir, combining the top of the punctus elevatus with the <j>. amend itM.P.66: This addition, along with the following and, is in a different hand and ink than the surrounding text. The alteration does not agree with any other B manuscripts.and holde bettur to-g.idres proverb. The mooste meschief on molde  is mountynge wel faste. vpwardis FastM.P.67: The alteration is not supported by any other B manuscript. The same scribe is probably responsible for drawing the hand in the left margin and for the underlining, and perhaps also the alteration in M.P.66 above. Þere prechud a pardoner  a preest as he were . Brouȝte forth a bulle  with bisshopus seales And saide þat hym-selue myȝte  assoillen hem alle . Of falshed of fastynge  of vowes y-brokun . contra pardoners Lewede men leued hym wel  and lykede his wordus . Comen vp knelynge  to kiss..en his bulles  a j He bonched blessidM.P.74: The substitution of blessid for bonched is much later than the main hand. The altered reading blessid agrees with FH. hem with his breuet  and blered hire e....yes And rauȝte with his raggeman  rynges and broches  Þus þei g.iuen hire gold  glotones to kepe And leneth itM.P.77: M's original reading without it agreed with OC2CLH. such loselus  þat lecherie haunten Were þe bisshop y-blessud.  or worth boþe his eres His seel shulde not be sent  to desceyue þe p.eple . Ac it is nouȝt by þe bysshop  þat þe boy precheth . For þe parissh preest and þe pardoner  parten þe syluer . + That the pore .....poraileM.P.82: The original word was shorter than poraile. F has men but most A manuscripts have peple, which may well be M's original reading. of þe parissh  shul.de haue if þei ...?...ne were . ¶ Persones and parisch preestus  playned hem to þe bisshop Þat here parisshes were pore  sith þe pestilence tyme . contra Episcopos & Curatos To haue a licence and leue . at london to dwelle And syngen þereM.P.86: M's original reading without þere was shared by H. for symonye  for siluer is swete . Bisshoppus and bachelers  boþe maistrus and doctours Þat han cure vndur Crist  and crounedeM.P.88: M's reading is not shared by other B manuscripts, which vary, though most read crownynge. in tokene And signe þat þei shulden  shryuen here paroschiens Prechen and prayen for hem  and þe pore fede  Liggen in london  in lenten and elles Suomme seruen þe kynge  and his syluer tellen In chekker and in Chauncerye  chalengen his dettes Of wardes and wardemotes  weyues and streyues And somme seruen as seruauntz  lordus and ladys And in stede of stywardus  sitten and demen Here messesM.P.97: M shares the form messes with Cr. Other B manuscripts have messe. and hire matynes  and many of here houres Arn don vndeuoutlich  drede is atte þe laste . Lest Crist in Consistorie  acorse ful manye I parceiuede of þe power  þat Petur had to kepe . To bynde and to vnbynde  as þe book telleþ . How he lefte .itM.P.102: The revised reading lefte it is shared with CrFH; OC2 have it self; other B manuscripts have it lefte. with loue  as oure lord highte Amonges foure vertues  þe beste of alle vertues Þat Cardinales ben called  and closynge ȝyates Þere Crist is in kyngedome  to close and to shutte . mistice loquitur And to open it to hem  and heuene blisse shewe Ac of þe Cardinales atte Courte  þat cauȝt of þat name And power presumed in hem  a Pope to make To han þat power þat Petur hadde  inpugnen I nelle For in loue and lettrure  þe eleccioun bilongeth . For-þi I can and can nouȝte  of courte speke more . a ijM.P.111: A mark resembling a large, drypoint <a> is found on the bottom of this leaf. Þanne come þere a kyng  knyȝthode hym ladde Miȝte of þe comunes  made hym to regne And þanne come kynde w..it & M.P.114: It looks likely that the earlier reading was witte followed by and inserted above. The corrector makes the usual alteration to wit and that leaves space for &. No other manuscript omits and. clerkus he made . For to conseille þe kyng.  and þe comune saue . The kynge and þe knyȝthodeM.P.116: M shares the reading þe kniȝthode with Hm. Most other B manuscripts omit þe.  and the .clergieM.P.116: Above the rewritten clergie is an erasure, apparently of the same word written as a guide to the corrector. All other B manuscripts read clergie. boþe Kesten þat þe comune  shulde hem-selue fynde . Þe comune contreued  of kynde wit.. craftus . And for profit of þe p.eple  plowmen ordeine.de To til.enM.P.120: In place of the revised form tilen all other B manuscripts read tilie. and to trauaille  as trewe lif asketh Þe kynge and þe comune  and kynde wit.. þe þridde . Shoop lawe and leaute  eche man to knowe his owne . Thanne lokud vp a lunatyk  a lene þinge with-alle And knelynge to þe kynge  clergealy he saide . Crist kepe. þe sire kynge  and þ.iM.P.125: All B manuscripts share M's revision þi, except for G which reads the. kynngryche And lene þe to lede þi lond ....so  þatM.P.126: M's inclusion of þat is not shared by other B manuscripts. le.ute þe louye . And for þi riȝtful rewlyng  be rewardud in heuene And sithen in þe e..ir an heiȝgh  an angel of heuene Lowed to speke in latyn  for lewede men ne couþe . Iangle ne iuge  þat iusticeM.P.130: M shares the reading iustice with C2. Other B manuscripts read Iustifie. hem shulde . But suffren and seruen  for-þ..i saide þe angel . vox angeli Sum rex . sum princeps  neutrum fortasse deinceps .M.P.132: In addition to the underlining, these Latin verses are bracketed with a curly bracket in the left margin. The same marginal hand, which is much later than the main text (perhaps 16th-17th century), has written vox angeli in the left margin. O qui iura regis . .CristiM.P.133: The first graph of this abbreviation is written over an erasure. specialia regis . Hoc quod agas melius  iustus es esto pius Nudum ius a te vestiri vult pietate Qualia vis metere  talia grana sere Si ius nudatur . nudo de iure metatur . Si seritur pietas  de pietate metas . Thanne greuede hym a Goliardeys  a glotoun of wordus . A..nd to þe angel an heiȝh  answere.dM.P.140: In place of M's revised form answered LR have the present tense. Hm also corrects. aftur . Dum rex a regere . dicatur nomen habereM.P.141: Kane and Donaldson record this line as being written in the margin. This line, however, is written in the main text area, although the following three are added in the margin. Nomen habet sine re nisi studet iura tenereM.P.142: Underlining, in red ink, from the main text to the margin indicates the intended location of the inserted lines. Thanne biganM.P.143: M's reading of bigan is not shared by other B manuscripts, which, except for F, read gan. al þe comune crie . in vers of latinM.P.143: The end of the word is lost in the binding. To þe kyng & hisM.P.144: M's reading of kyng & his is not shared by other B manuscripts, which read kynges. conseill  construe whoso wolde PreciptaPrec[e]pta Regis sunt nobis vincula legis . The route off Ratons With þat ran þere a route  of ratones at ones And smale mys wyth hem  mo þan.. — a þousande . And comen to a conseil.  for here comune profite For a ...Cat of a ..contre  cam whanne hym lik..eed . And ouerle..ep hem liȝtly  and lauȝte hem atte his wille . And pleyde with hem perillou...sly  and possed hem aboute . For doute of diuerse dredus  we dar nouȝt wel looke . And ȝif we grucchen . of his gamen  he wil.. greuen vs alle . Cracche vs and clawesM.P.154: M's original reading clawes is shared by no other B manuscripts, most of which read clawe vs, though in the b-verse Cr has clawes instead of clochus. vs  and in his clochus holde Þat vs lotheth þe lif  oer he lete vs passe Miȝte we wiþ any witte  his wille with-stonde We myȝten be lordus a-lofte  and l.yuen at oure ese . A Ratoun of renoun mooste renable of ..tonge . Seide for a souerain  help to hym-selue . I haue y-se.yn segges quod he  in þe Cite of Londoun Beren biȝes ful briȝt  abouten here nekk.es . And summe Colers of crafty werk  vncouplede þei wendtenM.P.162: M's original reading agreed with YOC2CLR. The alteration brings M into agreement with WHmCrG. Boþe in wareine and in waste  where hem leue like.dM.P.163: M shares its revised form liked with WCr1GH. Other manuscripts have the present tense. And oþerwyle þai arne ellus-where  as I here telle . Were þere a belle on ...hireM.P.165: The original reading may have been his, as in G. beiȝe  by Ihesu as me th..ynkeþ . ...?...M.P.166: Something no longer legible is erased in the right margin. Likely it was a guide for alteration to renne. Men myȝten witen wher þei wente  and away .....renne And riȝt so quod þat Ratoun  resoun me sheweþ To bugge a belle of bras  or of briȝte siluer And knytten itM.P.169: M's original reading without it was shared by Cr23GOC2CL. The alteration brings M into agreement with all other B manuscripts. on a Coler  for oure comune profite . And hangen it vpon þe Cattus hals  þanne heere we mowen . Where he rit.. or reste  or renneth to playe And ȝif hym lust for to layke  þanne loke we mowen . And peren in his presence  þere whyle hym plaie likeþ . And ȝif him wrattheth be war  and his weye shonye . Al þis route of ratouns  to þis resoun assent..eed Ac þo þe belle was y-bouȝte  and on þe beiȝe hanged . Þere nas ratoun in þe route  for al.. þe reume of Fraunce Þat durste haue bonden þe bieȝM.P.178: M shares bie with Hm. Other B manuscripts have belle.  a-boute þe cattus nekke . Ne hangen itM.P.179: M's original reading without it agreed with GL. aboute þe cattus hals  al Englon...d — to wynne . And helden hem vn-hardy  and here conseille feble And leten here labour lo...st  and here longe studye . A mous þat moche goode  couthe as me thouȝte Stro..ok forþ sternly  and stoode byforn hem alle . And to þe route of Ratons  reherced þes wordus . Thouȝgh we cullede þe cat  ȝyet shulde þere come a-noþur . To craccheM.P.186: M's original reading cracche agreed with OYCLR. vs and alle oure kynde  þouȝ we croupe vndur benches . Forthi .I conseille .. alle þe comune  to late þe catte worþe . a iij ..And be we neuere so bolde  þe belle hym to shewe . For I herde my sire sain  is seuen ȝyere y-passed . Þere þe catte is a kytoun  þe court. is ful elenge . # Þat w..ytnesseþ holy writte  whoso wol it rede . Ve terre vbi puer rex est & cetera . For may non renc þere reste haue  for ratones by nyȝte Þe while he caccheþ conynges  he coueiteþ nouȝt oure caroine . But fet hym wiþ venesoun  defame we hym neuere For bettur is a litul losse  .....than a longe sorwe . Þe mase amonge vs alle  þouȝ we mysse a shrewe For many mann.es malt  we mys wolde destru.ye And also ȝye route of ratouns  rende menn.es clothes Nere þe cat.. of þat courte þat can ȝyow ouer-lepe . For hadde ȝye rattes ȝyoure wille  ȝye couthe not reule ȝyoure-selue. I say for me quod þe mous  I see so mukel aftur . Shal neuere þe catt / ne þe kytoun  by my conseill be greued . Ne carpinge of þis coler  þat costud me neuere . And þouȝ it had costed me . catel  byknowen it I nolde . But suffre as hym-self wolde  to do as hym likeþ . Couplede and vncouplede  to cacche what þei mowe . For-þi eche a wyse wiȝte I warne  wite wel his owne . What þis meteles bemeneth  ȝye men þat ben merie Dyuyne ȝye for I ne dar  by dere god in heuene . ȜYet houed þere an hundred  in ho....vues of silke Sergeauntes it semed  þat serued atte þe barre # Momming off Men off law For Mone Pleteden for penies  and poundes þe lawe And nouȝt for loue of oure lord  vnlose here lippus onys . Þow miȝteste bettur mete þe myste  on maluerne hulles .....Than gete a momme of here mouthe but monoye were shewed Barouns and burgeis  and bonde-men als . I sa.y in þis assemble  as ȝye shul here aftur Baxters and brewsters  and bochers manye Wollenwebsters  and weuers . of lynnen Taillours and tynkers  and tollers in marketes Masouns and mynours  and many moM.P.222: M's reading of mo is not shared by other B manuscripts, which read oþer. craftes Of alkyn libbyng laborers  lopun forþ summe As dikers & deluers  þat doth here dedes ille And dryuen forþ þe ...longeM.P.225: M shares its revised adjective longe with the majority of B manuscripts, but L has dere and F fayre. day  with dieu vous saue dame Emme . Ius passus Cokus and hire knaues  crieden hote pies hote Gode grys and gees  gowego we dyne gowego we . Tauerners vn-til hem  toolde þe same White wyn of Oseye  and rede wyn of Gascoigne Of þe ryne and of þe rochell  þe roste to defie Al þis seiȝ I slepinge  and seuen sythes more . Passus primus de Visione . W What þis montaigne bymeneth  and þe merke dale And þe fielde ful of folk  I shal ȝyow faire shewe . A louely lady of lere  in lynnen y-clothed . Come doun from a castel  and called me faire And saide sone slepest þou  seest þou þis p.eple . How bisi þai ben alleM.1.6: The addition of alle brings M into agreement with WHmCRG. abouten þe mase Þe mooste partie of þis p.eple  þat passeþ on þis erþe # off them þat will non other heven but this Haue þei w.orshipe in þis world  þai wilnen no bettur . Of oþur heuene ...than here  holde þei no tale . I was a-ferd of hire face  þouȝ she faire were And saide mercy ma-dame  what is þis to mene . Þe toure vp þe tofte quod she  truthe is þere-ininneM.1.12: Originally the scribe wrote innne, corrected by erasing the first two minims. See Introduction III.1. . And wolde þat ȝye wrouȝten  as his worde techeþ . For he is fadur of faiþ  fourmed ȝyow alle Boþe with fel and with face  and ...yaf ȝyow fyue wittes Forto wuorshupe hym þerewith  þe while þat ȝye ben here . And herforeM.1.17: In place of herfore all other B manuscripts read þerfore. he hiȝte þe erthe  to helpe ȝyow echone Of wollen of lynnen  of lyflode at nede . In mesurable manere  to make ȝyow at ese . # iij thingis in Comon And comaunded of his curtesie  in comune þre þinges Arn non nedful but þo  and nempne hem I thinke . + ȝe And rekkene hem by resoun  reherce .yeM.1.22: M's original reading without a pronoun here agreed with GY. M's altered reading of ye agrees with HmCrOC2F. Other B manuscripts read þow. The correction was first written in the margin as ȝe, and this insertion was presumably so spelled, and later revised in line with the spelling corrector's usual form. hem aftur . Þat on is vesture  from chele þe to saue . And mete atte mele  for mysese of þ..y-selue . And drynke whanne þou drieste  ac do nouȝt oute of resoun . Þat þou worþe þe worse  whanne þou worche shuldeste For loth in his liue-days  for likynge of drynke Did by his douȝteres  þat þe Deuel likede a iiij cor Delited hym in drinke . as þe deuel wold And leccherie hym lauȝte . and lay by hem boþe . And al he witte it þe wyn . þat wykk.ed dede . Inebriamus eum vino . dormiamusque cum eo . Vt seruare possimus de patre nostro semen . Thourgh wyn & þourȝ wymen  þere was loth accombrede And þere he gat in glotonye . gerles þat were cherles For-thi drede delitable drinke  and þou shalt do þe bett.re Mesure is medycyne þouȝ. M.1.37: The punctus elevatus, placed at the wrong point in the line, is inserted over an erasure. þou muche ȝyerne It is nouȝt al go..od to þe goost  þat þe gutte axeþ . Ne liflode to þi likam  ...?...þat lief is to þe souleM.1.39: M originally shared the omission (through eyeskip on likam) of this b-verse and the following a-verse with WHmCL. Leue not þi likam  for a liere hym techeþM.1.40: The line is inserted with a red cross and line in the right margin. The end of the last word has been lost in the binding. This same line, in smaller script and marked with a black cross, is erased immediately following in the margin. The omission of the line was apparently noted in one effort and formally addressed in another. Þat is þe wrecchede worlde  wolde þe bitraye + For þe fende and þi flessh  folweþ þe togaidre . This and þat s...eeþM.1.43: This alteration occurs at a point where B manuscripts are especially diverse in their readings. Seeth, sees, seiþ, seest, sueth, sewe, and sleth are all attested. þeM.1.43: All other B manuscripts read þi. Kane and Donaldson record the <e> as written over an erasure, but this does not seem to be the case. soule  and saithM.1.43: M's reading of saith is unique among B manuscripts, which attest a wide variety of readings. it in þin herte And for þou shuldeste ben war  I wisse ..thetheM.1.44: The correction the is written over the line and then erased and inserted within the line. þe .beste Ma-dame mercy quod I  me liketh wel ȝyoure .word..es Ac þe monoye of þis molde  þat men so faste holdeþ Telle me to whom ma-dame  þat tresore appendeþ Go to þe gospell quod she  þat god saide hym-seluen . Þo þe p..eple hym appos.ed  wiþ a peny in þe temple . Wheþer þei shulde þerwith  worshipe kyngeM.1.50: M shares the reading kyng with F; all other B manuscripts have þe kyng. ..Cesar And god asked of hem  of whom spake þe lettre . And þimage isM.1.52: M's reading of is is not shared by other B manuscripts, though among A manuscripts ChLE include is. The other B manuscripts which have a form of be here, W and F, read was. ylike  þat þere-inne stondeþ . Cesares þei saide  we seen hym wel echone . RedditeM.1.54: The scribe initially began this line immediately following M.1.53, but realized he wished to leave a blank line before he completed the first graph. The partially completed <R> is still visible in the space separating strophes. Cesari quod god  þat Cesari bifalleth . Et que sunt dei deo . or elles ȝye doon ille . For riȝtful resoun  shulde reule ȝyow alle . And kynde witte be wardein  ȝyowre welthe to kepe . And tutour of ȝyoure treso..r  and take it ȝyow at nede For housbondrie and hij  holden to-gadre . Þanne I fraynede heire faire  for hym þat h.ire made Þat dongoun in þe dale  þat dredful is inM.1.61: M's reading of in is unique among B manuscripts, most of which read of. siȝte What may it be to mene  ma-dame I ȝyow biseche . Þat is þe castel of care  whoso comeþ þere-inne . May banne þat he borne was  to body or to soule Þere-inne woneth a wiȝte  þat wronge is y-hote Fad.er of falsede  and founded it hym-selue . primus passus Adam and Eue  he egged to ille Conseiled Caym  to kullen his broþur Iudas he iapud  with iewen siluer And sitthe on an eldre  hanged hym aftuer He is lettere of loue  and lieth hem alle . Þat trusten on his tresor  by-traieth he sonneste Þanne had I wound..er in my wit..  what womman it were Þat suche wise wordus  of holy writte shewede And asked hire on þe heiȝe name  ar heo þen..es ȝyede . What she were witt..erly  þat wiss.ed me so faire . Holichurche I am quod she  þow ouȝtest me to knowe I vndurfoenge þe furste  and þe faithe tauȝte . And brouȝteste me borwes  my biddinge to fulfulle ...?...M.1.80: The added and erased material is illegible under ultra-violet light. Most likely it indicated the alteration leally. And to loue me ...leally  þe while þi lif dureth  ...?...M.1.81: The added and erased material is illegible under ultra-violet light. Most likely it indicated the alteration &. Thanne I courbed on my knes  . & criede hire of grace And praide hire pitously  praie for my synnes . ...?...M.1.83: The added and erased material is illegible. Most likely it indicated the alteration kenne me. +M.1.81: The <+> is added in a large drypoint in the right margin. And also kenne meM.1.83: M's omission of these two words was not shared by other B manuscripts. kyndely  on crist to bileue . Þat I miȝte worchen his wille  þat wrouȝte me to man . Teche me to no tresour  but telle me þis ilke . How I may sauen my soule  þat sainte art y-holden . # truth is the best Whanne alle tresores ben tried quod she  truþe is þe beste / I do it on deus caritas  to deme þe soþe  It is as derworth a drwery  as dere god hym-seluen . Who-so is trwe of his tonge  and telleþ noon oþur And doþ þe werkes þere-wiþ  and wi......lneth noman ille . He is a god by þe gospell  a grounde and on lofte And I-...lyk to oure lord  be saint lukes wordus . Þe clerk.es þat knoweþ þis  shulde kenne it aboute . For cristene and vncristen  claim..eþ it ichone . Kynges and knyȝtus  shulde kepen it by resoun # R.iden and rappen doun  in reumes aboute  An taken transgressores  and tien hem faste Til trewthe had y-termynede  hire trespasse to þe ende / And þat is þe p..rofessioun . appertely  þat appendeth to knyȝtes # Fasting on Fryday And nouȝt to fasten a Fryday  in fyue score wynt.er . But holden wyþ hym and with hire  þat wolden alle truthe And neuere leue hem for loue  ne for lacchinge of siluer For dauid in his dayes  dubbed knyȝt.es . And d.ide hem swere on here swerde  to serue truthe euere . And who-so passethdM.1.106: The erased reading passeth is an A text reading adopted by Kane and Donaldson against the reading passed of all the B manuscripts. They do not note that M is rewritten. See next note. þat poyn....t  isM.1.106: The word is, written over an illegible erasure, is the reading of YOC2 and A manuscripts. Other B manuscripts have was. See previous note. Apostata in þordre . nota But crist kyngene kynge  knyȝted ten Cherubin .....and seraphin  suche seuene and on oþur . And ȝyaf hem miȝte in his mageste  þe murger hem þouȝte . And ouere his mene maynee  made hem archangeles Tauȝte hem by þe trinite  truþe to knowe . To be buxuome at his biddynge  he bad hem nouȝte elles the Fall off luceffer Lucifer with legionus  lernede it in heuene But for he brake buxuomnesse  his blisse gan he tyne And fel fro þat felash.ype  in a feendus likknesse In-to a depe derke helle  to dwelle þere for euere  And mo þousandes with hym  þanne — man couthe nombre Lopen out wiþ lucifer  in lothliche fourme . For þei leueden vp-on hym  þat lied in þis manere Ponam pedem in aquilone . & similis ero altissimo . And alle þat hopud it miȝte be so  no..on heuene miȝte hem holde But fellen out in feendus likkenesse  nyne dayes to-gydres . Til god of his goodnesse  gan stablen and stynte . And garte þe heuene to steke  and stonden in quiete . Whanne þise wikk.ed wente out  wonderwise þey f.ellen Somme in þerthe somme in þe eire  and somme in helle depe . Ac lucifer lowest  lithe of hem alle . For Pride þat he putte oute his payne haþ none ende . And alle þat worcheþ with wronge wenden ...þei shullen Aft.er hire deþ-day  and dwelle with þat shrewe Ac þo þat worcheþ wel  as holy w...ryt telleþ And enden as I hereeerM.1.132: M's erased reading agreed with G, but this is a spurious agreement since the reviser is correcting M's spelling of er as again at M.1.135. See Introduction IV.1.2.7. saide  in truthe þat is beste / Mowe be siker þat here soules  shal wenden to heuene Þere truthe is in trinite  and troneþ hem alle # For-þi I saie as I saide hereeer  bi siȝte of þ...ise text..es . Whanne alle tresores arne triede  þanneM.1.136: M shares þanne with Y. All other B manuscripts omit. truþe is þe beste Lereth it ....yeM.1.137: The erasure occurs at a point where most B manuscripts read this or þise. GF have thys ye. lewde men  for lettred men it knowe . primus passus Þat trwthe is tresoreM.1.138: M shares the reading tresor with G and with A manuscripts. Most other B manuscripts have tresor þe. triedest on erthe ...Yet haue I no kynde knowynge quod I  ...?...yet mote ye kenne me b....ettre By what crafte in my corps  it comseth and where Þow doted daffe quod she M.1.141: No B manuscript omits quod she. . dulle arne þi witt.es To litul latyn þow lernedeste lede in þi ȝyouthe . Heu michi quia sterilem . duxi vitam iuuenilem . It is a kynde knowynge quod sheM.1.144: M's original reading of he agreed with CCrL.  þat kenneth in þine herte For to loue þinthy lorde  leuer þanne — þi-seluen . # dye rather then do dedly syn No dedly synne to do  deiȝe þouȝ þou shuldeste dey Þis I trowe be truthe  who can teche þe b....ettre Loke þou suffre hym to saie  and sithen lere it aft.er For þus wittnesseþ his worde  worche þou þere-aft.er . For truthe telleþ þat loue  is triacle ...ofM.1.150: For M's revised reading of, Cr has for and YOC2 has in. heuene . May no synne be on hym seene  þat vseth þat spice And alle his werkes he wrouȝte  wiþ loue as hym luste And lered it Moyses for þe leueste þinge  and moost like to heuene And also þe pleente of pees  mooste precious of vertues . For heuene miȝte nouȝte holden it  it was so heuy of hym-sel.ue Til it hadde of þe erthe  eten his fille . And whanne it had.de of þis foolde flessh and blood taken . Was neuere leef vpon lynde  liȝter þere-aftur And portatif and persaunt  as þe pointe of a n....edle Þat miȝte non armure it lette  ne none heiȝe walles For-þi is loue led..ere  of þe lord.es folke of heuene And a Mene as þe Maire is  bitwexe þe kynge and þe comune Riȝte so is loue a leder  ande þe lawe shapeþ . Vpon man for his mysdedes  þe mercimentzM.1.164: M's plural is not shared by other B manuscripts. he taxeth . And for to knowe it kyndly  it comseth by miȝte heuedM.1.166: This erased word is legible with ultraviolet light. And in þe herte þere is þe  heedM.1.166: This word is perhaps followed by a punctus. and þe heiȝe welle nota For in kynde knowynge in herte  þere a miȝte bigynnethe And þat Falleþ to þe fad..er  þat fourmede vs alle . Lo..kede on vs with loue  and lete his sone deiȝye . Mekely for oure mysdedes  to amende vs alle  And ȝyet wolde he hem no wo . þat wrouȝte hym þat paine But mekeliche with mouthe . mercy he bisouȝte To haue pite on þat p.eple . þat pynede hym to dethe Here miȝte þou see ensamples . in hym-selueM.1.174: M's original reading without hym agreed with Cr. one . Þat he was myȝtful and meke  and mercy gan graunte To hem þat hongen hym on heiȝ . and his herte þirled . For-þi I rede ȝyow riche . haueth reuthe of þe pouere Thouȝ ȝye be miȝtful to mote . beth me.ke in ȝyoure ......werkesM.1.178: In place of M's revised reading werkes, H has werk, F has herte and G has seluen. For þe same mesures þat ȝe mete . amys oþer elles . ȜYe shullen ben .weien þerwith . whanne ȝye wende henn.es Eadem mensura qua mensi fueritis / remecietur vobis # For þouȝ ȝye be trwe of ȝyowre tonge . and trweliche wynnen And as chaste as a childe þat in chuyrche wep.eth . ButM.1.184: M's reading But is paralleled only among A manuscripts. F has & But; all other B manuscripts have But if. ȝye loue lelliche . and lene þe Pouere . Suche good as god ȝyow sent . goodlich parteth ȜYe haue na more merite  in masse ne in houres notabile off Malkyns maydenhedM.1.187: Notabile is in a different hand from the rest of this marginal insertion. Þan malkyn of hire maydenhede  þat noman disireth For Iames þe gentil . iuggede in his bokes . Þat faith withouten þeM.1.189: M's original reading without þe agreed with YF and most A manuscripts. faite  is riȝt no þinge worthi And as ded as a dore-tre . but ȝif þeM.1.190: M's original reading without þe agreed with FH. dedes folwe . Fides sine operibus mortua est. & cetera ForM.1.192: M shares the reading For with G; other B manuscripts have forþi. chastite with-oute charitee . worth cheyned in helle It is as lewde as a laumpe . þat no liȝt is inn.ee Nota de Chast chapeleyns Many ch.apleyns arne chaste . acM.1.194: Kane and Donaldson's reading of this word as ne is an error. charitee is a-waye Arn no men auaurousere þan hij . whan þei ben auaunced Vnkynde to hire kyn . and to alle cristene Chewen here charitee . and chiden aft.er more . Suche chastitee with-outen charite . worth cheyned in helle x Many curatours kepen hem . clene of here bodies Thei ben accombrede with couetise  þei kuonne not do it from hem . So harde hath auarice . yhasp.ed hem to-gedres And þat is no truthe of þe Trinite . but trecherie of helle And lernynge to lewde men . þe latter for to dele . Ius passus For-þi þes wor...des  ben writen in þe gospell Date & dabitur vobisM.1.205: The underlining of the phrase is done in a later ink.  for I dele .yow alle And þat is þe loke of loue . .....þatM.1.206: M shares its revised reading þat with CrGFH. Other B manuscripts have and. lateth oute my grace To conforte þe careful . accombrede with synne . Loue is leche of lif  and nexte oure lord seluen And also þe graithe .gate . þat goth in-to heuene For-þi I say as I saide . ere by þe textis . Whanne alle tresores ben tried . truth is þe beste Now haue I tolde þe . what truthe is . þat no tresorer is b....ettre I may no lenger lenge þe with . now loke þe oure lord . Passus secundus de visione  vt supraM.2.0: No blank line follows this rubric, which is centered. Y YetM.2.1: The main scribe always spells yet with initial <ȝ> and it is always corrected. Here it looks as though the guide letter has been altered to a <y>. At any event, the initial <Y> was painted after the general correction of the <ȝ> to <y>. I courb.ed on m.y knees . and criede .......hire of grace And saide mercy ma-dame . for marie loue of heuene . Þat bar þat blisseful barn . þat bouȝte vs on þe rode Kenne me by somme crafte  to knowen þe fals . Loke vppon .....thy lefte half . and lo where he stondeth Boþe fauel and falsM.2.6: M reverses the order of the names found in the other B manuscripts. . and here feres manye I loked on my lifte half. as þe lady me tauȝte . #primam apparicionem mede And was war of a ..womman . worth.ily y-clothede Purfiled with pelure . þe finest vpon erthe . Y-crouned with a croune  þe kynge haþ non bett..re Fetislich hire fyngres weren  fretted with g.old wyre And þere-on rede rubies  as red as any glede And diamauntz of derreste pris  and double manere sa......phires Orientales and ewages . venymes to destr.uye H...ir robe was ful riche . of red skarlete engreyned With ribanes of rede golded . and of riche ston..es Hire arra..y me rauysshede . suche richesse saw I neuere I ...?...hadde wonder what she was . and whas w.yf she were . What is þis womman quod I  so wondurlyM.2.19: M's reading of wondurly is not attested among other B manuscripts, most of which read worþili. atyrede That is mede þe mayden quod she  haþ noiede me ful ofte And ylakked my lemman  þat leaute is hoten . And bilowen hire to lord..es . þat lawes han to kepe . In þe popes Palais . she is priue as my-selue But sothnesse wolde nouȝt so  for she is a basta..erd For fals was hire fadur  þat ha.þM.2.25: In place of M's corrected haþ, YOC2 read hadde. a fikul tonge And neuere soth saide  sith he come to þeM.2.26: M is the only B manuscript to include þe at this point. erþe And Mede is manered aftur hym . riȝte as kynde askeþ Qualis pater talis filius . bonus arbor bonum fructum facit . I auȝte to ben heiȝer þan she . I cam of a bett..re My fad..er þe grete god is . & grounde of alle graces . O god wyth-outen gynnynge . and I his goode douȝtur # And haþ ȝyoue meM.2.32: M's orginal omission of me agreed with G. mercy . to marye with my-selue And what man be merciful . and lelly me lou..ye Shal be my lord and I his leef  in þe heiȝe heuene . And what man takeþ mede  my lif dar I laye Þat he shal lese for hire loue  a lappe of caritatis How construeth kynge dauydM.2.37: M's reading of kyng dauyd is not shared by other B manuscripts, which except for F read Dauid þe kyng. . of men þat take mede And men of þis moolde . þat mainteigneth truthe . And how ȝye shal saue ȝyoure-selue . þe sauter bereth w..ytnesse . Domine quis habitabit in tabernaculo tuo . & cetera . And now worth þis mede y-mariede . al toM.2.41: The original reading alto is in line with YOC2L. The corrected reading is shared with GFH, whereas WHmCr have vnto. a mansede shrewe . # maritage medis To o..on fals fik..el tonge . a fend......es biyete . Fauel þourȝe his faire speche  haþ þis folk enchaunt..ed And al is lieres ledynge  þat she is þus y-weddud . To-morwe worthe y-made  þe maydoen.es brydale And þere miȝte þow wyte ȝif þou wolt . .whiche þei ben alle . Þat longeth to þat lordshipe  þe lasse and þe more . Knowe hem þere ȝif þou kanst . and kepe ...þou þiM.2.48: M's altered reading þou þi agrees with WHmCrGMH. YOC2F read wel þi; CLR read thy. tonge And lakke hem nouȝt . but lat hem worthe . til leawte be iustice . And haue power to punissh hem . þanne put forþe þi resoun Now I bikenne þe Crist quod she  and his clene mod.er And late no conscience acombre þe  for couetise of mede . Thus lefte me þat lady . liggynge a-slepe . And how mede was y-mariede . in meteles me þouȝte . Þat alle þe riche retenaunce  þat regneth with þe fals Weren boden to þe bridale . on boþe two sid.es  ijus passus # thassemble at medis mariage Of alle manere of men . þe mene and þe riche To marie þis ma...yden . was many man assemblede As of kniȝtes and clerkes . and oþur comune p.eple As sisours and sompnours . shereues and hire clerkes Bedelles and Bailliues . and Brokours of chaffaresM.2.61: M alone of the B manuscripts has the plural form of the word. . Forg.....oeris and vitaillers . and vocates of þe arche.s I can not rekkenen þe route . þat ran aboute Mede . Ac symonye and Cyuile . and sisours of courtes Were mo...ost priue with Mede  of any men asM.2.65: M alone among B manuscripts includes as at this point. me thouȝte Ac Fauel was þe furste  þat fet here oute of boure And as a brokurour brouȝte hire . to be with fals enioynede . Whanne symonye and Cyuyle  seiȝ hire boþere wille . Thei assented for siluer . to saie as boþe wolde Thanne leep liere forth . and saide lo here a chartre Þat Gile with his grete othes . gaf hem to-gedre . And preide Cyuile to see . and Symonie to rede it Þanne symonye and Cyuile . stoden forth bothe . A.....nd vnfolden þe Feffement . þat fals ha.þ y-makede And þus bigynnen þes gomes . to greden ful heiȝe Sciant presentes .& futuri & cetera . Medis Fefment Witeth and wittenesseth . þat wonieth vpon þis erþe Þat Mede is y-maried . more for hire good..es .....Than for any vertue or fairenesse . or for any free kynde . Falsenesse is fain of hire . for he wot hire riche And fauel with his fikel speche . feffeth by þis chartre To be withM.2.82: The inserted with is not attested in any other B manuscript. princes in pride . and pouerte to despise To bakbyteM.2.83: M shares the reading bakbyte with H; all other B manuscripts read bakbyte and. : to boosten . and beren fals witytnesse To scorne and to scoolde . and sclaundre to make Vnbuxome : and bolde : to breke þe ten heestus . And þerldome of enuye . and wrath to-gedres . With þe chastlete of cheste  and chatering out of resoun Þe countee of Coueityse . and alle þe coo...stes aboute That is vsure and Auarice . alle I hem graunte . + burgh In bargaines and in brocages . with alle þe b....urgh of thefte . And alle þe lordshipe of lecherie . in lengthe and in brede # As in werkes and in word.es . and waitinges with eiȝes . And in wed..es and ..wysshinges . and with .idel thouȝt.es . # There as wille wolde . and wer...?...kmanship failleth Glotonye he gaf hem eke . and grete othus to-gedre And alle day to drinke . at diuerse tauernes And þere to iangle and to iape  and iuggen here euene-cristene . And in fastinge-days to frete . ar ful tyme were . And þanne to sitten and soupen  til slepe h.emM.2.99: M's revised reading is that of all B manuscripts except F which has hym. assaille . And bred.en as burgh swyn . and bedden hem esily Til sleuthe and sle..ep . sliken hi.rM.2.101: M's alteration of the word to hir brings it into agreement with HmCrYH. Other B manuscripts have hise. sides And þanne ..wanhope to awake hym so  with no wille to amende nota For he leueth b.e l.ostM.2.103: M's revised reading is that of most B manuscripts except Cr which has by lust. . þis is here laste ende . And þei to haue and to holde . and h..ir heires a...fter A dwellinge with þe deuel  and dampned be for euere With alle þe purteinaunce of purgatorie . in-to þe pyne of helle . ȜYeldinge for þis þinge . at on ȝyeres eende Here soules to s...?...athan . to suffre with hym paines . And with hym to wonye in wo  whil god is in heuene . In wittnesse of w....hich þinge  wronge was þe furste . And Piers þe Pardonere . of Paulines doctrine Bette þe Bedelle . of Bokyngham shire . Raynalde þe Reue . of Rotlande sokene Munde þe Mellere  and many mo othere # In þe date of þe deuel . þis dede I assele . Bi siȝte of sire Symonye . and Ciuiles leue . # Irascebatur theologia Thanne tened hym Theologie . whan he þis tale herde And saide to Cyuyle . now sorwe moot þow haue . Suche weddinges to worche . to wratthe with truthe And er þis weddynge be wrouȝte  wo þe bitideM.2.120: first vowel is damaged by a wormhole. / For mede is m.....oliree of amendes engendred And god graunteth to ...gyue  mede to truthe And þow hast ....giuen hire to a gilour  now god ȝyeue þe sorwe Thi tixte telleþ þe not so . truthe wot þe soþe . For dignus est operarius . his hire to haue . And þou hast. feste hire to fals . fy on thi lawe . For al by lesinges þou l.yuest . and leccherouse werkes . Symonye and þi-self . shenden holichurche Þe notaries and ȝye . noieth þe p.eple Ȝe shul abiggen it boþe . by god þat me made . Wel ȝe wyten wernardus examinatur coret coret Ius ijus passus M.2.131: The <//> is to indicate that a paraph should be rubricated. See Introduction I.7. Wel ȝye wyten wernardes . but ȝif ȝyoure witte faille That fals is faitheles . and fikul in his werkes And was a bastarde ybore . of belsabubbes kynne . And mede is moylere . a mayden of gode . And miȝte kysse þe kynge . for cosin and she wolde For-þi worcheþ bi wisdome . and by witte also And ledeth here to londoun . þere þeM.2.137: M shares the reading þe with H. Other B manuscripts omit. lawe is shew..ed If any lawe wol loke  þei liggen to-gedres . And þouȝ Iustices iugge hire  to be ioyned with fals ȜYet be war of weddynge . for witty is truthe . And conscience is of his conseille . and knoweth ȝyow echone Notate verba And ȝif he fynde ȝyow in defaute . and with þe fals holde It shal bisitte ȝyoure soules . ful soure atte laste . M.2.144: The scribe did not fill the space left for a capital letter but instead wrote an indication for a paragraph mark which was never inserted.Herto assent.ede Cyuyle . ac symonye ne wolde Til he had siluer for his seruice . and also þe Notaries . Thanne fette fauel forth . flo..ryns y-nowe . And bad gile to geue . golde alabouteal aboute . And namelich to þe Notaries  þat hem none faille And feffe fals wittnessesM.2.149: M shares the plural form wittnesses with W. See Introduction IV.2.2.4. . with Floruyns y-nowe . For ..theyM.2.150: M's altered reading agrees with WHmCrGYOC2CH. LRF read he. may mede amaistrye  and maken at my wille / Tho þis gold was g.yue  grete was þe þonkynge To fals and to fauel . for here faire ȝyiftes And comen to conforte . from care þe fals . And saiden certes sire . cesse shal we neuere . Til mede be þi wedded wif . þoruw witt..es of vs alle For we haue mede amaistriede . with oure merie speche That she graunteþ to gon . with a gode wille . To londoun to loke . ȝif þat þe lawe wolde Iuggen ȝyow ioyntly . in ioye for euere . Thanne was fals.enesse fayne . and fauel as blithe And leten sompne alle segges . in shyres aboute And badeM.2.162: M alone omits the word hem at this point. alle ben boun  beggers and othere To wende with hem to westmynstre  to w..itnesse þis dede Ac þanne carede þei for capl..es . to kayren hem þidur . And fauel fette forth þanne . fol..es ynowe . b j And sette mede vpon a shyreue . ......shood al newe And fals sat on a sisour . þat softely trotted And fauel on a flaterere . fetisliche attirede Tho h....ad þeM.2.169: M uniquely reads þe at this point, though the reading is shared with two A manuscripts. notaries none . annoyede thei were . For Symonye .. & Cyuyle  shulde on here feet gange Ac þanne swo..or Symonye . ..and Cyuyle bothe That sompnours shulde be sadlede . and seruen hem .echone . And lat apparaille þes prouisours . in palfrays wise . Sire Symonye hym-seluen . shal sitte vpon hire bakkes Denes and sudbdenes . drawe ȝyow to-gaydres Erchedekenes and Officiales . and alle ȝyoure Registrers . Lat sadle hem with siluer . owre synne to suffre As auoutrie and ...?...deuorses . and derne vsurye To bere bisshopes aboute . abr...ood in visitinge . ...?...PaynlesM.2.180: M's reading of Paynles is not shared by other B manuscripts, which read Paulynes. prives . for plei....ntes in þe consistorie Shullen seruen my-selue . þat Ciuyle is nempned And carte-sad..le oure Comm.issar..ie  oure carte shal he lede And fecchen vs vit....ailes  at Fornicatores . And makeþ of liere a longe carte . to leden alle þes oþ.ere As Freres and fauytours  þat on hire fete rennen And þus fals and fauel . farethM.2.186: All other B manuscripts except for H have forþ after fareth. to-gidres And Mede in þe mydd..es . and alle þes oþere aft.er . I haue no tome to telle . þe ta..yle ...þat hem folwȝ..edM.2.188: M's altered reading folwed agrees with WH. All other B manuscripts record present tense. Of many manere of m.enM.2.189: Among B manuscripts only MH read of men, though it is the A text reading. Cr23 have men; other B manuscripts have man. In M the vowel of men has been altered. . þat on þis moolde libbeth Ac gile was forgo..ere  and giede hem alle Sothnesse seiȝ hym wel  and saide but litul And priked his palfray . and passede hem alle . And come to þe kyngges court.  & connscience it tolde . And connscience to þe kynge . carped it after # quo modo Rex Iurauit punicionem maleffactorum Now bi crist quod þe kynge . and I cacche myȝte Fals o.r fauel . or any of his feeres I wolde be wroken of þo wrecches . þat wercheþ so ille And don hem hange by þe hals . and alle þat hem mainteneth . ijus passusM.2.199a: There is an erasure up in the top left corner of this leaf which is illegible even under ultraviolet light. Shal neuere man of þisM.2.199: M's original reading without þis is shared by HmYOC2CLRFH. molde . mainprise the leeste But riȝte as þe lawe wol loke . lat falle on hem alle . And comaunded a conestable . þat come atte fuyrste To attache þo tirauntes . for eny þin.ge I hote And fettereth faste falsnesse . for enykynnes ȝyift..es And gurdeth of giles hed . and lat hym go no ferthere And ȝif ȝye lacche liereeM.2.205: It appears here that a letter, perhaps <-e>, has been erased to make space for a punctus, and the curl then added to final <r>. See Introduction III.1. . lat hym nouȝt ascapen Er he be putte on þe piloriey . for any-þingeM.2.206: M's reading of any-þing, an echo from M.2.202, is not shared by other B manuscripts, most of which read any prayere. I hoote And bringeþ mede to me . maugre hem alle . Drede at þe dore stoode . and þe doome herde # drede stetit ad hostium & audiuit mandatum Regis And how þe kyng comaunded . constables and seriauntz Falsenesse and his felash.ipe . to fettren .. & to bynden Þanne drede wente ...?...wiȝtliche . and warned þe fals And bad hym flee for feere  and his felawes alle . ¶ Falsenesse for fere þanneM.2.213: M's original reading without þanne is shared by HmHm2GF. . fledde to þe Freres And gile doþ him to go . agast for to dye Ac marchauntz mette with hym . and made him abide And bishetten hym in here sho..p . to shewen hire ware . And apparailled hym a...?...s aprentice . þe p.eple to serue . Liȝtlich lier . leep a-way þanne . Lorkyng thorȝw lanes . to beM.2.219: The addition of be, in an unfamiliar hand and ink, brings M into agreement with Cr1. lugged of manye He was ...?...nawher welcome  for his manye tales . Ouer-al yhowted . and yhote trusse Til pardoners ha...dde pite . and pulled hym to house Thei wesshen hym and wipped hym  and wounden hym in cloutes And senten hym with seles  on sondays to churches . # pardoun For pens & powndmele & cetera And gaf pardoun for pens  poundmele a-boute Þanne loured leches . and lettres þei sente Þat he shulde wonye with hem . wateres to loke Spicers spoke with hym . to spien here ware . For he couthe of hire crafte . and knew many gommes Ac mynstrals and messagers . mette with hym ones And helden hym an half ....yeer and elleuen daies . # Freres with faire speche . fetten hym þennes # And for knowynge of comers . coped hym as a Frere Ac he hath leue to lepe out . as ofte as him liketh And is welcome whanne he .....wille  and woneth with hem ofte Alle fledden for fere . and flowen in-to hernes Saue mede þe mayden . namo durste abide Ac truly to telle  she tremblede for drede And ek wepte and wronge  whanne she was atachede ~ Passus iijustertiusM.3.0: The numeral is possibly written over an erasure. N NowM.3.1: Some brown ornamentation seems to have been erased from the center of this decorated capital. Compare with the capital at the beginning of passus 4. is Mede þe mayde . and namo of hem alle With bedellus and Baillifs . brouȝt bifore þe kynge Þe kyng called a Clerk . can I nouȝt his name . To take mede þe mayde . and make hire at ese I shal assaien hire my-self .  and sotheliche appose . What man of þis molde  þat hire were leueste And ȝif she worche by my witte and my wille folwe I wyl forgyf hire þis gilte so me god helpe . Curteselich þe Clerk þanne  as þe kynge h..yghte To.k mede by þe mydul  and bro....ghte hire into a chambre And þere was murthe and mynstralcie  mede to plese Þei þat woneth at Westmuynstre  worshepeth hire alle . Gentliche with ioye  þe Iustices summe Buskede hem to þe boure . þere þe burde dwelled To conforte hire kyndlich . by clergise leue . And saiden mourneþ þow nouȝt mede  ne make þou no sorwe For we wolM.3.17: M's original reading without wol was shared by YOC2CL. wisse þe kynge  and þi wey shape . To be wedd.ed a..et þi wille  and where þe le..ef liketh For al conscience caste  or crafte as I trowe . Mildeliche mede þanne  merciede hem alle . Of hire grete goodnesse M.3.21: All other B manuscripts have the word and at this point. gaf hem .echone Coupes of clene gold . and Cuppus of siluer Rynges with rubies . and richesses manye Þe leste man of hire .....mayne  a motoun of golde Þanne lauȝte þei leue  þise lord..es at Mede . With þat comen clerkes . to conforten hire þe same And beden hire be blithe . for we ben þine nowne For to worche thi wille . while þou miȝte laste . iijus passus Hendeliche heo þanne . bihiȝte hem þe same To loue ...hemM.3.30: M's revised reading hem puts it into agreement with most B manuscripts. LR read ȝow; Bm reads hym. lelly . and lordes to make . And in þe consistorie atte courte do calle ȝyowre names Shal no lewdenesse lette  þe leode þat I louye That he ne worth furste auauncede for I am biknowen . Þere connynge clerkus  shul clokke byhynde . # # the Frere & mede in shryft Þanne come þere a Confessour  copud as a Frere . To mede þe mayden  he melled þes word.es . And saide ful softely  in shryfte as it were . Theiȝ lewde men and lered men  had layne by þe boþe . And falsnesses had folwede þe  ...?...?...all thise fifty wynterM.3.39: The end of this line was rewritten perhaps to repair the omission of all. I shal assoille þe my-selue  for a seme . of whete And also be þi bedman  and bere wel þi message Amonges knyȝtes . and clerkes  conscience to tourne . Thanne mede for here mesdedes  to þat man knelede And shro..of hire of hire shrewdenesse  shameles I trowe Tolde hym a tale  and toke hym a noble . For to ben here bedman  and hire brok.rour als Þanne he assoillede hire sone  and sithen he saide We han a wyndowe a-worchinge  wol sitten vs ful heiȝe Woldeste þow glase þat gable  and graue þere-inne þi name . Siker shulde þi soule be . heuen to haue . Wiste I þat quod þe womman  I wolde nouȝt spare For to be .youre freende Frere  and faille ȝyow neuere Whil ȝye loue lord.es  þat leccherie haunteth And lakkeþ nouȝt ladies  þat loueþ wel þe same . It is a frelte of Flessh  ȝ.ye fynde it in bok.es . And a cours of kynde . where-of we comen alle . Who may skape þe sclaundre  þe skaþe is sone amend.ed It is theM.3.58: This insertion is in a different ink. Other B manuscripts have the word before seuene. synne of seuene  sunneste relessede Haue mercy quod Mede  on men þat it haunte And I shal keuere ȝyowre kirke  ȝyowre cloistre do maken Wowes do whyten  and wyndowes glasen Do paynten ..and purtreien  and paie for þe makynge Þat euerey segge shal sayn . I am sustre of ȝyowre hou..se Ac god to alle gode folke  suche grauynge deffendeth To wryten in wyndowes . of hire wel-dedus . On auenture pruyde be painted þere  and pompe of þe worlde . For crist knoweth þi conscience  and þi kynde wille And þi coste and þi couetise  and who þe catel ouȝte . For-þi .I lere ȝyow lord.es  leue suche werkes To writen in wyndowes  of ȝyoure wel-dedes . Or to greden aftur godes men  whanne ȝye delen doles An auenture ȝe haue ȝoure hire here  and ȝoure heuen als Nesciat sinistra quid faciat dextera . Late nouȝte þi lefte half  late ne rathe Wyte what þou worcheste  with þi riȝt syde . For þus biddeth þe gospell  gode men do here almes . Meires and macers  þat menes be bitwene Þe kynge and þe comune . to kepen þe lawes To punisshen on pilories . and pynynge stoles Brewsters and baksteres . bochers and cokus For þise arn men on þis molde  þat moste harme worcheth To þe pore p.eple  þat parcelmele buggen For þe.i poysoun þe p.eple  priueliche and ofte Þei richen þorw regraterie  and rentes hem biggen Wiȝhtith þat þe pore p.eple  shulde putte in hire wombes For took þei on truly  þei tymbred nouȝt so heiȝe Ne bouȝten non burgages  be ȝye ful certein Ac mede þe mayde  þe mayre hath bisouȝte Of alle suche sellers  siluer to take Or presentz with-owten pens  as peces of siluer Rynges or othere richesse  þe regrateres to mainteigne For my loue quod þat lady  loue hem .echone And suffre hem to selle  sumdele aȝeins resoun Sal.omon þe sage  a sermon he made For to amende maires  and men þat kepen lawes And tolde hem þis teme  þat .I telle þenke Ignis deuorabit tabernaclatabernac[u]la eorum qui libenter accipiunt munera & cetera Amonge þes lettr...ede ledes  þis latin is to mene . cor iijus passus ...?...?...That fyre shal falle and berne  al to blo askesM.3.99-101: The extensive rewritings of M.3.99-101 are likely to have been prompted by the desire to re-spell, since there are no significant variants among B manuscripts. Most obviously, the yoghs have been altered to <y> in Yiftes or yeresyeues. The vowel of blo has also evidently been changed. ...?...Þe houses and þe homes  of hem þat desireth ...?...Yiftes or yeresyeues  bi-cause of here offices The kynge fro conseille cam  and called aft.er Mede And of-sen..te hire alsswytheals swythe  with sergeauntz manye Þat brouȝten hire to bowre  with blisse and with ioye Curtesely þe kynge þanne  comsed to telle To mede þe Mayden  melleth þes wordes Vnwittely womman  wrouȝt hast þow ofte Ac worse wrouȝtest þow neuere  þan þo þow fals tooke But I forgeue þe þat gilte  and graunte þe my grace . HenusM.3.110: The scribe may have intended Henns. to þi deþ-day  do so namore # vtrum Mede vult maritare cum conciencie .I haue a knyȝte conscience  cam late fro biȝounde ȜiIf he wilneth þe to wyff  wilt þow hym haue . .Ye lorde quod þat lady  lorde forbede itM.3.113: The addition of it brings M into agreement with WHmB. elles But I be holely at ȝyowre heste  lat hange me sone And þanne was conscience calde  to come and appiere Bifore þe kynge and his conseille  as clerkes and oþ..ere Knelynge conscience  to þe kynge louted To wite what ...his wille were  and what he do shulde Woltow wedde þis womman quod þe kyngeȝif I wol assente For she is fayne of þi felawship .  for to be þi make Quod conscience to þe kynge  crist it me forbede # Consciencie contradicit matrimonium et accusat Mede Ar I wedde suche a wif  wo me bitide For she is frele of hire faith  fikel of hire speche And makeþ men mysdo  many score tymes Truste of hire tresore  treieth ful manye Wyues and widowes  wan......townesM.3.126: Readings in B manuscripts vary between wantounnesse and wantounes; WCrGLH have the latter. she techeþ And lereth hem leccherie  þat loueþ hire ȝyift..es ȜYowre fadre she fellede . þorw fals bihi —este And haþ apoyson..ed popes . &M.3.129: M's original reading without & is shared by CBL. peirede holichurche Is nauȝt a betturre baude  by hym þat me made By-twene heuene and helle  in erthe þowȝ men souȝ..te . For she is tikil of hire ....tayl . talewys of hire tonge . cor # As comune as a cartewey . to eche knaue þat walketh To ..Monkes to mynstrales . to meseles in hegges Sisours and Sompnours . suche men h..ire praiseth Shireues of shires . were shent ȝif she ne..re For she doþ men lesen hire lond . and hire lif boþe She letteþ passe prisoneres . and paieþ for hem ofte ...?...& gyuethM.3.139: M alone among B manuscripts omits the word the at this point. gailers gold . and grot.es to-gedres To vnfettre þe fals . flee where hem likeþ And takeþ þe trwe by þe toppe . and tieþ hem faste And hangeth hem for hattrede . þat harme d.ide neuere To be curs...ed in Consistorie . she counteþ nouȝt a risshe # For she copeth þe Comyssarie . and coteth his clerkes She is assoilled as sone  as hire-seluen liketh And may neiȝe as moche do . in a monethe one As .youre secreM.3.147: All other B manuscripts read secret. seel . in sex score daies . For she is priue with þe pope . prouisours it knoweth For sire Symonye . and here-seluen  seallen h..ire bulles She bless.eth þ...ise bisshop..es . þeiȝe þei ben lewde Prouendreth persones . and preest.es mainteineth To haue lemman..s . and lotebies  al hire lif-day..es And bringen forth barns . aȝeins forboden lawes . # quia ...?... ...?...M.3.154: Something, no longer legible, is erased in the right margin. There she is wel with þe kynge  wo wortheM.3.154: M's original reading of worthe is not shared by other B manuscripts.is þe reume For she is fauorable to þe fals . and fouleth trwþe ofte . Bi iesus with hire iuweles  ȝyowr.e Iustices she shendeth And lith aȝein þe lawe  and letteþ hym þe gate . Þat faiþ may not hauen his forth  here florerins ...go soM.3.158: The only variants for go so are fli in Cr1 and to in Cr23. It looks as though M may have read gon, omitting so. þikke . She ledeþ þe lawe as hire luste . and loue-days makeþ . And doþ men lesen þorw here loue . þat lawe miȝte wynnen . Þe mase for a mene man . þouȝ he mote hire euere . # Lawe is so lordliche  and loth to maken ende With-outen presentz or pens . she pleseþ wel fewe Barouns and burgeis  she bringeth in sorwe And alle þe comune in kare  þat coueyten lyue in truþe . For clergie and couetise  she coupleþ to-g.ydres . ...?...Þis is þe lif of þat lady  now lord ȝyeue hire sorwe . And alle þat mainteineth here men  meschaunce hem bityde For pore men mowe haue non power  to playne þouȝ þei smerte . iijus passus Suche a maistreer is Mede . amonge men of gode Thanne mourned Mede  and moeuedM.3.171: The scribe originally wrote moued, which the corrector changed to meued (or mened). Cr has meued, and although Kane and Donaldson record all other B manuscripts as mened, some of them might equally be read as meued. hire to þe kynge To haue space to speke  spede ȝif she miȝte The kynge graunted hire grace . with a gode wille Excuse þee ȝif þow canst  I can namore seggen . For connscience accuseþ þe  to congeye þe for euere . # # Excusacio medis Nay lord quod þat lady  leueþ hym þe worse . Whanne ȝye wyten witt.erly . where þe wronge liggeth . Þere þat meschief is grete . mede may helpen . And þow knoweste Conscience  I cam not to chide Ne depraue þi persone  with a proude herte Wel þow wost wernard  but ȝif þou wilte gabbe Þow hast hangede on myn half  elleuen times And also gripud my gold  g.yue it where þe likethdM.3.183: M's original reading was shared with H, and is also the reading of many A manuscripts. The alteration brings M into agreement with the rest of the B manuscripts. And whi þow wratthedesteest þe þ...now  wond..er me þinkeþ ȜYit I may as I miȝte  menske þe with ȝyift.es And mainteigne þi manhede . more þanne — þow knoweste Ac þow haste famed me foule  bifore þe kynge heere . For kuyllede I neuere kynge  ne conseilled þere-aft.er . Ne dede as þow demeste  I do on þe kynge # In Normandye was he nouȝt  n.oyed for my sakeM.3.190: This paragraph is bracketed on the left and the right with # nota in the right margin. Ac þou þi-selue soþely  shamedeste hym often . Crope in-to a kaban for colde of þi nayles . Wendeste þat wynt.er . wolde haue last.ede euere . And dreddest to be ded . for a dym cloude And hyedest homward . for hungur of þi ......wombeM.3.195: There is an illegible erasure in the right margin. It may be the guide for the correction wombe. # With-oute pite pilour  pouere men þow robbedeste And bere hire brasses at þi bak . to Calays to selle Þere I lafte with my lord . his lif for to saue I made his men meri . and mournynge lette I baterede hem on þe bak . and bolded hire hert.es And d...ide hem hoppe for hope  to haue me at wille Hadde I ben marchal of his men . by marie of heuene I durste haue layde my lif . and no lasse wedde He shulde haue be lorde of þat londe . in lengthe and .inM.3.204: In place of M's altered in, YOCLR have a. brede . And also kynge of þat ....ekyth . his kynne fortofor to helpe Þe leeste brolle of his blode . a barouns piere Cowardliche þow Conscience  conseiledest hym þanne To leuen his lordshipe . for a litul siluer Þat is þe richeste rewme . þat Rain ouer-ouethM.3.209: Initial <h> has been dropped from houeth. See Introduction IV.1.2.6. It bicometh to a kynge . þat kepeþ a rewmeM.3.210: This paragraph is bracketed in the left margin. # To ȝyeue mede to men  þat mekelich him serueth To aliens and to alle men .M.3.212: Among other B manuscripts, all read to at this point, except for H which reads þat. The word is also omitted by three A manuscripts. honouren hem with .gift.es Mede makeþ hym biloued . and for a man holden Emperours and erles . and alle manere lord.es . For ȝyiftes han ȝyonge men . to rennen and to ride The pope and alle prelates  presentz vndurfongen And medeth men hem-selue  to mainteine hire lawes S.......eriauntzM.3.218: For rewritten seriauntz, YCr23OBLF have seruauntz, as do most A manuscripts. for hire seruice . we seth wel þe sothe .Taken mede of hire maistres  as þei mowe accorde Beggers for here byddynge . bidden men mede Mynstrals for here merthe . mede þei asken Þe kynge hath mede of his men  to make pees in londe Men þat techen children . craue of hem mede . Prest.es þat precheþ þe p.eple . to gode asken mede And masse-pens and here mete . atte þe mel-tymes Alkynn.es crafti men crauen mede for hire prentys Marchauntz and mede  moten  ned.es go to-gidres No wi...ght as I wene . with-outen mede may libben # Rex est ex parte mede Q...huod þe kynge to Conscience . bi crist as me þ.inketh Mede is wel worthi  þe maistrie to haue . # Replicacio consciencie Nay quod Conscience to þe kynge . and kneled to þerþe . Þere arn two maneresM.3.232: M's plural with <-s> is unique among B manuscripts. of medes . my lord with ȝyowre leue Þat on god of his grace . graunteþ in his blisse To þo þat wel worchen . whil þei ben here . Þe prophete precheþ þer-of and putte it in þe sautiere Domine quis habitabit in tabernaculo tuo . Lord who shal wonye in þi wones . and with þine holy seintes Or resten on þi holy h.illes  þis askeþ Dauid . And dauid assoilleth it hym-selue  as þe Sautiere telleþ . Qui ingreditur sine macula  & operatur iusticiam  iijus passus Tho þat entren of on colour . and of on wille And han wrouȝte werk.es . with riȝt and with resoun And he þat vseth nauȝte . þe lif of vsure And enfourmeth pore men . and pursueth treuthe Qui pecuniam suam non dedit ad vsuram . & munera super innocentem & cetera And alle þat helpeth þe innocent . and halt with þe riȝtful With-oute mede doþ hem godeod . and þe treuthe helpeth . Suche manere men my lorde . shal haue þis furste mede Of god ....at hirM.3.249: The alteration hir puts M into agreement with Hm and Cr. Most other B manuscripts read a. grete nede  whanne þei gon henn.es . Þere is an-othere mede mesureles  þat maistres desireth To mainteigne mysdoers  mede þei take And þereof saith þe Sauter  in a salmes ende In quorum manibus iniquitates sunt . dextera eorum repleta est muneribus . And he þat gripeth h.ire golde . so me god helpe Shal abien it bitterre  or þe book lieth . ¶Prest.es and persones . þat plesinge desireth Þat taken mede forM.3.257: M's original reading for is not attested in other B manuscripts. The alteration brings M into agreement with Hm. Other B manuscripts read and. monoye . for messes þat þei singeth Taketh here mede here . as mathew vs techeth Amen amen recipiebant mercedem suam . That laborers and meneM.3.260: M's reading of mene is not shared by other B manuscripts, which read either lowe or lewed. folk . taketh of hire maistres It is no manere mede . but a mesurable hire In Marchaundise itM.3.262: M's reading of it is not attested by other B manuscripts. is no mede  I may it wel avowe It is a permutacioun apertly . on penyworth for anoþere . Nota Ac reddest þow neuere Regum  þow recraide Mede Whi þe veniaunce fel  on Saul and his Children . God sente to Saul  by Samuel þe prophete Þat agag of amalek  and alle his p.eple aft.er Shulden deie for a dede  þat don hadde hire .eldres For-thi saide Samuel to Saul . god hym-selue hoteth The / be buxome at his bidding  his wille to fulfille Wende to Amalec with þin bhosteM.3.271: M's original boste is not attested in other B manuscripts. . and what þow fyndest þere —M.3.271: M's erasure of þere places it in agreement with HmF. sle it Biernes and best.es . brenne hem to d...etheM.3.272: In place of the revision dethe, YOC2CBLR have dede. Wydoewes and wyues . wymmen and children Moebles and vnmoebles  and al þat þou miȝte fynde Brenne it bere it nouȝt away  be it neuere so riche . For mede ne for monoye . loke þow destru...ye it Spille it and spare it nouȝt  þow shalt spede þe be...ttre And for he coueited h.ire catel . and þe kynge sparede Forbare hym and his best.es boþe  as þe bible witnesseth Oþ.er-wise ....than he was . warned of þe prophete God saide to Samuel  þat Saul shulde deie . And alle his seede for þat synne . shenfulliche enden Suche a meschief Mede . made  Saul þe kynge to haue . Þat god hated hym for euere  and alle his heirs aftur # the Culorum The culorum of þis cas  kepe I nouȝt to shewe An auenture it noied men  none ende wil I make For so is þe worlde went . with hem þat han powere Þat who-so saith hem sothes . is sonneste y-blamed I Co.nscience knowe þis . for kynde wit me itM.3.289: No other B manuscript omits it in this b-verse, though its placement varies. The word, however, is omitted in most A manuscripts. tauȝte Þat resoun shal regne . and rewmes gouerne And riȝte as Agag hadde hapM.3.291: M's addition of hap here is unattested among other B manuscripts. . happe shul somme Samuel shal sleen hym . and Saul shal be blamede And dauid shal be diademede . and daunten hem alle . And on cristen kynge . kepen ...?...hem echoneM.3.294: M's alteration to hem agrees with all B manuscripts except F. The alteration to echone is shared with Bm and agrees with Cr. Other B manuscripts read alle. In L, hem is added by a corrector, and its original reading was possibly the same as M's, where faint traces of alle appear to underlie the revision. Shal namore Mede be maistreer  as she is nouthe Ac loue and ...?...lownesseM.3.296: In place of the revision lownesse, CBoCot have lewednese. . and leute to-gidres x Þise shul be maistres . on molde treuthe to saue . And whoso trespasseth aȝein truthe . or takeþ aȝein his wille Leute shal do hym lawe . and no lif elles . Shal no seriaunt for hireisM.3.300: The alteration puts M in agreement with WCrGH. seruisyce . were a silke howue Ne no pelure in his cloke . for pledynge atte barre . Mede of mysdoers  maketh many lordes And ouere lordes lawes  ......ruleth þe rewmes # quod lex laborabit Ac kynde loue shal come ȝyet . and conscience to-gidres And make of law a laborere . suche loue shal arise . And suche a pees amonge þe p.eple  and a parfite truthe Þat iewes shal wene in hire wit  and w.exen wond.er glade Þat Moises or Messie  bie comeM.3.308: For the alteration be come, C2 has by comen. in to þis erthe And haue wondreer in h...ire hert.es  þat men ben so trwe # prophesiam Alle þat bereth baslarde . brode swerde or launce Axe oþer hachet . or ...any wepen elles Shal be demed to þe deth . but ȝif he do it smythie In-to sik.el or to sithe . to share or to Cultre iijus passus Conflabunt gladios suos in vomeres . & cetera Eche man to play with a ploȝugh . pikoise or .spade Spinne or sprede donge . or spille hym-seluef with sleuthe Prestes and persones . with Placebo to hunte And dingen vpon dauid . eche a day til eue . # prestes to lese ther beneffys For huntyng Huntynge or haukynge . ȝif any of hem vse His boste of his benefice . worth bynome hym .....after Shal neiþer kynge ne kniȝte . conestable ne maire Ouer-lede þe comune  ne to þe courte sompne Ne putte hem in panel . to don hem pliȝte here truthe But aft.er þe dede þat is don . on dome shal rewarde Mercy or non mercy . as treuthe wil accorde . # Kynges courte and comune courte  Consistorie and chapitele # Al shul be but on courte . and on baroun be iustice Þanne worth trwe tonge a tidy man  þat tened me neuere Batailles shal non be  ne no man bere wepne And what smyth þat ony ...?...smythethM.3.330: This alteration to M occurs at a place where B manuscripts vary considerably in their readings. W reads smyþeþ, Cr has smithed; some other manuscripts have smyteth.  