The Piers Plowman Electronic Archive, Vol. WHAT?VOLUME: San Marina, CA, Huntington Library, MS 137 (P)William LanglandEdited by Hoyt N. DugganSociety for Early English and Norse Electronic Texts (SEENET) WHAT?PLACE ISBN: WHAT?ISBN

Commercially available:

copyright WHAT?YEAR, by SEENET

WHAT?YEAR Huntington Library, MS 137

early 15th century Source copy consulted: Huntington Library, MS 137

Attribute Values anglicana bastarda italic Lombard Cap ornamented capital, n lines high red rubricated touched in red textura fere textura underlined underlined in red boxed in red blue

 Latin French German Anglo-Norman 29 April 2010 revise headerHoyt N. Duggan Header revised Homo sine pecunia est quasi corpus sine anima A man without money is as a bodie without shoull.P.1.0: The page is cropped and badly rubbed. The transcription of marginalia from this page is owed to Consuelo Dutschke's Guide To Medieval and Renaissance Manuscripts in the Huntington Library (San Marino: Huntington Library, 1989): ???*** Available online at http://sunsite3.berkeley.edu/hehweb/HM137.html.Hic incipit Visio Willelmi de petro ploughman IN asomerea somere seyson  whan softe was þe sonne Y shopshope me in to shrobbis  as yy a shepherde were In Abit as an Ermite  vnholy of werkes IchP.1.4: This spelling appears only here and in P17.199. We initially transcribed this instance as "Ic," but the superscription in addition to the scribe's failure to spell out any forms other than iche ~ i ~ y suggests he intended it as an abbreviation. wente forth in þe worle  wonders to hure And sawe meny cellis  and selcouthe þynges Ac on a · may morwenyng*  on Maluerne hulles Me byfel for to slepe  for weyrynesse of wandryng* And in a launde as ich lay  lenede ich and slepte And Merueylously me mette  as ich may ȝow telle Al þe welþe of þis wordleP.1.10: Wordle, "world." For the forms, see MED, s.v. world n. and LALME 4.86-87. The scribe's more usual form is world(e) (42x). The spelling wordle appears some fifteen times. FINISH THIS ***???  & þe woo boþe Wynkyng* as it were  wyterly ich saw hyt Of tryuþe & of tricherye  of tresountresounn and of gylegyle Al ich saw slepynge  as ich shal ȝow telle Esteward ich byhulde  after þe sonne And sawe a toure as ich trowede  truthe was þer-ynne Westwarde ich waitede · in a wyle after And sawe a deep dale · deþ as ich lyuedeleue Wonede in þo wones · and wyckede spiritus AfairA fair feld fol of folke · fonde ich þer bytwyne Alle manere of men · þe mene & þe ryche Worchynge and wandrynge · as þe worlde askeþ Somme pute hem toto þe plow · and pleiden fol seylde {e overwitten?} In settyng and in sawyng* · swonken ful harde And wonne þat þuse wasters · wit glotenye distryeþ Somme putte hem to pruyde · & parailede hem þer-after In contenuance & inof ~ & in cloþynge · in Meny kynne gyse In praiers & in penauncespenaunce ~ penaunces · putten hem Manye Al for þe loue of oure lorde · lyuendlyuede(n) ful harde In hope to haue a goud ende · & heuene-ryche Blysse As ancres and Eremites · þat holden hem in hure cellys CoueytyngeCoueyten noȝt in contrees · to tarien a-boute For no lykerouse lyflode · hure lykame to plese And somme chosen cheffare · þey cheffede þe betere As hit semieþ to oure syght · þat soche men þryueþ And somme murthes to make · as mynstrals conneþ Þat wollen · neyþer swynke ne swete bote swery grete oþes And fynde vp foule fantesyes · and foles hem maken And hauen witte at wylle · to worche yf þey wolde Þat Paul . prechi.þ of hem · prouen hit ich myghte Qui turpiloquium loquitur · ys lucyfers knaue Bydders and Beggers · faste a-boute ȝoden <d> (?)P.1.42: The added letter is underlined and surrounded by a triangle of points. A doodled letter appears in the bottom left margin. Tyl hure bagge and hure bely · were bred ful ycrammyd a j Faytynge for hure fode · and fouhten atten Ale In glotenye tho gomes · goth þey to bedde And aryseþryseþ wit ribaudrie · tho Roberdes knaues Slep & synful sleuthe · seweþ suche euere Pylgrimis & palmers · plyȝhten hem to-gederes To siche seint Iame · and senyntys of rome Wenten forth in hure way · wit meny vn-wyse taletales And hauen leue to lye · al hure lyf-tyme · Eremytes on an hep · with hokede staues Wenten to Walsyngham · and hure wenches after Grete lobies and longe · & loth were to swynke Cloþede hem in copis · to be knowe fro oþere And made hem-silue Eremytes · hure eise to haue Ich fond þer frerusof Freris · alle þe foure ordres Prechynge þe peple · for profit of þe wombe And glosynge þe godspel · as hem good lykede For couetise of copes · contrariede som doctors Meny of þis maistres · of mendinant freres Hure monye & marchaundise · marchen to-gederes Ac sutth charite hath be chapman · and chef to shryue lordes Many ferlies han fallen · in a fewe ȝeres Bote holy churche & charite · choppe a-doun swich shryuers Þe moste myschif ofon ~ in molde · Mounteþ vp faste Ther preched a pardoner · as he a prest were And broute forþ abulle · with bisshopis seles AndHe ~ nil seide þat hym-selue myȝthe · asoilie hem alle Of falsnesse of fastinges · of vowes to broke Lewede men lyuede hym wel · and likeden hus wordes Comen & kneleden · to kyssen his bulles He blessede hem with hus bulles · and blerede hure eye And raghte with hus rageman · rynges an Broches Thus ȝe ȝeueþ ȝoure golde · glotones to helpe And leneþ it to loreles · þat lecherie haunten Were þe bisshop blessid · eþerand ~ or worth boþe hus eren Hus sele sholde noȝt be sent · in deceit of þe puple Ac it ys noȝt by þe bysshop · þat þe boye precheþ Þe parsheprestparshe prest and þe pardoner · parten þe seluer Þat pooreþe pore puple in parshes · sholde haue yf þei ne were Persones & parsheprestes · pleynede to þe bisshop Þat hure parshen ben poore · sitthe þe pestelence tyme To haue licence & leue · in londone to dwelle And synge þer for symonye · þe wylewhile seluer ys swete Bisshopes and bachilers · boþe maisters and doctors Þat han cure vnder cryst · and crownynge in tokne Ben chargid wit holy churche · charyte to tulie Þat is leel loue and lif · a-mong* lered and lewed Thei leyen in londene · in lentene and elles Somme seruen þe kynge · and hus seluer tellen In þe chekkere and þe chauncelrie · chalengynge hus dettes Of wardes & of wardemotes · wayues and strayues Somme aren as seneschals · and seruen oþere lordes And ben in stede of stywardes · and sitten & demen Concience cam & acusede hem · and þe comune herde hit* And seide ydolatrie ȝe soffren · in sondrye places menye And boxes ben yset forþ · bounden with yre To vnder-take þe tool · of vntrewe sacrifice In menynge of miracles · muche wex hongeþ þere Al þe wordle wot wel · hit myȝte nat be trywe Ac for it profitiþ ȝow to porswarde · ȝe prelates soffren Þat lewede men in mysbylyue · leuen & deien Ich lyueleue wel · by oure lorde · for loue of ȝoure couetyse Þat al þe woldeworldwo[r]lde be þe wors · as holy wryȝt telleþ What cheste & meschaunce · to children of israel Ful on hem þat free were · þorwe two false preestes For þe synne of ophin ·Offines synne · and of finéésfines · hus brother Þei were disconfit in bataille and losten Archa . deiP.1.108: It is odd that dei was not also rubricated and written in textura, but it does not appear to have been added after initial copying. And fore hure syre sauh hem syngen · and soffrede hem don ille And noȝt chasted hem þer-of · and wolde noȝt rebuke hem A-non as it was ytoldtolde hyme · þat þe children of israel Weren disconfit in bataille and Archa dei . ylorelorn And hus sones slayen · anon he ful for sorwe Fro hus chaire þare he sat · and brak hus necke a-tweyne And al was for veniaunce · þat he butP.1.115: but, "beat, punished." noȝt hus children And for þey were preestes · and men of holychurche God was wel þe wroþer · and tok þe raþere veniaunce For þeiForthy ich seȝe ȝe preestes and men of holychurche Þat soffren men do sacrifice · and worshepen Maumettes And ȝe sholde be here fadres · and techen hem betere God shal take veniaunce · inon alle swiche preestes Wel harder and grettere · on suche shrewede faderes Þan euere he dude on ophin · and finéés · or in here fader For ȝoure shrewede suffraunce · and ȝoure owene synne Ȝoure masse & ȝoure matynes and meny of ȝoure houres Aren don vndeuotlich* · drede ys at þe laste Leste crist in hus constorie · of ȝow · a-corse menye Ich parceuede of þe power · þat peter . hadde to kepe a ij To bynden and vnbynden · as þe boke telleþ How hehe it lostelefte witP.1.130: wit, "with." loue · as oure lorde wolde Amonges foure vertues · most vertuose of vertues That cardinales ben callid · and closynde ȝates Ther crist is in kyngdome · to closye with heuene Ac of þe cardinales at court · þat chautcaught han such* a name An power presumen in hem-self · a pope to make To haue þe power þat peter . hadde · repugnenimpugne (hem) ich nelle For in loue and in letterure · lith þe grete eleccion Countrepleide it noȝt quahtP.1.38: quaht, quath. See the linguistic description at ???***. Conscience . for holy churches sake Þanne cam þer akynga kyng* · knyȝt-hod hym ladde The meche myȝte of þe men · made hym to regne And þanne cam a kyndekynde witte · & clerkus he made And conscienceConscience & kynde wit · and knyȝt-hod to-gederes Caste þat þe comune · sholde hure comunes fynde Kyndewit & þe comune · contreuede alle craftes And for most profytable to þe puple · a plouh þei gonne make Wit leel labour to lyue · wyl lyue and londe lasteth Than kynde wit to þe kyng · and to þe comune seide Crist kep þe kyng* · and þy kynryche And lyuelene þe lede so þy lonede · þat leaute þe louye And for þy ryȝtful ruelyng* · be rewardid in heuene Conscience · to cleregie · and to þe kyng saide Sum rex sum princeps · venturumneutrum fortasse deinceps O qui iura regis · ChristiThe scribe uses the brevigraph derived from Greek Chi and rho to represent the stem Christ-, but here takes it to reflect the letter combination <Ch>.??? specialia regis Hoc vt agas melius · iustus & esto pius Nudum ius a te · vestiri vult pietate Qualia vis metere · talia grana sere Si seritur pietas · de pietate metas Conscience . and þe kyng* · in-to þe court wenten Wer houede an hondred · in houes of silke · Seriauntes hijit semede · þat seruen atte þe barre To plede for penyes · and poundes þe lawe And nat for oure lordes loueloue of oure lord · vnlose hure lyppe ones Þow myȝtmyghtest betbetre mete þe myst · on maluerne hulles Þan gete a mom of hure mouth · til moneye be hembe shewid Thanne ran þer a route · of ratones as it were And smale mys with hem · mo þan a þousand Come to ona counsail · for hure comune profit For a cat of a court · cam wanne hym lykyde And ouer-leep hem lyȝtlyiche · and lauhte hem at wille And pleide with hemsomme periloslich · & putte hem þer hym lykyde And if we grucche of hys game · he wol greue ous sarrer To hus clees clawen ows · and in hys cloches holde Þat ous loþeth þe lyf · er he lete ows passe Myȝte we witP.1.174: wit, "with." eny wyȝtwyt · hus wil to with-sette We myȝte be lordes aloft · and lyue as vs lusten Tho saide a raton of renoun · mestP.1.176: The spelling, on the basis of the Russell and Kane apparatus, was unique at this point in C witnesses. resonable of tonge Ich haue yseieseyen grete syres · in sytees and in tounes Bere byȝes of bryȝt gold · al aboute hure neckes And colers of crafty werke · boþe knyȝtes and squiers Were þer abellea belle on hure byȝe · by Ihesus meas me þynkeþ Men myȝte wite wer þei wenten · annd hure wey roume Ryȝt so quaþ þe raton · reison me shewith A belle to byggen of bras · oþer of bryȝt seluer And knytte it on a coler · for oure comune profit And honge aboute þe cattys hals · þanne hure we mowe Wer he ryt oþer rest · oþer romyþ to pleye And yf hym luste for to layke · þanne loke we mowe And appere in hus presence · wil hym pleye lykeþ And yf he wratthe we mowe be war · and hus way roume Al þe route of þeof ratons · to þys reison a-sentede Ac þo þe belle was ybouȝth and þeon byȝe hongede Ther was no raton ofin al þe route · for al þe reame of fraunce ÞaThat þerstederste haue bounde þe belle · a-boute þe cattes necke Ne haue it hongid a-boute hus hals · al engelonnd to wynne And leten hure labour ylost · and al hure longe trauail A mous þat muche good couthe · as me þo þouthe Strok forþ sturneliche · and stod by-for hem alle And to þe route of ratones · rehercede þuse wordes Thauh we hadde ycullid þe catte · ȝut sholde þer come anoþer To chracchen ous & al oure kynde · þouh we crepe vnder benches For þeiForthy ich consaile for comune profit · lete þe cat wortheyworthe And neuere be we so bold · þe belle hym to shewe For ich hurde my syre sayn · seuen ȝer passed Ther þe cat nysis bote a kyton · þe court is ful elynge Witnesse ofat holy wryt · who-so can rede Salamon . UE terre ubi puer est Rex . Ich sigge it for me quaþ þe mous · ich seo so muchel after Shal neuere þe cat ne þe kyton · by my consail be greuede Ne carpen of hure colers · þat costide me neuere And þauh it costned me catel · by-knowe ich ne wolde Bote soffren and sigge nouht · and so is þe beste Tyl myschief a-menden hymhem · þat meny men chasteþ AndFor meny mannys malt · we myes wolde distrye And ȝe route of ratons · of rest men a-wake · A iij Ne were þe cat of þe court · And ȝonge kytones to-warde For hadde ȝe ratones ȝoure reed · ȝe couthe nat rueliereule ȝow-selue Wat this metals by-meneþ · ȝe men þat butbenP.1.217: The scribe probably wrote but for buth. See the Linguistic Description, §??{xref}***??? murye Diuine ȝe for ich ne dar · by dere god almyȝty Ȝut metemette me more · of mene and of ryche As barouns & burgeis · and bonde-men of þroupes Al ich sauh slepyng* · as ȝe shullen hure after Boþe bakers and brywers · bouchers and oþere Webbesters and walkers · an wynners with handen As taylours and tanners · and tyliers of erthe As dikers and deluers · þat don here dedes ille And dryueþ forþ hure daies · with deux saue dame emme Kokes and here knaues trieden · hote pyes · hote Good goos and grys · go we dyne gowe Tauerners a tast for nouht · tolden þe same Whit wyn of oseye · and of gastoyne Of þe ruele and of þe rochel · wyn þe roste to defye Al þis ich sauh slepynge · and seuene sythes more Explicit passus primus . INcipit passus secundus . What þe montayne by-meneþ · and þe merke dale And þe feld ful of folke · ich shal ȝow fayre shewe A loueliche lady of lere · in lynnen y-cloþid Cam doun fro þat castel · and calde me by name And seide wille slepest þow · syxt þow þis puple How busy þai ben · a-boute þe mase The most partie of þe puple · þat passeþ on þis erthe Haued thei worship in þis worlde · þei willen no betere Of oþer heuene þan here · þei · holden no tale Ich was aferd of hure face · thauh hue faire were And saide mercy ma dame · wat may þys be to mene The tour vp on toftþe toft quaþ hue · treuthe ys þer-ynne And wolde þat ȝe wrouhte · as hus word techeþ For he is fader of faith · and formour of alle To be faith-ful to hym · he ȝaue ȝow fyue wittes For to worshepen hym þer-with · wile ȝe lyuen here Werfore he het þe elemens · to helpe ȝow alle tymes And brynge forth ȝoure bylyue · boþe lynnen and wollen And in mesure þouh hit muche were · to make ȝow at ese He comaundid of his cortesye · in comuno(?)e þre þynges Aren non nudful bote þo þre · nempnen hem ich þenke And rekene hem by rewe · reherce hem wer þe lykeþ TherThe ferst of þo ys* fode · an vesture þe secounde And drynke þat do þe good · ac drynk nat oute of tyme Lo loth in hus lyue · þorw Lecherouse drenke Wikkydlich wroghte · annd wratthede god al·myghty In hus dronknesse a day · hus douhtres he dighte And lay by hem boþe · as þe bok telleþ · In hus glotenie by-gatbygat gurles · þat wererenwerenwere(n) churles And al he wited þe wyne · hus wikked dede Genesis . Iebriamus I[n]ebriamusInebriemus eum uino et dormiamus cum eo ut seruare possimus de patre nostro semen . Thorgh wyn and þorw wommen · þer was loth · encombred For þy dred dilitable drynke · boþe day and nyȝtes Mesure is ais medecyne · þauh þou muche wylne Al is noȝt good to þe gost · þat þe gout askeþ Ne liflode to þe licame · þat leof is to þe saule Lyef noȝt þy licame · for alyerea lyere hym techeth Þat is þe(?)ysP.2.38: ----CHECK MS--- The original scribe's þe (the reading of most X manuscripts) was changed to þys, the dominant reading in the P family. ***??? Does this go with other evidence that P's exemplar agreed with X and changed? I'm confused???? wrecchede worlde · þat wolde þe bygyle For þe fend and þy flesch · folwen to-gederes And þat seyþ þe saule · and setth hit the in herte And wisseþ þe to be ware · and whatwhat wolde þe deceyuye A · ma·dameP.2.42: The scribed occasionally used raised points to indicate compound words. mercy quaþ ich · me lykeþ wel ȝoure wordes Ac þe moneye of þis molde · þat men so faste kepeþ Telle ȝe me now to wham · þat tresour by-longeþ Go to þe gospel quaþ hue · and see what god sayde Wanne þe puple a-posed hym · of a peny in þe temple And god askede of hem · whasP.2.47: whas, "whose." A nonce spelling for this manuscript. was þe coygne Cesares þei seiden · sothliche we knowen Reddite cesari . seide god · þat to cesar . by-falleþ Et que sunt dei deo . oþeror ellys ȝe don ille For ryhtfulliche reson · sholde ruele ȝow alle And kynde wit be wardeyn · ȝoure welþe to kepe And tutour of ȝowre tresoure · and take ȝow atteat nede For hosboundrie and he · holdeþ to-gederes Ich fraynede hure faire þo · for hym þat hure made The dupe dale and durkeþe derk · vn-semely to see to What may hit by-mene · madame ich by-seche That is þe castel of care · who-so comeþ þer-ynne May banne þat he bore was · in body and in soule Ther-ynne wonyeþ a wyȝt · þat wrong is his name Fader of falshede · fond hit furst of alle Adam and Eue · he egede to don ille Consailde cayme · to cullen hus broþer Iudas he by-raped · þorgh Iewene seluer An afterward he heng hym · hye on an ellerne He ys a lett...are of loue · and lyeth alle tymes Þat tryst in erthely tresour · be by-traieþ sonnest To en-combrye men with couetyse · that his husP.2.68: his hus, "is his." kynde Thanne hadde ich wonder in my wit · wahat womman hue were Þat suche wyse wordes · of holy wryȝt shewede And hansledehalsede hure on þe heie name · er hue þennys wente What hue were whiterly · þat wissede me so and tauhte Holychurche ich am quaþ hue · þow oghtest me knaweto knowe Ich vnder-feng þe formest · and fre man þe made Þow broghtest me borwes · my byddyng to fulfille To lyueleue on me and louye me · al þy lyue-tyme Thanne knelede ich on my knees · criedeand criede hure graceof grace And preiede hure pytosly to preie · for me to amende Also to kenne me kyndelich · on crist to by-lyue And teche me to no tresour · bote telle me þys ilke How ich may sauy my saule · þat seynt ert yholde QwenneThis is the only occurrence of <Qw> in the manuscript alle tresours ben · tried quatþ huetried · treuþe is þe beste Ich do hit on Deus caritas to deme þe soþe Hit is as derworthe a druwery · as dere god hem-seluehym-selue For he is trywe of hus tonge · and of hus two handes And doþ þe werkes þer-with · and wilneþ no man ille He is a god by þe gospel · and graunty may hele And like oure lorde also · by seynt lukys wordes Clerkus þat knowen þys · shoulde kennen hit a-boute For cristene and vncrestine · cleymen it echone Kynges and knyȝtes · shoulde kepen hit by reson Ryden and rappe a-doune · In reames a-boute And to take trespassours · and tyen hem faste Til trewþe hadde ytermenydetermyned · here trespas to þe ende And holde with hym and with hure · þat han triwe action And for no lordayne loue · leue þe trewe partye Trewely to take · and treweliche to fyȝete Ys þe profession and þe poureP.2.98: poure, "pure." The <o> is squeezed in awkwardly, and the scribe may have intended to write his usual form pure. ordre · þat apendeþ to knyȝtes Wo-so passeþ that poynt · ys apostetaappostata of knyȝt-hod For þei shoulde nat faste · ne for-bere sherteserk Bote feithfullich defende · and fyȝte for truthe And neuere leue for loue · In hope to lacche seluer Dauid by hus daies · dobbede knyȝtes And dude hem swerye inon here swerde · to serue truthe euere Wanne god by-gan heuene · in þat grete blysse He made knyȝtes in hus court · creatures tene Cherubin and seraphin suche seueneseuene and another Lucifer . louelokest þo · ac lytel wile it lasteduyred He was an archangel of heuene · on of godes knyȝtes He and oþer with hym · þat huldehelde(n) nouȝt with treuthe Lopen out in loþliche forme · for hus false wille He hadde lust to be lyke · hus lord god almyghty Ponam pedem meum in aquilone & ero similis altissimo · Lord why wolde he þo · þulkeþat wrechedewykkede lucifer . Lepen on a-loftealofte · in þe north syde To sitten in þe sonne side · þer þe day roweþ Ne were it for norþerne men · a-non ich wolde telle Ac ich wolle lacke no lyf · quaþ þat lady sotthly Hit is sykerer by southe · þer þe sonne regneth Þan in þe north by meny notes · no man loyuelo[uy]eleueP.2.120: Russell and Kane read loyne. oþer For þider as þe fend flegh · hus fote for to sette Ther he failede and fuel · and hus felawes alle And helle is þer he ys · and he þer ybounde Euene contrarie sitteþ criste · clerkus knowen þe soþhe Dixit dominus domino meo sede a dextris meis . Ac of þis matere · no more meue ich nelle He wasHewes in þe halyday · after hetenhete wayten Þey care noȝt þauh it be cold · knaues wen þei worchen In wonderwyse holy wryt · tellith how þei fullen Somme in erþe somme in aier · somme in helle dupe Ac lucifer lowest · lith of hem alle For prude þat hym pokede · hus peyne hath no ende Alle þat worchen þat wikkede ys · wenden þei shulle After hure deþ day · and dwelle þer wrong ys And alle þat han wel y-wroght · wenden þey shulle Estwarde to heuene · euere to abyde Ther treuthe is þe trone · þat trinite ynne sitteþ Lere it þus lewede men · for lettrede hit knoweþ That treuthe & trewe loue · ys no tresour bettere Ich haue no kynde knowyng quaþ ich · ȝe mote kenne me bettere By wat wey hit wexith · and wonderwheder out of my menyng* Thow dotede daffe quaþ hue · dolle aren þy wittes Ich lyue þow lornedist to lyte · latyn in þy ȝowethe Heu michi quod sterilem duxi uitam iuuenilem . Hit is a kynde knowyng* · þat kenneþ in þyn herte For to louye þy lord · luuest .of alle And deye raþere · þan to do eny dedlich* synne Melius est mori . quam male uiuere . And þis ich trowe be treuthe · w.ho-so can teche þe betere Loke þow soffrie hym to say · and so þow myght lerne For treuthe telleþ þat loue · ys tryacle for synne And most souereyne salue · for saule and for body Loue is þe plonte of pees · and mostmost preciouse of vertues For heuene holde hit ne myȝte · so heuy hit semede Til hit hadde on erthe · ȝoten hym-selue Was neuere vp-on lynde · leflef vppon lynde lygheter þer-after As wanne hit hadde of þe flod · flesch and blod ytake Tho was it portatyf and pershaunt · as þe poynt of aneldea nelde May non Armure hit lette · noþer hye walles For-þy is loue ledere · of oure lordes folke inof heuene And menea mene as þe meyere is · by-twyne þe kyng & þe comune Ryȝt so is loue alederea ledere · and þe lawe shappeþ Vp man for hus mysdedes · þe mercement he taxeþ And for to knowe it kyndeliche · hit comseþ by myghte In þe herte þer is þe hefd · and þe hye welle Of kynde knowyng in herte · þer comseþ amyghtea myghte That falleþ in-toto þe Fader · þat formede ous alle On ous he lokyde with loue · and let hus sone deye ...MeeklicheDarker ink and some roughness to the letters. Erasure would also explain the lack of rubrication in first letter. The ruling has been affected by the erasure. for oure mysdedes · to a-mendynP.2.169: RK read amendy, a reading shared by E. However, a tilde appears over the <y>. CHECK MS/TIFF ous alle And ȝut wolde he hem no wo · þat wroght hym al þat tennetene Bote myldeliche with mouthe · mercy he by-souhte To haue pyte on þat puple · ...?...þat paynede hym to deþe Her myȝt þow see ensample · In hym-self one That he was myghtful & meukP.2.174: Meuk is almost a unique spelling, not listed in head words of MED but consistent with Southwest and West Midlands forms meok, moeke, muke, etc. It appears here and at P2.177. punctus; and mercy gan graunte To hymhem þat henge hym hye · and hus herte þorlede For-þy ich rede ȝow ryche · haue reuthe ofon þe poure Þauh ȝe be myghty to mote · beeþ meuk in ȝoure workes Þe same mesure þat ȝe meteþ · amys oþer ellys Ȝe shulleþ be weyen þer-with · wanne ȝe wenden hennes Eadem mensura qua mensi fueritis remicietur nobis Thauh ȝe be trywe of ȝoure tonge . and triwelich* wynne And be as chast as a chyld · þat noþer chit ne fyghteþ Bote yfyf ȝe loue leelliche · and lene tolene þe poure Of such good as god sent · goodliche parte Ȝe haue no more meryt · in masse ne in houres Than malkyn of ..hure maidenhod · wam no mama[n] desireþ For Iamys þe gentel · suggeþiugeth in his bokes Þat feith with-oute fet · ys febelere þan nouht And ded as a dore nayle · bote yf þe dede folwe Fides sine operibus mortua est . Chastite with-oute charite · worth cheynid in helle Hit isP.2.192: The scribe appears to have re-inked several letters in this line and the next. as lewede as a lampe · þat no lyght ys ynne Meny chapelayns aren chast · ac charite hem faileþ Aren none hardur ne hongryour · þan men of holy churche Auerouse & veueleP.2.195: This is a nonce spelling for "evil." The scribe's usual form is vuel(e) (P6.165, P11.17, 27, 309; P14.120, P16.93, P223, 281, etc. willed · wanne thei ben auaunsed And vnkynde to hure kyn · and to alle crystine Thei chewen here charite · and chiden after more And encombred with couetyse · þei conne nat out crepe So harde hath aueryce · hasped hem to-gedderes And þat ys no treuthe of þe trinite bote trecherie and synne And luþer ensample leyf me · to þe lewede puple For chees aren wordes · wryten in þe euangelye Date et dabitur uobisuobis for y dele ȝow alle . And þat is þe lok of loue · þat vnloseþ grace Þat confortetth alle cristine · encombred with synne So loue ys lech* of lyue · and lysse of alle pynepayne And þe graffe of grace · an grayþost toway to heuene For-þy ich may say as ich seide · by syght of þethis tixt Wenne alle tresours ben tryed · treuth ys þe best Loue it quaþ þeþat lady · lette may ich no lengere To lere þe wat loue ys · and leue atat me hue lauhte Explicit passus secundus . INcipit passus tercius . And þanne ich knelede on my knees · and cryede to hure of grace And seide mercy madame · for marye loue of heuene Þat bar þat blessede barn · þat boughte vs on þe rode Kenne me by som craft · to knowe þe false Loke vpon þy lyft half quath hue · lo war he standiþ Boþe fals and fauel · and fykel tonge lyere And menye of hure maners · boþe men and wommen Ich lokid on my lyft half · as þe lady me tauhte And sauh a wommon as yt were · wonderlich riche cloþed He was purfild wit peloure · non purer in erthe And coronede in a corone · þe kynge hath no betere On alle hure fyue fyngres · rycheliche y-rynged And þer-on rede rubies · and oþer riche stones Hure robe was ryccher · þan ich rede couthe For to telle of hure atyre · no tyme haue ich nouth Hure arays wit hure rychesse · rauesshede myn herte Was wyf hue were · and what was hure name Luue lady quaþ ich þo · layn nat yf ȝe knowen Þat ys mede þe mayde quaþ hue · þat hath noyed me ofte And lowen up-on my lemmen · þat leaute ys hoten And lackyd hym to lordes · þat lawes han to kepe In kynges court & in comune court · contrarieþ my techynge In þe popes paleys hue is · pryuy as my-selue Ac soþnesse wold noȝt so · for hue is a bastarde On fauel was hure fader · þat hath a fykel tonge An seilde soth seith · bote he souche gyle See the bottom of the page. Check MS And mede ys manered after hym · as men of kynden karpen Talis pater talis filius . For shal neuere brere bere · beries as a vyne No on croked kene þorne · kynde fygys wexe Bona arbor bonum fructum facit . Ich ouhte be herrer þan hue · ich kam of kynde betere The fader þat me forth brouhte filius dei he hoteþ Þat neuere lyede ne lauhwede · in al hus lyf-tyme Ich am hus dure douheter · duchesse of heuene What man þat me louyeþ · and my wille folweþ Shal haue grace to good ynow · and a good ende And wat man þat loueþ mede · my lyf ich dar wedde He shal luse for hure loue · a lappe of trywe charite That most helpeþ men to heuene · mede most letteþ Ich do hit vpon dauid . þe dommbe wol noȝt lye Domine quis habitabit in tabernaculo tuo . et cetera Dauid vn-doþ hit hym-self · as þe dumbe sheweþ Et super innocentem munera non accepit . To-morwe worth mede wedded to amanseda mansed wrecche To on fals faithles · of þe feendes kynne Fauel þorgh isP.3.47: is, "his." flateryng* speche · hath mede foule enchantid And al is lyers ledyng* · þat lady is þus ywedded Soffre now and þow shalt see · suche as ben apaiede Þat mede ys þus ymaryed · to-morwe þow shalt aspie Know hym wel yf þow kanst · and kep þe fro hem alle Þat louyeþ hure lordsheps · lasse oþer þe more Lacke hem noȜt bote lete hem worthe · tyl leaute be Iustice significant mark? And haue power for to punyshe hem · þen put forþ þy reson For ich by-kenne þe crist quaþ hue · and hus clene moder Encombre neuere þy conscience · for couetyse of mede Thus left me þat lady · lyggynge a-slepe And ich sauh how mede was maried · metyng as it were And al þe riche retynaunce · þat roteþ hem on fals lyuynge Were bede to þat brudale · on boþe half þe contreie Of many maner men · þat were of medes kunne Of knyȝtes of clerkes · of oþer comune puple As sysours and somners · shereyues and here clerkes Budels and bailifs · and brokours of chaffare VorgheoursVorgoers and vytailers · and vokettus of arches Ich kan noȝt rekenye þe route · þat ran a-boute mede . Ac symonye and ciuile · anP.3.67: an, "and." sisours of contreis Were most pryuye wit mede of eny men of þe route Ac fauel was þe ferste · þat fette hure of chambre And as abrocoura brocour broghte hure · forth to be ioynid wit fals Wanne symonye and cyuyle · sauh here boþeres wil Thay assented þer-to · at seluers praiere Thenne leep liere forþ · and seide lo here a chartre That gyle hath gyue to falsnesse · and graunted to mede And preyþ cyuyle it to see · and symonye it to rede Þanne symonye and cyuyle · stod forth boþe And vnfeeld þat feffement · þat fals hadde makede Þanne sayde symonye · þat cyuyl it herde Alle þat louen & bylyuen · vp lykyng of mede Leueþ hit leelly · thys worth hure laste mede Þat folwen falsnesse · fauel and lyere And me and shichesuche men · þat after mede wayten cCarta . Sciant presentes et futuri . et cetera . Wetyn alle and witnesen · þat wonen here on erthe Þat mede . ys y-maried more · for hure mechel richesse Þan for holynesse oþer hendenesse · oþer for hye kynde Falsnesse hisP.3.87: his, "is." fayne of hure · for he wot hure riche And fauel hath with fals speche · feffed hem by þis lettere To be prynces of prude · and pouerte to dispice To bagbyten and to bosten · and bere fals whitnesse To scornie and to scolde · sclaundres to make Boþ vnbuxom and bold · to breke þe ten hestes The erldom of enuye · and yre he hym graunteþ With þe castel of cheste · and chatering out of reson The countee of couetise · he consenteþ to boþe With vserye and Auerice · and oþer false sleithes In bargeynes and in brocages · with þe borghe of þufþe And al þe lordshep of lecherye · in lengþe and in Brede As in workes and in wordes · waitenges of eyes In wedes and wisshenges · and with ydel þouhtes Þer þat wil wolde · and werkmanshup faileþ Glotenye he geueþ hym · and grete oþes to-gederes Al day to drynke · at dyuerse tauernes Ther to Iangly and to Iape · and Iuge her emcristine And fastingdayes to frete · by-for noon anP.3.105: an, "and." drynke With spicerie spek ydelnesse · In veen speche and spene ·??? And suwye forþ swych felaushep · tyl þei ben fallen in slewþe And a-wake with wanhope · and no wil to amende For he leyueþ be ylost wen he hus lyf leteþ This lif to folwie falsnesse · and folk þat on hym lyueþ After hure deþ dwelling · day with-outen ende In luciferes lordshup · as þys lettere sheweþ · With al þe portinaunce of purgatorye · and þe payne of helle In witnesse of þis þyng · wrong was þe ferste And Peres þe parduoner · of paulynes queste Bette þe budele · of banneburies sokne Reynald þe reue · and þe Redyngkynges menye Munde þe mylnere · and meny mo oþere In þe date of þe deuel · þis dede ys a-selede By syght of syre symonye · and cyuyles leue Thanne tuemedetue[n]edetened hym theologye · wenne he þys tale herde And seyde to syre symonye · now sorwe þow mote haue Such* a weddyng to worche · þat wrathe myghte treuhþe And er þis weddyng be wroughte · wo to al ȝoure consail For mede is moillere · amendes was here dame Þouh fals were hure fader · and fykel tonge hure syre Amendes was hure dame · by trewe men lokyng* With-oute hure moder amendes mede . may noght be wedded For treuth plyghte hure treuthe · to wedde on of hure douhteres And god grauntede it were so · so þat no gyle were And þow hast ygeue hure as gyle taughte · god ȝyue þe sorwe For cyuyl and þy-selue · selde fulfilleth* Þat god wolde were ydo · with-oute som deceite Ich theologie þe tixt knowe · and trewe dome wytnesseþ Þat Laurens þe leuite · lyggynge on þe gredire Loked vp to oure