be smite þere-with to deþe Non leuabit gens contra gentem gladium & cetera # And er þis fortune falle . fynde men shal þe worste # propheciam de vj sunnis & a ship By syx sonnes and a shipp  and half a shef of arwes And þe mydul of a mone . shal make þe iewes to turne And saracenes for þat siȝte . shullen synge Gloria in excelsis & cetera For Mak.omete and me..de  mysshapp shal þat tyme For melius est bonum nomen quam diuicie multe & cetera # # Responsio mede ad replicacionem As wroth as þe wynde . wex Mede in a w.l.hile I can no latyn quod she . clerkes woteot þe sothe Se what sal.omon ....seith . in sapience bokes Þat hij þat ȝyeueth ȝyiftes  þe victorie wynneth And moche worsh...?...ip haddeM.3.342: M's altered reading hadde agrees with WOCBR; CrHmF attest the present tense, but M is apparently just respelling worshipp had. þerewith  as holy writte telleth Honorem adquiret . qui dat munera & cetera. . I leue wel lady quod connscience  þat þi latyne be truwe . Ac þow art like a lady . þat redde a lessoun ones . Was Omnia probate . and þat ples.ed h.ire herte For þat line was no lenger . atte þe leues ende Had ...sheM.4.348: For M's revision she, BL read Ȝe. See the note to the next line." loked þat oþ.er half  and þe lef tournede . ...SheM.3.349: For She, BL read Ȝe; R has Heo. shulde haue founden fele wordes  folwynge þere aft.er  Quod bonum est tenete . truthe þat texte made . And so ferde ȝye ma-dame . ȝye couthe namore fynde . Þo ȝye lo.ked on sapience  sittinge in .....youre studie Þis tixte þat ȝeM.3.353: M alone among B manuscripts lacks the word han here. tolde . were gode for lord.es Ac ȝyow faillede a connyn..ege clerk . þat couthe þe lef haue tourned And ....if ye seche sapience efte . fynde shal ȝye þat folweth A ful teneful tixte . to hem þat takeþ Mede . And þat is animam autem aufert accipientium . & cetera And þat is þe ta..eyl of þe texte . of þat þat ..esheM.3.358: M's altered reading she agrees with WHmCr1GH. Other B manuscripts read ye. shewede Þat þeiȝe we wynne worshippe . and with mede haue victorie Þe soule þat þ..e soude taketh  by so muche is bounde Passus quartus de visione vt supra C CEsseth seith þe kynge . I suffre ȝyow no lengere ȜYe shal sauȝtene for sothe . and serue me bothe Kisse hire quod þe kynge . Conscience I hote . Nay bi Criste quod Conscience . congeie me for euere But resoun rede me þerto  rather wol I deie . # Rex mandauit Conscientiam adquirere Racionem And I comaunde þe quod þe kynge . to conscience þanne Rape þe to ride . and resoun þow fecche . Comaunde hym þat he come . my conseille to here For he shal reule my rewme . and rede me þe beste And acounte with þe conscience . so me crist helpe How þou lern....est þe p.eple . þe lered and þe lewede I am fayne of þat forward . saide þe freke þanne . And rit riȝte to resoun . and rowneth in his ere And saide as þe kynge — badde — . and sithen to..ok his leue I shal arraie me to ride . quod resoun reste þe a while And called Catoun his knaue . curteis of speche #M.4.17: The text from here to the end of the page is marked with a bracket in the left margin. And also tomme trewe tonge  telle me no tales Ne lesynge to lawȝe of  for I loued hem neuere / SetteM.4.19: All other B manuscripts except F begin the line with And. M's omission of the word agrees with the A text. my sadel vpon suffre . tyl I se my tyme And lete warrok it wel  with witty wordes gerthes And hange on hym þe heuy bridul . to holde his hed lowe For he wol make wehe . twye er he be þere . iiijus passus Thanne Conscience vpon his . caple . kaireth forth faste And resoun with hym ritte  rownynge to-g.idres Whiche maistries Mede . makeþ on þis erthe . Oon waryn wisdom  and witt.y his fere Folwed hem faste  for heM.4.27: M's reading of he is not shared by other B manuscripts, most of which read þei. h....eadde to doone In þe chekkere and chauncerie  to be deschargede of þinges . And riden faste for resoun shulde  rede hem þe beste For to saue hem for siluer  from shame and from harmes And Conscience knewe hem wel  þei louede coueitise And bad resoun ride faste . and recche of here neyþere Þere arne wiles in h...ire wordes  and with Mede þei dwelleth Þere as wratthe and wrangelynge is  þere wynne þei syluer . Ac þere is loue and lewte  þei wol not come þere . Contricio & infelicitas in vijs eorum & cetera Þei ne g.yuen nouȝte of god  on gose wynge . Non est timor dei ante oculos eorum For wot god þei wolde do more  for a dosein of Chikenes Or as many Capouns  or for a seem of Otes Þanne — for loue of oure lorde  or alle his leue seint..es For-þi resoun l..eat hem ride  þo Riche by hem-seluene For Conscience knoweth hem nouȝte . ne Crist as I trowe And þanne resoun ....rood faste  þe riȝte heiȝe weyeM.4.44: M's reading of weye is not shared by other B manuscripts, which read gate. As Conscience hym kenn..ed . til þei come to þe kynge # Rex obuiauit cum racione Curteisly þe kynge þanne . come aȝein resoun And bitwene hym-self and his sone . sette .. — hym on benche And wordeden wel wysely . a gret while tog.idres # conquestus est pax contra Iniuriam And þanne come pees in-to parlement . and put forth a bille How wro...eong aȝeins his will  had his wif taken And h.how heM.4.51: The original reading may have omitted how, as F. rauysshede Rose . Re..ignaldes loue And mMargreteM.4.52: It was evidently important to someone reviewing the text that the proper name begin with a capital letter. of hire maydonhoedeM.4.52: The form maydonhode has been altered to maydonhede, the reading of WCrF. . mawgre hire chek..es Boþe my gees and my grys / his gadlinges .feccheth I dar nouȝte for feere of hym . fiȝte ne Chide  # the borowing off bayerd He .......borwede of me bayard . he brouȝte h.ym home neue..re ..Ne no ........ferthyng þerefore  for nouȝte I coude plede He mainteigneth his men . to morthere my...?...ne hewenM.4.57: For rewritten hewen RF have hennes. cor Forstalleth my feires . and fiȝteth in my chepinge And breketh vp myn berne dore . and bereth awey my whete And taketh me but a taille . for ten quartereM.4.60: M shares the reading quarter with Cr. Kane and Donaldson record the erased letter as <s>, which would agree with the form in all other B manuscripts, but the letter seems clearly to be an <e>. Ot.es And ȝyet he beteth me þerto  and liiyth by my mayde . I hnamM.4.62: M's revised reading, motivated by the otiose initial <h>, is shared with CL. nouȝt hardy for hym . vnnethe to loke Þe kynge knewe he saide sothe . for conscience hym tolde . Þat wronge was a wikked li..ftM.4.64: This use of lift puzzles the scribes, who write lust GBR, luske Cr, as well as wilder variants. and wrouȝte moche sorwe Wronge was a-fer..ed þanne . and wisdome he souȝte ...To — make pees with his pens . heM.4.66: M's he agrees with F; other B manuscripts have and. proferede hym manye And saide hadde IM.4.67: M's original reading without I agreed with F. loue of my lorde þe kynge  litul wolde I recche Theiȝe pees and his powere  playnede hym euere # wyt & warin wisdom Þo w....enteM.4.69: The altered word brings M into line with most B manuscripts, though LR read wan, and CBoCot read whan. w..isdome . and sire warin þe witty For þat wronge had y-wrouȝte . so wikkede a dede And warned wronge þo . with suche a w..ys tale . Whoso worcheþ by my wille . wratthe makeþ ofte I seie it by ..myM.4.73: M's altered reading my agrees with most B manuscripts. YOC2LRF read thy.-self . þou shalt it wel fynde . But ȝif Mede it make  þi meschief is vppe For bothe þi lif and þi lond  lith in his grace . Þanne wowede wronge . wisdome ful ȝyerne # To make hisM.4.77: M's original reading without his agreed with WH. pees with his pens  handi-dandi payede Wisdom and witte  þanne wenten to-g.idres And tooken m..yede myd hem  mercy to wynne . Pees put forth his hede  and his panne blody With-outen gilte god it wot . gat I þis skaþe Conscience and þe comune . knowen þe sothe Ac wysdom and wittyM.4.83: M's reading witty is not attested in other B manuscripts, which read wit. . weren abouten faste To ouercome þe kynge . with catel ȝif þei miȝte Þe kynge swo..or by crist . and by his crowne boþe Þat wronge for his werkes . shulde wo þolie And comaunded a Conestable  to caste hym in yrens And lete hym nouȝt  þis seuen ȝyere seen his fe..et ones . God wot quod wysdom  þat were nouȝt þe beste And he ...?...amendes mowe make . lat meymprise hym haue . cor And be borwe for his bale cor ijus iiijus passus And be borwe for his bale . and biggen hym bote And so amende þat is mysdo . and euer-more þe bett..re # notaM.4.93: This paragraph is marked with lines in the right margin. Wit. accord.ed hereM.4.93: M's reading here is unattested among other B manuscripts, which read þer.-wiþ . and saide þe same Bett..re is þat b...ote . bale a-doun bringe Þan bale be y-bet.ee . and bote neuer þe bett..re And þanne gan mMede to mongenM.4.96: M's reading of mongen is not shared by other B manuscripts. The majority reading is mengen. here . and mercy she bisouȝte M.4.96: This paragraph is marked with a bracket. nota And profred pees a present . al of pure golde . Haue þis man of me quod she  to amende þi skaþe . For I wol wage for wronge  he wol do so namore Pitousely pees þanne . praide to þe kynge To haue mercy on þat man . þat mysd...?...ide hym ofteM.4.101: It is likely that the original reading was him so ofte as in most B manuscripts. Only G shares M's omission of so, though it is the reading of A manuscripts. Here there are apparently two correctors at work. The first is responsible for ide hi, while a second has altered the second <i> to <y> and added <m> for hym. . For heM.4.102: M alone among B manuscripts lacks haþ at this point. waged me wel . as wisdome hym tauȝte And I for....giue him þat gilte . with a gode wille So þat þe kynge assente  I can seie no bett..re For mMede haþ made me amendes . I canM.4.105: M's reading of can is not shared by other B manuscripts, which read may. no more axen . nota Nay quod þe kynge þo . so me crist helpe Wronge wendeth not so away . arst wil I wite more # Bene Iudicatus est Rex For loupe he so liȝtly . lawghen he wolde And efte þe balder be . to beten myn hynen But resoun haue reuthe on him . he shal reste in my stokkus . And þat as longe as he liueþ . but lowenesse hym borwe Summe men redde Resoun  toM.4.112: The reading to is shared with H. Other B manuscripts have þo to. ruweM.4.112: M's reading of ruwe is not shared by other B manuscripts, which read have ruþe. on þat shrewe And for to concseille þe kynge . and connscience aft.er Þat Mede moste be mainpernour . resoun þei bisouȝte Rede me nouȝte quod resoun . no reuthe to haue # optime dicit Racio Til lord.es and ladies . louen alle truthe . And haten al harlotrie . to heren itM.4.117: M's revised reading agrees with WHmCrG. Other B manuscripts have heren it. or to mouthe it # M.4.118-125: These lines are marked with a bracket in the right margin. Til pernels purfil . be put in here hucche . And Children cherisshinge  be chastinge with ȝyerd.es . And harlotes holinesse . be holden for an hyne . Til clerken coueitise be  to clothe poreM.4.121: The reading pore is shared with Hm. Other B manuscripts have þe pore. and fede . And religious rom.eres . Recordare in hire cloistres . As seint Bernard hem bad . BeneteM.4.123: All other B manuscripts have the names Bernard and Benet in the other order. and Fraunceis And til prechours prechinge  be preuede on hem-seluen Til þe kynges concseille . be þe comune profit . Til bisshopes baiardes . be beggers chambres Hire haukes and hire houndes . helpe to pore Religious And til seint Iames be souȝte . þere I shal assigne Þat no man go to Galis . but ȝif he go for euere And alle Rome renneres  for robbers of biȝende Bere no siluere ouere see  þat signe of kynge sheweþ Neithur graue ne vngraue  gold neith.er siluer. Vpon forfeture of þat fee  whoso fynt him at Douere But it be marchaunt or his man  or messagere with lettres Prouisour or preest  or penaunt for his synn..es And ȝyet quod Resoun by þe Rode  I shal no reuthe haue Whil Mede haþ þe maistrie . in þis mote halle Ac I may shewe emsamples  as I se othere-while I saie it by my-self quod he  and it so were That I were kynge with crowne  to kepen a reume . Shulde neuere wronge in þis worlde . þat I .wyte miȝte Ben vnpunisshede in my powere . for peril of my soule Ne gete my grace for gift.es . so me god saue . Ne for no mede haue mercy  but mekenesse it make . nota For nullum malum þe man . mette with inpunitum And bad nullum bonum . be irremuneratum . Lat ȝyoure confessour sire kynge . construe þis vnglos.ed # quod lex laborabit & lede a-Feld dong And ȝif ȝye werken it in werke . I wedde myn eres . Þat lawe shal ben a laborer . and lede a-fielde donge And loue shal lede þi londe  as þe lief likeþ . Clerkes þat were confessours . coupled hem to-gedres . Alle to construe þis clause . for þe kynges Profit Ac nouȝte for conforte of þe comune  ne for þe kynges soule For I seiȝe Mede in þe moothalle . on men of lawe wynken And þay lawghynge lope to hire . and lafte resoun manye Waryn wisdome . wynkede vpon mede . And saide ma-dame I am .youre man . what so my mouthe iangeleth I ...?...failleM.4.158: M's altered reading faille agrees with Cr. Hm also alters the word to fayle. Most B manuscripts read falle in, and an erased in is likely here. Flor.ynes quod þat freyke . and faille speche ofte . iiijus passus ¶ Alle riȝtful recorded . þat resoun truthe tolde And witte accord.ed here-withM.4.160: M's reading of her-with is not shared by other B manuscripts, which read þerwith. . and comend.ed his word.es And þe mooste p.eple in þe halle . and manye of þe grete And leten mekenesse a maister . and Mede a mansud shrewe nota Loue le..et of hire liȝte . and lewte ȝyet lasse And saide it so heiȝe . þat alle þe halle it herde Whoso wilneþ hire to wif  for welthe of hire god.es But he be knowe for a cokewolde  kutte of my nose . Mede mournede þo  and made heuy chere . # þat mede is Callyd a hore For þe mooste comune of þe courte callud hire an hore Ac a sisoure and a sompnorur  suwed hire faste And a shireues clerke  bishrewed al þe route . For ofte haue I quod sheM.4.171: M's original he agrees with FH. Hm also alters he to she.  holpe .yow at the ba...rre And ȝyet ȝyeue ȝye me neuere  þe worth of a russhe The kynge called conscience . and aft.erwardes resoun And recorded þat resoun  had riȝtfulliche shewed.e . And modiliche vpon mede  with miȝte þe kynge loked And gan waxe wroth with lawe . for mede . hadde almoosteM.4.176: All other B manuscripts except Y reverse the order of hadde almoost. shent it . And saide þorwgh ȝyoure lawe as I leue . I lese many chetes Mede ouermaistreth lawe . and mochul truþe letteþ Ac resoun shal rekene with ȝyow  ȝif I regne any while . And deme ȝyow by þis day . as ȝye han deseruede Mede shal nouȝt mainprise ȝyow . by þe marie of heuene I wil haue lewte in lawe . and lette al ȝyowre iangelinge And as mos..ost folk wittnesseth wel . wronge shal be demed Quod conscence to þe kynge . but þe comune wil assente It is ful harde by myn hede  herto to bringe it . Alle ȝyoure lige leodes . to lede þus euene By hym þat rauȝte on þe Rode  quod resoun to þe kynge But ȝif I rule þus ȝyowre rewme  rende out my gutt.es ....If ye bidden buxomn....sse buxomn....[e]sse ben of myn assent And I assente .....seithM.4.190: B manuscripts vary considerably at this point between quod and various forms of seith. þe kynge  by seinte marie my lady Be my conseill .ycomen  of clerk.es and of erles . Ac redily resoun  þow shalt nouȝt ride from me x For as longe as I l.yue . lete þe I nille I am aredy quod resoun . to reste with ȝyow euere So connscience be of ȝyowreM.4.195: M and C2 agree in reading yowre, corrected from ȝowre in M; all other B manuscripts have oure, except for H which has my. The majority of A manuscripts have ȝour. conseille . I kepe no bett.rere And I graunte quod þe kynge . god forbede it falile As longe as ȝowreM.4.197: All B manuscripts read oure. lif lasteth . lyue we to g.idres Qt Passus quintus de Visione .M.5.0: This passus rubric is centered on its own line. In the left margin, the guide for the rubricator has apparently been erased and the rubricator has noted Quintus. The kynge and his knyȝtes . to þe kirke wente To here matines of þe day . and þe messe aft.er Þanne wakede I of myn wynkynge  and wo was withalle Þat I nadde slepte saddere . and yseiȝen more Ac er I hadde faren a fourlonge . faintise me hente Þat I ne miȝte ferthere a fo..ot . for defaute of slepinge And sat softely dounM.5.7: M shares the reading doun with H. Other B manuscripts have adoun. . & saide my bileue . And so I bablede on my bed.es  þei brouȝte me a-slepe And þanne sawe I moche more . þanne — I bifore ofM.5.9: The insertion of of brings M into line with WCr. tolde For I sawȝgh þe fielde ful of folk . þat I bifore of seide And how resoun gan araiene hym . alle þe reume to preche And with a crosse a-fore þe kynge . coms.ed þus to techen # quia peccatum est Causa vindicti He preued þat þise pestilences . was alM.5.13: M shares the reading was al with Y. Other B manuscripts omit al. for pure synne . And þe southwest wynde . on a Saturday atte euene Was pertliche for pure pride . and for no point elles Piries and plumptrees . were puffud to þe erþe . In ensample ȝye segges  ȝye shulden do þe bett..re Beches and brode ok.es . weren .blowen to þe grounde . Turned vpwarde heire tailles . in tok.....enyng ofM.5.19: M's original reading without of agreed with F, which, however, has knowlechynge in place of tokenyng. drede . Þat dedly synnnesynne er Domusday . shal fordo.on hem alle Of þis matere I miȝte . mamely ful longe # quomodo predicabat Racio Ac I shal saie as I sawe . so me god helpe How pertly afore .þe p.eple . resoun gan ...?...to preche He bad wastour go worche . what he beste couthe . And wynnyn his wastynge . with s..meom — manere crafte . And praide pernelle . hire purfile to lete . And kepe it in hire cofre . for catel at hire nede . vus Thomme stowue he tauȝte . to take two staues And fecchen felice hom . from þe wyuen pyne # þat wattis wyff was to blame He warned watte his wif was to blame Þat hire hed was worth half aM.5.31: M's original reading without a agrees with WHmOBRF. markeandM.5.31: The and which was added was later deleted. Its absence here agrees with GYOC2CLR. his ho..od nouȝt worth a grote . And ...?...bad Bette kutte  a bowe oþer tweyne And bete .Betun þere-with  but ȝif she wolde worche And þanne he charged chap....men  to chastisen hire children Late no wynnynge hem for-weny . w...hil þei ben ȝyonge Ne for no pouste of pestilence . plese hem nouȝt out of resoun My sire saide so to me . and so dud my dame Þat þe leuere childe . þe more lore byhoueth And sal.omon saide þe same . þat sapience made Qui parcit virge odit filium suumM.5.40: M alone among B manuscripts includes the word suum at the end of this Latin tag. . Þe englissh of þis latin is . who-so wol it knowe Who-so spareth þe springe . spilleþ his children And sitthen he praide Prelates . & preest.es to-gedres notate predicatores Nota beneM.5.44: This odd nota bene sign resembles a few instances below. Þat ȝye prechen to þe ..peple  proue it on ȝyowre-seluen And dothe it in dede  it shal drawe ȝyow to goode . ...?...If ye l.yuenM.5.46: WC2CH read leuen, "believe." The spelling lyuen is usually a correction in M, since the original scribe does not distinguish between leuen and lyuen. as ȝye leren ..vs . we leuenM.5.46: The reading leuen is shared with F. Other B manuscripts supply shul. ȝyow þe bett.rere And sithen he radde Religioun  ...hire rule to holde nota.      nota. Leste þe kynge and his conseil  .yowre comunes appaire And be styward.es of ȝyowre stedes . til .ye be rulede bett..re And sithen he conseilled þe kynge . þe comune to louye # bene dicit It is þi tresour ȝif tresoun ne were . and triacle at þi nede And sithen he praiede þe pope . haue pite on holychurche And er .......yeM.5.53: All other B manuscripts read he at this point. Kane and Donaldson's apparatus suggests that only the first letter of the word has been altered, but the erasure is considerably more extensive. gyue any grace  gouerne furst .yowre-seluenM.5.53: M's reading of yowre-seluen is not shared by other B manuscripts, most of which read hymseluen. # quomodo laudatur veritas And .ye þat han lawes to kepe  late truthe be ȝyowre coue....itise More þanne — gold or gift.es . ...if ye wil god plese . For whoso contrarieþ treuthe . he telleþ in þe gospell Þat god knoweþ him nouȝte . ne none — sainte of heuene Amen dico vobis nescio vos. & cetera And .ye þat seke seint Iames . and seintes of Rome nota Sekeþ seint truthe  for he may saue ȝyow alle ~ # Finem sermonis Qui cum patre & filio . þat faire hem bifalle Þat suweth my sermon . and þus saide resoun Þanne ranne repentaunce . & rehercede his teme And garte wille to wepe . water with his eyen # Superbia .....Pernelle proude-herte . platte here to þe erthe And lay longe er she lok.ed . and lord mercy cried And bihiȝte vn-to hym . þat vs alle made She shulde vnsowen hire serke . and sette þere an heire To affaiten hire flessh . þat fiers was to synne Shal neuere heiȝe herte me hente . but holde me lowe And suffre to beM.5.71: M's original reading without be agreed with F. myssaide  and so did I neuere . But now wille I meke me . and mercy biseche For alle þis I haue . hatede in myn herte . Luxuria Þanne lecchoure saide allas . and on owre lady he criede To make mercy for his my.sdedes . by-twene god and his soule With þat he shulde þe saturday . seuene ȝyere þere-aft.rer Drinke but myd þe doke . and dyne but ones . Inuidia Enuie with heuy herte . axede aftur shrifte . And carefuliche mea culpa  he comsed to shewe He was as pale as a pelete  in þe pals..ye he semed # And clothed in a .kaurimaury . I couthe it nouȝte discreue In kurtul and courte.py  and a knyf by his side # the Freris Fore-slevis Of a freres frokke . were þe forsleues And as a leke hadde yleye . longe in þe sonne So lok.ed he with lene chek.es . lourynge foule . His body was to-bolle for wrathe . þat he bo..ot his lippus And wryngynge he ȝyede with þe fiste . to wreke hym-self he þouȝte With werkus or with wordus . whanne he seighe his tyme . Ecche a worde þat he warpe was of an addres tonge Of chidinge and chalaungynge . was his chief liflode . With bakbytynge and bismer  and berynge of false wittnesse Þis was al his curtesie . where þat euere he shewede hym . I wolde byM.5.93: M's reading by is not attested in other B manuscripts, which read ben. shriuen quod þis shrewe  and I for shame durste I wolde be gladd..er by god . þat gibbe hadde meschaunce Þanne — þouȝe I hadde þis woke y-wonne . a weye of essex chese vus passus I haue a neiȝgbore neiȝe me . I haue ......anoyedM.5.96: In place of the rewritten anoyed (as in WG) other B manuscripts have noyȝed, enuyed, and envied. hym ofte . ABylowenM.5.97: The scribe originally wrote A as a form of And (see a similar instance at M.9.57). This was erased and By written in. (Compare A variants at K.5.76: Bi-lowen and And belowen.) The erasure has affected the bottom of the <I> in the previous line. Other B manuscripts begin the line with And lowen on hym. ..him to lord.es . to do..on hym lese his silue..rr A..nd made his frendus to benM.5.98: The reading to ben is shared with B. Other B manuscripts read be or omit entirely. his fon . þourgh my false tonge . His grace and his gode happus . greueth me ful sore . Bytwene many and many . I make debate ofte . Þat bothe lif and lyme . is lost þour..gh my speche # discripcionem invidie And whanne I mete hym in markete  þat I moste hate I hailse hym ..hendliche . as I his frende were . For he his douȝtier þan I  I dar do non othur Ac hadde I maistrie and miȝte . god wot my wille . And whanne I come to þe kirke  and shulde knele to þe Rode And praie for þe p.eple  as þe preest techeth . For pilgrymes and palmeres  for alle þe ...peple aftur . Þanne I crie on my knees  þat criste ȝyeue hem sorwe . Þat bar awaye my bolle  and my broke shete . Away from þautiere þannneþanne  turne I myn eiȝen And bih.oldeM.5.112: M's altered reading agrees with most B manuscripts. C2F here read bihelde. how Eleyne  ha...thM.5.112: R reads hath on; F reads hadde on. The erasure here may conceal such a reading. a newe cote . I wisshe þanne it were myn  and alle þe webbe aftur And of m.an..y aM.5.114: M's reading of many a is perhaps altered from mennes, the reading of all other B manuscripts. lesinge I lauȝghe  þat akeþM.5.114: The reading akeþ is shared with B. Most other B manuscripts read likeþ. myn herte . And for hire wynnyngesM.5.115: M's plural is unique among B manuscripts. I wepe  and waille þe tyme And deme þat hij don ille  þere I do wel worse Who-so vndurnemeth me þere-ofM.5.117: The reading þere-of is shared with F. Most other B manuscripts read hereof.  I hate hym dedly aftur . I wolde þat .eche a wiȝt . were myn knaue . For who-so haþ more þanne — I  þat angreth me sore . And þus I lyue loueles . like a luther dogge . Þat alle my body bolneþ . for bitter of my galle I miȝte nouȝte ete many ȝyeres . as a man ouȝte For enuye and .yuel wille  is .yuel to diffien May no sugre ne swete þinkeg . asswage myn swellynge Ne no Diapenidion  dryue it from myn herte Ne nowther shrifte ne shame . but ho-so shrape my mawe ȜYus redily quod repentaunce  and radde hym to þe beste Sorwe of synnes  is sauacioun of soules I am sory quod þat segge  I am but selde oth.er . cor And þat makeþ me þus megre  megreM.5.130: The final three letters of the erased megre are themselves a correction, but so messily written that the scribe has rewritten the word above. for I ne may me venge . Amonges Burgeises haue I be . dwellinge at londoun And garte bakbytinge be a brocoure . to blame mennus ware Whanne he solde and I nouȝt  þan was I redy To lie and loure on— —M.5.134: The scribe's repetition loure on to loure on has been corrected by erasure of the first two words. The reading without to agreed with HmCr23. to loure on my neiȝgbore . and to lakke his chaffare I wil amende þis ȝif I may  þorw miȝte of god almiȝty Ira Now awaketh wratthe . with ...?...?...two white eyen And neuelinge with þe nose . and þeM.5.137: The reading þe is shared with G. All other B manuscripts read his. nekke hangynge M.5.138-143: This paragraph is bracketed in the left margin. nota# I am wratthe quod he  I was sumtyme a Frere . A.nd þe Couentus gardiner . for to graffe ympus # On limitours and list...res . lesinges I ympud Til þei bare leues of lowe speche  lordus to plese And siþþe þei blo....smed so brodeM.5.142: M's reading so brode is not attested in other B manuscripts, most of which read abrood. . in boure to here shriftus . And now is fallen þereof a fruite . þat folke han wel leuere Shewen hire shriftus to hem  þanne — to hire personesM.5.144: M's unmetrical form of the b-verse is shared with GYCot. Most manuscripts read with W þan shryue hem to hir persons. . # the Cause off grugge betwen Curatis & Freris And now persons hanM.5.145: M's original reading without persons han is not attested in other B manuscripts. perceiuede . þat Freres parte with hem Þis possessioneres preche . and depraue Freres . And Freres findeþ hem in defaute . as folke bereth wittnesse That whanne whanne— — þei preche þe p.eple . in many place aboute I wratthe walke with hem . and wisse hem of my bokus Þus þei speken of myM.5.150: M's original reading without my agreed with YOC2CBLF. spiritualte . tilM.5.150: The reading til is shared with F; most other B manuscripts read þat. ..eith..er despiseth othur . Til þei be bothe beggers . and by my spiritualte libben Or ellus alle riche . and riden aboute I wrathe reste neuere  þat I ne moste folwe This wikkud folk . for suche is my grace . I haue an naunte to Nonne . and anM.5.155: M's original reading without an agreed with OCot. abbesse bothe Hire were leuere swowe or swelte . þan suffre any peyne I haue ben cook in here ..kychen . and þe couent serued Many monthes with hem . and with monkes bothe # I was þe priouresses potagiere . and oþur pore ladyes And made hem ioutes of iangelinge . þat dame Ione was a bastard And dame Clarice a kniȝtus douȝtur  ac a kokewalde was hire sire ...?...M.5.162: Something, no longer legible, is erased in left margin. And dame Pernelle a prestus file  priouresse worth she neuere # For she hadde childe in chirityme . al owre chapitre it wiste Of wikked wordus I wrathe . made here wortusM.5.164: M's syntax here is unique among B manuscripts, the rest of which place the object before the verb. Til þow lixte . and þow lixte . lopen oute at ones # And either h.ytte oþur . vndur þe cheke vus passus + Hadde þai hadde knyues by crist . here eithur hadde kullud oþur Seint Gregorie was a gode Pope . and hadde a gode forwitte Þat no priouresse were preest . for þat he ordeinede Þay hadde þanne ben infamis . þai can so euele hele conseille Amonge monk. —— monkes I miȝte be  ac many tyme y shonye For þere ben many fel..le Frekes . my feres to aspien Bothe priour and ...subpriour  and oure Pater Abbas And ȝif I telle any tales . þei taken hem to-g.idres And don me fasten Frydais . to bred and to watur And am chalanged in þe Chapitelhous . as I a Childe were . # And baleised on þe bare ers . & no breche bitwene . For I -þi haue I no lykynge . with þo leodes to wonye I ete þere vnthende Fissh . and fieble ale drinke . Ac othurwhile whanne wyn cometh . whanne I drinke wyn at eue # the Flix off the Foule mowth I haue a fluxe of a foule mouthe wel fyue daies aftur . Alle þe wikkudnesse þat I wote  by any of oure breþeren I couthe it in oure cloistre  þat alle oure Couent wote it . Now repente þe quod Repentaunce  and reherce itM.5.184: M's reading here is unique. The other B manuscripts read þow or you. F reads þou yt. neuere Conseille þat þou ........knowest  by conte.naunce ne bi riȝt And drinke not to delicatly . ne toM.5.186: M's reading of to is not shared by other B manuscripts, most of which read ouer. depe nowthere Þat þi wille b.y cause þereof  to wratthe miȝte tourne Esto sobrius he saide  and assoillud ...hymM.5.188: The alteration to hym here brings M into agreement with Cr. All other B manuscripts read me. A similar situation is found in the next line. aftur Auaricia . And bad ...hymM.5.189: The alteration to hym brings M into agreement with Cr. All other B manuscripts read me. A similar situation exists in the previous line. wilne to wepe ....  hisM.5.189: The alteration to his brings M into agreement with Cr. All other B manuscripts read my. wikkudnesse to amende . And þanne come Cou...?...eitise . can I him nouȝt discriue So hungriliche and holwe . sire h...eruyM.5.191: While it is not possible to read what lies under this erasure, GCLR read Henry here. hym lokud # optima descriptio Auaricie He was baberlippud . and bitelbrowedM.5.192: All other B manuscripts have the words baberlippud and bitelbrowed in the other order. also With to blerede eien  as a blynde hagge And as a letheren Purs . lollud his chekus Wel siddere þanne his chin . they cheueled for elde And as a bondman of his bacon  his berde was bidrauelede With an hode on his hede . a lousie hatte abouen And in a tawny tabard . of twelue ȝyereM.5.198: The reading yere is shared with F. All other B manuscripts read wynter. age Al to-torne and baudy  and ful of lis crepynge But ȝif yþat a lous couthe  þe betterre haue lopenM.5.200: M's b-verse reverses the syntax of the other B manuscripts. Compare W's han lopen þe bettre. / She shulde nouȝt haue walkud on þat welthe  so was it thredbare . I haue ben cou......eitous quod þatM.5.202: M's reading of þat is not shared by other B manuscripts, which read þis. It is the reading of some A manuscripts. Cay...tif . I biknowe it here . For so..m-tyme I serued  symme at þe stile And was his prentys y-pliȝte . his profit. to waite Furst I lerned to lie . a lief or tweyne Wikkudliche to weie . was my furst lessoun # To wy and to wynchestre . I went to þe faire With many manere Marchyndise . as my maistre me hiȝte Nad þe grace of gil.e  gon amonge my ware I..t hadde ben vnsolde þis seuen ȝyer  so me god helpe Þanne drowe I me amonge drapers  my donet to lurne To drawe þe lisor alonge  þe lengere it semede Amonge þe riche Rays . I rendrede a lessoun To broche hem with a ...?...paknedleM.5.214: M's altered reading paknedle agrees with most B manuscripts. LRF read batnedle.  and plait..eM.5.214: The altered reading is shared with W. YC2OLR have the past tense, as M may have had; other manuscripts have other verbs. hem to-g.edres And putte hem in a presse  and pynned hem þereinne Til ten ȝyerdus or twelue  tollud out threttene My wif was a webbe  and wollen cloþe made She spake vntoM.5.218: M's reading of vnto is not attested in other B manuscripts, which read to. spinnestiers  to spynnnenspynnen it oute Ac þe pounde þat she paide byM.5.219: M's original reading without by agreed with B. weied a quartroun more . Þanne myn owne auncere  who-so weied truthe I bouȝte hire barly malte  she b...?...?...rew it to selle PenyalePeny ale and poding Ale  she pourede to-g.idres For laborers and lowefolklowe folk  þat lay by hem-selue The beste ale lay in my boure . or in my bed chambre # And whoso bummud þereof . bouȝte it þere-aftur A galoun for a gr...eyM.5.226: M's reading of grey is not shared by other B manuscripts, which have no adjective here. Perhaps the scribe inadvertently wrote grote twice and the first was corrected to grey. grote . god wot no lasse . And ȝyit it cam in .........cuppemele  þis crafte my .......wif vsed Rose þe regratere . was hire riȝte name . She haþ holden hukrie  al hire lyf-tyme . Ac I swere now so theik . þat synne wil I lete . And neuere wikkudlich weie  ne wikke chaffare vse But wenden to walsingham . and my wif also . And bidde þe Rode of Bromholme . bringe me out of dette . # questiones Repentencie Repentestow þe euere quod Repentaunce  ne restitucioun madeste . ȜYus ones I was herberwed quod he . with an hepe of chapmen nota X I roos whanne þei were areste  and rifled hire males . vus passus That was no restitucioun quod repentaunce . but a robers thefte Þow haddest beM.5.238: M's original reading without be agreed with LR. bettur worthy . ben hanged þerfore Þan for alle þat / þat þow  hast here y-shewede nota I wende riflinge were restitucioun . forM.5.240: The reading for is shared with Hm. Most other B manuscripts read quod he or quod he for. I lerned neuere ...toM.5.240: The corrected to is unique. Other B manuscripts omit it, and many other also omit rede. rede on boke And I can none — Frensh in feithe . but of þe furthest ende of Northfolke . Vsudestow euere vsurie quod Repentaunce . in alle þi lif-tyme Nay sothly he saide . saue in my ȝyowthe I lerned amonges lombardus . and iewes a lessoun To weie pens with a peis . and pare aweieyM.5.245: M's reading of awey is not shared by other B manuscripts. þe heuie.ste And lene it for loue of þe crosse . to legge a wede and lese it . Suche dedus I d.ide doM.5.247: M's reading of do is not shared by other B manuscripts. write  ȝif he isM.5.247: is, "his." day brrekebreke I haue mo maneres þorw rerages . þan ......thurgh miseretur & comodat I haue lente lordus  and ladies my chaffare And ben hire brocour aftur . and bouȝte it my-seluen Eschaunges and cheuisaunces . with suche chaffare I dele . And lene folk þat lese wol . a lippe at euery noble . And w..ith . lombardus lettres . I ladde gold to Rome And toke it bi ta...leM.5.254: Before it was altered, this word was probably taile, the reading of most B manuscripts. here . and tolde hem þere lasse L........entestow euere lordus  for loue of hire mainteinaunce ȜYe I haue lent lordus  loued me neuere aftur And haue ymadeM.5.257: M's original ymade is shared with LWR. many a kniȝt . boþe mercere and drapere Þat paiede neuere for his prentishode . nouȝte a paire gloues . Hastow pite on poremenpore men . þat moten ..nedes borwe . # I haue as moche pite on pore men . as pedlere haþ of cattus Þat wolde kylle hem ȝif he cacche hem miȝte  for coueitise of hire skynn..es Artow manlich amonge þi neiȝborwes  of þi mete .& drinke . I am holden quod he as hende  as hounde is in kuych...ene Amonge my neiȝbores nameliche  suche a name I haue Now god leue neure quod repentaunce  but þou repente .. —M.5.265: Other B manuscripts read þe before rather. rather Þe grace ..onM.5.266: For on BoGCot have of. þis grounde . þi good welM.5.266: M here omits to, found in most B manuscripts. bisette Ne þin ....heirsM.5.267: M's altered reading heirs agrees with most B manuscripts. L reads ysue, R reads vssue, and F oddly reads houswif. aftur þe . haue ioie of þat þou wynneste Ne þin executours wel bisette . þe siluer þat þou hem leuest X And þat was wonnen with wronge . with wikkud men be despendud . # x For were I Frere of þat hous  þere go..od faith and charite is I nolde cope vs with þi catel . ne oure kirke amende Ne haue a peny to my pitaunce of þin  by my soule hele For þe beste bookM.5.273: The final <e> on beste is squeezed into the line without erasure; book is inserted in a different, paler, ink. in oure hous  þeiȝe brent gold were þe leues And I wiste witturly þou were . suche as þou tellest Seruus es alterius cum fercula pinguia queris Pane tuo pocius vescere liber eris Thou art an vnkynde creature  I can þe nouȝt assoille Til þow make restitucioun  and rekene with hem alle And sitythen þat resoun rolle it  in þe Registre of heuene Þat þou .. — hast made eche man gode  I may þe nouȝte assoille Non dimitturdimitt[it]ur peccatum . donec restituatur ablatum. & cetera For alle þat hath of þi goode . haue god my trouthe mirabile dictum Is holden at þe heiȝe dome . to helpe þe to restitue And whoM.5.284: M's reading of who is not shared by other B manuscripts, most of which read whoso. leueth nouȝt þis be soth . loke in þe saut..er bokeM.5.284: M's boke is shared only by G. Most other B manuscripts read glose. In miserere mei deus . where I mene truthe Ecce v...?...enim veritatem dilexisti & cetera Shal neuere werkeman in þis world . þryue with þat þow wynnest Cum sauncto saunctus eris . construe me þis on yenglisshe Þanne wex þat shrewe in wanhope . and wolde haue hangede himself N....adde repentaunce þe rather recounforted  hym in þis manere Haue mercy in þi mynde . and with þi mouthe biseche it . For godes mercy is more . þanne — alle hise othere werkes # quod misericordia eius super omnia opera Misericordia eius super omnia opera eius & cetera . And alle þe wikkednesse in þis wor...ld . þat man miȝte worche or thinke Ne is no more to þe mercie of god  þanne — in þe see a glede . Omnis iniquitas quantum ad misericordiam dei est quasiM.5.296: M's original reading without quasi is shared by L. sintilla in medio maris For-þi haue mercy in þiney mynde . and marchaundise leue it For þow hast no goode grounde . to gete þe with a wastell . But ȝif it were with þiney tonge  orM.5.299: All other B manuscripts here include ellis. with þine two handus . For þe goode þat þow hast geten . bigan al with falsenesseM.5.300: The reading falsenesse is shared with F. All other B manuscripts read falshede. And as longe as þow lyueste þere-with . þow ȝyeldest not but borwest And ȝif þow wite neuere to ..whiche . ne toM.5.302: The addition of to above the line, later erased, would have placed M in agreement with HmCr. whom to restitue Bere it to þe bisshoppe . and bidde hym of his grace . vus passus Bysette it hym-selue . as best is for þi soule For he shal answere for þe  at þe heiȝe dome For þe anyd for many mo  þat man shal ȝyeue rekenyngeM.5.306: The reading rekenynge is shared with F. All other B manuscripts read a rekenynge. What he leredeM.5.307: M's reading of lerede is not shared by other B manuscripts, which read lerned. ȝyow in lenten . leue ȝye non othur Gula And what he lente ȝyow of ȝowreM.5.308: This erasure brings M into agreement with all other B manuscripts except YOC2CB, which read his. lordes good  to lette ȝyow from synn.ee N..ow biginneth glotoun  for to go to shrifte And kaires him to kirkewarde  his coupe to shewe Ac betoun þe brewestere . bad him gode morwe And axede him with þ...?...at wordM.5.312: M's added reading of word is not shared by other B manuscripts. whiderward he wolde To holichurche quod he  for to here messe And siþþe I wil be shriuen  and synn..nen nomoreno more . I haue gode ale gossib quod she  glotoun wiltow assaie Hastow ouȝtþ in þiny Purs  any ....hote spices I haue pepur and piones quod sheM.5.317: M's original reading of he agreed with GCrYCBL. . and a pound. of garlik A ferthinge worthe of fenel siede . for fastinge-daies . Þan goth glotoun ...yn . and grete othes afturM.5.319-331: This paragraph is bracketed in the right margin. Cisse þe sowsteresseM.5.320: The form of the word varies (souteresse, sowestere, sowter). M's form is unique. . sat .. —M.5.320: Although it is not possible to read what has been erased, BmBoCot here read upon. on þe benche Watte þe warnere . and his wif boþe . TyommeM.5.322: The name varies widely in the manuscripts. FGC2 have Tomme, WLO have Tymme. þe tynkere  and tweine of his prentis H...eikke þe hakenei....yman . and hugh þe neldere Clarice of cokkeslane  and þe Clerke of þe churche . DawevyM.5.325: M's altered reading Davy agrees with Cr23. All other B manuscripts read Dawe. þe dikere  and a doseine oþere . Sire pieres of pridie  and pernelle of Flaundres A Ribebour a Ratonere  a Rakere of Chepe . A Ropere a reding..kynge  and Rose þe disshers Godfray of garlekhide  and grifin þe walssh And vpholders an hepe . erly by þe morwe Geuen glotoun with glade chiere  go..od ale to hanselle Clement þe Cobelere  caste of his cloke And at þe newe faire  he nempned it to selle H.ykke þe hakeneim..yman h..yt his hodeod after And bad bette þe bochere . ben on his side . Þere were chappemen y-chosen . þis chaffare to praise cor Whoso haueþ þe ho..od shal haue  amendes of the cloke Two risen vp in rape  and rounenM.5.338: All other B manuscripts have the verb in the past tense. tog.idres And praiseden þes peniworthes  apart by .y.hem-seluenM.5.339: In place of the altered reading hem, HmRF have hym. Þei couthen nouȝt by here conscience  accorden in truthe Til Robin þe Roperere  arose by þe sotheM.5.341: Most other B manuscripts read southe. This line is "the locus classicus for the corruption of the B archetype" (Ralph Hanna, III, Pursuing History: Middle English Manuscripts and their Texts [Stanford, 1996] p. 217. Beta manuscripts read by the southe, and the unique M reading, originally by sothe, with þe inserted, is a desperate attempt to make sense of this. And nempnede hym for a nounpere  þat non debate nere Hikke þostelere  hadde þe cloke In couenant þat Clement  shulde þe cuppe ....fille And haue hikkes hoode þe hostilere and holde him yseru.ed x And whoso repentud raþe...st  shulde a-rise aft.er And grete sire glotoun . with a galoun ale Þere was lawynge and louringe  and lete go þe cuppe And seten so til euensonge and songen vmwhile . .Til glotoun hadde y-...?...globbed M.5.350: The altered reading globbed is shared by many B manuscripts, though Cr and A manuscripts have forms of gulped. a galon and a gille  His guttes guonne to godly  as two gredy sowes # He pissud a potel  in a pat.ernost..er-while And blewe his rounde ruwet  at his rugge bon.....es ende Þat alle þat herde þat horn  helde here nos..esM.5.354: M's altered reading noses agrees with WHmGCot. Other B manuscripts read nose. aft.er And wissheden it hadde ben wexud  with a wispe of Furses He miȝte neither steppe ne ston...de  er he his staff hadde And þanne gan he go liche  a glewe-mann..es bicche Somme—-tyme aside  and s....om—-tyme ariere As who-so laith lynes  for to lkaccheM.5.359: M's original reading was shared with HmGF; the altered reading agrees with other B manuscripts. foules . And whanne he drow to þe dore  þanne dymmeden his eiȝen # He ...stombledM.5.361: M's altered reading agrees with most B manuscripts. LR read trembled. on the thr.essh.folde  and threw to þe erthe Clement þe cobelericobeler  cauȝte him by þe myd...del For to luyfte hym a-lofte  and laide him on his knowes Ac glotoun was a grete ch.erl  and a grim in .. —M.5.364: Most B manuscripts read þe here. M's erasure of the word brings it into agreement with HmCr3C2. liftyng. And .....coghed vp a caudel . in Clementus lappe take hede good gossip Is non so hungry hounde  in herteforde shire Durst lapen of þeM.5.367: Kane and Donaldson record the word as þo. The reading þe is shared by GLR. leuynges  so vnlouely it smauȝte With alle þe wo of þe wo...rld  his wif and his wenche Baren hym hom to his bed  and brouȝten hym þere-inne vus passus And aftur al þis excesse  he hadde an accidie Þat he slepe saturday and ..sonday  til s.onne ȝyede to reste Þanne wakenede he of his wyn.kkynge  and wipud his eiȝen Þe furste worde þat he warpe  was . where is þe bolle His wi.fM.5.374: M's altered reading agrees with WCr1. Most B manuscripts read wytte. gan edwite hym þo  how wikkudliche he liuede And repentaunce riȝte so  rebukede hym þat tyme As þow with wordus and werkes hast wrouȝte  euel in þiny liue Shriue þe and be shamed þereof  & shewe it with þiney mouthe I glotoun quod theM.5.378: M's original reading he was shared with G. gomme  gulti me ȝyelde Þat I haue trespassud with my tonge  I can nouȝt telle how ofte Sworne godsoule  and selpe me godM.5.380: While this b-verse has widely varying readings among B manuscripts, M is the only beta-family manuscript to share RF's syntax so help me god, in contrast to the other beta manuscripts which read so god me help. and halydome Þere none — nede ne was  nyne hundr..ed tymes And ouere-seien me at my sopere  and somme—tyme at nones . Þat I glotoun gurte vp  er I hadde goone a myle And spilte þat miȝte han ben spared  and spendud on suomme hon....grie Ouerdelicately on fastinge-daies  drunken and eten bothe And sate so longe þere..... — somtymeM.5.386: The syntax of the a-verse is not attested in other B manuscripts, which read som tyme so longe þere.  þat I slepe and e..et atte ones For loue of tales in tauernes  to drinke þe more I dineM.5.387: M is the only B manuscript to attest the present tense of the verb. And h...yed to þe mete e.....r noon  whanne fastinge-daies were This shewinge shrifte quod repentaunce  shal be merite to þe And þanne gan glotoun gre..deM.5.390: M's altered reading grede agrees with Cr1. Most B manuscripts read greete. and grete doel to make For his l.....uther lif  þat he liuede hadde . And avowed toM.5.392: M's original reading without to agreed with GLR. faste  for hungre or forM.5.392: M's original reading without for is not attested in other B manuscripts, except F, which has and in place of or. thurste Shal neuere fi..ssh on Friday  defien in my wombe Til abstinen..ce myn aunte  haue ȝyouen me leue Accidia And ...yet haue I hatud hire  al my liftyme Þanne come slewthe al bislabrede with two slym.y eiȝen I mo..ste sitte saide þe segge  or ell.es shulde I nappe I may not stonde ne stoupe  ne with-oute a stoleol knele . Were I brouȝte on bedde  but ȝif my tail..—ende it made Shulde no ...?...thyngM.5.400: M's altered reading thyng agrees with B and two C manuscripts. Other B manuscripts read ryngynge. do me rise  tilM.5.400: M's reading of til is not shared by other B manuscripts, which read er. It is the reading of the C text. I were ripe to dine He bigan benedicite with a bolk  and his breste knockede A........nd raskledM.5.402: M's reading raskled is shared with Cr and most C manuscripts; most other B manuscripts read roxed. and rorede  and rutte at þe laste What awake renc quod Repentaunce  and rape þe to shrifte . If I shulde deie by þis day  me luste nouȝt to loke I can nouȝt parfitely my Pat.er-nost..er  as þe preest it singeþ But I can rimes of Robin hode  & Randolf þ — erle of chestre Ac nowther of oure lorde ne oure lady  þe leeste þat euere was madeked IM.5.408: M alone among B manuscripts omits the word haue here. made vowes fourty . and fo....rgat hem on .. —M.5.408: Most B manuscripts read þe here. M's erasure of the word brings it into agreement with OCBRF. morwe I parfourmede neuere penaunce  as þe preest me hiȝte Ne riȝte soriey for my suynn..es  ȝyet was I neuere . And ȝif I bidde any bed.es  butM.5.411: The reading but is shared with F. All other B manuscripts read but if. it be in wratthe Þat I telle with my tonge  is two myle from myn herte I am ocupiede eche day  halyday and othur With ydel tales atte ale  and otherw...hile in churches . God.es paine and his passioun  ful selde þenke I on itM.5.415: The addition of it brings M into agreement with W. M's omission of the word agreed with OC2C. Most B manuscripts read theron. I visitede neuere fieble men  ne fettrud men in puttus I haue leuere here herlotrie  or a somere gamen of souteres AndM.5.418: M's reading And is unique among B manuscripts, which read Or. lesinges to lauȝgwen at  and bilye myn neiȝeburgh Þan alle þat euere marke made  Mathewe Ion and lucas M.5.420: M alone among B manuscripts lacks the word And here. Manuscripts of the C text also lack the word.Vigilies and fastinge-daies  alle þese late I passe . And ligge abedde in lentoen  and my lemman in myn harmes Til matynes and Masse be do  & þan go I to þe freres . Come I to Ite missa est  I holde me y-seruede . I nam nouȝt shryuen suome-tyme  but sekenesse it make Nouȝt twies in two ȝye..er  and þanne vp gesse I shriue me . Contricio et infelicitas in vijs eorum & ceteraM.5.426: This line, which occurs only in M among the B manuscripts, is the only Latin tag written in red ink. It is in a different hand from the main text and is written in a paragraph space. The same Latin tag is found at M.4.36. I haue be prest and person.. — passinge þretty wynt..er # de presbiteris venatoribus ȜYet can I neither solfe ne synge  ne saintus liu..es reden . But I can fynde in a fielde  or in a fourlonge an hare Bett..re þanne — in Beatus vir or in Beati omnes . Construe oon clause wel  and kenn..e it to my paris.....shens I can holde louedaies  and h.ere a Reues Rekenynge Ac in Canoun ne in þe Decretales  I can nouȝt rede a lyne . ...If I bigge and borwe it  but ȝiif it be tailled I forȝete it as ȝyerne  andM.5.435: M alone among B manuscripts omits the word if here. men me it axe Six sithes or seuene  I forsake it with othes And þus tene I trwe men  ten hundred tymes . And my seruauntz some-tyme . hir salarie is bihi.ynde Reuthe is to here rekenynge  whanne we shal rede acompt..esM.5.439: The revised reading is that of most B manuscripts. Cr23 read account. So with wikkuede wille & wrath  my werkemen I paie . .. Ȝif any man doþ me .iij. cor vus passus ...If any man doþ me a bienfaite  or helpeþ me at nede I am vnkynde aȝeinz his curteisie  and can nouȝt vndurstonde it For I haue and haue hadde ...?... somdeel — haukes maners I nam nouȝte lured with loue  but þere ligge auȝt  vndur þe thombe Þe kyndnesse þat my euene-cristene  kydde me f...?...ernyere Sixty sithes I slewthe  haue forȝete it siþþe In speche and in sparinge of speche  y-spilte many a tyme Bothe Flessh and Fisshe and many othur vitailles Bothe brede and ale  mylke butt..reM.5.449: M alone among B manuscripts lists mylk before buttre. and chese For-sle.....uthed in my seruice  til it miȝte seruen no man I ran a-boute in ȝyowthe  and ȝyaf me nouȝt to l.erne And euere sitth haueM.5.452: M's original reading without haue agreed with LR. ben beggere  for my foule slewthe . Heu michi quia sterilem duxi vitam iuuenilem . Repentestow þe nauȝte  quod repentaunce . and riȝt with þat he swonede Til vigilate þe veille  fette watur at his eiȝen . And flatte it vponM.5.456: M's reading of vpon is not shared by other B manuscripts, which read on. his face  and faste vponM.5.456: M's reading of vpon is not shared by other B manuscripts, which read on. hym criede # quod misericordia superest omnem iniquitatem And saide war þe from wanhope  wolde þe bitraie I am sor.y for myn synn.es  saie so to þei-selue And bete þi-selue on þi breste  and bidde hym of grace For is non gulte here so grete þat his godnesse ..nysM.5.460: The rewritten nys brings M into agreement with WL. Other B manuscripts have is. more . Þann.ee sat sleuthe vp  and sainede him swythe And made avowe to-fore god  for his foule sleuthe Shal no suonday be þis seuene ȝyere  but ȝif sekenesse it lette Þat I ne shal do me er day  to þe dere churche And heren matines and messe  as I a monke were Shal no..on ale aftur metesM.5.466: M alone among B manuscripts attests the plural.  holden me þennes Til I haue euensonge herde . I bihote to þe Rode . And ȝyete wol I ȝyelde aȝein  ȝif I so muche haue Alle þat I wikkudly wan  syth I witte hadde . And þouȝ my liflode lakke  l.eten I nelle . Þat eche man ne shal haue his  ..er I henn.es wende And with þe Re..sydue and þe rem.enaunt  by þe rode of Chestre I shal seke truthe ...erst  ar ..I se Rome # de Robert the robber Roberte þe Robbe..re  on reddite loked nota And for þere nasM.5.475: M's reading of nas is not shared by other B manuscripts, most of which read was. nauȝte whereof .  he we..ep swithe &M.5.475: Between swithe and sore there is a faint insertion caret and a mark which is perhaps best interpreted as an ampersand. There is no support for this among the variants. sore . Ac ȝyet þe .usynneful shrewe  saide to him-seluen Crist þat þat — vponM.5.477: M's reading of vpon is not shared by other B manuscripts, which read on. Caluarie  vpon þe crosse de.yedest Þo dismas my broþur  bisouȝte ȝyow of grace . And haddest mercie on þat man  for memento sake So ruwe on þis robbere  þat reddere ne haue.thM.5.480: M's original haue (followed by an overwritten punctus) agreed with most B manuscripts. The alteration brings M into agreement with Cr23, while Cr1OC2 read hath. Ne neuere wene to wynne  with crafte þat I owe But for þi mikel mercy  mitigacioun I biseche Ne dampne me nouȝte at domesday  for þat I d.ide so ille . What bifel of þis feloun  I can nouȝte faire shewe # Wel I wo..ot he wepte faste  watur with boþe his eiȝen And knowlechede his gulte to Crist . ȝyet eftesones . Þat penitencia his pike  he shulde Polisshe newe And lepe with him ouerlande  alle his liftyme For he hadde l..eyne bi latro  luciferes aunte the prayer of Repentance And þanne hadde repentaunce reuthe  and redde hem alle to knele For I shal biseche for alle sinneful  oure saueoure of grace To amende vs of oure misdedes  and do mercie to vs alle . nota bene Now god quod he þat of þiney goodnesse  gunne þe worlde make And of nauȝte madest ou...ght . and man mooste liche þi-selu..en And siþþe suffredest for to synne . a sekenesse to vs alle . And alle for þe beste as I bileue . what euere þe boke telleþ de necessitate peccati O felix culpa . o necessarium . ade peccatum . & cetera . For þor..gh þat synn..e þi sone sent was to þe erthe And bicam man of a maide . mankynde to saue And madest þiself with þ..y — sone . and vs synneful y-liche Faciamus hominem ad ymaginem & simlitudinemsim[i]litudinem nostram Et alibi qui manet in caritate . in deo manet & deus in eo . nota bene And suth with þiny — selue sone . in oure sute deiedeste On godefriday for mann.es sake . at ful tyme of þe day Þere þi-selue ne þiney — sone  non sorwe in deth feledest But in oure secte was þe sorwe  and þiney sone it ladde Captiuam duxit captiuitatem Þe sonne for sorwe herofM.5.508: M's reading herof is unattested among other B manuscripts, which read þerof.  les hisM.5.508: This insertion brings M into agreement with C2YOCot. ..liȝteM.5.508: It seems probable that M originally read siȝte, agreeing with BoHmGCBmCotLRF. The alteration brings M into agreement with WCrYOC2. for a ty..me Aboute midday whanne mooste liȝte is  and mele-tyme of seint..es Feddeste with þi Fressh blode  owre forfadres in derkenesse . Populus qui ambulabat in tenebris vidit lucem magnam & cetera vus passus And þo...rgh þe liȝt þat lepe out þeoM.5.512: M originally read out þe, with þe then altered to þo and a punctus elevatus inserted between the two words. Most other B manuscripts read out of þee. lucifer was blent And blewe alle þine blessud  in-to þe blisse of Paradys Þe þridde daiey aftur  þow .yedest in oure sute # Sinffull Mare notaM.5.515: The ink of nota differs from that of Sinffull Mare. And ...?...?...synful Marie þe seiȝ . er seinte Marie þi dame And al to solace sinneful . þou suffredest it so were Non veni vocare iustos . set peccatores ad penitenciam optime dictum And al þat mar.k haþ y-made  Mathew Ion and lucas . Of þine douȝtieste dedes . weren don in oure armes Verbum caro factum est & habitauit in nobis And by so muche me semeþ . þe sekerer we mowe Bidde and biseche . ȝif it bieM.5.522: M's original bi was unattested in other B manuscripts. þiny wille . Þat art oure fadur and oure brothur . be merciable to vs . And haue reuthe on þes Ribaudes . þat repente hem soM.5.524: M's reading of so is unique among B manuscripts, many of which read here. sore Þat euere þei wratthed þe in þis world . in worde . þouȝte . or dede # de hope Þanne hente hope and horne  of deus tu conuersus viuificabis And blewe it with Beati quorum remisse sunt iniquitates x Þat alle seint.es in heuene  songen at ones . Homines & iumenta saluabis . quemadmodum multiplicasti misericordiam tuam deus & cetera A thousand of men þo  throngen to-......gydres Criede vp to crist-wardeM.5.531: M's syntax here is unique among B manuscripts, the rest of which read vpward to Crist. . and to his clene modur To haue grace to go with hem  treuthe to seke Ac þere was wiȝte non so wis  þei we.y þuydur couthe But blustrede ...forþ as best.es  ouer bankes and hull.es . Til late was and longe  þat þei a l....eede mette Apparailled as a payninm  in pilgrimes wise He bar a burdoun y-bonunden  with a brode liste In a withwyndes wise  y-wonunden aboute A Bolle and a bagge  he bare bi his side And anM.5.540: M's revised reading And an is shared with F and is the reading of C manuscripts. Other B manuscripts have An. hundred of ampulles  on his hat seten Signes of sinay  and shelles of galice A..nd many aM.5.542: M's original reading without a agreed with YCR. cr....ouch on his cloke  and keies of Rome And þe vernicle bifore  for men shulde .....knowe And se bi his sign.es  whom he souȝte had..de Þis folk frainede him furst  from w...?...?...hennes he coome From sinay he saide  and from oure lordes sepulcre . In Bedlem and in Babiloine  I haue ben in boþe In Ermonie in alisaundre  in many othur places # ȜYe may se by my signes  þat sitt.en on myn hatte Þat I haue walkude ful wide  in wete and in drie . And souȝte gode seintus  for my soule helþe . questio vbi veritas moratur Knowestow ouȝte a corseinte  þat men callen treuthe Coudestow ouȝte wiss.en vs þe weiey  where þat wye won....yethM.5.553: M shares the reading wonyeth with Cr. It is also the reading of C manuscripts. Other B manuscripts have dwelleþ. nota bene Nay so me god helpe  saide þe gome þanne I se.ygh neuere Palmere  with pike ne with skrippe Axen aftur hym  tilM.5.556: M shares the reading til with F. Other B manuscripts have alliterating er or er til. now in þis Place . nota Petur quod a plowman  and putte forth his hede I knowe him as kyndeliche  as clerke doþ his bokus # quia dicit Petrus ploughman optime cognoscere veritatem Conscience and kende witte  kende me to his place And deden me seuren hym sikerly  to seruen him for euere Bothe to sowe and to sette  whil I swyn.ke miȝte . I haue ben his folware  al þis fourty wynture Bothe sowen his sede  and suede his bestus . With-inInne and with-outen  waited his profit I dike and I delue . I do þat treuthe hoteth Somme-time I sowe  and s....om—-tyme I thresshe In taillours crafte and tynkers  what treuthe can diuise I weue and I w.inde  and do what treuthe hoteth For ..þoȝ I seie it my-selue  I serue him to paie I haue myn hire wel  and othurwhiles more He is þe presteste paiere  þat pore manM.5.571: M alone among B manuscripts attests the singular. It is the reading of the C text. knoweth He ne withh....oldeþM.5.572: The altered form withholdeþ is shared with G. Other B manuscripts read withhalt. non h.ewe his hire  þat he nath it at euen He is as lowe as a lombe  and loueliche of speche . # quomodo docet viam viamviam ad veritatem And if ȝye wilneth to witen  where þat he dwelleþ I shal wisse ȝyow witturly  þe weiey to his place ȜYe leue piers quod þis pilgrimes . and proferede hym h....yre X # For to wenden with him  to truthes dwellinge-place nota Nay by my soules helthe quod piers  and gan for to sweren I nolde fange a ferthinge  for seinte Thomas shrine # Treuthe wolde loue me þe lasse  a longe tyme aftur . Ac ȝif ȝye wilneth to wende wel  þis is þe weiey þuyder . vus passus nota primum mandatum ȜYe moten go þor...hgh me.kenesse . bothe men and wyues Til ȝye come in to conscience . þat Crist wo..otM.5.583: M's altered reading woot (presumably originally wote) agrees with F. Other B manuscripts have wite. þe sothe Þat ȝye louen oure lorde god . leueste of alle þingesM.5.584: M's original form without <-s> was shared by F. And þanne ȝyoure neiȝgbores nexte . in nonwisenon wise appairen Othere-wise þanne — þow woldest . he wrouȝte to þiney—-seluen And so boweþ ...forþ by abrokea broke . beth buxuom of speche Til ȝye fynde a forthd ȝyoure fadres honoureth Honora patrem & matrem & cetera . Wadeth in þat watur  and wassh ȝyow wel þereInneM.5.590: The addition of Inne brings M into agreement with WF. .....And ye shullen lepe þe liȝtloker . al ȝyowre lif-tyme And so shalte þow seM.5.592: M's original reading without se agreed with HmYOC2. swere nouȝt . but ..if it be for nede . An nameliche an ydel . þe name of god almiȝty Þanne shalt þou come by a crofte . but come þow nouȝt þereinne Þat Crofte hat coueite nouȝte . menn.es catel ne hire wyues Ne none of here seruauntz . þat noien hem miȝte Loke ȝye breke none bowes þere  but ȝif it be ȝyoure owne Two stokkes þere ston..den  ac stondeM.5.598: M's stonde is not shared by other B manuscripts, which read stynte. ȝye nouȝte þere . Þei ..hatten stele nouȝte . ne slee nouȝte  strike forbyM.5.599: M's reading of forby is not shared by other B manuscripts, which read forþ by. boþe . And leue hem vponM.5.600: M's reading of vpon is not shared by other B manuscripts, which read on. þ.yM.5.600: For M's altered þy CrG read þe. lufte half . and loke nouȝte þere-aftur . + And holde wel þine halydaye  heiȝe til euene . Þanne shaltow blenche at a burgh . bere no false witytnesse He is is — frithed inne — with Flo..rynes . and oþere foes many Loke þow ne.M.5.604: M's ne is unattested in other B manuscripts. plukke no plaunte þere  for peril of þiney soule Þanne shul ȝye se swereM.5.605: The erased supralinear swere is legible with ultraviolet light. There are no parallels in other B manuscripts. sey soth  so it be to done In no manere elles nouȝt . for no mann.es biddinge Þanne shaltow come to a court . as cliere as þe suonne Þe mote is of mercy  þe manere aboute . And alle þe walles ben of wit.. . to holde wille oute And kernelled with Cristendome  m.ankynde to saue Boterasud with bileue so  or þow beest nouȝt y-sauede And alle þe houses ben heled . halles and chambres With no led . but with loue  and lowe speche as Breþeren Þe brugge is of bidde wel . þe bet may þou spede  Eche pilere is of penaunce . andM.5.615: The addition of and brings M into agreement with HmF. of praiers to seint..es Of almesdedus arne þe hokes . þat þe gatus hangen on . Grace hat þe gatewarde . a gode man for sothe His man ....hatte amende ȝyow  for many man him knoweth Telleþ him þis tok...ene . þat truthe wite þe sothe I parfournede þe penaunce  þe prest me enioinede And am ful sori for my synus  and so I shal euere Whanne I thenke þere-on  thei..gh I were a pope . Biddeth amende ȝyow meke him  to his maist..er ones # appyllis vnrosted To wayue vp þe wikat  þat þe womman shette Tho Adam and Eue et.en  ap...?...eples vnrostud . Per evam cunctis clausa est . & per mariam virginem patefacta est . For he hath þe keie and þe klikat . þouȝ þe kynge slepe And ȝif grace graunte þe to go in : inM.5.628: M shares the reading in in with L. Other B manuscripts simply have in. þis wise . Þow shalte seen in þiney—-seluen  treuthe sitte in þine herte . In a Chei..ereM.5.630: Most B manuscripts here read cheyne. The altered reading of M agrees with Cr3Bm. of charitee  as þow a Childe were . To suffren him and segge nouȝte  aȝein þi sires wille Ac be war þanne of wratthe  þat is a wikk.ede shrewe He hath enuye to him  þat in þine herte sitteth And pokeþ forth pruyde  to praisen þi-seluen ...?...?...esseM.5.635: This erased marginal note was likely a guide for the correction þe boldnesse. ...?...