lorde · and a-loud seide God of þy grace · heuene gates opene For ich man of þy mercy mede haue deserued And sythþe man may an hey mede of god deserue Hit semeþ fulsothly · ryght so on erthe That mede may be wedded · to no man bote to treuthe And þow hast feffyd hure · with fals · fy on suche lawe For þorw lesynges ȝe lauhte · largeliche mede . Þat ȝe nemeþ & notaries · to nauht by-gynneþ brynge Holy churche and charite · ȝe cheweþ and deuoureþ Ȝe shulle a-bygge boþe · bote ȝe a-mende þe sonnere For wel ȝe wyten wernardes · as holy wryt telleþ Þat fals ys faithles · þe fend ys hus syre And as a bastard ybore · byȝute was he neuere And mede ys moillere · amaidena maiden of goode Hue myghte cusse þe kyng · as for hus kynswomman For-þy worcheþ by wisdome · and by witte also And ledeþ hure to londen · wer lawe may declare Yf matrimonie may be · of mede and of falshede And þow Iustice en-ioynen hem · þorgh Iurers oþes Ȝut be-war of þe wedyng · for wytty is treuthe And conscience is of hus consail · and knoweth ȝow alle And yf he fynde ȝow indefautein defaute · with þe falseholde Hit shal sitte ȝoure soules · ful soure at þe laste Her to a-sentyd cyuyle · ac symonie ne wolde Tyl he hadde seluer for þe seel · aandP.3.161: **??Perhaps the "a" is "and" and no app tag needed??? CHECK FOR OTHER INSTANCES sygnes of notaries Tho fette fauel forþ · floreynes y-nowe And bad gyle go gyue · gold al a-boute Nameliche to notaries · þat non of hem faille And feffe falsnesse · wit floreynes ynowe For he may mede amaistren with hus myry speche Tho þis gold was gyuen · gret was þe þonkynge That fals and fauel hadde · for here faire ȝyftes And comen ful courteislich* · to conforte þe false Thei seide to hym softeliche · cesse shulle we neuere Til mede be þy wedded wyf · we wolle nouht stynte For we han mede a-maistrid þorw oure myrye tonge Þat hue graunteþ to go · with a good wille To londen and loke · yf lawe wol Iuge To be maried for monye mede . hath a-sented Than was fauel fayne · and falsnesse blyþe And leten sompne alle segges · In eche syde a-boute And bed hem alle ben boun · beggeres and oþere To wenden with hem to westemynstre · hus weddyng to honoure Ac hakeneyes hadde þei none · bote hakeneyes to hyre Thenne gan gyle borwe hors · at meny grete maistres And shope þat a shereyue · sholde bere mede . Softliche in saumbury · fram syse to syse Fals and fauel sholde · fecche forth sisours And ride on hem & on reues · ryght faste by mede . Symonye anP.3.186: an, "and." cyuyle · seiden and sworen · That prestes and prouisours · sholde prelates seruen And ich my-self cyuyle · and symonye my felawe Wollen ryden vp-on rectours · and riche men deuoutours And notories .and persons · þat permuten ofte And on poure prouysors · & on a-peles on þe arches Somenours and southdenes · þat supersedeas . takeþ On hem þat louyeþ lecherie · lepeþ vp and rydeþ On executores and suche men · comeþ softliche after And let cople þe comissarie · oure cart shal he drawe And fecche forth oure vitailes · of fornicators Makeþ of lyer a lang cart · to lede alle þes oþere As fobbes and faitours · þat on hure fet rennen · Thanne fals and fauel · ryden forth to-gederes And mede in þe myddes · and alle þuse men after Ich haue no tome to telle · þe tail þat hem folweþ Of many manere men · for medes sake . seut after Ac gile was forgoere · to gyen al þe puple For to wisse hem þe weye · and with mede a-byde Sothnesse seih hem alle · and seide bote a lytel And priked forth on pacience · anP.3.206: an, "and." passede hem alle And cam to þe kynges court · to conscience he tolde And conscience to þe kyng** · carped it after Now by cryst quath þe kyng** · and ich cacche myghte Fals oþer fauel · oþer here felawe lyere Ich wolde be wreke on þo wrecches · and on here werkus alle And do hem hongy by þe hals and alle þat hem maynteneþ Shal neuere man on þis molde · maynpryse þe leste And ryght as þe lawe lokeþ · let falle on hem alle He comaundyd a constable · þat cam at þe furste Go atache þo tyrauns · for eny tresour ich hote Let feterye fast falsnesse · for eny kynnes ȝiftes And gurd of gyles hefd · and lete hym go no wyddere And brynge mede . to me · maugre hem alle And if ȝe lacche lyere · let hym nat a-skapie Er he be put on pullery · for eny preior ich hote Drede stod at þe dore · and al þat duene herde What þe kynges wil was · and whyghtlyche he wente And bad falsnesse to flee · and hus feren alle Falsnesse for fere · flegh to þe freres And gyle dud hym to gon · agast for to deye Ac marchauns metten with hym and made hym abyde And shutten hym in here shoppes · to shewen here ware And parailed hym lyke here prentys · þe puple to seruen Lyghtliche lyere · lep a-way þo fro þennes Lorkynge þorw lanes · to-logged of menye He was nawer wolcome · for hus meny tales Ouer-al honted out · and yhote trosse Til pardoners hadden pitte · and pollede hym to house Thei woshe hym and wypede hym · and wonde hym in cloutes And sente hym in sonnedayes · with seeles to churches And ȝaf hym pardon of pans · pound-meel a-boute Thanne lourede leches · and letters þei senten Þat lyer shold wony with hem waters to loke And spicers to hem speke · to aspie here ware For he can on here crafte · and knoweþ meny gommes Ac mynstrales and messagers · mette with lyere one And with-helde hym half aȝerea ȝere · and elleue dayes Ac Freres þorw fayre speche · fetten hym þennes For knowynge of comers · þei copyde hym as a Frere Ac he hath leue to lepen out · as ofte as hym lykeþ And ys wolcome wanne he comeþ · and woneþ with hem ofte Symonye and cyuyle · senten to rome And putte hem þorw apeles · in þe popes grace Ac conscience to þe kyng** · a-cusede hem boþe And seide syre kyng by cryst · bote clerkus a-mende Thi kyngdom þorw here couetyse · wol out of kynde weynde And holy churche þorw hem · worth harmed for euere Alle fledden for fere · and flowen in-to hernes Saue mede þat mayde · no mo dorste a-byde Ac tryweliche to telle · hue tremblede for fere And boþe wrang** and wepte · wanne hue was a-tachede Hic explicit passus . iijus INcipit passus quartus . NOW is mede . þe mayde · and no mo of hem alle Þorw bedeles and bailifs · brouht by-fore þe kynge The kyng kallid a clerk · ich can nouht ys name To take mede þat mayde · and make here at ese Ich shal asaye hure my-self · and sothliche apose Wat man of þys worlde · þat hure is leuest haue And yf hue wirche wisliche · by wysmen counsail Ich wolle for-gyue hure alle hure gultes · so me god helpe Cortesliche þe clerk þenne · as þe kynge hyghte Toke mede by þe mydel · and myldeliche here broughte In-to boure with blysse · and by hure gan sitte Ther was myrthe of mynstralcy · mede to plesen That wenden to westmynstre · worshupde hure meny Gentelich with ioye · Iustisces somme Buskede hem to þe boure · ther þis berde dwellyd Confortynge hure as þei couthe · by þe clerkus leue And seyde morne nat mede . make þow no sorwe For we wolle wisse þe kyng · and þy wey shappe For to wende at þy wil · wer þe luf lykeþ For alle consciences cast · a craft as ich trowe Mildeliche mede þo · merciede hem alle Of hure grete goudnesse · and gaf hem echone Coupes of clene gold · and coppes of seluer Rynges with rubies · and oþer riche ȝiftes The leste of here meyne · a moton of golde Wenne thei had lauht here leue · at þys lady mede . Thenne comen clerkus · to comfortye hure samen And beden here be blythe · for we ben þyn owe For to worche þy wil · þe wile we mowe dure Ande mede hendiliche · by-hyht hem þe same To louen hem leellich* · and lordes hem make And porchace ȝow prouenders · wile ȝoure pans lasteþ And bigge ȝow benefices · pluralite to haue And in constorie atte court · do calle ȝoure names Shal no lewednesse lette · þe clerk þat ich louye Þat he ne worth ferst auanced · for ich am knowen Ther connynge clerkus · shulleþ clocke by-hynde Thenne com þer a confessour · coped as a Frere To mede þat mayde · myldelich* he sayde Thauh lered men and lewede · had layen by þe boþe And falshede yfounden þe · al þis fourty wynter Ich shal a-soily þe my-selue · for a seem wete And ȝut be þy bedman · and brynge adoun conscience Among kynges and knyȝthes · and clerkus if þe lyke Thenne mede for hure mysdedes · to þis frere knelyd Shrof hure of here synnes · shameles yleyuey leyue Told hym a tale · and took hym anoblea noble For to be hure be hurebe hureben here bedman · and bere wel hure ernede Among knyȝthes and clerkus · conscience to turne And he soiled hure sone · and setthen he seide we haue A wyndow a-worcheng · wol stonden ousP.4.51: An otiose curl appears above the <o>. Compare P4.100. ful hye Wolde ȝe glase þe gable · and graue þer ȝoure name In masse and in matyns · for mede we shulleþ synge SolenlicheSolempneliche and sothlich* · as for asustrea sustre of oure ordre Louelich* þat lady · lauhynge seyde Ich shal be ȝoure frende frere · and faille ȝow neuere The wile ȝe louyeþ þuse lordes · þat lecherye haunten And lackieþ noȝt þuse ladies · þat louyeþ þe same Hit is bote frelete of flesch* · ȝe fynden wel in bokis And a cours of kynde · wer-of we comen alle Ho may a-scapie þe sclaundere · þe scaþe may sone be mendyd Hit ys synneP.4.62: The long <s> has been re-inked, producing a form different from the scribe's usual letter. Another appears at P4.373. as of seuene · non soner relesede Haue mercy quath mede · on men þat hit haunten And shal keuery ȝoure churche · and ȝoure cloistre maken Boþe wyndowes and wowes · ich wolle a-menden & glase And do peynten and portreyn · wo paide for þe makynge Þat euery seg* shal see and seye · ich am sustre of ȝoure ordre Ac god to alle good folke · suche grauynge defendeþ To wryten in wyndowes · of eny wel-dedes · Leste prude be peyntid þere · and pompe of þe worlde For god knoweþ þy conscience · and þy kynde wille Thi cost and here couetyse · and who þe catel ouhte For-þy leue lordes loue · leueþ suche wrytinges God in þe gospel · such grauynge noȝt a-loweþ Nesciat sinistra quid faciat dextera Let nat þy lyft half · oure lord techeþ Ywite what þow delest · with þy ryht syde Ȝut mede myldeliche · þe meyre hure bysouhte Bothe shereues and seriauns · and suche as kepeþ lawes To punyshen on pillories · and on pynyng stoles As bakers and brewers · bouchers and Cokes For þees men doþ most harme · to þe mene puple Richen þorw regratrye · and rentes hem byggen WhitP.4.84: Whit, "with." þat þe poure puple · sholde putten in hure womben For toke þey on triweliche · they tymbrid nat so heye Noþer bouhten hem burgages · be ȝe ful certayn Thei haue no puteye of þe puple · þat parcel-mele mote biggen Þauh þei take hem vntydy þyng · þei hold hit no treson And þauh þei fulle nat ful · þat for lawe y seelde He gripeþ þer-for as grete · as for þe grete treuthe Meny sondry sorwes · in cyte fallen ofte Boþe þorw fyur and flod · and al for false puple That by-gylen good men · and greueþ hem wrongliche The wiche cryen on hure knees · þat crist hem auenge Here on þys erthe · oþer elles on helle That so by-gyleþ hem of here good · and god on hem sendeþ Feueres oþer fouler hyueles · oþer fur on here houses Moreyne oþer oþere meschaunce · and menye tyme hit falleþ That innocence ys yherde · In heuene a-monge seyntes That louten for hem to oureP.4.100: An otiose stroke appears over the <o>. Compare P4.51 above. lorde · and to oure lady boþe To graunten gylours on erthe · grace to amende And haue here penaunce on pure erthe · and noȝt in þe pyne of helle And þenne falleþ þer fur · on false menne houses And good men for here gultes · gloweþ on fuyr after Al þys haue we seyen · .that som tyme þorw a brewere Meny burgagys ybrent · and bodyes þer-ynne And þorw a candel clomyng · in a corsed place Fel a-doun and for-brende · forþ al þe rewe For-þy mayres þat maken free men · me þynken þat þei ouhten For to spure and aspye · for eny speche of seluer What manere mester · oþer merchaundise he vsede Er he were vnder-fonge free · and felawe in ȝoure rolles Hit ys noȝt semly forsoþ · in cyte ne in borwton Þat vsurers oþer regratours · for eny kynne ȝeftes Be fraunchised for a free man · and haue fals name Ac mede þe mayde · þe meyere hue by-souhte Of alle suche sellers · suluer to take Oþer presentes with-oute pans · and oþer pryueye ȝyftes And haue reuthe of þe regratours · þat han ryche hondes In quorum manibus iniquitates sunt dextra eorum repleta est muneribus . Loue hem for my loue · quath this lady mede And soffre hem som tyme · to sulle a-ȝens þe lawe Salamon the sage · a sarmon hue made In amendement of meyres · and oþere stywardes And witnessyth wat worth of hem · þat wollen take mede Ignis deuorabit tabernacula eorum qui libenter accipiunt munera . Among þes lettrede lordes · þis latyn ys to mene Þat fur shal brenne falle and for-brenne · al to blewe askes The houses and þe homes · of hem þat taken ȝyftes The kynge fram consail cam · and callyd after medeP.4.130: The scribe marked the end of this line with two virgules to alert the rubricator. And sente for to se..e hure · ac ich say nat hym þat ladde hure Corteisliche þe kyng* tho · as hus kynde wolde Lackede here a lyte wyht · for þat hue louede gyle And wilnede to be wedded · with-oute ys leue Tyl treuth* hadde tolde hure · a tokne fram hym-selue And seyde wommen vnwittylich* · wrouȝt hast þow ofte Ich haue for-gyue þe meny gult.es · and my grace graunted Boþe to þe and to þyne · in hope þow sholdest a-mende And ay þe lenger ich lete þe go · þe lasse treuthe ys with þe For worsse wrouhtest þow neuere · þan þo þow fals toke Ȝut ich for-gyue þe þis gult · godes for-bode eny more Þow tuene on treuthe · and þow mowe be y-take In þe castel of corf · ich shal do þe close Ther as an ancre · oþer in a wel wors wone And marre þe with myschef · by seint marye my lady Þat alle wommen wantowen · shulleþ bewar by þe one And biterliche banne þe · and alle þat bereþ þy name And teche þe louye treuthe · and take consail of reson Ich haue a knyȝt hatte conscience · cam late froo by-ȝonde Yf he wilneþ þe to wyue · wolt ȝow hym haue Ȝe lord quath þe lady · lord it me for-bede Bote ich be holiche at þyn heste · let honge me ellys Thenne was conscience ...cald · to come and apeere By-for þe kyng and ysP.4.154: ys, "his." consail · as clerkus and oþere · Conscience . knelynge · to þe kyng loutede · To wite what hus wil were · and what he do sholde Wolt tbhow wedde þis maide · yf ich wolle assente For hue ys fayne of þy felaushep · and for to be þy make Quath conscience to þe kynge · Crist it me for-bude Er ich wedde suche a wif · wo me by-tyde For hue ys freel of hure faith · and fikel of hure speche And makeþ men mys-do · meny score tymes In trist of hure tresour · he tueneþ ful menye Wyues and wodewen(?)s · wantownesse hue techeþ And lereþ hem to lecherie · þat louyeþ here ȝyftes Ȝoure fader hue felde · fals and hue to-gederes Hue haþ a-poisened popes · hue apeireþ holy churche Ys nauht abeterea betere baude · by hym þat me made By-twyne heuene and helle · alle erthe þauh me souhte For hue ys tykel of hure tail · talwys of tonge As comune as þe cart-wey · to knaues and to alle To monkes and to alle men · the meseles in heggys Lyggeþ by hure wenne hem lust · lered and lewed Sysours and somners · suche men hure preyseþ Shereue of shires · were shent yf hue ne were For hue doþ men lese here londe · and here lyf boþe Hue leteþ passe prisoners · and paieþ for hem ofte And geueþ þe gailer gold · and grotes to-gederes To vnfeterye þe false · and fle were hem lykeþ And take trewe by þe top · and tieþ hem faste And hongeþ for haterede · þat harmede neuere To be corsed in constarye · hue counteþ nauht aruschea rusche Hue copeþ þe comessarie · and coteþ hus clerkus Hue is asoilid þus sone · ase hure lef lykeþ Hue may ney as moche do · in amounthea mounthe one As ȝoure secret seel · in sexscore dayes Hue ys priuy with þe pope · prouisours it knoweþ For symonye and hure-self · seeleþ hure bulles Hue blesseþ thees buyshopys · þauh þei be negh lewede Hue prouendreþ persons · and prestes hue menteyneþ To holde lemmenes and lotebyes · al here lif-dayes And bryngeþ forþ barnes · a-ȝens for-boden lawes sSunt infelices quia matres sunt meretrices . Ther hue ys wel wyth eny kynge · wo ys þe reome For hue ys fauerable to fals · that defouleþ treuthe By iesus with hure iewels · þe Iustices hue shendeþ Hue lyth aȝen þe lawe · and letteþ hym þe gate Þat faith ne may nat haue hus forþ · hure floreines goth so thycke And ledeþ þe lawe as hure lust · and louedayes makeþ Þoruh wich loueday ys lost · þat leaute myȝte wynne The mase for þe mene man · þauh he mote euere The lawe ys so lordlich* · and loth to maken ende Wit-oute presentes oþer pans · hue pleseth ful fewe Trewe burgeis and bonde · to nauht hue bringeþ ofte And al þe comune in care · and couetyse Religion hue al to-reueþ · and out of ruele to lybbe Ther nys cite vnder sonne · no so riche reome Ther hue ys loued and lete by · þat last shal eny wile With-oute werre oþer wo · oþer wicked lawes And custemes and couetyse · þat comune to distruye Vnsyttynge suffraunce · hure suster and hure-selue Haue maked al-most · bote marie þe helpe Þat no lond loueþ the · and ȝut leest þyn owene For mede . hath knyt clerkes · and couetyce to-geders Þat al þe whitP.4.215: whit, "wit." of þis worlde · ys woxen in-to gyle Thus þis lady ledeþ þys londe · now lord ȝeue hure sorwe For pore men der nat pleyne · ne here pleinte shewe Suche a maister ys mede · a-mong men of goode Thanne mornede mede · menyng* hure to þe kynge To haue space to speke · spede yf hue myghte The kyng* graunted hure grace · wit a good wyll Excuse yf þow canst · ich can no more seggen For conscience acuseþ the · to congie þe for euere Nay lord quaþ þat lady · leyueþ hym þe werse Wen ȝe wyten witerliche · in wam þe wrong lyggeþ Ther þe myschief ys gret mede may helpen And þat knoweþ conscience ich cam noȝt to chiden Ne to depraue þe persone · with a prout herte Wel þow wost wyterly · bote yf þow wolle gabbe Thow hast hanged on myn hals elleuen tymes And also grypen of my gold · an gaf it were þe lykede Why þow wratthest now · wonder me þynkeþ Ȝut ich may as ich myghte · meurke þe with ȝyftes And menteyny þy manhod · more þan þow knowest Ac þow hast famede me foule · by-fore þe kynge here For culde ich neuere no kyng* · ne consailed so to done Ac ich saued my-self · and sexty þousand lyues Boþe her and elles-wer · in alle kynne londes Ac þow þy-self sothliche · ho it segge dorste Hast arwed meny hardy men · that hadden wil to fyghte To brennen and to bruten · to bete a-doun strengthesPossible overwriting in the first e? CHECK MS. In þe contreis þer þe kyng* cam conscience hym lette Þat he ne feld nat hus foes · þo fortune it wolde And as hus werdes were ordeined · by wil of houre lorde Caytiflyche þow conscience · consailedist þe kyng leten In hus enemys honde · ys heritage of fraunce Vnconnyng ys þat conscience a kyngdome to sulle Þat ys conqueryd þorw comune helpe · a kyngdome oþer duche May nat be sold soþly · so meny here part asken Of folk þat fauht þer-fore · and folwed þe kynges wil Þe lest lad þat longeþ to hym · be þe lond wonnen Lokeþ after lordshep · oþer oþere large mede Wer-by he may as amana man · for euere-more lyue after And þat ys þe kynde of a kyng · þat conquereþ of ys enemyes To helpe heyeliche al hus host · oþere elles to graunte Al þat hus men mowen wynne · to do þer-myd here beste For-þy ich counsayle no kyng* · eny counsayle aske At***???CHECK THE MS. ORDER OF WRITING??Is this right? Since hand1 seems to have preceded the rubrication it doesn't make sense to have the letter squeezed in, but it is definitely smaller than expected, as though it had to be fit in after "conscience" was added. Note that "conscience" is followed by a punctus that could have been omitted if more space were needed. conscience . yf he coueyteþ · to conquery a reome For sholde neuere conscience . be my constable Were ich a kyng ycoronede · by marye quaþ mede Ne be mareschal of my men · þer ich moste fyghte Ac hadde ich mede . be hus mareschal · ouer hus men in fraunce Ich dorst haue led my lyue · and no lasse wedde He had be lord of þat londe · in lengthe and in brede And also kyng of þat cuth* · hus kyn to haue holpen The leste brel of hus blod · a barones pere Vnkyndely þow conscience consailedest hym þennes To lete so hus lordshup · for a lytel moneye Hyt by-comeþ for a kyng* · þat shal kepe a reame To ȝeue men mede . þat mecklyche hym serueþ · To alienes to alle men · to honoury hem with ȝeftes mede makeþ hym by-loued · an for amana man yolde Emperours and erles · and alle manere lordes Þoruh ȝiftes hauen ȝemmen · to rennen and to ryde Þe pope and alle prelates · presentes vnder-fongen And ȝeuen mede . to men · to menteynye here lawes Seriauntes for here seruice mede . þey asken And taken mede . of here maistres · as þei mow a-corde Beggers and bedmen · crauen mede . for here prayers Mynstrals for here mynstralcye amedea mede þei asken Maistres þat techen clerkes · crauen hure for mede Prestes þat prechen · and þe puple techen Asken mede and masse pans · and here mete boþe Alle kyne crafty men · crauen mede . for here aprentys Marchaundise and mede mote nedes go to-gederes Is no lede þat leueþ · þat hue ne loueþ · mede And glad for to grype hure · gret lord oþer poure Tho quath þe kyng to conscience by Cryest at my knowynge Mede ys worthy me þynkeþ · þe maistrye to haue Nay quaþ conscience · clerkes wyten þe soþe Þat mede ys euermore · ameyntenoura meyntenour of gyle As þe sauter sheweþ · by suche as ȝeuen mede Þat vnlawfulliche · hauen large honden To ȝeue mede . to men · more oþer lasse Ac þer ys mede . amercedea mercedeP.4.295: a, "and." and boþe men demen A desert for som doynge · d.eerne oþer elles Mede meny tymes · men ȝeuen by-for þe doynge And þat ys noþer reson ne ryht · ne no reame lawe Þat eny man mede toke · bote he it myghte deserue And for to vndertake · to trauely for anoþer And wot neuere whiterly · wer he lyue so longe Ne haue hap to hus hele mede to deseruen Ich halde hym ouere hardy · oþer elles nouht trewe Þat pre manibus ys payed · oþer elles paye askeþ Harlotes and hores · and also fals leches Thei asken hure huyre · er þey hit haue deseruede And gylours gyuen by-fore · and goode men at þe ende When þe dede ys ydo · and þe day yendyd And þat ys no mede · bote amercedea mercede A maner diwe dette · for þe doynge And bote if yt be payed prestliche · the payer is to blame As by þe bok þat bit · no-body to wit-holde Þe hure of hus hywe · ouer eue til a-morwe Non morabitur opus mercennarij apud te usque mane . And þer is reson as a reue · rewarding treuthe And boþe þe lord and þe laborer ben leelliche yserued The mede þat meny prest takeþ · for masses þat þei syngen Amen amen Matheu seyth mercedem suam recipiunt . In marchaundise ys no mede · ich may it wel avowe Hit is a permutacion a-pertelich* · opene worth for anoþer And þauh þe kyng of hys cortesye · kaiser oþer pope Ȝeue lond oþer lordshup · oþer large ȝeftes To here leelle lege · loue ys þe cause And yf þe leelle and þe lyge · be luther men after Boþe kyng and kayser · and þe coronede pope May desauowe þat þey dude · and douwe þer-whitP.4.326: þer-, "with it." oþer And a-non by-nymen hym hit · and neuere after · Noþer þei ne here a.yres hardy to cleyme That kyng oþer cayser hym gaf catel oþer rente For god gaf to salamon grace vp-on þe erthe Rychesse and reson · whyle he ryht lyuede And as sone as god seih · he suwed nouht hus wille He reuede hym of hys richesse and of hus ryht mynde And soffrede hym leue in mysbyleue · ich leyue he be in helle So þat god geueþ no þyng · þat synne ne ys þe glose And so ryght sothliche · may kyng and pope Boþe gyue and grauntye · þer hus grace likeþ And eeft haue hit a-ȝeyn · of hem þat don ille Thus ys mede aP.4.339: a, "and." mercede · as two manere relacions Rect* and indyrect* · rennynge bothe On a sad and a syker · semblable to hym-selue Ac adiectif and substantyf · vnite asken · Acordaunce in kynde · in cas and in membre numbre And ayþer ys oþeres help · of hem comeþ retribucion Þat ys þe ȝefte þat god ȝyueþ · to alle leelle lyuenge Grace of good ende · and gret ioye after Retribuere dignare domine deus omnia et cetera Quaþ þe kynge to conscience knowen ich wolde Wat is relacion rect* · and indyrect* · after And þanne adiectyf and substantif · for englisch* was it neuere Relacion rect* quath conscience ys a recorde of treuthe Quia antelate rei est recordantium . Folwyng* and a-fyndyng* out · þe foundement of strenthe And styuelyche stonde forth · to strengthe of þe foundement In kynde and in case · and in cours of nommbre As leel laborer · þat by-leuyþ with hus maistre In hus paye and in hys pyte · and in hus pure treuthe To paye hym yf he performeþ and haue pyte yf he faylleþ And take hym for hus trauaile · al þat treuthe wolde So of hol herte comeþ hope · and hardy relacion Sekeþ and suweþ hus sustentif sauacion That ys þe grounde of al · a graciouse antecedent And man ys relatif rect* · yf he be ryht triwe He a-cordeþ with crist in ys kynde uerbum caro factum est . In case credere in ecclesia . In holy churche to by-leyue In numbre rotie and aryse · and remyssion to haue Of oure sory sennes · asoiled and clansede And lyue as oure credo ous kenneþ · with crist with-outen ende Thus is relacion rect* · ryht as adiectif and substantif A-cordeþ in alle kyndes · whitP.4.370: whit, "with." isP.4.370: is, "his, its." antecedent Indirect* þyng ys · as ho-so coueited Alle kyne kynde · to knowe and to folwe With-oute cause to cacche two · and come to boþe numbres In wich* beþ good and nat good · and graunte here noþers wil Þat is noþer reisonable ne rect* · to refusy my syres sor-name Sitth ·y· isP.4.376: is, "his." sone and seruaunt · suwe for his ryghte For wo-so wol haue to wyue · my worliche doughter Ich wol feffe hym with hure fayre · and with hure foule taylende So indirect þyng ys · Inliche to coueyte To a-corde in alle kyndes · and in alle kyne numbre With-oute cost and care · in alle kynde trauaile Ac relacion rect* is · a ryhtful custome As a kyng to cleyme · þe comune at is wille To folwe hym to fynde hym · and fecthefec[c]he at hem hus consail That here loue þus to hem · þorw al þe londe a-corde So comune cleymeþ of a kyng · thre kynne þynges Lawe loue and leaute · and hym lord antecedent Boþe here hefd and here kyng* · haldyng with no partie Bote stande as a stake · þat stykeþ in a muyre By-twyne two londes · for a trewe marke Ac þe moste partie of þe puple · pure indirect* semeþ For þei wilnen and wolde · as best were for hem-selue Thauh þe kyng* and þe comune · al þe cost hadde Al reson reproueþ · such imparfit puple And halt hem vnstedefast · for hem lackeþ case Ac relatifs indirect* · reccheþ þei neuere Of þe cours of þe case · so þey cacche suluer Be þe pectuniepec[c]unie ·y·-payedP.4.398: The scribe's use of raised points on either side of the marker for the past participle is unusual in this manuscript. ???***CHECK IT OUT WITH CONC · þauh parties chide He þat mede may lacche · makeþ litel tale Nyme he a numbre of nobles · oþer of shullenges How þat clyentes a-corde mede a-counteþ lytel Ac adiectif and substantif · ys as ich er tolde Þat ys vnyte a-cordaunce · in case gendre and numbre And ys no mene in oure mouth · more ne mynne Bote þat alle manere men · wommen and children Sholde conformye to on kynde · on holy churche to by-leyue And coueite þe case · wen þei couthe vnderstonde To asky fore hure synnes · and suffre arde penaunce For þat ilke lordes loue · þat for oure loue deyde And coueited oure kynde · and be cald in oure name deus homo And nymen hym into oure numbre · now and euere-more Qui in caritate manet in deo manet & deus in eo . Thus is man and mankynde · in manere of a substantif As hic & hec homo · and a kyng an adiectif Of þre trywe termysons trinitas unus deus . Nominatiuo pater & filius & spiritus sanctus Ac ho-so rat of regum · rede me may of mede Hou hue absolon to hongynge brouhte And suthe for saul sauede · a kyng for mede A-geyn godes comaundement · god toke suche veniaunce Þat saul for þat synne · and hus sone deyde And gaf þe kyngdome to hus knaue · þat kept sheep and lambren And men þat in regum · after reweþ of kynges Hou god sente to saul by Samuel þe prophete Þat agag of amalek and al hus lyge puple Sholde deye delfulliche · for dedes of here eldren Saul . quath samuel · god hym-self hoteþ To be boxome at my bidding · hus bone to fulfylle Haste þe with al þyn ost · to þe lond of amalek And al þat lyueþ in þat londe · oure lord wol þat þow slee hit* Mebles and vnmebles · man and alle þynges Bren hit ber nouht away · be hit neuere so riche For eny mede of moneye · al þat þow myght spille Spar hit nat and þow shalt · spede þe betere And for he coueited hyre catel · and þe kyng spared For-bar hym and hus beste bestes · as þe byble whitnesseþ Oþerwise þan god wolde · by warnyng of þe prophete God seide to samuel . þat saul sholde deye And al hus for þat synne · and shendfulliche ende Thus was kyng saul ouercome · for couetyse of mede That god hatid hym for euere · and alle hus ayres after The culorum of þis cas · kepe ich nat to shewe An aunter hit nuyede me · non ende wol ich make for so ys þe worlde went · wit þat han þe power prophecie That he þat seith most sothest · sonnest ys y-blamed Ich conscience knowe þis · for kynde witt me tauhte Þat reson shal regne · and reames gouerne And ryht as agag* hadde · happen shulleþ somme Samuel shal fle hym · and saul shal be blamed And dauid shal be diademyd · andeP.4.450: The final character is malformed. daunten alle oure enemyes And on cristene kyng* · kepen ows echone Shal no mede neuere-more after Ac loue and louhnesse · and leaute to-gederes Shullen be maistres on molde · trewe men to helpe And ho-so takeþ aȝen treuthe · oþer transuerseþ aȝens reson Leaute shal do hym lawe · and no lif elles Shal no seriaunte for þat seruyse · were aselka selk houe No pelour in hus paueylon · for pledyng* at þe barre Muchel yuel is þorw mede meny tyme suffred And letteþ þe lawe · þorw here large ȝyftes Ac kynde loue shal come ȝut · and conscience to-gederes And make of lawe a loborer · suche loue shal aryse And such pees among þe puple · and a parfyt treuthe Þat Iewes shal wene in here witt* · and wexe so glade That here kyng be ycome · fro þe court of heuene Moyses . oþer messias . · þat men be so trewe For alle þat bereþ baselardes · bryght swerde oþer launce Axe oþer acchett · oþer eny kynne wepne Shal be demed to þe deþ · bote yf he do hit smythie In-to sykel oþer into sithe · to shar oþer to culter Conflabunt gladios suos in uomeres  & lanceas suas in falces . Ech man to pleye with a plouh · a pycoyse oþer a spade Spynnen and spek of god · and spille no tyme Prestes and persons placebo and dirige . Here sauter and here seuene psalmis for alle synful preyen Haukyng oþer hontyng · yf eny of hem hit vsie Shal lese þer-fore hus lyue-lode · and hus lif parauenture Shal noþer kyng ne knyȝt · constable ne meyre Ouer-cark þe comune · ne to þe court sompne Ne putte men in panell · ne do men plighte here treuthe Bote after þe dede þat ys ydo · the dome shal recorde Mercy oþer no mercy · as most trewe a-corden Kynges court and comune court · constorie and chapitre Al shal be bote on court · and on berne be Iustice That worth trewe tunge a trewe man · þat tennede me neuere prophecie . Batailles shulle neuere eft be · ne man bere eg tool And yf eny man smyþen hit · be smyte þer-with to deþe Non leuabit gens contra gentem gladium  nec excercebuntur ultra ad prelium . Ac er þis fortune by-falle · fynde me shal þe worste By s...yx sonnes and a shup · and half a shef of arwes And þe myddell of a mone · shal makye þe Iewes turne And saresyns for þat syght · shullen synge credo in spiritum sanctum . for makamed and mede shullen myshappen þat tyme for melius est bonum nomen  quam diuicie multe . As wroth as þe wynd · waxe mede þer-after Lo what Salamon seith quath hue · in sapience þe byble Þat ȝeueþ ȝyftes take ȝeme · þe victorie he wynneþ And moche worshep þer-with · as holy writt telleþ Honorem acquirit . qui dat munera . Ich leyue þe lady quaþ conscience as holy wriȝt telleth* Thow ert lyke a lady · þat a lesson radde That was omnia probate wiche plesed hure herte That was no lengere · and at þe leues ende Ac hadde hue loked on þe lift half · and þe leef turned Hue sholde haue yfounde · folwynge fele wordes after Quod bonum est tenete a tyxte of treuthes makyng So he þat secheþ sapience · fynde he shal þat folweþ Tristilich a tuenful tixt · to hem þat takeþ mede The wiche hatte as ich haue rad and oþer þat conne rede Animam aufert accipientium . Worshup hue wynneþ · þat wol ȝeue mede Ac he þat receyueþ oþer recetteþ hure · ys recettor of gyle Hic explicit passus quartus . Incipit passus quintus . CEsseþ saide þe kyng · ich soffre ȝow no lenger Ȝe shulleþ sauhtne for-soþe · and serue me boþe Kus hure quaþ þe kyng conscience ich hote Nay by crist quaþ conscience conge me rather Bote reson rede me þer-to · raþer wol ich deye And ich comaunde quaþ þe kynge · to conscience þenne Rappe þe to ryde · and reson þat þow fecche Comaunde hym þat he come · my consail to hure For he shal rulye my reame · and rede me þe beste Of mede and of oþer mo · and what man shal hure wedde And a-counte with þe conscience so me crist helpe How þow ledest my puple · lered and lewede Ich am fayn of þat forwarde · in fayþ þo quaþ conscience And rod forth to reson and rouned in hus ere And seide hym as þe kyng saide · and suche tok hus leue Ich shal a-raye me to ryde · quaþ reson rest þow a-wyle And called caton hus knaue · corteys of speche And also tomme trewe tonge · telle me none tales Ne lesenges to lauhen of · for ich louede hit neuere And sette my sadel vppon soffre til ich see my tyme Let worrok hym wel · with a-vyse by-fore for it hisP.5.22: his, "is." þe wone of wil · to wynse and to kyke Let peitrel hym and pole hym · wit peyntede wittes · Thenne conscience on hus capel · comsed to prykie And reson with hym ryȝt · ronnyng to-geders Wich* a maister mede was · a-mong poure and riche Then waryn wysman · and wyle man his felawe fayn were to folwen hem · and fast ryden after To take red at reson þat recorde sholde By-fore þe kyng and concience yf þei couthen pleyneCHECK MS BOTTOM RIGHT On williman and wittiman and waryn wrynge lawe Ac conscience knew hem wel · and carped to reson Here comeþ quaþ conscience · þat couetyse seruen Ryd forth syre reson and recche nat of here tales For þer wratthe and wranglyng ys · ther þei wolle a-byde Ac þer loue and leaute ys · hit lykeþ nat here hertes Contricio & infelicitas in uiis eorum & uiam pacis non cogno-uerunt  non est timor dei ante oculos eorum . Thei geueþ noȝt of good faith · god wot þe soþe Thei wolde don for a dyner · oþer fore a dosene capones More þan for oure lordes loue · oþer oure lady hus moder Thanne reson rod forth · and tok reward of no man And dude as conscience kenned til he þe kyng mette Corteslich þe kyng þen · cam and grette reson And by-twine hym and isP.5.44: is, "his." sone · sette þo syre reson And speken þo wise wordes · a long wile to-gederes Thenne cam pees in-to parlement · and putte vp a bylle How þat wrong wilffullich* · hadde hus wif for leyen And how he rauysede rose þe riche wydewe by nyghte And margarete of here maidenhod · as he mette hure late Boþe my goos and my grys · and my gras he takeþ Ich dar nouht for is felaweshepe · in faith* pees seide Bere sikerlich* eny seluer · to seint gyles doune He waiteþ ful wel · wanne ich* sulfere take What wey ich wende · wel ȝerne he aspieþ To robbe me and to ryfle me · yf ich* ryde softe Ȝut he is bold for to borwe · and baldelich* he payeþ He borwede of me bayarde · and browte hym neuere Ne no ferþeng þer-fore · for nouht ich couthe plede He menteyneþ hus men · to morthr.e myn hywes And for-stalleþ myn faires · and fyghteþ in my chepynges And breke vp my bernes dore · and bereþ away my wete And takeþ me bote a taile · for ten quarters oþer twelue Ȝut he manasceþ me and myne · and lyth by my mayde Ich am nouht hardy for hym · owneþe to loke The kyng knew þat he seide soþ · for conscience hym tolde How wronge was a wickede man · and moche wo wrouhte Tho was wrong a-fered · wysdome he by-souhte On men of lawe wrong lokede · and largelich* hem profrede And for to haue of here help · handy dandy payede Had ich loue of þe lorde · litel wolde ich recche Of pees and of hus power · thauh he pleynede euere Thoruh wrong and hus werkes · þer was mede yknowe For wysdome and wit þo · wenten to-gederes And toke mede myd hem · Mercy to wynne Ȝut pees putte forth* hus hefd · and hus panne blody With-oute gult god wot · gat ich þys scaþe Conscience knoweþ hit wel · and alle þe trewe comune Ac wyles and wit · weren a-boute faste To ouercome þe kynge · þow catel yf þei myghte Þe kyng swor þo by crist · and by his corone bothe That wrong for hus workus · sholde wo þolie And comaundede a constable · to caste wrong in yrenes Ther he ne sholde in seuen ȝere · see fet no hondes God wot quaþ awisa wis on · þat were nat þe beste Yf he may a-mendes do · let meynpryse hym haue And be borw of ysP.5.86: ys, "his." bale · and byggen hym bote And a-mende þat ys mys-do · and euere more þe betere Wit a-corded her with · and witnessede þe same Betere ys þat bote · bale a-doun brynge Than bale be bete · and bote neuere þe betere Thanne gan mede muken here · and mercy by-souhte And profrede pees apresenta present · al of pure golde Haue þus man of me quaþ hue · to amende þy scaþe For ich wol wage for wrong · he wol do so no more Pytouslich pees þo · preyede þe kyng To haue mercy on þat man · þat meny tyme greuede hym · For he hath waged me wel · as wisdome hym tauhte Mede hath mad m...yne · amendes · ich may no more asken So alle myne claymes ben quyt · by so þe kynge asente Nay by crist quath þe kynge · for consciences sake Wrong goþ nat so away · ar ich wite more Loupe he so lyghtlich* a-wey · lauhen he wolde And eft be þe boldere · to bete myne hywes Bote reson haue reuthe of hym · he shal reste in stockes As longe as ich lyue · for hus luther werkes Somme radde reson þo · to haue reuthe on þat shrewe And for to consail þe kyng · on conscience þei loked Þat mede myghte be menepernour reson þei by-souhte Red me nat quaþ reson no reuthe to haue Til lordes and ladies · louen alle treuthe And haten alle harlotrie · to huyren oþer to mouthen hit And purneles porfil · be put in þe wuccheP.5.112: wucche, "hutch, chest for storing clothing."P.5.112: Meaningless (?) marks appear in the right margin. And children chersingP.5.113: The vowel is not clear and perhaps chirsing is intended. · be chasted with ȝerdes And harlotes holynesse · be an hey ferye Til klerken couetise · be cloth for þe poure Here pelure and here palfrayes · poure menne lyflode And religious out-ryders · reclused in here cloistres And be as benit . hem bad domenik and fraunceis . Tyl þat lerede men lyue · as þei lere and techen And til þe kynges consayl · be al comune profit Tyl bisshepes and bakers · brewers and taylours For alle manere men · þat þei fyndeþ nedfol Tyl seynt Iame be-souht · þer poure syke lyggen In prisons and in poore cotes · for pilgrymages to rome So þat non go to galys · bote it be for euere And alle rome renners · for robbers in fraunce Bere no suluer ouer see · þat kynges syminimgne sheweþ Neiþer graue ne vngraue · of gold ne of suluer Vp forfeture of þe fee · ho-so fynt hym ouerwarde Bote it be marchaunt oþer hus man · oþer messager with lettres Prouisour oþer prest oþer penaunt for hus synnes And ȝut quaþ reson by þe rode · ich shal no reuthe haue Wyl mede hath þe maistrye · þer motyng his atte þe barre Ac ich may seye ensamples · as ic see oþere Ich seye it for my-selue · quath reson and hit so were Þat ich were kyng with corone · to kepe eny reame Shold neuere wronge in þis worlde · þat ich wite myghte Be vnpunysshed in my power · for peril of my soule Ne gete my grace þorw eny gyft · ne glosyng speche Ne þorw .mede do mercy · by marye of heuene For man nullum malum mette · with impunitum . And bad þat nullum bonum bee irremuneratum . Lete þy confessour syre kyng · construe þis in english* And ȝif ȝe worten hit in werke · ich wedde boþe myn handes That lawe shal be a laborer · and lede a-felde donge And loue shal lede þy land · as þe luf lykeþ Clerkus þat were confessours · couplede hem to-gederes To construe this clause · kyndeliche wat hit menede Mede in þat mote-halle þo · on men of lawe gan wynke In sygne þat þei sholde · with som sotel spec.he Reherce þo a-non ryght · þat myghte reson stope And alle ryghtful recordeden · þat reson treuthe seyde And kyndewit and conscience cortesliche þankede Reson for hus ryghtspecheryght speche · riche and poure hym louede And seiden we seth wel · syre reson by þy wordes That meknesse worth mayster · ouer mede atte þe laste Loue let lyght of mede and leaute ȝut lasse And cryed vp-on conscience þe kynge hit myghte yhure wo-so wilneþ Who-so wylneþ hure to wyue · for welthe of hure goodes Bote he be knowe for cokewold · kut of my nose Mede mornede þo · and made heuy cheere For þe comune cald hure · queynte comune hore A sysour and a somner þo · softeliche forth* ȝeden With mede þe mayde · out of þe mot-halle A shereyues clerk cryede · a · capiatis mede . Et saluo custodias . sed non cum carceratis . The kynge to his consail tho · tok conscience and reson . And myldeliche vp-on mede meny tyme lokede And lourede vp-on men of lawe · and lightliche seide Thorȝe ȝoure lawe ich leyue · ich lese menye escheytes Mede and men of ȝoure craft · muche treuthe letteþ Ac reson shal regne with ȝow · yf ich regne eny wyle And deme ȝow by þys day · as ȝe haue deseruyde Mede shal nat meynprise ȝow · by marye of heuene Ich wolle haue leaute · for my lawe · let be al ȝoure ianglend By leel men and lyf-holy · my lawe shal by demyd Quath conscience to þe kynge · whith-outeP.5.177: whith-oute, "without." comune help Hit is ful hard by myn hefd · þer to hit to brynge And alle ȝoure lege ledes · to lede þus euene By hym þat rauhte on rode · quaþ reson to þe kynge Bote ich rewely þus alle reames · reueþ me my syght And brynge alle men to bowe · with-oute byter wonde With-oute mercement oþer manslauht · amenden alle reames Ich wolde hit were quaþ þe kyng · wel al a-boute For-þy reson redelyche · þow shalt nat ryden hennes Bote be my chyf chaunceler · in chekyr and in parlement And conscience in alle my courtes · be as kynges Iustice Ich a-sente seyde reson by so þy-self y huyre Audi alteram partem · a-mong aldermen and comuners And þat vnsittynge suffraunce · ne seele ȝoure pryueie letteres Ne seynde supersedeas bote ich asente quath · reson And ich dar legge my lyf · þat loue wol lene þat suluer To wage thyne and help wynne · þat þow wilnest after More þan al þy marchauns · oþer þy mytrede bisshopes Oþer lumbardes of lukes · þat lyuen by loue as Iewes The kyng* comaunded conscience tho · to congie alle hus officers And receyuen þo þat reson louede · and ryȝt wit þat ich a-wakede Hic explicit passus quintus . Incipit passus sextus . Thus ich a-waked wot god · wanne ich wonede on cornehulle Kytte and ich in a cote · cloþed as a lollere And a lytel ich let by · leyue me for-soþe Among lollares of londen · and lewede heremytes · For ich made of þo men · as reson me tauhte For as ich cam by conscience wit reson ich mette In an hote heruest · wenne ich hadde myn hele And lymes to labore with · and louede wel fare And no dede to do · bote drynke and to slepe In hele and in vnite · on me aposede Romynge in remembraunce · thus reson me aratede Canstow seruen he seide · oþer syngen in a churche Oþer coke for my cokers · oþer to þe cart picche Mowe oþer mowen · oþer make bond to sheues Repe oþer be a repereyue · and a-ryse erliche Oþer haue an horne and be haywarde · and liggen oute a nyghtes And kepe my corn in my croft · fro pykers and þeeues Oþer shappe shon oþer cloþes · oþer shep oþer kyn kepe Eggen oþer harwen · oþer swyn oþer gees dryue Oþer eny kyns craft · þat to þe comune nudeþ Hem þat bedreden be · by-lyue to fynde Certes ich seyde · and so me god helpe Ich am to waik to worche · with sykel oþer with sythe And to long leyf me · lowe for to stoupe To worchen as a workemanP.6.26: Because the article was squeezed into the line, asaworkeman appears without spaces. · eny wyle to dure Thenne hauest þow londes to lyue by · quath reson oþer lynage riche That fynden þe þy fode · for an hydel man þow semest A spendour þat spende mot · oþer a spille-tyme Oþer beggest þy bylyue · a-boute ate menne hacches Oþer faitest vp-on frydays · oþer feste dayes in churches The wiche is lollarene lyf · þat lytel ys preysed Þer ryghtfulnesse rewardeþ · ryght as men deserueþ Reddit unicuique iuxta opera sua . Oþer þow ert broke so may be · in body oþer in membre Oþer ymaymed þorw som mys-hap · wer-by þow myȝt be excusede Wanne ich ȝong was quath ich · meny ȝer hennes My fader and my frendes · founden me to scole Tyl ich wiste wyterliche · wat holy wryt menede And wat is best for þe body · as þe bok telleþ And sykerest for þe soule · by so ich wolle continue And ȝut fond ich neuere in faith · sytthen my frendes deyden Lyf þat me lyked · bote in þes longe clothes Hyf ich by laboure sholde lyue · and lyflode deseruen That labour þat ich lerned best · þer-whitP.6.44: þer-whit, "therewith." lyue ich sholde In eadem uocatione qua uocati estis . And ich lyue in londene · and on londen bothe The lomes þat ich laboure with · and lyflode deserue ys pater noster and my prymer placebo and dirige . And my sauter som tyme · and my seuene psalmes . Thus ich synge for hure soules · of suche as me helpen And þo þat fynden me my fode · vochen saf ich trowe To be wolcome wanne ich come · oþer-wyle in a monthe Now with hym and now with hure · and þus gate ich begge With-oute bagge oþer botel · bote my wombe one And also more-ouer · me þynkeþ syre reson Men sholde constreyne · no clerke to knauene werkes For by lawe of leuitici þat oure lord ordeynede Clerkes þat aren crouned · of kynde vnderstondyng Sholde noþer swynke ne swete · ne swere at enquestes Ne fyghte in no vauntwarde · ne hus fo greue Non reddas malum pro malo . For it ben aires of heuene · and alle þat ben crounede And in queer in churches · cristes owene mynestres Dominus pars hereditatis mee . & alibi . Clemencia non constringit . Hit by-comeþ for clerkus · crist for to seruen And knaues vncrouned · to cart and to worche For shold no clerk be crouned · bote yf he ycome were Of franklens and free men · and of folke yweddede Bondmen and bastardes · and beggers children Thuse by-longeþ to labour · and lordes children sholde seruen Bothe god and good men · as here degree askeþ Some to synge masses · oþer sitten and wryte Rede and receyue þat reson ouhte spende And sith bondemenne barnes · han be mad Bisshopes And barnes bastardes · han ben Archidekenes And sopers and here sones · for seluer han be knyghtes And lordene sones here laborers · and leid here rentes to wedde For þe ryght of þere reame · ryden a-ȝens oure enemys In confort of þe comune · and þe kynges worshep And monkes and moniales · þat mendinauns sholden fynde Han mad here kyn knyghtes · and knyghtfeesknyght fees purchase Popes and patrones · poure gentil blod refuseþ And taken symondes sone · seyntewarie to kepe Lyf-holynesse and loue · han ben longe hennes And wole til hit be wered out · or oþerwise ychaunged For-þy rebuke me ryght nouht reson ich ȝow praye For in my conscience ich knowe · what crist wolde þat ich wrouhte Preyers of parfyt man · and penaunce discret Ys þe leueste labour · þat oure lord pleseþ · Non de solo ich seide · for soþe uiuit homo . Nec in pane & pabulo þe pater noster witnesseþ Fiat uoluntas tuas · fynt ous alle þynges Quath conscience by crist · ich can nat see this lyeþ Ac it semeth nouht parfytnesse · in cytees for to begge Bote he be obedienterobediencer · to pryour oþer to mynstre That ys soth ich seide · and so ich by-knowe That ich haue tynt tyme · and tyme mysspended And ȝut ich hope as he · þat ofte haueþ chaffarede Þat ay hath lost and lost · and at þe latiste hym happed He bouhte suche a bargayn · he was þe bet euere And sette hus lost at alefa lef · at þe laste ende Suche a wynnynge hym warth · þorw wyrdes of hus grace Simile est regnum celorum thesauro abscondito in agro & cetera . Mulier que inuenit dragmam . et cetera . So hope ich to haue of hym · þat hisP.6.105: his, "is." al-myghty A gobet of hus grace · and bygynne a tyme Þat alle tymes of my tyme · to profit shal turne Ich rede þe quath reson þo · rape þe to bygynne Þe lyf þat ys lowable · and leel to þe soule Ȝe and continue quath conscience · and to þe churche ich wente And to þe churche gan ich go · god to honourie By-for þe crois on my knees · knocked ich my brest Sykinge for my sennes · seggynge my pater noster . Wepyng and wailinge · tyl ich was a-slepe Thenne mete me moche more · þan ich by-fore tolde Of þe mater þat ich mete fyrst · on maluerne hulles Ich sauh þe feld ful of folk · fram ende to þe oþer sermo And reson reuested · ryȝt as a pope And conscience his crocer · by-fore þe kynge stande Reson reuerentliche · by-for al þe reame Prechede and prouede · þat þuse pestilences Was for pure synne · to punyshe þe puple And þe south-west wynd · on saterday at eue Was pertelich for prude · and for no poynt elles Piries and plomtrees · were poffed to þe erthe In ensample to syggen ous · we sholde do þe betere Beches and brode okes · weren blowe to þe grounde And turned vpward here tayl · in tokenynge of drede That dedlich* synne er domys-day · shal for-do ous alle Of þis mater ich myghte · momely wel longe Ac ich shal seye as ich seih · slepynge as it were How reson radde al þe reame · ryght for to lyuen · He bad wastours go worche · and wynne here sustinaunce Þorw som trewe trauail · and no tyme spille He preide purnele · here porfil to leue And kepe hit in here cofre · for catell at hure nude He tauhte Thomme stoue · to take two staues And fecche felice home · fram wyuen pyne He warnede watte · hus wif was to blame For hure hefd was worth half mark · and hus hod nat a grote He bad bette go kutte · a bowh oþer tweye And bete beton þer-myd · bote he wolde worche He charged chapmen · to chasten here children And lete no wynnynge for-wene hem · þe wile þei ben ȝonge For ho-so spareþ þe spring* spilleþ hus children And so wrot þe wise · to wisen hus alle Qui parcit uirge  odit filium . And sitthe he preide prelates · and prestes to-geders That hij precheþ to þe puple · prouen hit hem-selue Lyue ȝe as ȝe lereþ ousP.6.150: An otiose flourish appears on the <o>. Compare ll. ***???? · we shulleþ leyue ȝow þe bettere And sitthe radde religion · here ruele to holde Leste þe kyng and hus consail · ȝoure comunes a-peyere And be stywardes of ȝoure stedes · til ȝe be stuede betere Gregorie þe grete clerk* · gart write in bokes The ruele of alle religious · ryghtful and obedient Right as fisshes in flod · wenne hem faileþ water Deyen for dreuthe · wenne þei dryen liggen Ryght so religion · roteþ and sterueth* Þat out of couent and cloistre · coueyteþ to dwelle For yf heuene be on þys erthe · oþer eny eyse for saule Hit is in a cloistre oþer in scole · by meny skyles ich fynde For in a cloistre comeþ no man · to chide ne to fighte In scole ys loue and lownesse · and lokynge to lerne Ac meny day men telleþ · boþe monkes and chanonns Han ride out of a-ray · here ruele vuel holde And priked a-boute on palfrais · fro places in-to maners An hepe of houndes at hus ers · as he a lord were And bit hus knaue knele · þat shal hus coppe holde He lokeþ al loureng · and lorden hym calleþ Lytel hadde lordes a-do · to ȝeue londe fro here aires To religion þat han no reuthe · þauh hit ryne in here auters In places þer þei persons beþ · by hem-self at ese Of þe poure han þei no pyte · þat hisP.6.173: his, "is." here poure charite Ȝe leten ȝow alle as lordes · ȝoure londe lyth to brode Ac ȝut shal come a kyng* · and confesse ȝow alle And bete ȝow as þe byble telleþ · for brekyng* of ȝoure reule And amende ȝow monkes · moniales and chanons And putte ȝow to ȝoure penaunce ad pristinum statum ire . And barons and here barnes · blame ȝow and reproue Prophecie · Hii in curribus & hi in equis  ipsi obligati sunt & ceciderunt . Freres in here fretour · shulle fynde þat tyme Bred with-oute beggynge · to lyue by euere after And costantyn shal be here cook and couerer of here churche For þe abbot of engelonde · and þe abbesse ys nece Shullen haue a knok on here crounes · and in-curable þe wonde prophecie . Contriuit dominus baculum impiorum  uirgam dominancium plaga insanabili . Ac er þat kyng come · as cronycles me tolde Clerkus and holychurche · shal be cloþed newe And sitthe he consailed þe kyng · hus comune to louye For þe comune ys þe kynges tresour conscience wot wel And al-so quath reson · ich rede ȝow riche And comuners to a-corden · in alle kynne treuthe Let no kynne consail · ne couetyse ȝow departe Þat on wit and on wil · alle ȝoure wardes kepe Lo in heuene an hy · was an holy comune Til lucifer þe lyere · leyued þat hym-selue Were wittyour and worthiour · þan he þat was hus maister Hold ȝow in vnite · and ȝeAn otiose mark appears before the <e>. þat hoþerP.6.198: hoþer, "other." wolde Ys cause of alle combraunce · to confounde a reame And sitthen he preide þe pope · haue pyte of holychurche And no grace to graunte · til good loue were Among alle kynne kynges · ouere cristene puple Comaunde þat alle confessours · þat eny kynge shryueþ Enioynye hem pees for here penaunce · and perpetuel forȝeuenesse Of alle manere actiouns · and eche man loue oþer And ȝe þat secheþ seint Iame and seyntes of rome Seicheþ seint treuthe in sauacion of ȝoure saules Qui cum patre & filio þat faire hem by-falle Þat suweþ my sarmon · and þus endeþ reson . Hic explicit passus sextus . Incipit passus septimus . With þat ran repentaunce · and reherced hus teme And made wille to wepe · water with hus eyen Purnele proute herte · platte hure to þe erthe Longe was herarP.7.4: her, "before, ere." hueP.7.4: hue, "she." loked vp · and lord mercy criede And by-highte to hym · þat ous alle made Hue sholde vnsywe hure smokserk · and sette þer an heire To afaiten hure flesch* · þat fers was to synne Shal neuere mynheyh herte me hente · bote holde me lowe And suffre to be myssaide · and so dude ich neuere Bote now wolle ich muke me · and mercy by-seche Of alle þat ich haue · yhatedhated in myn herte repente þe quath repentaunce · as reson þe tauhte And shryf þe sharpliche · and shak of alle pruyde Confessio superbie . Confessio superbie . P.7.14: The repetition of what would usually be one marginal rubric is odd, especially as it is written like a line of text. Ich pruyde pacientliche · penaunce ich aske For ich formest and ferst · to fader and to moder Haue ybebe vnboxome · ich biseche god of mercy And vnboxome ybe · nouht a-baissedabaschet to a-gulte God and alle good men · so gret was myn herte In-obedient to holychurche · and to hem þat þer seruen Demed for hure yuel vices · and excited oþere Þorw my word and al mymy wit · hure vuel workes to shewe And scorned hem and oþere · yfyf y a skyle founde Lauhynge al aloude · for lewede men sholde Wene þat ich were witty · and wyser þan a-noþere Scorner and vnskilful to hem · þat skil shewede In alle manere maners · my name to be yknoweknowe Semeng a souereyn on · wer-so me by-fulle To telle eny tale · ich trowede me wiser To carpen oþerand ~ or to counsaile · þan eny lered oþeror lewede Prout of a-parail · in porte a-monge þe puple Oþer-wise þan ich haue · with-ynne oþer with-oute Me wilned þat men wende · ich were inas in aueyr Riche and resonable · and ryghtful of lyuynge Bostynge and Braggynge · wyt meny bolde oþes Auauntyng vp on my veine-glorie · for eny vnder-nemynge And ȝut so syngeler by my-self · as to sight of þe puple Was non suche as my-self · ne non so pompholypop(e)holy · Som-tyme onin oaCHECK MS for direction of change.***??? secte · som tyme onin anoþer In alle kynne couetyse · contreuede how ich myghte Be holde for holy · an hondred sithe by þat encheison Wilnede þat men wende · my werkes were þe beste And konnyngest of my craft · clerkes oþer oþere And strengest vp-on my stedestede · and styuest vnder gurdell And louelokest to loken on · and lykynggest a-bedde And lykynge of such* a lif · þat no lawe preyseþ Prout of my faire fetours · and for ich songe shulle And what ich gaf for godesloue · to god-sybbes ich tolde TherThey to wene þat ich were · wel holy and wel almesfulalmesfull And non so bold beggere · to bydden an craue Tales to telle in tauernes · and in stretes Thyng þat neuere was þouhte · and ȝut ich swor ich sauh hit And lyed on my lykame · and on my lyf boþe Of werkes þat ich wel dude · wittnesse ichnil take And syggen to suche · þat sytten me by-syde Lo yf ȝe leyue me nouht · oþeror þat ȝe wene ich lye Aske ofat hym oþeror ofat hure · and þei conne ȝow telle What ich soffrede anP.7.58: an, "and." seih · and som tyme hadde And what ich knew and couthe · of wat kyn ich kam of Al ich wolde þat men wuste · when hit to pruyde sonede As toto be preised a-mong þe puple · þauh ich poure semede Si hominibus placerem christi seruus non essem . Nemo potest duobus dominis seruire . Now god of hus goodnesse · geue þe grace to Amende Quath repentaunce ryght with þat · And þenne roos enuye Confessio inuidie confessio subidie . P.7.66: The scribe wrote the rubric, usually marginal, as though it were a line. Enuye with heuy herte · asked after shrifte And criede mea culpa corsynge alle hus enemys Hus cloþes were of corsement · and of kene wordes He wroth hus fust vp-on wratthe · hadde he wysshes at wille Sholde no lyf lyuye · þat on hus londe passede Chidynge and I-anglenge · þat was hus chef lyflode And blame men by-hynde hure bak · and bidde hem meschaunce Al þat he wiste by wylle · to watekyn he told hit And þat he wiste by watekyn · tolde hit to willewille after And made foos of frendes · þorw fals and fykel tonge OþerOr þorw myghte of mouthe · oþeror þorw meny sleyghthes Venged me fele tymetymes · oþer brendvrete my-self with-ynne Lyke a shappesters sheres · and shrewede myn emcristyne Aȝens þe consail of crist · as clerkes fynden in bokes Cuius maledictione os plenum est &* amaritudine sub lingua eius . labor . & dolor . Filij hominum dentes eorum arma &* sagitte &* lingua eorum gladius acutus . Wenne ich ne may haue þe maistrie · suche malancolie ich take Þat ich cacche þe crampe · þe cardiacle som tyme OþerOr an ague in suche an angre · and som tyme a feuere Þat takeþ me al a twelfmounthe · til þat ich dispice Leche craft of oure lorde · and leyue on a wicche And sigge þat no clerk can · ne crist as ich leyue To þe souter of south-werk · such is hus grace For god ne godes wordes · ne grace nenilP.7.90: An otiose mark appears above and between the <n> and <e>. halp neuere Bote þorw anil charme hadde ich a chaunce · and my chief hele Ich myghte nat ete meny ȝer · as a man hauhte For enuye and vuel wil · ys vuel to defye May no suger ne swete þyng · a-swage my swellynges Ne dereworthe drynke · dryuen hit fro myn herte Neyþer shame ne shrift · bote ho-so shraped my mawe Ȝus redilyche quath repentaunce · and þow be ryght sory For þy synnesynnes soueraynliche · by-sechyng god of mercy Ich am euere sory sayde enuye · ich am bote selde oþer Þat makeþ me so megre · for ich ne may me Auenge Ȝut am ich brocor of baggebytynge · and blame mennes ware Among marchauns many tymes · nameliche in londoun Wanne he solde and ich noght · þenne was ich a redy To lye and to loury · and to lacke myn neghebores Here werkes here wordes · wer so ich sete Now hit a thynkeþ me in þouht · þat euere ich so wrouhte Lord er ich lyf lete · for loue of þy-selue Graunte me goodelordegoode lorde · grace of amendeme.nt Confessio ire confessio ire . P.7.109: The scribe's intention here is not entirely clear. These rubrics are written as though they were lines of text, a feature that will recur several times in this manuscript. Thenne awaked wratthe · whitP.7.110: whit, "with." to white eyen WhitAnd withP.7.111: Whit, "with." a nyuylynge nose · nyppyng hus lyppes Ich am wratth quaþ þat wye · wol gladliche smyte Boþe whitP.7.113: whit, "with." ston and whitP.7.113: whit, "with." staf · and stele vp-on myn enemy For to slee hym slehliche · slehthes ich by-þenke Thauh ich sytte þys seuen ȝer · ich sholde nat wel telle The harme þat ich haue idon · witP.7.116: wit, "with." hand and whitP.7.116: whit, "with." tonge VnpacientInpacient in alle penaunces · and pleyned as hit were On god wenne menme greued ouht · and grucchegrochede of hus sonde As som tyme in somer · and also in heruest Bote ich hadde wedir at my wil · ich wited god þe cause AndIn alle manere angres · þat ich hadde oþer felede Amonges alle manere men · my dwelling ys som tyme WhitP.7.123: Whit, "with." lered and witP.7.123: wit, "with." lewede · þat luf ben to hure Harm of eny man · by-hynde oþer by-fore Freres flowenfolewen my vore · fele tyme and ofte And prouen vnparfit · prelates of holy churche And prelates pleynen ofon hem · for þei here parshenes shryuen Whit-outeP.7.128: Whit-oute, "without." lycence an.d leue · and herby lyueþ wratthe Thus þei speke and dispute · þat eche dispiseþ oþer Thus beggers and barouns · at debat aren ofte Til ich wratth waxe an hyh · and walke wit hem bothe OþerOr til boþe be beggers · and by spiritualte lybben Oþr alle riche þus ride · rest shal ich nauht wraithe Þat ich ne mot folwy þis folk · my fortune ys non oþer Ich haue an Aunte to anunnea nunnenonne · and to an abbodesseabbesse Hem were leuere sounye oþeror swelte · þan suffry eny peyne Ich haue be cook in here kychene · and þe Couent serued Meny monthes with hem · and with monkes boþe Ich was þe prioresse potager · and oþer poure ladies And made here ioutes of iangles · dame Iohane was a bastarde And dame Clarice a knyghtes douhter · a cokewold was hure syre Dame purnele a prestes file · prioresse worth he neuere For hue hadde a childechilde in the chapon cote · hue worth chalenged at election Thus þei sitte þo sustres · som tyme and disputen Til þow luxt and þow luxt · be lady ouer hem alle And þenne a-wake ich wratthe · and wold be auenged Þanne ich crie and cracche · whitP.7.147: whit, "with." my kene nailes Boþe byteByte and bete · and brynge forth suche þewes Þat alle ladies me loþen · þat louen eny worschep Among wyues and wodewes · ich am ywonedwoned sitte Yparroked in puwes · þe person hit knoweth How lytel ic louye · letice at þe style For hue hadde haly bred er ich · myn herte by-gangan to chaunge After-ward after mete · hue and ich chidde And ich wratth was war · and wroth on hem boþ Til aiþer cliped either oþereoþer hore · and of with þe cloþes Til boþe here heuedes were bar · and blody here chekes Among monkes myght ich be · ac meny tyme ich spare For þer beþ meny follefelle frekus · myne afferes to aspye Þat ys þe priour and þeand suppriour · and oure Pater abbas . And yf ich telle eny tales · thei taken hem to-geders And don me faste fridaies · to bred and to water Ȝut am ich chalenged in chapitele hous as ich a childe were And baleysed inon þe bar ers · and no breche by-twyne Ich haue no lust leyue me · to lenge a-mong monkes For hijy eteþ more fisch* þan flesh* · and feble ale drenken Ac oþer-wile wanne wyn comeþ · and wenne ich drenke late Ich haue a flux of a foul mouth · wel fyf dayes after Al þat ich wiste wickede · by eny of oure couent Ich cowede hit vp in oure cloistre · þat al þe Couent wot hit Now repente þe quaþ repentaunce · and reherce neuere What counsail þat þow knowest · by contenaunce ne by speche And drynk nat ouer delicatliche · ne to dupe neiþer Þat þy wil ne þy wit · to wratthe · myghte turne Esto sobrius he seide · and a-soiled hym after And bad hym bidde to god · be hus help to amende Confessio luxurie  confessio luxurie . Thenne seide lecherie alas · and to oure lady cryede Lady to þy leue sone · lowte for me nouthe That he haue pyte on me putour · hus pure grace and mercypuyr WhitP.7.181: Whit, "with." þat ich shal quath þat shrewe · saterdayes for þy loue Drynke bote with þe douke · and dyne bote ones Ich gulty in gost · to god ich me shryue As in lykynge of lecherie · my licames gultes In wordes in wedes · in waitynge of eyen To eche maide þat ich mette · ich made to hurehere a sygne Semynge to synne-warde · and somme gan ich taste A-boute þe mouthe · and by nythe · by-gan ich to grope Til oure boþersbothe oure wil was on · to werke we ȝeden As wel fastyngdaies and frydaies · and eye feste euenes As luf in lente as oute of lente · alle tymes liche Suche werkus with ous · were neuere out of seson Til we myghte no more · þanne hadde we murye tales Of puterie and of paramours · and proueden þorw speches Handlynge and halsynge · and also þorw cussynge Excitynge oure aiþer oþer · til oure holdeP.7.196: holde, "old." synne Sotilede songes · and sende out olde baudes For to wynne to my wil · wommon whitP.7.198: whit, "with." gyle By sorcerye som tyme · and som tyme by maistrye Ich lay by þe louelokeste · and loued hem neuere after Whenne ich was old anP.7.201: an, "and." hor · and hadde lore þat kynde Ich had lykynge to lauhelythe · of lecherye tales Now lord for þy leaute · of lechours haue mercy Confessio auaricie confessio auaricie . P.7.204: The scribe copied these marginal rubrics as though they were text. Thenne cam couetyse · ich can nat hym discryue So hongerliche anP.7.206: an, "and." so holwe · heruy hym-self lokede He was bytelbrowede and baberlupped · whitP.7.207: whit, "with."t two bleryblered eyen And as aleþereneporsa leþerene pors · lollid hus chekus AlWel sydder þan ys chyn · ychiueled for elde As bondemenne bacon · hus berd was yshaue WhitP.7.211: Whit, "with." hus hod on his heued · and hus hatte boþe In a toren tabarde · of twelue wynter ageP.7.212: The following two lines, given here in the spelling of X, are lost from P:But yf a lous couthe lepe y leue and y trowe He sholde nat wandre on þat walch so was hit thredbare. Iich haue be coueitous · quaþ þis caityf · Ich by-know hit here For som tyme ich serued · symme at þe style And was is prentys yplyght · hus profyt to waite Furst ich lerned to lye · a lesyng oþer tweye Wickedliche to weye · was my furst lesson To wy and to winchestre · ich wente to þe faire With manymany manere marchandisesmarchandise · as my