Þe boldnesse of ...thy bienfaitz . makeþ þe blynde þanne . And þanne worthestow driuen out as dewe  and þe dore closude Kaied and kli.....ketted  to kepe þe with-oute Happuyly an hu....ndred wynt....er  er þou efte entre .Thus miȝte þou lesen his loue  to late wel by þi-seluen And neuere aftur happilicheM.5.640: M's reading of aftur happiliche is unique among B manuscripts, the rest of which read happily eft. entre  but grace þow haue Septem sorores que seruiunt ad veritatem Ac þere arne seuene sustren  þat seruen truthe euere And arne Porters ..ofM.5.642: For M's altered of, F reads at, Cr23 read to, and R reads ouer. þe posternes . þat to þe place longeþ . Þat on h..yȝte abstinence . and humilite þatM.5.643: M's reading þat is not shared by other B manuscripts, which read an. oþur Charite an chastite  ben his chief mayden..es Pacience . & pees  moche p.eple þei helpuþ . Largenesse þe lady  ...?...sheM.5.646: The altered form she is shared with most B manuscripts. L has heo and R he. leteþ in ful manye ...SheM.5.647: The altered form She is shared with most B manuscripts. WLR have Heo. haþ holpen a þousan..d oute of þe deueles penfolde And who is sibbe — to þis seuene  so me god helpe He is wondurliche welcome  and faire vndurfongen . And but ȝye be sibbe  to somme of þes seuene It is ful harde by myne he..ed . quod Piers  for any of ȝyow alle vjus passusM.5.652a: The numeral and the word passus are in different inks. To geten ingonge at any gate þere . but grace be þe more # Cutpurse Now by Crist quod a cuttepurs . I haue no kynne — þere Ne I quod ....an apewarde  by auȝte þat I knowe . Wo..otM.5.655: Other B manuscripts read Wite or Wold for M's Woot, which is probably altered from Wote. god quod a wafrere . wiste I þis for sothe Shulde I neuere ferthere a fote  for no Frerus prechinge . ȜuYus quod Pieres PlowmanM.5.657: M's Plowman agrees with F; other B manuscripts read þe Plowman.  and pokud hem alle to gode # quia misericordia super omnia Mercy is a mayden þere  hath miȝte ouere hem alle And she is sibbe to alle synneful  and here sone also And ...?...thurgh the helpe of hem two  hope þow none othere Þow miȝte gete grace þere  so þow go bytyme By seinte poule quod a Pardonere . ...anM.5.662: M's addition of an brings it into agreement with Cr. Most B manuscripts read par. auenture  I be nouȝte knowen þere I wil go fecche my box with my breuetes  and a bulle with bisshopus lettres By Crist quod a comune womman  þi companie wil I folwe . Þow shalte seie I am þi sust..er  I not ...where þei b.ycome . Passus sextus de visione vt supraM.6.0: This rubric is centered in the line. This were a wikk.ede way  but whoso hadde a gyde Þat wolde folwen vs eche a fote  þus þis folk. hymM.6.2: M's reading of hym is not shared by other B manuscripts, most of which read hem. monedeM.6.2: In place of M's monede, all other B manuscripts have mened. Qu..od perkin þe ....Plowman  bei seint petur of Rome I haue an halue-acre to erien  by þe heie w...eye Hadde I eriede þis halue-acre  and y-sowen it aftur I wolde wende with ȝyow . and þe weiey teche . Þis were a longe lettynge  quod a lady in a sklayre What wshulden we wymmen  worchen þere-whilus Suomme shal sowen sakkusM.6.9: In place of M's reading sakkus, all other B manuscripts have þe sak, except L which has sakke. This is followed by quod Piers in all manuscripts except G, which has quod he.  for spillingeM.6.9: M's reading of spillinge is not shared by other B manuscripts, most of which read shedyng. It is the reading of two A manuscripts. of þe whete And ȝye louely ladies  with ȝyowre longe fingres Þat ȝye han silke and ...?...sandel  to sowen whanne tyme is Chesibles for chapleines  chuyrchus to . honoure Wyues and widowes  wolle and flexe spinneth Maketh clothe I conseille ȝyow  and kenneth so ȝyowre douȝt...res Þe nedy and þe nakud  nymeth hiede how hij liggeth . And casteþ hem clothus . for so comandeth treuthe For I shal lenen hem liflode . but ȝif þe londe faille Flessh and bred bothe  to riche and to pore . As longe as I liue for oure lordus loue of heuene And alle manere of men . þat þorwȝ mete and drinke libbeth Helpeth hym to worche witȝly . þat wynneth .yowre fode By Crist quod a knyȝte þo  he kenneth vs þe beste Ac on þe teme truly  tauȝte was I neuere # quomodo miles optulit seipsum ad aratrum Ac kenne me quod þe kniȝte  and by crist I wil assaie By seint Poule quod perkin  ȝye profre ȝyow so faire # the Covenaunt by-twene the knyght & the plowman Þat I shal swinke and swete  and sowe for vs bothe And oþur labours do for þi loue . al my lif-tyme . In couenaunt þat þow kepe . holikirke and my-seluen From wastours and wikkyde men . þat þis wo...?...rld struyeth And go hunte harddiliche . to hares and to foxes To bores and to brokkus  þat breketh a-doun myn hegges And go affaite þi faucounes . wilde foules to kulle For suche cometh to my crofte . and croppuþ myn whete Curteiselich þe kniȝte þanne . com...sede þis wordus ..By my powere piers quod he  I pliȝte þe my truthe To fulfulle þis forwarde  þouȝ I fiȝte shulde Als longe as I liue . I shal þe mainteine . # quia bene dicit ȜYe and ȝyet a point quod Piers  .I praie ȝyow of more Loke ȝye tene no tenaunt  but trwþe wil assente And ......þogh ye mowe amercie hem . lat mercy be taxoure And mekenesse þi Maist..er  Maugre medes chekus And þowȝ pore men profre ȝyow  presentus and ȝyiftus Nym hiemM.6.43: M's original reading him was unattested in other B manuscripts. The altered reading of hem is shared with F and is the reading of some A manuscripts. Most B manuscripts read it. nauȝte an auenture  ȝye may it nauȝte deserue For þow shalt ȝyelde it aȝein  at on ȝyeres ende In a ful perillous place  purgatorie it hiȝte # the knyghtis Bondman And mysbede nouȝte þi bonde-men  þe bett..re may þow spede Þowȝ he be þin vndurlinge hereM.6.47: M's original reading here is attested in most B manuscripts. The altered reading is unattested among B manuscripts.  wel may happe in heuene Þat he wortheþ worthiere y-s....ett  and with more blisse Amice ascende superius nota # For in CharnelesM.6.50: M shares plural Charneles with G. Other B manuscripts have the singular. atte churche . cherlus ben .euele to knowe Or a kniȝte from a knaue þere  knowe þis in þin herte . vjus passus And þat þow be trwe of þ..y tonge  and tales þat þow hate x But ȝif þei ben of wisdom or of wit..  þi werkemen to chaste Hold with none harlotus  ne here nouȝte hieyre tales . # the devils dysowrs And nameliche atte mete . suche men eschuwe For it ben þe deueles disours  I do þe to vndurstonde I assente by seinte Iame . saide þe kniȝte þanne For to worche by þiny wordus . þe while my lif dureth And I shal apparaille me quod PiersM.6.59: M shares the form Piers with F, for Perkyn in other B manuscripts. . in pilgrimes wise And wende with ȝyow I wil  til we fynde truþe And cast on my clothus  y-clowted and hole My cokurs and my Cuffus . for colde of my nailles And hange myn hopur at myn hals  in stede of a scrippe A busshel of bredcorne  bringe me þere-innneM.6.64: The correction has been made by erasing the first two minims. See Introduction III.1. . For I wil sowe it my-selue . and sithenes wil I wende To pilgrimages as palmeres doon  pardoun forto haue Ac whoso helpuþ me to erien . or sowen here ar I wende HeM.6.68: M shares the reading He with F, omitted by other B manuscripts. shal haue leue by oure lorde . to lese here in herueste maugre And make hem myrie þere midde . maugreeM.6.69: M's original reading without maugree is an A reading not paralleled in other B manuscripts. ...whoso bigruccheþ it And alle kin crafty men . þat kuonne lyuen in truthe I shal finden hem fode . þat faithfulliche libbetth Saue Iak þe iogulour . and Ionete of þe stuwes # quia oblaciones non debent recepi de hijs quorum nomina deleantur & cetera And danyel þe dys plaiere  and Denot þe bawde And Frere þe faitour . and folke of his ordre And Robin þe Ribaudour . for his rusty wordus Truthe tolde me ones . and bad me telle it aftur Deleantur de libro viuencium . I shulde nouȝte dele with hem For holichurche is hote . of hem no tythe to take . Quia cum iustis non scribantur Thei ben ascapude goode auenture . now god hem amende Dame worche whan tyme is . piers wif hiȝte His douȝt..er hiȝte do riȝte so /  or þi dame shal þe bete His sone hiȝte suffre þi souerains . to hauen hire wille Deme hem nouȝte for ȝif þow doost  þou shalt it dere abigge Late god y-worthe with-al  for so his worde techeþ For now I am olde and hore . and haue of myn owene To penaunce and to pilgrimage . I wil.. passe with othere For-þi I wil er I wende . do write my biqueste the testament of Piers In dei nomine amen . I make it my-seluene He shal haue my soule  þat beste hath itM.6.90: All other B manuscripts place this it at the end of the line. M's original reading without it is unattested in other B manuscripts but is the reading of the A version. Kane and Donaldson record the rest of the line as over erasure, perhaps referring to disserued, but only its final <-e> is erased. disseruede And fro þe fende it defende . andM.6.91: M's reading of and is not shared by other B manuscripts, which read for. It is the reading of the C version. so I bileue Til I come to his acomptus  as my Credo me telleþ To haue a relees and a remissioun . on þat rental I leue The kirke shal haue my caroigne . and kepe my bones For of my corne and catel . he crauede þe tithe to pay preestly is nothing for they be all receyversM.6.96: An example of the marginal commentator's anticlericalism? I paiede him fulM.6.96: M's reading him ful is unattested in other B manuscripts. W reads it ful; most other B manuscripts read it hym. prestly . for peril of my soule For-þi is he holden I hope . to haue me in his masse An mengen in his memorie . amonges alle cristene My wif shal haue of þat I ..wan . with truthe and namore And delen amonge myn douȝteres . and my dere children For þowȝgh — I deie to-day  my dettus arn quitte I bare hom þat I borwede  er I to bedde ȝyede . And with the resydue and þe rem.enaunte . by þe Rode of lukes I wil worshipe þere-with . truthe by my lyue And bene his pilgrime atte plowgh . for pore menn.es sake My plowgh foot shal be my pike-staf . and p.ycche atwo þe Rotus And helpe my Cultre to kerue . and clense þe forwes Now is perkin and his pilgrimes . to þe plowgh faren To erie þis halue-acre  holpen him manye Dykers and deluers . diggeden vp þe balkes Þere-with was perkyn appaiede . and praised hem faste .Othere werkemen þere were . . þat wrouȝte ful fasteM.6.112: M shares the reading faste with C, for yerne in other B manuscripts. It is the reading of A manuscripts. Eche man in his manere . made hym-selue to doone And suomme to plese perkyn . pikede vp þe wedus Atte heiȝe prime pers . let þe plowe stonde To ouere-seen hem him-selue . and whoso beste wrouȝte He shulde ben huyred þere-aftur . whanne herueste-tyme come . And þanne seten summe . and songen at þe nale And holpen erien his halue-acre . with how trolly-lolly Now b.y þe peril of my soule . quod Piers . al in pure tene vjus passus But ȝye arise þe rathur . and rape yow to worche Shal none greyne þat herM.6.122: M's addition of her is an AC reading unattested in other B manuscripts. groweth . glade ȝyow at nede # the devill haue þat Reccheth And þo.wgh ȝye deiȝe for do..el . þe deuel haue þat reccheth Tho were faitours a-fierde . and feinede hem blinde # # quomodo truffatores Fingunt se Fere mitulatim[uti]lati & Ceci Summe leide here legges a-leri . as suche losels conneth And made here mone to pier..s . and praide hym of grace For we haue no limes to labore with . lorde y-graced be ȝye Ac we praie for ȝyow piers . and for ȝyowre plow bothe Þat god of his grace . ȝyowre graineyn multiplie And ȝyelde ȝyow of ȝyowre almes . þat ȝye ȝyeueþ vs here For we may nouȝte swynke ne swete . suche sekenesse vs ailleth If it be soth þat ȝye sainM.6.132: M's reading of þat ye sain quod Piers reverses the syntax of most other B manuscripts, which read quod piers þat ye seyn. G omits quod Piers entirely; YOC2CB omit þat ye seyn. quod Piers . I shal it sone aspie . .Ye ben wastours I wot well . and truthe wot þe sothe And I am his olde hyne . and hiȝte him to warne . Whiche þei were in þis world . his werkemen appaire.d ȜYe wasten þat men wynnen . with trauaille and with tene # Contra wasters Ac treuthe shal teche ȝyow . his teme to driue Or ȝye .shal ete barly brede . and of þe broke drinke But ȝif he be blinde ...orM.6.139: M's altered reading or agrees with most B manuscripts. L reads and. broke-leggud . or boltede with yrnes He shal ete whete breede . and drinke with my-selue Til god of his godnesse . amendement hym seende Ac ȝye miȝte trauaille as truthe wolde . & take mete & huyre To kepe kyne in þe fielde . þe corne fro þe bestes Diken or deluen  or dingen vppon sheues Or helpe make morter . or bere mukke afielde . M.6.146-155: This paragraph and the next two are bracketed in left margin and marked heresi in a seventeenth-century hand. It is not immediately clear which of the ideas in these paragraphs prompted the comment of "heresy."In leccherie and in losengerie . ȝye lyuen and in sleuthe qui parcit virgam perdit filium And al is þorw suffraunce . þat veniaunce ȝyow ne taketh Ac ancres and herm.ytes . þat eten but at nones And namore er morwe . myne almesse shul þei haue heresi And of my catel to cope hem with . þat han cloistres and churches Ac Roberte renne aboute . shal nouȝte haue of myne Ne posteles but þei preche conne . and haue powere of þe bisshop Þay shal haue payne and potage . and make hem-selue at ese # contra fratres For it is an vnresonable Religioun . þat haþ riȝt nouȝte of certeyne And þanne gan a wastour to wrathe hym . and wolde haue y-fouȝte And to piers þeM.6.156: M's original reading without þe agreed with OC2F. plowman  he prof....rede his gloue A Bretoner a braggere . abostede Piers als And bad hym go pisse with his plowe . for-pynede shrewe . Wiltow or niltow not . we wil haue oure wille Of þi floure and þy. flessh . fecche whann....e vs liketh And make vs merie þere-with . maugre þine chekus # quomodo queritur piers ad militem Þanne Piers þe Plowman  plainede hym to þe kniȝte To kepe hym as couenaunte was . fram curs...ede .shrewes And from þis wastours woluesskynnes . þat makeþ þe world deere For þei waste and wynnnenwynnen nouȝte . and þat ilke while Worth neuere plente amonge þe .....peple . þere while my plow liggeth Curteisly þe kniȝte þanne . as his kynde wolde Warnede wastour . and wissud hym bett..re Or þow shalte abbigge by þe lawe . by þordre þat I bere XM.6.170: The <X> is written drypoint. I was nouȝte I-won...t to worche quod wastour . and now wole .. — I not bigynne And lete liȝte of þe lawe . and lasse of þe knyȝte And sette piers at a pese . and his plow bothe And manacede piers and his men . ȝif þei mette efte-sone Now bi þe perill of my soule quod piers  I shal appaire ȝyow alle # the hopyng after hunger And houpud aftur hongur . þat herde him atte furste A-wreke me onM.6.176: M shares the reading on with Hm, for of in other B manuscripts. þes wastours quod he  þat þis worlde schendeth Hon...ger in haste þo hente  wastour by þe mawe # quod Fames venit ad puniendum vastum And wronge hym so bi þe wombe  þat bothe his eiȝhen wat....rede He buff.....etted þe bretonere . aboute þe chekes . Þat he lokud lik a lanterne . al his lif aftur He bette hem so bothe . he barste nere here guttus Nadde Piers with a pese lof  preide hungur to cesse Þei hadden ben doluen bothe  deme þou non othur Suffre hem liue he saide  and late hem eten with hogges O.r ellus benes and bren . baken to-gedres ErM.6.186: M's Er is unique. All other B manuscripts read Or. ellus me..lk and mene ale  þus praide piers for hem . Faitours for fere hereof . flowen in-to bernes And flapten on with flailes . fram morwe til euene That hungur was nouȝt so hardy . on hem for to loke For a potful of peses . þat Piers hadde I-mak..edM.6.190: Something, no longer legible, is erased in the left margin.M.6.190: In the lower right corner of this leaf is a mark of some sort, about 1cm high, whose significance is unknown. It seems to correspond to a similar mark, also visible on the current image, in the lower left corner of the facing leaf. vjus passus An hepe of hermitus . henten hem spadus And kuten hire — hire copes  and court...pis hem maden And wenten as werkemen . with spadus and with shoueles And doluen and dikeden . to driue awey hungur Blynde and bedredene . were bo.....otned a þousand. That seten to begge silu..er . sone were þei hel..ed # that was baken For I bayerd For þat was baken for baiard. . was bote for many hungri And many a begger for benes . fulM.6.198: M's ful is unattested in other B manuscripts, except F, which reads ful bown. buxom. was to swynke And eche pore man wel paied . to haue pesen for his huyre And what Piers praide hem to done  as preste as a sparhauke And þere-of was Piers proude . and putte hem to werke And ...yaf hem mete as he miȝte fortheM.6.202: Most B manuscripts read aforþe; Cr reads ford. . and mesurable ....hyre AndM.6.203: M's reading And is unattested in other B manuscripts. þanne hadde Piers pite . and praide hungre to wende Hom in-to his owne yerdM.6.204: The alteration to yerd brings M into agreement with WHmCr. M's original erd agreed with LR. . and holden him þere For I am wel awroke now . of wastours þorwȝ þi miȝte Ac I pray þe er thow passe . quod Piers to hungur Of beggers and bidders . what best be to done For I wo..otM.6.208: M alone among B manuscripts lacks the word wel here. be þow went . þei wil worchen ful —M.6.208: Among other B manuscripts only G omits ful. ille For meschief it makeþ . þei be so meke nowthe And for defaute of hire fode . þis folk is atte my wille Þey arn my blody breþeren . ...?...?...quod pieres . for god bouȝte vs alle .M.6.211: It seems probable that M originally agreed with A and C in lacking quod pieres, and so the corrector needed to rewrite the b-verse and insert another punctus. Treuthe tauȝte me ones . to louen hem echone And to helpen hem of alle þing. . ay as hem nedeth And now wolde I witen of þe . what were þe beste And how I miȝte amaistren hem . and make hem to worche # concilium Famis contra audaces mendicantes Here now quod hungur . and holde it for a wisdome Bolde beggers and bigge . þat mowe here bred swynke With houndus bred . and horsbred  holde vp hire hertus Abate hem with benes . for bollinge of hire wombe And ȝif þe grom.esM.6.220: M's gromes is unattested among other B manuscripts, most of which read gomes. The AC reading is also gromes, though this is not immediately obvious from Kane and Russell-Kane. grucche  bidde hem go swynke And he shal soupe swett...er . whanne he it haþ deseruede And ȝif þow fynde any freke . þat fortune hath appairede Or any manere fals men . fonde þow suche to knowe Conforte hem with þi catel . for cristus loue of heuene Loue hem and lene hem . so lawe of god techeþ . Alter alterius onera portate . And alle manere of men . þat þow miȝt. aspien Þat nedy ben and nauȝty . helpe hem with þiny god.es . Loue hem and lakke hem nouȝte . and lateM.6.229: M shares the reading and late with Hm; other B manuscripts omit and. god take þe veniaunce The..ygh þei done .yuele  lat god aworthe Michi vindictam & ego retribuam And ȝif þow wilte be graciou.s to god . do as þe gospul techeþ And bilowe þe amonges lowe men . so shalt þow lacche grace Facite vobis amicos de mammona iniquitatis I wolde nouȝt greue god quod Piers . for al þe good on grounde Miȝte I do .synnele..esM.6.236: M's reading of do synnelees is unique among B manuscripts. All other B manuscripts read synnelees do. as þou saist . saide Piers þanne ȜYe I bihote þe quod hung..er..or ellus þe bible lieth Go to Genesis þe gyaunt . þe engendroure of vs alle In sudore / and in swynke  þow shalt þi bredeM.6.239: M's reading of brede is not shared by other B manuscripts, most of which read mete. tillie And laboure for þiney ly.flode . and so oure lorde hi....ghte And sapience saith þe same  I seie it in þe bible / no felde wolde /M.6.242: This erasure is legible under ultraviolet light. Piger pro frigore . no ...?...feld woldeM.6.242: M's altered reading wolde agrees with HmCrFR. All other B manuscripts read nolde. tilie And þerfore he shal begge and bidde  & no man bete ...hishis hongur Mathew with mann.es face  mouthed þis wordus . besaunteM.6.245: This gloss on nam appears directly over the word. WHmL also attest this gloss. Þat seruus nequam had a nam . and for he wolde not chaff...are He hadde maugre of his maistur . for euermore aftur besauntM.6.247: This gloss is in different hand than that two lines up, and is not shared by other B manuscripts. And by-nam hymM.6.247: M's original reading without hym was shared by L. his Mnam . for he nolde worche . And ȝyaf himM.6.248: Most other B manuscripts omit the word him here and include to him after the first Mnam. þat mMnam . þat ten mMnammes hadde And with þat he saide . þat holichurche it herde He þat hath shal haue . and helpe þerewith þatM.6.250: M's reading of þerewith þat is not shared by other B manuscripts, most of which read þere it. nedeth And he þat nouȝt hath . shal nouȝt haue . and no man him helpe And þat he weneth wel to haue . I wil it him reueM.6.252: M's reading reue is unique. Other B manuscripts have bireue. . .....Kynde w...it wolde . þat eche a wiȝght wrouȝte Or in dikinge or in deluynge . or trauaillinge in praiers Contemplatif lif or actif lif . Crist wolde men wrouȝte The sauter saieth in þe salme  of Beati omnes Þe freeke þat feduth him-selue . with his faithful laboure He is blessud by þe boke  in body and in soule Labores manuum tuarum quia manducabis & ceteraM.6.259: F ends this Latin tag with manducabis batus es &c; most B manuscripts end after tuarum. ȜYet I praie I ȝyow quod Piers . par charitee and ȝye kuonne Eny leef of lechecrafte . lere it meM.6.261: M here lacks my, which is attested in all other B manuscripts save F. dere For suomme of my seruauntz . and my-selue bothe Of alle a wyke wor...che nouȝte . ...?...?...so oure wombesM.6.263: This plural is unattested in other B manuscripts. Kane and Donaldson state that "s added over erasure another ink," but the full half-line is rewritten. aketh vjus passus I wot wel quod hungur . what sekenesse ȝyow ailleth # contra manging to moch ȜYe han mangede ouer-muche . and þat maketh ȝyow grone . Ac I hote þe quod hungur . as þow þine hele wilneste Þat þow neM.6.267: M's ne is unattested in other B manuscripts. drinke no.. — day . tilM.6.267: M's reading of til is not shared by other B manuscripts, which read er. For the same variation see M.5.400. þow haue dinedeM.6.267: M's reading of haue dined is not shared by other B manuscripts, which read dyne. sumwhat Ete nouȝte I hote þe . er hungur þe take And sende þe of his sauce . to sauoure þy.M.6.269: M shares the reading þy with F, for with þy in other B manuscripts. It is an A version reading. lippus And kepe some til soperM.6.270: M shares the reading soper with F, for soper tyme in other B manuscripts. . and sitte nouȝt to longe Ar..ys vp .er appetit . haue eten his fulle Late nouȝte sire surfaite . sitten atte þiny borde Loue him nouȝt . for he is leccherous . and likerous of tonge And aftur many manersM.6.274: M shares the reading maners with C, for maner in other B manuscripts. of mete . his mawe is afingrede And ȝif þow diete þeeM.6.275: M's original reading without þee was shared with CCot. þus . I dar legge myn eres . That Phisik shal his furred hodes . for his fode selle And his ClokesM.6.277: M's plural is unattested in other B manuscripts. ...?...of Calabre . with alle þe knappus of golde contra medicos And be faine by my faith . his phisik to lete . And l.erne to laboure with londe . for l...yflode is swete For mortherers arn. many leches . lorde hem amende . Þei doo men deien þorwgh hire drinkes . ar destine it wolde . By seint Poule quod Piers . þi..se arne profitable wordus Wende now hon..ger whanne þow wolte . þat wel be þow euere For þis is a louely lessoun . lorde it þe forȝelde By-hote god quod hungur . hennes ne wille I w.ende Til I haue dined by þis day . and y-dronke bothe I haue no peny quod Piers  poletes to bigge Ne neithur gees ne gris . but two grene cheses A fewe Cruddes and Creme  and a hauer kake . And two loues of benes and bran  y-bake for my faunttis AndM.6.291: All other B manuscripts here include yet. I sey by my soule . I haue no salte bacoun . Ne no cokeney by criste  colopus for to maken Ac I haue percile and porettus . and many ko..ol plauntus And ek a cow . and a calf  and a carte-mare . To drawe a-felde my donge . þe while þe drouȝ..te lasteth And by þis liflode we moten liue . til lammes tyme And by þat I hope to haue . herueste in my crofte And þanne may I diȝte þi dyner . as me dere liketh . Alle þe pore ...?...?...peple tho . Pesecoddes fetten Benes and baken apples . þei brouȝten in hire lapp.es . ripe +M.6.301: The deleted text is legible under ultraviolet light. Chibollus and ...?...CheruellM.6.301: All other B manuscripts except Cr attest this word with plural <-s>. F reads chirne mylk.  and ripeM.6.301: The insertion of ripe brings M into line with all other B manuscripts. chiries manye And profr...ede piers þis .....present  to plese with his —M.6.302: M's original inclusion of his placed it in agreement with Cr3OC2CBmBo. hunger Al hungur eet in haste  and ax..ed aftur more Þanne pore folk for fere  fedde hungur ȝyerne With grene porete and pesen  to poisun hungur þei þouȝte By þat itM.6.306: M's original reading without it agreed with YC. neiȝede nere herueste  newe corne come to chepinge Þanne was folke faineyn . and fedde  hung..er with þe beste With gode ale as glotoun tauȝte . and gerte hungre goo slepe And þo wolde wastour not worche . but wandren a-bouten Ne no begger eten breede . þat benes inne were . But of coket or clermatin . or ellus of clene whete Ne non. halpeny ale  in none wise drinke But of þe beste and þe brunneste  þat in burȝgh is to selle Laborers þat haue no lande  to lyuen on but hire hondus Deined nouȝt to dyneM.6.315: All other B manuscripts here include a day, except F which has or suppe. . niȝt olde wortus May no penyale hem paie . ne none — pece of bacoun But it beM.6.317: M shares the reading it be with F; other B manuscripts have if it be or omit the phrase. fressh flessh . ...?...?...or fissh rostedM.6.317: M's reading of rosted is not shared by other B manuscripts, most of which read fryed. or bakenM.6.317: This half line is written over a significantly longer erasure. And þat chaud or .plus chaude . for chillinge of hire mawe . A...?...?...nd but but he be hyliche yhyred . elles wil he chide And þat he was werkman y-wrouȝte . wail..eþ he þe whileM.6.320: M's b-verse is unique among B manuscripts. Most other B manuscripts read waille þe tyme. . Aȝeins Catones conseille . comsuth he to iangle Paupertatis onus pacienter ferre memento . He greueth h.im aȝeins god . and gruccheþ aȝeins resoun . And þanne curs...eth he þe kinge . and al his conseill aftur Suche lawes to loke . laborers to greue . Ac whiles hunger was hire maist..er . þere wolde none of hem chide Ne striue aȝeins his statut  so sternelich he lok..ed Ac I warne ȝyow werkemen . wurcheM.6.328: M's reading of wurche is not shared by other B manuscripts, most of which read wynneþ. wil ȝye mowe For hungur hiderwarde . hasteþ h.im faste He shal awake with watur . wastours to chaste Ar fyue be fulfullude . such famyn shal riseM.6.331: M's reading rise is unique among B manuscripts, the rest of which read aryse. . Þo..rugh flodus and foule wedres . fruitus shal falleM.6.332: M's reading of fall is not shared by other B manuscripts, which read faille, though it is the reading of six A manuscripts. Nota And so saide saturne . & sente ȝyow to warne Whanne ȝye se þe suonne amys . & ...?...?...two Monkes heddes And a mayde haue þe maistrie . and multipli..edM.6.335: M's altered reading multiplied agrees with LRF. Other B manuscripts read multiplie. bi .....eighte Þanne shal deþ with-drawe . & derthe be Iustice And dawe þe dikere . deie for hunger . But ȝif god of his goodnesse . graunte vs a t....rewe cor iiijus cor vij passus Passus septimus de Visione T TReuthe herde telle hereof . and to piers he sente . To taken his teme . an tilien þe erthe And purchacedM.7.3: Other B manuscripts, except Cr, have purchaced hym. a pardoun . a pena & a culpa . For him and for his heires . for euermore aftur And bad him halde him at home . and erien his leies . And alle þat halpe h.im to erien  to setten or sowen . Or any oþur mister . þat miȝte piers auaillen . Pardoun with piers plowman . treuthe haþ y-graunt..ed Kynges and kniȝtus . þat kepun holychurche And riȝtfulliche in reumes  reulen þe p.eple . Hath pardoun inM.7.11: M's reading of in is not shared by other B manuscripts, which read þoruȝ. purgatorie . to passen ful liȝtly With Patriarkus and prophetus . in parad..is to be Felawes . Bisshopus y-blessud . ȝif þei ben as þei shulden . Legistres of boþe þe lawes . þe lewede þere-with to preche And in as muche as þei mowe . amende alle synnefull . Aren pieres with appostolesM.7.16: M shares the reading with F. Other B manuscripts have þe Apostles. . þus pardoun piers sheweþ . And atte þe day of dome . atM.7.17: M shares the reading with R. Other B manuscripts have at þe. heiȝe dei..ys to sitten . # quod mercatores non sunt soluti a pena & culpa quia non sanctificant sabatum Marchauntz in þe margyne  hadden many ȝyeres Ac no..on a pena & a culpa . þe pope nolde hem graunte . For þei holden not here halidyhalid[a]y  as holichurch techeþ And for þei swere by hire soule  and alsM.7.21: M's reading of als is not shared by other B manuscripts, most of which read so. god hem helpe . A.yein clene Conscience  here Catel . to selle . Ac vndur his secreet seel . truthe sente hem a lettre Þat þei shulden bugge boldly  þat hem best likud . And siþþe sellen it aȝein  and saue þe wynny..ng And amende mesondeux þere-mid . & mises..ed forlk helpe . And wikkud weies . wiȝtliche hem . amende . And toM.7.28: M's reading of to is not shared by other B manuscripts. do bote to brugges . þat tobroken weren Marien maydoen..s . or maken hem nonnes . Pore p.eple and prisouns . fynden hem hire fode . # And setten scolers to scole . and somme toM.7.31: M's reading of and somme to is not shared by other B manuscripts, most of which read or to som. oþere craftus Releue religioun . and rente hem ȝyetM.7.32: M's yet is not attested in other B manuscripts. bettr.eM.7.32-35: A bracket in the left margin runs from this line to the bottom of the page. And I shal sende .yow my-selue  seint Michel myn Archangele Þat no.. deuel shal derie ȝyowM.7.34: M's syntax, derie yow, is the reverse of the other B manuscripts, which read yow dere. . ne fere ȝyow in ...?...yowre deyyngM.7.34: In place of the rewritten yowre deyyng, YCrOC2CB read your doyinge. And witen ȝyow from .wanhope  ȝif ȝye will...?...e thus werche # And sende ȝyowre soules in sauftee  to my seint..es in Ioye . cor Þanne weren Marchauntz merie . and wept..en for ioie And praiseden Piers plowmanM.7.38: Other B manuscripts except G have þe Plowman. . þat purchacede þis bulle . # de legum peritis quia minime de Indulgencia recipiunt Men of lawe leste pardoun hadde . þatM.7.39: M's original reading without þat, not noted by Kane and Donaldson, agreed with G. pleteden for mede For þe sauter saueth hem nouȝt . such as takeþ ȝyiftus . And namelich of Innocentz . þat non .yuele kuonneth . Super Innocentem munera non accipies . Pledours shulde painen hem  to plede for suche and helpe . Princes and Prelat..es  shulde paien for hire trauaille A Regibus & principibus  erit merces eorum . Ac many a Iustice and Iurour . wol for Iohan doo moore . Þanne — pro dei pietate . leue þow none oþure Ac he þat spendeþ his speche . and spekeþ for þe poore . Þat is Innocent and nedy  and nomanno man appaireth  oute +M.7.50: The deleted text is legible under ultraviolet light. Conforteþ him in þat cas  withoute coueitise of ȝyiftus . And sheweþ lawe for oure lordes loue  as he it haþ lurned Shal no deuel at his deþday . deren him a m...yte Þat he noM.7.53: Other B manuscripts read ne. worth sauf and his soule  þe sautier bereth witytnesse Domine quis habitabit in tabernaculo tuo . & cetera . nota Ac to bugge watur ne wynde  ne witte ne ....firefireM.7.55: The correction was first entered supralinearly and then incorporated in-line. þe ferthe. # quia deus Creauit quatuor in adiutorium Comune This foure þe fadur of heuene  made to þis folde in comune Þise ben trwthes tresors  trwe folk to helpe Þat .. neuere shal waxe ne wanye  withouten god him-seluen Whanne þei drawen on to deiȝen  and Indulgences wolden hauen Here pardoun is ful petite  at hire partingesM.7.60: M's original plural is not attested in other B manuscripts. henn.es . Þat any mende of mene men  for hire motinge taketh  ȜYe legistres and law.yeres  holdeþ þis for truthe Þat ȝif þat I lie . mathewe is to blame For he bad me ....seyneM.7.64: For seyn most B manuscripts read make, though OC2 have take and Cr has tel. ȝyow þis  and þis prouerbe me toolde  Quodcumque vultis vt faciant vobis homines / facite eis. & cetera Alle libbinge laborers  þat liuen with hire hondus Þat truliche taken  and trweliche wynn.en And liuen in loue and in lawe . for hire lowe hertus Haueth þe same absolucioun  þat sent was to Pieres Beggers andM.7.70: M shares the reading and with Cr and also with A and C manuscripts. Other B manuscripts have ne. bidders  ne beth nouȝte in þe bulle But ȝif þe suggestioun be soth  þat shapeþ hem to begge . passus vijus For he þat beggeth or bit  but ȝif he haue nede . He is fals with þe feende  and defraudeþ þe nedy argumentum ....bibileM.7.74: Whatever has been deleted here is illegible even under ultraviolet light. And alsM.7.74: For als, other B manuscripts have also. he bigileþ þe gyuer  ageins his wille For ȝif he wiste he were nouȝt nedy  he w...olde ȝyeue þat anothur Þat were more nediere —M.7.76: M's original nediere agreed with RF. þanne he  so þe nedieste shulde be holpen Catoun kenneþ men þisM.7.77: M's reading of þis is not shared by other B manuscripts, most of which read þus.  and þe Clerke of þe stories . opinio # quia remandat elimosina in Manu donec videas Cui des secundum CatounM.7.78: The word opinio is followed by a curly brace connecting the label to all three lines of the Latin that follows. Cui des videto . is catouns techinge . And in þe stories he techeþ  to bistowe þin almes Sit elemosina in manu tua . donec studes cui des . Responsio —Et tamen vide Gregorius Ac Gregorie was a gode man  and bade vs gyuen toM.7.81: M's addition, in a later hand, of to is unattested in other B manuscripts. alle leneth Þat asketh for his loue  þat vs alle leneth Non eligas cui miserearis . ne forte pretereas illum qui meretur accipere Quia incertum est pro quo deumo —M.7.84: M's original reading deum agreed with YOC2CBmBoLRF. See John Alford, Piers Plowman: A Guide to the Quotations (Binghamton, 1992) p. 54. magis placeas For wite ye neuere who is worthy  ac god wot who hath nede walke SolucioM.7.86: Originally, walke was written in the margin for later correction. After the correction was made, this word was erased and a later annotator added Solucio. See line M.7.81 above. In him þat takeþ is þe treccherie  ȝif any tresoun ....walkeM.7.86: In place of the rewritten walke, L has the synonym wawe. . For heM.7.87: M's original reading without he agreed with Cot. þat ȝyeueþ ȝyeldeþ  and ȝyarkeþ him to reste . And he þat biddeþ borweth  and bringeþ him-self.. in dette For beggeres borwen euermo  and hire borgh is god almiȝty To ȝyelden hem þat ȝyeueþ hem  and ȝyete vsuren more Quare non dedisti p..eccuniam meam ad mensam . vt ego veniens & ceteraM.7.91: All other B manuscripts complete the Latin tag with some version of W's cum vsuris exigere. Kane and Donaldson fail to record M's & cetera. For-þi biddeþ nouȝte ȝye beggers  but ifM.7.92: M's original reading without if agreed with F. ȝye haue grete nede . For who-so haþ to buyggen him brede  þe boke bereth wittnesse He haþ ynow . þat haþ brede y-nowgh  þoȝwgh he haue not elles Satis diues est qui non indeget pane . Late vsage be ȝyowre solas . onM.7.96: M's reading of on is not shared by other B manuscripts, which read of. seintus liues r..edinge Þe bo..ok blameþ begg.eri.e  and bannethM.7.97: Compared with other B manuscripts, M interchanges blameþ and banneth in this line, as does F. F, however, has byddis for banneth. hem in þis manere . Iunior fui & enim senui . & non vidi iustum derelictum & ceteraM.7.98: The end of this Latin tag is variously attested in B manuscripts. As in M.7.91, M's version is uniquely abbreviated. . For ȝye liuen in none — loue  ne non lawe holde # quia mendicantes operantur tanquam bestie Cum we he Many of ȝyow ne wedde nouȝt  þe wymmen þat ȝye delen withM.7.100: M's syntax is the reverse of the other B manuscripts, which read wiþ dele. # But as wilde beestus with whee he . worthen vp and worchen And bringeþ forth bar...nes  þat bastardus men callen . Or þe bakke or somme — bo..on  he brekuþ in .his ȝyouthe . And suthe goon fay....ten with ȝyowre fauntes  for eueremore aftur . Þere is more mysshappenM.7.105: M's original reading mysshapp was shared with CrYC. p.eple  amonges þes beggers Þanne — of alle manere men  þat on þis molde walkeþ And þe.y þat liuen þus hire lif . mow lothen þe tyme . That euere he was man wrouȝt  whanne he shal hennus wendeM.7.108: M's reading of wende is not shared by other B manuscripts, most of which read fare. Ac olde men and hore  þat helpeles ben of strengþe And wommen with Childe  þat worchen ne mowe . Blynde and bedrede  and broken hire membres Þat takeþ þis meschief mekeliche  as meseles and othur Han as plain pardoun  as þe Plowman him-seluen . For loue of hire lowe hertus  oure lord haþ hem grauntede Here penaunce and hire purgatorie  here on þis erthe nota Piers quod a preest þo  þiny pardoun moste I rede For I wil construwe eche a clause  and kenne it þe on englissh # Bulla petri ploughman And Piers at his praiere  his pardoun vnfoldeth . And I bih.ynde hem bothe  bihulde alle þe bulle . Al in two lynes it lay  and nouȝt a leef more . & was writen riȝt þus  in wittnesse of trewthe Et qui bona egerunt ibunt in vitam eternam Qui vero mala in ignem eternum  Petur quod þe preest þo  I can none — pardoun fynde . But dowel and haue well  and god shal haue þiny soule . # And do .yuele and ......haue haueM.7.126: The guide word was entered above the line and then erased, with the correction inserted within the line. yuele  hope þow non othure Þat aftur þi deþ-day  þe deuel shal haueM.7.127: The guide word was entered above the line and then erased, with the correction inserted within the line. þiny soule And piers for pure tene  pullude it a-tweyne .And saide . Si ambulauero in medio vmbre mortis . non timebo mala quoniam tu mecum es . I shal cesse of my sowynge quod piers  and swynk nouȝt so harde . # Ne ......aboute my beli ioie  so b.isy be nomoreno more . Of preiers and of penaunce  my plowgh shal ben here-aftur And ..wepen whanne I shulde slepe  þoȝwgh whete bred me faille .TheM.7.134: The first two letters are in a hand and ink which differ from the surrounding text. prophete his pain ete  in penaunce and in sorwe By þat þe sawter sai..th  so dede oþur manye Þat loueth god lelly  his liflode is ful es.y Fuerunt michi lacrime mee panes die ac nocte And but ȝif luk lie / he lereth vs by foules We shulde nouȝt be to bisie  aboute worldusM.7.139: Other B manuscripts except F have þe worldes. blisse . Ne solliciti sitis . he saieyth in þe gospell  passus vijus And sheweþM.7.141: Other B manuscripts except Cr23 have sheweþ vs. bi ensamplus  vs-seluen to wisse Þe foules onM.7.142: M shares the reading on with L. Most other B manuscripts have in. þe fielde  who finte hem mete at ......wynter Haue þei no garnere to go to  but god finte hem alle What quod þe preeste to perkin  petur as me þinketh Þow art lettr..ed a litul  who lurnede þe on boke . Abstinence þe Abbesse quod piers  myn Abc. me tauȝte And Connscience come afturM.7.147: M's reading of aftur is not shared by other B manuscripts, which read afterward. Some A manuscripts read after.  and kenn..ed me moche more Were thow a preest Piers quod he . þow miȝte...st  preche where þow shuldeste As dyuynour in diuin...ite  with Dixit incipiensin[s]ipiens to þi teme . Lewde lorell quod Piers  litul lokest þow on þe bible On salamones sawes  selden þou bih.oldeste EcceM.7.152: Kane and Donaldson record this word as Eice. derisores et iurgia . cum eis ne crescant & cetera Þe preest and perkin  apposeden either othure .And I þourȝ here wordus awo..ok  and waitud.e aboute . & se.ygh þe sunonne in þe southe  sitten atM.7.155: Other B manuscripts except B omit at. þat tyme . Meteles ...... & moneiles  on maluerne hullus Musinge on þis metles  onM.7.157: M's reading of on is not shared by other B manuscripts, most of which read and. my wai.y ich ȝyede Many tyme þis metles  haþ makud me to studie . Of þat I seȝygh slepinge  ȝif it be soM.7.159: M shares the reading be so with G. Other B manuscripts have so be. miȝte And als for Piers plowȝmanM.7.160: Other B manuscripts except F have þe Plowman.  ful pensif in herte And w....hich a pardoun piers hadde  alle þe p.eple to conforte And how þe preest inpugned it  with. two propre wordus Ac I haue no sauoure in sowngewarie  for I se it ofte faille . Catoun and Canonistres  conseilleth vs to leue  # opinionem de sompnis To setten saddnesse in soungewarie  for Sompnia ne cures . Ac for þe boke bible ber...eth wittnesse . How Danyel diuynede  þe dremes of a kynge Þat was Nabugodonosor  nempned of clerkus Daniel saide sire kinge  þi dremeles bitokeneth Þat vnkouthe kniȝtus shullen come  þi kingedome to cleue Amonges lower lordus  þi lond shal ben departede And as Daniel diuinede  in dede it felle aftur Þe kinge le..es his lordeschipe  and lowere men it hadde . And Ioseph mette merueillously  how þe mone and þeM.7.174: M's original reading without þe agreed with OC2F. suonne . And þe elleuene sterres  heilsude him alle Þanne Iacob iuggud  Ioseph.s sweuene Beau fitz quod his fadur  for defaute we shullen I my-selue and my sonus . sechen þe for nede It bifelle as his fadur saide . in pharahoes tyme Þat Ioseph was iustice  Egipte to loken It bifell as his fadur .tolde  his frendes þere him souȝten And alle þis makeþ me  on þis met...eles to þinken And how þe preest proued  no pardunoun to dowell # quod dowell superest Indulgencias And demede þat dowel  Indulgences pass...ede Biennales an triennales  and bisshopus lettres . And how dowell atte þe day of dome  is digneliche vndurfon...gen And passuth al þe pardoun . of seint Pietres churche Now haþ þe Pope powere pardoun  to graunte to þeM.7.188: M shares the reading to þe with G. Other B manuscripts have þe. p.eple With-owten ...any penaunce  to passen in to heuene Þis is oure bileue  as lettrede men vs techen Quodcumque ligaueris super terram . erit ligatum . & in celis & cetera And so I leue lelly  lordus forbode ellus Þat pardoun and penaunce  and preiers doon saue Soules þat haue synn..ed  seuene sithes dedly Ac to truste to þis triennales  trwly me þinkeþ Is nouȝt so sikur for þe soule  certus as is dowell . For-þi I rede ȝyow renkus  þat riche ben on þis erthe Vppon truste toM.7.198: M's reading of to is not shared by other B manuscripts, most of which read on or of. ȝyowre tresoure  triennales to haue Be ȝye neuere þere balder  to breken þe ten heestus . And namelich ȝye maires  maistresM.7.200: M's order—maires, maistres—is reversed in other B manuscripts. and iugeȝs Þat han þe welthe of þeM.7.201: M's reading of þe is not shared by other B manuscripts, which read þis. world  and for wise men ben holden To purchace ȝyow pardoun . and þe popus bulles At þe dredful doome  whanne dede shull arisen And comen alle bifore Crist  acomptus to ȝyelden . How þou laddest þi lif  and his lawes keptest de indulgencijs And how þow dedest day by day  þe doom. wil reherce A pokeful of pardoun þere  ne prouinciales lettres Theigh ȝye ben founden in þe Fraternitee  of alle þe foure ordres And haue Indulgences double-folde  but ȝif dowell ȝyow helpe notad I sette ȝyoure patentes . and ȝyowre pardoun  at a pieM.7.210: Other B manuscripts have pies or pese. hele  passus viijus primus de dowell For-þi I counseille alle Cristen  to crien god mercy And Marie his modur . be oure mene bitwene Þat god .yeue vs grace here  er we goon henn.es Suche werkus to worchen  whil we ben heere Þat aftur oure deþ-day  Dowell reherce . ...?...?...M.7.216: Something, no longer legible, is erased in the right margin. The erasure damaged the passus heading for passus 8, which was subsequently repaired in brown ink. At þe day of dome  we dide as he hiȝte . ...?...M.8.0: Something, no longer legible, is erased in the right margin. Passus octauus de visione . et incipit inquisicio prima de dowellM.8.0: The <ll> is touched up in a brown ink which differs from the surrounding text. t Thus I-robede in Russet . ....I romede aboute Al a somer sesoun  for to seke dowell And frainede ful ofte  of folk þat I mette If any wiȝt wuyste w...here  Dowel was at innnee And what man he miȝte be  of many folkM.8.5: M's folk is not attested in other B manuscripts, which read man or men. I ax...ede # the questioun askyn of Freris of dowell Was neuere wiȝte as I wente  þat me wisse couthe Where þis leede leongudM.8.7: M's revised reading longud is found in many C manuscripts, but B manuscripts have lenged. . lasse ne more Til it felleM.8.8: For fell, all other B manuscripts except F read bifel. vponM.8.8: M's reading of vpon is not shared by other B manuscripts, which read on. a Fryday  two Frerus I mette Maistres of þe Menours  men of grete witte I hailsud hem hendly  as I hadde lernede And praied hem par charitee  ar þei passud further ȜifIf þei knewe any Cuntre  or coostus as þei wente Where þat Dowell dwelleþ  doþ me to wyten For þei ben men on þis moolde  þat moost wyde walkun And knowen Con.—tres and Courtes  and many kynne places Bothe Princes Paleisus  and pore mennus cotus And dowell and do .yuel  where þei dwelle bothe Amongus vs quod þe menours  þat man is dwellinge And euere hath as I hope  and euere shal here-aftur Contra quod I as a Clerke and coms...ede to disputen # ...?...M.8.21: Something, no longer legible, is erased in the right margin. And saide soþly sepcies  in die cadit iustus Seuen sithe saith þe book  synn.eth þe riȝtful And whoso sinneth I saide  doþ .yuel as me th.inkeþ And dowell and do..iuel  may nouȝt dwelle to-gidre Ergo he nys nauȝt alway  amonges ȝyow Frerus He is otherwhile elles where  to wisse þe p.eple I shal seie þe my sone . saide þe Frere þanne How seuen sithes þe sad man  on þe day synneth By a forbisene quod þe Frere  I shal þe faire shewen Lat bringe a man in a bote  amidde þe brodurM.8.30: M's brodur is not attested in other B manuscripts, most of which read brode. watur Þe wynde and þe watur  and þe boot waggynge Makeþ þe man many a tyme  to falle and to stonde For stonde he neuere so st.yf . he stumbleth ȝ.fif he moue Ac ..yet is he sau.f and sounde  and so him bihoueth For ȝif he ne arise þe rather  and rauȝte to þe steere Þe wynd wolde with þe watur  þe boot ouerethrowe And þanne were his lif lo..st  þourgh lachesse of him-seluen And þus it falleþ quod þe Frere  bi folk here on erthe Þe watur is likknede to þe world  þat wa..nyeth and wexeþ Þe goodus arne —M.8.40: M's original reading arne was unattested in other B manuscripts. of þis grounde arn like  to þe grete wawes Þat as wyndus and wedres  walweþM.8.41: M's reading walweþ is shared with L and with some A and C manuscripts. Other B manuscripts read walkeþ. Compare a similar variant at M.9.56. aboute . Þe boot is likkened to oure body  þat brutel is of kynde Þat þourȝ þe flessh and þe feendeM.8.43: M's reading of flessh and þe feend is not shared by other B manuscripts, which read feend and þe flessh. and þe frele worlde tymes sithesM.8.44: The deleted text is legible under ultraviolet light. Synneth þe sad man  a day seuen timessithesM.8.44: M's original reading times placed it in agreement with HmCrG. In M, sithes is written over the erased times, although for some reason both tymes and sithes are erased in the margin. kepeth Ac dedly synne doþ he nouȝte  for dowel him h.lp...keputhM.8.45: The erased reading appears to be helpeth which is the reading of F and of versions A and C. . # quod Caritas maxime adiuuat contra peccatum And þat is charitee þe champioun  chief helpe aȝein synne For he strengtheþ man to stonde  and stereth mann..es soule And þouȝ—gh þi body bowe . as aM.8.48: M's inserted a is unattested in other B manuscripts. boote  doth in þe watur Ay is þe soule sauf  but þou þi-seluen wole Do a dedly synne  and drenche so þ..y soule suffre God w...?...ole suffre wel þ..y sleuthe  ȝif þ..y-seluen likeþ For ...?...he yaf þee to yeresyeue  to .yeme wel þ..y-seluen And þat is wi..t aM.8.53: As in L, a is to be understood as "and," the reading of other B manuscripts. frewillefre wille  to euery wiȝte a porcioun To fleinge foules  to fisshes and to beestus Ac man haþ mooste þer.-of  and moost is to blame But ȝif he worche well þerwith  as dowell him techeþ I haue no kynde knowynge quod I  to conce..iue alle ȝyowre wordus Ac ȝif I may lyue and loke  I shal go l.erne bett..re I bykenne þe crist  þat on crosse deide And I saide þe same  saue ȝyow from mischaunce And ȝyeue ȝyow grace on þis grounde  gode men to worthen And þus I wente wyde-where  walkynge biM.8.62: The addition of bi brings M into agreement with BF. myn one . passus viijus By a wilde wildurnesse  and be a wode syde . Blisse of þe briddus  brouȝte me a-slepe And vndur a linde vpon a launde  lened I a stounde To lithe þe laies  þe louely foules maden . Murthe of here mouthes  made me a-slepeM.8.67: M's reading a-slepe is shared with F; other B manuscripts read þer to slepe. Þe merueillouseste me....tels  mette me þanne Þat euere dremed wiȝth  in world as I wene # quomodo thought primo apparuit in sompno A ... — muche man asM.8.70: M's original reading without as is not found in other B manuscripts but is shared with A and some C manuscripts. me þouȝte  and lik. vn-to my-seluen . Come and callud me  by my riȝte name What artow quod I þo  þatM.8.72: M alone among B manuscripts omits þou at this point, but it is the reading of A and most C manuscripts. Most B manuscripts read þat þou; Cr reads thou þat. myn name knowest Þat þow woost well quod he  and no w..yght bett..re Wot I what þou arte  þowght . saide he þanne I haue suwede þe þis seuen ȝyeer  say þow me no rathur Art þou þoȝwght . quod I þo  þow coutheste me wisse Where þat Dowel dwelleþ  and do me that to knowe ...?...# prima discripcio de dowell Dowell and do-bet  and dobeste þe þridde quod quod he Aren þre faire vertues  and beth nouȝte fer to feccheM.8.79: M's reading of fecche is not shared by other B manuscripts, most of which read fynde. Whoso is trwe of his t..tonge  and of his two handes And þourgh his labour or þourgh his londe his liflode wynneþ And is trusty of his tail..—ende  takeþ but his owne And is nouȝt ...dronkenlewe . ne dedeigno..us  Dowell him folweth Do-bette doþ riȝt þus  ac he doþ muche more He is as lowe as a lombe and loueliche of speche And helpuþ alle men  aftur þat hem nedeth Þe baggus and þe bigurdeles  he haþ to-broken hem alle Þat þe erl ...?...?...Auarous  heeld and his heires And þus with mamon...?...aes moneie  he makeþM.8.89: M alone among B manuscripts has the present tense. Other B manuscripts attest the present perfect or past perfect. him freendus And is ruonnen in-to Religioun  and haþ rendrede þe bible And precheþ to þe p.eple  seinte Poules wordus Libenter suffertis insipientes . cum sitis ipsi sapientes And suffreþ . þe vnwise  with ȝyow for to libbe And with glade wille doþ hem goode  for so god ȝyow hoteþ . # discripcio de do-best ad episcopos pertinet Do-beste . is a-boue bothe  and bereth a bisshopus croos Is hokud on þat on ende  to halen men from helle A pike is on þat potente  to putte a-doun þe wikk..ed . cor Þat waiten any wikk.ednesse  dowel to tene And dowell and dobet  amonges hem ordeinede # On to be kyng & Rule all bothe To croune on . to be kynge to reulen hem .....bothe Þat ȝif dowell or do-bet  do aȝeins dobeste Þanne shal þe kynge comen  and caste hem in irens And but ȝif dobest bidde for hem  þei to ben  þere for euere Thus dowell and dobet  and dobeste þe þridde Crouned on to be kynge to kep..en hem alle And to reulen þe Reume  by hire þre wittus And in .....non other wise  but as þei þree assentude I thonkede þouȝth þo  þat he me þus tauȝte . Ac .yet sauoreth me nouȝte þi segginge  I coueite to lurne How dowel dobet . and dobest  don amonges þe poeple But . wit.. . conne wisse þe quod þouȝte where þo þree dwellen Elles wote I none þat can  þat now is a-liue . # quomodo will & thought primo obuiauerunt cum witt Þouȝt. and I þus  þre daies we ȝyeden Disputinge vppon Dowell  day aftur othur And ar we were war  wyth . witte gan we mete He was longe and lene  and liche to non othur Was no pruyde on his apparaille  ne pouerte nowther Sadde of his semblaunt  and of ..cheresofte chiere . I durste .....moeue non matiere  to maken him to iangle But as I bad þou..ȝt þo  be mene bytwene And putte forth somme — purpos  to prouen his wittus What was Dowell . from dobet  and dobest fram hem boþe . Þanne þouȝt. in þat tyme  saide þise wordus Where Dowell dobete  and dobeste benM.8.124: M's original reading without ben agreed with RF. in londe will ...?...M.8.125: This erasure is illegible even under an ultraviolet lamp. Here is . will . wolde y-wyte  ȝif wit.. couthe teche hym . And wh.....eiþer he be man . or womman  þis man fayne ——M.8.126: M's original reading agreed with WCrLRF. M's erasure of fayne brings it into agreement with HmGYOC2CB. wolde aspie And worchen as þ..ei thre wolde  þis is his entente . Passus nonus de Visione nota bene s SIre Dowell dwelleþ quod witte  nouȝt a day henn..es In a Castell þat kynde made  of foure kynnes þinges Of erthe and eire is it ma..ad  medled to-gidres With wynde and with watur  witturly enioined passus ixus Kynde hath clos.ed þere-ininne  craftely with-alle A lemman þat he loueth  like to him-seluen Anima she hatte  ac enuie h.ire hateþ . A proude prikere of Fraunce  Princeps huius mundi And wolde wynnen hire a-weiey  with wilus and he miȝte . Ac kynde knoweth þis wel  and kepuþ hire þe bett..re And hath doon hire with sire Dowell  is Duc of þis Marches # secunda discripcio de dowell Dobet is hire damoisell  sire Dowelles douȝtur To serue þis lady lelly  bothe late and rathe Do-beste is a-bouen bothe  a Bisshopus piere Þat he bit moot be don  he reuleþ hem alle . Anima þat lady  is ladde — by hire ......leringM.9.16: For hire all other B manuscripts read his; for the final word, B manuscripts vary between leryng and lernyng. Ac þe Constable of þat Castell  þat .kepuþ alle þe wacche ...?...# quia Inwitt habet quinque Filios vt patet I...s a wys kniȝte with-alle  sire Inwitte ...?...he hiȝte . And hath fyue faire sones  bi his furste wiff . Sire sewell and saiwell  and herewell þe heende Sire worche well with þine hande  a wiȝte man of stren....gthe And sire Godfrey gowell  grete lordus for soþe . Þes fiue ben sette  to saue þis lady anima ...?...M.9.24: Something, no longer legible even under the ultraviolet lamp, has been erased from the margin. Til kynde come or seende .  to saue hire for euere . What kinnes thinge is kyndeM.9.25: All other B manuscripts, and some C manuscripts, here include quod I, but it is not in A manuscripts.  canst þow me telle . # quod natura est Creator omnium rerum Kynde quod witte — is aM.9.26: Kane and Donaldson record both M and R as omitting this a, which they reject as unauthorial, but without noting that the a, attested in all other B manuscripts, is clearly legible under an erasure in both manuscripts. creatour  of alle kynnes þinges Fadur and fourmer of al  þat euere was makude And þisM.9.28: M's reading of þis is not shared by other B manuscripts, most of which read þat. is þe grete god  þat gynnynge ha.d neuere . Lord of lif and of liȝte  of blisseM.9.29: With the alteration of lisse to blisse, M joins BCrGRF. and of peine Angeles and alle þinge  arne at his wille # quia dixit & facta sunt mandauit & Creata sunt Ac man is him moost like  of marke and of shafte For þor..hgh þe worde . þat he spake  wexen forth beestus . Dixit & facta sunt & ceteraM.9.33: Kane and Donaldson fail to note the & cetera at the end of this tag, which is overlapped by the right end of the box that surrounds this text.  .id est. adamM.9.34: L shares this gloss on man. And made man  likkeste to himM.9.34: All other B manuscripts read himself. one . And Eue of his Ribbe-bon  with-owten .any mene For he was singuler him-self  and saide faciamus As who saith more mote herto  þan myn worde one . My miȝte moote helpe  now with myn speche Riȝte as a lorde shulde make lettres  and him lakkude parchemyn . Þo.wgh he couthe write neue.r so well  ȝif he hadde none penne . Þe lettre for al.. þe lordshipe  I leue worthM.9.41: M's reading of worth is not shared by other B manuscripts, most of which read were. neuere y-makud . And so it bisemethM.9.42: For M's bisemeth most other B manuscripts read semeþ. bi him  as þe bible telleth . # quia non solum verbo sed opere facta sunt Þere he saide dixit & facta sunt. & ceteraM.9.43: The & cetera has been added in a different hand and ink. This addition brings M into agreement with GY. He moste w.erche with his wordusM.9.44: M alone among B manuscripts attests the plural.  and his witte shewe And in þis manere was man ma..ad  þor....gh mimyȝte of go.d almiȝty With his word. and werkemanshippe  and with lif to laste . And þus god gauef him a goost  of þe godhede of heuene . And of his grete grace  grauntede him blisse And þat is lif þat ay shal laste  to al linage aftur And þat is þe Castell þat kynde made  Caro it hatte # the makyng off man with the sowle And is as muche to mene  as man with a soule . And þat he wrouȝte with werke  and with worde boþe Þourgh miȝte of þe mageste  man was y-makude Inwit.. and alle wittus  closud ben þere-innnee For loue of þe .Lady anima  þat lif is y-nempnede Ouere-al in mann..es body  he wawethM.9.56: Most B manuscripts have walkeþ, though F has walweþ. The reading waweth is not shared with other B manuscripts, though it is the majority reading of A manuscripts; others have walweth. See MED s.v. walwen (OE walwian), "to roll over," and wawen (OE wagian) "to go back and forth." See also the variants at M.8.41. an.d wandreth AyM.9.57: The scribe originally wrote A as a form of And, the reading of W, and another hand has filled the space after the initial letter to read Ay, a reading not elsewhere attested. Other B manuscripts read Ac or But. in þe herte is hire home  and hire mooste reste Ac inwitte is in þe hed  and to þe herte he loketh What anima is lief or loth  he lat hire at his wille nota For aftur þe grace of god  þe gretteste is inwitte # ..... de hijsM.9.61: The deleted text replaced by de hiis is illegible under ultraviolet light. quorum deus venter est Muche wo worth þat man  þat mysruleth his inwitte globbersM.9.62: The deleted text is legible under ultraviolet light. And þat ben glotonus ...?...globbers  hire god is hire wombe . Quorum deus venter est For þei seruen sathan  here soule shal he haue . Þat liueth synn.....eful lif heere  here soule is liche þe deuel . And alle þat liuen good lif  aren lik vn — to god almiȝt.y . Qui manet in caritate in deo manet & cetera contra potentiam potationis Allas þat drinke shal for-do  þat god dere bouȝte And doþ god forsaken hem M.9.69: M alone among B manuscripts here lacks the word þat. he shope to his likknesse Amen dico vobis nescio vos . & alibi . Et .dimisi eos secundum desideria eorum ibuntM.9.70: M's ibunt is not attested in other B manuscripts. & cetera nota bene Folus þat fauten Inwitte  I fynde þat holichurche # that holy Church shuld help Folis Shulde fynden hem þat hem fautede  and faderles Childeren And widowes þat han nouȝte wherwith  to wynnen hem here fode Madde men and maydenes  þat helpeles were . Alle þes lakketh inwit .. and lore bihoueth passus ixus Of þis matere miȝte IM.9.76: M's reading of miȝte I is not shared by other B manuscripts, which read I miȝte.  