maistresmaistre heghte Ne hadde þe grace of gyle · gon among my ware Hit hadde ben vnsold þys seuen ȝer · so me god helpe Ich drow me among drapers · my donet to lerne To drawe þe lisure a-longe · þe lenger it semed Among þe riche rayes · ich rendred a lesson To brochen hem with a batte-nelde · and bond hem to-gederes Ich puttePotte hem in pressours · and pynned hem þerynne Tyl ten ȝordeP.7.227: Russell and Kane (p. 313) treat this spelling as substantive. MED, s. v. yerd n (2), does not list this spelling among the variant spellings, but yeord(en) appears as a Southwest form, so we might expect to find ȝorde. oþer twl.e?uetw[e]lue · tilled out þrettyne My wif was a webbe · and wollen cloþ made Hue spak to þe spnynnesters · to spynnen hit oute Þe pound þat hue paiede hem by · peysed a quarter More þan myn Auncel · wenne ich weied treuthe Ich boughte hure barliche · hue brew hit to selle Peny-ale apodynga podyng-aleP.7.233: a, "and." · hue pourede to-geders For laborers and lowe folke · that laye by hem-selue The beste laye in my bour · and in my bed chambre And sohoso bommede þer-of · he bouht yt þer-after A galon for a grote · and ȝut no grayþ mesure Wanne it cam in coppe-mel · þis craft my wif vsede Rose þe regratour · was hure ryght name Hue hath yholde hockerye · þes eleuene wynter Repentest þow neuere quaþ repentaunce · ne restitucion madest Ȝus ones quaþ hue ich was yherborwedherberd · with an hep of chapmen Ich a-rosros and rifled here males · wenne þei a-reste were Þat was a reufol restitucion · quaþ repentaunce for-soþe Thow wolt hongy heye þerfore · her oþer in helle Vsedest þow euere vserie in al þy lyf-tyme Nay sothliche hue sayde · saf in my ȝouþe Ich lerned among lumbardes · a lesson and of iewes To weie pans with a peis · and pared þe heuyeste And lente for loue of þe wed · þe whiche ich let betere And more worth þan þe moneye · oþeror men þat ich lonede Ich lonedelened folk þat lese wolde · a lippe in eche noble And with lombardes letters · ichnil lenede gold at rome So what bern of me borwed · he bouhte þe tyme Lonedest þow euere to eny lorde · for loue of menteynaunce Ich haue ylentlent to lordes and tonil ladies · þat louede me neure after IchAnd (y) haue mad meny knyght · boþe mercer and draper Payede neuere for here prentishode · nauht a payere gloues Þat chaffared with my chyuesaunce · cheuede selde after Now redelich quaþ repentaunce · and by þe rode ich leyue Shal neuere executor wel by-sette · þe suluer þat þow hym leuest Ne þyn ayeres as ich hope · haue ioye of þat þow wan For þe pope and alle hus penetauncers · power hem faylleþ To a-soyle þe of þy synnes · sine restitutione . Nunquam dimittitur peccatum . nisi restituatur ablatum . With false wordes and wittes · ich haue wonne my goodes And with gyle and glosynge · gadered þat ich haue Meddled my marchaundise · and mad a good moustre The werst lay with-ynne · a gret wit ich let hit And yf my neyhȝebore hadde an hyne · oþeror eny best ellys More profitable þan myn · ich made meny wentes How ich myght haue hit · al my wit ich caste And bote ich hadde hit by oþes a-wayother wey · atte laste ich stal hit OþerOr pryuyliche hus pors shok · vnpiked hus lokes And yf ich ȝede to þe plouh · ich pynchede on hus half-acre Þat a fot londe oþeror a forwe · fecchen ich wolde Of my neyhȝeboris next · nymen of hus erthe And yf yrepe ouere-reche · oþeror ȝaf hem red þat repen To sese to me with here sykel þat ich sew neuere In halydayes at holy churche · wenne ich hurde messe Ich hadde neuere witerlich* · to by-seche mercy For my mysdedes · þat ich ne mornede ofter For lost of good leyue me · þen for lycames gultes Þauh ich dedliche synne dude · ich dradde hit nat so sore As wenne ich lenede and leyuede hit lost · oþeror longe er hit were paied And yf sentey sente ouer see · my seruaunt to brugges OþerOr in-to pruspruyslond (et al.) my prentys · my profit to a-waite To marchaunde with monye · and maken here eschaunge Myghte neuere man comforty me · in þe meyn tyme Neiþer matyns ne masse · ne oþere manere syghtes And neuere penaunse performede · ne pater noster seyde That my mynde ne was · more in my goodes Þan in godes grace · andand in hus grete myghte Ybi thesaurus tuus  ibi cor tuum . Now redeliche quaþ repentaunce · ich haue reuthe of þy lyuynge Were ich a frere in good faith · for al þe gold on erthe Ich nolde cope me with þy catell · ne oure churche amende Ne take a meles mete of þyne · andP.7.298: and, "if." myn herte hit wiste Þat þow were such as þow seist · ich sholde raþere sterue Melius est mori  quam male uiuere . Ich rede no faitthful frere · at þy feste sytte Ȝut were me leuere by oure lord · lyue by welle carse Þan haue my fode and my fyndyngflourisheP.7.303: The scribe first put a flourish on the <g> and then overwrote it to add a final <e>. · of false menne wynnynges Seruus es alterius cum fercuculafercula pinguia queris . Pane tuo potius uescere liber eris . Thow ert an vnkynde creature · ich can þe nat assoyle Tyl þow haue ymad by þy myght · to alle men restitucion For alle þat hauen of þy good · haue god my treuthe Beeþ holden at þe hye dome · to helpe the restitue The preest þat þy tythe takeþ · trowe ich non oþer Shal parte with þe in purgatorie · and help paye þy dette Yf he wist þow were suche · wen he reseyuyde þyn offrynge What lede leyueþ þat ich lye · loke in þe sauter glosed On ecce enim ueritatem dilexisti . Ther he shal wite witerliche · what vsure is to mene And what penaunce þe prest shal haue · þat prout is of þehis tethes For an hore of hure ers-wynnynge · may hardiloker tythe Þan an erraunt vsurer · haue god my treuthe And erest shal come to heuene · by cryst þat me made Then was þer a walishman · was wonderliche sory Henil highte ȝyuan ȝeld aȝeyn · if ich so moche haue Al þat ich wickeddelich wan · sytthen ich hitwitte hadde And þauh my liflode lacke · leten ich nelle Þat ech man shal haue hus er ich hennes wende For me ys leuere in this lif · as a lorel beggen Þan in lysse to lyue · and lese lyf and soule Roberd þe ryfeler on reddite lokede And for þer was nat wher with · he wepte ful sore And ȝut þat synful shrewe · seide to heuene Crist þat on caluarye · on þe croys deidest* Tho Dismas my broþer · by-souhte þe of grace And haddest mercy on þat man · for memento sake So rewe on me Roberd · þat reddere ne haue Ne neuere wene to wynne wit craft · þat ich kowek[n]oweknowe For þy muchel mercy · mytigacion ich by-secheP.7.335: An otiose mark appears over the first <e>. Dampne me nouht at domys-day · for þat ich dude so ille What by-fel of þis felon · ich can nouht faire shewe Wel ich wot he wepte faste · water wit hus eyen And to crist knowlechede · hus coupe ȝut eft-sone Þat penaunce hus pyk-staf · he wolde polische newe For he hadde leye by latro lucifers aunte By þe rode quaþ repentaunce · þow romest toward heuene By so þatBy so hit be in þyn herte · as ich hure þy tonge Trist in his mochel mercy · anP.7.344: an, "and." ȝut myght þow be saued For al þe wrecchednesse of þis worlde · and wickede dedes Fareþ as a fouk of fuyr · þat ful a myde temese And deide for a drop of water · so doþ alle synnes Of alle manere men þat whitP.7.348: whit, "with." good wille Confessen hem and crien mercy · shullen neuere come in helle Omnis iniquitas quo ad misericordiam dei est quasi sintilla in medio maris . Repente þe anon quaþ repentaunce · ryȝt so to þe vsurer And hus mercy in þy mynde hauehaue his mercy in thy mynde · and marchaundise leue hit For þow hast no good by good faith · to bygge þe with a wastell The good þat þow hauest ygete · bygan alwithal with falshede As longe as þow lyuest þer-with · þow ȝeldest nat bote þowbote borwest And yf þow wite neuere to wham · ne wereP.7.356: were, "where." þow sholdeto restitue Bere hit to þe bischop · and bide hym of hus grace To by-setten hit hym-selue · as best be for þy soule For he shal answere for þe · at þe hye dome For þe and for meny mo · þat man shal ȝeue rekenynge What he lerede ȝow to lyue with · and to lette ȝow fro þufyeþuf[þ]ethefteP.7.361: Compare P3.97. Confessio gule . Confessio gule . Now by-gynneþ gloton · for to go to shryfte And kayres hym to churcheward · hus coupe to shewe Fastyng on a fryday · forth gan he wende By betene hous þe brewestere · þat bad hym good morwe And wederwarde hue wolde · þe brew-wif hym asked To holy churche quaþ he · for to hure masse And sitthen sitte and be yshreuenshryue · and synwe na more Ich haue good ale godsyb · gloton wolt þow assaye What hauest þow quaþ he · eny hote spices Ich haue piper and pionys · and a pound of garlik A fertheng-worth of fynkelsede · for fastinge daies Thenne goþ gloton yn · anP.7.374: an, "and." grete oþes after Sesse þe sywestere · sat on þe benche Watte þe warynere · and hus wif dronke Thomme þe tynkere · and tweye of hus knaues Hicke hakeneymanþe hackenayman · and houwe þe neldere Claryce of cokeslane · the clerk of þe churche Syre peeres of prydie · and purnel of flaundres An haywarde and an heremyte · þe hangeman of tyborne Dauwe þe dykere · with a dosen harlotes Of portours and of pykeporsses · and pylede toþ-drawers ArybibourA rybibour and a ratoner · a rakere and hus knaue ArepereA repereropere and a redyngkynge · and rose þe disshere Godefray þe garlek mongere · and griffyn þe walish And of vp-holdders an hep · herly by þe morwe Geuen gloton with glad chire · goud ale to ansele Clemment þe cobelere · cast of hus cloke And to þe nywe fayre · nempned hit to selle Hicke þe hakeneyman · hitte hus hod after And bad bette bouchere · to be on hus syde Ther were chapmen y-chose · þe chaffare to preise Þat he þat hadde þe hod · sholde nat habbe þe cloke Þe betere þyng by arbytoursarbitreres · sholde bote þe werse Two rysen rapliche · and rounede to-geders And preysed þe penyworthes · apart by hem-selue And þer were oþes an hepe · for oþeron sholde haue þe werse Þei couthe nouht by .here conscience · a-corde for treuthe Tyl Robyn þe ropere · aryse þei bysouhte And nempned hym a nompeyr · þat no debate were Hicke þe hakeneyman · hadde þe sloke[c]lokeclokeP.7.402: The initial character may have been intended as a capital <C>, but the size is improbable if that were the case. In couenaunt þat clemment · sholde þe coppe fylle And haue þe hakeneysmannes hod · and hold hym yserued And who repentyde raþest · sholde a-ryse after And grete syre gloton · whitP.7.406: whit, "with." a galon of ale Þer was lauhyng & lakeryng*likeryng ~ louring · and let go þe coppe Bargeynes and beuereges · by-gunne to a-ryse And setyn so til euesong* rang · and songe vmbwyle Til gloton adde yglobbed · a galon and a gylle Hus guttes gonne godely · as to gredy sowes He pissede a potell · in a pater noster while And blew hus rounde rywett · atte þe rygbones ende Þat alle þat herde þan horne · hulde here nose after And wusched þat hit hadde be wexed · with a wips of breres He myghte noþer stappe none stounde · tyl he a staf hadde Thanne gan hue go · lyke a glemannes bycche Som tyme a-syde · som tyme a-ryre HasP.7.419: Has, "as." ho-so laith lynes · for to lacche foules And wenne he drow to þe dore · þanne dymmed hus eyen He stomblede at þe þreshefold · and þreu to .þe erthe Tho Clement þe cobelere · cauhte hym by þe mydel For to lu?yfte hym on-loft · he leddeleyde hym on hus knees Ac gloton was a gret cherl · and gronyd on þe liftynge And couhed vp a caudel · in clementes lappe Ys non so hongry hounde · in hertforde-shire Þat þorstDurste lape of þeþat leuynge · so vnloueliche hit smauhte With al þe wo of þe worlde · hus wif and hus wenche Bere hym to hus bedde · and brouhte hym þer-ynne And after al þis excessusexces · he hadde an accidie He slep saterday and sonday · tyl sonne ȝede to reste Thenne awakyde he wel wan · and wolde haue ydronke The ferst word þat he spak · was ho halt þe bolle Hus wif and ys inwit · edwited hym of hus synne He wax a-shamed þat shrewe · anP.7.435: an, "and." shrof hym al-so swithe To repentaunce ryȝt þus · haue reuthe on me he seyde Þow lord þat on loft art · and alle lyues shope to þe god ich gloton To þe god ich gloton · gulty ich me ȝelde Of my trespas with tunge · ich can nauht telle how ofte Sworen þy saule and sydes · and so help me god al-myghty Wen þat no nud was · meny tyme falsliche And ouer sopede at my soper · and som tyme at nones More þan my kynde · myghte wel defye And as an hounde þat ete gras · so gan ich to brake And spilde þat ich spelideaspele myghte · ich can nouht speke for shame The vylenye of my foule mouþe · and of my foule mawe On fastingdais by-fore none · ich fedde me whitP.7.447: whit, "with." ale Out of reson a-mong rybaudes · here rybaudrye to huyre Her-of good god · graunte me forȝeuenesse Of al my luþer lyuyng* in al my lyf-tyme For ich a-vowe to verrey god · for honger oþeror for þurste Shal neuere fish* on fryday · de.fye in my wombe Tyl abstinence myn aunte · haue ȝeue me leue And ȝut haue ich hated hure · al my lyf-tyme Hic explicit passus septimus . Incipit passus octauus . De confessione accidie . Confessio accidie .P.8.0: Cf. P7.14 above, where a usually marginal rubric is written as a single line. This instance appears to serve as a kind of passus subtitle? Tho cam sleuthe al by-slokbered · wit to slymed eyen Ich most sitte to be shryue quath he · or elles shal ich nappe Ich may nouht stounde ne stoupe · ne whit-oute stoule knele Were ich brouhte in my bed · bote my taylende hit made Sholde no ryngynge do me ryse · tyl ich were rype to dyne Benedicite he by-gan wit a bolke · and hus brest knokede Rascled and remed · and routte at þe laste Wat a-wake renk quaþ repentaunce . rape the to shryfte Sholde ich deye quath he by þis daye . ich drede me so sore Ich can nouht parfytliche my pater noster as þe prest hit seggeþsyngeth Ich can rymes of robynhode · and of Randolf erl of chestre Ac of oure lord ne of oure lady · þe lest þat euere was maked Ich haue a-vowed vowes fourty · and for-ȝut hem a-morwe Ich .parfourned neuere penaunce · þat þe preest me hihte Ne ryȝt sory for my synnes · ich sey neuere þe tyme And ich bidde eny bedis · bote hit be in wratthe That ich telle with my tunge · ys ten myle fro my herte Ich am ocupied eche day · haly-day and oþer With ydel tales atte naleale · and oþer-wyle in churches Godes pyne and hus passion · hisP.8.20: his, "is." pure seilde in my thouhte Ich viseted neuere feble man · ne feterid man in prisone Ich hadde leuere huyre of harletrye · oþeror of aa lesyng to lauhen of OþerOr lacke men and lykne hem · in vnlykynge manere Þan al þat euere marc made matheu . Iohan otheror lucas . Vigilies · and fastyngdayes · ich can for-ȝute hem alle IchAnd ligge a-bedde in lente · myimyP.8.26: The spelling is odd. The scribe may have intended to write myn, though elsewhere he writes it only in elision contexts. lemen in myn armesP.8.26: The initial one-lobed <a> is unusual in this manuscript. CHECK IT OUT***??? An initial minim may have been altered to <a>. Tyl matyns and messe be don · þen haue ich a memorie atte Freres Ich am nouht shryuen som tyme · bote syknesse ithit make Nouht twyes in ten ȝer · ȝut tel ich nauht þe haluendele Ich haue be prest and person · passyng þerty wintere Ȝut can ich noþer solfye ne synge · ne a seyntes lyf rede Ac ich can fynde in a felde · and in a forlang an hare And holden a knyȝtes court · and a-counte with þe reyue Ac ich can nouht constrye canon · ne clergialliche reden Yf ich bygge and borwe ouht · bote hit be y-tayled Ich for-ȝute ashit as ȝerne · and yf eny man hit askeþ Sixe siche oþer seuene · ich for-sake hit with oþes Thus haue ich tuned trewe men · ten hondred tymes And som tyme my seruauns · here salerye hisP.8.39: his, "is." by-hynde Reuthe ys to huyre þe rekenyng . wenne we shulleþshal rede a-countes Þat with so wicked wil · my werkmanwerkemen ich paye If eny man doþ me a byn-fet · oþeror helpeþ me at nude Ich am vnkynde aȝeyns courtesye · ich can nat vnderstounde hit For ich haue and haue had · somdel haukes maneres Ich am nat lured with loue · bote ouht lygge vnder þombe Þe kyndenesse þat myn emcristene · kydde me fern-ȝere Syxty sithe ich sleuthe · haue for-ȝute hit sitthe In speche and in sparyng of speche · yspilt mynmany a tymes Boþe flesh* and eke Fish* · and vitaile ich keptekepte so longe Til eche alyfa lyf hit loþede · to lokye þer-on oþeror smylle hit Boþe bred and ale · botere melke an chese For-sleuthe in my seruice · setteand set hous a-fuyre And ȝede a-bowte in my ȝouthe · and ȝaf me to no þedam And sitthe a beggere haue y be · for my foule sleuthe Heu michi quod sterilem duxi uitam iuuenilem . Repente þe quaþ repentaunce · ryȝt with þat he souned Til vigilate þe veille · vette water at hus eyen And flatte on hus face · and fast on hym criede And seide war fro wanhope · þat wol þe by-traye Ich am sory for my synnes · seye to þy-selue And bet þy-selue on þe brest · and bidde god of grace For þer nys nonno gult so gret synnegreet · þat hus goodnesse ne ysis more Þanne sat sleuthe vp · and seynede hym ofte And made a vowe by-for goodgod · for hus foule sleuthe Shal no soneday þis seuene ȝer be · bote sycknesse hit make Þat ich ne shal do me or daye · to þe dere churche And huyre matyns and masse · as ich a monke were Shal no ale after mete . holde me þennes Til ich haue hurd euesong** · ich by-hote to þe rode Ac whiche be þe braunches · þat bryngeþ me to sleuthe Ys wanne a man mourneþ nat . for hus mysdedes Þe penaunce þat þe prest enioyneþ · parfourneþ vuele Doþ non almys-dedes · and drat nat of synne Lyueþ aȝens þe by-leyue · and no lawe kepeþ And haþ no lykynge to lerne · ne of houre lord hure Bote harlotrie oþerand horedom · oþeror elles of som wynnyng** Wan men carpen of cryst · oþeror of clennesse of soule He wext wroþ and wol nat huyre · bote wordes of murthe Penaunce and poure men · þe passion of seyntes He hateþ to huyre þer-of · and alle þat þer-of carpen Thuse beþ þe braunches be war · þat bryngeþ man to wanhope Ȝe lordes and ladyes · and legates of holy churche Þat feden fool sages · flaterers and lyers And han lykynge to lyþen hem · in hope to do ȝow lawe Ve uobis qui ridetis . et cetera . And ȝeueþ suche mede and mete · and poure men refusen In ȝoure deþ-deynge · ich drede me sore As god wole .P.8.88: Russell and Kane take this marginalium in P to be text. Lest þo manere men · to moche sorwe ȝow brynge · Consencientes & agentes pari pena punientur . Patriarkes and prophetes · prechours of godes wordes Sauen þorgh here sermons · mannes soule fro helle Ryȝt so flaterers and foles · aren þe fendes procuratores Entysen men þorgh here tales · to synne and to harlo.trie Clerkus þat knowen þis · sholde kenne lordes What dauid seide of suche men · as þe sauter telleþ . Non habitabit in medio domus mee qui facit superbiam . qui loquitur iniqua . Sholde non harlot haue audience · in halle ne in chaumbre Þer þat wysmen were · whitnesse ofwittnessethP.8.98: whitnesse, "witness." The variation among manuscripts is considerable here. godes wordes Noþer a mys-prout man · among lordes a-louwed Clerkus and knyȝtes · wolcomeþ kynges mynstrales ForAnd for loue of here lordes · lithen hem at festes Muche more me þenkeþ · riche men auhte Haue beggers by-fore hem · whiche beþ godes mynstrales As he seith hym-self seynt Iohan bereth whittnesse Qui uos spernit me eciamme spernit . Ther-for ich rede ȝow riche · reueles when ȝe maken For to solace ȝoure soules · suche mynstrales to haue Þe poure for a foul sage · syttynge at þy table WhithP.8.109: Whith, "With." a lered man to lere þe . what oure lord suffrede For to sauy þy saule · fram satan þyn enemye And fitayleP.8.111: fitayle. "fiddle, play the fiddle." This spelling is not listed among MED forms of the verb. the with-oute flateryng · of goode fryday þe feste And a blynde man for a bordiour · oþeror a bedreden womman · To crye a largesse by-fore oure lorde · ȝoure goode loos to shewe Thuse þre manere mynstrales · maken a man to lauhe InAnd in hus deþ deynge · thei don hym gret comfort Þat by hus lyue loueþ hem · and loueþ hem to huyre Thuse solaceþ þe soule · til hym-self be falle In a wele good hopewelhope for he wroghte so · a-mong worthy seyntes Ther flaterers and foles · whithP.8.119: whith, "with." here foule wordes Leden tho þat lithen hem · to luciferes feste . With turpiloquio alaya lay of sorwe · and lucifers fitele To perpetuel peyne · oþeror purgatorye as wykke For he litheþ and loueþ · þat godes lawe despiceþ Qui histrionibus dat  demonibus sacrificat .Dare histrionibus Tho was repentaunce redy · and radde hem alle to knele Ich shal by-seche for alle synfulle . oure sauyour of grace To a-menden ous of oure mysdedes · do mercy to ous alle God of þy goodnesse · þow gonnegonne þe worlde make Oratio And of nouht madest ouht · and man lyke þe-selue Sitthe soffredest hym do synne · asyknessea syknesse to ous alle And for oure best as ich by-leyue · what euere þe book telle O felix culpa . o necessarium peccatum ade . For þorw synneþat synne þy sone · sent was tyl erthe And by-cam man of maydea mayde · mankynde to a-mende And madest þe-seluethysulue with þy sone · oure soule and body lyche Egoego in patre & pater in me est  & qui uidet me . patrem meum uidet . And sitthe in oure secke · as hit semed þow deydestdeyedest On a fryday in forme of man · feledest oure sorwe Captiuam duxit captiuitatem . The sonne for sorwe · þer-of lees lyght for a tyme A-bowte midday wanne lyghtmost liht ys · and meel-tyme of seyntes Feddest þo with thi fresshe blod · oure for-fadres in helle Populus qui ambulabat in tenebris lucem magnam uiditvidit lucem magnam . The lyght þat lemed out of þe lucifer hit blente And broughte þyne blessede fro þennes · in-to þe blysse of heuene The þridde day þer-after · thow ȝedest in oure secte A synful marye þe seyh · er seynt marie þy moder And al to solace synful · þow soffredest hit so were Non ueni uocare iustos  sed peccatores ad penitenciampeccatores And al þat marc hath ymad matheu Iohan and lucas . Of þyne douhtrieste dedes · was don onin oure secte Uerbum caro factum est . And by so moche hit semeþ · þe sykerloker we mowe Bydde and by-seche þe · yf hit be þy wil***???CHECK THIS PAGE FOR EVIDENCE (OR NOT) OF INLINE REVISION IN A BLACKER INK THAN TEXT INK. A REVISOR? PROBLEM WITH SIGMOID "S"??? Þat ert ferst oure fader · and of flessh* oure broþer And sitthen oure saueour · and seidest with þy tonge That what tyme we synful men . wolden be sory For dedes þat we han don ille · dampned sholde we be neuere Yff we knewelechid and cryde · crist þer-of mercy Quandocumque ingemuerit peccator omnes iniquitates eius non recordabor am-plius . And for þat mechel mercy · and marie loue þy moder Haue reuthe of alle þuse rybaudes · þat repenten hem sore Þat euere þei gulte aȝens þe god · in gost oþeror in dede Thenne hente hope an horn . of deus tu conuersus uiuificabis nos . And blew hit wit beati quorum remisse sunt iniquitates & ceteranil . Þat alle seyntes wit synful men · syngensonge(n) with dauid Homines & iumenta saluabis domine quem multiplicasti misericordiam tuam deus . A þousend of men þo · þrongen to-gederes Cryyng** vpward to crist** · and to hus clene moder To haue grace to go to treuthe god leyue þat þei mote Ac þer was weye non so wys · þat þe way þider couthe Bote blostrede forth as bestes · ouer baches and hulles Til late was and longe · þat þei aledea lede mette Aparaild as apaynyma paynym · in pylgrymes wise He bar a bordon ybounde · with a brod lyste In aweythwyndea weythwynde wyse · ywryþe al aboute A bolle and a bagge · he bar by hus syde And an hondred hanypeles · on hus hatte seten Signes of syse · and shilles of galys And meny crouche on hus cloke · and keyes of rome And þe fernycle by-fore · for men sholde knowe AsAnd se by hus sygnes · wham he souht hadde Thys folke frayned hym furst · fro wennes he come Fro sinay he sayde · and fro þe sepulcre . In bethleem in babilonie ich haue ybebe bothein bothe In ermanie in alisaundre and in damascle . Ȝe may see by my sygnes · þat sitten on my cappe Ich haue ysouhtsouht goode seyntes · for mynil ~ þe ~ þese soules helthe And walked ful wide · in wete and in drye Knowst þow aauht a core-seynt quaþ ich · þat men clepeþ · treuthe . Couthest þow wissen ous þe way · woder-out treuthe wonyeþ Nay so god me helpeme god helpe · seyde þe gome þenne Ich seyh neuere palmere · whithP.8.193: whith, "with." pyk ne with shrippescrippe Asken after hym er now · in þys ilke place Hic primo comparet petrus plouhman .P.8.195: The scribe has inserted a rubric in his text. Peter quaþ a plouhman · and putte forth hus hefd Iich knowe hym as kyndeliche · as clerkus don hure bokes Conscience and kyndewit · kende me to hus place And maked me sykeren hym sitthen · to serenser[u]enserue(n) hym for euere Boþe to sowe and to setten · þe wyle ich swynke myghteP.8.200: Manuscripts P and Ec omit the following line: And to sowen his seed [and] suewen his bestes. With-ynne and with-oute · to wayten hus profyt Ich haue yben his folwer · al þes fourty wynter And serued treuthe sothlyche somdel to paye In alle kynne craftes þat he couthe deuyse Prophitable to þe plouh · he putte me to lerne And þauh ich seye hit my-self · ich seruede hym to paye Ich haue myn hyre of hym wel · and oþer-wyle more He ysis þe most prest paiere · þat eny poure man knoweth He with-halt non hywe · hus hyre ouere euen He ys louh as a lombe · and leel of hus tonge And ho-so wilneþ to wyte · wer þat treuthe wonyeþwoneth Ich wol wissen ȝow wel · ryght to hus place Ȝe leue peers quaþ þo pylgrymes · and profrede peers mede Nay by þe pereil of my soule peers gan swere Ich nolde fonge a ferthing** · for seynt Thomas shryne Were it told to treuthe þat ich toke mede He wolde louye me þe lasse · a longe tyme after Alta uia ad fidelitatem est obseruatio decem preceptorrum . ut dicit petrus plouhman .P.8.219: We have to this point not encountered this line in other manuscripts. Russell-Kane and Schmidt appear not to have noticed this transfer of a marginal comment to the text. CHECK ALFORD***??? Ac who-so wol wende . þer as treuthe dwelleþ This ys þe heye weye þyderwarde · wyteþ wel þe soþe Ȝe most gon þorwe meknesse · alle men and wommen Tyl ȝe come to conscience knowenyknowe of god selue That ȝe loue hym as lord · leelliche a-bouen alle That ys to seye sothliche · ȝe sholde raþer deye Than eny dedliche synne do · for drede oþeror for preyere And þenne ȝoure neghebores next · in none wyse a-peyre Andnil oþer-wyse þan ȝe wolde · thei wroughte ȝou alle tymes And so goþ forth by þe bok · a brygge as hit were Tyl ȝe fynde a forde · ȝoure fadres honourieþhonoureth Wadeþ wel in þeþat water · and wasche ȝow wel þere And ȝe shulle lepe þe lyghtloker · al ȝoure lyf-tyme Honora patrem & matrem & eris longemis super terrammatrem & c. . Þanne shalt þow swery nat · bot yt be for nude Nameliche an ydel · þe name of god al-myghty Þanne shalt þow come by a croft · ac com nat þer-ynne Þe croft hatte coueyte nat · mennes catel ne here wyues Ne non of here seruans · þat nuyen hem myghte Loke þou bere nat þere a-weye · bote yt be þyn owe Two stockes þer stonden · ac stunt þow nouht þere Thei hatte stel nat and slee nat · stryk forth by hem bothe And leue hem inon þy lift hand · and loke nouht þer-after And hold wel þyn halyday · heye tyl euen Thenne shalt þou blenche at a bergh* · ber no fals wyttnesse He ysIs freþed yn wit floreynes · and oþer fees menye Loke þow plocke þer no plaunte · for peryl of þy soule Þanne shalt þow seye soþe · so hit be to done In no manere elles nat · for no mannes preyere So shalt þow come to a court · as cleer soas þe sonne The mot ys of mercy · in myddes þe manere Al þe wallynge hys of witt · for wil ne sholde hit wynne The kernels beþ of crystendome · þat kynde to saue And boteraced wit by-leyue so · oþeror þow worsthestworthestbest nat saued Alle þe houses beþ heled · halles and chambres With no lede bote with loue · and with leel speche The barres aren of buxumnesse · as breþres of on wombe ThreTheThe bregge hatte bid wel · The bet myght þow spede Eche pyler ys of penaunce and preyers to seyntes The hokes aren almys dedededes · þat þe ȝates hongen on Grace hatte þe gate-warde · a good man for-soþe Hus man hatte amende ȝow · meny man hym knoweþ Tel hym þys ilke tokne · treuthe wot þe southe Ich am sory for my synnes · and so shal ich euere And parfourne þe penaunce · þat þe preest me highte Rydeþ to a-mende ȝow · meek ȝow to hus mayster grace To openen and vndo · þe hye ȝates of heuene That adam and eue · aȝens ous alle shutte Per euam ianua celiEuam cunctis clausa est . Et per mariam uirginem iterum patefacta est . A ful belleel lady · vn-lykevnlek hurehit of grace Hue haþ akeyea keyeþe keye and aþe clykett · thauh þe kynge slepe And may lede yn wham hue loueþ · as here luflef lykeþ And yf grace graunte þe · to go yn in þys wise Þow shalt se treuthe sytte · in þy-selue herte And solace þy soule · and saue þe fro pyne Al-so charge charyte · a churche to make In þyn hole herte · to herberghwen alle treuthe And fynde alle manere folke · foude to hure saules Yf loue and leaute · and owre lawe be trywe Quodcumque pecieritis in nomine meo dabitur enim uobis . Be war þenne of wratthe · þat wickede shrewe For he haþ enuye to hym · þat in þyn herte sytteþ And pokeþ forth pruyde · to preysy thi-selue · The boldnesse of þy bynfet · makeþ þe blynde þenne So worth þow dryuen out as deuh · and þe dore closed Y-keyed and yclykeded · to close þe wit-oute Hapliche an hondred wynter · ar þow eft entrieentre Þus myght þou lese hus loue · to lete wel by þe-selue And getengeten hit a-geyn þorw grace · ac þorgh no gysegifte elles Ther ben seuene sustres · that seruen treuthe euere And aren porters atouer posternes · þat to þe place longen Þat on hatte abstinence and humilite anoþer Charite and chastite ben hus chef maydones Pacience and pees . muche puple helpen Largenesse þat lady · lat yn ful menye Non of hem alle · helpe may yn betere For hue paieþ for prisons · in places and in peynes And ho is sybbe to þuse seueneP.8.297: The following line is omitted from P: Is wonderliche welcome and fayre vnderfonge. · sothly to telle Hit is ful hard by myn heued · eny of ȝou alle To geten engang** at eny gate · bote grace be þe more By cryst quath a kute-pors · ich haue no kyn þere Ne ich quath an apewarde · by ouht þat ich knowe WytegodWyte god quaþ awafrestrea wafrestre · wist ich þe soþe Ich wolde ne forþer afota fot · for none freres preching.e Ȝus quaþ peers plouhman · and pukede hem alle to goode Mercy isis a mayde þere · hath myght ouer hem alle And hue is sybbe to alle synful · and hure sone boþe And þorwe þe help of hem to · hope þow non oþer Thow myght gete grace ther · so þow go by-tyme Ȝe villam emi quaþ on · and now most ich þudere To loke how me lykeþ hit · and tok hus leue at peers Anoþer anon ryght · nude seydehe sayde he hadde To folwen fif ȝokes · for-thy me by-houeþ To gon wit a good wil · and grettliche hem dryue For-þy ich praye ȝow peers paraunter yf ȝe meteþ Treuthe telleþ to hym · þat ich be excused Thenne was þerwas on heihte actif an hosebonde he semed Ich haue yweddedwedded a wyf quaþ he · wel wantowen of maners Where ich seuenyght fro hure syghtt · seggensynnen he wolde And loure on me and lyghtliche chide · and seye ich louelouede anoþere For-þy peers plouhman · ich praye þe telle hit treuthe Ich may nat come for a kytte · so hue clyueþ on me Vxorem duxi et ideo non possum uenire . Quaþ contemplacion by crist . thauh ich care suffre Famyn and defaute · folwen ich wolle peers Ac þe wey ys so wyckede · bote hohoso hadde a gyde Þat myght folwen ous ech fot for drede of mys-tornynge Hic explicit passus octauus . Incipit passus Nonus . Tho seyde perken plouhman by seynt Peter of rome Ich haue an half-acre to eren · by þe hye weye Hadde ich ered þat half-acre · and sowed hit after Ich wolde wende wit ȝow · and þe wey teche That were a long lettynge · quaþ a lady in askleirea skleire Wat sholde we wommen · worche þe whiles Ich praye ȝow for ȝoure profit · quaþ peers to þe ladyes Þat somme sewe þe sak · for shedynge of þe wete And ȝe worþly wommen · wit ȝoure longe fyngres Þat ȝe on selke and sendel · to sewen wenne tyme ys Chesybles for chapelayns churches to honure Wyues and widewes · wolle and flax spynneþ Conscience consaileþ ȝow · cloþ for to make For profit of þe poure · and plesaunce of ȝow-selue For ich shal lene hem lyflode · bote yf þe lond faile As longe as ich leue · for oure lordes loue in heuene And alle manere men · þat by þis molde buþ sustenyned Helpeþ hem to worche whyghtly · þat wynneþ ȝoure fode By cryst quaþ a knyitȝP.9.19: Compare knyiȝt below at P9.23, though this spelling occurs again at P9.32. þo · he kenneþ ous þe beste P.9.20: The indication for a parasign in the left margin appears to be the sole instance in this manuscript.