make a longe tale . And finde fele wittnesses  amonge þe foure doctours And þat I lie nouȝte of þat I lere þe  Luk bereth wittnesse # ad Compatres Godfadur and god-modur  þat seen hire god-children At .. mesese and meschief  and mowe hem amende Shal haue penaunce in purgatorie  but ȝif þei hem helpe # what belongyth to the litle Barn For more bilongeth to þe litul barne  ar he þe lawe knowe Þanne nempnynge of a name  and he neuere þe wisur . Shulde none — Cristen creature  crien at þe ȝyate . # ad prelatos Ne faille pain ne potage  and prelatus d.id as þei shulden A Iewe wold not see a Iuewe  go iangelinge for defaute For alle þe moebles on þis molde  and he amende it miȝte . Allas þat a cristen creature shal be so  vnkinde to anothur # maiorem caritatem in Iudeis quam in cristianis Siþ Iuwes þat we iugge  Iudas felawes Aythur of hem helpeþ oþur  of þat þatM.9.90: M's original reading without the second þat agreed with Hm. him nedeth Why nil we Cristen . of Cristes good  be as kynde. willed .M.9.91: M's addition of this word is unattested in other B manuscripts. As Iuwes þat ben oure lores-men  shame vntoM.9.92: M's reading of vnto is not shared by other B manuscripts, which read to. vs alle Þe comune for hire vnkindenesse  I drede me shull abie . # contra truffatores Bisshopus shullen be blamede  for beggers sake . He is wors þanne Iudas  þat ȝyeueth a iaper silu..er nota And biddeþ þe begger go  for his broken clothes Proditor est prelatus cum Iuda . qui patrimonium Cristi minus distribuit . & alibi Perniciosus despensator est . qui res pauperum Cristi . multipliciterM.9.97: M's reading of multipliciter is not shared by other B manuscripts, which read inutiliter. consumit He doth nouȝt wel þat doþ þus  ne drat nouȝt god almiȝty Ne loueþ nouȝt salamones sawes  þat sapience telleþ .M.9.99: M's reading of telleþ is not shared by other B manuscripts, most of which read tauȝte. Inicium sapiencie timor domini . # Tertia discripcio de dowell Þat dredeth god he doþ well  þat dred him for loue . And nouȝte for drede of veniaunce  doþ þerfore þe bett..re He doþ best þat with-draweþ him  by day and bi nyȝte . To spille any speche  or any space of tyme . Qui offendit in v..noM.9.105: M's altered reading vno agrees with most B manuscripts. LR read verbo; F reads vno verbo. in omnibus est reus Lesinge of tyme  truthe wot þe sothe . Is moost yhatud vponM.9.107: M's original reading of vp was shared by CLR. erthe  of hem þat ben in heuene M.9.108: As a result of eyeskip on heuene (M.9.107 and M.9.109), the scribe initially omitted M.9.108-109. The missing lines were then written in the right margin next to M.9.110-111. Subsequently, a line of text was erased at the bottom of the folio and the two omitted lines were supplied there, the corrector labeling lines 108-111 with the letters a-d to indicate their proper order, and the marginal correction was erased. No other B manuscript omitted these two lines.a. And sithen to spille speche  þat enspiredM.9.108: M shares with Cr the reading enspired. Other B manuscripts read spire, spicerie or spicere. Kane and Donaldson note that the word is "over erasure another hand." While it is true that the entirety of lines M.9.108-109 is written as an addition at the bottom of the leaf in another ink, and that a line has been erased to make space for line 108, the individual word enspired is consistent in hand and ink with the rest of this addition. is of grace b And goddes gleman  and a game of heueneM.9.109: The erasures on the right margin of this paragraph are still partly legible. Under ultraviolet light and a game of heuene is clear. c Wolde neuere þe fait.hful fadur  his fithel were vtempredev[n]temprede d Ne his gleman a gedlinge  goingeM.9.111: M's reading of goinge is not shared by other B manuscripts, which read a goere. to tauernes . E vij To alle trwe tidy men  þat trauaille desiren . Oure lord loueþ hem and lent  loude oþur stille Grace to go to hem  and agon hire liflode Inquirentes autem dominum . non minuentur omni bono . # Quarta discripcio de dowell Trewe weddud libbinge folk  in þis worlde is dowell For þei moote w.erchen and wynnen  and þe worlde susteine For of here kynde þai comen  þat Confessours ben nempnede Kynges and kniȝtes  kaisers and cherles . Maydenes and martires  out of on man come Þe wif was made þe weie  for to helpun worchen And þus was wedlok y-wrouȝte  with a mene persone Furst bi þe fadres will  and þe freendus conseille And sithenes by assent of hem-self  as þei two miȝten accorde And þus was wedloke y-wrouȝte and god him-self.. — it made In erthe andþe in heuene is —M.9.126: M's original reading In erthe þe heuene is agreed with YHmGOCBL. The addition of and and in and the erasure of þe and is brings M into agreement with WCr. him-self was þe wittnesse . # contra hos qui concipiuntur absque matrimonio Ac false folke faithe—les  theues and liers . Wastours and wrecches  out of wedlok y trowe . Conceiued ben in .yuel tyme  as Caym was on Eeue . Of suche synneful shrewes  þe sautier makeþ mynde Concepit in dolore & peperit iniquitatem. & cetera . And alle þat come of þat Caym  come ...to yuele ende . For god sente to Seem  and saide bi an angel Þin issue . in þin issue  I wol þat þei be wedd..ed And nouȝt þiny kynde with Caymes  ycoupled ...neneM.9.135: The ne is written over an erasure, with the erased correction above. WCr read nor; Hm has ner. spoused . # that Seem and Caymes kynd shuld not Cople .Yet ....seemM.9.136: M's alteration agrees with Cr's Sem. Other B manuscripts read some. aȝeine þe sonde . of oure  saueoure of heuene Caymes kynde and his kynM.9.137: M's reading of kyn is not shared by other B manuscripts, which read kynde.  coupled to-gedres . Til god wratthud with hire werkus  and suche a worde saide . Þat I makud man  now . me it athinketh Penitet me fecisse hominem . And come to Noe a-non  and bad him nouȝte lette Swithe go shape a shippe  of shides & of bordus . Þiny-seluen and þine sones þre  and sithen ȝyoure wiues Buske ȝow to þat bote  and bide ȝe þere-innneinne . Til fourty daies be fulfulde  andM.9.145: M's reading of and is not shared by other B manuscripts, most of which read þat. flode haue y-wasshen Clene away þe cursud blod  þat Caim haþ y-makud Beestus þat now ben  shullen banne þe tyme . passus ixus Þat euere þat cursud Caym  come on þis erthe . Al shal deie for his dedus  by dales andM.9.149: M shares the reading and with R; other B manuscripts have and by. hullus And þe foules þat f..leen  forth with oþur beestus . E.xcepte onliche of  iche kinde a couple Þat in þiny shinglede shippe  shullen ben ysaued nota Here abouȝte þe barne  þe belsires gultus And alle for hire forfadres  þei ferden þe worse Þe gospell is here aȝein  in o degre I fynde . Filius non portabit iniquitatem patris . & pater non portabit iniquitatem & ceteraM.9.156: Various B manuscripts end this Latin tag at various points. M's ending is unique, though it lacks only filij after iniquitatem in order to agree with the fullest version of the line. Ac I finde ȝif þe fadur  be falses and a shrewe Þat sumdel þe sone shal  haue þe sires tacches Impe on an elleren . and ȝif þine apple be swete Muche meruaille me thinketh  and more of a shrewe . Þat bringeþ forth any barne  but ȝif he be þe same . And haue a sauour after þe sire  seelde seeste þow oþur Numquam colligitur de spinis vuasM.9.163: The erasure of <s> brings M into agreement with WHmCr. . nec de tribulis ficus . And þus ...thorgh cursude Caym  came care vpon erthe And alle for ...?...þei wroȝte wedlokes  aȝeins goddus wille For-þ.y haue þei maugre . for hire mariages  þat marie so hire children For somme as I see now  soth for to tellen For couetise of catel  vnkindliche ben wedded . As careful ConcepcionusM.9.169: M's plural is unique among B manuscripts.  comeþ of suche mariages . As bifel of þe folk  þat IM.9.170: M alone among B manuscripts lacks the word bifore at this point. of tolde . .id est. boniM.9.171: The two glosses are shared by L. bonas For goode shulde wedde goode  þo.wgh þei no good hadde I am via & veritas saith Crist  I may auauncen alle nota contra matrimonium inordinatum It is .an vncomelyM.9.173: This insertion in M occurs at a place where B manuscripts attest a variety of readings. M's altered state agrees with most B manuscripts. L has comely with on added above the line. couple  bi Crist as me thinkeþ . To ȝyeuen a ȝyonge wenche  to an olde fieble Or wedden any widowe  for welthe of hire godus Þat neuere shal barne bere  but it be in armes Many a paire siþþen þe pestilence  han pliȝte hem to-gedres nota Þe fruit þat þei bringe forth  arne foule wordus . # In ialousie ioieles  and ianglinge on bedde . Haue þei none children but cheeste  and ...?...chidyngeM.9.180: M's reading of chidynge is not shared by other B manuscripts, which attest this word variously. It does, however appear as a variant of cheeste in A manuscripts (K.10.193). hem bitwene # Bacoun off dunmow And ..þough þei don hem to Duonmowe  but ȝif þe deuel helpe To folwen aftur þe Fliss.cche  fecche þei it neuere And but þei boþe be forsworne  þat bacoun ....tyneget they neuyr .M.9.183: M's altered b-verse is unique; the original reading was probably that of all other B manuscripts, which read þat bacoun þei tyne. See the Introduction, II.1. E viij Passus Xus For-þi I conseille alle Cristen  coueite nouȝt to be wedded For couetise of catell  ne of kyndered. riche Ac maidenes and maydenes  macche ȝyow to-gedres Widowes and widowers  worche ȝyeM.9.187: M shares the reading ye with F; other B manuscripts omit it. þe same For no lond.es but for loue  loke ȝye be weddud And. þanne gete .ye þe grace of god  and good ynowgh to liuen with And euery manere seculer  þat may nouȝt continue Wysly go wedde  and war him from synne . For leccherie in likinge  is limȝerde of helle # Whiles þou art ȝyong.  and þiney wepene kene . Wreke þe with wyuynge ȝif þow wolt ben excused. Dum sis vir fortis ne des tua robora scortis Scribitur in portis . meretrix est ianua mortis nota de puritate Coitus in matrimonio Whan ȝye haue wyuede be war  and worcheþ in tyme Nouȝt as Adam and Eue  whanne Caym was engendred For in vntyme truly  by-twene man and womman Ne shulde no bourde on bedde be  but ȝif þei bothe were clene Bothe of l...if and of soule  and in parfite charitee Þat ilke derne dede do  noman no man ne shulde And ȝif þei leden þus hire lif  it liketh god almiȝty For he made wedloke furste  and him-seluen it saide Bonum est vt vnusquisque vxorem suam habeat propter fornicacionem And þai þat othurgatus ben geten  for gedlinges arn holden As fals folke fondelinges  faitours and liers Vngracious to geten goode  or loue of þe p.eple . Wandren and wasten  what þei cacche mowe A.yeins dowell þei doon .yuele  and þe deuel serue . And aftur here deth-day. shullen  dwellen with þe same But god ȝyeue hem grace here  hem-self to amende # Quinta discriptio de dowell Dowell my freende is  to do as þe lawe techeþ To loue þiney freende and þiney foo  leue me þat is dobet To ȝyeuen and to ȝyemen  boþe ȝyonge and olde . To helen and to helpen  is do-beste of alle . And dowell is to drede god  and dobet to suffre . And so cometh dobeste of boþe  and bringeþ a-doun þe mody . And þat is wikkud wille  þat many werk sheendeth And driueth a-way dowel  þourgh dedly synnes  þanne had wit a wif .V. passus xus Passus decimus de Visione & ijussecundus de Dowel . t Thanne hadde witte a wyf  was hoten dame studie Þat lene was of lere  and of liche bothe She was wondurly wroþ  þat witte me þus tauȝte And al staringe dame sstudiestudie  sturneliche seide Wel art þow wys quod she to witte  any wysdomes to tellen To flaterers or to folis  þat frantik ben of wittes # quod perlis non debent mitteri Coram porcis And blamede him and bannede him  & bad him be stille With suche wyse wordus  to wyssen any sottus # And saide Noli mittere man  margerie perles Amonges hogges þat han  hawes at wille Þei doon but drauelen þere-on  draff were hem leuere # Þanne — alle þe preciouse perre.e  in paradys þat wexeþM.10.12: M's b-verse reverses the syntax of other B manuscripts, which read þat in paradis wexeþ. I saie it b.y suche quod she  þat sheweþ byM.10.13: All other B manuscripts read hir at this place. An insertion line has been drawn between by and werkes, and a line drawn out to something, illegible even under ultraviolet light, erased in the margin, where there is also an erased <X>. werkes Þat hem were leuere londe  & lordshipe on erthe Or richessesM.10.15: Other B manuscripts read richesse. For the same variation, see M.15.183. or rentus  and reste at hire wille Þanne — alle þe sothe sawes  ...þat sal.omon saide euere d Wisdome and witte is nowM.10.17: M's reading of is now is not shared by other B manuscripts, which read now is. not worth a carse But it be cardede with couetise  as clothers kemben here wolle Whoso can contreue desceitus  and conspiren wronges And lede forth a loueday  to l..ette with truthe He þat suche craftus can  to conseill is clepud Þei leden lordus with lesinges  and bilien truþe Iob þe gentil  in his gestus wittnesseþ Þat wikkud men þai welden  þe welthe of þis world . # quare impij bene viuunt And þat þei ben lordus of iche a londe  þat oute of lawe libbeth Quare impij viuunt . &M.10.26: M's reading of & is not shared by other B manuscripts. bene est omnibus qui preuaricantur & inique agunt . Þe sauter sai..th þe same  by suche þat don ille Ecce ipsi peccatores habundantes in seculo obtinuerunt diuicias . Lo saiþ holy lettrure . whiche lordus beþ þes shrewes Þilke þat mooste goode god ȝyeueþM.10.30: M's a-verse is unique among B manuscripts. All others begin Thilke þat god; WHmCr continue gyueþ moost while OC2 have most good gyueþ.  leest good þei deleþ And mooste vnkynde benM.10.31: This insertion brings M into agreement with Cr. to þe comune  þat mooste catel weldeþ Que perf.ecisti destruxerunt . iustus autem & cetera . Harlotus for here herlotrie  may hauen of hire godus And Iapers and iogelours  & Ianglers of gestus . Ac he þat haþ holi writ.. ay in his mouthe And can telle of Tobye  & of þeM.10.36: M's original reading without þe agreed with WY. twelue apposteles Or prechen of þe penaunce  þat Pilate wrouȝte To Ihesu þe gentil  þat Iewes to-drowe Lytul is he louede  þat suche a lesson sheweþ Or dauntede or drawen forth  I do it on god him-seluen But þo þat fainen hem folus  and with faitinge libbeþ A.yein þe lawe of oure lord  and lien on hem-seluen # contra Ribaldis Spitten and spuwen  and speken foule wordus Drinken and driuyelin  and doon men for to gapen Likkene men and lien on hem  þat leneth hem none ȝyiftus Þei conn..e no more mynstraulcie  ne musyke men to glade Þanne — Munde þe Meller  of multa fecit deus . Ne were here vile harlotrie  haue god my truthe Shulde neyþurM.10.49: For neyþur all B manuscripts except F read neuere. kynge ne kniȝte  ne chanoun of seint. Poules ȜYif hem to here ȝyeresȝyeue  þe ȝyifte of a grote Ac murthe and mynstraulcie  amonges men is nouthe Leccherie and losel...rieM.10.52: M's altered reading of loselrie is unique among B manuscripts, the rest of which read losengerye.  &M.10.52: The <&> is either rewritten or touched up. loselles tales Glotonye & grete othus  þis gleeM.10.53: M's glee is not shared by other B manuscripts, most of which read murþe. A manuscripts read gamys. þei lou....yeth Ac ȝif þei carpen of Crist  þise clerkus and þis lewede # quod non laudatur disputare doctor in convijc convivijs # Atte mete in here murthus  whanne Minstralles ben stille Þanne telleþ þei of þe trinitee  a tale oþur tweyne # And bringen forth a balled resoun  & taken Bernarde to w.ytnesse And putten forth a presumpcioun  to preuen þe soþe Þus þei dryuelen at hire de..ys  þe deite to knowe . # And gnawen god with þe gorge  whanne ..hirM.10.60: M's alteration to hir may conceal þe, the reading of Hm. guttes ..beM.10.60: Before alteration, M may have agreed with YLR: gutte is. B manuscript readings vary between be (is, er, been) fulle and fullen. fulle Ac þe careful may crie  and carpen atte ȝyate Bothe afyngrede and a-thurst  and for chele quake Is non to nymen him InM.10.63: The addition of In is an A text reading not attested in other B manuscripts.  no...r his no.y to amende But ......huntenM.10.64: M's altered hunten agrees with WHmCr. Other B manuscripts have heon on and variants upon it. him as on —M.10.64: M's original inclusion of on agreed with Cot. an hounde . & hoten him go þenn..es Litul loueþ he þat lord  þat lente him al þat blisse Þat þus parteth with þe pore  a parcel whanne him nedeþ Ne were mercy . in mene men  more þanne — in Riche Mendinauntz meteles  miȝte go to bedde God is muche in þe gorge  of þis grete maistres Ac amonges mene men  his mercy and his werkes terribile And so saiþ þe sauter  I haue seen it ofte  passus xus Ecce audiuimus eam in effrata inuenimus eam in campis silue  Clerkus and oþer kynness — men  carpen of god faste And haue him muche in moutheM.10.74: M shares the reading mouthe with B; other B manuscripts have þe mouþ or here mouþ.  but mene men in herte . fratres d Frerus and fauytours han  founden suche questionus To plese with proude men  siþ þe pestelence tyme . And prechen at seint Poules  for pure enuye of Clerkus Þat folk nysM.10.78: M's nys is not shared by other B manuscripts, most of which read is. nouȝt fermed inM.10.78: M alone among B manuscripts here lacks þe. feith  ne free of hire goodes Ne sori ofM.10.79: M's of is not shared by other B manuscripts, which read for. hire synnus  so is pride waxen In religioun and in alle þe Reume  amonges riche and pore Þat praiers haue none — power  þe pestilence to lette And .yit þe wrecches of þis world  is none y-war by oþur . Ne for drede of deth  withdrawe nouȝt here pride Ne beth plentiuous to þe pore  as pure charite wolde But in gaynesse & glotonye  for-gluttun here godeod hem-seluen And breken nouȝt to þe begg..er  as þe bok techeþ Frange esurienti panem tuum . & ceteraM.10.87: The underlining and & cetera are later additions. M's original reading without the & cetera agreed with C2F. & weldeþ And þe more he wynneth ...?...?...and weldeth  welthes & richesseM.10.88: The omission of & weldeþ was noted in the margin and then erased when incorporated into the text, an alteration which resulted in the entire b-verse being rewritten. And lordeþ in londes /  þe lasse goode — he deleth Thobie telleth ȝyow not so  take heede ȝye Riche How þe boke bible  of him bereth witytnesse Si tibi sit copia habundanter tribue  si autem exiguum illud impertireM.10.92: M alone among B manuscripts here lacks stude, though RF transpose its position with libenter. libenter Whoso haþ muche spene manliche  so meneth Thobie And whoso litul weldeþ  rule hym þere-aftur . For we haue no lettre of oure lif /  how longe it shal dure . Suche lessouns lordus  shulde loue to here / And how he miȝte mooste meyne  manlyche fynde . # # fratres Nouȝt to fare as a Frere or a fythelerM.10.98: M's Frere or a fytheler is not shared by other B manuscripts, which read fiþeler or a frere.  for to seke feestus Homeliche at oþer mennus houses  and haten her owen El.engeM.10.100: M's original reading perhaps agreed with CotLR, which have Elynge. is þe halle  eche day in þe wyke / M.10.101-106: A bracket begins here in the left margin and continues for rest of the paragraph. The last four lines are also bracketed on the right.Ther þe lorde ne þe lady  lykeþ nouȝt to sitte # quomodo laudat hospitalitatem Now haþ iche Riche a rule  to eten by him-seluen In a priue parlour  for pore mennus sake Or in a chambre with a Chimyne  and leue þe chief halle Þat was made for meles  men to eten inne / And alle to spare to spille  þat spende shulde on oþurM.10.106: M's shulde on oþur is not shared by other B manuscripts, which read shal anoþer. I haue herde heigh men  etyng / at þe table Carpen as þei Clerkes were  of Crist & hisM.10.108: For his all B manuscripts except F read of his. miȝtes . And le..yd fautes vpon þe fadur  þat fourmede vs alle And carpen aȝyein Clerkus /  crabbede wordus Whi wolde oure saueoure suffre  suche a worme ...?...in blisseM.10.111: M's altered in blisse agrees with F. Other B manuscripts read in his blisse. Here begins a series of altered readings agreeing with F: M.10.178, M.10.241, and M.10.295. That bigiled þe womman  and þe man aftur Thor..gh whiche wiles and wordus  þei wenten to helle And al hire seed for hire synne  þe same deth suffred nota .id est. mentiturM.10.115: This gloss is not attested in other B manuscripts. Here lieþ ȝyoure lore  þise lordus gynneth dispute Of þat ȝye clerkes vs kenneth  of crist by þe gospell Filius non portabit iniquitatem patris & cetera # why men perissh For Adams syn Whi shulde we þat now ben  for þe werkes of Adam . Roten and rende  reson wold it neuere Vnusquisque portabit onus suum & cetera Swiche mo.......tyues þei moeue  þise maistres in hire glorie And make men in mys bileue . þat muse  muche on hire wordus Ymagynatyf here afturward  shal onswere to ȝyoure purpos Augustyn to swiche arguers  he telleth hem þis teme Non plus sapere quam oportet . Wilneþ neuere to wite  whi þat god wolde Suffre Sathan  his seed to bigile Ac bileueþ lelly . in þe lore  of alM.10.128: M's insertion of al is not attested by other B manuscripts. holy churche x And praie hym of pardoun  and penaunce in þi liue And for his muche mercy  to amende ȝyow here . nota non sunt omnes cause querende For alle þat wilneth to wite  þe whyes of god almyghty I wolde his eiȝe were in his ers  and his fynger after # quia talibus vellet oculum in ano That euere wilneth to wite  whi þat god wolde Suffre sathan . his seed to bigile Or Iudas to þe Iuwes  Ihesu bitraye Al was as þow woldest  lord y-worshiped be þow . And al worth as þow wolt  what so we dispute . And þo þat vsen þise hauelons  to blende mennus wittes What is dowel fro do-bet  now deef mote he worthe Sithe he wilneth to wite  w.hiche þei ben bothe But ȝif he lyue in þe lif  þat longeth to dowell bene loquitur For I dar ben his bolde borgh  þat do-bet wol he neuere Theiȝ do-best drawe on hym . day aftur oþur . And whan þat wit was ywar  what dame studie tolde He bicome so confus  he couthe nouȝt loke And as doumbe as deth  and drowe hym arere . passus xusM.10.147a: Below the running header in the upper right is a very faint Sanctus written in very formal script. Examination under ultraviolet light reveals nothing more. And for no carpynge I couthe after  ne knelynge to þe grounde I miȝte gete no greyn  of his grete wittes But al laughynge he louted  and loked vp-on studye In signe þat I shulde  biseche hire of grace . And whan I was war of his wille  to his wif gan I loute And saide mercy ma-dame  ȝowre man shal I worthe As longe as I liue  bothe late and rathe For to wurche ȝyowre wille  þe while my lif dureth With þat ȝye kenne me kyndely  to knowe what is do-wel For thi mekenesse man quod she  and for þi mylde speche I shal kenne þe to my cosyn  þat clergie is hoten noticia ad scripturam He hath wedded a wif  with-Inne þis sex monthes Is sibbe — to þe seuene artz  scripture is hire name Thei two as I hope  aftur my techynge Shullen wissen þe to dowel  I dar it vndurtake . Than was I als fayn  as fow..l — of faire morwe And gladdere þan þe gleman  þat gold haþ to ȝyifte And axede hire þe heie wa..y  where þat clergie dwelte ...?...M.10.165: Something, no longer legible, has been erased from the right margin. And telle me summe tokunne quod I  for tyme is þat I wende . nota de paciencia Axe þe heiȝe w...ey quod she  hennus to suffre Bothe wele and wo  ȝif þat þou wolt l.erne . And ride forth by richesse  ac reste þow not þere-Inne . For ȝif þow couplest þe þere-wiþ  to clergie comest þow neuere . # qui claricare velit neque deuicijs neque luxurijs Frequentet And also þe likerouse launde  þat leccherie hatte Leue hym on þeM.10.171: M's þe is not attested in other B manuscripts, which read þi. lifte half  a large myle or more . Til þow come to a courte  kepe wel þi tonge Fro lesynges and lithere speche  and likerouse drynkes . Thanne shalt þow se sobrete  and synnpletesy[m]plete of speche Þat ech wight be in wille  his wit þe to shewe . And þus shalt þow come to clergie  þat can many þinges . Seie hym þis signe  I sette hym to scole ...?...M.10.178: The erasure of a note in the right margin has affected the final six letters of the line. As a result, bokes has been re-inked. Probably there is no alteration to the text. And þat I grette wel his wif  for I wrote hire bokesM.10.178: M's reading bokes agrees with F. Other B manuscripts read manye bokes. And sette hire to Sapience  and to þe sauter glose . Loghyke I lerned hire  and many oþ.er lawes And alle þe musons in musike  I made hire to knowe Plato þe poete  I putte hym furste to boke Aristotle . and oþur moo  I tauȝte to argueM.10.183: M and Hm reverse the syntax of all other B manuscripts, which read to argue I tauȝte. . Gramere for gerls  I gerte firste to write And bette hem with a baleys  but ȝif þei wolde l.erne Of alle kynn..es craftus  I contreuede toles Of carpentrie of keruers  and compassed masons And lerned hem — hem leuel and lyne  þowgh I loke dymme . Nota Ac theologie haþ tened me  ten score tymesM.10.189-197: This paragraph is marked by a curly bracket on the right side. Þe more I muse þere-inne  þe mistier it semeþ And þe depper I dyuyne  þe derker me it þinkeþ It is no science for-soþe  for to sotile inne . A ful lethy þing it were  if þat loue nere . Ac for it ....stantM.10.194: M's reading stant is unattested among other B manuscripts, most of which read let best, although F also omits best. bi loue  I loue it þe bettre . # quia vbi amor ibi gratia For þere as loue is ledere  ne lakked neuere grace . Loke þow loue lelly  if þe liketh dowel . For do-bet and do-best  ben of loues kynne In other science it seith  I seiȝ it in Catoun Qui simulat verbis velnecM.10.199: M's original reading agreed with WLR. M's altered reading nec agrees with most B manuscripts. corde est fidus amicus Tu quoque fac simile  sic ars deluditur arte . # quia non solum amicis sed eciam inimicis bona operemur Whoso gloseþ as gylours don  go me to þe same And so shalt þow fals folk  and faitheles bigile This is Catons kennyng  to clerkus þat he lereth Ac Theologie techeþ nouȝt so  whoso taketh ȝyeme . He kenneth vs þe contrarie  aȝein catons wordus For he bit vs be as bretheren  and bidde for oure enemys And loue hem þat lien on vs  and lene hem whan hem nedeth And do good aȝeins .yuel  god hym-self it hotehhote[t]hM.10.208: For similar instances of a dropped <t> see M.11.98, M.13.157, and M.14.307. Dum tempus habemus . operemur bonum ad omnes / maxime autem ad domesticos fidei . Poule preched þe poeple  þat parfitnesse louede To do good for godes loue  and ȝyeuen men þat askede . And nameliche to suche  þat suweth oure bileue And al þat lakkeþ vs and lieþ on vsM.10.213: M's original reading of lieþ vs was shared by YOC2CLR. In the B manuscripts the addition of on is attested only in F, which reads lyȝe on vs, though is is the reading of A manuscripts.  oure lord techeþ vs to lou..ye And nouȝt to greuen hem þat greueþ vs  god hym-self forbad it . # quia amor maxime profficit ad salutem anime Michi vindictam & ego retribuam  For-þi loke þou louye  as longe as þou l.yuestM.10.216: M's lyuest is not shared by other B manuscripts, most of which read durest. For is no science vndur suonne  so souerain for þi soule . passus xus Ac astronomye is an harde þing  and .yuel for to knowe # contra Astronomiam Geometrie and geomesye  is gynful of speche Whoso þenkeþ worche with þo two  thryueþ ful late For sorcerye is þe souerein book  þat to þe science longeth # Fybicchis ȜYet ar þere fybicches in Forcers  of felelM.10.222: For M's altered reading fell, C reads fell but all other B manuscripts have fele which seems to be M's original reading. mennus makyng Experimentz of Alkenamye  þe p.eple to desceiue . ȜifIf — þow þen..ke to do wel  dele þere-with neuere Alle þise sciences I my-self  sotiled and ordeinede And founded hem formest  folk to desceiue Telle clergye þise tokn..es  and scripture aftur To counseille þe kyndly  to knowe what is dowel I saide graunt mercy ma-dame  and mekelyche hire grette And wente wiȝth—liche a-waye  with-outen more lettynge And til I come to clergye  I couthe neuere stente . And grette þe godeman  as studie me tauȝte And aft..erwardus þe wif  and worshepede hem boþe . And tolde hem þe tokenes  þat me tauȝt were . Was neuere gome vpon þis grounde  siþ god ...?...?...the world madeM.10.235: The syntax of M's reading of the world made agrees with F's þis world made; other B manuscripts read made þe world. . Fairer vndurfoungen  ne frendeloker at ese Than my-self soþely  soone so he wiste That I was of wittus hous  and with his wif dame Studye . I saide to hym soþely  þat sente was I thider . Do-wel and dobet  and dobest to lurne . It is a comune lif quod clergie  on holychurche to —M.10.241: The erasure of to brings M into agreement with F. bileue . # de trinitate Wiþ alle þe articles of þe feithe  þat falleþ beM.10.242: The insertion appears to be misplaced. All other B manuscripts place this word after to. to knowe And þat is to bileue lelly  boþe lerede and lewede On þe grete god  þat gynnynge hadde neuere . And on þe soþefaste sone  þat sauede mankynde From þe dedly de.þ  and þe deueles powere Thoruȝ—gh þe helpe of þe holy goost  þe w....hich goost is of boþe Thre persones  ac nouȝt in plurel nombre For al is but oon god  and eche is god hym-seluen . Deus pater . deus filius . deus spiritus . sanctus . God þe fadur . god þe sone  god holy goost of boþe . Makere of mankynde  and of bestus boþe . Austyn the olde  here-of made bookes . And hym-self ordeynede  to sadde vs in bileue Who was his auctour  alle þe foure euaungelistes And Crist cleped hym-self so  þe Euaungelistes bereth wittnesse . Ego in Patre & pater in me est . et qui videt me videt & patrem meum # de Fide autem noli disputare Alle þe Clerkes vndur Crist  ne couthe þis assoille But þus it bilongeth to bileue  to lewed þat wolen dowel # Sexta discripcio de dowell For hadde neuere fr.eke fyn wit  þe feithe to dispute . Ne man hadde no merite  myȝte it be yM.10.261: The erasure of <y> brings M into agreement with GBRF. proued Fides non habet meritum . vbi humana racio prebet experimentum . Thanne is dobet to suffre  for þi soules helthe Al þat þe book bit  bi holychurche techynge . And þat is man by þi miȝt  for mercies sake Loke þow worche it in werk  þat þi worde sheweþ . Swiche as þow semest in sighte  be in assay yfounde Appare quod es . vel esto quod appares And lat no-body be  by þi beryng bigiled But be suche in þi soule  as þow semest withoute Thanne is do-best to be bold  to blame þe gulty Sithenes þow seest þi-self  as in soule clene Ac blame þow neuere body  and þow be blame-worthy . Si culpare velis . culpabilis esse cauebis Dogma tuum sordet . cum te tua culpa remordet . God in þe gospel  grymly reproueth Al þat lakken any lif  and lakkes han hem-seluen . Quid consideras festucam in oculo fratris tui . trabem in oculo tuo & ceteraM.10.278: Kane and Donaldson erroneously record M as omitting & cetera. Whi meuestow þi mode for a mote  in þi broþeres eiȝe Sith a beem in þin owne  ablyndeth þi-selue Eice primo trabem de oculo tuo & cetera W....hich letteþ þe to loke  lasse oþur more # to abbottis and priours I rede ich a blynde bosard  do betM.10.283: M shares the reading bet with C2; other B manuscripts have boote. to hym-selue For abbotes . and for priours  and for alle manere prelatus As persons and parisshe preestus  þat preche shulde & teche Alle manere ofM.10.286: The addition of of brings M into agreement with HmYOC2CBF. men  to amenden by hire miȝte Þis tixte was told ȝyow  beM.10.287: For be all B manuscripts except F read to be(n). war er ȝye tauȝte Þat ȝye were suche as ȝye saide  to saluen with oþere For godes word wol.M.10.289: The erasure, perhaps of <-d> attested in other B manuscripts, brings M into agreement with Bm. not be loste  for þat wercheþ euere . ȜiIf it auailled nouȝt þe comune  it miȝte auaille ȝyow-seluen . passus xus Ac it semeþ nowM.10.291: The <w> is written over a <t>; F's reading is not. sothely  to þe worldus sighte That godes word w.ercheþ nouȝt  on lered ne on lewede But in suche a manere as . Marck  meneth in þe gospell Dum cecus ducit cecum ambo in foueam cadunt Lewede men may likkne ȝyow þus  þat —M.10.295: M's original reading agreed with most B manuscripts; the deletion of þat brings M into agreement with GF. þe beem lith in ȝyoure eighen And þe festu is fallen  for ȝyowre defaute # contra mansid prestis In alle manere men þorugh  mansede prestus Þe bible bereth wittnesse  þat alle þe folke of Israel Bittre abouȝte þe gultes  of two badde preestus # Offny and Fynes OffunnyM.10.300: M's original Offun agreed with Bm and probably Hm, which have also been altered to Offny, agreeing with BoCot and with C2. C2 originally had Offyn, which is the reading of other B manuscripts. and fynes  for hire couetise Archa dei mishapped . and Ely brake his nekke For-þi ȝye corectours claweth here-on  & corecteþ furst ȝyow-seluen And þanne mowe ȝye saufly seie  as dauid made þe sauter Existimasti inique quod ero tui similis . arguam te & statuam contra faciem tuam . And þanne shul borel clerkes ben abasshed  to blame ȝyow or to greue And carpen nouȝt as þei carpen now  and calle ȝyow doumbe houndes . Canes non valentes latrare . And drede to wratthe ȝyow in any word  ȝyowre werkemanship to lette And be prest..er at ȝyowre praiere  þan.. — for a pound of nobles . And al for ȝyowre holinesse  haue ȝye þis in herte # Contra Religiosos extra vagantes In scole þere is scorne  but ȝif a clerk wol lerne And grete loue and likyng  for ech of hem loueþ oþur Ac now is Religion a ridere  a Romere by stretes A leder of louedays  and a lond-bugger A priker on a palfray  fro manoir to manoir An.M.10.316: C here reads And, which may be M's original reading. Bo shows a similar alteration. hep of houndes at his ers  as he a lord were . # contra kneling off the knave And but ȝif his knaue knele  þat shal his cuppe bringe He loureth on hym and axeth hym  who tauȝte hym curtesie . Litel hadde lordes to done  to ȝyeue lond from hire heires To Religious þat haue no reuthe  thouȝ it reyne on hire auteres In many places þere hij persones ben  be hem-self ateseat ese . Of þe pore haue þei no pitee  and þat is hire charitee Ac þei leten hem as lordus  here lond lith. so brode # Ac þere shal come a kynge  and confesse ȝyow religiouses And bete ȝyow as þe bible telleþ  for brekyng of yowreM.10.325: M's addition of <y> brings it into agreement with all other B manuscripts. rule . And amende monyales  Monkes and Chanouns . And puten hem to hire penaunce Ad pristinum statum ire . And Barons with Erles beten hem  þoruȝ Beatus Virres techyng That hire barnes claymen  and blame ȝyow foule . Hij in curribus hijM.10.330: M shares the reading hij with L; other B manuscripts have & hij. in equis . ipsi obligati sunt & cetera . And þanne Freres in hire Fraitour  shul fynden a keye Off Costantynes cofres  in w....hich is þe catel That Gregories godchildren  han .yuele despendede . Thabbot of AbyndounM.10.334: Abyndoun is in a different ink, but there does not seem to be an erasure here. And þan shal þe Abbot of Abyndon  and al his issue for euere Haue a knok of a kyng  and incurable þe wounde That þis worth soth seke ȝye  þat ofte ouersee þe bible  Quomodo cessauit exactor . quieuit tributum contriuit dominus baculum impiorum & virgam dominancium . credencium plaga insanabili & cetera Ac er þat kyng come  Cayme shal awake Ac dowel shal dynge hym doun  and destruyen his miȝte Thanne is dowel and dobette quod I  dominus and knyȝthode . I nel not scorne quod scripture  but ȝif scryueyns lye # quod kynghod helpith not to heuenward Kynghode ne knyȝthode  by auȝt I can awayte Helpeþ nouȝt to heuenward  one heres ende Ne richesse riȝt nouȝt  ne reaullte of lordes . Poule preueth it impossible  riche men haue heuen Sal.omon saith also  þat siluer is worste to louye . Nichil iniquius quam amare pecuniam And Caton kenneth vs to coueite it nauȝt  but as nede techeth Dilige denarium . set parce dilige formam . And patriarches and prophetes  .. and poetes boþe Wryten to wissen vs  to wilne no richesse And praiseden pouerte wiþ pacience  þapostoeles bereþ witytnesse That þai han heritage in heuene  and by trwe riȝte There riche men no riȝt may clayme  but of ruthe and grace . nota Contra quod I by Crist  þat can I reproue And proue it by Petre  and by Poule bothe . That ben baptised . ben sauede  be þei riche or pouere . That is in extremis quod Scripture  amonges Sar.syns & Iewes Þei mowe be saued so  and þat is oure bileue . passus xus # quod inffidelis in casu potest Baptizare inffedelis That an vncristen . in þat cas  may cristen an heþen . And for his lele bileue  whan he þe lif tyneþ Haue þe heritage of heuene  as any man cristen . Ac Cristen men with-outen more  may not come to heuene For þat Crist . for Cristen men deide  and confermed þe lawe That whoso wolde and wilneth  with Crist to arise Si cum Cristo surexistis . & cetera He shulde louye and lene  and þe lawe fulfulle That is loue þi lord god  leuest abouen alle And aftur alle cristene creatures  in comune eche man other + And þus bilongeth to louye  þat leueth to be sauede And bote we do þus in dede  er þe day of dome . It shal bi-sitten vs ful soure  þe siluer þat we kepen .                .id est. vestes clothisM.10.373: The gloss vestes is the same ink and hand as the main text. The hand of the later gloss clothis resembles that of the Latin note at the top of fol 104v, as well as that of the verses about the mace at the foot of that leaf. The sidenote fiat voluntas on fol. 64v may also be compared. A gloss on bakkes in L reads id est panni. And oure bakkes þat motheten ben  . & seen beggers go nakede Or delite in wyn and wildfoule  and wot any in defaute For euereryy cristen creature  shulde be kynde til other And sithen . hethen to helpe  in hope of amendement God hoteth boþe heighe and lowe  þat no man hurte oþer And saith sle nouȝt þat semblable is  to myn owne likkenesse But if I sende þe som token  and saith . non ...?...occidesM.10.379: M's occides, written over a longer erasure, is unique. This word is attested variously among B manuscripts: mecaberis, necaberis, necabis. The corrector recognized Langland's error, as does one A text scribe. See Luke 18.20, and Skeat's explanation of the readings (2.160). John Alford provides further comment (Piers Plowman: A Guide to the Quotations (Binghamton, 1992) pp. 68-69). I .M.10.380: M's altered reading I agrees with Cr23YOC2CB. Most other B manuscripts read Is. sle nouȝt but suffre  and al for þe beste For I shal punisshe hem in purgatorie  or in þe put of helle . Eche man for his mysdedes  but mercy it lette . This is a longe lesson quod I  and litel am I þe wyser Where dowel is or dobet  derkeliche ȝye shewen Many tales ȝye tellen  þat theologye lerneth And þat I man made was  and my name y-entrede In þe legende of lif  longe er I were . Or elles writen for som wikkednesse  as holy writ w.ytnesseth Nemo ascendit in celum nisi qui de celo descendit . I leue it welM.10.390: Most B manuscripts include either here or after quod I the phrase, by oure lord. quod I  and on no lettrure bettre For sal.omon þe sage  þat sapience tauȝte God gaf hym grace of witte  and alle his godes aftur He demed wel and wisely  as holy writ telleth # opinionem quomodo Salamoun et Aristotill dampnantur Aristotle and he  who wissud men bettre . Maistres þat of godes mercy  techen men and prechen Of hire wordus þei wissen vs  for wisest in hire tyme And al holy churche  holdeþ hem bothe ydampned . And ȝif I shulde werke bi here werkes  to wynnen me heuene That for hire werkes and wit  now woneth in pyne Thanne wrouȝt I vnwisely  what so euere ȝye preche Ac of fel.e witty in feith  litel ferly I haue Thouȝ hire goost be vngracious  god for to plese . For many menM.10.403: M's addition of men is attested in most B manuscripts. on þis molde  more sette hire hertes In good þan in god  for-þi hem grace failleth At hire moost meschief  whan þei shul lif lete As sal.omon d.ide and suche oþ..ere  þat s.hewede grete wittus . Ac hire werkes as holy writ seith  was euere þe contrarie . For-þi wise witted men  and wel y-lettred clerkes As þei saien hem-self  selden don þere-aftur Super cathedra moysy . & cetera . Ac I wene it worthe of many  as was in Noe.s tyme . Tho he shop þat sh.ipp  of shides and bordus Was neuere wriȝte saued þat wrouȝte þere-on  ne oþur werkeman elles . # archam Noe But briddes and bestes  and þe blessud Noe And his wif with his sones  and also hire wifes AndM.10.416: M alone among B manuscripts begins the line with And. of wr.yghtes þat it wrouȝt  was non of hem y-saued .M.10.416: This line was added in a darker ink, but probably by the main hand, in a space dividing paragraphs. In this omission, M originally agreed with GYOC2CB, which also omit this line. God lene it fare not so bi folk  þat þe feith techen Of holy churche þat herberwe is  and godes hous to saue . And shilde vs fram shame þere-Inne  as Noes shipp dede bestes And men þat maden it  ...?... ——M.10.420: The corrector most likely erased an extra amydde. amydde þe flood adreynten The culorum of þis c..lauseM.10.421: M's original reading may have agreed with OC2, which read cause.  is Curatours to mene # That ben carpentiers holy kyrke to make  for cristus owne bestus Homines & iumenta saluabis domine & cetera On gode friday I fynde  a feloun was y-sauede Þat hadde y-l.iued al his lif  with lesynges and with thefte # Felon on Good Fryday And for he by-knew on þe cros  and to Crist shrof hym He was suonner saued  þanne — seint Iohan þe baptiste And er Adam or ysaie  or any of þe prophetes That hadde y-layn with lucifer .  many longe ȝyeres A robbere was y-raunceoned  .rather þanne — þei alle With-owten any penaunce of purgatorie  to perpetuel blisse Than Marie Magdaleyne  what womman dede worse Or who worse þan dauid  þat vries deth conspirede Or Poul.e . þe appostele  þat no pite hadde  passus xus M.10.435: The scribe begins by writing to the right of the box as he had done in the first quire; then, realizing his misplacement, writes the next initials in their correct position.Muche Cristene kynde  to kille to dethe And now ben þes as souereins  with saintes in heuene Tho þat wrouȝten wikkedlieste  in world þo þei were And þo þat wysely wordeden  and wryten many bookes Of wit and of wisdome  with dampnede soules wonye . That Salamon seith I trowe be soth  and certeyn of vs alle Sine iusti atque sapientes . & opera eorum in manu dei sunt & cetera Ther aren witti and wel libbynge  ac hire werkes ben yhudde In þe hondes of almiȝty god  and he wot þe sothe . Wher for loue a man worth allowede þere  and his lele werkes OrellesOr elles for his yuel wil  and enuie of herte And be allowed as he liuede so  for by lither men knoweth the goode And wherby w.....isteM.10.447: This alteration occurs at a place where B manuscripts attest a wide variety of readings. Bm also has the last three letters of wist over an erasure; many other manuscripts have a form of witen. men ...whiche is white  if alle þinge blak were And who were a gode man  but ȝif þere were sum shrewe For-þi lyue we forth wiþ liþereM.10.449: M alone among B manuscripts here lacks the word men.  I leue fewe ben goode . For quant oportet vient en place  il ny ad que pati . And he þat al mayM.10.451: M shares the reading al may with Y; other B manuscripts have may al. amende  haue mercy on vs alle . Nemo bonus For soþest word þat euere god seide  was þo he saide nemo bonus Clergye tho of Cristes mouthe  comended was it litel . For he saide to saint petre  and to suche as he louede Dum steteritis ante Reges & ceteraM.10.455: M's version of this Latin tag is the shortest among B manuscripts. Most other B manuscripts continue with & presides after reges. Though ȝye come bifo.re kynges  and clerkes of þe lawe . Beth nouȝt abasshed . for I shal  be in ȝyowre mouthes And ȝyeue ȝyow wit and wille  and konnynge to conclude Hem alle þat aȝeins ȝyow  of cristendome disputen Dauyd maketh mencion  he spake amonge kynges And miȝte no kyng ouercome hym  as bi konynge of speche But wit ne wisdome  ne wan neuere þe maistrie Whan man was at meschief  with-oute þe more grace The doughtieste doctour  and diuinour of þe Trinitee . Was Augustyn þe olde  and heiȝest of þe foure Saide þus in a sermon  I seigh it writen ones Ecce ipsi ydioti rapiunt celum . vbi nos sapientes in inferno mergimur And is to mene to englessh men  more ne lasse Aren none rather rauysshed  fro þe riȝte bileue ......M.10.470: There is a word of five or six letters written faintly in the lower right corner of the leaf. Than aren þise konynge clerkes  þat kuonnen many bokes . Ne none sonner saued  ne sadder of bileue Than plowmen and pastours  and pore comune laborers Sout..ers and shepherdes  and suche lewede iottes Percen with a pater-noster  þe paleys of heuene And passen purgatorie penaunceles  at hire hennus partynge Into þe blisse of paradys  for hire pure bileue That inparfitelyM.10.477: Other B manuscripts share M's original reading inparfitely, except for BF with in parfit lif. h.ere  .....knewe and eke lyueden . ...?...Men haue knowenM.10.478: All B manuscripts except F read Ye men knowe(n), which was perhaps M's original reading. F has Men knowe cunne. clerkes  þat han cursed þe tyme That euere þei couthe or knewe moore  þan Credo in deum patrem And principaly hire pater noster . many a persone haþ wysshede I se emsamplese[n]samples my-self  and so mayM.10.481: M's original ending of the line was probably as in Hm so many an oþer. The altered reading is in line with most B manuscripts. many .. — othur That seruauntz þat seruen lordus  selden falle in arrerage But tho þat kepen þe lordes catel  clerkes and reues . Right so lewede men  and of litel knowynge Selden fallen þei so foule  and so fer in synne As clerkes of holykyrke  þat kepen cristes tresore The w....hich is mann.es soule to saue  as god saith in þe gospell . Ite vos in vineam meam. & cetera . Passus xjusvndecimusM.11.0: The passus heading is corrected in brown ink and cor appears in the left margin. de visione cor t Thanne scripture scorned me  and a skyl tolde And lakked me in latyn  and light by me she sette And saide . Multi multa sciunt  & se ipsos nesciunt Tho wepte I for wo  and wrathe of hire speche And in a wyn.kynge wrathe  wex I a-slepe A merueillous sweuene  mette me þanne . That I was rauysshed riȝt there  and fortune me fette And in-to þe lond of longynge  allone she me brouȝte And in a Mirrour þat highte mi.ddelerd  she made me to by-holde Sithen she saide to me  here miȝt þow se wondres And knowe þat þou coueitest  and come þerto par-aunt..er Than hadde fortune folwyng hire  ..two faire damoyseles Concupiscencia carnis .  men called þeldere maydenM.11.13: For mayden, other B manuscripts have mayde. And couetise of eighes  y-called was þat oþur Pride of parfit lyuynge  pursuede hem bothe And bad me for my continaunce  acounte clergye light . passus xiusM.11.17: An unidentifiable hand wrote a <6> in the top margin. Concupiscencia carnis colled me aboute þe nekke And saide þou art ȝyong / and ȝyepe  and hast .yeres ynowe For to lyue longe  and ladies to louye And in þis mMirrour þou miȝt se  murthes ful manye That leden þe wille to lykynge  al thi lif-tyme The secounde saide þe same  I shal sue þi wille Til þow be a lord . and haue londe  leten þe I nelle . That I ne shal folwe þi felashipe  ȝif fortune it like He shal fynde me his frende  quod fortune þere-aftur The fr.eke þat folwed my wille  failled neuere blisse Than was there oon þat highte elde  þat heuy was of chere Man quod he ȝif I mete with þe  by marye of heuene Thow shalt fynde fortune þe faille  at þi mooste nede . And Concupiscencia carnis clene þe forsake Bitterliche shaltowM.11.31: There is an otiose curl over the <o> in shaltow. banne þanne  bothe dayes & nyȝtes Coueitise of eighe  þat þow hire euere kneweM.11.32: M's b-verse syntax is unique among B manuscripts, the rest of which read þat euere þow hir knewe. And pride of parfite lyuynge  to muche peril þe bringe # Recheles ȜeYe reccheM.11.34: M alone among B manuscripts here lacks a pronoun. Most B manuscripts read þee; Hm reads þou. neuere quod rechelesnesse  stood forth in ragged clothes Folwe forth þat fortune wole  þow hast wel fer to elde . A man may stoupe tymes y-now  whan he shal tyne þe crowne . Homo proponit quod a poete  and plato he highte And deus disponit quod he  lat god don his wille If tru..the wol witnesse it be woel do  Fortune to folwe Concupiscencia carnis  ne coueitise of eiȝes Ne shal nouȝt greue þe gretly  ne bigile þe but ȝif þow woltle                                   .id est. yowth .Ye fare-wel phippe quod Faunteltee  and forth gan me drawe Til Concupiscencia carnis accorded alle my werkes Allas eighe quod Elde  and holynesse bothe That wittet shal turne to wrecchednesse  for wil to haue his lykynge Couetise of eighes  conforted me a-non aftur . And folwed me fourty wynter  and a fifte moore That of dowel ne do-bet  no deynte me ne thouȝteM.11.48: M shares the reading ne thouȝte with L; other B manuscripts have þouȝte. . I had no likynge / leue me ȝif þe lest  of hem auȝt to knowe . Coueitise of eighes  cam .oftoer in mynde . Than do-wel or do-bet  amonge my dedes alle Coueitise of eighes  conforted me ofte nota pro fratribus And saide haue no connscience  how þow come to good nota Go confesse þe to suome frere  and shewe hym þi synnesM.11.54-57: These lines are bracketed in the left margin by the marginal annotator. # For whiles fortune is þi frende  Freres wol þe louye And fecche þe to hire fraternitee  and for þe biseche To hire Priour prouyncial  a pardon for to haue And praien for þe. . pol by pol  ȝif þow be pecuniosus . Set pena pecuniaria non .....sufficit pro spiritualibus delictis By wissynge of þis wyenche I wrouȝte  hire wordus were so swete Til I for...yat ȝyouthe  and ȝyarne in-to Elde . And þanne was fortune my foo  for al hire faire biheste And pouerte pursuede me  and putte me lowe nota # And þo fonde I þe Frere aferde  and flittynge bothe A.yeins oure furst forward  for I saide I nolde Be buriede at hire hous  but at my parissh churche # quia vbi baptizatur ibi sepeliri debet For I herde ones  how conscience it tolde That þere a man were cristenede  be kynde he shulde be buriede Or where he were parisshen  right þere he shuld be grauen # And for I seide þus to Freres  a fool þei me helden And loued me þe lasse  for my lele speche Ac ȝyet I criede on my confessour  þat helde hym-self so konnynge nota B.y my faithe Frere quod I  .ye faren ...lik þese wowers . That weddene none widowes  but for to welde hire goodes . Right so by þe Rode  rouȝte ȝye neuere Where my body were buried  soM.11.76: Most B manuscripts read by so. M's omission of by is shared with GF. The possible insertion of the word noted by Kane and Donaldson is the lower portion of an imperfectly erased <ȝ> in the line above. ȝye hadde my siluer I haue muche merueille of ȝyow  and so haþ many a-nother . Whi ȝyoure Couent coueiteþ  to confesse and to burye Rather þan to baptize barns  þat ben catekumelynges Baptisynge and burienge  bothe ben ful nedful # quia magis conuenit Baptismum quam sepulcrum Ac muche more meritorie  me þinketh it is to baptise For a baptized man  may as Maistres telleþ Þor.wgh contricion come  to þe heiȝe heuene Sola contricio & ceteraM.11.83: Kane and Donaldson's apparatus, which records KD.11.81α as in margin, is here perhaps misleading. M treats Sola contricio & cetera as the end of KD.11.81. Ac a barne with-oute bapteme  may not so be saued . Nisi quis renatus fuerit loke ȝe lettred men  wher I lye or IM.11.85: M's I is not shared by other B manuscripts. do nouȝt . And leaute loked on me  and I loured after . Wherfore lourest þow quod leaute  and loked on me harde If I durste quod I amonges men  this metels auvowe . ȝe by petur and by poule cor .vi.us vii passus xius Ȝe by petur . and by poule quod he  and take hemM.11.89: M alone among B manuscripts lacks boþe here. to witytnesse Non oderis fratres secrete in corde tuo . set publice argue illos Thei wolen alleggen also . quod I  and by þe gospel preuen . Nolite iudicare quemquam . And wherof serueth lawe quod leaute  if no lif vndurtoke it Falsnesse ne faytrie  for sumwhat þe appostel saide Non oderis fratrem . and in þe sauter also  saith dauid þe prophete Existimasti inique quod ero tui similis & cetera It is licitum for lewed men  to segge þe sothe If hem liketh and lust  eche a laweM.11.98: M alone among B manuscripts lacks it here. grauntehgraunte[t]h Excepte persones and prestus  and prelates of holychurche . It falleth not for þat folk  no tales to telle Though þe tale were trwe  and it touched synne . Thing þat al þe world wot  wherfore shuldestow spare . & M.11.103: The <&> is most likely a correction for A, meaning "and," but there is no way to be certain. reden it in Rethorik  to arate dedly synne # Ac be neueremore þe furste  þe defaute to blame Though þow se .yuel . s..ey it not furst  be sory it nere amended . No thinge þat is priue  puplice þow it neuere . Neither for loue laude it nouȝt  ne lakke it for enuye Parum lauda vitupera parcius . He saith sothe quod scripture þo  and skipte an heigh and prechede Ac þe matire þat she mouede  ȝif lewede men it knewe The lasse as I leue  louyen it þei wolde multi sunt vocati This was hire teme and hire tixte  I took ful good hede . Multi to a mangerie  and to þe mete were s.ompned And whanne þe p.eple was plener comen  þe porter vnpynned þe ȝyate pauci vero electi And plukkud in Pauci priueliche  and letet þe rem.en.aunt go rome Al for tene of hire tixte  trembled myn herte And in awerea were gan I wexe  and with my-self to dispute Whether I were chosen or nouȝt chosen  on holi churche I thouȝte That vndurfenge me at þe fonte  for oon of godes chosen . For crist clyepud vs alle  come ȝif we wolde Saracenes and scismatikes  and so he dide þe Iewes . O vos omnes scicientes venite & cetera . g j An.d bad hem souke for synne  saufli at his breste And drinke bote for bale  brouke it whoso miȝte Thanne may alle cristen come quod I  and clayme there entre ...?...M.11.126: Something, no longer legible, has been erased in the left margin. By þe blood þat he bouȝte vs with  and thorugh baptesme aftur . Qui crediderit & baptizatus fuerit  Re...ing of CrestyndomM.11.128: The erased side note must have read Renoying of Crestyndom. For though a cristen man coueited  his cristendome to renoie Rightfulliche to ren...oie  no resoun it wolde . # quia Rusticus non debet seipsum manumiscere absque licencia domini sui For may no cherle chartre make  ne his catell selle With-outen leue of his lord  no lawe wil it graunte Ac he may renne in arerage  and rowrome so from home And as a reneyed caityf  rechesly abowte Ac reson shal rekene w(i)t(h) — with him  and caste him in arrerage And putten aftur in a prisoun  in purgatorie to brenne . For his arrerages rewarde hym there  to the day of dome . But ȝif contricion wol come  and crie by his lyue Mercy for his mysdedes  with mouthe or with herte . That is sothe saithM.11.139: M alone among B manuscripts attests the verb in the present tense. Other B manuscripts have past tense. scripture  may no synne lette # quia misericordia super omnia opera Mercy alle to amende  and mekenesse hire folwe For þei beth as oure bookes ..telleth  aboue godes werkes . Misericordia eius super omnia opera eius . Baw For bookes ȜYee baw for bookes quod on  was broken out of helle Troianus # Highte Troianus hadde ben a trewe . kniȝt  took witnesse at a pope How he was ded and dampned  to dwellen in pyne For an vncristene creature  clerkes witen þe sothe That alle þe clerkesM.11.147: M's reading of clerkes is not shared by other B manuscripts, which read clergie. vndur crist  mighte me cracche from helle . But oonliche loue and leawte  and my laweful domes Gregory wiste þis wel  and wilned to my soule Sauacion . for sothenesse  þat he seighe in my werkes And after þat he wepte and wilned  þatM.11.151: M's reading of þat is not shared by other B manuscripts. me were graunted Grace with-owten any bede-biddynge  his bone was vndurfongen And I saued as ȝye may see  withouten syngynge of masses Bi loue and by lurnynge  of my lyuynge in trwþe Brouȝte me from bitt.ere peyne  þere no bedeM.11.155: M shares the reading bede with F; other B manuscripts have biddyng. mighte # quia valet veritas Lo .ye lordes what leaute d.ide  by an Emperour of Rome That was an vncristen creature  as clerkes fynde in bookes passus xius Nouȝt þor..ugh preiere of a pope  but ofM.11.158: M's reading of of is not shared by other B manuscripts, which read for. his pure treuthe Was þat Sarasene sauede  as seint Gregorie bereth wittnesse Wel ouȝte .ye lordes þat lawes kepe  þis lesson to haue in mynde # quia iusticia eius manet in seculum seculi And on Troianus trouthe to thenke  and do truthe to þe p.eple Lawe with-outen loue quod Troianus  leye þere a bene Or any science vnder suonne  þe seuen artes and alle . # quia magis propter amorem quam pecunie stipendium But þei ben lerned for oure lordus loue  lost is al þe tyme For no cause to cacche siluer þerby  ne to be called a maist..er But al for loue of oure lord  and þe bet to loue þ.e peple . For seint Iohan seide it  and sothe arn his wordes . Qui non diligit manet in morte . Who-so louethM.11.169: The reading is clearly loueth, but the vowel has perhaps been altered. See lines 171 and 172. nouȝt leue me  liueth in deth dei....ynge And þat alle manere men  ennemys and frendes Louen hire either other  and loueM.11.171: As in M.11.172, the vowel has been altered, so that the reading should perhaps be lene, as in most B manuscripts. hem as hire-selue Whoso lenethM.11.172: As in M.11.171, the vowel has been altered, so that the reading should perhaps be loueth. Hm also alters <o> to <e>. Most B manuscripts have leneþ. nouȝt  he loueth nouȝt  god wot þe sothe And comaundeth eche creature  to conforme hym to louye And souereinliche pore p.eple  and hire enemys after . For hem þat haten vs  is oure merite to louye And pore peple to plese  hire praiers may vs helpe . # quia in similitudine pauperum visus erat Ihesus For oure ioie and oure hele  Ihesu crist of heuene . In a pore man..nes apparaille  pursue..th vs euere . And loketh on vs in hire likkenesse  and þat with louely chere To knowen vs by oure kynde herte  and cast.inge of oure eighen Whether we loue þe lordus here  bifore oure lord of blisse . And exciteth vs by þe euaunaugelie  þat whan we maken festes . We shuld not clepe oure kynne þerto  ne none kynnes riche . Cum facitis conuiuia nolite inuitare amicos . Ac calleth þe careful þer-to  þe croked . and þe pore . For ȝyowre frendes wol feden ȝyow  and fonde ȝyow to quite ȜYoure festynge and ȝyoure faire ȝyifte  eche frende quiteþ so —M.11.187: M's erasure of so brings it into agreement with G. other . Ac for þe pore I shal paie  and pure wel quite hire trauaille That ȝyeueth hem mete or moneye  and loueth hem for my sake . For þe beste ben somme riche  and somme beggers and pore For alle arn we cristus creatures  and of hise co.fres riche . And bretheren as of on blood  as wel beggers as erles . For on Calu.arye of Cristes blode  cristendome gan springe . g ij no vileyn butt by Syn And blodi bretheren we bicome there  of o body ywonne . As Quasi modo genitiM.11.195: The red overlining extends all the way to the end of gentel, but the underlining appropriately ends after geniti.  and gentel-men echone No begger ne boy. amonges vs  but ȝif it synne made Qui facit peccatum seruus est peccati & cetera . In þe olde lawe  as holy lettre telleth Mennes sones  men called vs echone ...?...?...Of Adames issue and Eue  ay til god/man deide . And after his resurecciounRedemptor was his name And we hise bretheren þorwgh hym y-bouȝt  bothe riche & pore # quia Iocundum est habitare Fratres in vnum For-thi loue we as leue bretheren shal  and eche man laughe vp other . And of þat iche man may forbere  amende þere it nedeth And euery man helpe other  for hennes shul we alle Alter alterius onera portate . And be we nouȝt vnkynde of oure catel  ne of oure konnynge neither . For noot no man how neigh it is  to be ynome from bothe . X For-þi lakke no lif other  þouȝ he more latyn knowe . Ne vnder-nyme nouȝt foule  for is noon withouten faute For what-euere clerkes carpe  of cristendome or elles . Crist to a comune womman saide  in comune at a feeste # quia per Fidem saluata est peccatrix That fides sua shulde sauen hire  and saluen hire of hire synnes . Thanne is bileue a lele helpe  aboue logyk or lawe . Of logyke ne of lawe  in legenda sanctorum Is litel allowance made  but if bileue hem helpe . For it is ouer-longe er logyke  any lessoun tassoilleM.11.217: A small <t> is added faintly before assoile. It is not in other B manuscripts. nota legis And lawe is lothe to louye  but ȝif he lacche syluer Bothe logyke and lawe  þat louyth nought to lye I conseille alle cristen  clyue nouȝt þere-on to sore For suom wordes I fynde wryten  were of faithes techinge That saued synful men  as seint Iohan bereth witnesse . Eadem mensura qua mensi fueritis . remencieturM.11.223: BM alone read remencietur. Most other manuscripts have remecietur. vobis . For-þi lerne we þe lawe of loue  as oure lord tauȝte And as seint Gregorie saide  for mannes soule helthe Melius est scrutari scelera nostra quam naturas rerum . Why I moeue this matere  is most for þe pouere For in hire liknesse oure lord  ofte hath ben yknowen . Wyttnesse in þe paske wyke  whan he wenteM.11.229: M's reading wente is shared with F. Other B manuscripts read yede. to Emaus . cor passus xjus Cleophas knewe him nouȝt  þat he Crist were For his pouere apparaille  and pilgrimes wedes # quia in Fraccione panis cognouerunt eum Til he blessed and brak  þe bred þat þei eten . So by his werkes þei wisten  þat he was Ihesus Ac by clothinge þei knewe hym nouȝt  ne by carpynge of tonge . And al was ensample  to vs synneful here That we sholde be lowe  and loueliche of speche And apparaille vs nouȝt ouere proudly  for pilgrimes arn we alle And in þe apparaille of a pouere man  and pilgrimes liknesse Many tyme god hath ben met  amonge nedy poeple . There neuere segge hym seigh  in secte of þe riche . Seint Iohan and other seintes  were seien in pore clothinge And as pouere pilgrimes  preide mennus godes . Ihesu crist on a Iewes douȝghter a-lighte  gentile womman þouȝ she were Was a pure pouere mayde  and to a pore man y-wedded . Martha on Marie Magdaleyne  an huge pleinte she made And to oure saueour self  saide þise wordes . Domine non est tibi cure quod soror mea reliquit me sola ministrare . & cetera Nota quomodo laudatur paupertas And hastileiliche god answerede  and ..eytheres wille folwede Bothe Marthaes and Maries  as Mathew bereth witnesse Ac pouerte god putte bifore  and praised it þe bettre . Maria optimam partem elegit . que non & cetera . And alle þe wyse þat euere were  by aught I can aspye # pouerte For the best PraisedenM.11.253: M shares the past tense Praiseden with W; other B manuscripts have the present. pouerte for þeM.11.253: M shares the reading þe with Cot; other B manuscripts omit it. beste lif  if pacience it folwe . And bothe better and blesseder  by many fold þan richesse Al-þouȝgh it be soure to suffre  ther cometh swete after As on a walnote withoute  is a bittre barke . And after þat bittre barke  be þe shelle awaye . Is a kyrnel of confort  kynde to restore . ...?...M.11.259: Although this erasure is illegible even under ultraviolet light, it is likely a guide for the addition of penaunce to the line. So is after pouerte or ...?...?...penaunce  pacientlyche ytakenM.11.259: There is also an erased correction above penaunce indicated with two carets. See the image
for the complex erasure above and within this line and in the right margin. For penaunce OC2 read pacience. For it maketh a man to haue mynde in god  and a grete wh...ille To wepe and to wel bidde  wherof wexeth mercy Of w...hich crist is a kernele  to conforte the soule . And wel sikerer he slepeþ  þe man þat is pore And lasse he dredeþ þeM.11.264: M's reading of þe is shared only with F. deth  and in derk to ben robbede Than he þat is riȝt riche  reson bereth witytnesse . Pauper ego ludo dum tu diues meditaris  g iij Al-though Sal.omon saide  as folk saideM.11.267: M alone among B manuscripts has saide. GCr have the present tense; other B manuscripts have seeþ. in þe bible Diuicias nec paupertates & cetera Wyser þan sal.omon was  bereth witytnesse and tauȝte . That parfit pouerte was  no possession to haue . And lif moost lykynge to god  as Luc bereth witytnesse Si vis perfectus esse vade & vende & cetera And is to mene to menM.11.273: M's erasure of to brings it into agreement with Cr1.  þat on þis molde lyuen Whoso wole be pure parfit  moot possession forsake Or selle it as saithe þere ...he —— book  and þe syluer dele To beggers þat gon and begge  and bidden g...ood for godes loue For failled neuere man mete  þat myȝtful god serued As dauid saith in þe sauter  to such þat ben in wille To seruen god goodliche  ne greueth hem no penaunce Nichil impossibile volenti . Ne lakketh neuere liflode  lynnen ne wollen Inquirentes autem dominum non minuentur omni bono . If prestes were parfite  þei wolde no siluer take For Masses ne for matyns .  nouȝt hire mete of vsure..res Ne neither curtel ne cote  þough þei for cold shulde deye And þei hire deuoir dide  as dauid saith in þe sauter Iudica me deus & discerne causam meam Spera in deo. speketh of prestes  þat haue no spendynge siluer That ȝif þei trauaille trwlyche  and truste in god almyghty Hem shulde lakke no liflode  neither wollen ne lynnen . ordres And þe title þat thei t.okeM.11.291: M's altered reading toke agrees with Cr. Other B witnesses have the present tense. ordres bey  telleþ ȝye ben auaunced Thanne nedeth ȝyow nouȝt to take syluer  for masses þat ȝye syngen nota For he þat tooke ȝyow ȝyoure title  shulde take ȝyow ȝyowre wages pro presbiteris Or the bisshop þat blesseth ȝyow  if þat ȝye ben worthy For made neuer kyng no knyght  but he hadde catel to spende As bifel for a knyght  or fond him for his strengthe # a Careffull knyght It is a careful knyght  and of a cayty...f — kynges makynge That hath no londesM.11.298: M alone among B manuscripts attests the plural. ne lynage riche  ne good loos of hise handes The same I segge for sothe  bi alle suche preestes That han neither connynge ne kyn  but a crowne one And a title a tale of nouȝt .  to his liflode at meschief . He hath more bileue as I leue  to lacche þorugh his crowne Cure . þan for konnynge  or knowen for clene of ber.ynge . passus xius I haue wondur and wh.y  and wherfore the bisshopp Makeþ suche prestus  þat lewed men bitrayen A Chartre is chalangeable  bifore a chief Iustice If fals latyn be in that lettre  þe lawe it inpugneth Or paynted parentrelinarie  parcelles ouerskippede The gome þat gloseth so chartres  for a goky is holden . # contra Idiotes prestis So is it a goky bi god  þat in his gospell failleth Or in masse or in matynes .  makeþ any defaute Qui offendit in vno in omnibus est reus . & cetera And also in þe sauter . saith  dauid to ouerskippers Psallite deo nostro psallite . quoniam rex terre deusM.11.314: M shares the reading deus with Hm; other B manuscripts have deus Israel. psallite sapienter The bisshop shal be blamed  bifore god as I leue That crowneth suche goddes knyghtes  þat konneþ nouȝt sapienter Synge ne psalmes rede  ne segge a messe of þe day Ac neuer neither is blameles  the bisshop ne the Chaplein For hire either is endited  and þat of ignorancia . Non excusat episcopos  nec idiotes prestes This lokynge on lewede prestes  hath don me lepe fram pouerte . The w....hich I praise there pacience is  moore thanne — parfiteM.11.322: M's than parfit is not shared by other B manuscripts, which read parfit þan. richesse Ac muche more in metynge þus  with me gan on dispute And slepynge I seigh al this  and sithen cam kynde . And nempned me by my name  and bad me nymen hiede . And þo..rugh the won..—dres of þis world  w..it for to take . And on a mountaigne þat Middelerd highte  as me tho thoughte I was fet forth  . by ensamples to knowe . Thorugh iche a creature and kynde  my creatour to louye . I seighe the suonne and þe see  and þe sonde after And where that briddes and bestes  by hire make thei ȝyeden . # For wormys & Foulis & cetera Wilde wormes in wodes  and wonderful fowles With flekkede fetheres  and of fele colours Man and his make  I might bothe byholde . Pouerte and pleinn-tee .  bothe pees and werre Blisse and bale  bothe I seigh atonesat ones And how men token mede  and mercy refusede Resoun I seigh sothely  suwen alle bestes In etynge in drinkynge  and in engendrynge of kynde . g iiij And after cours of Concepcioun  noon took kepe of other As whan þei hadde ride in Rotey-tyme  anoon-right ther-after Males drowen hem to males  ....a-morwenynges by hem-selue And in euenynges also  the males from þe females There ne was cowe ne cowkynde  þat conceiued hadde That wolde belwe after boles  ne boor after a soweM.11.345: M's a sowe is not shared by other B manuscripts, which read sowe. . Bothe hors and houndes  and alle other bestes Medled nouȝt with hire makes  that with ffole were . Briddes I biheld  þat in buskes made nestes HaddenM.11.349: M alone among B manuscripts attests the ungrammatical plural Hadden. neuere wye wit  to worche þe leeste # pye Nest I hadde won.—dur at whom  and where þe pye lerned . To legge the stikkes  in ..whiche she leith and bredeth Ther nys wr.yȝte as I wene shuld  worche hire neste to paie If any Mason made a moold þerto  muche wondur it were And .yet me merueilled more  how many other briddes Hudden and heleden  hire egges ful derne . In marreys and Moores  for men shuld not fynde hemM.11.356: M's not fynde hem is not attested in other B manuscripts, which read hem noȝt fynde. . ...?...M.11.357: Something, no longer legible, has been erased in the right margin. It is likely a guide for the addition of þai to the line. And hudden hire egges  whan þai therfro wente For fere of other foules  and for wilde bestes And summe troden hire makes  and on trees bredden # concepcionem Byle And brouȝghten forth hire briddes so  al aboue the grounde And summe briddes at the bile  þorugh brethinge conceyuede And som..me kauked I took keep  how pecokes bredden . Muche meruaillede me  what Maist..er þei hadde . And who tauȝte hem on trees  to tymbre so heighe There neither buirn ne beeste  may hire briddes rechen . And sithen I loked vpon þe see  and so forth vpon the sterres . Many selcouthes I s..eiȝ  ben nouȝt to seie nouthe I seigh floures in þe ...fryth  and hire faire colours . And how amonge the grene gresse  grewe so manye hieewes And somme soure . and summe swete  selcouthe me thouȝte Of hire kynde and hire colour  to carpe it were to longe . Ac þat moost moeuede me  and my mood chaunged That reson rewarded  and reuled alle bestes . Saue man and his make  many tyme and ofte . passus xjus No resoun hem folwed  .and thanne I rebuked Resoun . and right til hym-seluen saide IM.11.377: M alone among B manuscripts lacks the word haue here. wond..re of the quod I  that witty art holden . Whi thow ne suwest man and his make  þat no mysfait hem folwe . And Reson arated me  and saide recche the neuere . Whi I suffre or nouȝt suffre  thi-self hast nouȝt to done Amende thow if þow myght  for my tyme is to abide Suffraunce is a soueraine vertue  and a swifte vengeaunce Who suffreth moore þanne — god quod he  no gome as I leue . He mighte amende in a mynute-while  al þat mys standeþ . Ac he suffreþ for suom mannes goode  and so is oure bettre The wyse and þe witty  wrot þus in þe bible De re que te non molestat . noli certare . # quod non decet Forma hominis vituperari quia non Formosa For be a man faire or foule  it falleth not for to lakke The shap ne the shafte  þat god shoop him-selue For al þat he dede was ywel ydo  as holy writt witytnesseth Et vidit deus cuncta que fecerat . et erant valde bona And bad euery creature  in his kynde encresce Al to murthe with man  þat mo...steM.11.393: It looks as though moost, "most," was altered to moste, "must." M's original reading agreed with all B manuscripts except WHmBm, which have spellings of "must." wo tholie In fondynge of the Flessh  and of þe feende bothe . For man was made of suche a matire  he may not wel asterte That ne suomtyme itM.11.396: M's reading of it is not shared by other B manuscripts, which read hym. bitit  to folwen his kynde . Caton accordeth therwith  Nemo sine crimine viuit . Tho caughte I colour a-non  and comsed to ben ashamede . And awaked ther-with  wo was me þanne That I in meteles ne mighte  more haue y-knowe And þanne saide I to my-self  and chidde þat tyme Now I wot what dowel is . quod I  by dere god as me thynketh And as I caste vp myne eighen  oon loked on me and axed Of me . what thinge it were  ywis sire I saide Septima discriptio de dowell To se muche and suffre moore  certes quod I is dowel . Haddestow suffred he saide  slepynge tho thow were . Thow shuldest haue knowen þat clergye kan  & conceiued more þorugh resoun For Resoun wolde haue reherced þe  right as clergye saide Ac for þine entremetynge  here art þow forsake  Philosophus esses si tacuisses . Adam whiles he spak nouȝt  hadde Paradys at wille Ac whanne he mameled aboute mete  and entremeted hym to knowe . The wisdome and þe witte of god  he was putte from blisse And right so ferde reson by þe  þow with rude speche . Lakkedest and losedest thinge  that longed not to be done Tho hadde he no likynge  for to lere þe more . Pride now and presumpcioun  parauenture wol the appele That clergye þi compaignye  ne kepeth nouȝt to suwe . Shal neuere chalangynge ne chidynge  chaste a man so sone As shal shame and shenden hym  and shape hym to amende # dronkyn daffe For lat a druonken daffe  in a dike falle Let hym ligge loke nouȝt on hym  til hym lest to rise For though reson rebuked h.im þanne  it were but pure synne Ac whan nede nymeth hym vp  for doute leste he sterue . And shame shrapeth his clothes  and his shynes wassheth Thanne woot þe druonken daffe  wherfore he is to blame . ȜYe siggen soth quod I  ich haue yseyen it ofte There smyth no-þinge so smerte  ne smelleþ so soure As shame þere he sheweth hym  for euery man hym shonieth Whi ȝye wisse me þus quod I  was for I rebuked resoun Certes quod he þat is soth  and shope hym for to walken . And I aroos vp right with þat  and folwed hemM.11.432: M's reading of hem is not shared by other B manuscripts, which read hym. after And praide hym of his curtesie  to telle me his name corM.11.433a: Although the corrector usually makes his mark at the end of a quire, it here appears at the end of a passus division. Passus duodecimus I I am ymagynatif quod he  idel was I neuere Thoȝwgh I sitte by my-self  in sekenesse ne in helthe I haue y-folwede þe in faith  þis fyue and fourty wyntur . And many tymes haue IM.12.4: M's reading of haue I is not shared by other B manuscripts, most of which read haue. Hm reads y haue. meued þe  to þenke on þyne ende . And how fele ferneȝeres arn faren  and so fewe to come And of thyn wylde wantonesse  tho þow .yong were . To amende it in þy mydel age  leste myght þe faile In þin olde Elde  that yuele can suffre Pouerte or penaunce  or preiersM.12.9: Bleedthrough has affected the <p>, the <i>, and the <s> of this word. bidde . Si non in prima vigilia . nec in secunda . & cetera . passus xijus Emendemus dum temporem habemus Amende the whil thow might  thow hast ben warned ofte With poustes of pestilences  with pouerte . and with angres And with þise bittere baleises  god beteþ his dere children . Quem diligo castigo And dauid in the Sauter seith  of suche þat louen Ihesus Virga tua & baculus tuus  ipsa me consolata sunt & cetera . Al-though þow strike me with þi staff  with stikke or with ȝyerde . It is but murthe as for me  to amende my soule And þow medlest þe with makynge  and myȝtest go seie thi sauter And bidde for hem þat ȝyeueth the bred  for there ben bokes ynowe To telle men what dowel is  do-bet . and dobest bothe . And prechours to preue what it is  of many a peire of —M.12.22: M's original reading of of was unique among B manuscripts. Freres . I seigh wel he saide me soth  and suomwhat me to excuse . Saide Caton conforted his sone  that clerk though he were To solacen hym suom-tyme  as I do whan I make . Interpone tuis interdum gaudia curis & cetera And of holy men quod I  i herdeM.12.27: M's order of quod I i herd is not shared by other B manuscripts, most of which have I herd quod I. howM.12.27: M alone among B manuscripts lacks the word þei here, which is inserted in a different ink at the beginning of the next line. otherwhyle þeiM.12.28: No other B manuscript attests þei at this place. Pleyden . þe parfiter  to ben in many places Ac if þere were any wight  that wolde me telle What were dowel . and dobet  and dobest at þe laste . Wold I neuere do werke  but wende to holy churche And þere bidde my bedes  but whan I ete or slepe . Octava descripcio de dowell Poule in his pistel quod he  preueth what is dowel Fides spes caritas & maior horum & cetera . Feithe / hope / and charite  & alle ben goode And sauen men suondry tymes  ac non so sone as charite . For he doth wel with-outen doute  that doth as leaute techeþ . That is if þou be man maried  thy make þow louye And lyue forth as lawe wole  while ȝye lyuen bothe . Right so if þow be Religious  ren þow neuere ferther To Rome ne to Rochemadore  but as thy reule techeþ . And holde þe vndur obedience  þat heigh w..ey is to heuene And if þow be mayden to marie  and myght wel continue Seke þow neuere seint ferther  for no soule helthe . For what made Lucifer  to lese þe heigh heuene . Or Sal.omon his sapience  or Sampson his strengthe . Iob þe iew his ioie . dere he it abouȝte Aristotle and other mo  ypocras and virgile . Alisaundre þat al wan  elengeliche ended Catel and kynde wit  was combraunce to hem alle Felice hire fairnesse  fel hire al to sklaundre # Rosamondis Beaute And Roseamonde right so  rewfully bisette . The beaute of hire body  in badnesse she despended Of many suche I may rede  of men and of wymmen . That wise wordes wolde shewe  and werchen þe contrarie Sunt homines nequam bene de virtute loquentes . And riche renkes right so  gadere.. — and sparen . And þo men þat þei moost haten  mynystren it at þe laste And for þei suffren and see  so many nedy folkes And louen hem nouȝnouȝ[t] as oure lord bit  lesen hire soules . Date & dabitur vobis. & cetera . And richesse right so  but ȝif þe Rote be trwe Ac grace is a gresse there-of  the greuaunces to abate Ac grace groweth nouȝt  but amonges lowe Pacience and pouerte  þe place is þere it groweth And in lele lyuyng men  and in lif holy And þo...rugh þe gifte of þe holygoost  as þe gospell ..telleth Spiritus vbi vult spirat. & cetera Nota Clergye and kynde wit  cometh of sight . and techynge As þe book bereth witytnesse  to buirnes þat kan rede Quod scimisscim[u]s loquimur quod vidimus testamur . Of quod scimus cometh clergye  and konnynge of heuene And of quod vidimisvidim[u]s cometh kynde wit  of sight of diuerse poeple # de aduentu Gracie Ac grace is a gifte of god  and of grete loue springeth Knew neuere clerk how it cometh forth  ne kynde wit þe weyes . Nescit aliquis vnde venit . aut quo vadit & cetera . Ac ȝyet is clergye to comende  and kynde wit bothe . And namelich clergye for cristus loue  þat of clergie is Rote For Moyses witytnesseth þat god wrot  for to wisse þe p.eple In þe olde lawe as þe lettre telleþ .  þat was þe lawe of Iewes . That what womman were in auoutrie taken  were she riche or pore With stones men shulde hire strike  and stone hire to dethe # adulterium MulerisMul[i]eris A womman as we fynden  was gulty of þat dede Ac ....Crist of his curtesie  þorugh clergye hire sauede . For þoruȝ carettes þat crist wroot  þe Iewes knew hem-seluen . passus xijus Giltier as afore god  and gretter in synne Than þe womman þat þere was  and wenten away for shame The clergye þat þere was  conforted þe womman Holy kyrke knoweth þis  that cristes wrytynge saued hireM.12.89: This alteration puts M in agreement with WHmCr. F has hire savede. # quia sciencia scripturarum conffortat bonos // malos autem condempnat So clergye is confort  to creatures þat repenten And to mansed men  myschief at hire ende . For godus body miȝte not be of brede withouten clergye The w....hich body is bothe  bote to þe rightful And deth and dampnacioun  to hem þat deien .yuele As cristes carette conforted  and bothe coupable shewethM.12.95: M's present tense form of the verb is unattested in other B manuscripts, most of which read shewed. The womman þat þe Iewes brouȝte  þat Ihesus þouȝte to saue . Nolite iudicare & non iudicabimini. & cetera . Right so godes body bretheren  but it be worthily taken . Dampneth vs at þe day of dome  asM.12.99: M alone among B manuscripts lacks the word þe here. carettes dide þe Iewes # quia scienciam delige For-þi I conseille the for cristes sake  clergye þat þow louye For kynde wit is of his kyn  and neihe cosyns bothe . To oure lord leue me  for-thi loue hem I rede . For bothe ben as Mirrours  to amenden oure defautes . And leddres for lewede men  and for lettred bothe . For-þi lakke þou neuere logyke  lawe ne his custumes Ne contreplede clerkes  I conseille the for euere . For as a man may not see  þat mysseth hise eighen NomoreNo more kan no clerk . but if he cauȝte it furst ofM.12.108: For of, Cr has by, F has in, and other B manuscripts have þoruȝ. bokes Al-þough men made bookes  god was þe Maistre And seint spirit þe samplarie . and saide  what men shulde write . And right as sighte serueth a man  to se þe heighe st....erreM.12.111: M's altered reading of sterre is not shared by other B manuscripts, which read strete, though among C manuscripts P2 and D2 (and X by alteration) read hye þe sterre. The line is omitted by WHmCr. Right so ledeþ lettrure  lewed men to Resoun And as a blynde man in bataille  bereth wepne to fiȝte And hath non happe with his axe  hys enemy to huytte NomoreNo more can a kynde-wittedmanwitted man  but ȝif clerkes hym teche Come for al his kynde wit..  to cristendome and be sauede W....hich is þe coffre of cristes tresour  and clerkes kepe þe keyes To vnlouken it at hire lykynge  and to þe lewede p.eple ȜYeuen mercy for hire mysdedes  if men it wole aske . Buxumliche and benygneliche  and bidden it of grace . Archa dei in þolde lawe  leuytes it kepten . Hadde neuere lewede man leue  to leggen hond on þe cheste . # quia in veteri testamento licitum erat presbiter procreare Filios But he were preste or preste.s sone  patria..rk or prophete For clergye is kepere  vndurcristvndur crist of heuene . Was þere neuere no knyght  but clergye hym made . Ac kynde wit cometh  of alle kynnes sightes Of briddes and of bestes . of tastes . of truthe & of deceites ...?...M.12.128: Something, now illegible even under ultraviolet light, has been erased from the margin. Lyueres to-forn vs  vsuden to marke The selkouthes þat þei seighen  hire sones for to teche And helden it an heighe science  hire wittes to knowe Ac þo..rugh hire science sothely  was neuere no soule ysauede Ne brouȝte by hire bookes  to blisse ne to ioye For alle hire kynde knowynges  come but of diuerse sightes Patriarkes and prophetes  reprouede hire science And saiden hire wordus ne hire wisdomes  nas but a folye As to þe clergye of Crist  counted it but a t......rufle Sapiencia huius mundi . Stulticia est apud deum . For the heighe holy goost  heuene shal to-cleue And loue shal lepe oute aftur  into þis lowe erthe And clennesse shal cacchen it  and clerkes shullen it fynde . Pastores loquebantur ad inuicem He speketh there of riche men right nouȝt  ne of right wytty . Ne of lordes þat were lewedmenlewed men  but of þe hexte lettr..ed oute Ibant magi ab oriente & cetera contra fratres molestus est Ȝ..If any Frere were founden there  ich ȝyeue þe fyue shylynges . # quia non natus erat Cristus in diuersorio Ne in none beggers cote  was þat barne borne . But in a Burgeis..es place  of Bedlem þe beste Set non erat locus in diuersorio . & pauper non habet diuersorium To pastoures and to poetes  appiered þatM.12.149: M shares the reading þat with L; other beta manuscripts have þe. angel And bad hem go to bethlem  goddes burthe to honoure . And songe a songe of solace  Gloria in excelsis deo . Clerkes knewen it well  and comen with hire presentezz And deden hire homage honurably  to hym þat was almyghty passus xijus Why I haue tolde al this  I took ful gode hiede How þow contrariedest clergye  with crabbude wordes . How þat lewed men liȝtliker  þanne — lettred menM.12.156: M shares the reading lettred men with F; other B manuscripts have lettrede. were saued Thanne — clerkes or kynde witted men  of cristen p.eple And þow saidest soth of summe  ac se in what manere # de duobus natatoribus Take two stronge men  and in temse caste hem . And bothe nakede asM.12.160: M alone among B manuscripts lacks the word a here. nedle  hire noon sikererM.12.160: M's original reading of siker agreed with LR. þan oþur That oon hath konnynge and kan  swymmen and dyuen . That other is lewede of þat labour  lerned neuere to swymme W....hich trowest þow of þo two  in temse is moost in drede . He þat neuere dyuede  ne nouȝt can of swymmynge Or the swymmere þat is sauf  by so hym-self like There is felawe fleet forth  as þe flood liketh And is in drede to drenche  þat neuere dide swymme That swymme can nouȝt I seide  it semeth to my wittus X Right so quod the renk  Resoun it shewethM.12.169: The scribe began writing M.12.169 immediately following M.12.168, but realized his error before completing the line and erased his false start in order to leave a blank line between strophes. That he þat knoweth clergye  kan suonner arise Out of synne and be sauedM.12.171: M's reading of saued is not shared by other B manuscripts, which read saaf.  though he synne ofte # quod contricio delit peccatum ȜiIf hym liketh and leste  than any lewede lelly . For ȝif þe clerk be konnynge  he knoweth what is synne . And how contricioun with-outen confessioun  conforteth þe soule . As þow seeste in þe sauter  in spalmesM.12.175: M's original reading spalme agreed with LRF. oon or tweyne How contricoun is comended  for it caccheþ away synne . Beati quorum remisse sunt iniquitates . & quorum tecta sunt & cetera And this conforteth .eche a clerke  and keuereþ hym from wanhope In w....hich flood þe feende  fondeth a man hardeste . There þe lewede lith stille  and loketh after lente And hath no contricioun er he come to shrifte  & þanne can he litel telle And as his loresman leres hym  bileueth and troweth And þat is after person . or parisshe preest . and parauenture Vnkonnynge to lere lewede men  as Luc bereth wittnesse . Dum cecus ducit cecum & cetera Wo was hym marked þat wade  moot with þe Lewede # quia ad scolam optime valet Wel may the barn blisse  that hym to booke sette That lyuynge after lettrure  saued hym lif and soule Dominus pars heriditatis mee is a mury verset . That haþ taken from Tibourne  twenty stronge theues There lewed theues ben lolled vp  loke how þei ben sauede x The thef þat hadde grace of god  on gode friday as þow speke Was for he ȝyalde hym recreauntM.12.193: M shares the reading recreaunt with R; most other B manuscripts have creaunt. to crist on the cros  & knowleched hym gylty . And grace axed of god  and he is euerye redy . That buxomliche biddeth it  and ben in wille . to amende hem . Ac though þat thef hadde heuene  he hadde noon heighe blisse As seint Iohan and other seintus  þat desserued hadde bettre Right as suome men ȝyeue me mete  and sette me amyddes þe flore Ich haue mete more þanne — y-nowgh  ac nouȝt so muche worshipe de latronibus pendentibus ad passionem domini As þo þat sitten at þe side tablesM.12.200: Only M and Cr have plural tables. Kane and Donaldson erroneously record <-s> as possibly added.  or with þe soueraines of þe halle But sitte as a begger bordlees  by my-self on þe grounde So it fareth by þat feloun  þat on gode friday was sauede He sittet neither by seint Iohan  Symonde ne Iude Ne wiþ maydenes ne with martires  confessours / ne widewes .. ..But byM.12.205: What is still visible of the erased reading suggests the line began with By as in GCB. The word But was then supplied to the left of the line, but then erased and rewritten in place of By, with by then inserted as the second word. hym-selue as a solayn  and serued on the erthe For he þat is ones a thef  is eueremore in daunger And as lawe liketh  to lyue or to deie De peccato propiciato noli esse sine metu And for to seruen a seint  and suche a thef to-gederes It were neither resoun ne right  to rewarde hemM.12.210: M shares the reading hem with F; most other B manuscripts read hem boþe. yliche And right as Troianus þe trewe knyght  tilde nouȝt depe in helle That oure lord ne hadde hym liȝtliche oute  so leue I þe thef be in heuene For he is in þe loweste heuene  ȝif oure bileue be trwe And wel loseliche he lolleth there  by þe lawe of holy churche Qui.M.12.215: M's original reading was probably Quia, agreeing with YOC2CL. reddit vnicuique iuxta opera sua. & cetera ..M.12.216: Something to the left of the first word, now illegible, has been erased. And whi that on thef on the crosse  creaunt hym ȝyel..ded Rather þanne — þat other thef  þowȝ þow wold.estM.12.217: M's altered reading woldest agrees with WHmCrFR; other B manuscripts have wolde. appose Alle þe clerkes vndur crist  ne kouthe þe skyll assoille Quare placuit . quia voluit And so seie IM.12.220: M's reading of seie I is not shared by other B manuscripts, which read I seye. by þe  þat sekest after the whyes And aresonedest Resoun  a rebukynge as it were And of þe floures in þe f..ryth  and of hire faire h.ewes Where-of þei cacchen hire colours  so clere and so brighte And wilnest of briddes and of bestes  and of hire bredynge to knowe Why somme be a-lowe and somme a-lofte  thi lykynge it were . And of þe stones and of þe sterres  þow studyest as I leue How euere beste or brridde —bridde —  hath so breme wyttes . Clergye ne ky...nde wit  ne knewen neuere the cause  Ac kynde knoweth þe vijus M.12.228: The cropped characters written near the bottom right corner of the leaf are visible but illegible. passus xijus # quia naturale scimus Ac kynde knoweth þe cause hymself  no creature elles He is þe pyes patroun  and putteth it in heire here That þere þe thorn is thikkest  tuo buylden and brede And kynde.. kenned þe pecok  to cauken in suche a kynde And kenned Adam  to knowe his priue membres And tauȝte hym and Eue  to hilien hem with leues Lewed men many tymes  maistres thei apposen . # why Adam couered his licam rather than his mowth Why Adam ne hiled nouȝt first  his mouth þat ete the Appul Rather þan his likam a-lowe  lewed axen thus clerkes Kynde knoweth why he ded so  ac no clerk elles Ac of briddes andM.12.239: M alone among B manuscripts lacks the word of here. beestes  men by olde tyme Ensamples token and termes  as telleth þise poetes . And þat þe fairest foule  foulest engendreth And feblest foule of flight is  þat fleeth or swymmeth And þat is þe pecok and þe po...hen proude  riche men þei tokenenM.12.243: M's reading tokenen is not shared by other B manuscripts, which have forms of bitokeneþ. For þe pecok and men pursue hym  may nouȝt flee heighe For þe trayllynge of his tailyle  ouere-taken is he sone . And his flessh is foule flessh  and his feet bothe And vnlouelich of leden  and laithe for to here . Riȝt so the riche  ȝif he his richesse kepe . And deleth it nouȝt til his deth-day  þe taille —M.12.249: Most B manuscripts have M's altered reading of tail, with only LR having M's original reading taille, i.e. "tally." of alle — isM.12.249: M's reading of is is not shared by other B manuscripts. sorwe . Right as the pennes of þe pecok  payn..eþ hym in hys fliȝt. So is possessioun payne  of pens and of nobles To alle hem þat it holdet.h  til hire t....ayl — be plukk...ed And þouȝgh þe riche r.epente thanne  and by-rewe þe tyme . contra auaros & cupidos That euere he gadred so grete  and gaf there-of so litel Though he crie to Crist þanne  with kene wille I leue His ledene be in oure lordes ere  lyke a pyes chiteryngM.12.256: The addition of chiteryng is paralleled in WF, while HmCr have chatrynge. All other B manuscripts omit the word. And whanne his caroigne shal come  in caue to be buryede I leue it flaumbe ful foule  the fold alabouteal aboute . And alle the othere th.ere it lith  enuen...?...?...ymethM.12.259: In place of M's altered reading enuenymeth, CrLR have enuenimed. thurgh his attre By the pofeet is vndurstonde  as I haue lern.dd in auynete . Executours false frendes  that fulfille nouȝt his wille That was wryten and thei witytnesse  to worche riȝt as it wolde Thus the poete preues . that the pecok  for his fetheres is reuerencede Right so is the riche  by reson of his godes . The larke that is a lasse foule  is more loueliche of ledene And welaway of wynge  swifter þanne þe pecok And of flessh by fele folde  fatter and swetter To lowe libbynge men  the larke is resemblede # quia de aristotile dubitatum vtrum saluatur Aristotel the grete clerk  suche tales he telleth Thus he likkeneth in his logyke  the leest foule oute And wher he be sauf . or nouȝt sauf  the sothe wot no clergie Ne of Sortes ne of Sal.omon  no scripture kan telle Ac god is so good I hope  þat sith he gaf hem wittes To wyssen vs waies therwith  that wissen vs to be sauede And þe bettre for hire bokes  to bidden we ben holden That god for his grace  gif hire soules reste For lettred men were lewedmenlewed men ȝyet  ne were lore of hire bokes . Al thise clerkes quod I tho  that on crist leuen  Siggen in hire sermones  that nother saresenes ne Iewes Ne no creature of cristes likknesse  with-outen cristendome bethM.12.280: M's reading of beth is not shared by other B manuscripts, which read worþ. saued . Contra quod ymaginatif tho  and comsed for to loure And saide . Saluabitur vix iustus in die Iudicij . Ergo saluabitur quod he  and saide no more latyn . Troianus # quia Troianus saluatur propter iusticiamM.12.284: This marginal comment is written over an erased Troianus. Troianus was a trewe knyght  and took neuere cristendome And he is sauf so seithe the book  and his soule in heuenne For þere is fullynge of fonte  and fullynge ofM.12.286: M shares the reading of with Hm; other B manuscripts have in. blood shedynge . And .. þurgh fy..r is fullyng  and þat is ferme bileue . Aduenit ignis diuinus non comburens set illuminans & cetera Ac treuthe that trespassed neuere  ne trauersed aȝeins his lawe . Nota bene But liueth as hise lawe techeth  and leueth ther be no bettre . And ȝif þere were he wolde amende  and in suche wille dei...eth Ne wolde neuere trwe god  but trewth were alowed . And were it worth or worth nouȝt  the bileue is grete of treuthe And an hope hangynge there-inne  to haue mede for his treuthe For deus dicitur quasi dans vitam eternam suis. hoc est fidelibus Et alibi  Si ambulauero in medio vmbre mortis . The gloseth graunteth vpon that vers  a grete mede to truthe And wit and wysdome quod that wye was sumtyme tresore . To kepe with a comune  no catel was holden bettre . And muche murthe and manhod  and right with þat he vanisshed . cor Passus xiijus Passus xiijustertiodecimusM.13.0: The guide to the passus heading is erased beneath the heading itself. a And I awaked ther-with  witytles nerehande And as a freke that free were  forth gan I walke In manere of a mendinaunt  many ȝyere after And of þis metynge many tyme  muche thouȝt I hadde Furst how fortune me failled  at my moost nede And how þat Elde manaced me  miȝte we euere mete nota contra fratres And how þat Freres folweden  folk þat was riche . And folk þat was pouere  at litel pris þei setten . And no corps in hire kyrkȝyerd  ne .M.13.9:The erasure may have been a misplaced punctus elevatus. in hire kyrk was buried . But quike he biquethe hem aught  or shulde helpe quite hire dettes And how this couetise ouerecome  clerkes and preestus . # quia in defectis Curatoribus multi periunt And how þat lewede men ben ladde  but oure lord hem helpe Thorugh vnkonnynge curatours  to incurable peynes And how þat ymaginatif  in dremeles me tolde Of kynde and of his konnynge  and how curteis he is to bestes And how louynge he is to bestes  on londe and on watre Leneth he no lif  lasse ne more . The creatures that krepen  of kynde ben engendrede And sithen how ymaginatif . saide  Vix Iustus saluabitur . And whan he hadde saide so  how sodeinliche he passede . I lay down longe in this thouȝte  and at þe laste .eI slepte And as crist wolde there come conscience  to conforten me þat tyme . And bad me come to his courte  with clergye shulde I dyne . And for conscience of clergie spak  I come welM.13.24:Kane and Donaldson read wol which is possible though not shared with other B manuscripts. For another ambiguous case cf. M.13.347. the rather And þere I s.ay a maistreer  what man he was I neste . That lowe louted.  and loueliche to scripture # conveuium consciencie Conscience knewe hym wel  and welcomed hym faire They .. — wesshenM.13.28:Probably <h> has been erased; cf. M.15.199 whasshen. and wyppeden  and wenten to the dynere . Ac pacience in þe paleys stood  in pilgrymes clothes And praide ...mete for charite  for a pouere hermyte . Conscience called hemM.13.31:M's hem is not shared by other B manuscripts, which read hym. In  and curteyselich saide Welcome wy...... and goM.13.32:M's and go is not shared by other B manuscripts, which read go and, which is likely to be the erased reading. wasshe  thow shalt sitte sone . h ijM.13.32:This signature is very faint. cor This maister was made sitte  as for þe mooste worthi And þanne clergye . and conscience  and pacience come after Pacience and I  were p..ut to be macches . And seten by oure-selue  at a syde borde Conscience called after mete  and þanne come scripture And serued hem þus sone  of sundry metes manye Of austyn . of ambrose  of alle þe foure euaungelistes . Edentes & bibentes que apud eos sunt Ac þis maist..er ne his man  no manere flessh eten Ac þei eten mete of more coste  mortreux and potages . Of þat men myswonne  thei made hem wel ateseat ese Ac here sauce was ouere soure  and vnsauorly grounde In a morter post mortem In a Morter post Mortem  of many aM.13.45:The addition of a brings M into agreement with WBF. bitter payne But ȝif þei singe for þe soules  and wepe salte teres nota terribile valde Vos qui peccata hominum commeditis nisi pro eis lacrimas & orationes effunderitisM.13.47:The manuscripts split between effunderitis (present) and effuderitis (past subjunctive). Both Hm and M erase the <n>.  ea que in delicijs comeditis in tormentis euometis  Conscience ful curteisly tho  comaunded scripture By-fore pacience bred to bringe  and me þat was his macche He sette a sour lof to-forn vs  and saide agite penitentiam # diuersitatem ciborum ad Conuiuium Consciencie And sith he drough vs drynke  diauM.13.51:Both M and Bm alter to diu. The manuscripts split between dia and diu. For discussion of the variants see John Alford, Piers Plowman: A Guide to the Quotations (Binghamton, 1992), pp. 82-83. perseuerans As longe quod I as I lyue  and lycame may dure Here is propre seruice quod pacience  þer fareþ no prince bettre . And þanne he brouȝte vs forth a Mees  of oþer mete . of Miserere mei deus . And he brouȝt vs of . Beati quorum of Beatus vires makynge Et quorum tecta sunt peccata in a dissh . Of derne shrifte dixi  and Confitebor tibi . Brynge pacience some pitaunce  priueliche quod conscience And þanne had pacience a pitaunce  Pro hac orabit ad te omnis sanctus in tempore oportuno And conscience conforted vs  and carped vs mery tales . Cor contritum & humiliatum deus non despicies . Pacience was proude  of þat propre seruice And made hem murthe with his mete  ac I mournede euere . For þis doctour on þe heigh dees  dranke wynM.13.64:M alone among B manuscripts here lacks the word so. faste . Ve vobis qui potentes estis ad bibendum vinum . passus xiijus He eet manye sundry metes  mortreux and podynges Wombe cloutes and wilde brawne  and egges yfryed with greses Thanne seide I to my-self so  pacience it herde It is nouȝt foure dayes goM.13.69:M alone among B manuscripts attests go here. Most B manuscripts lack the word entirely; F attests the word before foure dayes.  þat þis freike  byfore þe dean of poules Preched of penaunce  þat poule þapostoille suffrede In fame & frigore  and flappes of scourges Ter cesus sum et a iudeis quinquies quadragenas & cetera Ac o word þei ouerehuppen  at .eche a tyme þat þei prechen That Poule in his pistell  to al þe p.eple tolde . Periculum est in falsis fratribus Holy writ ..biddeþ men be war  I wil nouȝt write it here On ynglissh an auenture  it shulde be reherced to ofte And greue þerewith. þat goode ben  ac gramariens shul rede Vnusquisque a fratre se custodiat . quia vt dicitur periculum est in falsis fratribus Iocose loquitur & vera quidem dicit Ac I wist neuere freke þat as a frere ȝyede  bifore men on englissh Taken it for hireisM.13.81:M's original hire agreed with CrYOC2CBLR. The alteration is in a different ink than the surrounding text. teme  and tellen it with-outen glosyng Thei prechen þat penaunce  is profitable to þe soule And what meschief and male-ese  crist for man tholed . Ac þis goddus glotoun quod I  with hise grete chekes . Hath no pite on vs pouere  he parfourneth euele That he precheþ he preueþ nouȝt  to pacience I tolde And w...?...isshedM.13.87:Probably <h> has been erased. Cf. M.13.28 above and M.15.199 whasshen. witterly  with wille ful egre . That disshes and doblers  bifore þilke doctour Were molten led in his mawe  and mahoun amyddes . I shal iangle to þis Iurdan  with his Iuste wombe To telle me what penaunce is  of w...hich he preched rather . # wynkyng off paciens Pacience parceiuede what I thouȝte  and wynked on me to be stille And saide þou shalt see thus soone  whan he may no more . He shal haue a penaunce in his paunche  and puffe at ich a worde And þanne shul his gutt.es gothele  and he shal galpen after . For now he hath drunken so depe  he wol diuine. soone And preue it by hire pocalipse  and passioun of seint Auereys . That neither bacoun ne brawne  blamanger ne mortreux Is neither fissh ne flessh  but fode for a penaunt And þanne shal he testifye of a trinite  and take his felawe to wittnesse . What he fonde in a frayele  aftur a Freres lyuyng ButM.13.102: M shares the reading But with G; other B manuscripts have And but. ȝif þe furste lyne be lesynge  leue me neuere after . And þanne is tyme to takeM.13.103:The <k> is oddly formed, looking almost like an <l>. OC2R have talke.  and to appose þis doctour . h iijM.13.103:This signature is very faint. .OfM.13.104: For M's altered Of, F reads If. dowell and of dobet  and if do-beste be any penaunce . And I sete stille as pacience seide / and þus sone þis doctour As rody as a Rose . rubbed his chekes Coughed & carped . and conscience him herde And tolde hym of a Trinite and towardes vs he lokede What is dowel sire doctour quod I . is dowel any penaunce . nona discriptio de dowell Dowel quod þis doctour . and took þe Cuppe and dranke Do non euel to þine euenecristen . nouȝt by þi poer By þis day sire doctour quod I . thanne be ȝye nouȝt in dowell . For ȝye han harmed vs two in þat ȝye eten þe pud....dyng Mortreux and other mete . and we no mossell hadde . And ȝif ȝye fare so in ȝyoure fermorie . ferly me thynketh . But cheste be þere charite . shulde be . and ȝyonge children durste pleyne I wolde permute my penaunce . with ȝyoure . for I am in point to dowel . Thanne conscience curteslich . a contenaunce he made . And preinte vp-on pacience . to preie me to be stille . And saide hym-self . sire doctour and it be ȝyoure wille . What is dowel and dobet . ȝye diuynours knoweth . decimaM.13.122:The arabic numeral "10" has been written 01, placing the numeral indicating units to the left of the numeral indicating tens. Treatises on computation instruct writers to begin writing numerals with the units and to proceed with the tens, hundreds, etc., moving, as Arabic scripts do, from right to left. The form here reflects that order of digits, but not that direction of the script. Cf. The Earliest Arithmetics in English, ed. Robert Steele. EETS ES 118, pp. 1-8. discriptio de dowell Dowel quod þis doctor . do as Clerkes techeþ And dobet is he þat techeþ . and trauailleth to teche oþere And do-beste doth hym-selue so . a.s he saith and precheþ . Qui facit & docuerit magnus vocabitur in regno celorum . Now thow Clergye quod conscience . carpest what is dowel . Nota bene I haue seuene sones he saide . seruen in a castell There þe lord of lif . wonyeth . to leren hym what is dowel . Til I se þo seuene . and my-self accorden . I am vnhardy quod he . to any wight to preue it . For oon Piers þe ploughman . haþ inpugned vs alle . piersM.13.132:This marginal comment is very faint. And settet alle sciences at a soppe . saue loue oneM.13.132:Both M and Cot here omit KD.13.126. . But dilige deum and Domine quis habitabit & cetera And saith þat dowel & dobet . aren two infinites W....hiche Infinites with a feith . fynden out dobest . passus xiijus ....Which shal saue manus soule . thus saieth Piers þe ploughman I kan nouȝt here-on quod conscience . ac I knowe Piers . He wol nouȝt aȝein holy writte speken . I dar wel vndurtake Thanne passe we ouere til piers come . and preue þis in dede . Pacience hath ben in many placesM.13.140:M's altered reading places is shared by CrGYOC2CB. Other B manuscripts have the singular. . and parauenture knoweth That no clerk ne kan . as Crist bereth wyttnesse Pacientes vincunt . & cetera ActM.13.143:M's original reading of Ac was shared with WHmCotL. .youre praiere quod pacience . þo . so no man displese hym . Disce . quod he . doce dilige inimicos . Disce and dowel / doce and dobet / Dilige and dobest . þus tauȝte me ones . A lemman þat I louede . loue was hire name With wordes and with werkes quod she . and wille of þin herte . Thow loue lelly þi soule . al þi lif-tyme . And so thow lere þe to louye . for þe lordes loue of heuenne Thyne enemy in alle wyse . euene-forth with þi-seluen . Caste coles on his hed . andofM.13.152:M's original reading and was shared with Cr23CYOC2BL. al kynde speche . Bothe with workes and with wordus . fonde his loue to wynne And leye on hym þus with loue . til he laughe on the And but he bowe for þis betynge . blynde moot he worthe . contra quod Ac for to fare þus with þi frende / folie it were For he þat loueth þe lelly . litel of þyne coueitehcoueite[t]h . Kynde loue coueiteth nouȝt . no catel but speche # With half a laum.pe lyne in latyn . Ex vi transicionis I bere ther-Inne aboute . faste ybounde dowel In a signe of þe saturday . þat sette furst þe k...alender # Misticum And al þe wit of wodnesdayM.13.162: M shares the reading wodnesday with C; other B manuscripts have þe wodnesday. . of þe nexte wyke after The .....middel of þe mone . is þe myght of bothe . And here-with am I welcome . þere I haue it with me . Vndo þisM.13.165:M's þis is not attested in other B manuscripts, which read it. lat þeM.13.165: M shares the reading þe with F; other B manuscripts have þis. doctour doctour — deme . if dowel be þere-inne . For by hym þat me made . miȝte neuere pouerte Miseise ne mischief ne man with his tonge Colde ne care . ne companye of þeues . Ne neither hete ne hayle . ne noon helle pouke Ne neyther fuyr . ne flode . ne fere of þine enemy Tene þe any tyme . and þow take it with the . h iiij Caritas nichil timet It is but a dido quod þis doctour . a disoures tale Al þe wit of þis world . and wighte mennus strengthe Kan nouȝt confourmen a pes . bytwene þe pope and his enemys . Ne bitwene noM.13.176:M's no is not shared by other B manuscripts, which read two. cristen kynges . kan no wight pees make Profitable to either poeple . and putte þe table from h.ym . And took clergye to counseill and ...conscience . to conseill as it were . That pacience ..þouM.13.179:M's altered reading agrees with WCr1. Most B manuscripts read þo. moste passe . for pilgrimes kunne wel lye Ac conscience carped loude . and curteisliche seide Frendes fareþ wel . and faire spak to . clergye For I wol go with þis gomme . if god wol ȝyeue me grace . And be pilgrime with pacience . til I haue preued more . What quod Clergye to conscience . ar ȝye coueitous nouthe After ȝyeresȝeues or ȝyiftes . or ȝyernen to rede redeles . I shal bringe ȝyow a bible . a book of þe olde lawe And lere ȝyow if ȝyow like . þe leeste point to knowe That pacience þe pilgrime . parfitely knewe neuere Nay by Crist quod Conscience to clergye . god þe forȝelde For al þat pacience me profreth . proude am I litel Ac þe wille ofM.13.191:M alone among B manuscripts lacks a determiner for wye. Most B manuscripts read þe; CB read þat. wye . and þe wille ofM.13.191:M's original reading without of agreed with CBLR. folke here . Hath moued my mood . to mourne for my synnes The good wille of a wight . was neuere bouȝte to þe fulle For þere is no tresour þerto . to a trewe wille Hadde nouȝt Magdaleyne more for a box of salue Thanne — Zacheus for he saide . dimidium bonorum meorum do & ceteraM.13.196:M's ending of this line is unique among B manuscripts. Y ends the Latin passage after meorum; all other B manuscripts follow do with pauperibus rather than M's & cetera. And þe pouere widewe . for a paireM.13.197:M alone among B manuscripts lacks the word of here. mytes Thanne — alle þo þat offreden inM.13.198:M's in is not shared by other B manuscripts, which read into, though F has gold in. gazaphilacium . # how Consiens Conged the Frere Thus curteisliche conscience . congeide þe Frere And sithen softelyche he seide . in clergies ere . Me were leuere by oure lorde . and I lyue sholde Haue pacience parfiteliche . þan half þi pakke of bokes . Clergye ..ofM.13.203:M's altered reading of agrees with WCrG. The original reading was probably to, agreeing with HmYOC2CBL. R has and and F has ne. conscience . no congye wolde take But saide ful sobreliche . þow shatsha[l]t see þe tyme Whan þow art wery for-walked . wilne me to counsaille . passus xiijus That is sothe saide conscience . so me god helpe . # that paciens must be party Felow with Clergie ȜIf pacience be oure partynge felawe . and pryue with vs bothe Ther nys wo in þis world . þat we ne shulde amende And confourmen kynges to pees . and alle kynnes londes . Sarasenes and Surrie . and so forth alle þe Iewes . Turne in-to þe trwe feith . and in-to on bileue . That is sothe quod Clergye . I se what þou menest I shal dwelle as I do . my deuoir to shewen And confermen fauntekyns . and other folk y-lerede Til pacience haue preued the . and parfit þe makede Conscience þo with pacience passed . pilgrimes as it were # vitayles off paciens sobrete & soft spech Thanne hadde pacience as pilgrimes han . in his poke vitailles Sobrete and simple speche . and sothfast bileue To conforten hemM.13.219:M's hem is probably a spelling of hym, the reading of all other B manuscripts. The spelling hem has been corrected to him or hym at M.16.86 and M.19.227, and likely as well at M.4.55, M.6.323, M.6.329, M.7.6, M.11.423, M.13.177, and M.19.74. and conscience . if þei come in place There ..vnkyndenesse and coueitise is . hungry con....tres bothe And as þei wente by þe way . of dowel þei carped They mette wiþ a Mynstralle . as me þo þouȝte Pacience apposed him furste . and praide hym he shulde hym —M.13.223:M's original reading was shared by HmC2Cot. The alteration brings M into agreement with Cr. WGYOCBmBoLR read hem. telle . To conscience what crafte he kouthe . and to what countre he wolde . I am a Mynstral quod þat man . my name is Actiua vita . Alle ydel ich hate . for of actif is my name . A wafrer wol ȝye wite . and serue many lordes And fewe robes I fonge . or furred gownes . Couthe I lie to do men laughe . þanne lacchen I shulde . Other mantel or Monoye . amonges lordes Mynstralles # contra Ferters and Fithellers Ac for I can neither taboure ne . trompe . ne telle none gestes . Farten ne fithelen . at feestes ne harpen Iape ne iogely . ne gentiliche pipe . Ne neither sailly ne saute . ne synge with þe gyterne . I haue none goode giftes . of þise grete lordes For no bred þat I bringe forth . saue a beneceon on þe Suonday Whan þe prest praieth þe poeple . hire pater noster to bidde For pieres þe ploughmamploughma[n] . and þat hym profite wayten . And þat am I actif . þat ydelnesse hatye . For alle trewe trauaillours . and tiliers on þeM.13.240: M's reading on þe is not shared by other B manuscripts. F has on; others have of þe or of. erthe . Fro Mi.........ghelmesse . to Mighelmesse . I fynde hem with myM.13.241:M's original reading without my agreed with BHmGYCLR. The addition of the word brings M into agreement with WCr. Kane and Donaldson's apparatus is misleading: only the my (not the with) is written above the line. wafres . cor Beggers and bidders of my bred crauen Faitours and Freres . and folke with brode crounes I fynde pain for þe pope . and prouendre for his palfray And I hadde neuere of hym . haue god my trouthe Neither prouendre ne personage . ȝyit of þe popes ȝyifte . # pardoun with ij pollis Saue a pardoun with a peis of lede . and two polles amydde . Hadde I a clerk þat couthe write . I wolde caste hym a bulleM.13.248:M's bulle is not shared by other B manuscripts, which read bille. That he sente me vndur his seel a salue for þe pestilence . And þat his blessingesM.13.250:M alone among B manuscripts attests the plural. and his bulles . bocches miȝte destru..ye In nomine meo demonia eic..ientM.13.251:M's original reading may have been eiciunt as in L. M's eicient agrees with Hm; other B manuscripts have eicient &. super egros manus imponent & bene habebunt . And þanne wolde I be prest to þeM.13.252:M's original reading without þe agreed with HmL. peple . paste for to make And buxome and bisy . aboute bred and drinke # quia dubitari For hym and for al hise . founde I that his pardon . Miȝte lechen a man as I bileue it shulde For sithe he haddeM.13.256:M's hadde is not shared by other B manuscripts, which read haþ. þe powere . þat peter hym-selue hadde . He hath þe pot with þe salue . sothly as me thynketh . Argentum & aurum non est michi . quod autem habeo tibi do . in nomine domini surge & ambula Ac if myȝte of miracle hym faille . it is for men ben not worthi To haue þe grace of god . and no gylte of þe pope . For may no blessynge do vs bote . but if we wol amende . Ne mannes masse make pees . amonges cristen p.eple . Til pride be purelich fordo . and þorugh pain defaute . For er I haue bred of mele . ofte moot I swete And er þe comune haue corne ynough . many a colde mournyng So er my wafres ben y-wrought . muche wo I tholie Al London I leue . liketh wel my wafres . # quando Cartis off Stratfford And louren whan þei lakken it . it is nouȝt longe y-passed There was a careful comune . whan no carte cam to towne . With brede from Stratford . þo guonnen beggers wepe And werkmoen were agaste a litel . þis wol be thought longe In þe date of oure driȝte . in a drie Aprill . A thousande and threhundredthre hundred . ...thriesM.13.273:M's altered reading is unparalleled. Presumably it was originally twies twenty, the reading of most manuscripts. LR have tweis thretty; in Hm syxty and nyne is written over an erasure which seems to have read thries twenty & nyne. Evidently scribes took their own measures to correct an archetypal reading which so obviously got the date (1370) wrong. twenty and ten . My wafres þere were gesen . whan Chichestre was Maire — I to..ok go..od kepe by Crist . and Conscience boþe Of haukyn þe actifmanactif man . and how he was y-clothed He hadde a cote of Cristendome . as holy kyrke bileueth passus xiijus Ac it was mol..ed . in many places . with many suondry plottes . Of pride here a plot . and þere a plot . of vnbuxome speche Of scornynge and of scoffynge . and of vnskilful berynge As in apparaille & in porte . proude amonges þe p.eple Oyþerwise þan he hath . with herte or siȝte shewynge . Hym willynge þat alle men wende . he were þat he is nouȝth For why he bosteþ and braggeth . with many bolde othes . And inobedient to ben vnd.ernome . of any lif lyuyng . And so singuler by hym-self . ne non so pon.p-holyM.13.286:Kane and Donaldson read poup, noting that the last letter is written over an erasure, but the reading is clearly ponp. WHmL have the same word pomp, which may have been M's original spelling, while other B manuscripts have pope or poppe. . Y-habited as an hermyte . and ordre by hem-seluenM.13.287:All other B manuscripts save Hm read hymselue. . Religion saunz rule . and resonable obedience Lakkynge lettred men . and lewede men bothe In likynge of lele lif . and a liere in soule With inwit . and with oute-wit ymagynen and studyen As beste for his body be . to haue a badde name And entremeten hym ouerall . ther he hath nouȝt to done Wilnynge þat men wende . his wit were þe beste And if he ȝyeue ouȝt to pouere gomes . telle what he deleth Pouere of possessioun . in purse . and in cofre bothe And as a lyon on to loke . and lordlich of specheM.13.297:A line is drawn from the paragraph space following this line to the middle of the page, left margin, where there is a large, fancy A. The line and letter are drawn in a faded purple-brown ink. In the right margin at this place, something has been erased. . Baldeste of beggers . a bostere þat nouȝt hath In towne and in tauernes . tales to telle And segge þinge þat he neuere seighe . and for aM.13.300:The addition of a brings M into agreement with Hm. sothe sweren it . Of dedes þat he neuere dede . witytnesse and seggenM.13.301:Through eyeskip on dede, M has omitted a b-verse and the following a-verse: demen and bosten / And of workes þat he wel dide (in the spelling of W). Lo ȝif ȝye leue me nouȝt . or þat I lye wenen Axeþ at hym or at hym . and he ȝyow can telle What I suffrede and seigh . and suomtymes hadde . And what I couthe . and knewe . and what kyn I come of . Al he wolde þat men wiste . of werkes and of wordes W....hich miȝthte plese þe pueple . and praisen hym-seluen . Si hominibus placerem Cristi seruus non essem . Et alibi  nemo potest duobus dominis seruire  By Crist quod Conscience tho . thy beste Cote Haukyn . Hath many moles and spottes . it moste ben ywasshe ȜYe whoso toke h.ede quod haukyn . byhynde . and before . What on bak . whatM.13.313: M shares the reading what with C; other B manuscripts have and what. on body half . and by þe two sydes . Men shulde fynde many frounces . and many foule plottes And he turned hym as tit . and þanne took I hede . It was fouler by fele folde . þan it furst semede . It was bidropped with wrathe . and wikked wille With enuye and euel speche . entisynge to fiȝte Lyinge and laughynge . and leue tonge to chide . Al þat he wist wikked . by any wight toM.13.320: M shares the reading to with B; other B manuscripts omit it. tellen it And blame men by-hynde hire bak . and bidden hem mischaunce And þat he wiste by will . tellen it watte And þat watte wiste . will wiste it after . And made of freendes foos . þorugh a fals to...nge Or with might of mouthe or þorugh mann.es strenghthethe Auenge me fele tymes . other frete my-selue . Withinn.e as aM.13.327:M's original reading without a agreed with Cot. shepsteres shere . I shrewede men and cursed Cuius maledictione os plenum est & amaritudine sub lingua eius labor & dolor . Et alibji . filij hominum dentes eorum arma . & sagitte & lingua eorum gladius acutus There is no lyf þat I louye . lastinge any while . For tales þat I telle . no man trusteth to me . nota And whan I may nouȝt haue þe maistrie . ...suchM.13.332:M's altered reading agrees with WCRF, and with Hm also by correction. Most B manuscripts read wiþ. malencolie I take . That I cacche þe cruampe . the cardiacle suomtyme Or an ague in suche an angre . and somme-tyme a feuere . # quia contradicit wich Craftis That taketh me al a twelue-monthe . til þat I dispise . Lechecrafte of oure lord . and leue on a wicche . A..nd segge þat no clerke neM.13.337:M's original reading without ne agreed with GF. kan . ne Crist as I leue . To þe souter of soutwerk . or of shordisyche dame. Emme And segge þat no goddes word . gaf me neuere bote . But þoruȝ a charme hadde I chaunce . and my chief hele . I wayted wisloker . and þanne was it soilled . With lykynge of leccherie . as by lokynge of his eighenM.13.342: M shares the reading eighen with F; other B manuscripts have eiȝe. nota For ...ech a mayde þat he m.ette . he made hire a signe contra luxuriam Semynge to synward . and somme-tyme he gan taste . Aboute þe mouthe or bynethe . bigynneth to grope . Til eitheres wille waxeth kene . and to þe werke ȝyeden . As wellM.13.347:Kane and Donaldson read woll which is possible, but cf. M.13.24 for another ambiguous case. in fastyngdays . & frydays and forboden nyghte.s And as wel in lente . as oute of lente . alle tymes yliche . Suche werke.s with hem were neuere out of sesoun Til þei mighte no more . and þanne hadde merie tales . And how þat lecchours louyen . laughen and Iapen . And of hire harlotrie and hordome . in hire elde tellen . passus xiijusM.13.353:A large meaningless scribble by an unidentifiable hand appears in the top left margin. Thanne pacience parceiuede . of pointes ofM.13.353:M's original reading without this of agreed with LR. his cote . W..ereM.13.354: Only W agrees with the altered M reading; all other B manuscripts read was, referring to cote. colomy þorugh couetyse . and vnkynde desirynge . x Moore to good þanne — to god . þe gomme his loue caste . And ymaginede . how he it miȝt haue . contra Auariciam With fals mesures and met . and with false wittnesse . L.enedM.13.358: M's altered reading lened agrees with most B manuscripts, but C2 has louede. for loue of þe wed . and loth to do trewthe . And awayted þorugh whiche weye . ...?...he myghte bigyleM.13.359:M's altered reading he myghte bigyle agrees only with Cr. B reads he myȝte best bigile; other B manuscripts read to bigile, which appears to have been M's original reading. And menged his marchaundise . and made a goode monstre The worste withnnewith[i]nne was . a grete wit I lete it . And if my neigbore had any hyne . or any beste elles . More profitable þan myn . many sleightes I made How I miȝte haue it . al my wit I caste And but I it hadde by other weye . at þe laste I stale it . Or priueliche his purs shook . vnpiked hise lokkes . Or by nighte or by day . aboute was I euere . Thorugh gile to gaderen . the goode þat I haue . If I ȝyede to þe plough . I pynchede so narwe That a foote lond or a forwe . fecchen I wolde . Of my nexte neighbore . nymyn of his erthe . And if I rope ouere-reche . or ȝyaf hem red þat ropen . And seise to me with hire sikel . þat I ne s...iew neuere . And who-so borwe..d —M.13.374:M's original reading was probably borweth, as in most B manuscripts. WCrR have the past tense. atM.13.374:M's at is not shared by other B manuscripts, which read of. me . abou..ȝteM.13.374: GCr3LR read aboute, perhaps M's original reading. þe tyme With presentes priuelyche . or paied somme certein So wolde he or nouȝt wolde he . wynnen I wolde . And bothe to kith and to kyn . vnkynde of þat I hadde . And whoso chep.ed my chaffare . chiden I wolde But he profred to paie a penye or tweyne More þanne — it was worth . and ȝyet wold I swere . That it coste me muche moore . swore IM.13.381:M's swor I is unique among B manuscripts. HmF read y swoor; all other manuscripts omit the pronoun. many othes In halydays at holychirche . whan I herde masse Hadde I neuere wille wot god . ..itturlicheM.13.383:The first letter of this word, which is written over an erasure, is illegible. All other B manuscripts read witterliche. to byseche . Mercy for my mysdedes . þat I ne mourned moore For losse of goode . leue me . þan for my likames giltes . As if I hadde dedly synne donM.13.386:Though it would be possible to render this doun, all other instances of this word are spelled don or done. . I dredde not þat so sore . As whan I lened . and leued it lost . or longe er it were paiede So if I kydde any kyndenesse . myn euen-cristen to helpe VuponVpon a cruwel coueitise . myn herte gan hangen And if I sente ouere see . my seruauntz to brugges Or into .PruslondM.13.391:It is possible that <s> is erased before Pruslond, though the <P> is clearly capital. GCCotF read spruce land. my prentys . my profite to wayten To marchaunden with monoie . and maken hire eschaunges Mighte neuere me conforte . in þe mene-tyme Neither messe ne matyns . ne none manere sightes Ne neuere penaunce parfourmede . ne pater-noster saide That my mynde nasM.13.396: M's reading nas is not shared by other B manuscripts, most of which have ne was. more . on my good in a doute Thanne — in þe grace of god . and hise grete helpes . Vbi thesaurus tuus ibi & cor tuum . # Branches off Slewth W......hiche ben the braunches . that bringen a man to sleuthe His wommane that ——M.13.400:M originally agreed with GYCLR; M's altered reading agrees with WHmCr. mourneth nouȝt . for his mysdedes ne makeþ no sorwe A.nd þeM.13.401:M's added þe is not attested in other B manuscripts. For And þe, YOBL read Ac, WHmCrC2CR have And. penaunce þat þe prest enioyneth . parfourneth euele Doth non almes....dedesM.14.402:M's altered reading almesdedes agrees only with Cr. Most B manuscripts read almesdede. . dred hym of no synne . Lyueth aȝein þe bileue . and no lawe holdeth Eche day is an halyday with hym . or an heighe feireM.13.404: M's reading feire is not shared by other B manuscripts, most of which have ferye. # quod loquitur contra sage FolisM.13.405:This erasure is legible with ultraviolet light. The comment was rewritten in its proper place below. IfM.13.405:M alone among B manuscripts lacks And at the beginning of the line. he ouȝt wol here . it ais an harlotes tonge . Whanne men carpen of crist . or of clennesse of soule He wexeth wroth . and wol not here . but wordes of murthe . Penaunce and pouere men . and þe passion of seintes He hateth to here þere-of . and alle þat it telleth . Thise ben þe braunches be-war . that bringeth a man to w...anhope . contra Sage Folis ȜYe lordes and ladyes . and leg.ates of holy churche That fedeth fooles sages . flaterers and liers . And han likynge to lithen hem . to do .yow to laughe Ve vobis qui ridetis & cetera And ȝyeueth hem mete and mede . and pouere men refuse In .youre deth deiȝnge . .....I dredeM.13.416:The erased reading may be I dre, which is without parallel. me ful fsoore Leste þo thre manere men . to muche sorwe ȝyow bringe . Consencientes & agentes pari pena punientur Patriakes and prophetes . and prechours of godes wordes Sauen þorugh here sermon . mannes soule from helle . Right so flaterers and fooles . arn þe fendes disciples To entice men thorugh ..irehere tales . to synne and toM.13.422:M's addition of to brings it into agreement with WG. harlotrie Ac clerkes þat knowen holy writ . sholde kennen lordes What dauid saith of suche men . as þe sauter tellethM.13.424:The right end of the red box is written over an incompletely erased facit. Non habitat in medio domus mee . qui facit facitSuperbiam & qui loquitur iniqua  Sholde non harlot haue audience . in halle ne in Chambres . Passus xiiijus There wisemen were . witytnesseth godes wordes Ne no mysproude man . amonges lordes ben allowede . Ac flaterers and foles . ...?...?...