***??? Ac on þe teeme trywely · tauht was ich neuere Ich wolde ich couthe quaþ þe knyȝt · by cryst and hus moder Ich wolde a-saye som tyme · for solas as hit were Sykerliche syre knyiȝt · seide peers þenne Ich shal swynke and swete · and sowe for hus boþe An.d laboure for þe while þou leuest · al þy lyf-tyme In couenaunt þat þou kepe · holy churche and me-selue For wastours and wyckede men · þat þus worlde struen And go honte hardileche · to hares and to foxes To bores and to bockes · þat brekeþ a-doune menne hegges And faite þy faucones · to culle wylde foules For þei comen to my croft · my corn to defoule Corteysliche þe knyitȝ þen · comsede þes wordes By my power peers ich plyghte þe my treuthe To defende þe in faith · fyghte þauh ich sholde And ȝut on poynt quaþ Peers ich praye ȝow ouere-more Loke ȝe tuene no tenaunt · bote yf treuth wolle assente Wenne ȝe a mercyn eny man · let mercy be taxour And meknesse þy maister · maugre mede chekes Þauh poure men profre ȝou · presantes and ȝeftes Nym hit nat an aunter · thow mowe hit nat deserue For þow shalt ȝulde so may be · and somdel a bygge Mys-beede nouht þy boundemen · þe bet may þe spede Þauh he be here þyn vnderling* · in heuene paraunter He worth raþer receyued · and reuerentloker sette amice ascende superius . At churche in þe charnel · cheorles aren vuel to knowe Oþer a knyght fro a knaue · oþer a queyne fro a queene Hit by-comeþ to a knyght · to be curteys and hende Trewe of hys tonge · tales loth to huyre Bote þei be of bounte · of batailes and of treuthe Hald nat of harlotes · huyre nat here tales /slash mark before the N to indicate parasign***???Nameliche atte mete · suche men eschywe Hit ben þe deueles disours · to drawe men to synne Contreplede nat conscience ne holy churche ryghtes Ich assente by seynt Gyle · seyde þe knyght þenne For to worche by þy witt · and my wyf boþe Ich shal aparaile me quaþ perkyn in pylgrymes wyse And wende wit alle þo · þat wolle lyue in treuthe . He caste on hym hus cloþes · of alle kynne craftes Hus cokeres and hus cuffes · as kynde witt hym tauhte And heng hus hoper on hus hals · in stede of a scrippe A boussel of bred corn · brouht was þerynne For ich wolle sowe hit my-self · and suthe wol ywendey wende To pylgrimages as pilgrymes don · pardon to wynne My plouh-fot shal be my pyk-staf · and puche a-two þe rotes And help my culter to kerue · and clause þe forwes And alle þat helpen me to erye · oþer elles to weden Shal haue leue by oure lorde · to go and glene after And make hym murye þer-myd · in angre[m]augremaugre ho by-grucche And alle kynne crafty men · þat conne lyue in treuthe . Ich shal fynde hem fode · þat feythfullech lybben Saf Iack Iogelour · and Ionette of þe styues And danyel þe dees pleyere · and denete þe baude And also frere faytour · and folke of þe ordre Þat lollers and loseles · for leel men halden And Robyn þe rybaudour · for hus rusty wordes For treuthe tolde me ones · and bade telle forthere Deleantur de libro uiuencium & cum iustis non scribantur . Ich sholde nat dele wit hem · for holyche churche hoteþ Of hem to aske no tythe quia cum iustis non scribantur . Thei ben ascaped good aunter · now god hem amende Dame worche wen tyme hisP.9.81: his, "is." peers wyf hyhte Hus douhter heithe do ryght so · oþer þy damme shal þe bete Hus sone hihte suffre · þy souereynes haue here wil Deme hem nouht for yf þow do · thow shalt dere abigge Consaile nat þe comune · þe kyng to displese Ne hem þat han lawes to loke · lacke hem nat ich hote Let god worthe with al · as holy writ techeþ Super cathedram moysi sedent et cetera . Maistres as þe meyres ben · and grete men senatours What þei comaunde as by þe kyng · contrepleide hit neuere Al þat þe hoten ich hote heyliche · thow suffre hem By here warnyng and worchyng* · worch þow þer-after Omnia que dicunt facite & seruate . Ac after here doynge do þow nat · my dere sone quaþ peers For now ich am old and hor · and haue of myn owene To penaunces and to pilgrimages · ich wol passe with oþere For-thi ich wolle er ich wende · do wryten my by-quyste Testamentum petri plouhman . P.9.98: Another instance in which the scribe has confused text with a marginal gloss. In dei nomine ameame[n]P.9.99: The scribe forgot to note word-final <n>, but filled in the space with hatching in red ink. Ich make hit my-self* · He shal haue my soule · þat alle soules made And defende hit fro þe feende · and so is my by-leyueP.9.97: The manuscript omits the following two lines:Til y come til his acountes as my crede telleth To haue relees and remissioun on þat rental y leue. The churche shal haue my caroyne · and kepe my bones For of my corn and catel · he crauede my tythe Ich payed hit prestliche · for peril of my soule He his holdinge ich hope · to haue me in hus masse And menge me in hus memorie · among alle cristine My wyf shal haue of þat ich wan · with treuthe and no more And dele hit among my douhtres · and my dere children For þauh ich deyde þys day · my dettes ben quyted Ich bar hom þat ich borwede er ich to bedde ȝeode With þe resydue and remenaunt · by þe rode of lukes Ich wolle worshupe þer-with · treuthe al my lyf And be apulgryma pulgrym atte plouh · for profyt of poure and ryche Now Perkyn with þe pilgrimes · to þe plouh is faren To eryen hus half-aker · holpen hym menye Dykers and deluers · diggeden vp þe balkes Ther-with was perkyn apayed · and paied wel here hyre Oþer werkmen þer were · þat wrouhten ful ȝurne Eche man in hus manere · made hym-self to done And somme to plese perkyn pykede aweye þe wedes Atte hye pryme peers let þe plouh stonde And ouer-seyh hem hym-self · ho-so best wrouhte He sholde be hyred þer-after · wen heruest-tyme come Þenne seten some and songen atten ale And holpen to erie · þis half-acre · with hoy troly lolly Quath peers plouhman al in pure tenne Bote ȝe ryse þe raþere · and rape ȝow to worche Shal no greyn þat here groweþ · gladen ȝow at neede And þauh ȝe deye for deul · þe deuel haue þe recche Tho were faitours aferede · and feynede hem blynde And leyden here legges a-lyry · as suche lorelles conneþ And maden here mone to peers how þei mowe nat worche Ac we prayeþ for ȝow peers and fore ȝoure plouh boþe Þat god for hus grace · ȝoure grayn multeplie And ȝulde ȝow of ȝoure almesse · þat ȝe ȝeuene hus here We may nayþer swynke ne swete · suche syknesse ous ayleþ We haue none lymes to laborie with · lord god we þonkeþ Ȝoure praiers quath peers and ȝe parfit were Myght help as ich hope · ac hye treuthe wolde Þat no faiterye were founde · in folk þat gon a-begged Ȝe ben wastours ich wot wel · þat wasten and deuouren Þat leel land tylynge men · leelleche byswynken Ac treuthe shal teche ȝow · hus teeme for to dryue Oþer ȝe shulle ete barliche brede · and of þe broke drynke Bote ȝe be blynde oþer brokelegged · oþer bolted wit yren Suche poure quaþ peers shullen partye wit my goodes Boþe of my corn and of my cloþ · to kepe hem fro defaute Ancres and heremites · þat eten bote at nones And freres þat flateren nat · and poure folke syke What ich and myne · wolleþ fynde hem þat hem needeþ Thenne gan wastour to wratth · and wolde haue fouhten And to peers plouhman proferede to fighte And bad hym go pisse with hus plouh · peyuesshe shrewe A brytonere com braggynge · a-bosted peers also Wolle þow ne wolle þow · we wolleþ habbe oure wil Boþe þy flour and þy flessh* · fecchen wen ous lykeþ And make ous myr.ye þermyd · maugre ho by-gruccheþ Peers þe plouhman þo pleynede to þe knyght To kepe hym and hus catel · as couenaunt was by-twyne hem Awreke me of þes wastours · þat maken þys worde dere Thei counte nat of cursyng · ne holy churche dreden Ther worth no plenynte quaþ peers and þe plouh ligge Curtesliche þe knyght þen · as hus kynde wolde Warned wastour · and wissede hym betere Oþer ich shal bete þe by þe lawe · and brynge þe in stockes Ich was nat wontd wirche quaþ wastour · and ich wolle nat now bygynne And let lyght of þe lawe · and lasse of þe knyght And sette peers at a pese · pleyne hym wer he wolde Now by crist quaþ peers y shal apeyre ȝow alle And hopede after hunger þat herde at þe ferste Ich praye þe quath peers þo purcharitepur charite sire honger Awreke me of þeese wastours · for þe knyght wol nat Honger hente in haste · wastour by þe mawe And wrang hym by þe wombe · þat al waterede hus eyen He buffated þe brutener · a-boute þe chekes Þat he loked lyk a lanterne · al hus lyf after He bet hem so boþe · he barst neih hure guttes Ne hadde peers witP.9.178: wit, "with." a peese lof · prayede hym by-leue Honger haue mercy of hem quath peers and let me ȝeue hem benes And þat was bake for bayerde · may be here bote Tho were faitours a-fered · and flowen to peersses bernes And flapten on whitP.9.182: whit, "with." flailes · fro morwe til euene Þat honger was nat hardy · on hem for to loke For a potful of potage · þat peersses wyf made An hep of eremites · henten hem spades Spitten and spradde donge · in despit of hunger Thei coruen here coppes · and courtepies hem made And wenten as workmen · to weden and mowen Al for drede of here deþ · suche dyntes ȝaf Blynde and brokeleggede · he botnede a þousand And lame men he lechede · wit longen of bestes Preestes and oþer pepleP.9.191: An otiose mark appears above the second <p>. · to peers þei drowen And freres and alle fyue ordres · al for fere of hunger For þat þat was bake d · for bayarde · was bote for menye hungry Drosenes and dregges · drenke for menye beggeres Þer was lad þat lyuede · þat ne lowede hym to peers To be hus hole hywe þauh he hadde no more Bute lyf-lode for hus labour · and hus loue at nones Tho was peers ful proutde · and putte hem alle to werke In daubyng and in deluyng* · in donge a-feld berynge In þresshynge in þecchynge · in thwytynge of pynnes And alle kynne trewe craft · þat man couthe deuyse Was no beggere so bolde · bote yf he blynde were Þat dorst wit-sitteP.9.204: wit-sitte, "with-sitte." þat peeres seyde · for fere of syre hunger And peers was proud þerof · and putte hem alle to swynge And ȝaf hem mete and monye · as þey myght deseruen Tho hadde peers pite · of alle poure puple And bad hunger on haste · hyhe out of contre Home in to his owen erthe · and halde hym þer euere For ich am wel awreke of wastours þorw þy myghte Ac ich praye þe quaþ peers . hunger er þow wende Of beggers and of bydders · what best be to done For ich wot wel be þou went · worche þei wolle ful ylle · Meschief hit makeþ · thei ben so meke nouthe And for defaute þis folke · folwen my hestes Hit is no þyng* for loue · thei labour þus faste Bote for fere of famyn · in faith seide peers Ys no final loue wit þis folke · for al here faire speche And hit aren my blody broþren · for god bouhte vs alle Treuthe tauhte me ones · to louye hem echone And helpen hem of alle þyng · ay as hem nedeþ Now wolde ich white or þow wentest · wat were þe beste How ich myghte a-maistren hem · to louye and laboure For here lyflode · lere me syre hunger Now herkne quaþ hunger and hold hit for awysdomea wysdome And bolde beggeres and bygge · þat mowe here bred by-swynke With houndes bred and hors bred · hele hem when þei hungren And a-baue hem with benes · for bollynge of here wombe And yf þe gromes grucche · bid hem go swynke And he shal soupe þe swettere · wen he hath deserued And yf þow fynde eny folke · wam false men han apaired Comforte hem with þy catel · for so comaundeþ treuthe Loue hem and lene hem · so lawe of kynde wolde Alter alterius onera portate . And alle manere men · þat þow myght aspye In meschief oþer in mal-ese · and þow mowe hem helpe Loke by þy lyf · let hem nouht for fare Yf þow hast wonne ouht · wickeliche wisliche dispende hit Facite uobis amicos de mammona iniquitatis Ich wolde nat greuye god quaþ peers for al þe good on erthe Myghte ich synneles do as þou seist · seide peers plouhman Ȝe ich by-hote þe quaþ hunger oþer elles þe byble lyeþ Go to oure by-gynnynge · þo god þe worlde made As wise men han y-wryte · and as wittnesseþ genesis That seith with swynke · and with swot · and swetynge face By tulye and by trauaile · treuly oure lyf-lode In labore & sudore uultus tui uesceris pane tuo . And salamon þe sage · with þe same acordeþ The slowe caytyf for colde · wolde no corn tulye In somere for hus slewthe · he shal haue defaute And gon abrybeþ and beggen · and no man bete hus hunger Piger propter frigus noluit arare mendicabit in hyeme & non dabitur ei . Matheu makeþ mencion of a man þat lente Hus seluer to þre manere men · and menynge þat þei sholde Chaffare and cheeue þer-with · in chele and in hete And he þat best laborede · best was alowede And leders for here laborynge · ouere al þe lordes goodes Ac he þat was awrecchea wrecche · and wolde nat trauayle The lord for hus lacchesse · and hus luþer sleuthe By-nom hym al þat he hadde · and ȝaf hit to hus felawe That leely hadde labored · and þenne þe lord seide He þat hath shal haue · and helpe þer hym lykeþ And he þat nauht haueþ · he shal nauht haue And no man ȝut helpe hym · and þat he weneþ haue Ich wolle hit hym by-reue · for hus rechelesnesse Lo what þe sauter seiþ · to swynkers with handes Yblessed be alle þo · þat he by-lyue swynken Þorw eny leel labour · as þorgh lymes and handes Labores manuum tuarum quia manducabis . & cetera . Theese aren euydences quath hunger for hem þat wolle nat swynken That here lyflode be-leue · and lytel worth here cloþes By cryst quaþ peers plouhman þo · þeese prouerbes wolle ich shewe To beggers and to boyes · þat loth ben to worche Ac ȝut ich praye ȝow quath peers purcharitepur charite syre hunger Ȝyf ȝe can oþer knowe · eny kynne þynge of fysyk* For some of my seruauns · and my-selue boþe Of alle awokea woke worchen nat · so oure wombe groneþ Ich wot wel quath hunger what syknesse ȝow aileþ Ȝe haue manged ouere muche · þat makeþ ȝow be syke Ac eet nat ich hote · or hunger þe take And sende of hus sauce · to sauerie with thi lippes And kep som til soper-tyme · and sitte nauht to longe Let nat syre sorfait · sitten at þy borde And loke þow drynke no day · er þou dyne som-what Þenk þat diues for hus delicat lyf · to þe deuel wente And lazar þe lene beggere · þat longed after cromes And ȝut had he hem nat · for ich hunger culde hym And sitthe ich sauh hym sitte · as he a syre were At alle amnere ese · in abrahammes lappe And yf þow be of power peers ich þe rede Alle þat greden at þy gate · for godeslouegodes loue after fode Parte witP.9.292: wit, "with." hem of þy payn · of potage oþer of souel Lene hem som of þy loof · þauh þou þe lasse chewe And þauh lyers and lacchedrawers · and lolleres knocke Let hem abyde tyl þe bord be drawe · ac bere hem none cromes Til alle þyn nedy neihebores · haue none ymaked And yf þow dyght þe þus · ich dar legge myn eres Þat fysyk shal hus forrede hodes · for hus fode sulle And hus cloke of calabre · for hus comunes legge · And be fayn by my faith · his fysyk to lete And lerne labore with londe · leste lyflod hym faile Ther aren meny luþere leches · and leele leches fewe Thei don men deye þorgh here drynkes · er destyne hit wolde By seynt paul quath peers þo · thou poyntest neih þe treuthe And leelly seist as ich leue · lord þe for-ȝelde Wend now wenneþouwenne þou wolt · and wel be þow euere For þow hast wel ywroke me · and also wel ytauht me Ich by-hote þe quaþ hunger þat hennes nel ich wende Er ich haue y-dyned by þys day · and y-dronke boþe Ich haue no peny quath peers polettes for to bigge Noþer goos noþer grys · bote two grene cheses AfeweA fewe croddes and creyme · and acakea cake of otes And bred for my barnes · of benes and of peses And ȝut ich sey by my saule · ich haue no salt bacon Nouht a cokeney by cryst · colhoppes to make Ac ich haue porett plontes · parselye and scalones Chiboles and chirueylles · and chiries sam-rede And a cow with a calf · and a cart mare To drawe a-feld my donge · þe wyle drouth lasteþ By þis lyflode we mote lyue · tyl lammasse tyme And by þat ich hope · to haue heruest in my crofte Thenne may I · dyghte þy dyner as me dere lykeþ Alle þe poure puple þo · peescoddes fetten Benes and baken apples · thei brouhte in here lappes And profrede peers this present · to plese þerwith hunger Hunger eet al in haste · and askede after more Poure folke for fere þo · fedde hunger ȝerne With creym and with croddes · with carses and oþer herbes By that yt neihed heruest · and newe corn com to chipynge Thenne was þis folke feyn · and fedde hunger deynteuosliche And gloton þowithþo with good ale · gerte hunger to slepe Tho wolde wastour nat worche · bote wandrede aboute Noþer beggere eete bred · þat benes were ynne Bote clerematyn and soketcoket · and of clene whete Thei wolde non halpeny ale · in none wyse drynke Bote of þe best and Brounest · þat brewesters sellen Laboreres þat han no londe · to lyuen on bote here handes Deyned to dyne a day · nyght olde wortes May no peny ale hem paye · ne a pece of bacon Bote hit be freesch* fleesch* oþer fysch* · fried oþer ybake And þat chaud and pluschaud · ...?...for chillyng* of here mawe Bote he be heyliche yhyred · elles wol he chide · þat he was werkman That he was a ...?...?...werkman ywroght war.yen þe tyme Corteis Catones consail · comseth he by-grucche Paupertatis onus pacienter ferre memento . And þenne he corseþ þe kyng · and alle þe kynges Iustices Suche lawes to lere · laborers to greue Ac wile hunger was here mayster · wolde non chide Ne stryue a-ȝens þe statute · he lokede so sturne Ac ich warne ȝow werkmen · wynne wyle ȝe mowe For hunger hyderwardes · hyeþ hym faste He shal awake þorw wa...ter · wasters to chaste Ar fewe ȝeres be fulfilled · famyne shal aryse An An, "And." so seith saturnus and sent ȝow to warne Þorwe flodes and foule wederes · frutes shullen faile Pruyde and pestelences · shal muche puple fecche prophecie . Thre shupes and a shaft · with an viii · folwyng Shal brynge bane and bataile · on bothe half þe mone And þanne shal deþ with-drawe · and derthe be Iustice And dawe þe deluere · deye for defaute Bote god of hus goodnesse · graunte ous a trewe Hic explicit passus nonus . Incipit passus decimus . TReuthe herde telle here-of · and to peers sente To take hus teeme · and tulye þe erthe And purchased hym a pardon á pena et á culpa . For hym and for hus heyres · for euere to be asoiled And bad halde hym at ...home · and erye hus leyes And alle þat hulpe hym to erye · to setten oþer to sawe Oþer eny manere meester · þat myght peers a-vayle Pardon with peers plouhman perpetual bhe graunteþ Kynges and knyghtes · þat holy churche defenden And ryghtfulleche in reames · ruelen þe comune Han pardon þorw purgatorie · to passy ful lyghtliche With patriarkes and prophetes · in paradyse to sitte Bisshopes yblessed · if þei ben as þei sholde Leel and ful of loue · and no lord dreden Merciable to meek · and mylde to þe goode And bytynge on badde men · bote yf þei wolde a-mende And dredeþ nat for no deþ · to distruye by here powere Lecherie a-mong lordes · and hure luþer custymes And sitthen lyue as þei lereþ men · oure lord treuthe hem graunteþ To be peeres to a-posteles · alle puple to ruele And deme with hem at domesday · boþe quike and ded Marchans in þe margine · hadden menye ȝeres Ac á pena & á culpa . treuthe nolde hem graunte For thei holden nat here halydaies as holychurche techeþ And for þei swere by here saule · and so god me mote helpe Aȝens clene conscience for couetyse of wynnynge Ac vnder his secre seel treuthe sente hym a lettere And bad hym bygge baldly · what hym best lykede And sitthen sellen hit a-ȝeyn · and saue þe wynnynges Amenden meson-dieux þer-with · and myseyse men fynde And wikkede weyes · with here good amende And brygges to broke · by þe heye weyes amende Amenden in som manere wise · and maydones helpen Poure puple bedredene · and prisones in stockes Fynde hem for godes loue · and fauntekynes to scole Releue religion · and renten hem bettere And ich shal sende ȝow my-selue · seynt Michel myn angel That no deuel shal ȝow dere · ne despeir in ȝoure deyenge And sende ȝoure soules · þer ich my-self dwelle And þe a-byde body and soule · in blisse for euere Tho were marchauns murye · somme wepte for ioye And preyde for peers plouhman þat purchasede hem þis bulle Alle þe puple hadde pardon ynow · þat parfytliche lyueden Men of lawe hadde lest · that loth were to plede Bote þei pre manibus were payed · for pledyng atte barre Ac he þat speneþ hus speche · and spekeþ for þe poure That innocent and nudy is · and no man harme wolde And conforteþ suche in eny cas · and coueyteþ nat here ȝeftes And for þe loue of oure lorde · lawe for hem declareþ Shal haue grace of god ynow · and a gret ioye after Beþ ywar ȝe wismen · and witty of þe lawe For wenne ȝe draweþ to þe deþ · and indulgence wolde haue Hus pardon is ful petit · at hus partynge hennes That mede of mene men · for here motynge takeþ For hit is symonye · to sulle þat send is of grace That is witt and water wynd and fuyr þe furthe These foure sholden be fre · to alle folk þat hit needede Alle lybbynge laberours · þat lyuen with here handes Leellyche and lawefulleche oure lord treuthe hem graunteþ Pardon perpetuel ryght as peers plouhman Beggers and bydders · beþ nat in þe bulle Bote þe sugestion be soth · þat shappeþ hem to begge For he þat beggeþ oþer byddeþ · bote yf þei haue nede He ys fals and faitour · and defraudeþ þe neede And also gyleþ hym þat gyueþ · and takeþ a-geyns hus wyl For he þat gyueþ for godes loue · wolde nat gyue hus þankus Bote þer he wyste hit were · wel gret neede to gyuen And mest meritorie to men · þat he ȝeueþ fore Caton a-cordeþ þer-with cui des uideto . Wot no man as ich wene · who is worthy to haue The most needy aren oure neighebores · and we nyme good hede As prisones in puttes · and poure folke in Cotes Charged with children · and chef lordes rente That þei spynnynge may spare · spynen hit in hous hyre Boþe in mylk and in mele · ..to make with papelotes To a-glotye with here · gurles þat greden after fode Also hem-selue · suffren muche hunger And wo in wynter tyme · with wakynge aP.10.78: a, "on, at." nyghtes To ryse to þe ruel · to rocke þe cradel Boþe to karde and to kembe · to clouten and to wasche To rubbe and to rely · russhes to pilie Þat reuthe is to rede · oþere in ryme shewe The wo þat þeese women · þat wonyeþ in Cotes And of meny oþer men · þat muche wo suffren Boþe a-fyngrede and a-furst · to turne þe fayre outwarde And beth a-basshed for to begge · and wolle nat be y-knowe What hem needeþ att here neihebores · at non and at euen This ich wot witerly · as þe worlde techeþ What oþer by-houeþ · þat hath meny children And hath no catel bote hus crafte · to cloþy hem and to fede And fele to fonge þer-to · and fewe pans takeþ · Ther is payn and peny ale · as for a pytaunce y-take Colde flessh* and cold fyssh* · for veneson ybake Frydayes and fastyngdayes · ferthyngworth of muscles Were a feste for suche a folke · oþer so fele Cockes Theese were almes to helpe · þat han suche charges And to comfortie suche cotyers · and crokede men and blynde Ac beggers with bagges þe wiche brewhouses ben here churches Bote þei be blynde oþer broke · oþer elles be syke Þauh he falle for defaute · þat faiteþ for hus lyf lode Reccheþ neuere ȝe ryche · þauh suche lorelles steruen For alle þat han here hele · and here eyen syghte And lymes to laborye with · and lolleres lyf vsen Lyuen a-ȝens godes lawe · and lore of holy churche And ȝut arn þer oþer beggers · in hele as hit semeþ Ac hem wanteþ here witt · men and women boþe Þe wiche aren lunatik lollers · and leperes a-boute And mad as þe mone sitt · more oþer lasse Thei caren for no cold · ne counteþ of no hete And Arn meuenge · after þe mone · moneyles þei walke With a good wil witlees · meny wyde contreys Ryght as Peter dude and paul saue þat þei preche nat Ne myracles maken · ac meny tymes hem happeþ To prophecien of þe puple · pleyinge as hit were And to oure sight as hit semeþ · suthþe god hath þe myghte To ȝeuen eche awhita whit wit · welthe and his hele And suffreþ suche so gon · hit semeþ to myn Inwitt NOTE THAT it has no final flourish, nor does line terminal Inwitt in passus 20.***??? Hit arn as hus aposteles suche puple · oþer as his priuye disciples For he sente hem forth seluerles · in a somer garnement With-oute bred and bagge · as þe bok telleþ Quando misi uos sine pane et pera . Barfot and bredles · beggeþ þei of no man And þauh he mete with þe meyere in mydest þe strete · He reuerenceþ hym ryght nouht · no raþer þan anoþer Neminem salutaueris per uiam . Suche manere of men matheu ous techeþ We sholde haue hem to house · and help hem when thei come Et egenos uagosque induc in domum tuam . For hit aren murye mouthede men · mynstrales of heuene And godes boyes bordiours · as þe bok telleþ Si quis uidetur sapiens fiet stultus ut sit sapiens . And alle manere mynstrales · men wot wel þe soþe To vnder-fonge hem faire · by-falle for þe ryche For þe lordes loue and ladies þat þei with lengen Men suffren al þat suche seyn · and in solas taken And ȝut more to suche · men doth er þei passe Gyuen hem gyftes and gold · for grete lordes sake Right so ȝe riche raþer ȝe sholde for-sothe Wolcomen and worsshepen and with ȝoure goode helpen Godes mynstrales and hus messagers · and hus murye burdiers The wiche arn lunatik lollares · and leperes a-boute For vnder godes secre seel here synnes ben ykeuerede For þei bereþ no bagges · ne none botels vnder clokes The wiche is lollaren lyf · and lewede eremytes That loken ful louheliche · to lacchen mennes almesse In hope to sitten at euen · by þe hote colesP.10.146: An otiose, but clearly intentional, horizontal mark is attached to the <l>. Vnlouke hus legges abrod · oþer lygge at hus ese Reste hym and roste hym · and his ryg turne Drynke drue and deepe · and drawe hym þanne to bedde And when hym lykeþ and lust hus leue ys to aryse When he ys rysen romeþ out · and ryght wel aspieþ War he may raþest haue · arepasta repast · oþer a rounde of bacon · Suluer oþer sodemetesode mete · and som tyme boþe A loof oþer alfP.10.154: alf, "half." aloofa loof . oþer alompea lompe of chese And carieþ hit hom to hus Cote · and cast hym to lyue In ydelnesse and in ese · and by oþers trauayle And wat frek of þys folde · fiskeþ þus a-boute With abaggea bagge at hus bak · abegeneldesa begeneldes wyse And can som manere craft · in cas he wolde hit vse Þorgh wiche craft he couthe come · to bred and to ale And ouer-more to an hater · to helye with hus bones And lyueþ lyk a lollere · godes lawe hym dampneþ Lolleres lyuyng in sleuthe · and ouere lounde strykers Beeþ nat in þys bulle quaþ peers til þei ben amendid Noþer beggers þat beggen · bote yf þei haue neede The bok blameþ alle beggerye · and banneþ in this manere Iunior fui etenim senui non uidi iustum derelictum nec semen eius querens panem . et alibi Infirmata est uirtus mea in paupertate . Hit needeþ nauht nouthe · a non for to preche And lere þeese lewedemenlewede men · what þys latyn meneþ For hit blameþ alle beggerie · be ȝe ful certeyn For þei lyue in no loue · no lawe þei holden Thei wedde non womon · that þei with delen Bryngeþ forth bastardes · beggers of kynde Oþer þe bak oþer som bon þei breken of here children And gooþ afaytyng with here fauntes · for euere-more after Þer arn mo messhapene · a-mong suche beggers Than of meny oþer men · þat on þis molde walken Tho þat lyuen þus hure lyf · leyue ȝe me non oþere Thei han no part of pardon · of preyers ne of penaunces Ac olde men and hore · þat heelples beeþ and nedy And wommen with childe · þat worche ne mowen Blynde men and vbedreden · and broken in here membres And alle poure pacientes · a-payed of godes sonde As mesels and mendinauntes · men y-falle in myschef As prisons and pilgrimes · paraunter men yrobbed Oþer by-lowe þorwe luthere · a.nd lost here catel after Other thorgh fure oþer þorwe flood · falle to pourte That taken þeese meschiefes meekliche and myldliche at herte For loue of here lowe hertes · oure lord hath hem graunted Here penaunce and here purgatorie · vp-on þys poure erthe And pardon with peers plouhman a pena & a culpa . Ac eremites þat en-habiten hem · by þe heye weyes And in borwes a-mong brewesters · and beggen in churches Al þat holy ermytes · hateden and despisede ***???This page needs to be checked using Photoshop.As rychesses and reuerences · and ryche mennes almesse Theese lolleres lacchedraweres · lewede eremytes Coueyten þe contrarie · as cotiers þe lybben For hit beþ bote boyes · lolleres atten ale Of lynguage of lettrure · ne lyf-holy as eremites That wonede wyle in wodes · with beres and lyones Some had lyf-lode of here lynage · and of no lyf elles And some lyuede by here lettrure · and labour of here hondes Some hadde foreynes to frendes · þat hem fode sente And bryddes brouhten to some bred · werby þei lyueden Alle þeese holy eremytes · were of hye kynne For-soke londe and lordshep · and lykynges of þe body Ac theese eremytes þat edefyen thus by þe hye weyes Wylen were workmen · webbes and taillours And carters knaues · and clerkus with-oute grace Heelden hungry hous · and hadde muche defaute Long labour and lyte wynnynge · and atte laste aspiden That faitours in frere cloþynge · hadde fatte chekus For-thi lefte þei here laboure · þeese lewede knaues And cloþed hem in copes · clerkus as hit were Oþer on of som ordre · oþere elles a prophete Aȝens þe lawe he lyueþ · yf latyn be trywe Non licet uobis legem uoluntati . sed uoluntatem coniungere legi . Now kyndeliche by crist beþ suche callyd lolleres As by englisch of oure eldres · of olde menne techynge He þat lolleþ his P.10.221: his, "is." lame · oþer his leg out of þe ioynte Oþer meymed in som membre · for to meschief hit souneþ And ryght so sothlyche · suche manere eremytes Lollen aȝen þe bylyeue · and lawe of holy churche For holy churche hoteþ · alle manere puple Vnder obedience to bee · and buxum to þe lawe Furst religious of religion · here ruele to holde And vnder obedience to be · by dayes and by nyghtes Lewede men to laborie · lordes to honte In frythes and in forestes · for fox and oþer bestes That in wilde wodes ben · and in wast places As wolues þat wyrhyeþ men · wommen and children And vp-on sonedays to cesse · godes seruyce to huyre Boþe matyns and messe · and after mete in churches To huyre here euesong · euerey man ouhte Thus hit by-longeþ for lorde · for lered and lewede Eche halyday to huyre · hollyche þe seruyce Vigiles and fastyngdayes · forthere-more to knowe And fulfille þo fastynges bote infirmite hit made Pouerte oþere penaunces · as pilgrymages and trauayles Vnder þis obedience · arn we echone Who-so brekyþ þis be wel war · bote yf he repente Amenden hym and mercy aske · and meekliche hym shryue Ich drede me and he deye · hit worth for dedlich synne A-counted by-fore crist · bote conscience excuse hym Loke now were þeese lolleres · and lewede eremytes Yf thei breke þys obodience · þat ben so fro churche Wher see we hem on sonedayes · þe seruyse to huyre As matyns by þe morwe · tyl masse by-gynne Oþer sonedayes at euesonge · seo we wol fewe Oþere labory for oure liflode · as þe lawe wolde Ac at mydday meel-tyme · ich mete with hem ofte Conynge in a cope · as he a clerke were A bacheler oþer abeauperea beaupere · best hym by-semeth And for þe cloþ þat keuereþ hym · cald his herehe is ~ is he afrerea frere Whassheþ and wypeth · and with þe furste sitteþ Ac while he wrought in þys worlde · and wan hus mete with treuthe He sat atte sydbenche · atte secounde table Cam no wyn in hus wombe · þorw þe woke longe Noþer blankett in hus bed · ne white bred by-fore hym The cause of al þys caitifte · comeþ of meny bisshepes That suffren suche sottes · and oþere synnes regne Certes ho-so þurstedurst hit segge Symon quasi dormit . Vigilare were fairour · for þow hast gret charge For meny waker wolues · ben broke in-to foldes Thyne berkeres ben al blynde · þat bryngeþ forth þy lambren Dispergentur oues thi dogge dar nat beerke The tarre ys vntydy · þat to þyne sheep by-longeþ Hure salue ys of supersedeas in someneres boxes Thyne sheep are ner al shabbyd þe wolf shiteþ woolle Sub molli pastore lupus lanam cacat et grex . In custoditus dilaceratur eo . Hoow hurde wher is þyn hounde · and þyn hardy herte For to wyrie þe wolf · þat þy woolle fouleþ Ich leyue for þy lacchesse · þow leest meny wederes And ful meny fayre flus · falsliche wasshe When þy lord lokeþ to haue · a-louaunce for hus bestes And of þe monye þou haddist þer-myd · hus meoble to saue And þe woolle worth weye · woo ys þe þenne Redde rationem uillicationis tue . oþer arerage Falle Then hyre hurde as ich hope · hath nou.ht to guytyquyty þy dette Ther as mede ne mercy · may nat amytea myte auayle Bote haue þis for þat · þo þat þow toke Mercy for mede and my lawe breke Loke now for þi lacchesse · wether lawe wol þe graunte Purgatorie for þy paye · oþer perpetuel helle For shal no pardonne praye for ȝowe þer · noþer pncesp[ri]nces letteres Peers quaþ a prest þo · þy pardonne most ich rede Ic can construen ech worde · and kenne hit þe in englishe And peers at hus preyere · þe pardon vnfolded And ich by-hynde hem boþe · by-heeld al þe bulle In two lynes hit lay · and no lettere more And was ywryte ryght þus · in witnesse of treuthe . Qui bona egerunt ibunt in uitam eternam . qui uero mala in ignem eternum . Peter quaþ þe prest þo · ich can no pardon fynde Bote do wel and haue wel and god shal haue þy saule Do vuel and haue vuel and hope þow non oþer Bote he þat vuel lyueþ · vuel shal ende Indulgentia concessa petro plouhman . The preest þus and perkyn of þe pardon Iangled Thorgh here wordes ich awook* · and waitede a-boute And seih þe sonne in þe south · sitte þat tyme Meteles and moneyles · on maluerne hulles Musynge on þees meteles · a myle wey ich ȝeode And meny tymes this meteles · made me to studie Of þat ich .seih slepynge · yf hit so be myghte And of peers plouhman pensyf in herte And with a pardon peers hadde · the puple to gladen And how þe preest inpugned hit · thorwe two propre wordes Ac men setten nat by songewarie · mei seen hit ofte faile Caton counteþ hit at nouht · and canonistres at lasse Ac for þe bok bible bereþ good wyttnesse How daniel dyuinede · and vndude þe dremeles Of kyng nabugodonosor þat no peer hadde And sitthe after to hus sones · seide hem what þei thouhte And Ioseph mete meruelousliche · how þe mone and þe sonne And elleuene sterres · hailsede hym alle Thenne Iacob Iuged Iosephes sweuene Beau fitz . quaþ þe fader . we shulleþ for defaute Ich my-self and my sones · seche for neede Hit by-fel as þe fader seide · in pharao hus tyme Þat Ioseph was Iustice egipte to saue Hus eleuene broþeres · hym for neede souhte And hus fader Iacob and al-so hus dame Al þis makeþ me on meteles to studie And how þe preest preeuede · no pardon to do wel And demede þat dowel Indulgenses passede Byennals and tryennals · and bisshopes letteres For ho-so wel doþ here · at þe daye of dome Worth faire vnderfonge · by-for god þat tyme So dowel passeþ pardon · and pilgrimages to rome Ȝut hath þe pope power · pardon to graunte To puple with-oute penaunce · to passen in-to Ioye As lettred men ous lereþ · and lawe of holy churche Quodcumque ligaueris super terram erit ligatum & in celis . Et quodcumque solueris super terram erit solutum & in celis . And so ich by-lyue leelly · lordes forbode elles Þat pardon and penaunce · and preieres don saue Saule þat han synged · seuene sithe dedliche Ac to trysten apon triennels · triweliche me thynkeþ Ys nat so syker for þe saule · certys as ys dowel . For-thi ich rede ȝow renkes · þat riche ben on þys erthe Vp trist of ȝoure tresour · tryennels to haue Be ȝe neuere þe boldere · to breke þe ten hestes And nameliche ȝe maistres · meyres and Iuges That han þe welthe of þis worlde · and wise men ben holde To purchace ȝow pardon · and þe popes bulles At þe dredful day of dome · when dede men shullen ryse And comen ale by-fore crist · a-countes to ȝelde Howe we ladde oure lyf here · and hus lawes kepte And how we dude day by day · þe dome wol reherce A poke ful of pardon þere · ne prouincials letteres Þauh he be founde in fraternite · of alle fyue ordres And haue indulgences doblefolde · bote dowel ous helpe Ich sette by pardon nat a peese · noþer a pye hyle For-thi ich counsaile alle cristine · to crye god mercy And marye hus moder · be oure mene to hym Þat god ȝeue ous grace here · er we go hennes Suche workes to worche · whil we ben here That after oure deþ day dowel reherce Amen . At þe day of dome we dude as he tauhte Hic explicit uisio Willelmi de petro plouhman . Hic Incipit uisio euisdem Willelmi de dowel .P.11.0: The Hic is shared between the header of this passus and the trailer of the last. See the image. Thus robed in russett ich romede a-boute Al asomera somer seson · for to seke dowel . Frainede ful ofte · of folke þat ich mette Yf eny whitP.11.4: whit, "wight, being." Compare P11.6 below. wist wer dowel was at ynne · And what man he myghte be · of meny man ich askede Was neuere wiht in þis worlde · þat wisse me couthe Wher þat he lengede · lasse ne more Til hit by-ful on a frydaye · two freres ich mette Maisteres of menours · men of grete witte Ich .hailsede hem hendilyche as ich hadde ylernede And prayede purcharitepur charite · ar þei passede forþere Yf þei knewe eny contreiescontre · oþer costes a-boute Wher þat dowel dwelleþ · dere frendes telleþ me For ȝe aren men of þys molde · þat most wide walken And knowen contreies and courtes and menye kynne places Boþe princes paleis · and poure menne Cotes And dowel and do vuele · wher þei dwellen boþe Sothliche seide þe frere · he soiourneþ with ous freres And ay hath as ich hope · and wol her-after Contra quaþ ich as a clerke · and comsede to dispute And seide sothliche sepcies in die cadit iustus . Fallynge fro ioye iesus wot þe sothe Seuene syche seith þe bok · syngeþ day by day The alþer ryghtfulleste renk · þat regneþ vpon eerthe And ho-so syngeþ ich seide · certys doþ nat wel For ho-so synegeþ sikerliche doþ vuele And dowel and do vuele · may nat dwelle to-gederes Ergo he ys nat al-way · at hom among ȝou Freres He hisP.11.29: his, "is." som-while elles-wher to wisse þe puple Ich shal seie þe my sone · seide þe frere þenne How seuene sithes þe sadde man · syngeþ on þe daye By aforbusenea forbusene quaþ þe frere · ich shal þe faire shewe Let brynge a man in a bot · in myddes a brode water The wynde and þe water · and waggynge of þe bote Makeþ þe man meny tyme · to stomble yf he stande Stonde he neuere so styfliche · þorgh sterynge of þe bote He bendeþ and boweþ · þe body his vnstable Ac ȝut he is saf and sounde · so fareth hit by þe ryghtful Þauh he falle he falleþ nat · bote as ho fulle in a bote Þat ay is saf and sounde · þat sitteþ with-ynne þe borde So hit fareþ quaþ þe frere · by ryghtfulmannesryghtful mannes fallynge Þawe he þorghe fondinge falle · he falleþ nat out of charite So dedliche synne doþ he nat · for dowel hym helpeþ The water ys liknede to þe worlde · þat wanyeþ and wexeþ The godes of þe grounde · aren lyke to þe grete wawes As wyndes and wederes · walwen a-boute The bot ys lycknede to oure body þat brotel ys of kynde That þorgh þe fende and oure flesch · and þis frele worlde Senegeþ seuene sithe · þe saddest man on erthe And lyfholiest of lyf þat lyueth vnder þe sonne Ac free wil and free wit · folweþ a man euere To repenten and ryse · and rowen out of synne To contricion to confession · til he come to hus ende Raþer haue we no reste · til we restitue Oure lyf to oure lord god · for oure lykames gultes Ich haue no kynde knowyng quaþ ich · to conceyue al þy speche Ac yf ich may lyue and loke · ich shal go lerne bettere Ich by-kenne þe crist quaþ he · þat on þe croice deide And ich seide þe same · saue ȝow fro meschaunce And gyue me grace on þis grounde · with good ende to deye Ich wente forþ wyde-where · walkynge myn one In a wylde wyldernesse · by a wode syde Blisse of briddes · a-byde me made And vnder lynde in a launde · lenede ich a stounde To lithen here laies · and here loueliche notes Murtthe of here murye mouthes · made me to slepe And merueilousliche me mette · a-myddes al þat blisse A muche man me þouhte · lyke to my-selue Cam and callede me · by my ryhte name What ert þow quaþ ich · þat my name knowest That wost þou wille quaþ he · and no wight betere Wot ich quaþ ich · ho ert þow · thouhte seide he þenne Ich haue þe suwed þis seue ȝer · seih þou me no rather Ert þow þouhte quaþ ich þo · þow couþest me wisse Were þat dowel dwelleþ · and do me to knowe Dowel and dobet quaþ he · and dobest þe þridde Beþ þre fayre vertues · and beeþ nouht ferr to fynde Who-so his trywe of ys tonge · and of hus to handes And þorwe leel labour lyueþ · and loueþ hus emcristine And þer-to trywe of hus tail · and halt wel hus handes Nouht dronkelewe ne deynous dowel hym folweþ Dobet doþ al this · ac ȝut he doþ more He is lowe as a lombe · and loueliche of speche And helpeth herteliche alle men · of þat he may aspare The bagges and þe by-gurdeles · he hath to-broke hem alle That þe eorl auerous · heeld and hus eires And of mammonaes moneye · mad hym meny frendes And is ronne in-to religion · and rendreþ hus byble And precheþ to þe puple · seynt poules wordes Libenter suffertis insipientes cum sitis ipsi sapientes . Ȝe wordliche wyse · vnwyse þat ȝe suffre Lene hem and loue hem · this latyn ys to mene Dobest bere sholde · þe bisshopes croce And halye with hoked ende · ille men to goode And with þe pyk putte adoune preuaricatores legis . Lordes þat lyuen as hem lust · and no lawe a-counten And fore here mok and for here meeble · suche men þynken That no Bisshop sholde · here byddinge with-sitte Ac dobest sholde nat dreden hym · bote do as god hihte Nolite timere eos qui possunt occidere corpus . Thus dowel and dobet diuinede and dobest . And crounede on to be kyng** · to culle with-oute synne That wolde nat don as dobest diuinede and tauhte Thus dowel and dobet and dobest þe þridde Crounede on to be kyng** · and kepen ous alle And reulen alle reaumes · by here þre wittes Bote oþer-wise ne elles nat · bote as þei þree assented Ich þonked þouht þo · þat he me so tauhte Ȝut sauereþ me nat þi sawe quaþ ich · so me crist spede A more kynde knowyng · coueite ich to huyre Of dowel and of dobet and ho dobest of alle Bote wit wolle þe wisese quaþ þouht · wer þo þre dwellen Elles know ich non þat can · in none kynriche Thouth and ich thus þre daies · to-gederes we ȝeoden Dispitynge vp dowel daye after oþere And er we were ywar · with wit gan we mete He was long and lene · lyke to non oþer Was no pruyde in hus aparail · ne pouerte noþer Sad of hus semblant · with a softe speche Ich þurstedurst meue no matere · to maken hym to Iangle Bote as ich bad thouth þo . be mene by-twene And putte forth som purpos · to proouen hus wittes What dowel was fro dobet and dobest fro hem boþe Thenne thouth in þan tyme · seede þeese wordes War dowel and dobet and dobest been in londe Her is on wolde wite yf wit couthe teche And what lyues thei lyuen · and what lawe thei vsen What þei drede an douhten · dere syre telleþ Syre dowel dwelleþ quaþ wit nat a daye hennes In a castel þat Kynde made · of foure kyne þynges Of erthe of aier yt is made · medled to-gederes With wynd and water · wittyliche en-ioynede Kynde hath closed þer-ynne · craftilyche with-alle A lemman þat he loueþ wel · lyke to hym-selue Anima hue hatte · to hure hath enuye A prout prikyere of fraunce princeps huius mundi . And wolde wynne hure away · with whiles yf he myghte And kynde knoweth þis wel · and kepeth hure þe betere And dooþ hure with syre dowel duk of þes marches Dobet ys here damesele · syre doweles douhter To serue þat lady leelly · boþe late and rathe Dobest ys a-boue boþe · a bisshopes peer And by hus lerynge is ladde · þat ilke lady anima . The constable of þat castel · þat kepeþ hem alle Is a wys knyght with alle · syre Inwit he hatte And haþ fyue faire sones · by hus furste wyf Syre seewel syre seiwel syre huyrewel þe hende Syre worchewel with þyn hand · awighta wight man of strengthe And syre godfaith gowel grete lordes alle Theese fyue ben ysett · for to sauye anima . Til kynde come oþer seynde · and kepe hure hym-self What lyues þyng is kynde quaþ ich · canst þow me telle Kynde is creature quaþ wit of alle kyne þynges Fader and formour · of al þat forth groweþ The wiche is god grettest · þat gynnynge hadde neuere Lord of lyf and of lyght of lysse and of payne Angeles and alle þyng** · aren at hus wil Man is hym most lyk . of membres and of face And semblable in soule to god · bote yf synne hit make And as þow suxt þe sonne · som tyme for cloudes May nat shyne ne shewe · on shalkes on erthe Right so letteþ lecherie · and oþer lut.her synnes Þat god suweþ nat synful men and suffreþ hem mys-fare As somme hongen hem-self · and oþer-while a-drencheþ God wol nat of hem wite · bote leteþ hem yworthe As þe sauter seiþ · by suche synful shrewes Et dimisi eos secundum desiderium eorum . Loke suche luther men · lome ben ryche For thei loueþ and by-leyueþ · al here lyf-tyme More in catel þan in kynde þat alle kyne þynges wroghte The wiche is boþe loue and lyf · and lasteþ with-outen ende Inwitt* and alle whittes · closed ben þer-ynne By loue and by leaute · þer-by lyueþ anima . And lyf lyueþ by Inwitt* · and lerynge of kynde . Inwitt* / is in þe hefd · as anima þe herte And muche wo worth hym · þat Inwitt* mys-speyneþ For þat is godes owen good · hus grace and hus tresour That meny lede leeseþ · thorw lykerouse drynke As lot dude and noe an herodes þe daffe Ȝaf hus douhter for daunsyng** · in a dissh* þe hefde Of þe blessyde baptiste . by-fore alle hus gustes Euery man þat hath ynwitt** · and hus hele boþe Hath tresour ynow in treuthe · to fynde with hym-selue Ac fauntekynes and fooles · þe wiche fauten Inwitt** Frendes suche fynden hem · and fro folye kepe And holychurche helpe to so sholde no man begge Ne spille speche ne tyme · ne myspende neiþer Meeble ne vnmeeble · mete nother drynke And þanne dude we alle wel · and ȝut wel bet to louye Oure enemyes entyreliche · and help hem at here neede And ȝut were best to bee a-boute · and brynge hit to hepe That alle londes lyueden · anP.11.192: an, "and." in on lawe by-leouede Bisshopes sholde be here a-boute · and brynge þis to hepe For to leese þere-fore here londe · and here lyf after The catel þat crist hadde · þre cloþes hit were Ther-of was ryflede · and robbed er he deyede After þat he les hus lyf · for lawe sholde loue wexe Prelates and Preestes · and princes of holy churche Sholde doute no deþ · noþer dere ȝeres To wenden as wyde as þe worlde were To tulien the eerthe with tonge · and teche men to louye For ho-so loueþ leyue hit wel · god wol nat lete hym sterue In myschef for lacke of mete · ne for myssynge of cloþes Inquiretis Inquirentes autem dominum non minuentur omni bono . Ho-so lyueþ in lawe · and in loue doþ wel As theese weddid men · þat þis worlde susteynen For of here kynde thei come · confessours and maistres Patriarkes and prophetes · popes and maidones For god seith hit hym-self · shal neuere good appel Þorw no sotel science · on sour stock growe And hit ys no more to mene · bote men þat buth by-getyn Out of matrimonie nat moillere · mowe nat haue þe grace That leelle legitime · by lawe may cleyme And þat my sawe be soth · þe sauter bereþ wittnesse Concepit in dolore & peperit iniquitatem . Caym þe cursed creature · conceyued was in synne After þat adam and eue . hadden ysynged With-oute repentaunce · of here rechilesnesse A ryband þei engendrede . and a gome vnryghtful As an hywe þat ereþ nat auntreþ hym to sowe On a leye lond a-ȝens hus lordes wille So was caym conceyued · and so been cursed w.recches That lycame han a-ȝen þe lawe · þat oure lord ordeynede Alle þat come of caym caytyues were euere And for þe synne of caymes sed · seyde god to noe Penitet me fecisse hominem . And bad shappe hym a shup · of shides and of bordes Thi-selue and þy sones þree · and sitthen ȝoure wyues Buske ȝow to þat bot · a-bydeþ þer-ynne Til fourty dayes be fulfilled · and flod haue wasshe Clene away þe cursede blod · that of cayme ys spronge Bestes þat now beeþ · banne shulleþ þe tyme That euere þat cursed cayme · cam on this erthe Alle shullen deye for hus dedes · by dales and hulles And þe foules þat flen · forth with othere bestes Excepte onliche of eche kynde apeyrea peyre That in þy shynglede shup · with the shal be sauede Here aboute þe barn · hus belsires gultes And alle for here for-fadres · ferden þe worse The godspel ys her a-geyn · as gomes may reden Filius non importabit iniquitatem patris . & cetera . Holy writ wittnesseþ · þat for no wickede dede That þe sire hym-self doþ · by hus owene wil The sone fore syres synne · sholde nat be þe werse West-mynster lawe ich wot wel · worcheþ þe contrarie For þauh þe fader be a fraunkelayne · and for a felon be hanged The heritage þat þe air sholde haue · ys at þe kynges wille Ac þe godspel ys a glose þere · hudynge þe greythe treuthe For god seide ensample · of suche manere isshue That kynde folweþ kynde · and contrarieþ neuere Numquam colligunt de spinis uuas . & alibi . Bona arbor bonum fructum facit . Ac whi þe worlde was a-drent · holy writ telleþ Was for mariages of man-kynde · þat men maden þat tyme After þat caym þe cursede · hadde culled abel Seth Adames sone · sitthen was engendrede And god sente to seth so sone he was of age That for no kyne catel · ne no kyne byheste Suffren hus seed seeden with caymes seed hus broþer And for þat seth suffrede hit · god seide me for-þynkeþ That ich man made · oþere matrimonye suffrede For good sholde wedden good · þauh þei no good hadde For ich am · uia & ueritas and may auaunce hem alle Ac fewe folke folweþ this · for thei ȝeueþ here children For couetise of catel · and connynge chapman Of kyn ne of kynredene · a-counteþ men bote lytel Þauh he be loueliche to loken on · and lofsom a-bedde A mayde wel ymanerede · of good men spronge Bote hue haue eny oþer good · haue hure wol no ryche Ac let hure be vnloueliche · vnlofsom a-bedde A bastarde · a bounde on a begeneldes douhter That no curtesye can · bote let hure be knowe For ryche oþer wel yrented · þauh hue reuely for elde Ther nys squier ne knyght · in contreye a-boute That he nel bowe to þat bonde · to bede hure an hosebonde And wedden hure for hure welthe · and wisshen on þe morwe That hus wyf were wex · oþer a watel ful of nobles In gelesie ioye-lees and Ianglynge a-bedde Meny peire sitthe the pestilence tyme · han plight treuthe to louye Ac þei lyen sothliche · here noþer loueþ oþere The frut þat þei bryngen forth · aren meny foule wordes Thei han no children bote cheste · and choppes hem by-twyne Thauh þei don hem to donemowe . bote þe deuel hem helpe To folwen for þe flicche · feccheþ þei hit neuere Bote þei bothe be for-swore · that bacon thei tyne For-thi ich counseile alle crystine · couette neuere be wedded For couetise of catel · in no kynne wyse Bote maydenes and maydonesP.11.288: Most manuscripts do not distinguish maydene from maydone, and neither OED nor MED offers reason to think the distinction widely shared. Maiden, of course, has the sense of young person of either sex in both Old and Middle English, and the next line with parallel wydewers and wedewes suggests a gender distinction is intended here. · marien ȝow to-gederes And wydewers and wydewes · weddeþ ayþer oþer And loke þat loue be more þe cause · þan lond oþer noobles And euerech manere seculer man · þat may nat contynne Wisliche go wedde and war þe fro þat synne That lecherye is a lykynge þyng · and lym-ȝerde of helle And whil þow ert ȝong and ȝep · and þy wepne kene Awreke þe þer-with on wyuynge · for godes werk ich holde hit Dum sis uir fortis ne des tua robora scortis . Scribitur in portis meretrix est ianua mortis . Ȝe þat han wyues beþ war · worcheþ nat out of tyme As adam dude and eue as ich whiler tolde For sholde no bed-borde be · bote yf þei boþe were Clene of lyf and loue in saule · and in leel wedlok* For þat derne dede · do no man sholde Bote wedded men with here wyues · as holy writ telleþ Bonum est ut unusquisque uxorem suam habeat propter fornicacionem . That oþere-gates been gete · for gadelynges aren holde and fals folk* And fals folke and foundlynges · faitours and lyers Vngraciouse to gete good · oþere good loue of puple A·waytynge and wastynge · al þat thei cacche mowe A·ȝens dowel thei don vuele · and þe deuel seruen And after here deþ daye · dwellen shulle in helle Bote god gyue grace her · goynge to amende And thus ys dowel my frend · to daydo as lawe techeþ To louye and to lowe the · and no lyf to greue Ac to louye and to leue · leyf me þat is dobet Ac to ȝeue and to ȝeme · boþe ȝonge and holde Helen and helpen · is dobest of alle Fore þe more a man may do · by so þat he do hit The more is he worth and worthi · of wyse and goode ypreised Hic explicit passus primus de dowel . Incipit passus secundus Thenne hadde wit awifa wif · was hote dame studie That ful lene lokede · and lif-holy semede Hue was wonderliche wroth* · þat wit so me tauhte Al staryenge dame studie sturneliche seide Wel art þow wys quaþ hue to wit suche wisdome shewe To eny fol other flatorere · oþer to frentik puple And seide nolite mittere ȝe men margerie perles A-monge hogges þat hauen hawes at wille Thei don bote dreuelyn þeron · draf were hem leuere Þan al þe preciouse perreye · þat eny prince weldeþ Ich segge hit by suche quaþ studie þat shewen by here werkus That loueþ lond and lordshup · and lykyng* of body more Than holynesse oþer hendenesse · oþer al þat seintes techeþ Wysdom and wit now is nat worth a carse Bote hit be carded with couetyse · as cloþers kemben wolle Ho þat can contreeue and caste · to deceyue þe puple And lette with a loueday treuthe and by-gyle hym That can coueyty anP.12.18: an, "and." caste thus · aren cleped in-to counsail Qui sapiunt nugas & crimina lege uocantur Qui recte sapiunt lex iubet ire foras . He is reuerenced and robetd · þat can robbe þe peuple Þorwe fallas and false questes · and þorw fykel speche Iob þe gentil and wys · in hus gestes wytnesseþ What shal worthe of suche wenne þei lyf leten · Ducunt in bonis dies suos & in fine descendunt ad infernum . The sauter seith þe same · of alle suche ryche Ibunt in progenie patrum suorum & usque in eternum non uidebunt lumen . Et alibi . ecce ipsi peccatores . & cetera . Lo holy lettrure seith · wiche lordes been thees shrewes · Tho þat most good gyueþ · most greue ryght and treutheP.12.29: Starting with this folio, the scribe stopped regularly touching in red on the top line of the verso sides; however, he continued using flourished letter forms on the top lines of the verso sides. Que perfecisti destruxerunt iustitiam And harlotes for harlotrie · aren holpe er nudy poure And þat is no ryght ne reson · for raþer men sholde Help hem þat hath nouht · þan þo þat han no neede Ac he þat haþ holy writ · ay in hus mouthe And can telle of treuthe and of þe twelue apostels Oþer of þe passion of crist · oþer of pugatorie peynes Lytel is he a-lowed þere-fore · a-mong lordes of festes Now is þe manere atte þe mete · when mynstralles ben stylle The lewede a-ȝens þe lered · þe holy lore to dispute And tellen of þe trinite · how two slowe þe þridde And brynge forth ballede resones · and taken bernarde to wittnesse And putteþ forþ presompcions to preouen þe sothe Thus thei dreuelen atte deyes · þe deyte to knowe And gnawen god with gorge · when here guttes fullen Ac þe carful mai crie · and quaken atte ȝate Boþe a-fyngred and a-furst · and for defaute spille Ys non so hende to haue hym yn · bote hote hym go þer god is Thenne semeþ hit to my syght · to suche as so biddeþ God is nat in þat hom · ne hus help neither Lytel loueþ he þat lorde · that lente hym þat blisse That so parteþ with þe poure · a parcel wenne hym mideþ Ne were mercy in mene men · more þan in ryght ryche Meny tyme mendynans · myghte gon a-fyngred And so seith þe sauter · ich sauh hit in memento Ecce audiuimus eam id est caritatem in effrata inuenimus eam in campis silue . Clerkus and knyghtes · carpen of god ofte And haueþ hym muche in hure mouthe · ac mene men in herte Freres and faitours · han founde vp suche questiones To plese withe proute men · sitthe þe pestelences That folk is nouht ferm in þe feith · ne free of hereP.12.60: The abbreviation is unusual. goodes Ne sory for here synnes · so is pryuyde en-hansed In religion and al þe reame · among ryche and poure That preyeres han no power · thees pestelences to lette For god is def now-a-dayes · and deyneþ nouht ous to huyre And good men for oure gultes · he al to-grynt to dyþe And ȝut þees wrecches of þys worlde · is non whar by oþer Ne for drede of eny deþ · with-draweþ hem fro pruyde Ne parteþ with þe poure · as pure charyte wolde Bote in gayenesse and in glotenye · for-glotten here goodes And brekeþ nat here bred to þe poure as þe book hoteþ ...?...?...P.12.71: The following line, present in all C witnesses except P and N, has been erased from P (or never written): Frange esurienti panem tuum. Two largely erased and illegible words were written in red ink on the top line. Ac þe more he hath and wynneþ · þe worlde at hus wylle And lordeþ in leedes · the lasse good he deleþ Tobie tauhteP.12.74: An otiose flourish appears above the <a>. nat so · takeþ hede ȝe ryche How he tolde in a tyme · and tauhte hus sone dele Si tibi sit copia abundanter tribue . Si autem exiguum illud impertiri libenter stude . And þis is no more to mene · bote ho-so muche good weldeþ Be large þer-of while hit laste · to leedes þat been needy Yf þow haue lytel loue sone · loke by þy lyue Get þe loue þer-with · þauh þow fare þe werse Ac lust no lord ne lewed man · of suche lore non to hure Bote lythen how þey myghte · lerne lest good to spene And so lyuen lordes now · and leten hit a dowel For is no wit worth now · bote hit of wynnynge soune For thi quaþ hue to wit be war · holy writ to shewe Amonges hem þat hauen · hawes atte wille The wiche is a lykynge and alousta loust and loue of þe worlde An wanne wit was whar · what studie menede Ich myghte gete no greyn · of wittes grete wittes Bote al lauhwynge he lotede · and loked vp-on studie Semynge þat ich sholde · by-sechen hure of grace When ich was war of hus wil · to þat womman ich loutede And seide mercy ma-dame · ȝoure man shal ich worthe As longe as ich lyue · bothe late and rathe And for to worche ȝoure wil · the while my lyf duyreþ With þat ȝe kenne me kyndeliche · to knowe what is dowel For thi meeknesse quaþ hue · and for thi mylde speche Ich shal þe kenne to clergie my cosyn þat knoweth Alle kyne konnynges · and comsynges of dowel Of dobet and dobest for doctor he his yknowe And of scripture þe skyfulskylful · and scryuaynes were trywe For hue is sybbe to þe seuen ars · and also my soster And cleregies wedded wif · as wys as hym-selue Of lore and of letterure · of lawe and of reson So with þat þat cleregie can · and counsail of scripture Thow shalt conne and knowe · kendeliche dowel Thenne was ich al-so fayn · as foul of fair morwenynge Gladder þan gleo-man · þat gold haþ to gyfte And asked of hure þe heye way · wher þat cleregie dwelte And tel me som tokne quaþ ich · for tyme is þat ich wende Aske þe heye wey quaþ hue · hennes to suffre Bothe wele and moche wo yf þow wolt lerne And ryd forth by richesse and r.est nouht þer-ynne Yf þow coueity to be riche · to cleregie comst þow neuere Bothe wommon and wyn · wratthe yre and slewthe Yf þou hit vse oþer haunte · haue god my treuthe To clergie shalt þow neuere come · ne knowe what ys · dowel Ac yf þou happe quaþ hue · þat þow hitte on clergie And hast vnderstondyng* · what he wolde mene Sey to hym þy-self · oueer-see my bokes And seye ich grette wel hus wif · ich wrot hure abyblea byble And sette hure to sapience · and to þe sauter glosede Logyk ich lerede hure · and al þe lawe after Alle þe musons in musyk* ich made hure to knowe Plato þe poete · ich putte hym ferst to booke Aristotile and oþere · to arguen ich tauhte Grammere for gurles · ich gart furst wryte And bet hem with a baleyse · bote yf þei wolde lerne Of alle kyne craftes · ich contreeuede here tooles Of carpentrie of kerueres · and contreeuede þe compas And cast out by squire · boþe lyne and leuell Thus þorw my lore beþ men ylered · þauh ich loke dymme Ac theologie haþ teened me · ten score tymes The more ich muse þer-on · the mystiloker hit semeþ And þe deppere ich deuyne · the deerker me þynkeþ hit Hit is no scienceP.12.137: The letters <ce> are malformed. sothliche · bote a sothfast by-lyue Ac for hit lereþ men to louye · ich by-leyue þer-on þe bettere For loue is a lykynge thyng* · and loth for to greue Lerne for to louye · yf þe lyke to dowel For of dobet and of dobest here doctour ys dere loue Tho wente ich my way · with-oute more lettynge And to clergie ich kam . as clerkes me seide And ich grette hym goodliche · and greiliche hym tolde How þat wit and hus wif · wissed me to hym To koweknowekenne and to knowe · kyndeliche dowel By cryst quaþ clergie yf þow coueyte dowel Kep þe ten commandemens and kep þe fro synne And by-leyf leelly · how godes sone a-lyghte On þe mayde marie for mankynnes sake And by-cam man of þat mayde · with-outeP.12.151: An otiose flourish on <t> extends through final <e>. mannes kynde And al þat holy churche · here-of can þe lere By-leyf lelly þere-on · and look þow do þer-after Her-of Austyn þe olde · made bokes and bokes Ho was hus autor and hym of god tauhte Patriarkes and prophetes . aposteles and angeles And þe holy trinite to austyn appeirede And he ous seide as he seih · and so ich by-leyue That he seih þe syre and þe sone · and seynte spirit to-gederes And alle þre bote on god · and her-of made he bokes Ȝe busiliche bokes · ho butbethP.12.161: but, "are." hus wytnesses Ego in patre & pater in me & qui me uidit patrem meum uidit qui in celis est . Alle þe clerkes vnder crist · ne couthe this asoile Bote thus by-longeþ to by-leyue · alle þat lykeþ dowel For hadde neuere frek fyn wit the faith to dispute Ne man myghte haue no merit þerof · myghte hit be preouede Fides non habet meritum ubi humana ratio possidet dominium . Thus by-leyue and leaute · and loue is þe þridde That makeþ men to dowel . dobet and dobest The scripture scorned me · and menye skyles shewede And contynaunce made to clergie to congie me hit semede And lakkede me in latyn · and lyght by me sette And seide multi multa sapiunt . & seipsos nesciunt . Tho wepte ich for wo · and wraþede of hus wordes And in a wynkynge ich warth · an wonderliche ich mete For ich was raueshede ryght þer fortune me fette In-to þe londe of longynge · and loue hue me brouhte And in a myrour hihte myddelerd · hue made me to loke And sutthe seide to me · her myghte þow see wondres And knowe þat þow coueitest · and come þer-to paraunter Thenne hadde fortune folwynge hure two faire maidenes Carnis concupiscentiaConcupiscentia carnisP.12.182: The rubricating scribe apparently recognized the inversion, but mistakenly marked P12.186 with a red <X> in the right margin for the correction. me calde þe eldere mayde And coueitise of eyen · ycald was þat oþere And pruyde of parfit lyuynge · pursewede in faste And bad me for my contynence · counte clergies lore lyght* XP.12.186: The rubricating scribe apparently recognized the inversion in P12.182, but mistakenly marked this line for correction. Concupiscentia carnis . comfortyde me in þys wyse · And seide þow ert ȝong and ȝep · and hast ȝeris ynowe For to lyue longe · and ladyes to louye And in þis mirour þow myst see · murthes ful menye That lede þe wol to lykynge · al þy lyf-tyme The secounde mayde seide · ich shal sywe þi wil Til þow be a lord of londe · leten þe ich nelle That ich ne shal folwie þy felaushupe yf fortune lyke Hue shal fynde me hus frende quaþ fortune her-after That man þat me lykeþ helpe · myghte nat myshappe Thenne was þer on hiht elde þat eny was of chere Man quaþ elde mette ich with þe · by marie of heuene Thou shalt fynde fortune faile at þy moste neede And concupiscentia carnis clene the for-sake Byterliche shalt þow banne þenne · boþe a daye and nyghtes Couetise of eyen · that euere þow hure knewe And pruyde of parfit lyuynge · to muche peril þe brynge Ȝe reccheþ the neuere quaþ rechelesnesse stod forth in raggede cloþes Folwe forþ þat fortune wol · thou hast ful feer to elde A man may stoupe tyme ynowe · wen he shal tyne þe corone Syre wanhope was sibbe to hym · as som men me tolde For rechelesnesse in hus rybaurdrye · ryht þus he seide Go ich to helle go ich to heuene · ich shal nouht myn one Were hit al soþ þat ȝe seyen thou scripture and clergie Ich leyue neuere þat lorde ne ladie · þat lyueþ her on eerthe Sholde sitte in godes sete · ne see god in hus blysse Ita impossibile est diuiti intrare in regnum celorum  sicut camelus foramen acus . For clergie seith þat he seih . in þe seynt euangelie Þat ich man maked was · and my name yentrede In þe legende of lif · longe er ich were Prodestinat thei prechen · prechours þat þis shewen Or prechen inparfit · ypult out of grace Vnwryten for som wikkednesse · as holy writ sheweth Nemo ascendit in celum nisi qui ...?...descendit de celo . Ich leyue hit wel by oure lorde · and no letturure bettere For salamon þe sage · þat sapience made God gaf hym grace of wit and of good after Neuere to man so muche · that man can of telle To ruwele alle reames · and ryche to make And deme wel and wislyche · wommen bereþ witnesse Non michi nec tibi sed diuidatur . Aristotile and he · hij tauhten men boþe Maisters þat techen men · of godes muchel mercy Whitinessen þat here wordes · and here werkes boþe Weren wonder goode · and wise in here tyme And holychurche as ich huyre · haldeþ boþe in helle Yf we sholden worchen after here workes · to wynnen ous heuene That for hure werkes and witt · wonyeþ now in peyne Thenne wroghte we vnwisliche · for al ȝoure wyse techynge Ac ich countresegge þe nat cleregie · ne þy connynge scripture That ho-so doþ by ȝoure doctrine · doþ wel ich leyue Ac me were leuere by oure lord · alippea lippe of godes grace Than al þe kynde witt þat ȝe can bothe · and connynge of ȝoure bokes For of fele witty in faith · litel ferly ich haue Thauh here gost be vngraciouse · god for to plese For meny men of þis molde · setten more here herte In wordliche good þan in god · for-þy grace hem failleþ AtA[c]P.12.243: The <c> / <t> error was apparently archetypal. here meste meschef · mercy were þe beste And mercy of mercy · needes mot aryse As holy writ wittnesseþ · godes word in the godspelle Eadem mensura qua mensi fueritis remetietur uobis Ryght wel ywittede men · and wel lettred clerkes Seilde arn þei seien · so lyue as þei lere — Witnesse on godes wordes · þat was neuere vntriwe Super cathedram moysi . & cetera . And ich wene hit worth of menye · as was in Noes tyme Tho þat