þorugh . here foule wordes Leden þo þat louen hem . to Luciferes feste . With turpiloquio . a lay of sorwe . and luciferes fithele Thus haukyn þe actif man . hadde ysoyled his cote Til conscience acouped hym þere-of . in a curteis manere . Why he nade h.adde wasshen it . or wyped it wiþ a brusshe . Passus xiiijusquartodecimus.M.14.0: Unlike most other Passus headings in M, the text follows immediately afterwards, with no skipped line. The erased guide for the rubricator is visible above the passus heading. I I haue but oon hool hatre . quod haukyn . I am þe lasse to blame Though it be soilled and selden clene . I slepe þere-inne a-nyghtes And also I haue an houswyf . hewen and children . Vxorem duxi & ideo non possum venire . That wolen .....bymolenM.14.5: In place of M's altered reading bymolen, C reads bifoule and B read defoule. it many tyme . maugre my chekes . I...t haþ ben laued in lente . and oute of lente bothe . With þe sope of seknesse . þat sekeþ wondur depe And with þe losse of catel . lothe for to agilte . God or any good man . by oughte þat I wiste . And was shriuen of þe preest . þat gaf me for my synnes To penaunce pacience . and pouere men to fede . AlforAl for coueitise of my cristendome . in clennesse to kepen it # quia difficile est sane viuere And couthe I neuere by crist kepen itM.14.13: M's original reading without it agreed with G. clene an houre That I ne soilled it with sighte . or somme .ydel speche Or þorugh werk . or þorugh . word or wille of myn herte . That I ne flobb.ere it foule . from morwe til euen . And I shal kenne þe quod Conscience . of contricion to make . That shal clawe þi cote . of alle kynnes filthe Cordis contricio & cetera decima[vn]decima discripcio de dowell Dowel shalM.14.20: M's original reading without shal agreed with GYCBLRF. wasshen it . and wryngen it . þoruȝ a wys confessour . Oris confessio & cetera Dobet shal beten it and bouken it . as bright as any scarlet And engreynen it with gode wille . and godes grace to amende the And sithen sende þe . to satisfaccioun . for to sowen it aftur . Satisfaccio dobeste Shal neuere myste bimoulen it . ne mothe after biten it Ne fende ne fals man . defoulen it in þi liue Shal non heraude ne harpour . haue a fa..irer garnement Than haukyn þe actif man . and þow do by my techinge Ne no mynstral be more worthe . amonges pouere and riche . Than haukynes wif þe wafrer with his actiua vita # prouicio paciencie And I shal purueie þe paste quod pacience . though no plough erye And flour to fede folke with . as beste be for þe soule . Though neuere greyn growed . ne grape vpon vyne Alle þat liueth and loketh . liflode wolde I fynde And þat y-nough shal noon faille . of þinge þat hem nedeth . We sholde nouȝt be to bysie . aboute oure liflode . Ne solliciti sitis & cetera . volucres celi deus pascit & cetera Pacientes vincunt & cetera . Thanne laughed haukyn a litel . and liȝtly gan swerye Who-so leueth ȝyow by oure lord . I leue nouȝt he be blessede . # vitells off paciens No quod pacience paciently . and out of his poke hente Vitailles of grete vertues . for alle manere bestes And saide lo here liflode y-nough . if oure byleue be trewe . For lente neuere was lif . but liflode were shapen . Where-of . or wherfore . or where-by to libbe . Furste the wilde worme . vnder weet erthe Fisshe to lyue in the flood . and in þe fuyr þe krykat . The corluwe by kynde of þe eyre . moost clenneste flessh of briddes And beestes by gras . and by greyne . and by greteM.14.50: M's grete is not shared by other B manuscripts, which read grene. Rotes In menynge þat alle men mighte . do þe same . Lyue þorugh lele bileue . and loue . as god witytnesseth . QuodcunqueQuodcu[m]que pecieritis a patre . in nomine meo & cetera Et alibi  Non in solo pane viuit homo set in omni verbo quod procedit de ore dei fiat voluntas But I loked what liflode it was . þat pacience so praysede And þan was itM.14.56: M's original reading without it agreed with OHmCrRF. O shares M's alteration. a pece of þe pater-noster Fiat voluntas tua . Haue haukyn quod pacience . and ete þis whan þe hungreth Or whan þow clomsest for cold . or clyngest for drie . Shul neuere gyues the greue . ne grete lordes wratthe . prisone ne paine for . cor cor .viij. passus xiiijus Prisone ne peyne for Pacientes vincunt . BysoBy so þat þow be sobre . of sighte and of tonge In etynge and in handlynge . and in alle þi fyue wittes Darstow neuere care for corn / ne lynnen chloth ne wollen Ne for drynke ne deth drede / but deie as god liketh Or þoruȝ honger or þoruȝ hete at his wille be it For ȝif þow lyuest after his loore . þe shorter lif þe better # et iterum # Si quis amat Cristum mundum non diligit istum . ¶ For thorugh his breth . bestes woxen . and abrode ȝyeden Dixit & facta sunt & cetera Ergo tho...ruȝ his breth . mowen men and bestes liuen . As holy writ witytnessthwitytness[e]th . whan men seggen hire graces Aperis tu manum tuam  & imples omne animal benediccione . nota ¶It is founden that fourty wynter . folk lyued with-oute t.yly.ing And out of þe flynt . sprong the flod . þat folk and beestes drunken . And in Elyes tyme . heuene was yclosed . That no rein roon . þus men redeM.14.76: M shares the reading men rede with F; other B manuscripts reverse the order. in bokes . That many wyntres men lyueden . and no mete ne tulieden . # de septem dormientibus Seuene slepe as s.eith the book . seuene hunder wyntur And lyueden with-oute liflode . and at þe laste thei woken . And ȝif men lyueden as mesure wolde . shulde neuere more be defaute Amonges cristen creatures . ȝif cristes wordes ben truwe . Ac vnkyndenesse caristia . maketh . amonges cristen poeple And ouere-plente maketh pride . amonges pouere and riche . Ac mesure is so muche worth . it may not be to deere For þe meschief and þe mesch.aunce . amonges men of Sodome . Wex þoruȝ plente of payn . and of pure sleuthe Ociositas & habundancia panis . peccatum turpissimum nutriuit For þei mesured not hem-self . of þat þei eten and dronke Diden inM.14.89: M's added reading of in is not shared by other B manuscripts. dedly synne . þat þe deuel liked . So vengeaunce fel vpon hem . for hire vile synnes . Thei sonken in-to helle . tho Citees ychone . ¶ For-þi mesure we vs wel . and make oure faith ...oure sheltrom # quia contricio delit peccatum a Mortale in veniale And þoruȝ faith cometh contricioun . conscience woot wel W....hich dryueþ a-way dedly synne . and makethM.14.94: M's maketh is unique among B manuscripts, the rest of which read dooþ. it to be venial And þouȝgh a mon miȝte nouȝt speke . contricion miȝte hym saue . i # bene And bringe his soule to blisse . forM.14.96: M's for agrees with W. CrLRF read be; other B manuscripts lack the word. so þat feith berethM.14.96: M's original reading of bereth agreed with HmF. witytnesse . That whiles he lyued . he bileued . in the lore of holychurche Ergo contricion faith and conscience . is kyndelych dowell And surgiens for dedly synnes . whan shrifte of mouthe failleth ¶ Ac shrifte of mouthe more worthi is . if man be ynlich contrit For shrifte of mouthe sleeth synne . be it neuere so dedly . # quia per conffescionem occiduntur peccata sed per contricionem delentur in veniale Per confessionem to a preest . peccata occiduntur . Ther contricioun doth but dryueth dounM.14.103: Only M and Cr omit it before doun. . in-to a venial synne As dauid saith in þe sautier . Et quorum tecta sunt peccata Ac satisfaccion seketh out þe roote . and bothe sleeth and voideth And as it neuere hadde y-be . to nouȝt bringeth dedly synne . That it neuere efte is sene ne sore . but semeth a wounde yheled . Where woneth charite quod haukyn . I wiste neuere in my lyue Man þat with him spak . as wide as I haue passed . There parfite truthe and pouere herte is . and pacience of tonge There is charitee of —M.14.111: M's original reading of is not attested in other B manuscripts. þe chief chambre . for god him-selue . questio Whether paciencetM.14.112: M's original reading agreed with HmGYC2CBRF. pouerte quod haukyn . be more plesaunt to oure driȝte . Than richesse riȝtfulliche y-wonne . and resonabliche y-spended . ȜYe quis est ille quod pacience quik . lauda.....bimus eum . # terribile hoc Thouȝ men dredeM.14.115: M's original drede was not attested in other B manuscripts. of richesse . riȝt to þe worldes ende I wiste neuere renke þat riche was . þat whan he rekkene shulde . Whan he drouȝ to his deth-day . þat he ne dredde hym soore . And at þe rekenynge in arrerage fel . rather þan out of dette . There þe pouere dar plede . and proue by pure resoun . To haue allowance of his lord . by þe lawe he it claymeth Iooie þat neuere ioie hadde . of riȝtful Iuge he axeth . And seith lo briddes and bestes . þat no blisse ne knoweth And wilde wormes in wodes . þoruȝ wyntres þow hem greuest And makest hem wel neiȝe meke . and mylde for defaute And after þow sendest hem somer . þat is hire soueraigne ioie MordounM.20.163: See also M.20.163 and Introduction I.11 "Provenance." And blisse to alle þat ben . bothe wilde and tame . Than may beggers ...asM.14.127: M's revised reading agrees with WCrL. M's original reading was perhaps and, the reading of the other B manuscripts. bestes . aftur bote wayten . That al hire lyue han lyued . in langour and in defaute But god sente hem suomtyme . some manere ofM.14.129: M shares the reading of with F; other B manuscripts omit it. Ioie Owthere here or elles-where . kynde wolde it neuere passus xiiijus For to wrotherhele was he wrouȝt . þat neuere was ioie shapede Angeles þat in helle now ben . hadden ioie suomtyme # notabile bonum pro eo qui pacienter suffert paupertatem And Diues in deintees liued . and in douce vie Right so reson sheweth . þat þo men þat were riche And hire makes also . lyued hire lif in murthe Ac god is of a wonndur wille . by þat kynde wit sheweth To ȝyeue many men his mercimonye . er he it haue deserued . Right so fareth god by somme riche . ruthe me it thinketh . # For þei han h..ir / hire heere . an heuene as it were . And is grete likynge to lyue . with-oute labour of body And whan he deieth ben disalowed . as dauid seith in þe sautier . Dormierunt & nichil inuenerunt . And in a-nother stede also . Velud sompnum surgencium domine In ciuitate tua . & ad nichilum rediges # periculum in diuicijs Allas þat richesse shal reue . and robbe mann.es soule From þe loue of oure lord . at his laste ende . Hewen þat han hire hire a-fore . aren eueremore nedy And selden deieth he out of dette . þat dyneth er he deserue it And til he haue doon his deuoir . and his daies iourne For whan a werkeman hath wrouȝt þan may men se þe sothe What he were worthy for his werk . and what he hath deserued And nouȝt to fonge byfore . for drede of disallowynge . So I segge by ȝyow riche . it semeth not þat ȝye shulle Haue heuene in ȝyowre here b.eyngeM.14.153: Scribes had difficulty with the phrase and there are many variations on it. M shares its revised reading with OCr23LR. . and heuene here-aftur . Right as a seruaunt taketh his salarie bifore . and sith wold cl.ayme more As he þat non hadde . and hath hire at þe laste # bene It may not be ȝye riche men . or Mathew on god liethe De delicijs ad delicias deficile est transire Ac if þe riche haue ruthe . and rewarde wel þe pouere And lyuen as lawe techeth . doon leaute to hem alle . Crist of his courtesie . shal conforte ȝyow at þe laste And rewarde yowM.14.161: The addition of yow brings M into agreement with Cr. alle double richesse . þat reweful hertes habbeth And as an hyne þat hadde . his hire er he bygonne And whan he hath doon his deuoir wel . men doth hym other bounte . # a Cote above his Couenaunt ȜYeueth hym a cote aboue his couenaunt . riȝt so Crist ȝyeueth heuene Bothe to riche and to nouȝt riche . þat rewfulliche libbeth And alle þat doon hire deuoir . well . han double hire for hire trauaill . X Here forȝiuenesse of hire sinnes . and heueneblisseheuene blisse after # ...?... Ac it nys but selde yseyyn . as by holy seintes liues That god rewarded double reste . to any riche wye For muche murthe is amonges riche . as in mete and clothynge And muche murthe in May is . amonges wilde beestes And so forth ....whil somer lasteth . hire solace dureth Ac beggers aboute Midsomer . bredles þei soupe And ȝyet is wyntur for hem worse . for wete-shod þei gange . A-furste sore and afyngred . and foule y-rebuked And arated of riche men . þat ruthe is to here Now lord sende hem somer . and some manere ioie Heuene aftur hire hennes-goynge . þat here han suche defaute For al miȝtest þow haue maade . noon menere þan other And yliche witty and wys . ȝif þi wille hadde liked # quia orat pro diuitibus And haue ruthe on þise riche men . þat reward nouȝt þi prisoners Of þe good þat þow hem ȝyauestM.14.182: M alone among B manuscripts has the verb in the past tense. . ingrati ben manye Ac god of þi goodnesse . g.if hem grace to amende For may no d...erþe be hem deere . drouȝte ne wete X Ne neither hete ne haille . haue þei hire hele . Of þat þei wilne and wolde . wanteth hem nouȝt here Ac pore p.eple þi prisoners . lord in þe putte of meschief Conforte þo creatures . þat muche care suffren Thorugh derthe . þorugh drouȝte . alle hire daies here Wo in wyntertymeswyntur tymes . for wantynge of clothes And in somer tyme selde . soupen to þe fulle Conforte þi careful . crist in þi rich...esseM.14.192: This alteration occurs at a place where WHmCr also attest richesse and YGOC2CBLRF attest riche. For how þow confortest alle creatures . clerkes bereth witytnesse ConuertimniConuertim[i]ni ad me & salui eritis Thus in genere of gentryes . Ihesu Crist saide To Robbers and to reuers . to riche and to pore . Thow tauȝtest hem in þe trynite . to take baptesme And be clene þoruȝ þat cristenynge . of alle kynnes suynnes And ..M.14.199: Apparently an insertion has been subsequently erased between and and vs. WCrFR attest if at this point. vs fel þoruȝ folye . to falle in synne .aftur . Confession and knowlechyng . and crauynge þi mercy . Shulde amende vs as many sithes . as man wolde desire . passus xiiijus Ac ȝif þe pope wolde plede here aȝein . and punisshe vs in conscience He shulde take þe aquitaunce as quik . and to þe qued shewe it Pateat & cetera per passionem domini . nota bene And putten of so þe pouke . and preuen vs vndur borwe Ac þe parchemyn of þe patente . of pouerte be moste And of pure pacience and parfit bileue Of pompe and of pride . þe parchemyn decorreth And prncipalichepr[i]ncipaliche of alle þe puple . but þei be pouere of herte Elles is al on ydel . al þat euere we wryten . Paternostres and penaunce . and pilgrimage to Rome . But oure spenses and spendynge . springe . of a trwe welle Elles is al oure labour lost . lo how men write.th In fenestres at þe freres . ȝif fals be þe foundement For-þi Cristene shulde ben in comune riche . noon coueitous for hym-selue For seuene synnes þat þere ben . assaillen vs euere The feend folweth hem alle . and fondeth hem to helpe # quia per diuicias cicius Fallimur Ac with richesse þat Ribaud . rathest men bigileth For þere þat richesse regneth . reuerence folweth And þat is plesaunt to pride . in pouere and in riche And þe riche is reuerenced . by reson of his richesse There þe pouere is put byhinde . and parauenture k.an more Of wit and of wisdome . þat fer awey is bettre Than richesse or reaute . and rather y-herde in heuene For þe Riche haþ muche to rekene . and riȝt softe walkeþ The heiȝe waye to heueneward . ofte richesse letteth . Ita impossibile diuiti & cetera . # Audaciam paupertatis with a pak at his rugge There þe pouere presseth bifore þe riche . with a pak at his rugge Opera enim illorum sequntur illos . Batauntliche as begers doon . and baldeliche he craueth For his pouerte and pacience a perpetuele blisse . Beati pauperes quoniam ipsorum est regnum celorum And pride in richesse regneth . rather þan in pouerte . Arst in þe maist..er þan in þe man . somme mansioun he ha...ueth Ac in pouerte þere pacience is . pride hath no mighte Ne noon of þe seuene synnes . sitten ne mowe þere longe Ne haue power in pouerte . if pacience it folwe For þe pouere is ay prest . to plese þe Riche . And buxom at his biddynge . for his broke loues # Buxom & bost be euer at werre And buxuomnesse and boost . aren euere-more at werre And either hateth other . in alle manere ofM.14.241: M shares the reading of with F; other B manuscripts omit it. werkes If wrathe wrastle with þe pouere . he hath þe worse ende For if þei bothe pleyne . þe pouere is but fieble And ȝif he chide or chatre . hym cheueth þe worse And ȝif couetise cacche þe pouere . þei may nouȝt come to-gedres . And by þe nekke namely . hire non may hente other . For men knowen wel þat couetise . is of a kene wille And hath hondes & armes . of a longe lengthe And pouerte nys but a petit thynkg . appereth nouȝt to his nauele # layke bytwen long & short And louely layke was it neuere . bytwen.e þe longe and þe shorte And þouȝg Auarice wolde angre þe pouere . he hath but litel miȝte For pouerte hath but pokes . to putten in hise goodis . Ther Auarice hath Almaries . and yren-bounden coffres And whether be liȝter to breke . & lasse & boost it makethM.14.254: The corrector brings the line into agreement with WCr, adding an <&>, first misplaced after lasse and then moved, and erasing it before maketh. A beggers bagge . þan an yren-bounden cofre Leccherye loueth hym nouȝt . for he ȝyeueth but litel siluer Ne doth hym nouȝt dyne delicatly . ne drynke wyn ofte # stewes syde A straw for þe ....stuwes . it stode nouȝt I trowe Hadde þei no þinge . but of pouerre men . hire houses stode vntilede And þouȝwgh sleuthe suwe pouerte . and serue nouȝt god to paie Mischif is his maistreer and maketh hemM.14.261: M shares the reading hem with Cr1; other B manuscripts read hym. to thenke That god is his grettest helpe . and no gome elles And heM.14.263: The addition of he brings M into agreement with WCrRF. his seruaunt as he saith . and of his suyte bothe And whether he be or be nouȝt . he bereth þe signe of pouerte . And in þat secte oure saueour . saued al mankynde For-þi al pouere þat pacient is . may claymen and asken After hire endynge here . heueneriche blisse . Muche hard..ier may he axen . þat here miȝte haue his wille In londe and in lordshipe . and likynge of bodye And for godus loue leueth all . and l.iueth as a begger And as a mayde for mann.es loue . hire modur forsaketh # quia puella dimittit patrem & matrem pro viro suo Hire fadreer andM.14.272: M alone among B manuscripts here omits alle. hire frendes . and folweth hire make Muche is suche a mayden to loue . of hym þat suche oon taketh More þan a mayden is . þat is maried þoruȝ brokage . As by assente of sundry parties . and siluer to bote passus xiiijus More for coueitise of godeod . þan kynde loue of bothe So it fareth by eche a persone . þat possession forsaketh And put hym to be pacient . and pouerte weddeth . The wu.hehich is sibbe — to god him-self . and so to hise seintes Haue god my trowthe . quod haukyn . ȝye prraysenpraysen faste pouerte What is pouerte with pacience quod he . proprely to mene # discripcionem paupertatis Paupertas quod pacience est odibile bonum Remocio curarum . possessio sine calumpnia . donum dei . sanitastisM.14.282: M's original reading agreed with WCr1YCB. The alteration brings it into agreement with HmCr23GOC2LF. mater Absque solicitudine semita . sapiencie temperatrix . negocium sine dampno . Incerta fortuna . absque solicitudine felicitas . I kan nouȝt construe al þis quod haukyn . ȝye moste kenne þis on ......englissh In englissh quod pacience . it is wel harde . wel to expounen Ac somdel I shal sain it . by so þow vndurstonde Pouerte is þe furste point . þat pride moost hateth Than is it good by goode skile . al þat agasteth pride Right as contricioun is confortable þing . conscience woot wel And a sorwe of hym-self . and a solas to þe soule . So pouerte propreliche . penaunce and ioie Is to þe body . pure spiritual helthe Ergo paupertas est odibile bonum And ContricioM.14.293: For M's Latin Contricio, other B manuscripts have Contricion, except F, which reads Contricio is. confort . and Cura animarum Selde sit pouerte . þe sothe to declare ..ForM.14.295: Most B manuscripts read Or. M's alteration brings it into agreement with WCr1. as Iustice to iugge men . enioigned is no pouere Ne to be a Maire aboue men . ne Mynistre vnder kynges Selden is any pouere put . to punisshen any p.eple Remocio curarum Ergo pouerte and pore men . parfournen þe comandement Nolite iudicare quemquam . the thridde Selde is any pouere riche . but of riȝtful heritage Wynneth he nouȝt with wiȝtes false . ne with vnseled mesures Ne borweth of his Neiȝbores . but þat he may wel paie . Possessio sine calumpnia The ferthe is a fortune . þat florissheth þe soule . With sobrete from alle synne . and also ȝyet moore ..M.14.307: Something, perhaps a <¶>, has been erased in the left margin. It affaitehaffaite[t]h the flessh . from folies ful manye A collateral conforte . Cristes owne ȝyifte Donum dei . The fifte is modur of helthe . a frende in alle fon......dynges And for þe land euere a leche . a lemman of alle clennesse SanitastisM.14.312: M's original reading agreed with WCr1YCB. Cf. M.14.282. mater The sixte is a paath of pees . ȝye þoruȝ þe paassM.14.313: Apparently a long <s>has been replaced with an 8-shaped <s>. The main scribe usually writes sigma-<s> finally. of aultoun Pouerte miȝte passe . wiþ-oute perille of robbynge For þereM.14.315: M alone among B manuscripts here omits þat. pouerte passeth . pees folweth after . And euere þe lasse þat he bereth . the hardier he is of herte For-þi saith Seneca / Paupertas est absque sollicitudine semita . And an hardy man of herte . amonge an heep of theues . Cantabit paupertas coram latrone viatore The seuen..the is welle of wisdome . and fewe wordus sheweth For lordes alloweth hym litel . or listeneth to his resoun . He tempreth þe tonge to truwtheward . and no tresour cou.....eiteth Sapiencie temperatrix . The eig....teth is a lele labour . and lothe to take more Than he may well deserue . in somer or in wyntur And ȝif he chaffare he chargeth no losse . mowe he charite wynne Negocium sine dampno . The nynthe is swete to þe soule . no sucre is swettere For pacience is pain . for pouerte hym-seluen And sobrete swete drynke . and gode leche in sekenesse Thus lerede me a lettred man . for oure lordus loueM.14.331-333: These lines are variously divided by the manuscripts and M's revised version is unique. Most manuscripts divide after loue and bisinesse as M did originally. WCr divide after loue of heuene and ladde; F divides after heuene and bisinesse. Seint austyn a blessud lif . with-owten bisinesse laddeM.14.332: The addition of ladde brings M into agreement with WCr. For body and for soule absque sollicitudine felicitas Now god þat al good ȝyeueth . graunte his soule reste That þus furst wrote . to wysse men . what pouerte was to mene . Allas quod haukyn þe actif man tho . þat after my cristendome ...?...M.14.337: Something now illegible has been erased in the margin. I ne hadde ben ded and doluen . for doweles sake # quia defficele est sine peccato viuere So harde it is quod haukyn . to lyue and to do synne Synne suweth vs euere quod he . and sory gan wexe . And wepte water with his eighen . and weyled þe tyme That euere he d.ide deede . þat dere god displesed . Swowed and sobbed . and siked ful ofte That euere he hadde lond . or lordshipe . lasse other moore Or maystrie ouere any man . mo þan hym-seluen . I were nouȝt worthy woot god quod haukyn . to werye any clothes Ne neyther sherte ne shone . saue for shame one . To couere my caroigne quod he . and cryde mercy faste And wepte and wayled . and therwith I awakede . passus xvus de dowell & incipit dobetM.15.0: The guide for the rubricator in the right margin has been erased, but passus xvus de dowell & incipit dobet is still legible under ultra-violet light. It may be that a <j> has been erased after xv. passus xvquintodecimus. a Ac aftur my wakynge . it was wonndur longe Er I koude kyndly . knowe what isM.15.2: M's is is not shared by other B manuscripts, which read was. dowel . And so my wit wexe and waynnyed . til I a foole were And somme lakked my lif . allowed it butM.15.4: M's but is not shared by other B manuscripts. fewe . And leten meM.15.5: M's original reading without me was shared by HmGYOC2CL. for a lorel . and loth to reuerencen . Lordes or ladyes . or any lif elles As persouns in pellure . with pendauntz of siluer . To sergauntz ne to suche . saide IM.15.8: The addition of I puts M in agreement with WHmCr. nouȝt ones . God loke ȝyow lordus . ne louted faire That folk helden me a fool . and in þat folye I rauede Til reson hadde ruthe on me . and rokked me a-slepe Til I seighe as it sorcerie were . a sotil þing with-alle Oon with-outen tonge or teeth . tolde me whider I sholde And whereof I cam and of what kynde . I coniured hym atte laste ȜifIf he were crist.es creature . for crist.es loue me to tellen I am cristes creature . quod he . and cristen in many a place In crist.es Courte I knowe wel . and of his kyn a partie . Is neither Petreer .. — þe porter . ne Poule with his fauchoun . That wol deffende me þe dore . dynge I neuere so late At mydnyȝt at mydday . my vois so is y-knowe That .eche a creature of his courte . welcometh me faire What ar ȝye called in þat Courte quod I . amonge cristes p.eple # discripcionem anime The w....hiles I quyke þe corps . quod he . called am I Anima . And whan I wilne and wolde . Animus ich hatte And for þat I kan and knowe . called am I . mens And whan I make mone to god . memoria is my name And whan I deme domes . and do as truthe techeth . Than is Racio . my riȝt name . resoun on ynglissh . And whan I feele þat folke telleth . my furste name is Sensus . cor And þat is wit and wisdome . þe welle of alle craftus . And whan I chalange . or chalange nouȝt . chepe or refuse Than am I Connscience y-called . godes clerk and his Notarie And whan I loue lelly . oure lord and alle oþer Thanne is lele loue my name . and in latyn Amor . And whan I fl..ee from þe flessh . and forsake þe caroigne Thanne am I spirit specheles . spiritus þanne ich hatte Austyn and .ysodorus . either of hem bothe . Nempned me þus to name . now þow myȝt chese How þou coueitest to calle me . now þow knowest alle my names Anima pro diuersis accionibus diuersa nomina sortitur . dum viuificat corpus anima est . dum vult animus est . dum scit mens est . dum recolit memoria est . dum iudicat racio est . dum sentit sensus est . dum amat amor est . dum negat vel consentit consciencia est . dum spirat Spiritus est . ȜYe ben as a bisshop quod I . al bourdynge þat tyme For bisshopus yblessud . bereth many names . Presul . and Pontifex . and Metropolitanus . And othere names an heep Episcopus and pastor . That is soth saide he . now I se þi wille Thow woldest knowe and kunne . þe cause of alle hire names And of myn ȝif þow miȝtest . me thynketh by þi speche . ȜYe sire I saide by so no man . were agreuede Alle þe sciences vndur sonne . and alle þe sotil craftes . I wolde I knewe and couthe . kyndly in myn herte . Thanne art þow inparfit quod he . and oon of prides knyȝtes For suche a luste and likynge . lucifer felle from heuene . Ponam pedem meum in aquilone & similis ero altissimo . It were aȝeins kynde quod he . and alle kynnes resoun . That eny creature shulde konne al . except Crist one . Aȝeins suche sal.omon speketh and despiseth hire wittus . And saith Sicut qui mel comedit multum non est ei bonum . Sic qui scrutator est magestatis opprimitur a gloria . To ynglissh men þis is to mene . þat mowen speke and here . passus xvus The man þat muche hony eteth . his mawe it engleymeth And þe more þat a man . of good matire hereth But he do theraftur it doth him double scathe Beatus est seith Bernard . qui scripturas legit Et verba vertit in opera . fulliche to his powere Coueitise to kuonne . and to knowe science PultteM.15.66: M's original pulte agreed with LR. OC2 have pullede. Other B manuscripts read putte. oute of paradis . Adam and Eue Sciencie appetitus hominem inmortalitatis gloriam spoliauit And riȝt as hony is .yuel to deffie . and englemeth þe mawe Riȝt so þat þoruȝ reson . wolde þe rote knowe # non plus sapere quam oportet Of god and of hise grete miȝtes . his graces it letteth For in þe likynge lith a pride . and a licames coueitise Aȝyeins Cristes conseille . and alle clerkes techinge That is Non plus sapere quam oportet sapere . Freres and fele othere maistres . þat to þe lewed men prechen ȜYe mouen matires in-mesurables . to tellen of þe Trinite That ofte tymes þe lewed poeple . of hire bileue douten Bettre ...?...?...were many doctours . bileu..e suche techingeM.15.77: The line has been rewritten and then revised. The final version is unique but closest to W's Bettre it were to many doctours to leuen swich techyng. L has Bettre byleue were mony doctoures such techyng, and Y has Better to leue were many doctours swich techynge. And tellen men of þe ten comandementz . and techenM.15.78: M's techen is not shared by other B manuscripts, which read touchen. þe seuen synnes And of þe braunches þat burioneth of hem . and bringeth men to helle And how þat folk in hireM.15.80: M's hire is not shared by other B manuscripts. folies . myspenden here fyue wittes As wel Freres as othere ....folk . folilich þei spenden . In housynge in hateringe . and in-to heiȝe clergie shewynge More for pompe þan for pure charite . þe poeple woot þe sothe . That I lye not loo . for lordus ȝye plesen . And reuerencen þe Riche . the rather for hire siluer . Confundantur omnes qui adorant sculptilia . Et alibi  Vt quid diligitis vanitatem & queritis mendacium . Go to þe glose of þe vers . ȝye grete clerkes .nota de fratribus. Ȝ.If I lie on ȝyow to my lewde wit . ledeth me to b...rennynge For as it semeth ȝye forsaketh . no mann.es almesse Of vsurers of hores . of auerous chapmen . And louten to þese lordes . þat mowen lene ȝyow nobles Aȝyein ȝyoure Rule and religioun . I take record atte Ihesus That saide to .his discipules . ne sitis personarum acceptores Of þis matere I miȝte make a longe bible Curatis loquitur Ac of curatours of cristen p.eple . as clerkes bereth ...wytnesse I shal tellen it for truthes sake . take hede who-so like..eth As holinesse and honestee . out of holy chuyrcheM.15.98: The alteration of <u> to <y> is slightly misplaced. ...?...spryngethM.15.98: M's revision spryngeth is not shared by other B manuscripts, which read spredeþ. Thoruȝ lele libbynge men . þat godes lawe techen Right so out of holy churche . alle .yueles spredeth There inparfit presthod is . prechours & techers And se it b.y ensample . in somer tyme on trowes There somme bowes .beth leued . and somme bereth none There is a meschief in þe more . of suche manere bowes # de prelatis & Curatis Riȝt so persones and prestes . and menM.15.105: M's men is not shared by other B manuscripts, which read prechours. of holychurche That arn rote of þe riȝt feith . to rule þe p.eple Ac þere þe rote is roten . reson wot þe sothe Shal neuere flour ne fruyt . ne faire leef be grene For-þi wolde ȝeye lettrud leue . the leccherie of clothinge And be kynde as bifel for clerkes . and curteis.ee of cristus goodus . Truwe of ȝyowre tonge . and of ȝyoure taille bothe And haten to here harlotrie . and nouȝt to vndurfonge Tithes of vntrewe thinge . ytilied or chaffared . Lothe were lewed men . but þei ȝyowre loore folwede Curattis And amenden hem þat mysdoun . moore for ȝyoure ensamples Thanne — for to prechen and pre...uen it nouȝt . ..ypocrisie it semeth . For ypocrisie in latyn . is likned to a donghull . That were bisnewed with snow. . and snakes withinne Or to a wal þat were whitlymed ...?...withouten and were foul withinneM.15.119: M's revised line is unique. Most B manuscripts lack withouten; Cr23YOC2 have withouten but lack were in the b-verse. Ri...ght so many preestus . prechours and prelatus ȜYe arn blaunchedM.15.121: M shares the reading blaunched with F; other B manuscripts have enblaunched. with bele paroles . and with clothes also . Ac ȝyoure werkes and ȝyowre wordes . þerevndur arn ful vnloueliche Iohannes Crisostomus of clerkus speketh and preestus . NBM.15.124: The same ornate abbreviation is found on fol. 73v. Sicut de templo omne bonum progreditur . sic de templo omne malum procedit . Si sacerdocium integrum fuerit tota floret ecclesia Si autem coruptum fuerit omnium fides marcida est . Si sacerdocium fuerit in peccatis totus populus conuertitur ad peccandum . Sicut cum videris arborem pallidam & marcidam . intelligi.s quod vici-um habet in radice . Ita cum videris populum indisciplinatum & irreligiosum / sine dubio sacerdocium eius non est sanum . ȜiIf lewed men wiste . what þat þis latyn meneth . And ..who was myn auctour . muche wondur me þinketh # prestis Baselardis But ȝif many preest beere . for hire baselardus and hire brooches A peire of bedes in hire hand . and a book inM.15.128: M's in is not shared by other B manuscripts, which read vnder. hire arme Sir Iohan and sire Geffray . hath a gerdel of siluer . passus xvus A baselard or a ballo..k knyf with botones ouergilte Ac a porth..ors þat shuld —— sholde be his plow . placebo to segge Hadde he neuere seruice to saue siluer þer-to . seith it with idel wille Allas ȝye lewede men muche lese ȝye on preestus Ac þing þat is wikkedlicheM.15.134: M's is wikkedliche is not shared by other B manuscripts, which reverse the order. y-wonnen . and with false sleightes Wolde neuere wit of witty god . but wikked men it hadden . The w..hiche arn prestus inparfite . and prechours aftur siluer . .......ExecutoursM.15.137: M's revised form Executours agrees with WHmCr; other B manuscripts have sectours or something similar. and suddenes . somonours and hire lemmans This þat with gile was geten . vngraciousliche is spended So harlotes and hoores . arn holpen with suche goodus And godes folk for defaute therof . forfaren and spillen . Curatours of holikyrke . as clerkes þat ben auerouse contra Curatos Auaros Ligthliche þat þei leuen . loseles it habbeth Or deiȝyeth intestate . and þanne þe bisshop entreth And maketh murthe þerewith . and hise men bothe And seggen he was a Nygard . þat no godeod myȝte spare . To freend ne to fremmed . the fiende haue his soule For a wrecched hous he held . al his lif-tyme And þat he spared and speredeM.15.148: M shares the reading sperede with F; other B manuscripts have bisperede. . spene we in murthe Bye it lered . bybe it lewedeM.15.149: The revised a-verse agrees with Hm. The original reading is that of most B manuscripts, including WCr. . þat loth is to spende Thus goon hire goodus . be þe goost faren . Ac for goode men god woot . grete doel men maken . And bymeneþ goode mete ȝyeuers . and in mynde haueth . .quid est caritas In preiers and in penaunces . and in parfite charite What is charitee quod I thoo . a childissh þinge h.e saide Nisi efficiamini sicut paruuli . non intrabitis in regnum celorum . With-outen fauntelte or folye . a fre liberal wille Where shulde men fynde suche a freend . with so fre an herte . longe will I haue liued in londe quod I . my name is longe wille And fonde I neuere ful charite . bifore ne by-h.ynde Men ben merciable . to mendinauntz and to pore And wolen lenen þere þei leue . lelly to be paiede . Ac charite þat Poule preiseth best . and moost plesaunt to oure Saueour ..IsM.15.163: M's altered reading of Is agrees with WHmCr. YOC2LRF read As. . non inflatu.r non estM.15.163: It is likely that the original reading was that of L, which has inflatus and omits est. ambiciosa . non querit que sua sunt . I seigh neuere suche a man . so me god helpe . That he ne wolde aske aftur his . and otherwhile coueite Thing þat neded hym nouȝt . and nyme it ȝif he myghte Clerkes kennen me . þat Crist is . in alle places Ac I seigh him neuere soþely . but as my-sel.f in a .....Mirour HicM.15.169: M's Hic agrees with RF; other B manuscripts read Ita, It, or omit. in enigmate tunc facie ad faciem . And so I trowe truly by þat men telleth of charite It is nouȝt champions fiȝte . ne chaffare as I trowe Charite quod he ne chaffareth nouȝt . ne chalangeth ne craueth quomodo laudatur caritas As proude of a peny . as of a pounde of golde And is as glad of a gowne . of a gray russet As of a tunicle of Tarse . or of trye scarlete He is glad with alle glade . and goode til al wikked . And leneth and loueth . al þat oure lord made Curseth he no creature . ne he kan bere no wrathe Ne no likynge hath to lye . ne laughe men to scorne Al þat men saien he leet it soth . and in solace taketh And alle manere myschi...efs . in myldenesse he suffreth Coueiteth he noon ....erþeliM.15.182: The form underlying erþeli was probably erly, as in F. good . but heuene-riche blisse . questio de Caritate Hath he any rentes or richessesM.15.183: M's richesses is not shared by other B manuscripts, which read richesse. For other examples see M.10.15 and M.15.184. . or any riche freendes . Of rentes ne of richessesM.15.184: M's original richesse agreed with all other B manuscripts. For other examples see M.10.15, M.15.183. ne reccheth he neuere For a frende þat fyndeth hym . failled hym neuere at nede Fiat voluntas tua . fynt hym euere-moore . And ȝif he soupe eteth . but a sop . of Spera in deo . He kan purtreie wel þe Pater-noster . and peinte ...?...it with aues And otherwhile is his wone . to wenden in pilgrimage There pouere men and prisones liggeth . hire pardon to haue . Though he bere hem no bred . he bereth swetter liflidelifl[o]de . Loueth hem as oure lord biddeth . and loketh how þei fare . And whan he is wery of þat werk . þan wol he somme-tyme Labouren in lauendrie . wel þe lengthe of a myle . And ȝyerne in-to ȝyouthe and ȝyepliche speke . Pride with alle þappurtenaunces . and pakken hem to-gedre And bouken hem at his brest . and beten hem clene And leggen on longe . with laboraui in gemitu meo And with warme watur at his eighen . whasshen hem aftur And þanne he syngeth whanne he doth so . and somme-tyme saith wepynge passus xvus Cor contritum & humiliatum deus non despici..asM.15.201: M's revised despicias is not shared by other B manuscripts, which read despicies. By Crist I wolde þat I knew hym quod I . no creature leuere With-outeM.15.203: The scribe wrote the first letter of this line immediately below the preceding line. He then realized he needed to leave space for a new verse paragraph and erased the <W>. helpe of piers þeM.15.203: M shares the reading þe with R; all other B manuscripts omit it. plowman quod he . his persone seest þow neuere Wher clerkes knowen hym quod hI . þat kepen holy kyrke Clerkes haue no knowynge quod he . but by werkes and by wordes Ac Piers þe plowman parceyueth moore depper .WhatM.15.207: M's original reading is not legible here. LRF read Þat. is þe wille . and wherefore . þat many wiȝt suffreth . Et vidit deus cogitaciones eorum For þere arn ful proude-herted men . pacient of tonge And buxome as of berynge . to burgeys and to lordes And to pouere poeple han peper in þe nose And as a lyon he loketh . þere men lakken his werkes For þere arn beggers and bidders . bedmen as it were Loken as lambren . and semen lif-holy Ac it is more to haue hire mete . with such an esy manere Thanne — for penaunce and parfitenesse . þe pouerte þat suche taketh Therfore by colour ne by clergie . know shalt þow hym neuere Neither þoruȝ wordus ne werkes . but þoruȝ wille oone And þat knoweth no clerk . ne creature in erthe But piers þe plowman . Petrus id est Cristus Caritas omnia libenter suffert For he ne is not in lollers . ne in londlepers hermytes Ne at ancres þere a box hangeth . alle suche þei faiten Fy on faitours and in fautores suos . For charite is godes champioun . and as a good child hende And þe merieste of mouthe . at mete where he sitteth Þe loue þat lith in his herte . maketh hym light of speche And is companable and confortatif . as crist bit hym-seluen . Nolite fieri sicut ypocrite tristes . & cetera For I haue sein hym in silk . and some-tyme in russet Bothe in grey and in grys . and in gilt herneys . And as gladliche he it gaf . to gomes þat it neded . Edmond and Edward either were kynges And beM.15.233: M's addition of be is attested in F. seintes y-set . ...forM.15.233: M's revised for is the reading of WCr, and of Hm by correction. The erased reading looks as though it was til, as in all other B manuscripts except RF which have so. charite hem folwed I haue seiȝen charite also . syngen and reden. / M.15.235: Along the top and the left margin there is written, in light, large, pencil: Cruke Cruke Iohanes Iohanes Iohanes Cruke.Riden and rennen in ragged wedes nota de mendicantibus Ac biddynge as a beggerseM.15.236: M's original beggers agreed with all other B manuscripts except BF, which have the singular. . biheld I hym neuere Ac in riche Robes . rathest he walketh Y-called and y-crymylled . and his croune shaue And inM.15.239: The scribe has avoided a 2 cm slit in the parchment. No text has been lost. a Freres frokke . he was founden oones audi frater Ac it is ferre a-goo . in seint Fraunceys tyme In þat secte sithe to selde . hath he ben knowe Riche men he recomendeth . and of hire robes taketh That with-outen wyles . ledeth hire lyues Beatus est diues qui & cetera # In kynges courte he cometh ofte . þere þe counseille is trewe Ac ȝif coueitise be of þe conseill . he wil not come þere-inne . In courte amonges Iapers . cometh heM.15.247: M's cometh he is not shared by other B manuscripts, which reverse the order. but selden . For braulynge and bakbytynge and beryng of fals wittnesse In þe Consistorie bifore þe Commissarie . he cometh not ful ofte contra legum doctores For hire lawe dureth ouere-longe . but ȝif þei lacchen siluer . And matrimoigne for moneye . þeiM.15.251: M's þei is not shared by other B manuscripts. maken and vnmaken . And þat conscience and crist . hath y-kny...t — faste Thei vndoon it vnworth.ily þo doctours of lawe . Ac I lakkeM.15.254: M shares the reading lakke with F; other B manuscripts have ne lakke. no lif . but lord amende vs alle And gif vs grace goode god . charite to folwe . For whoso miȝte mete with hym . swyche maners hym eileth Neither he blameþ . ne heM.15.257: M's he is not shared by other B manuscripts. banneþ . boosteth ne preiseth Lakketh noe loseth . ne loketh vp sterne Craueth ne coueiteth . ne crieth aftur moore In pace in idipsum dormiam & cetera The mooste liflode he lyueth by . is loue in godes passion . Neither he biddeth ne beggeth . ne borweth to ȝyelde Misdoth he no man . ne with his mouthe greueth . Amonges cristen men þis myldenesse shulde laste # quanta erat humilitas Cristi In alle manere angres . haue þis at herte That þouȝgh þei suffre al þis . god suffrethM.15.266: Both verbs in the line are in the past tense in all other B manuscripts, except F, which has suffre in the a-verse. for vs more In ensample we shulde do so . and take no vengeaunce . Of oure foes þat doth vs falsenesse . þat is oure fadres wille . For wel may euery man ix cor passus xvus For wel may euery man wite  ȝif god hadde wolde hym-seluen Shulde neuere Iudas ne iewe . haue Ihesu doon on rode  Ne han martired petreer ne poule . neM.15.271: M's original reading without ne agreed with G. in prisoun holden . Ac he suffrede in ensample  þat we shulde suffre also . And saide to suche þat suffre wolden . þat Pacientes vincunt . Verbi gracia quod he . and ..verrey ensamples manye In legenda sanctorum . the lif of holy seintes . What penaunce and pouerte . and passion þei suffrede de paupertate & paciencia In hunger in hete in alle manere angres . Antonye and Egidie . and other holy fadres . Woneden in wildernesse  amonges wilde beestes Monȝkeskes and mendinauntz  men by hem-seluen . In spekes and spelonkes . selden speken to-g.ydre . Ac neither Antonye ne Egidie . ne heremite that tyme . Of lyons ne of lypardes . no liflode ne toke But of fowles þat fleeth . þus fyndeth men in bokes . Excepte þat Egidie . aftur andanM.15.285: An error for an as in all other B manuscripts, perhaps through confusion with the form an for and as at M.6.98, M.7.2, M.7.185, etc. hynde criede And þoruȝ þe mylke of þat mylde beeste . the man was susteigned . And day by day hadde he hire nouȝt . his hunger for to slake But selden and sundr.y tymes . as saithe the book and techeth . Antony a dayes . aboute nonesM.15.289: For M's nones other B manuscript read noon or none. tyme Hadde a bridde that brouȝte hym bred . that he by lyuede . And þouȝ þe gome hadde a geste . god fonde hem bothe Poule primisprim[u]s heremita . hadde parrokede hym-seluen . That no man miȝte hym se . for mosse and ......for leues Fowles hym fedde fele wyntres / with-alle . quid coqueris Til he founded Freres . of Austyns ordre . Poule after his prechinge . panyers he made . And w..an with his hon...des . þat his wombe neded . / Petreer fisshed for his fode . and his felawe Andrew . Some þei solde . and somme thei sothe . and so þei liued bothe And also Marie Maudeleyne . by amores leiuedM.15.300: The notion that Mary Magdalene lived on love-affairs and dews, though delightful, has no support from the other manuscripts. The reading amores has been corrected to mores, i.e. "roots," the reading of all other B manuscripts. and dewes . Ac moost þoruȝ deuocioun . and mynde of god almiȝty . I shulden not þise seuene dayes . seggen hem alle That lyueden þus for oure lordes loue . many longe ȝyeres Ac þere ne was lyo.n ne lyparde . þat on laundes wenten . Neither beere ne boor . ne other beeste wilde That ne felle to hire feet . and fawned with þe tailles And ȝif þei couthe han y-carped . by crist as I trowe They wolde haue y-fed þat folke . byfore wylde fowles . cor Ac god sente hem fode by fowles . and by no fierse beestes .M.15.309-312: The first four lines are bracketed in right margin. There is a large NB ornament in the left margin. In menynge þat meke þinge . mylde þinge shulde fede . As whosoM.15.311: M shares the reading whoso with F; other B manuscripts read who. seith Religious . riȝtful men sholde fynde contra rapacitatem dominorum super tenentibus And laweful men to lif-holy men . liflode bringe . And þanne wolde lordes and ladyes . be loth to agylte And to take of hire tenauntz . more þanne truthe wolde # Frater Founde þei þat Freres . wolden forsake hire almes . And bidden hem bere it . þere it was y-borwede For we ben godes Fowles . and abiden alwey Til briddes bringe vs . þat we shulde lyue by . For hadde ȝye potage and payn y-nough . and penyale to drynke And a messes þere-myde . of on manere kynde ȜYe hadden riȝt y-nough ȝye religious . and so ȝyoure reule me tolde . Numquam dicit Iob rugit onager cum herbam habuerit  aut mugiet bos . cum ante plenum presepe steterit  brutorum animalium natura te condempnat quia cum eis pabulum comune sufficiat . ex adipe prodijt iniquitas tua . ȜifIf lewed men knewe þis latyn . þei wolde loke whom þei ȝyeue  contra mort Main And auyse hem byfore . a fyue dayes or sexe Er þei amortisede to muonkes . or Chanouns hire rentes . Allas lordes and ladys . lewede conseille haue ȝye . To ȝyeue from ȝyoure heires . þat ȝyoure aieles ȝyow lefte . And ȝyeueth to bidde for ȝyow . to suche as ben riche . And ben founded and feffed eke . to bidde for othere Who parfourneth þis prophecie . of þe p.eple þat now libbeth . Optime dicit & verum Dispersit dedit pauperibus & cetera . Ȝ.If any poeple parfourne þat texte . it aren þise pouere freres . For þat þei beggen aboute . in buyldynge þei spene And on hem-selue somme . and suche as ben hire laborers . And of hem þat habbeth þei taken . and ȝyeueth hem þat ne habbeth . Ac clerkes and knyȝtes . and Comuners þat ben riche . Fele of ȝyow fareth . as ȝif I hadde a ForesteM.15.337: M's syntax hadde a Forest is not attested in other B manuscripts, which read a Forest hadde. That were ful of faire trees . and I fonded and caste How I miȝte mo þere-inne . amonges hem sette . Right so ȝye riche ȝye robrobethM.15.340: M's original reading was probably robbeth, agreeing with the majority of B manuscripts. WYCL have M's revised reading robeth. . þat ben riche . And helpeth hem þat helpeth ȝyow . and ȝyeueth þere no need is . As whoso fillede a tonne . of a fressh ryuer And wente forth with þat water to woke with Themese Right so ȝye riche . ȝye rob.ethethM.15.344: M's original reading was probably robbeth, agreeing with the majority of B manuscripts. WL alone have M's revised reading robeth. . and fedeth . passus xvus Hem þat han as ȝye han . hem ȝye make at ese Ac Religious þat riche ben . sholde rather feeste beggers Than burgeys þat riche ben . as þe book techeth Quia sacrilegium est . res pauperum non pauperibus dare .M.15.348: This long Latin quotation is boxed in two separate boxes: one containing the first three lines, the other the final two. /nota/ Item peccatoribus dare  est demonibus immolare Item monache si indiges & accipis . pocius das quam accipis Si autem non eges & accipis  rapis . Porro non indiget monachus  si habeat quod nature sufficit . nota beneM.15.353-364: This and the next eleven lines are bracketed in the left margin. # quia super omnia Caritas For-þi I counseille alle cristene . to confourmen hem to charite For charite withouten chalangynge  vnchargeth þe soule . And many a prisonerM.15.355: For the abbreviation see M.14.187,
prisoners. The majority of B manuscripts read prison, but CrGC2CotF read prisoner(s). The rather ambiguous abbreviation in M explains the variation. from purgatorie  þorȝwgh his praiers he deliuereth Ac þere is a defaute in þe folk . þat þe feith kepeth . Wherfore folk is þe febler . and nouȝt ferme of bileue As in lussheburwes is a lether alay . and ȝyet loketh he lik a sterlinge lussheborewes Þe merke of þat monee is good . ac þe metal is feble . And so it fareth by somme folke nowe . þei han a faire speche Croune and cristendome . þe kynges merke of heuene . Ac þe metal þat is mann.es soule  with synne is foule alayede Bothe lettred and lewede beth now alayed with synne . That no lif loueth other . ne oure lord as it semeth . For þoruȝ werre and wykked werkes and wederes vnresonable Weder-wise shippmen . and witty clerkes also . Han no bileue to ..þeM.15.367: The alteration is made in a hand in which <þ> is indistinguishable from <y>. lifte . ne to þe loore of philosophres # Facultas Astrologorum Astron....omiensM.15.368: While M's original reading is not legible, the word is variously spelled in the manuscripts. aldayal day . in hir arte faillen . That whilom warned bifore . what. shulde falle after . Shippmen and sheperdes . þat with shipp . and sheep wenten . Wisten by the walkene . what sholde bytyde . Fallacia signorum preteritorum & FuturorumM.15.372: This note is written over a drypoint <X>. As of wederes and wyndes . þei warned men ofte . Tiliers þat tileden þe erthe . tolden hire maistres . By þe seede þat þei s...ewe what þei selle mighte And what to leue . and to leiuebyleiue by . þe lond was so trewe . Now failleth þe folk of þe flood . and of þe londe bothe Sheperdes and shippmen . and so do þise tiliers Neither þei kuonneth ne knoweth . oon cours byfore another . M.15.379-383: This line and the next four are bracketed in the left margin.Astronomiens also aren at hire wittus ende . # New Gramer Of þat was calkulede of þe element . þe contrarie þei fynde Gramer þe grounde of al . bigileth now children . For is noon of þise newe clerkes . whoso nymeth hede That kan versifien faire . ne fourmeliche enditen . ij Ne nouȝt oon amonge an hundered . þat an Auctour kan construe Ne rede a lettre in any langage . but in latyn or in englissh . contra Gyle & Flatere Go now to any degre . and but ȝif gile be maistreer And flaterer his felawe . vnder hym to fourmen . Muche wonder me thynketh . amonges vs alle . Doctours of decres . and of diuynite maistres That shulden kuonne . and knowe . alle kynnes clergye # Responsum ad quodlibet And answere to argumentz . and also to a Quodlibet I dar nouȝt seggen it for shame . ȝif swiche weren apposed . ThatM.15.393: M's That is not shared by other B manuscripts, which read Thei. shulde faille in hire philosophie . and in hire Phisike bothe Wherfore I am aferde . of folk of holy kyrke Lest þei ouerehuppen as other doon  in office and in houres . Ac ȝif þei ouerehuppe as I hope nouȝt . oure bileue suffiseth . # festum Corporis Cristi As Clerkes in Corpus Cristi feeste . syngen and reden . That sola fides sufficit . to saue with lewede poeple Nota And so may Sarasines ben saued . scribes and Iewes . Allas þanne but oure loresmen . lyuen as þei leren vs And for hire lyuynge þat lewede men . ben þe lother god agulten . For Sarasines han sumwhat . semynge to oure bileue For þei loue and bileue . in oon persone almiȝty And we lered and lewede . in oon god bileueth Machamit And on Makometh . a man . in mysbileue Brouȝte Sarasines of Surr.ie and se in what manere This Makometh was a Cristen . and for he moste not be pope In-to surrye he souȝte . and þorugh his sotile wittes Dawunted a doweue . and day and niȝte hire fedde . The corn þat she kroppud . he kast it in his ere And if he amonge þe p.eple preched . or in places come xM.15.412: The <x> is written in drypoint. Þanne wolde þe coluere . come to þe clerkes ere Menynge as after mete . thus makometh hire enchauntede And dede folke þanne falle on knees . for he swoor in his prechynge That þe coluere þat com so . c..oom from god of heuene As messager to Makometh . men for to techen . And þus þoruȝ ..wyles of his wit . and a whit dowue # disceptionem Machamitis Makometh in mysbileue . men and wymmen brouȝte That ....lyued þo þere and l....yuen ȝyetM.15.419: M's original reading in the a-verse was perhaps that of L, which has þat lered þere and lewed ȝit. Most B manuscripts have similar readings. The alterations bring M into agreement with WCr. . lieuen on hise lawes And sith oure saueour suffred . þoM.15.420: M's þo is not shared by other B manuscripts, which read þe. sarasines so bigiled Thoruȝ a cristene clerk . ...acursed in his soule And for drede of þe dethe . I dar nouȝt telle þe truthe passus xvus # Englissh Clerkis Fede Couetise How englissh clerkes a coluere feden . þat coueitise hatte And ben manered after Makometh . þat no man vseth truthe . Ankres and hermytes . monkes and Freres . Peren to apostoles . þoruȝ hire parfit lyuynge Wolde neuere þe faitheful fader . þat hise Mynystres shulden # ¶ quod de rebus male adquisitis non debet dari elemosina Of tirauntes þat teneth trwe men . taken any almesse But doon as Antony dide . Domynyk and Fraunceys Benet and Bernard . þe w...hiche hem furste tauȝte To lyue bi litel and in lowe houses . by lele mennues almesse Grace shulde growe and be grene . þoruȝ hire goode lyuynge And folkes shulde fynde . þat ben in diuerse sekenesse The bettre for hire biddynges . in body and in soule . Hire praiers andM.15.435: M alone among B manuscripts lacks the word hir here. penaunces . to pees shulde bringe . Alle þat ben at debate . and bedemen were truwe Petite & accipietis & cetera . Salte saueth catel seggen þise wyues . Vos estis sal terre & cetera The heuedes of holychurche . and þei holy were Crist calleth hem salte . for cristene soules . Et si sal euanuerit  in quo salietur Ac Fressh flessh or fisshe . whan it salt failleth It is vnsauori for sothe . y-so...de or y-baake Notate qui Curam habetis So is mann.es soule sothly . þat seeth noon good ensample Of hem of holychurche . þat þe heiȝe weye shuolde teche And be gyde . and go bifore . as a good baneour And hardien hem þat byhinde ben . and ȝyeuen hem gode euidence Elleuene holy men . alle þe world turned In-to lele bileue . the liȝtloker me thinketh Shulde alle manere of men . we han so many maistres Preestus and prechours . and a pope a-boue That goddus salt shulde be . to saue mann.es soule . Al was hethenM.15.454: M's hethen is not shared by other B manuscripts, which read hethynesse. suomtyme . Inglond and wales Til Gregorie gerte clerkes . to go h......ere and preche . Austyn at Canturbury . cristened þe kynge And þoruȝ miracles as menM.15.457: M alone among B manuscripts lacks mow here. rede . al þat marche he turnede To crist and to cristendome . and cros to honoure . And fulled folk faste . and þe feithe tauȝte More þoruȝ miracles . þanne — þoruȝ muche prechinge . As wel þoruȝ hise werkes . as þoruȝ his holy wordus And seiden hem what fullynge . and feithe was to mene Nota bene Cloth þat cometh from þe weuynge . is nouȝt comely to were Til it is fulled vnder foot . or in fullynge stokkes Fullyng Wasshen wel with watresM.15.465: In place of watres, all other B manuscripts read watre. The <s> is oddly formed and possibly an addition. . and with taseles cracchede Y-touked and y-teynted . and vndur taillours hande And so it fareth by a barn . þat born is of a wombe Til it be cristened in cristes name . and confermed of þe bisshop It is hethen as to heueneward . and helpeles to þe soule Hethene it is to mene after heth . and vntiled erthe As in wilde wildernesse . wexeth wilde beestes Rude and vnresonable . rennynge withoute cropers deficitM.15.473: Kane and Donaldson argue that the sidenote indicates that "a corrector of M knew of a manuscript which possessed XV 472-85, missing from the larger group" (p. 51n7). This seems unlikely, since the note is placed ten lines too early, and furthermore Kane and Donaldson themselves admit that "there is no evidence that M was corrected to (RF)." The note may simply refer to the fact that M alone among B manuscripts lacks how before a man. HYe mynnen wel how Mathewe saith . a man made a feeste He fedde hem with no venysoun . ne fesauntz y-bake . But with fowles þat from hym nolde . but folwed his whistylinge Ecce altilia mea & omnia parata sunt & cetera And with calues flessh he fedde .M.15.477: M alone among B manuscripts lacks þe here. folke þat he loued The calf bitokeneth clennesse . in hem þat kepeth lawes For as þe kow þoruȝ kynde mylke . þe calf norissheth til an oxe So loue and leaute lele men susteigneth And maydens an mylde men . mercy desiren . Right as þe cow calf coueiteth swete mylke So doon riȝtful men . mercy and trewthe Ac who be thoM.15.484: M's be tho is unparalleled. Other B manuscripts read beþ, which could have given rise to M's reading. þat excusen hem . þat arn persones and preestus That hedes of holy churche ben . that han hire wille here With-outen trauaille . þe tithe deel . þat trwe men biswynken Thei wole be wroth for I write thus . ac to witytnesse i take Bothe Mathew and Mark . and Memento domine dauid . What pope or prelate now . parfourneth þat Crist highte Ite in vniuersum mundum & predicate & cetera . Alas þat men so longe on . Makoemeth . shulde bileue So many prelates to preche . as þe pope maketh Of Nazareth . of Nynyue / of Neptalim and Damaske That þei ne wente as crist wisseth . sith þei wil haue name To be pastours and preche . þe passion of Ihesus passus xvus And as hym-seluen saide / so to lyue and deye  Bonus pastor animam suam ponit & cetera . And saide it in sauacion . of Sarasynes and other For cristene and vn-cristen . crist saide to prechours Ite vos in vineam meam & cetera And sith þat þise Sarasyenes . scribes and Iuwes Han a lippe of oure ... — bileue . the liȝtloker me thinketh Thei shulde tourne ...who-so trauaille.hdM.15.503: M's altered form trauailled, apparently over trauailleth, agrees with WHmCr23. Most other B manuscripts read trauaile wolde. . to teche hem of þe ...Trinite Querite & inuenietis & cetera It is ruthe to rede . how riȝtwise men lyuede How þei defouled hire fflessh . forsoke hire owne wille Fer from kith andM.15.507: M alone among B manuscripts lacks fro here. kynne . yeuele clothed ȝyeden . Badly y-bedded . no book but conscience Ne no richesse . but þe Rode . to reioise hem Inne  Absit nobis gloriari nisi in cruce domini nostri & cetera And þo was plente and pees . amonges pouere and riche # the Red noble And now is routhe to rede how þe rede noble Is reuerenced er þe Rode . resceyued for þe worthier Than cristes cros that ouercam . deth and dedly synne And now is werre and wo . and whoso wh.....y — axeth For couetise after cros . the crowne stant in golde Bothe riche and Religious . that rode þei honoure That in grotes is y-grauen . and in golde nobles For coueitise of þat cros . men of holy kyrke Shul tourne as Templers deden . the tyme approcheth faste Wyte ȝye nouȝt wyse men  how þo men honourede More tresour þanne — truthe . I dar not seyM.15.522: M's sey is not shared by other B manuscripts, which read telle. the sothe Reson and riȝtful doome . tho Religious demed RightsoRight so ȝye clerkes for ȝyoure coueitise . ...er longe Shal thei demen doos ecclesie . and ȝyoure pride depose Deposuit potentes de sede . & cetera contra possessiones ecclesie Ȝ..If kniȝthode and kynde wit . and comune byM.15.527: M's addition of by, not present in most B manuscripts, brings it into agreement with WCr. conscience To-geders loue lelly . leueth it wel ȝye bisshopes . The lordshipe of londes . for euere shul ȝye lese . And lyuen as Leuitici . as oure lord ȝyow techeth Per primicias & decimas & cetera . Whanne Costantyn of curteisie . holykyrke dowed With londes and ledes . lordshippes and rentes quere veritatem .id est. luciferM.15.534: The identification by a later hand of the angel with Lucifer is curiously inappropriate. An angel men herden . an heiȝygh at Rome crye Dos ecclesie þis day . hath y-dronken venyme And þo þat han petres power . arn enpoisened alle nota bene ...?... Malicia procedens ex cupiditate absque caritateM.15.537: The sidenote is written in an italic hand over a partially erased note in one or two fifteenth-century hands. A medecyne mot þere-to . that may amende prelates That shulden praien for þe pees . possession hem letteth Taketh hire landes ȝye lordes . and leteth hem lyue by dymes ȜefIf possession be poisoun . and imparfite hem make Good were to deschargen hem . for holy churches sake And purgen hem of poysoun . er moore perille falle . ȜefIf presthode were parfit . the peple shulde amende That contrarien cristes lawe . and cristendome despise For alle paynymes praieth . and parfitliche bileueth In þe holy grete god . and his grace þei axen . And make hire moone to Makometh . hire message to shewe Thus in a feithe leue þat folk . and in a false mene . And þat is routhe for riȝtful men . þat in þe Reume wonyen . And a pererilperil to þe pope . and prelates þat he maketh That bere bisshopus names . of Bedleem and Babiloyne That huppe aboute in Englonde . to halwe mennus autiers . And crepe amonges Curatours . confessen a-geyn the lawe Nota bene Nolite mittere falsem in messem alienam . & cetera Many man for cristus loue . was martired in Romaigne Er any cristendome was knowe there . or any crosse honoured Euery bisshop þat bereth Cros . by þat he is holden . Thoruȝ his prouince to passe . and to his poeple to shewe hym . Tellen hem and techen hem . on þe Trinite to bileue . And feden hem with goostly foode . and gyue þere it nedeth . In domo mea non est panis neque vestimentum Et ideo nolite constituere me Regem . Ozias saith for swiche . þat seke ben and fieble Inferte omnes decimas in orreum meum vt cibus in domo mea . & ceteraM.15.564: Kane and Donaldson fail to record this & cetera, which appears outside the red box, but which is itself written in red ink. HmR also attest this & cetera. Ac we cristene creatures . þat on þe crosse bileuen Aren ferme as in þe feithe . godusM.15.566: This alteration places M in agreement with HmCr23G, though HmG read forbode as forbede. The confusion seems to arise from interference between two set phrases God's forbode and God forbid. forbode ellus And han clerkus to kepen vs þere-inne . and hem þat shul come after vs . And Iewes lyuen in lele lawe . oure lord wroot it hym-seluen passus xvus In stoon for it stuydfaste was . and stonde shulde euere . Dilige deum & proximumM.15.570: The <p> has an otiose abbreviation loop. . is parfit Iuwen lawe And tooke it Moises to teche men . til Messye come And on þat lawe þei leuen ȝyit and leten it þe beste AndM.15.573: M alone among B manuscripts lacks ȝit here. knewe þ..ey Crist . þat Cristendome tauȝte For a parfite prophete . þat muche p.eple saued Of selcouthe sores . þei seien it ofte Bothe of miracles and meruailles . and how he men fested With two fisshes and fyue loues . fyue thousand peple . And by þat mangerye men miȝte wel se . þat messye he semede And whan he lifte vp lazare . þat layde was in graue And vnder stoon ded and stank . with styf voys hym callede Lazare veni foras  Dide hym rise and rome . riȝt byfore þe Iuwes Ac þei saiden and sworen . with sorcerye he wrouȝte And studyeden to ......struyen hym . and stroyden hem-seluen And þoruȝ his pacience . hire power . to pure nouȝt he brouȝte . Pacientes vincunt . Danyel of hire doynge . dyuyned and saide . Cum sanctus sanctorum veniat . cessabit vnxio vestra And ȝyet wenen þo wrecches . þat he were pseudo propheta . And þat his loore be lesynges . and lakken it alle And hopen þat he be to come . þat shal hem relieue Moyses efte or Messye . hire maistres ȝyet dyuyneth # quod prelat in de necligencia prelatorum in articulis Fidei Ac pharesees and Sarasenes . Scribes and Grekes Aren folk of oon feith . þe fader god þei honouren . And sithen þat þe Sarasenes . and also þe Iewes Konne þe furste clause of oure bileue . Credo in deum patrem omnipotentem Prelates of cristen prouinces . sholde preue ȝif þei miȝte ToM.15.598: The addition of To brings M into agreement with WCrB. Leren hem litlum and litlum . et in Ihesum Cristum filium . Til þei kouthe speke and spelle . et in spiritum sanctum . And reden it and recorden it . wiþ remissionem peccatorum . Carnis resureccionem & vitam eternam . ameN passus xvjus & primus de dobetM.15.601: The guide for the rubricator to indicate the beginning of passus 16 in the right margin is erased, but under ultra-violet light, passus xvjus & primus de dobet is visible. cor passus xvjussextus decimus N Now faire falle ȝyow quod I tho . for ȝyoure faire ...?...shewyng For .....haukyns loue þe actifmanactif man . euere I shal þeM.16.2: M's þe is not shared by other B manuscripts, which read yow. louye Ac ȝyet I am in a wheereer . what charitee is to mene # declaracionem caritatis It is a ful trie tree quod he . truly to telle . Mercy is þe more þereof . þe mydelstokmydel stok is ruthe The leues ben bele wordus . þe lawe of holy churche The blosomes ben buxuom speche . and benyngne lokynge Pacience hatte þe pure tree . and pouere symple of herte And so þoruȝ god and þoruȝ good men . groweth þe fruyt charite . I wolde trauaille quod I þis tree to see . twenty hund...red myle . And for to haue my fulle of þat fruyt . forsake al other saulee Lord quod I ȝif any wiȝte wite . whider out it groweth nota bene It groweth in a gardyn quod he . þat god made hym-seluen Amyddes mann.es body . þe more is of þat stokke Herte hatte the herber . that it inne groweth And liberum arbitrium . hath þe lond to ferme Vnder piers þe plouwman . to pike it and to wede it Piers þe plowman quod I tho . and al for pure ioye That I herde nempne his name . anoon I swowned after And lay longe in a loue-dreme .. . and atte þe laste me thouȝte That piers þe plowman . al þe place me shewede And bad me toten on þe tree . on top and on rote # thre pylis off Charite With thre piles was it vndur-pi..ȝte . I parceyued it soone . Piers quod I prayM.16.24: M's reading quod I pray is shared with R; other B manuscripts read quod I I preie. þe . why stonden þise piles here . For wyndes wilt þow wyte quod he . to wyten it fram fallynge . Cum ceciderit iustus non collidetur . quia dominus supponit manum suam . And in blowynge tyme abite þe flours . but if þise piles helpe The world is a wikked wynde . to hem þat willen truthe . Coueitise cometh of þat wynde . & krepeth amonge þe leeues And forfret neigh þe fruyt . þoruȝ many faire siȝtes Than with þe furste pile I palle hym doun . þat is potencia dei patris The flessh is a felle wynde and in flourynge tyme Thoruȝ likynge and lustes . so loude he gynneth blowe Þat it norissheth nyce sightes . and somm-tyme wordes And wykked werkes þere-of . wormes of synne . And forbiteth þe blos.....mes . riȝt to þe bare leeues . liber xvjus Thanne sette I to þe secounde pile Sapiencia dei patris That is þe passioun and þe power . of oure prince Ihesu Thorugh preiers and þoruȝ penaunce . and goddes passion in mynde I saue it til I see it ripen . and somdel yfruyted And þanne fondeþ þe feende . my fruyt to destruye With alle þe w.yles þat he kan . and waggeth þe Roote And casteth vp to þe crop . vnkynde neiȝbores . Bakbiters .....brokkeM.16.44: M's altered reading brokke is unique among B manuscripts. Many other B manuscripts read breke, and R has brewe. cheste . brawlers and chiders . And l.....eyeth a laddre þere-to . of lesynges arn þe ronges . And feccheth a-way my floures sumtyme . afore bothe myn eiȝen . Ac liberum arbitrium letteth hym somm-tyme Þat is lieutenaunt to loken it wel . by leue of my-seluen . Videatis qui peccat in spiritum sanctum . nunquam remittetur & cetera Hoc est idem qui peccat per liberum arbitrium non repugnat . Ac whan þe feend and þe flessh . forth with þe world Manacen byh.ynde me . my fruyt for to fecche Þanne liberum arbitrium . laccheth þe furste plaunte And palleth a-doun þe pouke . pureliche þoruȝ grace . And helpe of þe holy goost . and þus haue I þe maistrie Now faire falle ȝyow piers quod I . so faire ȝeye descryuen The poer of þise postes . and hire propre miȝte . Ac I haue þouȝtes a threve . of þise thre piles . In what wode þei wexen . and where þat þei groweþM.16.59: M alone among B manuscripts attests the word in the present tense. Other B manuscripts attest the past. For alle ar þei a-liche longe . noon lasse þan other And to my mynde as me thinketh . on o moore þai growede And of on grettnesse . and grene of greyn þei semen . That is soth quod piers . so it ..mai bifallen . I shal telle þe as tite . what þis tree hatte . The grounde þere it . groweth . godnesse it hiȝte And I haue tol..d — þe what hiȝte þe tree . þe trinite it meneth And egreliche he loked on me . and þerefore I spared . To asken hym any moore . þere-of . and bad hym ful faire . To discryue þe fruyt . þat so faire hangeth Here now binethe quod he þo . If I nede hadde Matrymoigne I may nyme . a moiste fruyt with-alle ....AndM.16.72: M's revised reading And is not shared by other B manuscripts, which read Thanne or Þat. Continence is neer þe crop . as kayleway bastard Þanne bereth þe crop kynde fruyt . and clenneste of alle Maydenhede angeles pieres . and rathest wol be ripe . And swete withouten . swellynge . soure worth it neuere I praide piers to pulle a-doun . an appul and he wolde And suffre me to assaie . what sauour it hadde And pieres caste to þe crop . and þanne comsed it to crye And wagged wydowhode . and it wepte after . And whan it moued Matrimoigne . it made a foule noise Þat I hadde reuthe whanne piers rogged . it gradde so rufullyche For euere as þei dropped adoun . þe deuel was redy . And gadred hem alle to-geders . bothe grete and smale Adam and Abraham . and Ysaie þe prophete Nota notabile Sampson and Samuel and seint Iohan þe Baptiste Bar hem forth boldly . no-body heimM.16.86: M's original reading of hem placed M in agreement with YGOC2R. lettud And made of holy men his hoord . in limbo inferni There is derkenesse and drede . and þe deuel Maister And piers for pure tene . þat oon pile he laug...hte And hytte after hym . ...happeM.16.90: In place of M's revised reading happe, WCr have hitte. how it miȝte Filius by þe fader wille . and frenesse of Spiritus sancti . To go robbe þat raggeman . and reue þe fruyt fram hym . And þanne spak Spiritus sanctus . in gabrieles mouthe To a mayden þat hiȝte Marie a meke þinge with-alle That oon Ihesus a Iustice sone . moste iouke in hire chambre Til Plenitudo temporis fully comen were That Piers fruyt floured . and felle to be ripe . And þanne shulde Ihesus . iuste þerfore . by iuggement of armes Whether shuld fondgeM.16.99: M's original reading of fonde agreed with CYBLR. þe fruyt . þe fend or hym-seluen The mayden myldeliche þo . þe messager graunted And saide hiendeliche to hym . lo me his hand-mayden For to wuyrchen is wille . with-outen any synne Ecce ancilla domini fiat michi & cetera And in þe wombe of þat wenche . was he fourty wokes Til he wex a faunt þoruȝ hire flessh . and of fiȝtynge kouthe . To haue y-fouȝte with þe feend . er ful tyme come . And piers þe plowman . parceiued plenere tyme . And lered hym lechecrafte . his lif for to saue That þouȝ he were wound.ed with his enemy . to warisshe him-seluen And deide hemM.16.110: M's hem is not shared by other B manuscripts, which read hym. assaie his surgerye on hem þat seke were . Til he was parfit practisour . if any perille fille And souȝte oute þe seke . and þe syn..—ful bothe liber xvjus And salued seke and syn.—full . bothe blynde and crokede And comune wymmen conuerted . and to goode turned . Non est sanis opus medico set & ceteraM.16.115: The quotation breaks off at different points in other B manuscripts. M shares set & cetera with Cr12. Bothe mesels and mute . and in þe menesoun blody Ofte he heled suche . he hel.d for no maistrie Saue þo he leched lazar . þat hadde I-leye in graue # Resurreccionem lazaris Quatriduanus quelt . quik d.id hym walke Ac as he made þe maistrye . mestus cepit esse . And wepte water with his eiȝen . þere seiȝen it manye Somme þat þe seighte seiȝen . saide þat tyme That he was leche of lif . and lord of heiȝe heuene Iuwes iangled þere-aȝein . and iugged lawes And saiden he wrouȝte . þoruȝ wychecrafte . and with þe deueles miȝte Demonium habes & cetera . Thanne aren ȝye cherles quod ich . and .yowre children bothe And Sathan .youre saueour ȝyow-self now .. —M.16.128: The erasure of a word here, which in most B manuscripts is ye, brings M into agreement with OC2F. However, these manuscripts read your-self for yow-self which therefore makes sense. M shares yow-self with YLR which retain ye. wittnessen For I haue saued ȝyow-self saith Crist . and ȝyoure sones after ȜYoure bodyes ȝyoure beestes . and blynde men holpen And fedde ȝyow with ijtwoM.16.131: M's original reading without this number agreed with GYOC2CBLR. fisshes . and with fyue loues And lefte basketes ful of broke mete . bere away who-so wolde And mysseide þe Iuwes manliche . and man..aced hem to bete # Fugacionem Iudeorum de Templo And knokked on hem with acordea corde . and caste a-doun hire stalles That in churche chaffareden . or chaungeden eny moneye And saide it in sighte of hem alle . so þat alle herden I shal ouertourne þeM.16.137: M's þe is not shared by other B manuscripts, which read þis. temple . and a-doun throwe And in thre dayes aftur . edifiedM.16.138: M uniquely has a preterite form here. Most other manuscripts have edifie it. At M.18.45 a similar elision has been corrected. newe . And make it as muche or more . in alle maner poyn...tes As euere it was and as wyde . wherfore I hote ȝyow . Of praiereM.16.141: M alone among B manuscripts has praiere in the singular. and of parfitnesse this place þat ȝye callen . Domus mea domus oracionis vocabitur Enuye and .yuel wille . was in þe Iewes Thei kesten and contreueden . to kulle hym whan þei miȝte Eche day after other . .hire tyme þei awayted Til it felM.16.146: M's fel is not shared by other B manuscripts, which read bifel. on a Friday . a litel byfore paske The thorusday þereM.16.147: M's þere is not shared by other B manuscripts. bifore . ther he makedede his maundee Sittynge at þe soper . he saide þise wordes . I am solde þoruȝ oon of ȝyow . he shal þe tyme rewe That euere he his saueour solde . for siluer orellesor elles Iudas iangeled þere-aȝyein . ac Ihesus hym tolde It was hym-selfM.16.152: M's original reading without self agreed with L. sothely . and saide tu dicis Thanne wente forth þat wikked man . and with þe Iewes mette And tolde hem a tokene . how to knowe Ihesus And w...ehich tok..ne to þis day . to muche is y-vsed That is kyssynge and faire contenaunce . and vnkynde wille And so was with Iudas þo . þat Ihesus bytraiede Aue raby quod þat ribaude . and riȝt to hym he ȝyede # quomodo Iudas tradidit Cristum And k....issed hym to byM.16.159: The reading by, shared with F, is not recorded by Kane and Donaldson. Other B manuscripts have be. cauȝte þere-by . and kulled of þe Iewes . Thanne Ihesus to Iudas . and to þe Iewes saide Falsenesse I fynde . in þi faire speche And gile in þi glad chere . and galle is in þi laughynge Thou shalt ben a Mirrour . to many men to desceyue Ac þe worse and þe wikkednesse . shal worthe vpon þi-selfue Necesse est vt veniant scandala . Ve homini illi per quem scandalum venit . Þouȝ I by treson be y-take . at ȝyoure owne wille Suffreth myn appostles in pais . and in pees gange On a thorsday in thesternesse . thus was he taken . Thoruȝ Iudas and Iewes . Ihesus was ....hisM.16.169: The alteration brings M into agreement with all other B manuscripts except F, which for his name reads þan taken. name That on þe Fryday folwynge . for mankynde sake Iusted in Ierusalem . a ioye to vs alle On cros vpon Caluarie . crist took þe bataille Aȝyeins deth and þe deuel . destruyed bothe hire miȝtes Deiede and deth fordede . and day of niȝt made . IM.16.175: M alone among B manuscripts begins this line with I. Most B manuscripts begin And I; F begins Þan I. awaked þere-with . and wip.ed myne eiȝen And after piers þe plowman priede and stared . Estward and westward . I wayted after faste And ȝyede forth as an idiote . in con...etre to aspye After piers þe plowman . many a place I souȝte And þanne mette I with a man . .onM.16.180: M's revised reading on agrees with Cr23GYOC2F. Other B manuscripts have a. mydlentoun suonday As hoor as an hawthorne . and Abraham he hiȝte I frayned hym furste . from whennes he come . And of whenn..es he were . and whyderwardeM.16.183: M's whyderward is not shared by other B manuscripts, which read whider or whider þat. he thouȝte I am faithe . quod þat Fre.ke . it falleth not to lye . # de Fide And of Abrahames hous . an heraud of armes . I seke after a segge . þat I seigh oones A ful bold bacheler . I knewe hym by his blasen What bereth þat burne quod I tho . so blisse þe bityde passus xvjus de fide de trinitate Thre leodes in o ...lythM.16.189: For M's revised lyth B reads liche. non lenger þan a-notherM.16.189: M alone reads a-nother; all other B manuscripts read ooþer. Of oon muchel and miȝt . in mesure and in leng....the That on doth alle don . and ichonM.16.191: M's ichon is not shared by other B manuscripts, which read ech. doth ......by his oone The furste hath miȝte and maieste . maker of alle þinges Pater is his propre name . a persone by hym-seluen . The secounde of þat sire is . sothfastnesse filius Wardeyn of .. þat wit haþ . was euere with-outen gynnyng The thridde hatte þe holigoost . a persone by hym-seluen . The liȝt of al þat lif hath . a londe and on .M.16.197: M's on is followed by an erased supralinear correction. Other B manuscripts read a for on. watre Confortour of creatures . of hym cometh alle blisse So thre bilongeth for a lord . þat lordshipe claymeth Mighte and a mene to knowe his M.16.200-201: In this line and the next, the scribe has written around a 3cm hole, at one time sewn. No text was lost. owne miȝte Of hym and of his seruaunt . and what þei suffre bothe So god þat gynnynge hadde neuere . but tho hym good þouȝte Sente forth his sone . as for seruaunt þat tyme . To ocupie hym here . til issue were y-sprongen . That is children of charite . and holy churche þe modur Patriarkes and prophetes . and appostoles weren þe child...ren And Crist and cristendome . and cristen holy churche In menynge þat man moste . on o god bileue . And þere hym likede . and louede . in thre persones hym shewede And þat it may be so and soth . manhode it sheweth Wedloke and w.......ydwehode . with virginite y-nempned In tokenynge of þe trynite . was taken out of man . Adam oure aller-fader . Eue was of hym-selue And þe issue þat þei hadde . it was of hem bothe And .either is otheres ioye . in thre sondry persones . And in heuene and heere . oon singuler name And þus is mankynde . or manhode . of matrimoigne y-spronge And bitokeneth þe trinite . and truwe bileue . Miȝte is matrimoigne . þat multiplieth þe erthe Nota And bitokeneth truly . telle ȝif I durste He þat furste fourmed al . þe fader of heuene The sone if I durste seye . resembleth wel þe widowe . Deus meus . deus meus vt quid dereliquisti me That is creatour wexe creature . to knowe what was bothe As widowe with-oute wedloke . was neuere .yet I-seiȝe . Namore miȝte god be man . but if he aM.16.226: The addition of he a brings M into agreement with Hm. Other B manuscripts read he. modur hadde So widewe with-oute w.edlok . may nouȝt wel stande . Ne matrimoigne with-outen moillerye . is nouȝt muche to preise Maledictus homo qui non reliquit semen in israel & cetera Thus in thre persones is parfitliche manhode That is man and his make . and moyllere children And is nouȝt but gendre of generacioun . bifore Ihesu crist in heuene So is þe fader forth with þe sone . and fre wille of hemM.16.233: M's reading of hem is shared with Cr; other B manuscripts read of. bothe . Spiritus procedens a patre & filio . & cetera . Abraham W.....hich is þe holigoost of alle . and alle is but o god Thus in a somer I hym seiȝ . as I sate in my porche I roos vsp and reuerenced hym . and riȝt faire him grette . Thre men to my sighte M.16.238-239: The scribe has written around a 3cm hole, at one time sewn. No text was lost. I made wel at ese Wesshe hire feet and wypped hyemM.16.239: M's original reading hym was not attested in other B manuscripts. . and afturM.16.239: Only Cr1 shares M's omission of ward after aftur. þei eten . Calues flessh and cakebreed . and knewe what I thouȝte Ful trewe tokenes betwene vs is . to telle whan me liketh Furste he fonded me . whethereM.16.242: M's reading whether is shared with Cr; other B manuscripts read if. I loued bettre . Hym or Ysaak myn heir . þe w....hich he hiȝte me kulle . He wiste my wille by hym . he wil me it allowe I ham ful siker in soule þerof . and my sone bothe I circuncydedcircu[m]cydedM.16.246: See MED s.v. circumciden (Lat. circumcidere) and circumcisen (from the Lat. ppl.). MBmBo have the former verb; the other manuscripts have the latter. my sone . sythen for his sake . My-self and my meigne . and alle þat male were Bledde blood for þat lordes loue . and hope to blesse þe tyme . Myn affiaunce and my feith . is ferme in þis bileue For hym-self bihiȝte to me . and to myn issue bothe Lond and lordshippe . and lif with-outen ende To me and to myn issue . moore ȝyet he me graunted . Mercy for oure mysdedes . as many tymes as we asken . Quam olim abrahe promisisti . & semini eius . And sith he sente me to saye . I shulde do sacrifice And doon hym worshep with breed . and with wyn bothe And called me foot of his feithe . his folk for to saue And defenden hem from þe feend . folk þat on me leueden . Thus haue I ben his heraud . here and in helle And conforted many a careful . þat after his comynge wayten And þus I seke hym he saide . for I herde sai.. late Of a barn þat baptised hym . Iohan baptiste was his name That to patriarkes and to prophetes . and to oþere peple in derkenesse Saide þat he seiȝe here . þat shulde saue vs alle . Ecce agnus dei & cetera . ¶ I hadde wondur of his wordus cor cor xus liber xvijus I hadde woundur of hise wordes . and of his wyde clothes For in his bosome he bar a thing . þat he blessud euere And I loked on his lappe a lazar lay þere-inne . Amonges patriarkes and prophetes . pleyinge to-gideres What awaitest þow quod he . and what woldest þou haue I wolde wyte quod I tho . what is in ȝyoure lappe Loo quod he and leet me see . lord mercy I seide This is a present of muche pris . what prince shal it haue It is a preciou..s present quod he . ac þe pouke hath it atached And me þere-myd..e quod þat man . may no wed vs quite Ne no burn be oure borwgh . ne bringe vs fram his daunger Out of þe Poukes pyndfold . no mainprise may vs fecche Til he come þat I carpe of . / Crist .M.16.278: The punctus has been lined through. is his name That shal deliueren vs somday . out of þe deueles power And bettre wed for vs legge . þan we ben alle worthy That is lif for lif . or ligge þus euere Lollinge in my lappe . til suche a lord vs fecche All..as I saide þat synne . so longe shal lette The miȝte of godus mercy þat miȝte vs alle amende I wepte for his wordus . with þat I saugh another Rapeliche .....renne forth . þe riȝte wey he wente I frained hym furste . from whennes he come And what he hiȝte . and whider he wolde . and wightliche he tolde . Passus xvijus passus xvijusdecimo septimus I IM.17.1: A 3-4 line capital has been outlined in text ink, but the scribe has only left space for a one-line passus initial. This has been painted in roughly and in a red ink different from that of the passus heading. am Spes quod þatM.17.1: M's þat is not shared by other B manuscripts, most of which read he a. spye . and spire aftur a knyȝt That took me a maundement . vpon the mounte of Synay  To rule alle reaumes with . I bere þe writte here . ¶Is it aseled I saide . may men see the lettres Nay he saide ȜI seke hym . þat hath þe seel to kepe And þat is cros and cristendome . and crist þereon to honge And whan it is asseled so . I woot wel þe sothe That Luciferes lordship . last shal no lenger Lat se þi lettres quod I . we miȝte þe lawe knowe Thanne plukkud he forth . a patente . a pece of an harde roche Wher-on were wryten two wordes . on þis wise y-glosed . Dilige deum & proximum tuum & cetera This was the tixte truly . I took ful gode ȝyeme The glose was gloriousliche . writen . with a gilte penne In hijs duobus mandatis . tota lex pendet & prophete . Ben here alle þi lordus lawes I seidequod IM.17.16: M's original reading I seide is not attested in other B manuscripts. . ȝye leue me wel he saide . And whoso w.ercheþ after þis writ . I wol vndertaken Shal neuere deuel hym dere . ne deth in soule greue For ...þogh I sey it my-seluen . I haue saued with þis charme Of men and wymmen . many score thousandes He sai..th soþ saiþ þis hereaud I haue it foundeM.17.21: M shares the reading it founde with Cr. Other B manuscripts reverse the order. ofte Loo here in my lappe . þat leued on þat charme Iosue and Iudith . and Iudas Macabeus ȜYe and sixti þousand biside forth . þat ben not seien here ȜYoure wordes arn wond.erful . quod I tho . .....which of ȝow is truwest . In quem And lelest to leue on . for lif and for soule Tres vidit vnum adorauit Abraham seiþ þat he seiȝ . ...?...lyhoolly the Trinite Thre persones in parcelles . departable from other And alle þre but o god . þus Abraham me tauȝte And haþ saued þat bileued so . and sory for hire synnes He kan nouȝt segge þe somme . and somme arn in his lappe . What neded it þanne . a newe lawe to bigynne Sith þe furste suffiseþ . to sauacion and to blisse And now comeþ . Spes . & spekeþ . þat haþ aspied þe lawe And telleþ nouȝt of þe Trinite . þat took hym hise lettres To bileue and louye . in o lord almyȝti And sith riȝt as my-selue . so louye alle þe p.eple X The gome þat goþ with ao staf . he semeþ in gretter hele Thanne — he þat goþ with two staues . to siȝte of vs alle And riȝt so by þe Rode . resoun me sheweþ.M.17.40: In the left margin by this line is what looks like an erased large <S>. It is liȝter to lewed men . ao lessoun to knowe Þan for to techen hem two . and to hard to lerne þe leste It is ful hard for Abrahamany man . on Abraham bileue And w.el.aw..yey worse ȝyet . for to loue a shrewe It is liȝter to l.eue in thre louely persones Than for to loue and leue . as wel lorelles as lele Go þi gate quod I to Spes . forM.17.47: M shares the reading for with Cr. Other B manuscripts omit it. so me god helpe . Tho þat lerneþ þi lawe . wel litel while vsen it . passuuspassus xvijus And as we wenten þusM.17.49: M alone among B manuscripts here lacks a word which in most B manuscripts is in. þe wey . wordynge to-gidres Thanne seiȝe we a Samaritan sittynge on a mMule Rydynge welM.17.51: Only MCr have wel; other B manuscripts have ful. raply þe riȝte way we ȝyeden . Comynge from a countre . þat men called Ierico To a Iustes in Iherusalem . he chaced a-way faste .id est. CristusM.17.54: The same marginal gloss is found in L. Boþe þe heraud and hope . and he mette at onoes Where a man was wounded . and with theues taken He miȝte neiþer steppe ne stonde . ne stere foot ne handes . Ne helpe him-self sothly . for semyuyf he semed . And as naked as a ne..dle . and noon helpe aboute hym . Faithe hadde furste siȝte of hym . ac he fleiȝe a-side And nolde nouȝt neighen hym . by nine londes lengþe Ho..pe cam hippinge aftur . þat hadde so y-boosted How he with Moyses maundement hadde many men y-holpen Ac whanne he hadde sighte of þat segge . a-side he gan hym drawe Dredfully by þis day . as doke doth fromM.17.64: All other B manuscripts except Cr read from þe. faucoun Ac so soone so þisM.17.65: All other B manuscripts except Cr read þe. Samaritane . hadde siȝte of þis lede He liȝte adoun of liȝard . and heeldM.17.66: M's original reading without a word here was shared by CB. M's addition, which Kane and Donaldson erroneously record as held, is not attested in other B manuscripts, most of which read ladde. hym in his honde . And to þe wye he wente . hise woundes to biholde And parceiued by his pous . he was in perille to deȝye And but ȝif he hadde recouerier þe rather þat rise shulde he neuere With wyn and with oyle . hise woundes he wasshed Enbaumed hym and bonde his hed . and in his lappe hym layde And ladde hym so forth on liȝard . to lex Cristi a graunge Wel sex myle or seuene . biside þe newe Market Herbererwed hym at an hostrye . . & to þe host.yler called . And seide haue kepe þis man . til I come from þe Iustes And loo hireM.17.76: M's reading hire is shared with C2; other B manuscripts read here. siluer he saide . for salue to hise woundes And he took hym two pans . to liflode as it were And saide what-soM.17.78: M's what-so is not shared by other B manuscripts, most of which read what, except for Cr which has whoso for what-so he. he spendeþ moore . I make itM.17.78: For it all other B manuscripts except Cr read þee. good here-aftur For I may not lette quod þat leode . and lyȝard he bystrydeþ And raped hym to Iherusalem-ward . þe riȝte ..wey to ryde Faithe folwed aftur faste . and fonded to mete hym . And Spes spakliche hym spedde . spede ȝif he miȝte To ouertake hym and talke to hym . er þei to toune come . And whanne I seiȝe þis I soiourned not . but shoop me to renne And suwed þat samaritan . þat was so ful of pitee And graunted hym to ben his grome . gramercy he seide . Ac þi freend and þi felawe . þou fyndeste me at nede . And I thanked him tho . and sith I hym tolde How þat feithe fleiȝe a-way . and Spes and hisM.17.89: M's reading and his is shared with Cr1; other B manuscripts read his. felawe bothe For siȝte of þe sorewful man . þat robbed was with þeues Haue hem excused quod he . hire helpe may litel auaille May no medcyne on moolde . þe man to hele bringe Neither feith ne fyne hope / so feestred ben hise woundes With-oute þe blood of a barn . borne of a mayden And he be baþed in þat blood . baptised as it were And þanne plastred with penaunce . and passion of þat baby He shulde stonde and steppe . ac stalworth worth he neuere Til he haue eten al þe barn . and his blood ydronken . For wente neuere wie in þis world . þoruȝ þat wildernesse That he ne was robbed or rifled . rode he þere or ȝyede Saue feithe and his felawe . Spes and my-seluen . And þi-selue now . and suche as suwen h..oure werkes For outlawes in þe wode . and vndur bank.esM.17.103: M's altered reading bankes is not shared by other B manuscripts, which read bank except for F's balkis. lotyeþ And mowe eche man see and godeod marke take Who is bihynde . and who bifore . and who ben on horse . For he halte hym hardier on horse þan he þat is on foote For he seiȝe me þat am Samaritan . suwen faithe and his felawe On my capul þat hiȝte Caro . of mankynde I took it . He was vnhardy þat herlot . and hudde hym in inferno . Ac er þis day thre daies . I dar vndurtaken That he worth fettred þat feloun . faste with cheynes And neuere efte greue gome . þat goþ þis ilke gate And þanne shal feiþ be Forestier here  and in þis .....Fryth walke And kennen out comune men . þat knoweth nouȝt þe Cuntre . W..hich is þe wey þat I wente . and wherforth to Ierusalem . And hope þe host.yllers man shal be . þere þe man lith atM.17.116: M's at is unique among B manuscripts, which read an, in, or to. helynge And all þat feble and feinte be . þat feith may nouȝt teche Hope shal lede hem forM.17.118: M's for agrees with Cr1; other B manuscripts read forþ with. loue . as his lettre tell..eth And host.ellen hem and hele . þoruȝ holy churchesM.17.119: The altered form agrees with CB. Other B manuscripts have genitive chirche. bileue Til I haue salue for alle sike . and þanne shal I reteurne A...?...?...nd come ayeyn by thys contree . and conforte alle seke Þat craueth it or coue......iteþ it . an.d crieth þere-after For þe barn was born in Bedleem . þat with his blood shal saue . passus xxviijusxxvvijus Alle þat lyueþ in feithe and folweth hise felawes techinge A swete sire I saide þo . wh..ere shal I bileue As feithe and his felawe . enfourmed me bothe In thre persones departable  þat perpetuel were euere And alle þre but o god . þus Abraham me tauȝte And hope afterwarde he bad me to louye O god with alle my good / and alle gomes after Loue hem li.k my-selue . ac oure lord a-bouen alle After abraham quod he . þat heraud of armes . Sette faste þi feithe . and ferme bileue And as hope hiȝte þe . I hote þe þat þou louye Thyne euene-cristen euen-forth...rmore euen forth with þi-seluen And ȝif conscience carpe þere aȝein / or kynde wit eyther Ostende manum quia deus assimulatur ad manum Or heretikes with argumentes . þin hond þou hym shewe For god is after an hand . y-here now and knowe it The fadir was furst as a fust / with on fynger foldynge Til hym loued and luste . to vnlosen his fynger And profre it forth as with a paume . to what place it sholde The paume is purely þe hand . and profreth forth þe fyngres To mynistre and to make . þat miȝte of hand knoweth And bitokeneþ truly . telle who-so likeþ The holy goost of heuene he is as þe paume The fyngres þat fre ben . to foolde and to serue Bitokeneþ sotlysot[h]ly þe sone / þat sent was til erþe That touched and tasted . at techynge of þe ofM.17.148: The corrector first misplaced of after þe and then erased it, placing it correctly. paume Seinte Marie a Maide / and mankynde lauȝte Qui conceptus est de spiritu sancto & cetera The fader is þanne as a fust . with fynger to touche Quia omnia traham ad me ipsum . & cetera Al þat þe paume parceyueth . profitable to feele Thus arn þei alle but on . as it an hond were And thre sundry siȝtes . in oon shewynge Þe paume for he putteþ forth . fyngres and fust bothe Riȝt so redly / reson it sheweþ . þatM.17.158: Most B manuscripts begin this line with How. This addition brings M into agreement with Cr1. He þat is holygoost . sire and sone preueth And as þe hand halt harde . and alle þinge f.aste Thoruȝ foure fyngres and a thombe . for withth withM.17.160: M's original reading for with agreed with Cot. þe paume Right so þe fadur . and þe sone . and seint spirit. þe þridde . ...?...?...With-Inne hem thre . the wyde world holdenM.17.162: This entire line is written over an erasure. M and Cr agree in giving the a- and b-verses of this line in an order reversed from the rest of the B manuscripts. L reads Halt al the wyde worlde within hem thre. It is probably the tail of <H> that is still visible at the start of the line. cor iij Bothe welkyne and þe wynd . water and erthe Heuene and helle / and al þat þere-inne is . Thus it is nedeþ no man / trowe noon other That thre þinges bilongeth . in oure lord of heuene + And arn serelepes by hem-selue . a-sundry were þai neuere NomoreNo more þanne — myn hand . may moeue with-oute my fyngres And as my fust is ful hand . yfoolde to-gedres So is þe fadur a ful god . fourmeour and shepper Tu fabricator omnium & cetera . And al þatM.17.172: All other B manuscripts except Cr1 read þe. miȝt midde — hym / is in makynge of þinges The fyngres fourmen a ful hand . to purtrey or to peinte . Keruynge and compassynge . as crafte of þe fyngres Right so is þe so...ne . þe science of þe fadur And ful god as is þe fader . no febler ne non bettre # discripcionem trinitatis ad similitudinem manus The paume þatM.17.177: M's addition of þat brings it into agreement with Cr. is pureliche þe hand . haþ power by hym-seluen Other-wyse þanne — þe wrythen fust or werkemanshippe of fyngres . For þe paume haþ power . to putte out alle þe ...iointes And to vnfolde þe foolden fust . at þe fyngres wille So is þe holigoost god / neyther gretter ne lesse Þanne — is þe sire and þe sone / and in þe same miȝte And alle ar þei but o god / as is myn hand and my fyngres Vnfolden andM.17.184: M's and agrees with Cr1; other B manuscripts read or. foolden . my fust and my paume Al is but on hand . ...?...?...how-so I tourne itM.17.185-186: The scribe omitted M.17.185b and M.17.186a, an omission shared with WHmGYC2CB, caused by eyeskip on hand. The corrector has erased euene in þe myddes after 185a, replaced it with the lost b-verse, writing 186 in the margin with a red line to indicate its insertion. The additional material brings M into agreement with CrLRF. For Ac F has But and Cr And; whoso is shared only with Cr, LRF reading who. All other B manuscripts read in þe middes for the correction amyddes, and the spacing of the partly legible erasure under 185b shows that in þe myddes was the original reading in M. Ac whoso is hurt in þe hond . euene amyddes He may resceyue riȝt nouȝt . resoun it sheweth For þe fyngres þat foolde shuolde / and þe fust make . For peyne of þe paume . power hem failleth To cluche or to clawe . to clippe or to hoolde .h..Were þe myddel of myn hand . ymaymed or perisshed I shulde resceiue riȝt nouȝt . of þat I reche miȝte Ac þouȝ my þombe and my fyngres . boþe were to-...swollenM.17.193: Most B manuscripts here read shullen. The alteration brings M into agreement with Cr23HmRF. . And þe myddel of myn hand . with-outen malese In many kynnes maners . I miȝte my-selue helpe Boþe moeue and amende . ...?...?...thogh all my fyngres oke . # de peccato contra spiritum sanctum By þis skille me þinkeþ . I see an euidence Þat whoso s.inneþ in þe seint spirit / assoilled worth he neuere Neiþer heere ne elles-where / as I here telle  Qui peccatM.17.200: Kane and Donaldson record this as pectat but <c> and <t> are not always clearly distinguishable, and the scribe presumably intended peccat. in spiritu sancto & cetera For he p...rykkeþ god as in þe paume . quiM.17.201: All other B manuscripts except Cr read þat for M's qui. peccat in spiritu sancto . cor passus xvijus ¶ For god þe fadur is as a fust . þe sone . is as a fynger . The holygoost of heuene is as it were þe paume So whoso sinneþ in þe seint spirit / it semeþ þat he greueþ AndGod þat he gripeþ with . and wolde his grace quenche nota # Aliam discripcionem trinitatis ad similitudinem Candeli And to a torche or a tapur . þe trinite is likkened As wex and a weke . were twyned to-geidre And þanne a fyr flam......mynge . forþ out of bothe . And as wex and weke . and hoot fyr to-gidre.s . Fostren forth a flaumbe . and a feir leye So doþ þe sire and þe sone . and also Spiritus sanctus Fostren forth amonges folk . loue and bileue That alle kynne cristene . clenseþ of synnes . And as þou seest somme—-tyme . ...?...?...sodeynly a torche The blase þere-of yblowen out . ȝyit brenneþ þe weke . With-oute leye or liȝt . þat þe macche brennneþbrenneþ So is þe holygoost god . and grace with-oute mercy To alle vnkynde creatures . þat coueite to destruye . Lele loue oþer lif . þat oure lord shapte  And as gloynge gledes . gladieþ nouȝt þise werkemen That worchen and waken in wyntres niȝtes As do.þ a kex or a candele þat cauȝt haþ fyr and blaseþ NomoreNo more doþ sire ne sone . ne seint spirit to-g.ydres Graunte no grace . ne forȝyifnesse of synnes Til þe holy goost gynne . to glowe and to blase So þat þe holy goost . glooeth but as a glede Til þat lele loue ligge on hym and blowe . And þanne flaumbeþ he as fyr / on fader and on filius . And melteþ hire miȝte in-to mercy . as men may s..ee in wyntre ......Yshekeles in eueses . þoruȝ hete of þe s.onne Melteþ in a mynut-while . to myst and to watre So grace of þe holy goost . þe grete miȝte of þe Trinite Melteþ to mercy . to mercyable . and to noon othere And as wax with-outen moore . on a warme glede Wol burrennen . and blasen alleM.17.235: M shares all with Cr; other B manuscripts read be þei. to-gedres And solacen hem þat ..mowe se . þat sitten in derkenesse So wol þe fadur forȝyeue. . folk of mylde hertes That rufulliche repenten . and restitucion maken In as .....muche as þei mowen . amenden and paien . And ȝif it suff...ise not for assetz þat in suche a wille deiȝyeth Mercy for his mekenesse . wol make good þe rem.enaunt cor l iiij And as þe weyke and þeM.17.242: M's addition of þe is not attested by other B manuscripts. fyr . wol make a warme fla.....wmeM.17.242: The corrector has converted three minims to a <w> and written a minim followed by <e> at the end of the word. The original spelling was probably flaumbe as at M.17.250. For to murthe men with . þat in merke sitten . # de gratitudine Cristi bene loquitur So wol crist of his curtesye . and men crien hym mercy Boþe forȝyeue and forȝyete . and ȝyet bidde for vs To þe fadur of heuene forȝyeuesse to hauenesse to haue Ac hewe fyr at þeM.17.247: M's reading þe agrees with Cr. All other B manuscripts read a, except R, which omits the word. flynt . foure hundred wyntur But þow haue tow to take it with . tundur or broches Al þi labour is lost . andM.17.249: M's and agrees with Cr; other B manuscripts read and al. þi longe trauaille For may no fyr flaumbe make . faille it his kynde So is þe holy goost god . and grace with-outen mercy To alle vnkynde creatures . crist hym-self witytnesseþ . Amen dico vobis . nescio vos & cetera . # de Ingratidtudine bene loquitur Be vnkynde to þine euenecristen . and al þat þou kanst bidde Delen and do penaunce . day and nyȝt euere And purchace al þe pardoun . of Pampiloun and Rome And indulgences y-nowe and be vnkyndeingratusM.17.257: M's original vnkynde was not attested in other B manuscripts, though several have some difficulty with the reading. to þi kynde The holy goost hereþ þe nouȝt . ne helpe may þe by resoun . For vnkyndenesse quencheþ hym . þat he kan not shyne Ne brenne ne blase clere . for brennyngeM.17.260: M's brennynge agrees with Cr1; other B manuscripts read blowynge. of vnkyndnesse Poule þe appostel . proueþ wher I lye Si linguis hominum Loquar & cetera WherFforeM.17.263: M's original reading of ffor (i.e. For) was shared by Cr1. All other B manuscripts read Forþi. A later hand has altered ffor to fore and added Wher in the margin. Further to the left is a large erasure. beþ war ȝye wisemen . þat with þe world deleth Þat riche ben and resoun knoweþ . ruleth wel ȝyoure soule Beth nouȝt vnkynde I conseille ȝyow . to ȝyoure euene-cristen . For many of ȝyow riche men . by my soule men telleth ȜYe brenne but ȝye blasen nouȝt . þat is a blynd bekene . Non omnis qui dicit domine domine intrabit & cetera . Diues deyed dampned . for his vnkyndnesse Of his mete and his money . to men þat it neded . notate divites Eche a riche I rede . reward at hym take And ȝyif ȝyoure godeood to ȝyoureM.17.272: M's youre agrees with Cr1; other B manuscripts read þat. god . þat grace of ariseþ . For þat ben vnkynde to hise . hope I noon other But þei dwelle þere Diues is . dayes with-outen ende Thus is vnkyn.—denesse þe contrarie þat quencheþ as it were The grace of þe holy goost . goddes owne kynde For þat kynde doþ . vnkyndnesse doþfordoþ . as donM.17.277: M shares the reading don with Cr. Other B manuscripts omit the word, though F supplies ben above the line. þise courrsed þeues . Vnkynde cristen men . for couetise and enuye  Sleth a man for hise moebles . with mouþe or with handes . For þat þe holygoost haþ to kepe . tho harlotes destruȝyeth The w....hich is l...yf and loue . þe leye of mann.es body . passus xvijus For euery manere gode man . may be likkened to a torche Or ellus to a tapre . to reuerence þe Trinite And who þatM.17.284: M's reading þat agrees with Cr. All other B manuscripts read so, except WL, which omit the word. murþereþ a good man . meM.17.284: There is apparently an erased abbreviation for er after the first two minims. thinkeþ by myn Inwit He fordoþ þe leuest liȝt . þat oure lord loueth hic Nota hic bene Ac ȝyit in many moo maners . men offenden þe holy goost Ac þis is þe worste wyse . þat any wiȝt miȝte Synnen aȝein þe seint spirit . assenten to destruyen For coueitise of any kynnes þing . þat crist deere bouȝte How miȝte he axen mercy . or any mercy hym helpe That wikkedlich and willefulliche . wolde mercy anynte I......nnocence is next god . and nyȝt . and day it cryethe Vengeaunce vengeaunce forȝyeue be it neuere That shent vs and shadde oure blood . forshappte vs as it were . Vindica sanguinem iustorum Thus vengeaunce vengeance . verrey charite askeþ And sith holy churche and charite chargeþ þis so soore Leue I neuere þat oure lord . wol loue þat charite lakkeþ Ne haue pitee for any praiere . þer þat he pleyneþ # questionem de peccato contra spiritum sanctum I pose I hadde synned so and shuolde now deiȝeye M.17.301: M alone lacks the word And here.Now am I sory þat I so . þe seint spirit agulte Confesse me and crye his grace . god þat al made And myldliche his mercy axe . miȝte I nouȝt be saued  ȜYus saide þe samaritan so wel þou miȝte repente Þat riȝtwisnesse þoruȝ repentaunce . to ruþe miȝte tourne Ac it is but selden y-seiȝe . þere soþnesse bereþ wittnesse Any creature þat is coupable . bifore a kynges Iustice Be raunsomed for his repentaunce . þere alle reson hym dampneþ For þere þat partie pursueþ . þe p...leeM.17.309: M's altered reading here agrees only with Cr. RLF read peel; WHmGYC2CB read peple. is so huge Þat þere kynge may do no mercy . til boþe men accorde And eyþer haue equite . as holy writte telleþ M.17.312: A very faint mark, not unlike a squat arabic numeral <2>, is in the left margin. Numquam dimittitur peccatum & cetera Thus it fareþ by suche folk . þat falsly al hire lyues Yuele l.yuen and leten nouȝt . til lif hem forsake # terribile Gode hope þat helpe shulde . to wanhope tourneþ Nouȝt of þe nounpower of god . þat he ne is miȝtful . To amende al þat amys is . and his mercy gretter Thanne alle oure wikkede werkes . as holy writte telleþ Misericordia eius super omnia opera eius & cetera . Ac er his riȝtwysnesse to ruthe tourne . somme restitucion byhoueþ SHis sorwe is satisfaccioun . for hym þat may not paie # a wikkyd wyff Thre þinges þer ben þat don a man by strengþe For to fleen his owne hous / as holy wr.yt sheweþ . That oon is a wikked wif . þat wil nouȝt be chastised Here feere fleeth f.rom hire . for fere of hire tonge And ȝif his hous be vnheled . and reyne on his bedde He sekeþ and sekeþ . til he slepe drye And whanne smoke and smoldre . sm.yt in his siȝte It doþ hym worse þan his wif or wete to slepe For smoke and smolder . smyteþM.17.330: An extra minim has been erased from the <m>. inM.17.330: M's original reading without in agreed with GCLRF. hise eiȝen Til he be blereed or blind / and hoors in þe þrote Cougheþ and curseþ . þat Crist ȝyeue hym sorwe Þat shulde bringe in bettre wode . or blowe it til it brende Thise þre þat I telle of . ben þus to vndurstonde Þe wif is oure wikked Flessh . þat wol not be chasted For kynde clyueþ on hym euere . to contrarie þe soule And þouȝ it falle it fynt skylles . þat freelte it made And þat is liȝtly forȝyeuen . and forȝyeten boþe To man þat mercy askeþ . and amende þenkeþ The rayn þat reyneþ . þere we reste shulde Ben sekenesses and sorwes þat we suffren ofte . As poule þappostel . to þe poeple tauȝte Virtus in infirmitate perficitur & cetera And þouȝ þat men make muche doel in hire angre And inpacient in hire penaunce . pure resoun knoweþ # pro hijs qui male possunt pati Þat þei han cause to contrarien . by kynde of hire sekenesse And liȝtlich oure lord . at here lyues ende Haþ mercy on suche men . þat so eyuele may suffre . Ac þe smoke and þe smoldre . þat smyt in oure eiȝen Þat is coueitise and vnkyndnesse . þat quencheþ godes mercy . For vnkyndenesse is þe contrarie of alle kynnes resoun For þer nys seek ne sory . ne noon so muche wrecche Þat he ne may louye and hym like . and leue of his herte Good wille and good word / boþe wysshen and willen . Alle manere ofM.17.355: M's reading manere of agrees with Cr. All other B manuscripts read manere men, except F, which reads manere of men boþe. mercy and forȝefnesse And louye hymM.17.356: M shares the reading hym with Cr1; other B manuscripts read hem. lich hym-self . and his lif amende liber xviijus I may no .lenger lette quod he . and lyȝard he prikede And wente a-way as wynd . and þerwith I waked . xviijus & iijeM.18.0: The guide to the rubricator is written in large, faint pencil. Passus xviijusdecimus octauus de passione Cristi W Wolleward and weteshod . wente I forþ after As a recheles renk þat of no wo reccheþ And ȝyede forþ lik a lorell . al my lif-tyme Til I wex wery of þe world / and wylned efte to slepe And lened me to a lentoen . and longe tyme I slepte And of cristes passioun and penaunce . þe poeple þat of rauȝte Reste me þere and rutte faste . til Ramis palmarum Of gerl.is and of Gloria laus gretly me dremed . And how Osanna be orgonye . olde folk songen Oon semblable to þe samaritan . and somdel to piers þe plowman Barfoot on an asse bak . boteles cam prikye With-outen spores or spere . spaklich he loked As is þe kynde of a kniȝt . þat comeþ to be dubbed To geten hym gilte spores . or galo...ches y-couped Thanne was feith in a Fenestre . and cried a . fili dauid As doþ an heraud of armes . whan auntur..ous comeþ to Iustes Olde Iewes of Ierusalem . for ioy þei songen Benedictus qui venit in nomine domini . Thanne I frayned at Faith . what al þat fare bymente And who shulde iuste In Ierusalem . Ihesus he seide And feccheh þat þe feend claymeþ piers fruyt þe plowman Is piers in þis place quod I . and he prente on me This Ihesus of his gentris . wol iuste in piers armes In his helme and his haubergeon humana natura That crist be not knowen here / for Consummatus deus In piers paltok þe plowman / þis priker shal ride For no dynte shal hym deere / as in deitate patris Who shal Iuste with Ihesus quod I . Iewes or scribes Nay quod he þe foule fend . and fals dome and deþ Deþ saiþ he shal fordo . and a-down bringe Al þat lyueþ or lokeþ in lond or in watre . Lif sai..th þat heM.18.32: M's original reading without he agreed with C. lieþ . and leyeþth his lif to wedde That for al þat deþ kan do . withinne þre daies To walke and fecche from þe fend . Piers fruyt þe plouwman And legge it þere hym likeþ / and Lucifer bynde And forbete and doun bringe bale deþ for euere O mors ero mors tua . Than cam pilatus with muche poeple Sedens pro tribunali To se how doug..htyliche . deþ shulde do . and deme hire boþes riȝte The Iuwes and Iustice . aȝein Ihesu þei were And al þe courte vponM.18.41: M's vpon is not shared by other B manuscripts, which read on. hym criede Crucifige sharpe Tho putte hym forth a pilour . byfore Pilat and saide This Ihesus of oure Iewes temple iaped and ...?...dispised To fordoon it in oon day . and in þree days after EdifiedM.18.45: M's original Edified, was not attested in other B manuscripts, which read present tense. Compare M.16.138. it efte newe . here he stant þat saide it And ȝyit maken it as muche . in alle manere poyntes Boþe as longe and as large . by lofte and by grounde Crucifige quod a ch.achepolle . I warante hym a wicche Tolle tolle quod anoþer / and took of kene þornes And bigan of kene þorn . a garlond forM.18.50: M's for is not shared by other B manuscripts. to make And sette it soore on his hed . and seide in enuye Aue raby . quod þat ribaude . and þrewe redes at hym Nayled hym with þre nailes . naked on þe roode And poisoun on a pole . þei putte vp to his lippes And beden hym drynken his deþeyueldeþe yuel . his dayes were y-done And ȝif þat þow sotil be . help now þi-seluen If þow be crist and kynges sone . com doun ofM.18.57: M alone among B manuscripts here lacks þe. Rode Thanne shul we leue þat lif þe loueþ / and wol nouȝt lete þe d...eye Consummatum est quod crist . and comsed for to swowe Pitouslich and pale / as a prisoun doþM.18.60: M shares the reading doþ with Cr. The word is omitted in other B manuscripts. þat deieþ Þe lord of lif and of light / þo leyde hise eiȝen to-gedres The day for drede with-drowe . and derke bicam þe sonne The wal wagged and clef . and al þe world quaued Dede men for þat dyne . come out of depe graues And tolde why þat tempest . so longe tyme dured For a bittur bataille . þe ded body saide Lif and deþ in þis derknesse . hire oon fordoþ hire oþur Shal no wight wite witurly . who shal haue þe maistrye Er sonday aboute suonne rysynge . and sank with þat til erþe . Somme saide þat he was godes sone . þat so faire deied . passus xviijus de passu Vere filius dei erat iste & cetera And somme saide he was a wicche . good is þat we assaien Wher he be ded or nouȝt ded / doun er he be taken T..owoM.18.74: This alteration is clumsily executed over damaged parchment. The final letter looks like an <o> but is perhaps the final stroke of <w>. þeues also . þoled deþ þat tyme Bi-sides crist vpon a crosseM.18.75: M's Bi-sides crist vpon a crosse agrees with Cr; other B manuscripts reverse the syntax. . so was þe comune lawe A cacchepol com forth . and kraked boþe here legges And hire armes after of eþthere[y]ther of þo þeues Ac was no boy so bold / godes body to touche For he was kniȝt and kynges sone . kynde forȝaf þat time Þat noon harlot were so hardy . to lay..n hond vp-on hym Ac þere come forþ a kniȝt . with a kene spere ygrounde X Hiȝte Longeus as þe lettre telleþ . and longe hadde lore his siȝte Bifore pilat and oþer poeple / in þe place he houed Maugreye his many teeth . he was mad þat tyme To taken þe spere in his hond / and Iusten with Ihesus . For alle þai were vnhardy . þat houed on hors or stoode To touchen hym or tasten hym . or taken doun of Rode But þis blynde bacheler . bar him þoruȝ þe herte The blood sprange doun by þe speere . and vnspered þe knyȝtes eiȝen Thanne fel þe kniȝt vpon knees . and criede hym mercy Aȝein my wille it was lord . to wounde ȝow so soore He seiȝhed and seide . soore it me a-thynkeþ For þe dede þat I haue doon . I do me in ȝyoure grace Haue on me ruthe riȝtful Ihesu . and riȝt with þat he wepte Thanne gan feyþ felly . þe false Iewes despise Called hem caitifs . accursed for euere For þis foule vil.einye . vengeaunce to ȝyow alle To do þe blynde bete hym y-bounde . it was a boyes conseill Cursede caytifsM.18.99: It appears that plural endings have been added to adjective and noun and then incompletely erased. OHmCrBRF have the plural. . kniȝthode was it neuere To misdo a ded body . by day / neM.18.100: M's ne is not shared by other B manuscripts, most of which read or. Cr has nor. by niȝte The gree ȝyet haþ he geten / for al his grete wounde For ȝyoure champion chiualer / chief knyȝt of ȝyow alle Ȝ...Yelt hym recreaunt rennyng . riȝt at Ihesus wille For byeM.18.104: M's original reading by agreed with Cr12. þis derkenesse y-do . his deþ worth avenged And ȝye lurdeyns han y-lost . for lif shal haue þe maistrye And ȝyoure Fraunchise þat fre was . fallen in hisM.18.106: M's in his is not shared by other B manuscripts, most of which read is in. þraldome And ȝye ch.erles and ȝyoure children / chieue shullen ȝeye neuere . Ne haue lordshipe in londe . ne no londe tilye But .......al bareyne be . and vsurie vsen T...WhichM.18.110: The corrector has made a hole in the parchment by too vigorous erasure. The remains of an initial <T> remain, and Which has been rewritten to the right of the hole. is lif þat oure lord . in alle lawes acurseþ Now ȝyoure goode dayes arn doon . as danyeles propheciesdM.18.111: M's original reading of danyeles prophecies was unattested in other B manuscripts. Whanne crist come ofM.18.112: M's addition of of, inserted subsequent to the erasure of the <e> of come, puts it into agreement with WHmCr1. hire kyngedome . þe croune shulde cesse Cum veneritM.18.113: M's venerit agrees with Cr; other B manuscripts read veniat. sanctus sanctorum tuncM.18.113: M's tunc is shared with Cr; other B manuscripts omit the word. cessabit vnctio vestra What for feere of þis ferly . and of þe false Iewes I drouȝwe — me in þat derkenesse to descendit ad inferna . And þere I sauȝe soþly . secundum scripturas Out of þe weste coste . a wenche as me thouȝte Kam walkynge in þe wey . to helleward she loked Mercy hiȝte þat mayde . a meke þinge with-alle A ful benigne burde . and buxom of speche Hire sustre as it seme.d . cam soþly walkynge Euene out of þe Est . and westward she loked A ful comely creature . truþe she hiȝte . For þe vertue þat hire folwede . aferd was she neuere Whanne þise maydens mette . mercy and truþe Eyþer axed oþer of þis grete truþemerueilleM.18.126: M's original reading truþe, is unattested in other B manuscripts, most of which read wonder. M's altered reading merueille puts M in agreement with Cr. Of þe dyne and of þe derkenesse . and how þe day rowed And w.hiche a liȝt and a leme . lay bifore helle Ich haue ferly i ...of þis fare . in faiþe saide truþe And am wendynge to wyte . what þis won...rder meneþ Haue no merueille quod mercy . murthe it bitokeneþ A mayden þat hatte marie . and modur withoute felynge Of any keynnes creature . conceiued þoruȝ speche And grace of þe holy goost . wex grete with childe Withouten wem . in-to þis world she brouȝt hym . And þat my tale be truwe . I take god to witytnesse Siþ þis barn was borne . ben .xxxtiþretty wyntur passede W.hiche deied and deþ þoled . þis day a-boute midday And þat is cause of þis clips . þat closeþ now þe suonne In menynge þat man shal . from merkenesse be drawen The w.hiche þis liȝt . and þis leem . shal lucifer a-bleende For patriakes and prophetes . han preched here-of often . Þat man shal man saue . þoruȝ a mai...dens helpe . passus xviijus And þat was tynt þoruȝ tree . tree shal it wynne And þat deþ doun brouȝte . deþ shal releue That þou tellest quod truþe . is but a tale of waltrot For Adam and Eue . Abraham and oþer Patriarkes and prophetes þat in peyne liggen . Leue þow neuere þat ȝyon liȝt . hem a-lofte brynge . Ne haue hem oute of helle . holde þi tonge mercy It is but a trifle þat þou tellest . I truþe wot .þe soþe For þat is ones in helle . out comeþ itM.18.152: A gap has been left to avoid damaged parchment. neuere . Iob þe prophete patriarke . reproueþ þi thyM.18.153: M's reading þi thy is unique. As in the previous line the scribe left a gap to avoid damaged parchment. The corrector mistakenly assumed a word had been erased. sawes Quia in inferno nulla est redempcioM.18.154: The scribe wrote around a pre-existing hole. No text has been lost. Thanne mercy ful myldly . mouþed þise wordus Thoruȝ experience quod she . I hope þei shul be saued . For venymM.18.157: Most of the initial letter has been lost through damage. fordoþ venym . and þat I proue by resoun For of alle venymes . foulest is þe scorpioun May no medicyne helpe . þe place þere he styngeþ Til he be ded and do þerto . þe .yuel he destr..uyeth The furste venymoustee . þoruȝ venym of hym-selue So shal þis ...fordoM.18.162: In place of fordo, all other beta manuscripts except Cr1 have deeþ fordo; the alpha reading is deeþ do. . I dar my lif legge Al þat deþ did furste . þoruȝ þe deueles entysynge And riȝt as þoruȝ gile / man was bigiled So shal grace þat bigan . make a goode sleighte Ars vt artem falleret  Now suffre we saide truþe . I se as me þinkeþ Out of þe nyppe of þe North . nouȝt ful fer hennes Riȝtwysnesse come rennynge . reste we þe while For he woot more þan we . he was er we boþe That is soþ saide mercy . and I se heere by southe Where pees comeþ playnge . in pacience cloþingeed Loue haþ coueited hire longe . leue I non other But he sente hire somme lettre . what þis liȝt bymeneþ That ouer-houeþ helle þus . she vs shal telle . Whanne pees in pacience y-cloþud . approched neer hem tweyne Riȝtwisnesse hire reuerenced . for hire riche cloþinge And praide pees to telle hire / to what place she wolde An...d in hire gay garnementz whom she grete þouȝte . ¶ My wille is to wende quod she . and welcome hem alle That many day miȝte nouȝt se . for merkenesse of synnnesynne Adam and Eue . and oþer mo in helle Moises and many mo . mercy shul haue And I shal daunce þerto . do .þow so sust..er For Ihesus iusted wel . ioye bygynneþ dawe . Ad vesperum demorabitur fletus & ad matutinum leticia Loue þat is my lemman . suche lettres me sente That mercy my sust..er and I . mankynde shulde saue And þat god haþ forȝeuen . and graunted me pees and mercy To be mann.es mainpernour . for euere-more after Lo here þe patente quod M.18.191-192: The scribe has written around a hole in the parchment. No text was lost. pees . In pace inidipsumin idipsum . And þat dede shal dure Dormiam & requiescam . What rauestow quod riȝtwisnesse . or þou art riȝt dron...ke Leueste þow þat ȝyond liȝt . vnlouke miȝte helle . And saue mann.es soule . suster wene it neuere At þe bygynnynge . god ȝyaf þe doome hym-selue. . That Adam and Eue . and alle þat hem suwed Shulde deiȝe doun-riȝt . and dwelle in pyne after If þat þei touched a tree . and þe fruyt eten Adam aftur-ward . aȝeins his defence Freet of þat fruyt . and forsooke as it were The loue of oure lord . and his loore boþe And folwed þat þe feend tauȝte . and his felawes wille Aȝeins reson and riȝtwisnesse . recorde þus with truþe That hire payne be perpetuele . and no praiere hem helpe For-þi late hem chewe as þei chese . and chide we nouȝt sustres . For it is booteles bale / þe bite þat þei eten Nota bene And I shal preue quod pees . hire payne moo.t haue ende And wo in-to wele motM.18.209: The addition of <t> brings M into agreement with F. Most B manuscripts have the verb mowe. . weende at þe laste For hadde þei wiste of no wo . / wele hadde þei not knowen For no wiȝt woot what wele is . þat neuere wo suffred . Ne what is hoot hungur . þat neuere hadde defaute If no niȝt nere . no man as I leue Shulde wite witturly . what day is to mene Shulde neuere riȝt riche man . þat lyueþ in reste and ese W.yte what wo is . ne were þe deþ of kynde So god þat bigan al . of his goode wille By-cam man of a mayde . mankynde to saue And suffred to be solde . toM.18.219: M's to is shared with Cr1; other B manuscripts have to se. þe sorwe of deynge  ¶ The wuche vnknytteþ al cor cor xius passus xviijus The w....hich vnknitteþ alle care . and comsynge is of reste For til Modicum mete with vs . I may it wel auowe Wh...oot no wiȝt as I wene . what is yno..wgh to mene nota bene For-þi god of his goodnesse . þe furste gome Adam Sette hym in solace and in soueraigne murtheM.18.224: An extra minim has been deleted from the <m> of murthe. And sith he suffred hym synne . sorwe to fele To wyte what wele was . kyndlich to knowe it. And aftur god ..auent.ured hym-self . and took Adames kynde To wyte what he haþ suffred . in þre sundry places Boþe in heuene and in erthe . and now to helle he þinkeþ To wite what alle wo is . þat woot of al ioye So it shal fare by þis folk . hire foly . and hire synne Shal lere hem what langour is . and l.isse withouten ende Woot no wiȝt what werre is . þere þat pees regne.þ Ne what is witturly wele . til w....eylaway hym teche Thanne was þere a wiȝt . with two broode eiȝen # de Iuramento Boke Book highte þat beupere . a bold man of speche By godes body quod þis book . I wol bere witytnesse That þo þis barn was y-born . þere blased a sterre That alle þe wise of þis world . in on wit a-corden That suche a barn was y-born . in Bethleem Citee . That mann.es soule shuld saue . and synne destroye And alle þe elementes quod þe book . here-of bereþ witytnesse Þat he was god þat al wrouȝte . þe walkene furst shewede Tho þat weren in heuene . token Stella com..ataM.18.244: The revised spelling comata brings M into line with most B manuscripts; WHmCr23G have cometa. And tendeden hire as a torche . to reuerencen his burþe The liȝt folwed þe lord in-to þe lowe erþe That water witytnessed . þat he was god . for he wente on it Petur þapostoille / parceiued his gate And as he wente on þe water . wel hym knewe and saide Iube me venire ad te super aquas And lo how þe suonne gan louke . hire liȝt in hire-selue Whanne she seigh hym suffre . þat suonne & see made The erthe for heuynesse . þat he wolde suffre Quaked as quik þing . and al by-quasshet þe roche Loo helle miȝte nouȝt holde . but opened þo god þolede And leet out symondes sones . to seen hym hange on rode And now shal lucifer leue it . þouȝ hym loth þinke For gigas þe geaunt . wiþ a gynne engyned  M j To breke and bto bete a-doun . þat ben aȝeins Ihesus And I book wol be brent . but Ihesus rise to lyue In alle miȝtes of man . and his modur gladye . And conforten al his kyn . and out of care bringe And alle þe Iewen ioye / vnioynen and vnlouken And but ȝif þei ...?...reuerensenM.18.264: The original was probably reuersen, the reading of WCr1. The alteration brings M into line with the other B manuscripts. his rode  and his Resurectioun And bileue on a newe lawe . be lost lif and soule . Suffre we saide truþe . I here and se boþe How a spirit spekeþ to helle and bit vnspere þe ȝyates . Attollite portas & cetera A vois loude in þat liȝt . to lucifer cryeth Princes of þis place . vnpynneþ and vnlouketh For here comeþ with croune . þat kynge is of glorie Than siked Sathan . and saide to hem alle Suche a liȝt aȝeins oure leue . lazar it fette Care and combraunce . is comen to vs alle If þis kyng come In . mankynde wol he fecche And lede it þere hym likeþ . and liȝthliche me bynde Patriarkes and prophetes . han parled here-of longe Þat suche a lord and a liȝt . shulde lede hem alle henn.es Lusteneþ quod Lucifer . for I this lord knowe Boþe þis lord and þis liȝt . is longe a-go I knewe hym . May no deþ hym dere . ne no feendusM.18.281: In place of feendus all other B manuscripts except Cr1 have deueles. ....coyntise And where he wol is his way . ac war hym of þe perilles If he reue me my riȝt . he robbeþ me be maistrie For by riȝt and by resoun . þo renkes þat ben here Body and soule ben myne . boþe gode and ille . For him-self sayde . þat sire is of heuene If Adam ete þe . appul al sholde deiȝe And dwelle with vs deueles . þis þretynge he made And he þat sothnesse is . saide þise word.es And sithen I seised . seuen hundre wynt.er I leue þat lawe nil nouȝt . leuenM.18.291: M's leuen agrees with Cr; other B manuscripts read lete. hym þe leeste . That is soth saide Sathan . but I me soore drede For þow hemM.18.293: All other B manuscripts place hem after gete. gete with gile . and his gardyn breke And in semblaunce of a serpent sat vp-on þe appultree And eg......gedestM.18.295: The original reading was perhaps eggest as in GYC. hem to ete . Eue by hire-selue . And toldest hire a tale . of tresoun were þe wordes . passus xviijus And so þow haddest hem out . and hider at þe laste It is nouȝt graythely geten . þere gile is þe Roote For god wol not be bygiled . quod goblyn ne be-iaped . We haue no truwe title to hem . for þoruȝ treson weren þei dampned Certes I drede me quod þe deuel . lest truþe wol hem fecche This þritty wynter as I wene . he hath goonM.18.302: M shares the syntax he hath goon only with Cr. and preched I haue assailled hym with synne . and somme-tyme .y-asked Wher he were god or godes sone . he ....yafM.18.304: The alteration to yaf brings M into line with WOC2BF; other B manuscripts have alliterating gaf. me short answere And þus haþ he trolled forth . þise two and þretty wynter And whan I seiȝe it was so . slepyngeM.18.306: The erasure of the <s> brings M into agreement with WHmCr1. I wente To warne pilatus wif . what done man was Ihesus For Iewes hateden hym . and han don hym to deþe . I wolde haue lengthed his lif . for I leued ȝiyf he deiȝed That his soule wolde suffre . no synne in his sighte . For þe body whil it on bones ȝyede . aboute was euere . To saue men from synne . if hem-selue wolde . And now I se where a soule . comeþ hiderward seillynge With glorie and with grete liȝt . god it is I woot wel I rede we flee quod he . faste / alle hennus . For vs were bettre nouȝt be . þanne — byden his siȝte . For þi lesynges lucifer . lost is al oure praye Furste þoruȝ þe . we fellen from heuene so heiȝghee For we leued þi lesynges . ylo-lore we haue Adam . And al oure lordshipe I leue . a lond and on watre . Nunc princeps huius mundi eicietur foras . Efte þe liȝt bad vnlouke . and lucifer answerede What lord art þou . quod lucifer quis est iste Rex glorie þe liȝt soone saide And lord of miȝt and of mayn . and alle manere vertues Dominu.s virtutum . Dukes of þis dym place . anoon vndo þeM.18.327: M's þe agrres with Cr1; other B manuscripts read þise. .yates Þat crist may come inyneM.18.328: Original inne has been altered to yn by erasure of the first and last letters and the alteration of <n> to <y>. / þe kyngessonkynges sone of heuenenM.18.328-330: These lines were omitted through eye-skip on yates. M.18.328 is written in the blank line separating paragraphs. The next two were written at the bottom of the page. The correct placement of the lines is indicated with red carets. All three are in a different ink but in the main hand and were later altered in the usual fashion. No other B manuscripts share this omission. And with þat breþ / helle brake with beliales barres For any wye or warde / wyde opene þe ȝyates Patriakes and prophetes . Populus in tenebris Songen seint Iohannes songe Ecce agnus dei Lucifer loke ne miȝte . so liȝt hym ablente And þo þat oure lord loued . in-to his liȝt he lauȝte And saide to sathan . lo here my soule to amendes For alle synneful soules . to saue þat ben worthy Myne þay be and of me . I may þe bet.. hem clayme Al-þouȝ reson recorde . and riȝt of my-sel..ue That if þei ete þe appul . alle / shulde deȝye . I bihiȝte hem nouȝt here . helle for euere For þe dede þat þei d.ide þi desceyte it made With gile þou hem gete . aȝyein alle resoun . For in my paleis paradys . in persone of an eddre Falsliche þou fecchedest þere . þing þat I louede # deceptionem demonis in Forma lizard Thus I...ylikeM.18.345: The original scribe has corrected his initial spelling with <I> to <y>, and the corrector has subsequently deleted <-e>. a lusard . with a lady visage Thefliche þou me robbedest . þe olde lawe graunteth That gilours be bigiled . and þat is good resoun Dentem pro dente . & oculum pro oculo . Ergo soule shal soule quyte . and synne to synne wende And al þat man haþ misdo . I man wol amende Membre for membre . be þolde lawe was amendes And lif for lif also . and by þat lawe I clayme it Adam and alle his issue . at my wille her.-aftur And þat deþ in hem fordede . my deth shal releue And boþe quykene and quyte . þat queynt was þoruȝ synne . And þat grace gile destruye . good feiþ it askeþ So leue IthowM.18.357: In its original reading I, M agreed with WHmCrGYOC2CB. It shares the alteration of I to thow with G. LRF have it. nouȝt lucifer aȝyein þe lawe I fecche hem . But bi riȝt and by resoun . ranceome hereM.18.358: M's original reading without here was shared by GC2. my liges Non veni soluere legem sed ad implere Þow fettest myne . in my place . aȝyeins alle resoun Falsliche and felounliche . good faith me it tauȝte To recouere hem byM.18.362: M's by agrees with Cr; other B manuscripts have þoruȝ. raunceoun . and by no resoun elles So þat þoruȝ gile þou gete . þoruȝ grace it is y-wonnen Thow lucifer in likkenesse . of a luther addre Getteste by gile . þo þat god louede And I in likkenesse of a leode . þat lord am of heuene Graciousliche þi gile haue quyt . go gile aȝyein gile And as Adam and alle þoruȝ a tre deȝyeden Adam & alle þoruȝ a tree . shul tourne aȝyein to lyue And gile is bigiled . and in his gile fallen . Et cecidit in foueam quam fecit . Now bigynneþ þi gile . agein þe to torne And my grace groweM.18.373: M's growe agrees with Cr1; other B manuscripts have to growe. ay grettere and gretterwidderM.18.373: M's original reading of gretter agreed with RF. The bitternesse þat þow hast browe . brouke it þi-seluen That art doctour of deeþ . drynke þat þou madeste For I þat am lord of lif . loue is my drynke And for þat drynke to-day . I deiȝyed vpon erþe I fauȝt so me þresteþ ȝyit . for mann.es soule sake passus xviijus de passione May no drynke me moiste . ne my þurste slake Til þe vendage falle . in þe vale of Iosoaphat . That I drynke riȝt ripe mMuste . Resurectio mortuorum . And þanne shal I come as a kynge . crowned with angeles And haue out of helle . alle mennues soules nota lucifer Fendes .and fendkyns . bifore me shul stande And be at my biddinge . where-so-euere me likeþ And to be merciable to man . þanne my kynde it askeþ For we been breþeren of blood . but nouȝt ofM.18.387: M's of agrees with Cr; other B manuscripts have in. baptesme alle Ac alle þat ben myn hole breþeren . in blood and in baptesme Shul nouȝt be dampned to þe deþ . þat is with-outen ende Tibi soli peccaui & cetera It is not vsed in erþe . to hangen a feloun Ofter þan ones . þouȝ he were a tretour And ȝif þe kynge of þat kyngedome come in þat tyme ThereM.18.394-397: It looks as though the scribe had initially written M.18.397 following M.18.393, through eyeskip on There (394, 397) compounded by confusion resulting from repetition of 393b in 396b and 395b in 398a. Erasing all but the first word of 394, he has overwritten the erasure with the remainder of that line and copied 395-397 in the margin. The lines were later altered. ...?...?...þe feloun thole sholde deth oþerM.18.394: M's oþer agrees with Cr; other B manuscripts have or ooþer. elles M.18.394: M's elles is shared with Cr. Other B manuscripts read Iuwise or wise. Lawe wolde he ȝyaf hym lif / if he loked on hym And I þat am kyng of kynges . shal come such a tyme Þere doom to þe deþ / dampneth alle weikkede And if lawe wol I loke on hem . it lieþ in my grace Whether þei deiȝye or deiȝye nouȝt . for þat þei d.iden ille Be it any þinge abouteM.18.400: In place of aboute all other B manuscripts read abouȝt. . þe boldnesse of hire synnes I do mercy þoruȝ riȝtwisnesse . and alle my word.es trewe And þouȝ holy writt wil þat I be wroke . of hem þat d.iden ille Nullum malum impunitum & cetera Thei shul be clensed clerliche and whwasshen of hire synnes In my prison purgatorie . til ...?... h...?...parce it hote And my mercy shal be shewed . to many of my breþeren . For blood may suffre blood . boþe hungry and a-cale Ac blood may not se blood . blede but hym rewe Audiui archana verba que non licet homini loqui # quia Iusticia in misericordiam vertetur Ac my riȝtwisnesse and riȝt shul reulen alle helle And mercy al mankynde . bifore me in heuene . For I were an vnkynde kyng . but I my kynde helpe And nameliche at suche a nede . þere nedes helpe bihoueþ Non intres in iudicium cum seruo tuo . Thus bi lawe quod þisM.18.415: M's þis agrees with Cr; other B manuscripts have oure. lord . lede I wol from henn.es Tho þat me louede and leued in my comynge And for þi lesynge lucifer . þat þou leighe til Eue Thow shalt abye it bittre . and bond hym wiþ cheynes Astarooth and al þe route . hidden hem in hernes Thei dorste not loke on oure lord . þe boldest of hem alle . But leten hym lede forþ what hym liked . & lete what hym leste . Many hundred of angeles . harpeden and songen Culpat caro p....urgat caro . regnat deus dei caro . Than piped pees . of poesye a note Clarior est solito post maxima nebula phebus post inimciciasinim[i]cicias & cetera After sharpe shour..es quod pees . moost shene is þe suonne Is no weder warmer . þan after wattri cloudes . Ne no loue leuer . ne leuere frendes Thanne — after werre and wo . whan loue & pees ben maistres Was neuere werre in þis wo...rld . ne wikkednesse so kene . That ne —M.18.431: M's original reading agreed with WHmCr23GYOC2L. The alteration in M brings it into agreement with Cr1CBF. loue and hym liste . to lawghynge ne brouȝte And pees þoruȝ pacience . alle perilles stoppedþM.18.432: M's original stopped agreed with most B manuscripts. The alteration brings M into agreement with WF. Trewes quod truþe . þow tellest vs sooth by Ihesus Clippe we in couenaunt . and ich of vs kisse other And lete no poeple quod pees parceyue þat we chide For impossible is noþing . to hym þat al isis al-miȝtyM.18.436: M's original reading agreed with F. Thow saiste soth saideM.18.437: M's reading of saide agrees with L; all other B manuscripts have quod. riȝtwisnesse . and reuerentliche hire kiste Pees and pees here Per secula seculorum # Iusticia & pax Osculati sunt Misericordia & veritas obuiauerunt sibi . iusticia & pax osculate sunt Truþe trompede þo . and song Te deum laudamus And þanne l.....ewted loue in a lo....wdM.18.441: M's altered reading agrees with all B manuscripts except C, which reads lowe, and F, which reads luddere. note Ecce quam bonum & quam iocundum & cetera . Til þe day dawed þise damoisells daunced That men rongen to þe resurexion . and riȝt with þat I waked And called kitte my wif . and kalot my douȝter Ariseþ and reuerenceþ quod IM.18.446: M's addition of quod I is unattested in other B manuscripts. . godes resureccioun . And krepeþ to þe crosse on knees . and kisseþ it for a Iuwel For goddes blessed body . it bar for oure boote And it afereþ þe feend . for suche is þe miȝte May no grisly goost . glyde þere it shadeweþ. . cor Passus xixusdecimus nonus t Thus I walkedM.19.1: M's walked agrees with Cr12; other B manuscripts have some form of (a)waked. and wroot . what I hadde dremed . And diȝte me derelyche . and dide me to churche To here holly þe masse . and to ben houseled after In myddes of þe masse . þo men wente to þeM.19.4: M's þe is not shared by other B manuscripts. offrynge I felle efte-soones a-slepe . and sodeinly me mette That piers þe plowman . was painted al blody And come Inne with a cros . bifore þe comune p.eple And riȝt like in alle lymes . to oure lord Ihesu . passus xixus Than called I conscience . to kenne me þe soþe Is þis Ihesus þe Iuster quod I . þat Iewes d.id to dethe Or it is piers þe ploweman . who painted hym so rede nota Quod connscience and kneled þo . þise arn piers armes His colours and his cote armure . ac he þat comeþ so blody Is crist with his crosse . conquerour of cristene # quare Cristus magis quam Ihesus X Why calle ȝye hym crist quod I . sith Iewes callen ...?...hym Ihesus Patriarkes and prophetes prophecied bifore That alle kynne creatures . shulden knelen and bowen . A-noon as men nompned . þe heiȝe name ofM.19.18: M's reading heiȝe name of is shared with Cr. Most other B manuscripts have name of god. Ihesu . Ergo is no name . to þe name of Ihesus Ne noon so nedful to noempne . by nyȝt andM.19.20: M's and is not shared by other B manuscripts, most of which read ne. by day.e For alle derke deueles . arn a-dredde — to here it And synneful arn solaced . and saued by þeatM.19.22: M's original reading þe is not shared with other B manuscripts. name . And ȝye callen hym crist . for what cause telleþ me . Is crist more of miȝt . and more worthy name Þanne — Ihesu or Ihesus . þat al oure ioye come of Thow knowest wel quod connscience . and þow kuonne resoun That kniȝth kyng conquerour . may be opersoneo persone To ben called a knyght is fair . for men shul knele to hym To be called a kyng is fairer . for he may knyghtes make Ac to be Conquerour called . þat comeþ of speciale grace And of hardinesse of herte . and of hiendenesse To make lord.es of ladd..es . of lond þat he wynneþ And free men foule þralles . þat folwen not his lawes The Iewes þat were gentil men . Ihesu þei despised Boþe his loore and his lawe . now ar þei lowe cherles As wyde as þe world is . woneth þere noon ...?...ther-InneM.19.36: This addition brings M into agreement with Cr. But vndur tribute and t.aillage . as tikes and cherles And þo þat bicome cristene by conseille of þe bapteme Arn Fraunkeleins free men . þoruȝ fullynge þat þei toke . And gentil men with Ihesu . for Ihesus was y-fulled And vpon caluery on cros . y-crouned kynge of Iewes . It bicomeþ to a kepe and to deffendekyng . to kepe and to deffende And Conquerour of conqueste his lawes and his large And so duide Ihesus þe Iewes . he iustified and tauȝte hem . The lawe of lif . þat laste shal euere . iiij And fended from foule yueles . feueres and fluxes And from feendes þat in hem were . and false bileue Tho was he Ihesus of Iewes called . gentileeM.19.48: The erasure of the <e> and its replacement suggest confusion on the corrector's part whether the word was gentil or gentile. prophete And kyng of kyngdome . and croune bare of þornes And þo conquered he on crosse . as conquerour noble Miȝte no deþ hym for-do . ne a-doun bringe That he naroos and regned . and rauysshed helle And þo was he Conquerour called . of quik and of dede For he ȝyaf Adam and Eue . and oþur mo blisse Þat longe hadden leyn biforn . as luciferes cherles And sith he ȝ..eyaf largely . alle his lele liges Places in paradys . at hire partynge henn.es He may wel be called conquerour . and þat is crist .to mene Ac þe cause þat he comeþ þus with cros of þeM.19.59: M's reading þe is shared with Cr1; other B manuscripts read his or omit. passioun Is to wissen vs þere-with . þat whanne þat we ben tempted Þere-with to fiȝte and fenden vs from fallynge in-to synne And se by his sorwe . þat whoso loueth ioye # quia necesse est penitenciam agere To penaunce and to poue.rte he moste pute hym-seluen And muche wo in þis world . willen and suffren Ac forM.19.65: M's reading for is shared with Cr; other B manuscripts omit the word. to car.pe moore of crist . and how he come . to þat name Faithly for to speke . his furste name was Ihesus Þo he was born in Bedleem . as þe book ......telleþ . And cam to take mankynde . kynges and angeles Reuerenced hym faire . with richesse of ...this ertheM.19.69: M's alteration to this agrees with Cr. Other B manuscripts do not have the word. Angeles out of heuene comen . knelynge and songe Gloria in excelsis deo . & cetera . Kynges comen ......after . kneled and offred Mirre an muche gold . withouten ..... goldmede —M.19.73: The erased words appear to be muche gold, repeated from the a-verse. M's alteration to mede agrees with Cr. Most B manuscripts read mercy. askynge Or any kynnes catel . but knowelicheM.19.74: M's reading knoweliche is shared with Cr1; other B manuscripts have the present participle or the past tense. ..hym soueraigne Boþe of sonde / suonne and see . and sithenes þei wenten In-to hire kengene kithe . by conseill of angeles . And þere was þat word fulfuylled . the w..hehich þow of speke Omnia celestia terrestria flectantur in hoc nomine Ihesu . For alle þe angeles of heuene / at his burþe kneled And al þe wit of þe world . was in þo þre kynges Reson and riȝtwisnesse . and ruthe þei offred Wherfore and whi . wise men þat tyme passus xixus Maistres and lettred men . Magi hem called bene loquitur That oon kyng come with resoun . couered vndur sence The secounde kyng soþely sitthenM.19.85: M's soþely sitthen agrees with Cr; other B manuscripts reverse the order. offredehe offredeM.19.85: The alteration of offrede to he offrede brings M into agreement with CrBF. Riȝtwisnesse vndur reedM.19.86: the second letter is unclear, and the word might as easily be transcribed roed. goold . resones felawe # discripcionem trium Munerum Gold is likkened to leaute . þat laste shal euere And reson to riche gold . to riȝt and to truþe The þridde kyn.g þo come . knelynge to Ihesu And presented hym with pitee . appieringe to myrre For myrre is mercy to mene . and mylde speche of tonge . Thre yliche honeste þinges . were offred þus at ones Thoruȝ þre kynne kynges . knelynge to Ihesus Ac for alle þise preciouse presentes . oure lord Prince Ihesus Was neither kyng ne Conquerour til he gan to wexe In þe manere of a man . and þat by muche sleighte As it bycomeþ a Conquerour . to kunne many sleightes And many wiles and wit . þat wol ben a leder . And so dide Ihesus in his dayes . whoso hadde tyme to telle it Somme-tyme he suffred . and somme-tyme he hidde hym And somme-tyme he fauȝte faste . and fleighe oþere-while And somme-tyme he gaf godeod and graunted hele boþe Lif and lyme . as hym luste he wrouȝte . As kynde is of a Conquerour . so comsed Ihesu Til he hadde alle hem . þat he fore bledde In his Iuuente þis Ihesus . at Iewene feeste Water in-to wyn tourned . as holy writte telleþ . And þere bigan god . of his grace to dowel For wyn is likkened to lawe . and lif of holynesse And lawe lakked þo . for men loueden not hire enemys . And crist conseilleth þus . and comaundeth boþe Boþe to leered and to lewed . to louye oure enemys So at þe feste furste . as I bifore saideM.19.113: M's saide agrees with Cr; other B manuscripts have tolde. Bigan god of his grace . and goodnesse to dowell And þo was he clepud and called . nouȝt / ...oonlyM.19.115: M's altered reading agrees with CrF and is also a C text reading. Most B manuscripts read holy. crist but Ihesu # bene A faunt fyn ful of wit . filius marie . BiforeM.19.117: M's Bifore agrees with Cr; most B manuscripts have For bifore. his modur Marie . made he þat wondur That she furste and formeste . ferme sholde bileue That he þo..ruȝ grace was gete . and of no gomme elles . dixit & facta sunt He wrouȝte þat by no wit . but byM.19.120: M's by agrees with Cr; other B manuscripts except have þoruȝ. word one . After þe kynde þat he ca..m of . þer comsed ...?...he to dowelM.19.121: B manuscripts other than CrC2 omit to, and M has rewritten the phrase perhaps to include it. And whan he was waxen more . in his modur absence He made lame to lepe . and ȝaf liȝt to blynde And fedde with two Fisshes . and with fyue loues Sore afyngred folk mo þan fyue þousand . Thus he conforted carefull . and cauȝte a gretter name The w....hich was do-bet . w...here þat he wente For deue þoruȝ his doynges to here . and dombe to speke he made And alle he heled and halpe . þat hym of grace asked And þo was he called in cuontre of þe comune p.eple For þe dedes þat he d.ide . Fili dauid Ihesus For dauyd was douȝtiest . of dedes in his tyme . The burdes þo songen . Saul interfecit mille . & Dauid decem milia For-þi þe cuontree þer Ihesu cam . called hym Fili dauid . And nempned hym of Nazareth . and no man so worthy To be kaiser or kynge . of þe kyngedome of Iuda Ne ouere Iewes Iustice . as Ihesus was hem þouȝte Whereof Cayphas hadde ..enuye . and oþ...ere of þe Iewes And for to doon hym to deþ . day and niȝt þei kasten Kulleden him on cros-wyse . at Caluarie on Fryday And sithen burieden his body . and beden þat men sholde Kepen it from nyȝtcomers . with knyȝtes y-armed . For no freendes shulde hym fecche . for prophetes hem too..lde Þat þat blessud body . of burieles shulde arise . And goon into Galilee . and gladen his appostoles And his moder Marie . þus men bifore demed . The knyȝtes þat kepten it . byknewe h.itM.19.147: The scribe perhaps began by omitting it as in F and C manuscripts. hem-seluen Þat angeles and archangeles . er þe day spronge Comen knelynge to þe corps . and songen Cristus resurgens . Verray man bifore hem alle . and forth with hem he ȝyede The Iewes prayden pees . and bisouȝten þe kniȝtes Telle þe comune þat þere cam . a compaignye of hise appostoeles And biwiccheden hem as þei wook . and away stolen it . Ac Marie Magdaleyne . mette hym by þe weye Goynge toward Galilee . in godhede and manhede And lyues & lokynge . and she a-loude cryede In .eche a companye þere she cam . Cristus resurgens Thus cam it out . þat crist ouere-cam . recouered and lyuede passus xixus Sic oportet Cristum pati . & intrare & cetera . # women kepe no Cowncell For þat þat wymmen witeth . may not wel be conseille Peter parceyued þisM.19.161: M's þis agrees with Cr; other B manuscripts have al þis. . and pursuwed after Boþe Iames and Iohan . Ihesu for to seche Thaddee and ten mo . with Thomas of Inde And as alle þise wyse wyes . weren to-gedres In an hous al bishette . and hire dore y-barred Crist cam in and al closed . boþe dore & ȝayates To petur and to hise appostoles . and seide Pax vobis . And took Thomas by þe hand . and tauȝte hym to grope And fele with hise fyngres . his flesshliche herte Thomas touched it . and with hise tonge seyde Deus meus & dominus meus . Thow art my lord I byleue . god lord Ihesu Þow deiedest and deþ þol...edest . and deme shalt vs alle And now arte lyuynge and lokynge . and laste shalte euere . Crist carpede þanne . and curteisliche saide . Thomas for þow trowest þis . and truwliche bileueste it Blessud moote þow be . and be shalt for euere . And blessed mote þei alle be . in body and in soule Þat neuere shul se me in sighte . as þow doost nowþe And lelliche beleuen al þis . I loue hem and blesse hem . allM.19.180: The addition of all in a late hand is unattested in other B manuscripts. Beati qui non viderunt & cetera . And whan þis dede was I-doon . dobest he tauȝte . And ȝyaf piers power . and pardon he graunted To alle manere men . mercy and forȝiyifnesse ...Hym myȝt men —M.19.185: Most B manuscripts here read men. The deletion of the word brings M into agreement with WCrOF. to assoillen . of alle manere synnes In couenant þat þei come . and kneweliche to paie To piers pardoun þe ploweman . redde quod debes Th.us haþ piers power . ..beM.19.188: M's altered reading be agrees with HmCrGYOCBmL. WC2BoCot read by; F reads for. his pardon y-paiede To bynde and vnbynde . boþe here & elles-where And assoille men of alle . synnes saue of dette oone Anon after an heȝyghe . vp in-to heuene He wente and woneþ þere . and wol come atte laste And rewarde hym riȝt wel . þat reddeditit — quod debestM.19.193: M's original reading of debes agreed with F. . Paieth parfitliche as . pure trwthe wolde And what persone paiþ it nouȝt . punysshen he þinkeþ And demen hem at domes-day . boþe quyke and dede The goode to þe godhed . and to grete ioye And w.ikked to wonye . in wo with-outen ende Thus conscience of crist . and of þe cros carped And conseilled me to knele þerto . and þanne cam me þouȝte Oon Spiritus paraclitus . to piers and to hise felawes In likknesse of a liȝtnynge . he liȝte on hem alle And made hem kuonne and knowe . alle kynne lan.gages I won. —dred what þat was . and wagged conscience And was a-ferd of þe liȝt . for in fires likkenesse Spiritus paraclitus . ouerspradde hem halle Quod conscience and kneled . þis is cristes messager And comeþ from þe grete god . and grace is his name Knele now quod conscience . and if þou kanst synge Welcome hym and worshipe hym . with Veni creator spiritus Thanne songe I þat songe . and so deideM.19.211: This is a very clear instance of how the corrector has both changed the main vowel and added a final <-e>. many hundred And cryeden with conscience . helpe vs god of grace And þanne bigan grace . to go with Piers plowman And counseilled hym and conscience . þe comune to sompne For I wol dele to-day . and diuyde grace . To alle kynne creatures . þat han hire f.yue wittes Tresour to l.yue by . to hire lyues ende And w...apynM.19.218: The altered spelling wapyn is not a London but a northern form; see Jordan, para. 49, remark 2. Compare the spelling wepne at M.19.226. There are no variants at this point. to fiȝte with . þat wol neuere faille For antecrist and hise . al þe world shul greue And acombre þe conscience . but if crist helpeM.19.220: M's helpe agrees with Cr; other B manuscripts have þee helpe. And false ...?...prophetes fele . flatereres and gloseres Shullun come and be curatours . ouere kynges and Erles And pride shal be pope . prince of holy churche Couetyse and vnkyndenesse . cardynales hym to lede For-þi quod grace er I go . I wol .yeueM.19.225: The rewritten <y> of yeue probably conceals a <ȝ>, though other B manuscripts have alliterating gyue. ȝyow tresour And wepne to fiȝte withe . whan antecrist ȝyow assaileth And ...yaf ..ech man a grace . to guye with heym-seluen Þat idelnesse encombre hym nouȝt . enuye ne pride # Gyftis off grace Diuisiones graciarum sunt & cetera . SomeM.19.230: The <S> of Some is unusually ornate. he ȝyaf wit . with word.es to shewe  passus xixus Wit to wynne hire liflode with . as þe world askeþ . As prechours and pre.....estus and prentices of lawe They lelly to l.yue . by labour of tonge . And by witte to wissen oþ...ere . as ....grace hem wolde teche . And somme he kenned crafte . and konnynge of siȝte With sellynge and biggynge . hire liflode to wynne And somme he lered to laboure . a lele lif and a trwe And somme he tauȝte to tilye . to diche and to þecche . To wynne with hire liflode . by loore of his techynge SommeM.19.240: M's Somme agrees with Cr; other B manuscripts have And some. to dyuyne .and toM.19.240: M's to is not shared by other B manuscripts. dyuyde . nombres to kenne And somme to compa..sse craf..tily . and colours to make And somme to see and to seie . what sholde bifalle Boþe of wele and of wo . telle it er it felle . As astronomyens þoruȝthorgh astronomye . and philosophres wise And somme to ride and to recoueren . þat vnriȝtfuly was wonnen . He wissed hem wynnen it aȝein . þoruȝ w..yȝtnesse of handes . # Folviles lawes And fecchen it withfromM.19.247: Here and in the following line the scribe anticipates the b-verse. false men . with folviles lawes . And somme he lered in longyngto lyue . in longynge to ben henn.es In pouerte and in penaunce . to praye for alle cristene And alle he lered to be lele . and .eche a crafte loue oþure And forbad hem alle debat . þat noon were amonge hem . Thouȝ somme be clenner þanne — somme . ȝye se wel quod grace That he þat vseth þe fairest crafte . to þe fouleste I kouþe haue put hym Þenkeþ alle quod grace . þat grace comeþ of my ȝyifte . Looke þat noon laklelak[k]e oþur . but loueþ alle as breþeren . And who þat moost maistries kan . be myldest of berynge And crouneþ conscience kyng . and makeþ cr...eaft ȝyowre styward And after craftes conseille . clotheþ ȝyow and fede For I make Piers þe plowman . my procuratour and my reue And Registrour to resceiue . Redde quod debes My prowor and my plowman . piers shal ben on erþe And for to tilie truþe . a teme shal he haue . A New plouh Grace gaf piers a teme . foure grete oxen X Tha.t oon was Luc . a large beeste . and a lowe chered And Mark and Mathewe þe þridde . myghty beestes boþe And ioigned to hem oon . Ion . moste gentile of alle The pris neet of piers plowe . passynge alle oþ.ere And grace ȝgaf piers ....alsoM.19.268: M's altered reading also is not attested in other manuscripts of B or C, which read of his. The correcting hand is unfamiliar. . goode.....M.19.268: M's goode is not shared by other manuscripts of B or C, which read goodnesse, which is presumably M's original reading. foure stottes . Al þat his oxen eryed . þei to harwe it after Oon hiȝte Austyn . and Ambrose a-noþer Gregori þe grete clerk . and Ierome þe goode Thise foure þe faithe to teche . folweth piers teme And harwed in an hande-whyle . alle hollyy scripture With two harwes þat þei hadde . an nolde and a newe virtutes Cardinales Id est vetus testamentum & nouum And gr.ace gaf greynes . þe cardynales vertues And suwen it in mannues soule . and siþen he toolde hire names . Spiritus prudencie . þe furste seed hiȝte And whoso eteþM.19.279: M's eteþ agrees with Cr. Other B manuscripts have ete. þat . ymagynen he sh.olde Er he .....dide any dede . dyuyse wel þe ende . And .....lernedM.19.281: For M's altered lerned HmG have lered and C2 has lerneth. men a ladel bigge . with a longe stele That caste for to kepe a crokke . to saue þe fatte a-bouen The secunde seed hiȝte . Spiritus temperancie He þat ete of þat seed . had suche a kynde Shulde neuere mete ne muchel drynke . make hym to swelle . Ne shulde no scorner ne scolde . out of skyle hym bringe Ne wynnynge ne welthe . of w.....orldly richesse Waste aM.19.288: M's added a is not shared by other B manuscripts. worde of ydelnesse . ne wikked speche moeue Shuld no curyous cloth . comen on his rugge Master Iohan spisyd Ne no mete in his mouthe . þat maistre Iohan spiced The thridde seed þat piers sewe . was Spiritus fortitudinis . And whoso ete of þat seed . hardy was euere To suffre al þat god sente . sekenesse orM.19.293: M's or agrees with Cr; other B manuscripts have and. angres Miȝte no lesynges ne liere . ne losse of worldly catel Maken hym for any mournynge . þat he nas murie in soule And bold and abydynge . bismers to suffre And pleieþ al wiþ pacience . and Parce michi domine . And couered hym vndur . counseill . of catoun þe wyse Esto forti animo . cum sis dampnatus inique The ferþe seed þat piers sewe . was Spiritus iusticie And he þat ete of þat seed . shulde be euere trwe With god and nouȝt agast . but of gile oone For gile goþ so priuely . þat gode faith oþur-while May not ben aspied . for spiritus Iusticie  Spiritus Iusticie . spareþ nouȝt to spille  passus xixus ¶ Hem þat ben gulty . and for to correcte . The kynge if he falle . in gulte or in trespas For counteþ he no kynges wrathe . whan he in courte sitteþ To demen as a doomes man . a-dred was he neuere . Neither of Duc ne of deth . þat he ne deide lawe For present or for praiersM.19.311: M's praiers agrees with Cr; other B manuscripts have the singular. . or any princes lettres He dide equite to alle . euene-forth his power Thise foure sedes piers s.ewe . and sith he d.ide hem harwe With olde lawe and newe lawe . þat loue miȝte wexe A-monge þe vertuesfoure vertues . and vices destroye For comunlich in contrees . cammokes and wedes . Fouleþ þe fruyt in þe feelde . þere þei growe to-geydres . And so doon vices . vertues worthy . Quod piers harweþ alle þat kuonneþM.19.319: The word originally read kuuereþ. The <u> was converted to an <o>. There is an erased er abbrevation curl above the <u> which is converted to a macron. kynde wit . by counseill of þise doctours . And tylieþ after hire techynge . þe cardinale vertues Aȝyeins þi greynes quod grace . gynneþ for to ripe Ordeigne þe an hous quod piers . to herberwe Inne þi cornes By god grace quod piers . ȝye moten ȝyeue tymbreer And ordeigne þat hous . er ȝye henn.es weende . And grace ȝyaf hym þe cros . with þe crownne of þornes That crist vpon caluarye . for mankynde on pyned And of his baptesme and blood . þat he he — bledde on Rode He made a manere Morter . and mercy hit hiȝte And þere-with grace bigan . to make a good foundement And walled it and wattledeM.19.330: M's wallede ... wattlede agrees with Cr; other B manuscripts reverse the order. it . with his paynes and hisM.19.330: M's original reading without this word agreed with Hm. passioun And of al holy wryt . he made a roof after And called þat hous Vnite . holychurche on yenglissh And whan þis dede was doone . grace dyuysed peers sheves A carte hiȝte cristendome . to carien piers sheues And gaf hym caples to his carte . contricioun and confessioun And made preesthode hayward . whil hym-sel..f wente As wyde as þe world is . with piers to tylie truþe . Now is piers to þe plow . and pryde it aspiede And gadred hym a grete oost . to greuen ..þink.þhe thinketh Conscience and alle cristene . and cardynale vertues Blowe hem doun and breke hem . and bite a-two þe mores ¶ And sente forth surquydous . his sergeaunt of armes And his spye spille-loue . oon speke .yuel byhynde Thise two comen to conscience . and to cristen p.eple And toolden hym tydynges . þat tyne þei shulde þe seedes That piers þere hadde y-sowen . þe Cardynale vertues And piers berne worth y-broke . and þei þat ben in vnitee Shul come out and conscience . and ȝyowre two caples Confessioun and contricioun . and ȝyoure carte þe bileue Shal be coloured so queyntly . and couered vnder oure sophistrye /nota/ That conscience shal not . knowe by contricion Ne by confessioun . who is cristen neM.19.352: M's ne agrees with Cr; other B manuscripts have or. hethen Ne no manere Marchaund . þat with money deleeth Wher he wynne with riȝt . with wronge or with vsure With suche colours and coueityseM.19.355: M's reading coueityse is shared with Cr1; most other B manuscripts read queyntise. : comeþ pride y-armed With þe lord þat liueþ : aftur þe luste of his body . To wasten on welfare . and on wikked kepynge Al þe world in a while . þoruȝ oure wit quod pride . Quod conscience to alle cristen þo . my counseill is to wende Hastlych in-to vnite . and holde we vs þere . And pray we þat a pees were . in piers berne þe plowman For witturly I woot wel . we beth not of streng....the To goon aȝyein pride . but grace were with vs . And þanne cam kynde wit . conscience to teche And cryde and comaunded . alle cristen p.eple For to deluen a dyche . / depe a-boute vnite That holychurche stood in vnitee . as it a p...ile were Conscience comaunded þo . alle cristene to delue And make a muche moot . þat miȝte ben a strengh..the To helpe holichurche . and hem þat it kepeþ Thanne alkynne cristene . saue comune wymmen Repenteden and refuseden synne . saue þei oone And false men flaterers . vsurers and þeues Lyers and questmongers . þat weren forsworne ofte Wytynge and willfully . with þe false helden . And for siluer were forswore . soþely þei wiste it . Ther nas no cristene creature . þat kynde wit hadde saue sherewes one . such passus xixus ¶ Saue sherewes one . suche as I spake of . That he ne halpe a quantite . holynesse to wexe Somme þoruȝ bedes biddynge . and somme þoruȝ pilgrymage And oþer pryue peinesM.19.381: M's peines agrees with Cr; other B manuscripts except have penaunce(s). . and somme þoruȝ penyes delynge . And þanne welled water . for wikked werkes Egrelyche ernynge . out of menn.es eighen Clennesse of þe comune . and clerkes clene lyuynge Made vnite holychurche . in holynesse to ston.de I care nouȝt quod conscience . þouȝ pryde come nouþe The lord of luste shal be letted . al þis lente I hope Comeþ quod conscience : ȝye cristene ȝe cristene —— and dyneþ That han laboured lelly . al þis lenten tyme . Here is bred y-blessud . and goddes body þere-vndur Grace þoruȝ godes word . gaf piers power Mightes to maken it . and men to eten itM.19.392: M's original reading without it agreed with Y. aftur In helpe of hire hele . oones in a monthe Or as ofte as þei hadden nede . þo þat hadden y-payed . To piers pardon þe plowman . Redde quod debes How quod al þe comune . þou conseillest vs to ȝyelde Al þat we owen any wight . er we go to housel . That is my conseille quod conscience . and cardynalesM.19.398: M's cardynales is not shared by other B manuscripts, which read cardinale. See M.19.413, 417. At M.19.276, however, most B manuscripts share this form, which is a French plural. vertues That .eche aM.19.399: M's altered reading ech a is shared with Hm. Other B manuscripts have ech. man forȝyeue oþur . and þat wol þe pater-noster Et dimitte nobis debita nostra & cetera . And so to ben assoilled . and sithenM.19.401: M's sithen agrees with Cr; other B manuscripts have sithen (to) ben. y-houseled M.19.402: A later hand has drawn a line between the verse paragraphs.ȜYe bawe quod a brewer . I wil nouȝt be ruled By Ihesu for al ȝyoure iangelynge . wiþ Spiritus iusticie Ne after conscience by crist . whil I can selle Boþe dregges and draf . and drawe it at oon hole Þikke ale and þinne ale . for þat is my kynde And nouȝt hakke aftur holynesse . holde þi tonge conscience Of Spiritus iusticie þow spekest muche on ydel Caytif quod conscience . cursede wrecche Vnblessed artow . Brewer . but ifM.19.410: M alone among B manuscripts lacks the object pronoun þe in this b-verse. Most B manuscripts attest it after if, F after god. god helpe . But þow l..iue by lore . of spiritus iusticie The chief seed þat piers sewe . y-saued worstow neuer But conscience þe comune fede . and cardynalesM.19.413: M's cardynales is not shared by other B manuscripts, which read cardinale See M.19.398, 417. vertues Leue it wel þei ben lost . boþe lif and soule . # lewed vicare Thanne is many a man y-lost . quod a lewed vicory AndI —M.19.416: M's original And was not attested in other B manuscripts, most of which read I. Cr reads That. am a c.uratour of holykyrke . and cam neuere in my tyme Man to me þat me coude telle . of cardynalesM.19.417: M's cardynales is not shared by other B manuscripts, which read cardinale. See M.19.398, 413. vertues Or þat acounted conscience . at a kokkes fether or an hennes . I knewe neuer cardynal . þat he ne cam from þe pope And we clerkes whanne þei comen . for hire comunes paieth . For hire peluresM.19.421: M's pelures agrees with Cr; other B manuscripts have the singular. and hire palfrayesmetepalfrayes mete . and pilours þat hem folweþ . The comune clamat cotidie . iech a man to other The con. —tre is þe curseder . þat Cardynales come Inne And þere þei ligge and lenge . moost. leccherye þere regneth For-þi quod þis vicory . by verray god I wolde Þat no cardynal come . amonge þe comune p.eple But in hire holynesse . holden hem stille At Auynoun amonge þe Iewes . Cum sancto sanctus eris & cetera Or in Rome as hire Rule wole . þe relikes to kepe And þou conscience in kynges courte . & shuldest neuere come þennes And grace þat þou gredest so of . gyour of alle clerkes And piers with h..is newe plow . and eke with his olde Emperour of al þe world . þat alle men were cristene Inparfit is þat pope . þat al þe p.eple shulde helpe And seendeth hem þat sleeth suche . as he shulde saue And wel worth piers þe plowman . þat pursueþ god in doynge Qui pluit super iustos & iniustos attonesatt ones . And sent þe sonne to saue . a cursed mannus tilþe . As briȝte as to þe beste man . and to þe beste womman . Right so Piers þe plowman . peyneþ hym to til...ye As wel for a wastour . and wenches of þe stwes As for hym-self and his seruauntz . saue he is furste y-serued . And trauailleþ and tilieþ . for a tretour al so soore . As for a trwe tydye man . alle tymes y-like . And worsheped be he þat wrouȝte al . boþe goode and wykke And suffreþ þat synneful be . til somme-tyme þat þei repente # contra talem papam And god amende þe pope . þat pileþ holy kyrke . passus xixus And cleymeþ byfore þe kynge . to be kepere ouere cristene And counteþ nouȝt þouȝ cristen ben . kulled and robbede And fynte folke to fiȝte . and cristen blood to spille Aȝyein þolde lawe and newe lawe . as Luc þere-of w.ytnesseþ Non occides michi vindictam & cetera . It semeþ by so . hym-self hadde his wille . Þat he ne reccheþ riȝt nouȝt . of al þe rem...?...enaunte And crist of his curtesye . þe Cardinales saue . And tourne hire witte to wysdome . and to wele of soule For þe Comune quod þis curatour . counten ful litel . The counseille of conscience . or ofM.19.458: M's original reading of cardinale vertues agreed with F. Other B manuscripts read or cardinale vertues. cardinale vertues But if þei seie as by sighte . suomwhat to wynnynge Of gyle ne of gabbynge . gif þey neuere tale For Spiritus prudencie . amonge þe p.eple is gyle And alle þo f....oule vices . as vertuesM.19.462: M's altered form of foule vices as vertues agrees with Cr. Other B manuscripts read faire vertues as vices, but M's original reading seems to have been faire vices as vertues. þai semede Eche man sotileþ a sleighte . s.ynnnes.ynne for to hide And coloureþ it for a konynge . and a clene lyuynge Thanne lough þere a lord . and by þis liȝt . saide I holde it riȝt and reson . of my reue to take Al þat myn Auditour . or ellus my styward Counseilleth me by hire acounte . and my clerkes wrytynge With Spiritus intellectus . þei seke þe reues Rolles And with spiritus fortitudinis . fecche it I wole nota And þanne come þere a kynge . and by his crowne sayde . I am a kynge with croune . þe Comune to rule And holy kyrke and clergy . from cursed men to defende And if me lakkeþ to lyue by . þe lawe wil I take it . There I may hastlokest it haue . for I am hed of lawe For ȝye ben but membres . and I abouen alle And sith I am ȝyoure aller hed . I am ȝyoure aller hele . And holy church.es chief helpe . and chieftayn of þe comune And what I take of ȝyow two . I take it ofM.19.479: M's of agrees with Cr; other B manuscripts read at. þe techinge Of Spiritus iusticie . for I iugge ȝyowe alle So may IM.19.481: M's may I agrees with Cr; other B manuscripts reverse the order. boldlich ben houseled . for I borwe neuere . Ne craue of my Comune . but as my kynde askeþ  N .ij. In condicion quod conscience . þat þow kuonne deffende .. & rule þy reaume andbyM.19.484: M's altered reading by agrees with HmCrO. Most B manuscripts read in. reson . riȝt wel and in truþe Take þou may in resoun . as þi lawe askeþ . Omnia tua sunt ad defendendum  set non ad depredandum . The viker hadde fer hoom . .. & faire took his leue And I awaked þere-with . and wroot as me thouȝtemette .M.19.488: M's original thouȝte is not attested in other B manuscripts, though it is in three C manuscripts. passus xxus et primus de dobeste Passus xxusvicesimusM.20.0: The guide to the rubricator in the left margin has been erased, though passus xxus et primus de dobeste is still legible under ultra-violet. t THanne as I wente by þe wey . whan I was þus awaked Heuy chered I ȝyede . and elenge in herte I ne wiste where to ete . ne at what place And it neiȝed neiȝe þe noon . and with nede I mette . That afrounted me foule . and faitour me called Kanstow nouȝt excuse the . as dede þe kynge and oþere That þow took to þi bylyliueM.20.7: The reading of a number of manuscripts, including Cr, is bileue, yet it seems clear that it is a <y> and not an <e> that has been erased here. . to cloþes and to sustenaunce As by techinge and by tellynge . of spiritus temperancie . And þow nome nomoreno more . þanne — nede þe tauȝte And nede haþ no lawe . ne neuere shal falle in dette For þre þinges he takeþ . his lif for to saue That is mete whanne men hym werneth . and he no moneye weldeþ . Ne wight noon wol ben his borwe . ne wedde — haþ non to legge And he cauȝte in þat cas . and come þerto by sleightesM.20.14: M's sleightes agrees with Cr; other B manuscripts except have the singular. He synneþ nouȝt sothely . þat so wynneþ his fode And þouȝ he camM.20.16: M shares the reading cam with Cr; other B manuscripts have come or comeþ. so to a cloþe . and kan..ne no bettre cheuysaunce . Nede a-noon riȝt . nymeþ him vnder maymprise And if hym lust for to lape . þe lawe of kynde wolde That he dronke at .eche aM.10.19: M's altered reading agrees with YC2. As at M.19.399, the added a is written over the erased <-e>. diche er he for th......urste deye..de So nede at grete nede . may nymen as for his owene With-outen conseille of conscience . ...orM.20.21: M's original reading, concealed by the revision or, is likely to have been and, shared with G. cardynale vertues So þat he suwe and saue . Spiritus temperancie For is no vertue by fer . to Spiritus temperancie Neyther Spiritus iusticie . ne Spiritus fortitudinis For Spiritus fortitudinis . forfeteþ ful ofte He shal do more þan mesure . many tyme and ofte And bete men ouer bittre . and somme of hem to lytul And greueth men gretter . þanne — go.od faith it wolde And Spiritus iusticie . shal iuggen wol he nel he . passus xxus After þe kynges conseille . and þe Comune like And Spiritus prudencie . in many a point shal faille Of þat he weneþ wolde falle . if his wit ne were Wenynge is no wysdome . ne wyses ymagynacioun Homo proponit deus disponit . and gouerneþ alle goode vertues Ac nede is nexte hym . for a-non he meketh hymM.20.35: M's addition of hym brings it into agreement with Cr. And as lowe as a lombe . for lakkyng of þat hym nedeþ Wise men forsooke wele . for þei wolde be nedy . And woneden in wildernesse . and wolden not be ryche And god al his grete ioye . goostly he lefte And cam and took mankynde . and bycome nedy So nedy he was as seith þe book . in many sondry places . That he saide in his sorwe . on þe selue Roode Boþe fox and fo....wl . may flee . andM.20.43: M's syntax agrees with Cr; other B manuscripts supply and before crepe rather than before to. to hole crepe And þe Fissh haþ fynne . to flete with to reste There nede haþ ynome me . þat I moot nede abide And suffre sorwes ful soure . þat shul to ioy tourne For-þi be nouȝt abasshed . to byde and to be nedy Sith he þat wrouȝte al þe world . was willefulliche nedy . Ne neuere noon so nedy . ne porere deyde . Whanne nede hadde vndurnome meM.20.50: M's original reading without me agreed with OR. þus . a-noon I fell on slepe And mette ful merueillousliche . þat in mann.es ..kkenesseformeM.20.51: M's original reading must have been likkenesse (for the spelling cf. 19.202, 205), a reading not shared by any B or C manuscripts. Antecriste cam þanne . and al þe crop of treuþe . Turned it vpso-doun . and ouer-tilte þe Roote And fals springe and sprede . and spede mennus nedes In .eche a countre þere he cam . he kutte a-way treuþeM.20.55: The text of a-way treuþe is damaged as a result of staining and/or erasure. And gerte gile growe þere . as he a god were Freres folwed þat fende . ...?...?...for he gaf hem copesM.20.57: Presumably the erasure is the anticipated b-verse of M.20.58. There are no variants at this point. And religiouse reuerenced hym . and rongen hire belles And al þe couent forþ cam . to welcome þat tyraunt And alle hise as wel as hym . saue onelyche fooles W..hiche foles were wel leuere . to deye þanne — to lyue Lengere . sith lenton . was so rebuked And a fals feend antecrist . ouer alle folk regned . And þat were mylde men and holy . þat no meschief dredden . Deffieden alle falsnesse . and folke þat it vsed . And what kyng þat hem conforted . knowynge hem any while Thei cursed and hire counseille . were it clerk or lewede Antecrist hadde þus soone . hundredes at his baner And pride it bar . boldely aboute . With a lord þat lyueth after . þeM.20.70: M's þe agrees with Cr; other B manuscripts omit the word. likynge of his body That cam aȝein conscience . þat keper was and gyour Ouer kynde Cristene . and cardynale vertues I counseille quod conscienceM.20.73: M's conscience agrees with Cr; other B manuscripts follow the word with þo or ye. . comeþ with me foolesM.20.73: M's fooles agrees with Cr; other B manuscripts read ye/you fooles. In-to vnite hollyy churche . and holde we vs þere And crye we to kynde . þat he come and defende vs Fooles from þise feendes lymes . for Piers loue þe plowman And crye we to al þe comune . þat þei come to vnite And þere abyde and bykere a.yein . Beliales children Kynde conscience þo herde . and com out of þe planetes And sente forth his Forreours . feueres and fluxes Koughes and cardiacles . crampes and tothaches Rewmes and radegoundes . and roynouse scalles Biles and bocches . and bren.nynge agues Frensyes and foule .yueles . foragers of kynde Hadde y-prikked and prayed . polles of þe p.eple That largeliche a legion . loren hire lif aftersooneM.20.86: M's original reading after was not attested in other B manuscripts. There was harrow and helpe . here comeþ kynde With deth þat is dredful . to vndoon vs alle The lord þat lyued aftur lust . tho aloud cryde After confort a kniȝt . to come and bere his baner Alarme alarme quod þat lord . .eche lif kepe his owne And þanne mette þise men . hireorM.20.92: M's original reading hire, as in the next line, is paralleled by Cr's their. Other B manuscripts have er. This is a rare example of M moving away from a Cr reading, but the revising hand is crude and late. See also the note to M.20.101. mynstrales myȝte pipe And hireorM.20.93: M's original reading hire is shared with Cot (also corrected) and paralleled by Cr's their. See note to previous line. Other B manuscripts have er. heraudes of armes . had descryued lord.es . Elde þe hore he was . in þe vauntwarde And bar þe baner bifore deþ . by riȝt he it cleymed . Kynde cam after . with many kene soores As pokkes and pestilences . and muche p.eple shente So kynde þoruȝ corupciouns . kulled ful manye . passus xxus Deth cam dryuynge after . and al to dust passhed Kynges and kaysers . knyghtesM.20.100: M's kaysers knyghtes agrees with Cr; other B manuscripts reverse the order. . and popes Lered ne lewede . he ne —M.20.101: In erasing ne M again departs from a Cr reading. Cf. notes to M.20.92-93. leet no man stonde That he hit euene . þat euere stoodM.20.102: M's stood agrees with Cr; other B manuscripts have stired. aftur Many a louely lady . and lemmans of knyghtes Swoneden and sweltenM.20.104: M's swelten agrees with Cr1; other B manuscripts have the past tense. . for sorwe of deþes dyntes Conscience of his curtesye . to kynde he bisouȝte To cesse and suffre . and se where þei wolde Leue pride priuely . and be parfite cristene And kynde cessed þo . to se þe p.eple amende Fortune gan flateren þanne . þo fewe þat weren alyue And by-highte hem longe lif . and leccherye he sente Amonges alle manere men . wedded and vnwedded . & gadred a grete hoost : al again conscience This leccherye leide on . with a laughynge chiere And with aM.20.114: Only MCr read a. pryue speche . and peintede wordus And armed hym in ydelnesse . and in heighe berynge He bar a bowe in his hand . and many blody arrwes Weren fetherde wiþ faire biheste . and many a fals treuþe Wiþ his vntydy tales . he tened ful ofte Conscience and his compaignye . of holy churche þe techers Thanne come coueitise . and caste how he miȝte Ouercome conscience . and cardynale vertues And armede hym in auarice . and hungriliche lyuede . His wep..ene was al wyles . to wynnen and to hiden With glosynges and with gabbynges . he giled þe p.eple . Symonye him sente . to assaille conscience And preched to þe p.eple . and prelates þei madenM.20.126: All B manuscripts except MCr read hem maden. To holden with antecrist . hire temperaltees to sauen And come to þe kynges conseill . as a kene baroun And kneled to conscience . in court afore hem alle And garte goode feithe flee . and fals to abide And boldliche bar adoun . with many a bright noble Muche of þe wit and wisdome . of westmuynstre halle He iugged til a Iustice . and iusted in his ere cor M.20.134: The decoration to the left of the first letter resembles a paraph, but is presumably not intended as one.And ouertilte al his .......treuthe . with take þis vp amendement And to þe arches in haste . he ȝyede anoon aft.er And turned cyuyle in-to symonye . and sith he took þe officiale # the mantell off Mynever For a man.ytel of Menyuer . he made lele matrimoigne Departen er deth cam . and diuorse shapte Allas quod conscience þoM.20.139: M's þo agrees with Cr; other B manuscripts have and cryde þo. . wolde crist of his grace That coueityse were aM.20.140: Only MCr read a. cristene . þat is so kene fiȝtherM.20.140: M's reading of fiȝther agrees with G. All other B manuscripts read a fightere, except for RF which read to fiȝte. And bolde and bidynge . while his bagge lasteþ . And þanne loughe lif . and leet dagge hise cloþes . And armed hym in haste . in harlotes wordes And h.eld holynesse a iape . and heendnesse a wastour And leet leautee a cherle . and lyer a freman Conscience and counseille . he counted it a foly Thus relyed lyf . for a litel fortune And priked forth with pride . praised he no vertue He careþ nouȝt how kynde slowe . and shal come at þe laste And kulle alle erþely creaturesM.20.150: M's original reading creature agreed with YLR. All other B manuscripts attest the plural. . saue conscience oone . Lyf l...eep a-side . and cauȝteM.20.151: M shares the reading cauȝte with Cr1; other B manuscripts have lauȝte. hym a lemman . Hele and I quod he . and heynesse of herte Shal do þe nouȝt drede . neyther deþ ne elde And tor forȝete deþM.20.154: M shares the reading deþ only with Cr1. Other B manuscripts read sorwe. . and ...yeue nouȝt of synne This liked lif . and his lemman fortune And geten in hire glorie . a gadlynge at þe ..laste Oon þat muche wo wrouȝte . slewþe was his name Slewþe wexe ...?...wounn—durM.20.158: The correction was orginally written woundur and has been corrected a second time. ȝyerne . and soone was of age And wedded on wanhope . a wenche of þe stewes . Hire sire was a Sisour / þat neuere swor treuþe # Tom twotonge Oon thomme twotonge . atteinte ofM.20.161: M shares the reading of with Cr1; other B manuscripts have at; F reads in. .eche a queste . This sleuþe was war of werre . and a slynge made mordonM.20.163: See Introduction, I.11 "Provenance." And þrewe drede of despair . a dozeyne myle a-boute For care conscience þo . cryed vpon elde And bade hym fonde to fiȝte . and afere wanhope . And ....elde hente gode hope . and hastliche he shifte hym . passus xxus And wayued a-way wanne—hope . and with lif he fiȝteth And lif fleighe for feere . to phisyke aftur helpe And bysouȝte hym of his socour . and of his salue hadde . And gaf hym gold good woon . þat gladed his herte And þei geuen hym agayn . a glasen howue Lyf leued þat lechecrafte . lette shuolde elde # contra phisicos And dryuen awey deth . with Dyas and dragges  And elde auntered hym on lyf . and at þe laste he huytte A phisicien with a furred hood . þat he fel in þeM.20.175: M's original reading was shared by O. M's addition of þe brings it into agreement with CrYC2CB. Others have a. pallesye And þere deied þat doctour . er three daies after Now I see saide lif . þat surgienrye ne phisike May nouȝt a myte auaille . to medle aȝyein elde And in hope of his hele . good herte he hente And rood so to Reuel . a ryche place and a murye The compaignye of confort . men cleped it suom-tyme And elde ananoon after me . and ouer myn hed ȝyede And made me balled by-fore . and bare on þe crouvne So harde he ȝede ouer myn hed . it wol be seene euere Sire .yuele y-tauȝt Elde quod I . vnhiende go wiþ þe Siþ whanne was þe weye . ouer menn.es hedes X Haddest þow ben hende quod I . þow woldest haue asked leue ȜeYe leue lordeyn quod he . and layde on me with age And huytte me vnder þe .eere . vnnethe may ich heere He buffeted me a-boute þe mouthe . and beet out my ....eteth And gyued me in goutes . I may not goo at large And of þe wo þat I was ynne . .my wyf hadde reuthe And whisshede ful wityt.erly . þat I were in heuene For þe lyme þat she loued me fore . and leef was to feele On nyȝtes namely . whan we naked were I ne myȝte in no manere . maken it at hire wille So Elde and she soþly . hadden it forbeten .. —M.20.197: M's original reading was probably close to that of Cr, which has had beaten it. The alteration brings M into agreement with most B manuscripts. And as I sat in þis sorwe . I seighe kynde passed And deþ drouȝe neere me . for drede gan I quake And cryde to k.ynde . out of care me brynge Loo Elde þe hoore . haþ me by-seiȝye . A-wreke me if ȝyowre wille be . for I wolde ben henn..es If þow wolte been y-wroken . weende in-to vnitee And holde þe þere euere / til I seende for þe And loke þow konne somme crafte . er þow come þennes . Counseille me kynde quod I . what crafte is beste to lerne Lerne to loue quod kynde . and leue of alle oþur How shal .I. come to catel so . to cloþe me and to —M.20.208: The erasure of to brings M into agreement with HmGF. fede . And þow loue lelly quod he . lakke shal þe neuere Mete ne worldly wede . whil þi lif lasteth . And þere by conseille of kynde . I comsed to rome Thoruȝ contricioun and confessioun . til I come to vnite . And þere was conscience Conestable . cristene to saue And biseged soþly with seuen grete gyauntes That with Antecrist helden . harde aȝyein conscience Slewþe wasM.20.216: M's was agrees with Cr; other B manuscripts have wiþ. his slynge . and anM.20.216: M's original reading of and without an agreed with Cr1,3YCBoR. The other B manuscripts read an but no others have and an. harde assaut made Proude preestes come with hym . mo þan a þousand In paltokes and piked shoes . and pissers longe knyues Comen aȝyein conscience . with coueityse þei h.elden # the prest off Irlond By marie quod a mansed preest . of þe marche of Irlond I counte namore conscience . by so I cacche siluer Thanne — I do to drynke . a draughte of gode ale . And so saiden sixty . of þe same countre And shoten aȝyein with sho..et . many a shef of othes And broode hoked arwes . godes herte and his nailes And haddene almoost vnyte . and holynesse a-downe Conscience cryed helpe clergye . orellesor elles I falle Thoruȝ inparfite preestes . and prelates of holy churche bene vales consciencia Freres herden hym crye . and comen hym to helpen Ac for þei koude nouȝt wel hire crafte . conscience forsook hem . Nede neighed þo neer . and conscience he toolde That þey come for coueityse . to haue cure of soules passus xxus And for þei arn pouere parauenture . for patrimoigne hem failledM.20.233: M alone among B manuscripts attests the past tense of the verb. Other B manuscripts attest the present. # TheiM.20.234: M's Thei agrees with Cr; other B manuscripts have They wol. flatere to fare wel . folk þat ben riche And sithe þei chosen chele . and cheitif pouerte . Lat hem chewe as þei chosen . and charge hem with no cure . .id est. sepiusM.20.237: This gloss on lomer also appears in L. For lomer he lyeþ . þat liflode moot begge # Thanne — he þat laboureþ for liflode . and leueþ it beggers And sith Freres forsooke . þe felicitee of þeM.20.239: M's original reading þe was also attested in CrG. erþe . Lat hem be as beggers . or lyue by angeles foode . Conscience of þis conseille þo . comsed to laughe And curteislich conforted hem . and called in alle Freres . And saide sires soþly . welcome be ȝye alle To vnite and holychurche . ac oþingeo þinge I ȝyow praie Holdeþ ȝyow in vnite . and haueþ noon enuye To lered ne to lewed . but lyueth aftur ȝyoure rule And I wol be ȝyowre borwe . ȝye shul haue breed .. & clothes And oþere necessaries y-nowe . ȝyow shal no þinge faille With þat ȝye leue logyke . and l.erneþ toM.20.249: M's to agrees with Cr; other B manuscripts have for to. lo...uye For loue lafteM.20.250: It is possible that lafte has been altered from loste, the reading of CrBmCot. þei lordshipe . boþe lond and scole Frere Fraunceys . and Domynyk . for loue to ben holy And if ȝye coueiteþ cure . kynde wil ȝyow teche That in mesure god made . alle manere þinges And sette it at a certein . and at a siker nombre And nempned names newe . and nombred þe sterres Qui numerat multitudinem stellarum . & omnibus eis & cetera . Kynges and knyghtes . þat kepen and defenden Han officers vnder hem . and .ech of hem aM.20.258: M's original reading without a was shared by CrGYC2CLR. certeyn And if þei wage men to werre . þei wryte hem in nombre WolOr þei wilM.20.260: M's revised reading Or þei wil is shared only with Cr. Most B manuscripts have Wol, which was M's original reading, but F has Ellys will and B has And þerfore wollen. no tresour hem paye . trauaille þei neuere so soore Alle oþur in bataille . ben holden bribours Pilours and pikehernois . in eche a place a-cursed Monkes and monyales . and alle men of Religioun Hire ordre and hire rule woldeM.20.264: M's wolde agrees with Cr; other B manuscripts have wole or wel. . to han a certein nombre Of lered and of lewed . þe lawe wol and axeth . A certein for a certein . saue oonly of freres . For-þi quod conscience by crist . kynde wit me telleþ . It is wikked to wage ȝyow . ȝye wexe out of nombre Heuene haþ euene nombre . and helle is with-oute nombre For-þi I wolde wittuerly . þat ȝye were in þe —M.20.270: The erasure of þe brings M into agreement with O and most C manuscripts. RegistresM.20.270: M's original plural agreed with Cr. And ȝyowre nombre vndur notaries signe . and neither mo ne lasse Enuye herde þis and badM.20.272: The addition of bad brings M into agreement with Cr. Most other B manuscripts read heet. . Freres go to scole And l.erne logyke and lawe . and eke contemplacioun And preche men of plato . and proue it by Seneca That alle þinges vndur heuene . ouȝten to ben in comune And ȝyet he lieþ as I leue . þat to þe lewed so precheþ . For god made menM.20.277: M's men agrees with Cr; other B manuscripts have to men. / a lawe / . and Moyses it tauȝte Non concupisces rem proximi tui . # And .yuele is þis y-holde . in parisshes of Inglonde For persones and parissh preestes . þat shulde þe p.eple shriue Ben curatours called . to knowe and to hele Alle þat ben hire parisshenes . penaunce to enioigne And sholden ben ashamed in hire shrifte . ac shame makeþ hem wende And fleen to þe Freres . as fals folk to westmuynstre Þat borweþ and bereþ þider . and þanne biddeþ freendes ȜYerne of forȝyeuenesse . or lenger ȝyeres loone Ac whil he is in westmuynstre . he wol be bifore And maken hym merie . with oþur mennues goodes And so it fareþ with muche folke . þat to þe Freres shryueþ As sisours and Executours . þei wol ȝyeue þe Freres A parcel to pray for hem . and make hem-selue murye With þe residue and þe rem.enaunt . þat oþer men byswonke And suffre þe dede in dette . to þe day of dome . Enuye herfore . hated conscience . And Freres to philosophye . he fonde hem to scole X The while coueitise and vnkyndnesse . conscience assailled In vnite holy churche . conscience helde hym And made pees porter . to pynne þe ȝyates Of alle tale-tellers . and titerers in ydel Ypocrysye and he . an hard assaut þei made .Ypocrisye at þe ȝyate . harde gan to fighte And wounded wel wikkedly . many wise techeres passus xxus That with conscience acorded . and cardynale vertues Conscience called a leche . þat koude wel shryue GToM.20.305: M's original reading Go agreed with HmCrYOLR; the altered reading agrees with C2CBF; W's To go attests both readings. salue þo þat seke ben . andM.20.305: M's original reading without and agreed with GYOC2CBL. þoruȝ synne y-wounded Shrifte shoop sharpe salue . and made men do penaunce For hire misdedes . þat þei wrouȝte hadden And þat Piers were paied . Redde quod debes Somme liked nouȝt þis leche . and lettres þei senten If any surgyen wh..ere þe segge . þat softer coude plastre # syr leff to live in lecherye Sire lief to lyue in leccherie . lay þere and groned For fastynge of a Fryday . he ferde as he wolde deye There is a surgien in þis .....segge .M.20.313: In place of M's altered reading segge ("man"), all other B manuscripts except Hm have sege ("place"). Confusion was perhaps prompted by M.20.310 above. þat softe kan handle And more of phisik he canM.20.314: M's he can agrees with Cr; other B manuscripts have be fer. F has he can be feer. . & fairer he plastereþ nota Oon Frere flaterer . is phisicien and surgien Quod contricion to conscience . do hym come to vnite For here is many a man . hurte þoruȝ ypocrisie . We haue no nede quod conscience . I woot no bettre leche Thanne person or parissh preest . penitauncer or bisshop .id est. papa Saue Piers þe plowman . þat haþ power ouer hem alle And indulgence .......may do . but if dette lette it I may wel suffre saide conscience . syn ȝye desiren That Frere flaterere be fet . and phisike ȝyow syke The Frere hereof herde . and hiede ful faste To a lord for a lettre . leue to haue to curen As a curatour he were . and cam with hise lettres . Baldly to þe Bisshop . and his brief hadde In countrees þere he come iiynneM.20.328: The first two minims have been corrected by converting them to a <y>. See Introduction III.1. . confessiouns to here And cam þere conscience was . and knokked at þe ȝyate Pees vnpynned it . was porter of vnite And in haste asked . what is wille were I faith quod þis Frere . for profit and for helthe Carpe I wolde with contricioun . and þerfore I come .I.M.20.333: M's original word order agreed with C2Cr. hider He is seek saide pees . and so is many a-noþerM.20.334: M's is many a-noþer agrees with Cr; other B manuscripts have are manye oþer. Ipocrysie haþ hurte hym . ful harde is if he coeuere I am a surgien seyde þe segge . and salues can make Conscience knoweþ me wel . and what I kan do boþe I pray þe quod pees þo . er þow passe ferther What h......ightest /M.20.339: M's altered reading hightest is shared only with Cr. Other B manuscripts have hattest. þow I pray þe . hele nouȝt þiny name Cert..es seide his felawe . sire Penetrans domos ȜeYe go þi gate quod pees . by god for al þi phisik But þow konne somme crafte . þow comest not here-inne I knewe such oon ones . nouȝt eighte wyntreer passed Come in þus ycoped . at a courte where I dwelled And was my lordes leche . and my ladyes boþe And at þe laste þis lymitour . þo my lord was oute He salued so oure wymmen . til some weren with childe Heende speche heet pees . opene þe ȝyates Lat in þe frere and his felawe . and make hem faire chere He may see and here . so it may bifalle That lif þoruȝ his loore . shal leue coueityse And be ...?...adrad of deth . and withdrawe hym from pride And acorde with conscience . and kisse hire either other Thus þoruȝ heende speche . entred þe frere . And come in to conscience . and curtey...?... him gretsely hym grete Thow art welcome quod conscience . kanstthowkanst thow hele þe seke Here is contricioun quod conscience . my cosyn y-wounded Conforte hym quod conscience . and take keep to his soores The plastres of þe person . and poudres biten to soore . He let hem ligge ouer-longe . and loth is to chaungen hem . From lentounenn to lentounennM.20.361: In both instances, the second vowel lentoun has been altered from <o> to <e>. . he let his plastres biten . That is ouer-longe quod þis lymytour . I leue I shal amenden it And gooth and gropeþ contricioun . and gaf hym a plastre Of a pryuie paiement . and I shal praye for ȝyow passus xxus For alle þat ȝye ben holden to . alle — my lif-tyme And make ȝyow my lady . in massesM.20.366: M's masses agrees with Cr; other B manuscripts have the singular. and in matyns As freres of oure fraternite . for a litel siluer Thus he gooth and gadereþ . and gloseþ þere he shryueþ Til contricioun hadde clene forȝyeten . to crye and to wepe And wake for hise werkesM.20.370: M's werkes agrees with Cr; other B manuscripts have wikked werkes. . as he was wont to doone For conforte of his confessour . contricioun he loste That is þe souereigneste salue . for alle kynne synnes Sleuwthe seighe þat . and so d.ide pryde And come with a kene wille . conscience to assaille Conscience cryede efte . and bad clergye helpe hym And also contricioun . for to kepe þe ȝate . He lyth and dremeþ . saide pees  and so do many oþere The Frere with his phisik . þis folk haþ en-chaunted And plastred hem so esely . þei drede no synne . By crist quod conscience þo . I wol bycome a pilgryme And walken as wide . as al þe world lasteth To seke piers þe plowman . þat p...ryde may destruye And þat freres hade a fyndynge . þat for nede flateren And contrepledeth me conscience . now kynde me auenge And sende me hap and hele  til I haue piers þe plowman And sith he gradde after grace . til I gan a-wake Explicit hic dialogus petri plowman M.20.386: This form of explicit occurs also in B manuscripts CC2GLOWY. Penna precor siste  quoniam liber explicit iste M.20.386: The Colophons de manuscrits occidentaux des origines au XVIe siècle (Fribourg, 1965-) lists four other manuscripts, two in Britain, two on the continent, that include this explicit. Explicit iste liber . qui obsecro transeat liberM.20.386: The third explicit, in a different hand, is also found as the first line of the explicit to Gower's Confessio Amantis, as was pointed out to us by George Shuffleton. See Siân Echard, "Last Words: Latin at the End of the Confessio Amantis" in Interstices: Studies in Middle English and Anglo-Latin Texts in Honour of A. G. Rigg, ed. Richard Firth Green and Linne R. Mooney (Toronto, 2004) pp. 99-121. This includes an appendix listing the witnesses to the explicit. It is likely that the scribe of this third explicit in M took the line from a Gower manuscript, and therefore that he had London connections.