he shop þe shup · of shides and of bordes Was neuere writ þat þer on wrouhte ne workman y-saued Bote briddes and bestes · þat þe blessed noe And hus wif with hus sones · and hus sones wyues And wrightes þat hit wroghten · was non ysaued God leyne hit fare nat so by folke · that þe faith techen Of holychurche þat sholde kepe · alle cristine saules For archa noe nemeþ hede · ys no more to mene Bote holychurche · herbergh to alle þat ben blessede The culorum of this cause curatores ys to mene That ben carpenters vnder criste · holy churche to make For lewede folk godes foules · and hus free bestes Homines & iumenta saluabis domine & cetera . At domes-day a dyluuye worth · of deþ and of fuyr at ones Worcheþ ȝe wryghtes of holichurche · as holy writ techeþ Leste ȝe be loste as þe laborers were · þat labored vnder noe A goode fryday ich fynde · a felon was ysauede That vnlawefulleche hadde y-lyued · al hus lyf-tyme And for he by-knew on þe crois · and to crist shroue hym He was sonnere ysaued · þan seynt Iohan þe Baptist And er Adam oþer ysaie · oþer eny of þe prophetes That hadden leye with lucyfer · meny longe ȝeres A robber was y-raunsoned · raþer þan þei alle With-outhe penaunce oþer passion oþer eny oþer peyne He passede forth pacientliche · to perpetuel blisse Also marie Magdalene · ho myghte do worsse As in lykynge of lecherye · no lyf denoyede And dauid þe douhty · þat deuynede howe vrye Mighte slilokeste be slayn · and sente hym to werre Leelliche as by hus lok · with a lettere of gyle Paul þe apostel þat no pite hadde · crustene peupleP.12.282: An otiose but evidently intentional curl is written over the second <p>. to culle Now beeþ þees seintes as men seyen · and souereynes in heuene Tho þat worst wroghten wile þei weren here By þat þat salamon seith · hit semeþ þat no wyght + Wot ho is worthi · for wele oþer for wicke Whether he is worthi to wele · oþer to wickede pyne Sunt iusti atque sapientes & opera eorum in manu dei sunt Thus ich rechelesnesse haue rad · registres and bokes And fond ich neuere in faith · for to telle of treuthe That clergie of cristes mouth · comended was euere For crist seide to seintes · and to suche as he louede Dum steteris ante reges et presides & cetera . Thauh ȝe come by-fore kynges · and clerkes of þe lawe Beeþ nat a-ferd of þat folke · for ich shal ȝeue ȝow tonge Connynge and clergie to conclude hem alle Dauid makeþ mencion · he spak a-mong* kynges And myghte no kynge hym ouer-come · as in connynge speche Sothly seide rechelesnesse ich see by menye euedences That noþer wit ne wyghtnesse · wan neuere þe maistrie With-oute þe grete gyfte of god · with hus grace and fortune . For he þat most seith and seide · of þe sothfast trinite . Was austyn þe olde · þat euere man wiste He saide thus in hus sarmon · for ensample of grete clerkes Ecce ipsi idioti rapiunt celum ubi nos sapientes in inferno mergimur This is to mene no more · to men þat ben lewede Aren none raþere raueshed · fro þe ryghte by-leyue Cominliche þan clerkes · most knowynge and connynge And none sonnere ysaued ne saddere in þe by-leyue Than plouhmen and pastours · and poure comune peuple And lewede leele laborers · and land tylynge peuple Persen with a pater noster paradys oþer heuene Passinge purgatorie penaunceles · for here parfit by-leyue Breuis oratio penetrat celum . Selde falleþ þe seruant so deepe in arrirages As doþ þe reyue oþer þe conterroller · þat rekene mot and a-counte Of al þat þei hauen hadd · of hym þat is here maister Ac þees lewede laborers · of lytel vnderstondynge Selde fallen so foule · and so deepe in synne As clerkes of holy churche · þat kepen sholde and saue Lewede men in good by-leyue · and lene hem at here neede Homo proponit quaþ þe poete þo · and plato he hihte Et deus disponit quaþ he · let god do hus wille Al þat treuthe atacheþ · and testifieþ for goode Thauh thei folwe þat fortune wole · no folie ich hit holde And concupiscencia carnis shal þe nat greue Gretliche ne by-gyly þe · bote yf þy-self wolle Ȝe farewel fyppe quaþ fauntelet and forth gan me drawe Til concupiscentia carnis a-corded to alle my werkes Of dowel ne of dobet no deynte me þouhte Clergie and hus consail · ich countede ful lytel Hic explicit passus secundus de dowel . Incipit passus tercius . Alas eye quath elde and holynesse boþe Þat withP.13.2: with, "wit." shal turne to wrecchednesse · for welthe haþ al hus wil couetise of eyen · confortede me after And seide recheleslnesse recche þe neuere By so þow riche were · haue þowe no conscience How þat þow come to good · confesse þe to som frere He shal a-soile þe thus sone · how þow euere wynne hit For while fortune is þy frend · freres wollen þe louye And fastne þe in here fraternite and for þe by-seche To here priour prouincial · hus pardon to haue And praye for þe pol by pol · yf þow be pecuniusP.13.11: Scribal supply sign would normally indicate <ur> or <ru>, not <e>. Pena pecuniaria non sufficit . et cetera By wissynge of þis wenche ich dude · hure wordes were so swete Til ich for-ȝat ȝouthe · and ȝorne in-to elde Thenne was fortune my foo · for al here fayre by-heste And pouerte pursuwede me · and putte me to be lowe And flittynge fond ich þe frere · þat me confessede And seide he myghte me nat asoile · bote ich suluer hadde To restitue resonabliche · for al vnryghtful wynnynge Owh how quaþ ich þo · and myn hefd waggede By my faith frere quaþ ich · ȝe fare lik þe wouwere That wilneþ þe wydewe · bote for to wedde here goodes Ryght so by þe rode quaþ ich · rouhte þe neuere Wher my body yburied were · by so ȝe hadde my goodes Thanne lowh leaute for ich lourede on þe frere Whi lourest þow quaþ leaute luue syre ich seide For thees frere flaterede me · while he fond me riche Now ich am poure and penyles · at litel prys he set me Ich wolde hit were no synne ich seide · to seye þat were treuthe The sauter seith hit is no synne · for suche men as ben trewe For to seggen as thei seen · and saue onliche prestes Existimasti inique quod ero tui similis arguam te & statuam contra faciem tuam . Thei wollen a-leggen also · and by þe godspel preouen hit Nolite iudicare quemquam . Wer-of serueþ lawe quaþ leaute and no lyf vnder-toke Falsnesse ne faiterie · for som-what þe apostel seide Non oderis fratrem tuum secrete in corde . Thyng þat al þe worlde wot · where-fore sholdest þow spare To rehercen hit by retoryk* · to a-rate dedliche synne · Ac be þow neuer þe furste · the defaute to blame Thauh þow see sey nat · som tyme þat is treuthe Thyng** þat wolde be pryue · publisshe þow hit neuere Noþer for loue labbe hit out · ne lacke hit for non enuye Parum lauda . uitupera parcius He seith soth quaþ scripture · and skypte an hy and prechede Ac þe þe[þe]þe matere þat he meeuede · yf lewede men hit knewe Þe lasse as ich leyue · louye þei wolde The by-leyue of oureP.13.48: An otiose tilde appears over the <o>. lorde · þat lettrede men techen Of here teme and of here tales · ich took ful good hede He seide in here sarmon · selcouthe wordes Multi to amangeriea mangerie · and to þe mete were sompned And wan þe peuple was plener come · the porter vnpynnede þe gate And plyghte in pauci pryueliche · and leet þe remenant go rome Al for teene of here tixt · tremblede myn herte And in aweera weer gan ich wexe · and with my-selue to dispute Weþer ich were chose oþer nat chose · on holychurche ich þouhte That vnderfong** me atte fount · for on of godes chosene For crist clepide ous alle · come yf we wolde Sarrasyns and scismaticyns · and so he dude þe Iewes And bad hem souken of hus brest · sauete for synne And drynke bote for bale · brouke hit ho-so myghte O uos omnes sicientes uenite ad aquas . Thenne may alle cristine · and cleyme þer-to entre By þat blod þat he boughte ous with · and baptisme as he tauhte Qui crediderit et baptizatus fuerit & cetera . For thauh a crystine man coueytede · hus crystendome to reneye Ryghtfulliche to ren.eye · no reson hit wolde For may no cheerl a chartre make · ne hus catel selle With-ouhte leue of þe lorde · no lawe wolde hit graunte Ac he may renne in arrirage · and rome fro home As a recheles caitif · oþer reneyed as hit semeþ Ac reson shal rekene with hym · and rebuke hym atte laste And conscience a-counte with hym · and caste hym arerages And putte hym þenne in prison · in purgatorie to brenne Rewardynge hym þer for hus rechelesnesse · ryght to þe day of dome Bote contricion and confession · crie by hus lyue Mercy for hus mysdedes · with mouthe and with herte That is þe sothe seide scripture · may no synne lette Mercy þat hue nel al amende · yf meeknesse here folwe Thei beþe as oure bookes telleþ · aren a-boue godes werkes Misericordia eius super omnia opera eius . Ȝe baw for bookes quaþ on · was broken out of helle · Ich troianus a trywe knyght · ich take witnesse of pope How ich was ded and dampned · to dwellen in helle For an vncristene creature · seynt gregorie wot þe soþe That al þe cristendome vnder crist · ne myghte cacche me þennes Bote onliche loue and leaute as in my lawes demynge Gregore wiste þis wel · and wilnede to my soule Sauacion for þe sothnesse · þat he seih in myn werkes And for he wilnede wepynge · þat ich were saued God of hus goodnesse · seih hus grete wil With-oute moo bedes-byddyng* hus bone was vnder-fonge And ich ysaued as ȝe may see · with-oute syngynge of masse Loue with leel by-leyue · and my lawe ryghtful Sauede me sarrasyn · soule and body boþe Lo lordes what leaute dude · and leel dom yused Wel auhte ȝe lordes þat lawes kepen · þis lesson to haue in mynde And on troianus treuthe to þenke · alle tymes of ȝoure lyue And louye for ȝoure lordes loue · and do leaute euere-more For lawe with-oute leaute · leye þer a bene Oþer eny science vnder sonne · þe seuene ars and alle Bote loue and leaute hym lede · y-lost is al þe tyme Of hem þat traueleþ þer-on · bote treuthe be hus lyuynge Lo loue and leaute · been oure lordes bookes And cristes owen cleregie · he cam fro heuene to teche hit And sitthe seynt Iohan seide hit is of hus techynge Qui non diligit manet in morte . And nameliche poure peuple · here preiours may ous helpen For god as þe godspel · seith goth ay as in þe poure And as þe euangelist wytnesseþ · whan we maken festes We sholde nat clypie knyghtes þer-to · ne no kyne ryche Cum facitis conuiuium nolite uocare amicos . & cetera Ac calleþ þe carful þer-to · þe crokede and þe poure For eche frend fedeþ oþer · and fondeþ how he may quite Meles and manshupes · eche a riche man oþer Ac for þe poure may nat paye · ich wol paye my-self Þat louyeþ and leneþ hem · largeliche shal ich quite At caluarie of cristes blod · cristendome gan sprynge And blod broþerne by-cam we þer · of on body wonne As quasi modo geniti gentel-men echone No beggere ne boye a-mong* ous is · bote yf synne hit make Qui facit peccatum seruus est peccati In þe olde lawe as lettre telleþ · mennesonesmenne sones me cald ous And Adames ysshue and eue · ay til god man deide And after hus resurection redemptor was hus name . And we hus blody breþren · as wel beggers as lordes For-thy loue as leue children · and lene hem þat nudeþ And euery man help oþer · for hennes shulleþ we alle To haue as we han deserued · as holychurche wittnesseþ Et qui bona egerunt ibunt in uitam eternam . For-thi lerne we lawe of loue · as oure lord tauhte The poure peuple faile nat · whil eny peny ous lasteþ For in here liknesse oure lorde · lome hath be knowe Witnesse in þe paske woke · wen he ȝeode to emaus . Cleophas ne knew hym nat · þat he crist were For hus poure aparail · and pilgrimes cloþes Til þat he blessede here bred · and brak hit by-twyne hem So by hus werkes thei wiste · þat he was iesus Ac by hus cloþing** þei knewe hym nat · so caitifliche he ȝede Al was ensample sothliche · to ous synful here We sholde be lowe and loueliche · and leel ech man to oþer And pacient as pilgrimes · for pilgrimes arn we alle In þe parail of a pilgrim · and in a poure licknesse Holy seyntes hym seih · ac neuere in secte of riche And seynte marie hus moder matheu bereth wittnesse Was a pure poure mayde · and to a poure man ywedded Martha on marie magdalene an huge pleynte made Domine non est tibi cure quod soror mea reliquit me sola ministrare . And here aiþere wil · hasteliche god a-soilede And aiþeres werkes and wil · ryght wel he alowede Ac god putte pouerte by-fore · and preouede hit for þe bettere Maria optimam partem elegit que non auferetur ab ea . And alle þe wise þat euere were · by ouht ich can aspie Preisede pouerte for best · yf pacience hit folwe And boþe bettere and blessedere · by meny folde þan richesse Thauh hit be sour to suffrie · þer comeþ a swete after As in a walnote · with-oute ys a byter bark* And after þat biter barke · be þe shale a-weye Ys a curnel of comfort* · kynde to restorie · So after pouerte and penaunce · pacientliche take Makeþ man haue mynde in god · and hus mercy craue The wiche is curnel of comfort · for alle cristene saules And wel sykerour he slepeþ · þe seg þat is poure And lasse drat by daye · oþer in deerk** to be robbed Than he þat is right ryche · reson bereþ wittnesse Pauper ego ludo dum tu diues meditaris . Holichurche wittnesseþ · ho-so for-sakeþ Hus fader oþer hus frendes · fremde oþere sibbe Other eny welthe in this worlde · hus wyf oþer hus children For þe loue of oure lorde · loweþ hym to be poure He shal haue an hundredfolde · of heuene-ryche blisse And lif lastyng** for euere · by-fore oure lorde in heuene Quicumque relinquet patrem & matrem & cetera . Crist a-cordeþ eft her-with · clerkes whiten þe sothe What god hym-self saide · to a seg** þat he louede Yf þe lykeþ quaþ god to lyue · þe lif þat is parfit Al þat þow hast here · hasteliche go sulle hit Ȝeue poure peuple þe pans · ther-of porse þow none Ac ȝeue hem forth to poure folke · þat for my loue hit askeþ For-sake al and suwe me · and so is thi beste Si uis perfectus esse  uade & uende omnia & cetera . Thus consaileþ crist in comun ous alle Ho-so coueyteþ to come · to my kynriche He mot for-sake hym-self · hus suster and hus broþer And al þat þe worlde wolde · and my wil folwen Nisi renunciaueritis omnia que possidetis & cetera . Meny prouerbis ich myghte haue · of meny holy seyntes To testefie for treuthe · þe tale þat ich shewe And poetes to preouen hit porfirie and plato Aristotile . ouidius and · elleuene hundred Tullius . tholomeus ich can nat telle here names Preouen pacient pouerte · pryns of alle vertues And by greyn þat groweth · god ous alle techeþ Nisi granum frumenti cadens in terra & mortuum fuerit ipsum solum manet . Bote yf þat sed þat sowen is · in þe sloh sterue Shal neuere spir springen vp · ne spik on straw curne Sholde neuere wete wexe · bote wete fyrste deyde And oþer sedes al-so · in þe same wyse That ben leide on louh eerthe · ylore as hit were · And þorw þe grete grace of god · of greyn ded in erthe Atte þe laste launceþ vp · wer-by lyuen alle Ac seedes þat been sowen · and mowe suffre wyntres Aren tydyour and tower · to mannes by-hofthe Than seedes þat sowen beeþ · and mowe nouht with forste With wyndes ne with wederes · as in wynter tyme As lynne-seed and lik-seed · and lente-seedes alle Aren nouht so worthy as whete . ne so wel mowen In þe feld with þe forst · and hit freese longe Ryght so for-soþe · þat suffre may penaunces Worth alowed of oure lorde at here laste ende And for here penaunce he preysed · as for puyre matir Oþer for a confessour ykud · that counteþ nat a ruysshe Fere ne famyne · ne false menne tonges Bote as an hosebonde hopeþ · after an hard wynter Yf god gyueþ hym þe lif · to haue a good heruest So preoueþ thees prophetes · þat pacientliche suffreþ Myscheifs and myshappes · and menye tribulacions By-tokneþ ful triweliche · in tyme comynge after Murthe for hus mornynge · and þat muche plente For crist seide to hus seyntes · þat for hus sake þoleden Pouerte penaunces · persecucion of body Angeles in here angre · on this wise hem grette Tristicia uestra uertetur in gaudium . Ȝoure sorwe in to solas · shal turne atte laste And out of wo in-to wele · ȝoure wyrdes shul chaunge Ac so redeþ of riche · þe reuers he may fynde How god as þe godspel telleþ · gyueþ hem foul townametow nameP.13.227: tow, "to." And þat hus gost shal go · and hus good by-leue And askeþ hym after · ho shal hit haue The catel þat he kepeþ so · in coffres and in bernes And ert so loth to leue · þat leue shalt needes O stulte ista nocte anima tua egrediatur . thesaurizat & ignorat . An vnredy reue · þi residue shal spene That menye mothte was ynne in amyntea mynte-while Vp-holderes on þe hul · shullen haueP.13.235: There is an otiose tilde over the letter u.hit to selle Lo lo lordes lo · and ladies takeþ hede Hit lasteþ nat longe · þat is lycour swete As pees-coddes andP.13.238: There is an otiose mark over the letter d.pere Ionettes · plomes and chiries Þat lyghtliche launceþ vp · litel wile dureþ And þat þat raþest rypeþ · roteþ most sannest On fat londe and ful of donge · foulest wedes groweth Right so for-sothe · suche þat ben bysshopes Erles and archedekenes · and oþer ryche clerkes That chaffaren as chapmen · and chiden bote þei wynne And hauen þe worlde at here wil · oþer-wyse to lyue Right as weodes wexen · in wose and in donge So of rychesse vp-on richesse · arist alle vices Lo lond ouere-layde · with marle and with donge Whete þat wexeth þer-on · worth lygge ar hit repe Right so for-soþe · for to sygge treuthe Ouer-plente pryde norssheþ · þer pouerte destrueþ hit For how hit euere be ywonne · bote hit be wel dispended Worliche wele is wicked þynge to hym þat hit kepeþ For yf he be feer þer-fro · ful ofte hath he drede That fals folke fecche a-way · felonliche hus goodes And ȝut more hit makeþ men · meny tyme and ofte To synegen and to souchen · soteltees of gyle For couetyse of þat catel · to culle hem þat hit kepeþ And so is meny man ymorþred · for hus money and goodes And tho þat duden þe dede · ydampned þer-fore after And he for hus harde heldynge · in helle par-aunter So couetise of catel · was combraunce to hem alle Lo how pans purchasede · faire places and drede Þat rote is robbers · þe richesse with-ynne Hic explicit passus iijustercius de dowel . Incipit passus quartus . AC wel worth pouerte · for he may walke vnrobbetde A-mong pilours in pees yf pacience hym folwe Oure prynce Ihesu pouerte chees · and hus a-posteles alle And ay þe lenger þei lyueden · the lasse good þei hadde Tanquam nichil habentes & omnia possidentes . Ȝut men þat of abraam and Iob were wonder ryche And out of numbre þo men · menye meobles hadden Abráám for al hus good · hadde muche teene In gret pouerte was yput · aprynsa pryns as hit were By-nom hym ysP.14.10: ys, "his." housewif · and heeld here hym-self And abráám nat hardy · ones to letten hym Ne for brightnesse of here beaute · here spouse to be by-knowe And for he suffrede and seide nouht · oure lord sente tokne That þe kynge cride to abráám mercy And deliuerede hym hus wif · with muche welthe after And also Iob þe gentel · what ioye hadde he on erthe How bittere he hit bouhte as þe book telleþ And for he songe in hus sorwe si bona accipimus a domino . Dere-worthe dere god · do we so mala . Al hus sorwe to solas · þorgh þat songe turnede And Iob by-cam a iolif man · and al hus ioye newe Lo how pacience in here pouerte · thees patriarkes releuede And broughte hem al a-boue · þat in bale rotede As greyn þat lyth in þe greot · and þorgh grace atte laste Spryngeþ vp and spredeþ · so spedde þe fader abráám And also þe gentel Iob here ioye hath non ende Ac leueþ nouht ȝe lewede men · þat ich lacke richesse Thauh ich preise pouerte þus · and preoue hit by ensamples Worthiour as by holy writ · and wise philosopheres Bothe two butbenP.14.30: but, "are." goode · be ȝe ful certayn And lyues þat oure lord loueþ · and large weyes to heuene Ac þe poure pacient purgatorye passeþ Raþere þan þe ryche · þauh thei renne at ones For yf amarchaunta marchaunt and a messager · metten to-gederes And scholde wenden o way · where boþe most rest · The scribe initially omitted these four lines. They are supplied by the same hand in the left margin in a much blacker ink than the text. And rekene by-fore resoun · a resonable acountesacounte · What one haþ  what a-noþer haþ  and what hy hadde boþe · The marchante mote nede be lette  lengere þen þe messager · For þe parcels of hus paper · and oþer pryuey dettes Wol lette hym as ich leyue · the lengthe of a myle The messager doþ na more · bote hus mouth telleþ Hus lettere and hus ernde sheweþ · and is a-non delyuered And thauh þei wende by þe wey tho two to-gederes Thauh þe messager make hus wey · a-myde þe whete Wole no wys man wroth be · ne hus wed take Ys non haiwarde yhote · hus wed for to take Necessitas non habet legem . Ac yf þe marchaunt make hus wey · ouere menne cornne And þe haywarde happe · with hym for to mete Oþer hus hatt oþer hus hed · oþere elles hus gloues The marchaunt mot for-go · oþer moneye of hus porse And ȝut be lett as ich leyue · for þe lawe askeþ Marchauns for here marchaundise · in meny place to tullen Ȝut þauh þei wenden on way · as to wynchestre fayre The marchaunt with hus marchaundise · may nat go so swithe As þo messager may · ne with so mochel ese For þat on bereþ bote a boxe · a breuet þer-ynne Ther þe marchaunt ledeþ a male · with meny kynne þynges And dredeþ to be ded þere-fore · and he in derke mete Wiþ robbours and with reuers · þat riche men dispoilen Ther þe messager is ay murye · hus mouthe ful of songes And leyueþ for hus letteres · þat no wight wol hym g.reue Ac ȝut myghte þe merchaunt · þorgh monye and oþer ȝeftes Haue hors and hardy men · þauh he mette þeoues Wolde non suche a-sailen hym · for hem þat hym folweth As safliche passe as þe messager · and as sone at hus hostil Ȝe wyten wel ȝe wyse men · what this is to mene The marchaunt is no more to mene · bote men þat ben ryche Aren a-countable to crist · and to þe kyng** of heuene That holden mote þe heye weye · euene ten hestes Boþe louye and leue · þe leelle and þe vnleelle And haue reuthe and releue · with hus grete richesse By hus power alle manere men · in meschief yfalle Fynde beggers bred · backes for þe colde Tythen here goodes tryweliche · a tol as hit semeþ That oure lord lokeþ after · of ech a lyf þat wynneþ With-oute wiles oþer wrong** · oþer wommen atte stuwes And ȝut more to make pees · and quyte menne dettes Boþe spele and spare · to spene vpon þe needful As crist self comaundeþ · to alle cristene peuple Alter alterius onera portate . The messagers aren þe mendinans · þat lyueþ by menne almesse Beþ nat ybounde as beeþ þe riche · to bothe þe two lawes To lene ne to lere · ne lentenes to faste And oþere pryuey penaunces · þe wiche þe preest wot .wel That þe lawe ȝeueþ leue · suche lowe folke to be excused As none tythes to tythen · ne cloþe þe nakede Ne in enquestes to come · ne contumax þauh he worche Haly-day oþer holy eue · hus mete to deserue For yf he loueþ and by-leyueþ · as þe lawe techeþ Qui crediderit et baptizatus fuerit & cetera . Telleþ þe lord a tale · as a triwe messager And sheweþ by seel and sitthe by lettere · with wat lord he dwelleþ Kneweleche hym cristene · and of holy churche by-leyue Ther is no lawe as ich leyue · wol lette hym þe gate Ther god is gatwarde hym-self · and eche a gome knoweth The porter of pure reuthe · may parforme þe lawe In þat he wilneþ and wolde · ech wight as hem-self For þe wil is as muche worth · of awrecchea wrecche beggere As al þat þe ryche may reyme · and ryghtfulliche dele And as much mede · for a myte þat he offreþ As þe riche man for al isP.14.102:is,"his." moneye · and more as by þe godspel Amen dico uobis quia hec uidua paupercula & cetera . So þat poure pacient · is parfitest lif of alle And alle parfite preestes · to pouerte sholde drawe For spera in deo spekeþ of prestes · þat han no spendyng** seluer That yf þay trauaile treweliche · and tristen in god almyghty Hem sholde neuere lackye lyflode · noþer lynne ne wollene The titile þat ȝe takeþ ȝoure ordres by · telleþ ȝe beþ amancedauanced And needeþ nat to nyme seluer · for masses þat ȝe syngen For he þat tok ȝow titile · sholde take ȝow wages Oþer þe bisshop þat blessed ȝow · and enbaumede ȝoure fyngeres For made neuere kyng** knyght · bote he hadde catel to spene As by-feel for a knyght · oþer fond hym for hus strengþe For hit is a carful knyght · and of a caitif kynges makynge That hath no londe ne lynage riche · ne good loos of hus hondes The same ich seye for-soþe · by suche þat ben preestes Þat han noþer konnynge ne kyn · bote a corone one And a titile a tale of nouht · to hus liflode as hit were Vuele ben þei suffred · suche þat shynden masses Thorgh here luþer lyuynge · and lewede vnderstondyng** A chartre is chalangable · by-fore a chief Iustice Yf fals latyn be in þeP.14.123: The original scribe wrote þe letteres. Either the same scribe or some later "corrector" in a somewhat lighter ink added a superscript <t>, presumably to match most other manuscripts' þat. He neglected to remove the plural from letteres. lettereslettre · þe lawe hit enpugneþ Oþer peynted par-entrelignarie · parcels ouer-skipped The gome þat so gloseþ chartres · a goky he is yholden So is he a goky by god · þat in þe godspel failleþ In masse oþer in matynes · makeþ eny defaute Qui offendit in uno in omnibus est reus . And ouer-skippers al-so · in þe sauter seith dauid Psallite deo nostro psallite qui rex terre deus . spallite sapienterP.14.130: P, along with manuscripts Vc Kc, indicates spalliter sapienter with <s. s.>. The line corresponds to Psalmus 46 (47).8. The bisshop shal be blamed · by-fore god as ich leyue Þat coroneþ suche clerkes · as for godes knyghtes Þat conneþ nat sapienter noþer synge ne rede Ac neyþer is al blameles · þe bisshop ne þe chapeleyn For ignorantia non excusat as ich haue herd in bookes Thus rechelessnesse in a rage · a-resonede clergie And scornede scripture · þat meny skyles shewede Til þat kynde cam · clergie to helpen And in þe myrour of mydel-erde · made hym eft to loke To knowe by ech creature · kynde to louye And ich bowede my body · by-holdinge al a-boute And seih þe sonne and þe see · and þe sand after Wher þat briddes and bestes · by here makes ȝeeden Wilde wormes in wodes · and wonderful foules With fleckede fetthers · and of fele colours Man and hus make · ich myghte see boþe Pouerte and plente · bothe pees and werre Blisse and biter bale · bothe ich seih at ones And how þat men mede token · and mercy refuseden Reson ich sauh sotthliche · suwen alle bestes In etynge and drynkyng** · in gendrynge of kynde After cours of concepcion · non tok kepe of oþer As when þei hadde ruteyed · a-non þei resten after Maules drowen hem to maules · on morwenynge by hem-self And femeles to femeles · herdeyed anP.14.155: an, "and." drowP.14.155: drow, "came together." Ther ne was kow ne kow-kynde · þat conceyuede hadde That beere after bole · ne bor after sowe Ther was no kynde kynde · þat conceyued hadde That ne lees þe lykynge of loust · of flesch* as hit were Saue man and hus make · and þer-of me wondrede For out of reson þei ryde · and rechelesliche token on As in durne dedes · bethe drynkynge and elles Briddes ich by-heelde · in bosshes maden neestes Hadde neuere weye wit to worche þe leste Ich hadde wonder wher · and at wham þat þe pye · Lornede legge styckes · þat leyen in here neestes Ther is no wryght as ich wene · sholde worche here nest to paye Yf eny mason þer-to · makede a molde With alle here wyse castes · wonder me þynkeþ And ȝut ich meruaillede more · menye of þo bryddes Hudden and heleden · durneliche here egges For no foul sholde hem fynde · bote hus fere and hym-self And somme treden ich tok kepe · and on trees bredden And brouhten forth here bryddes · al aboue þe grounde In mareis and in mores · in myres and in wateres Dompynges dyuyden · deere god ich sayde Wher hadden þees wilde suche witt · and at what scole And wan þe pocok caukede · þer-of ich took kepe How vn-corteisliche þe cok · hudhus kynde forth strende And ferliche hadde of hus fairnesse · and of hus foule leedene And siþþe ich loked on þe see · and so forþ on þe sterres Meny selcouth ic seih · aren nouht to seggen nouthe Ne what on floures in feldes · and of hure faire coloures How out of greot and of gras · grewe so meny huwes Somme soure and somme swete · selcouhþ me þouhte Of here kynde and of here colours · to carpen hit were to longe Ac þat þat meuede me · and my mod chaungede Was þat ich seih reson · suwen alle bestes Saue man and mankynde · meny tymes me þouhte Reson rewelede hem nat · noþer riche ne poure Then ich aresonede reson · and right til hym ich seide Ich haue wonder in my witt · so wis as þow herte holde Wher-for and why · so wide as þow regnest Þat þow ne ruelest raþer · renkes þan oþer beestes For ich see noone so ofte forfeten · soþliche so man-kynde In mete out of mesure · and meny tymes in drynke In wommen in wedes · and in wordes boþe Thei ouerdon ...?...hit day and nyght · and so doþ noon oþere Bestes ruwelen hem al by reson · and renkes ful fewe And þer-fore meruaileþ me · for man as in mankynde HisP.14.201: His, "is." most yliche þe · in witt and in werkes Whi he ne loueþ þy lore · and lyueþ as þow techest And reson aresonede me · and seide recche þe neuere Whi ich suffre oþer nat suffre · certes ich seide Ech a seg for hym-self . salamon ous techeþ De re que te non molestat noli certare . Ho suffreþ more þan god quaþ he · no gome as ich leyue He myghte a-mende in amynta mynt-while · al þat amys stondes Ac he suffreþ in ensaumple þat we sholde alle suffren Ys no vertue so feyr · of value ne of profit As ys suffrance souereynliche · so hit be for godes loue And so wittneseþ þe wyse · and wysseþ þe frenshe Bele uertue est suffraunce · mal dire est petite ueniaunce . Bien dire e bien suffrer · fait ly suffrable a bien uener . For-þi quaþ reson ich rede the · ruwele þi tonge euere And er þow lakke eny lyf · loke ho is to preise For is no creature vnder cryst · þat can hym-selue make And yf cristene creatures · couthen make hem-selue Eche lede wolde be lacles · leyf þow non oþere Man was mad of suche matere · he may nat wel a-sterte That som-tymes hym tit · to folwen hus kynde Caton a-cordeþ her-with . nemo sine crimine uiuit . Tho cauhte ich colour a-non · and comsed to be ashamed And awaked þer-wiþ · wo was me þenne That ich ne hadde ymet more · so murye as ich slepte And sayde a-non to my-self · slepynge ich hadde grace To wite what dowel ys · ac wakynge neuere And þenne was þer a whiȝt · what he was ich nuste What ys dowel quaþ þat whiȝt · y-wys syre ich seyde To seo muche and suffren al · certes syre ys dowel . Haddest þow suffrede he seide · slepyng* þo þow were Þow sholdest haue knowe þat cleregye can · and more conceyued þorwe reson For reson wolde haue reherced to þe · ryght as cleregie seide Ac for þyn entermetyng* · her ertþow for-sake Philosophus fuisses si tacuisses . et alibi . Locutum me aliquando penituit . tacuisse nunquam . Adam whiles he spak nat · hadde paradys att wille Ac wanne he mamelede a-boute mete · and musede for to knowe The wisdome and þe witt of god · he was putte out of blisse Ryght so ferde reson by þe · for þi rude speche And for þow woldest wyte why · of resones pryuete For pruyde and presompcion · of þy parfit lyuynge Reson refusede þe · and wolde nat reste with the Ne cleregie of hus connynge · keþpeþ þe nat shewe For shal neuere er shame come · a shrewe wel be chasted For let a dronken daffe in a diche falle Leet hym lygge lok nat in hym · til hym luste aryse And þauh reson rebuky hym · þenne reccheþ he neuere Of clergie ne of kynde witt · counteþ he nat arusshea russhe To blame hym oþer to bete hym þenne · ich halde hit bote synne Ac when neede nymeþ hym vp · a-non he ys a-shamede And þenne wot he wher-fore · and whi he is to blame Ȝe seggeþ soþ by my soule quaþ ich · ich haue seyen hit ofte Her smyt no þynge so smerteP.14.254: An otiose curl appears over the <e>. · ne smelleþ so foule As shame þer he sheweþ hym · ech man shoneþ hus companye Whi ȝe worden to me þus · was for ich aresonede reson Ȝe certes quaþ he þat is soþ · and shop hym to walke And ich a-roos ryght vp with þat · and reuerencede hym fayre And yf hus wil were · he wolde hus name telle · Hic explicit passus quartus de dowel . Incipit passus quintus . Ich am ymaginatif quaþ he · ydel was ich neuere Þauh ysete by my-self · suche is my grace Ich haue yfolwede þe in faiþ · mo þan fourty wynter And wissede þe ful ofte · what dowel was to mene And counsalede þe for cristes sake · no creature to by-gyle Noþer to lye noþer to lacke · ne lere þat is defendid Ne to spille speche · as to speke an ydel And no tyme to tene · ne trywe þyng* to teenen Lowe þe to lyue forth · in þe lawe of holychurche Þenne dost þow wel · with-oute drede · ho can dobett no forese Clerkes þat connen al ich hope · þei conne do bettere Ac hit suffuseþ to be saued · and to be suche as ich tauhte Ac for to louye and lene · an lyue wel and by-leyue Ys y-calid caritas kynde loue in english And þat is dobet yf eny such be · ablesseda blessed man þat helpeþ And pees be and pacience · and poure with-oute defaute Beacius est dare quam petere . Ac catel and kynde witt · encombreþ ful menye Woo is hym þat hem weldeþ bote he hym wel dispeyne Scientes & non facientes uarijs flagellis uapulabunt . Ac comunliche connynge · and vnkynde rychesse As lorels to be lordes · and lewede men techeres And holy churche horen help · auerous and coueytous Droweþ vp dowel and distruyeþ · dobest Ac grace is a gras þerfore · to don hem est growe Ac grace groweþ nat · til god wol gynne reyne And wokie þorwe good werkes · wikkede hertes Ac er suche a will wol wexe · god hym-self worcheþ And send forþ seint espirit · to don loue sprynge Spiritus ubi uult spirat et cetera . So grace with-oute grace · of god and of goode werkes May nat bee bee þow siker · þauh we bidde euere Cleregie comeþ bote of siht · and kynde witt of sterres As to be bore oþer bygete · in suche constellacion · That wit wexeþ þer-of · and oþere wordes boþe Vultus huius seculi sunt subiecti uultibus celestibus . So grace is agyftea gyfte of god · and kynde witt a chaunce And cleregye and connyng* · of kynde wittes techynge And ȝut is cleregie to comende · fore cristes loue more Þan eny connynge of kynde witt · bote cleregie hit reewele For moyses wittnesseþ þat god wrot · in stoon with hus fynger Lawe of loue oure lorde wrot · longe er crist were And crist cam and confermede · and holychurche made And in sond a sygne wrot · and seide to þe Iewes That seeþ hym-self synneles · cesse nat ich hote To stryke with stoon oþer with staf · this strompett to deþe Qui uestrum sine peccato est . & cetera . For-thi ich consaily alle cristene · cleregie to honoure For as a man may nat seo · þat mysseþ hus eyen No more can no clerkes · bote hit be of bookes And thauh men maden bokes · god was here maister And seynte spirit þe saumplarie · and seide what men sholde wryte And ryght as syht serueþ · a man to see þe hye strete Ryght so lereþ lettrure · lewede men to reson And as a blynde man in · batayle bereþ wepne to fyghte And haþ non hap wiþ hus axe · hus enemy to hitte No more can a kynde witted man · bote clerkes hym teche Come for alle hus kynde wyttes · þorwe cristendom to be sauede The wiche is cofre of cristes tresour · and clerkes kepen þe keyes To vnlouke hit at here lykynge · þe lewede and lerede to helpe To ȝeue mercy for mysdedes · yf men wolde hit aske Buxumliche and benyngneliche · and bydden hit of grace Archa dei in þe olde lawe leuites hit kepten Hadde neuere lewede man leue · to legge honde in þat cheste Bote hit were preestes · oþer preestes sone · patriarck oþer prophete Saul for he sacrifisede · sorwe hym by-tydde And hus sones for hus synnes sorwe þey hadden For-þy ich consaille alle creatures · no clerk* to dispise Ne sette short by here science · what-so þei don hem-selue Take we here wordes a worth · for here wittnesses ben trywe And medle we nat moche with hem · to meeuen eny wratthe Leste cheste chaufe ous so · and choppe ech man oþere And do we as dauid techeþ · for doute of godes veniaunce Nolite tangere cristos meos . & cetera . For cleregie is cristes vikery · to conforte and to curen Boþe lered and lewed were lost · yf cleregie ne were Kynde wittede men han · a cleregie by hem-selue Of cloudes and of custumes · þei contreuede meny þynges And markede hit in here manere · and mused þer-on to knowe And of þe selcouþe þat þei seyen · here sones þerof þei tauhte Þei helden hit for an hey science · here soteltes to knowe Ac þorw here science soþliche · was neuere soule ysaued Ne brouht þorwe here bokes · to blisse ne to ioye For al here kynde knowyng* ne cam bote of diuerse sightes Of briddes and bestes · of blisse and of sorwe Patriarkes and prophetes · reprouede here science And seide here wordes and here wysdomes · ne was bote al folye As to þe cleregie of cryst · þei countede hit bote a trufle Sapiencia huius mundi stulticia est apud deum . For þe hye holygost · shal heuene to-cleue And loue shal leepe out after in-to þis lowe erthe And clannesse shal cacchen hit · and clerkes shullen his fynde Pastores loquebantur adinuicemad inuicem et cetera . Hit spekeþ of riche men ryght nouht · ne of riche lordes Bote of clennesse and of clerkes · and kepers of bestes Ibant magi ab oriente  et cetera . Yf eny frere were founde þere · ich ȝeue fyue shyllinges Noþer in cote noþer in caytyf hous · was crist y-bore Bote in a burgeises hous · þe beste of alle þe toune To pastours and to poetes · aperede þe angel And bad hem go to bedlehem · godes burþe to honoure And syngen a song of solas Gloria in excelsis deo . Riche men routten þo · and in here reste were Þo hit shon to þe shepehurdes · a shewere of blisse Clerkes knewen þe comete · and comen with here presentes And dude here homage honorably · to hym þat was al-myghty Whi ich haue ytold þe al þis · ich took ful good hede How þow contrariedest cleregie · with crabbede wordes Þat is how lewede men and luþere · lyghlokere were sauede Þan connynge clerkes · of kynde vnderstondyng* And þow seidest soþ of somme · ac ich seye in what manere Take to stronge men · and in temese cast hem And boþe naked as aneldea neldenedle · here noþer heuyour þan oþer That on hat connyng* and can swummensw[i]mmenswymmen and d.yuen Þat oþer is lewede of þat labour · and lernede neuere swymme Which is trowest þow of þo to · in temese most in drede He þat can nat swymme ich seyde · hit semeþ to alle wittes Ryght so quaþ þat renke · reson hit sheweþ That he þat knoweþ · cleregie · can sonnere a-ryse Out of synne and be saf · þow he synegy ofte If hym lykeþ and lust · þan eny lewede sothliche For yf þe clerk be connynge · and knoweþ what is synne And hou contricion with-oute confession · conforteþ þe soule As we seen in þe sauter · in psalmes on oþer tweye How contricion is comended · for hit chacheþ · a-wey synne Beati quorum remisse sunt iniquitates . & cetera . And þat comforteþ ech clerk* · and koeuereþ fro wanhope In whiche flood þe feend · fondeþ man hardest Þer þe lewede lyeth stille · and lokeþ after lente And haþ no contricion · ar he come to shryfte And þan can he lytel telle · of on oþer of oþer Bote as hus loresman lereþ hym · he by-leyueþ and troweþ And þat is after person oþer pareshe preest · and paraunter boþe beþ lewede For to lere lewede men · as luc bereþ wittnesse Si cecus ducit cecum ambo in foueam cadent . For muche woo was hym marked · þat wade shal with þe lewede Wel may þe barn blesse · þat hym to book* sette That lyuynge after lettrure · sauede hem lyf and soule Dominus pars hereditatis mee . ys a murye versett Hit haþ ytake fro tyborne · twenty stronge þeeues Þer lewede þeeues ben lollid vp · loke how þei been sauede Þe þeef þat hadde grace of god · a goode fryday as þow toldest Was for he ȝuld hem creaunt to crist · and hus grace askede And god is ay gracious · to alle þat gredeþ to hym He wol no wickede man be lost · bote yf he wol hym-self Nolo mortem peccatoris sued ut magis conuertatur & uiuat . And þauh þe þeef hadde heuene · he hadde non hye blisse As seynt Iohan and oþer seyntes · þat han a-seruede bettere Ryght as som man ȝyueþ me mete · and sett me a-mydde þe floor Ich haue mete more þan ynowe · ac nat with so muche worshup · As þo þat sytten att þe syd table · oþer with þe souereynes in halle Bote as a beggere bordles · by my-self vpon þe grounde So hit ferde by þe felon · þat a goode fryday was sauede He sat noþer with seynt Iohan with symon ne with Iude Ne with maydenes ne with Martris · ne with mylde wydewes Bote as a soleyn by hym-self · and seruede vp-on þe grounde For he þat ys ones a þeef · is euere more in daunger And as þe lawe lykeþ · to lyue oþer to deye De peccato propiciato noli esse sine metu And for to seruen a seynt · and suche a þeef to-gederes Hit were no reson ne ryght · to rewarde boþe liche Ryȝt as traianus þe trywe knyght tulde nat deep in helle That oure lord ne hadde hym lyghtliche out so leyueþ of þe þeef in heueoneP.15.163: The reading is unclear, and the scribe may have intended his usual spelling heuene. However, the same ambiguity reappears at P15.193. For he ys in þe lowest heuene · yf oure byleyue beo trywe And wel losliche lolleþ þere · as by þe lawe of holychurche Et reddit unicuique secundum opera sua . Ac whi þat þeef vp-on þe croys · creaunt hym ȝelde Raþer þan þat oþer · þauh þow woldest apose Alle þe clerkes vnder cryst · ne couþe þys asoile Quare placuit quia uoluit . et cetera . And so ich seye by þe · þat sekest after weyes How creatures and kynde witt · and clerkes comen to bokes And how þe floures in þe fritth · comeþ to feyre hewes Was neuere creature vnder cryst · þat knew wel þe bygynnynge Bote kynde þat contreeuede hit furst · of cortesie wil // He tauhte þe tortle to trede · þe pocok* to cauke And Adam and eue · and oþer bestes alle A cantel of kynde witt · here kynde to saue Of good and of wikke · kynde was þe ferste He seih hit and suffrede hit · and seide hit bee sholde Quia ipse dixit & facta sunt ipse mandauit & creata sunt . Ac whi he wolde þat wikkede were · ich wene and ich leyue Was neuere man vpon molde · þat myghte hit aspye Ac longe lybbynge men · lyknede mennes lyuynge To bryddes and to bestes · as here bookes telleþ Þat þe fayrest fowel · foulest engendreþ And feblest fowel of flicht is · þat flucht oþer swymneþswymmethP.15.187: Shared by manuscript X, this reading is probably archetypal. That is þe pookoc and þe popeiay · with here proude federes //P.15.189: The doubled virgules mark the error corrected inline. By-tokneþ ...?...ryght riche men · þat regnen here on erþe For porsewe a pocok* · oþer a pohen to cacche And haue hem in haste · at þyn owene wil For þei may nat fleo feer · ne ful hye noþer For here feþeres þat faire ben · to fle feer hem leotteþP.15.193: As in P15.153, the <eo> spelling is unclear. Hus leedene is vnloueliche · and lothliche hus caroigne Ac for hus peyntede feþeres · þe pocok* his honourede More þan for hus faire flesch* · oþer for hus murye note Ryght so men reuerenceþ more þe ryche · for hus muche meeble Þan for þe kyn þat he cam of · oþer fore hus kynde wittes Thus þe poete preiseþ · þe pocok fore hus federes And þe riche fore hus rentes · oþere rychesse in hus sheepe Þe larke þat is a lasse fowel · is loueloker of lydene And swettur of sauour · and swyfter of wynge To lowe lyuynge men · þe larke is resembled And to leelle and to lyf-holy · þat louen alle treuþe Þus porfirie and plato and poetes menye Lykneþ in here logik* · þe leeste fowel oute And weþer hij be saf oþer nat saf · þe soþe wot nat clergie No of sortes ne of salamon no scripture can telle Weþer þei be in helle oþer in heuene · oþere aristotile þe wise Ac god is so good ich hope · sitthe he gaf hem wittes To wissen ous weyes þer-with · þat wenen to be sauede And þe bettere for here bookes · to bidden we been holde Þat god for hus grace · gyf here saules reste For lettred men were but lewede men ȝut · ne were þe lore of þo clerkes Alle þeese clerkes quaþ ich þo · þat on crist by-leyuen Seggen in here sarmons · þat noþer sarrasyns ne Iewes With-oute baptisme as by here bokes · beeþ nat ysaued Contra quaþ ymaginatyf þo · and comsed to loure And seide · uix saluabitur iustus . in die iudicij . Ergo saluabitur quaþ he · and seide ne more la...tyn Traianus was a triwe knyght · and took* neuere crystendome And he is saf seith þe bok* · and is soule in heuene Ther is follyng* of font · and follyng* of blod shedynge And þorw fuyr is follyng* · and al is ferm by-leyue Aduenit ignis diuinus non comburens sed illuminans . Ac treuthe þat trespassede neuere · ne transuersede aȝens þe lawe Bote leyuede as lawe tauhte · and leyue þer be no bettere And yf þer were he wolde · and in suche a wil deyeþ Wolde neuere trewe god · bote trewe treuthe were a-lowede · And were hit worth oþer nat worth · þe by-leyue is gret of treuthe And hope hongeþ ay þer-on · to haue þat treuþe deserueþ Quia super pauca fidelis fuisti supra multa te constituam . And þat is loue and large huyre · yf þe lord be trewe And cortesie more þan couenant was · what so clerkes carpen For alworthal worth as god wole · and þer-with he vanshede Hic explicit passus quintus . de dowel . Incipit passus sextus . a ANd ich awakede þer-with · wittlees nerhande As a frek þat feye were · forth gan ich walke In manere of a mendinaunt · meny ȝeres after And meny tyme of þis meteles · muche þouhte ich hadde Furst how fortune me failede · at my moste neede And how elde manacede me · so longe myghte ich happe Þat yf ich leuede longe · leue me by-hynde And vanshie alle myne vertues · and myne faire lockes And how þat freres folweden · folk þat was ryche And peuple þat was poure · at litel prys setten Ne corses of poure comune · in here churche-ȝerd moste ligge Bote yf he quike by-quethe hem auht · oþer wolde helpe aquite here dettes And owP.16.13: ow, "how." þis couetise ouer-cam · alle kynne sectes · As wel lerede as lewede · And lord as þe bonde And how þat lewede men ben ladde · bote oure lord hem helpe Thorw vnconnynge curatours · to incurable peynes And how ymagynatif · in dremeles me tolde Of kynde and of hus connynge · and what connynge he ȝaf to bestestesbestes How lou.ynge he was to eche lyf · a-londe and awatere For alle he wisseþ and ȝeueþ wit · þat walkeþ oþer crepeþ And ich meruailede in herte · how ymagynatif saide Þat iustus by-fore Iesu in die iudicij . Non saluabitur bote uix helpe And wanne he hadde seide so · how sodeynlich he vanshede And so ich mused vpon þis matere · þat me luste to slepe Thenne cam conscience · and cleregie after And beden me ryse and rome · for with reson sholde ich dyne And ich a-ros and romed forth · with reson ich mette We reuerencede reson · and romed forth softeliche And mette with a mayster · a man ylike a frere Conscience knew hym wel · and wolcomede hym fayre Þei wosshen and wypeden · and wenten to þe dyner Pacience as a poure þyng cam · and preide mete for charite Ylike to peers plouhman as a palmere were Crauede and criede for cristes loue of heuene A meles mete for a poure man · oþer moneye yf þei hadden Conscience knew hym wel · and welcomede hem alle Þei wisshen and wipeden · and wenten and setten Þe maister was made to sitte furst · as for þe most worþy Reson stod and stihlede · as for stywarde of halle Pacience and ich weren · yputt to be mettes And seten by ous-selue · at asyda syd table Cleregie calde after mete · and þenne cam scripture And seruede hem þus sone · of sondrie metes menie Of austyn and ambrosie of alle þe foure euangelies Edentes et bibentes que apud illos sunt . Ac of þees metes þis maister · myghte nat wel chewe For-þy he eet mete of more cost · mortrewes and potages Of þat þat men myswonne · þei maden hem wel at ese Ac here sauce was ouere-soure · and vnsauerliche grounde In a morter post mortem of meny bitere peynes Bote yf þei synge for þo soules · and wepe salte teeres Vos qui peccata hominum comeditis nisi pro eis lacrimas effuderitis . & cetera . Ea que in deliciis comeditis in tormentis ennil emergitiseuometis . Thenne reson radde · ryght a-non after Þat conscience comaunde sholde · to do come scripture And brynge bred for pacience · by-tynde apartie And to me þat was hus mette þo · and oþer mete boþe He sette asourea soure loof and seide · agite penitentiam And sitthe drow ous drynke diu perseuerans As longe quaþ he as þe lyf · and þe licame may dure This is asemelichea semeliche seruice · seide pacience Thenne cam contricion · þat hadde coked for hem alle And brouhteP.16.64: An otiose tail or curl extends from the left side of <b>. forþ a pitaunce · was prohacpro hac orabit omnis sanctus in tempore oportuno . Conscience confortede ous · boþe cleregie and scripture And seiden cor contritum & humiliatum . deus non despicies . Pacience was wel apaied · of þis propre seruyse And mad murye with þis mete · ac ich mournede euere For a doctor at þe heye deys · drank wyn faste Ve uobis qui potentes estis ad bibendum uinum . And eet meny sondry metes · mortrews and poddynges Braun and blod of þe goos · bacon and colhoppes Thenne seide ich to my-self · þat pacience hit hurde Ȝut is nat þre daies don · þat þees doctor prechede At seint paules by-for þe peuple · what penaunce þei suffreden Alle þat coueitede to come · to heuene hye ioye · And how þat paul þe apostle · what penaunce he þolede For oure lordes loue · as holy letturure telleþ In fame et frigore & cetera . Ac me wondreþ in my witt · whi þat thei ne preche P.16.79: An otiose mark is written over the <ec>. As paul þe apostel prechede · to þe peuple ofte periculum in falsis fratribus Holy writ bit men be-war · and wisliche hem kepe That no fals frere · þorw flatrynge hem by-gyle Ac me is loþ þow ich latyn knowe · to lacky eny secte For alle we ben breythrene · þauh we be diuersliche cloþede Ac ich wiste neuere freek* · þat frere is ycallyde Of þe fyue mendynauns · and made eny sarmon That took þis for here teme · and told hit with-oute glose Thei prechen þat penaunce · is profitable for þe ..soule And what meschif & w.hat mal-ese · crist for man þolede Ac thes doctor and diuinour · and decresestre of canon And al-so agnedya gnedy gloton · with to grete chekes Haþ no pite on vs poure · he parfourneþ vuele Þat he prcheþprecheþ he proueþ nat · to pacience ich tolde And whisshede witerliche · with a wil ful egre Þat in þe mawe of þat maister · alle þo metes were Disches and dobeleres · wit alle þe deyntes after Ich shal Iangly to þys Iordan · wit hus Iuste wombe //P.16.99: The marginal virgules presumably mark the error (with for what) left uncorrected in this line. And a-pose hym withwhat penaunce is · and Purgatorie on erthe · And whi he lyueþ nat as he lereþ · let be quaþ pacience And seide þow shalt seo þus sone · whan he may na moreP.16.101: The dot between na and more may have been a flourish on the a or possibly intended? He shal haue a penaunce in hus paunche · and puffe at eche worde Thenne shulleþ is gottes godelen · and by-gynne to galpe · Now he hath dronke so depe · he wol deuiny sone And preouen hit by here apocalips · and by þe passion of seint aueray Þat noþer bacon ne braun · blammanger ne mortreuus* Ys noþer fissh ne flessh · bote fode for penauntes And take wittnesse of þe trinite · and take is felawe to wittnesse What he fond in aforela forel · of a freres lyuynge And bote þe ferste hleef be lesynge · leyf me neuere after And þenne is tyme to talke · and to apose this doctour Of dowel and of dobet and yf dobet do eny penaunce Ich sat stille as pacience wolde · and thus sone þis doctour As rody as a rose · roddede hus chekes Kowede and carpede · and conscience hym herde And tolde of a trinite · and to-warde me he lokede What is dowel sire doctour quaþ ich · is dobest eny penaunce Dowel quaþ þis doctour · and he drank after Do þy neyhebore non harme ne þe-selue noþer Þanne dost þow wel and wisliche · ich dar hit wel a-vouwe Certes sire þanne seide ich · hit semeþ nat here In þat ȝe parteþ nat with ous poure · þat ȝe passeþ · dowel . Noþer louyeþ as ȝe lereþ · as oure lorde wolde Et uisitauit & fecit redemptionem plebis sue israel . And ȝe fare þus with ȝoure sike freres · ferly me þynkeþ Bote dowel endyty ȝow in die iudicii . Thenne conscience ful curteisliche · a contenaunce he made And preynte vpon pacience · to preye me be stille And seide hym-self syre doctour · by so hit be ȝoure wil What is dowel and dobet ȝe diuynours knoweþ Ich haue seide seide þe seg* · y can seye no bettere Bote do as doctours telleþ · for dowel ich hit holde Þat traueileþ to teche oþere · for dobet ich hit holde And he þat doþ as he techeþ · ich halde hit for a dobest Qui facit et docuerit magnus uocabitur . Now þow cleregie quaþ conscience · carpe what is dowel Haue excused quaþ cleregie · by cryst bote in scole Shal no such motif be meeuede · for me bote þere For peers loue þe plouhman þat enpugnede ones Alle kyne konnynges · and alle kyne craftes Saue loue and leaute · and louhnesse of herte And no tixt* takeþ · to preoue þis for trewe Bote dilige deum & proximum and domine quis habitabit in tabernaculo & cetera . And preoueþ by pure skyle inparfit alle þynges Nemo bonus . Bote leel loue and treuthe · þat loþ is to be yfounde Quaþ peers þe plouhman . pacientes uincunt . By-for perpetuel pees · ich shal preouye þat ich seide And a-vowe by-for god · and for-sake hit neuere That disce doce diligere deum and thyn enemye Hertely þou hym helpe · emforth þy myȝth Cast out coles on hus hefde · of alle kynde speche Fonde þorgh wit and with worde · hus loue for to wynne And ȝif hym eft ...?...?...and eft · euere at hus neede Conforty hym with þy catel · and with þy kynde speche And leye on hym þus with loue · tyl he lauhe on þe And bote ȝe bowe for þis betynge · blynd mote ich worthe And wanne he hadde worded þus · weste no man after Where peers plouhman by-camP.16.158: "arrived, reached, got to." · so priueliche he wente And reson ran after ryght with hym ȝeode Saue conscience & cleregie · ich couþe no mo aspye And pacience propreliche spak · tho peers was thus passed That loueþ lelly quaþ he · bote lytel þyng coueyteþ Ich wolde and ich wil adde · wynnen al fraunce With-oute brutyng of burnes oþer eny blod sheding* Ich take wittnesse quaþ he · at holy writ apartiea partie pacientes uincunt For by hym þat me made · myȝte neuere pouerte Miseise ne myschief · ne man with hus tonge Tene þe eny tyme · and þow take pacience And bere hit in þy bosom · a-bowte wer þou wendest Shal neuere burne be abaisshed · þat hath þis a-boute Neiþer hete ne hail · ne helle pouke hym greue Neiþer fuyr noþer flod · ne be a-fered of enemye Caritas expellit omnem timorem . Ther nis wyght in þis wordle · þat wolde þe lette To haue alle lonndes · at þy lykyng* · and þe here lord make And Maister of alle here meeble · and of here moneye after The kynge and alle þe comune · and cleregie to þe aloutea loute As for here lorde and ledere · and lyuen as þou techest This is a dicodido quaþ þis doctor . a disours tale · Al þe witt of þis wordle · ne wyghtes mennes strengthe Can nat parformen a pees · of þe pope · and of hus enemys Profitable for boþe parties · and putte þe bord fram hym And tok conscience and cleregie · to counsel as hit were Ac ich took kepe how conscience · conueideconieyedP.16.184: Or conneide (in agreement with manuscript A? sone þis doctour And sitthe he seide to cleregie · so þat ich hit herde · By cryst quaþ conscience · cleregie ich wol nat lye Me were leuere by oure lorde · and ich lyuye sholde Haue pacience parfitliche · þan half þy pack* of boukes Lettrure and longe studie · letteþ ful menye That thei knoweþ noat quaþ conscience · what is kynde pacience For-thi quaþ conscience · crist ich þe by-teche whitP.16.192: whit, "with." pacience wol ich passe · parfitnesse to fynde Thus thei wente forþ here way · with gret wil ich folewede Thenne hadde pacience as pilgimespilgrimespilg[r]imes hauen · in here poke vitailes Sobrete and symple speche · and soþ-fast by-leyue To comforty hym and conscience ....· yf þei come in place Ther vnkyndnesse and couetyse ys · hongry contreis boþe And as þei wente by þe wey of dowel gan þei carpe Thei mette with a mynstral · as me þo þouhte Pacience a-posed hym · and preide he sholde telle What craft þat he couþe · and cortesly he seide Ich am a Mynstral quaþ þees man · my name is actiua uita . Peers prentys þe plouhman alle peuple to comfortye What manere mynstralcie · my dere frend quaþ conscience Hast þow vsed oþer hauntede · al þy lyf-tyme Mynstralcie can ich nat muche · bote make men murye As a waffrer with waffres · and wolcome godes guftes Of my labour þei lauhe þe lasse and þe more The poure and þe riche y pless and payn fynde And fewe robis ich fonge · oþer forrede gounes Wolde ich lye and do men lauhe · þenne lacchen ich sholde Mantels oþer monye · a-mong* lordes Minstrales Ich can nat tabre ne trompe · ne telle faire gestes Farten ne fiþelyn · at festes ne harpen Iapen ne Iogelyn · ne gentelliche pipe Noþer sailen ne sautrien · ne singe with þe giterne Ich haue none goude gyftes · of these grete lordes For no bred þat ich by-trauaily · to brynge by-fore lordes Ne were hit þat þe parshe · prayeþ for me on sonedays Ich am sory þat ich sewe oþer sette · bote for my-self one Ac þe prest and oþer peuple · prayeþ for peers plouhman . And for me actyf hus man · þat ydelnesse hate For lordes and lorelles · luthere and goude Fro myhel-masse to myhel-masse ich fynde mete and drynke Ich fynde payn for þe pope · and praye hym ich wolde Þat pestilences to pees · and to parfit loue turne For founde ich þat hus blessing* and hus bulle myghte Letten þis luþer eir and lechin þe syke · As þe bookes bereþ wittnesse · þat he bere myghte In hus mouth mercy · and amende vs alle Super egros manus imponent & bene se habebunt · Thenne wolde ich bee busy · and buxum to helpe Eche kynne creature · þat on cryst by-leyueþ For-sutthe he haþ þe power · þat seynt peter hadde He haþ pureliche þe pot · with þe same salue Argentum & aurum non est michi . quod autem habeo hoc tibi do & cetera . Ac yf myghte of miracle hym faile · hit is for men beeþ nat worthi For to haue þe grace of good · and no gult in þe pope For may no blessynge do vs bote · bote yf we wol amende Ne mannes preier make pees · among cristine peuple Til prude be · pureliche for-do · and þat þorw payn defaute Ex habundantia panis et uini turpissimum peccatum aduenit . Pure plente of payn · þe peuple of sodomye And reste and riche metes · rybaudes hem made Pees quaþ pacience · ich praye þe syre actyf For þauh neuere payn ne plouh · ne potage were Prude wolde putte hym-self forþ · þauh no plouþ erye Hit am ich þat fynde alle folke · and fram hunger saue Thorgh þe heye helpe of hym · þat me hyder sente And seide lo here lyf-lode ynowe · yf oure by-leyue be trewe For lent was þer neuere lyf · bote lyflode were yshape Wher-of oþere werfore · and wher-with to lyuen · The worme þat woneþ vnder erthe · and in water Fisshes The crykett by kynde of fur · and corlew by þe wynde Bestes by gras and by greþengre[y]engrayn · and by grene rotes In menynge þat alle men · myghte þe same Lyuen þorgh leell by-leyue as oure lord wittnesseþ Quodcumque pecieritis patrem im nomine meo dabitur enim uobis . & alibi . Non in solo pane uiuit homo sed de omni uerbo quod procedit de ore dei . Hast þow ay quaþ actyf suche mete with þe Ȝe quaþ pacience and hente · out of hus poke A pice of þe pater noster and profrede to vs alle And ich lustnede and lokede · what lyflode hit were Þanne was hit fiat uoluntas tua þat sholde fynde vs alle Starting with this line, a large X, in pencil or faint text ink, has been drawn through the remaining lines of text. There are a few other strokes as well. Haue actyf quaþ pacience · and eet this when þe hungreþ Oþer wenne þow clomsest for colde · oþer clyngest for drouthe And shal neuere gyues þe greue · ne grete lordes wratthe Pryson ne oþer payne · for pacientes uincunt . By so þow be sobre of syght · and of tounge boþe In ondyng* in handlyng* · in alle þy fyue wittes That þow care for no corn · for cloþ ne for drynke Ne deþ drede Ne deþ drede ne deuel deye as god lykeþ Where þorw hunger oþer þorw hete · at hus wil be hit For yf þow lyuest after hus lore · þe shorter lyf þe betere Si quis amat christum mundum non diligit istum · Þorgh hus breþ bestes woxen · and a-brode ȝeden dixit & facta sunt . Ergo þorw hus bestes lyuen boþe men and Fisshes // P.17.278: An illegible scrawl appears in the right margin. As wytnesseþ holy wryte · when we seyn oure graces // Aperis tu manum tuam & imples omne animal buenedictione . Hit is founde þat fourty wynter · þat folke leueden and nouht tylede And out of flent sprange flod · þat folke and bestes dronken And in elyes tyme · heuene wa.s yclosed That no reyne reynede · þus redeþ men in bookes That menye wynter men lyueden · and of no mete telden Seuene slupen aas seith þe book · more þan syxty wynter · Leueden with-outen lyflode · and at þe laste a-wakeden And yf men lyueden as mesur* wolde · sholde neuer* be defaute Among crysten creatures · yf crystes worde be trywe Dabo tibi secundum peticionem tuam . What is parfyt pacience · quaþ Actiua uita . Meeknesse and Mylde speche · and men of on wil Þe wiche wil loue ledeþ · to oure lordes place · And þat is charite chaumpion · cheief of alle vertues And þat is poure pacient · alle perilis to suffre · Where pouerte and pacience · plese more god al-myghty Than do ryghtful richesse · and resonableyP.16.296: The correction brings P into line with the X family of manuscripts. to spende Ȝe quis est ille quaþ pacience · quyk laudabimus eum . Thauh men rede of riche · ryghrygh[t]rihte to þe wordles ende And whan he drouh hym to þe deþ · þat he ne dradde hym sarrer Than eny poure pacient · and þat preoue ich by reyson Hit are bote fewe folke of thees riche · þat ne falleþ in arirage Thar þe poure der plede · and prooue by pure reysoune To haue a lowannce ofP.16.303: An otiose curl was written over the <o> in a darker ink. hus lorde · by lawe he cleymeþ ioye That neuere ioye hadde · of ryght Iuge he laskeþ And seith lo briddes and bestes · þat no blisse knoweþ And wilde wormes in wodes · þorgh wynter þow hem greuest And makest hem wel ner meek · and mylde for defaute After þan þow seyndest hem somer* · þat is hem souereyn ioye And blisse to alle been · boþe wilde and tame Then may beggers and bestes · after blysse asken Þat al here lif hauen lyuede · in langour and defaute Bote god sende hem tyme · of som maner ioye Oþer heer oþer elles-where · elles-where hit reuthe For to wroþer hele was he wrouȝth · þat neuere was ioye yshape · Angeles þat in helle now been · hadden som tyme ioye And diues in his deyntes lyuynge · and in · douce uye . And now he buyeþ hit ful Bitere he his a begger* of helle Many man hath hus ioye here · for alle here wel-dedes And lordes an ladyes ben callid · for leodes þat þay haue And slepiþ as hit semeþ · and somere euere hem foleweþ Wan deþ a-wakeþ hem of here wele · þat where here so ryche Þan harenP.16.322: haren, "are." hit pure poure þynges · in purgatorie oþer in helle Dauid in þe sauter of shuche makeþ mynde And seith dormierunt  & nichil iuenerunt omnes uiri diuiciarum . Et alibi . velut sompnium surgencium & cetera . Hic . Explicit passus sextus . de Dowel . Hic and de Dowel are written extra-large and are shared by the explicit of this passus and the incipit of the next. Hic . Incipit passus septimus . de Dowel .P.17.000: The Hic and the de Dowel are shared between this line and the explicit line of passus 16. a aALas þat riche shal reue · and robbe mannes soule For þe loue of oure lorde · at hus laste ende Thei haue hure hyre by-fore · aren eueremore poure And shulle nat deye out of dette · to dyne erthey deseruen hit When here deuer is don · and his daies iourne Þen may men white what he is worþ · and what he haþ deseruede And nouht to fonge by-fore · for drede of disalouwynge So ich say by ȝow riche · hit semeþ nat ȝe shulle Haue two heuenes · for ȝoure her beynge Muche myrthe is in may · a-monge wilde bestes And so fort wil somer lasteþ · heore solace dureþ And muche myrthe a-monge riche men is · þat han meoble ynow and heele And beggers a-boute myd-somere · bredlees þei soupe And ȝut is wynter for hem wors · for whet-shood þei gangen A-furst and a-fyngred · and foule rebukede Of þes wordle riche men · þat reuthe hit is to huyre Now lord send hem somer som tyme · to solace and to ioye That al here lyf leden · in lowenesse and in pouerte For alle myghtes þow haue maked · men of grete welþe And liche witty an wys · and lyue whit-oute neede Ac for þe beste ich hope · aren somme poure and some riche Ryght so haue reuthe of ous alle · þat on þe ronde dydest And amende ous of al thy mercy · and make ous alle meeke Louh and lele and louynge and of herte poure And send ous contricion · to clanse whitP.17.25: whit, "with." oure soules And confession to culle · alle kynne synnes And satisfaccion the whiche fulfulleþ · þe fadres will of heyene And these been dowel and dobet and dobest of alle Cordis contricio comeþ of sorwe in herte And oris confessio þat comeþ of shrufte of mouthe · And operis satisfactio þat for synnes payeth And for alle synnes · soueraynliche quiteþ Cordis contricio . oris confessio . operis satisfactio . Thees thre whit-outen doute · tholen alle pouerte And lereþ lewed and lered · heh and louh to knowe Ho þat doþ wel oþer bet oþer best a-bouen alle And holichurche and charite here of a Chartere maden Bote þes þre þat ich spak of · on domes-day defenden Elles is in ydel · al oure leuynge here Oure preyersP.17.40: The first <e> is ill-formed. and oure penaunce · and pilgrymages to rome Bote oure spences and spending · sprynge of a trywe welle Elles is al oure labour lost · lo how men wryten In fenestres at þe freres · yf fals be þe foundement For-thi cristene men scholde been in comun riche no couetise to hym-selue For seuene synnes þat þer been · þat assaillen ous euere The fende folweth hem alle · and fondeþ hem to helpe And whitP.17.47: whit, "with." richesse to ribaudes · rathest men by-gylen For þer þat rychesse regneþ · reuerences foleweth And þat is plesaunt to pruyde · in poure and in riche The riche yreuerencede · by reyson of isP.17.50: is, "his." richesse There þe poure is yput · by-hynde and can parauntre more Of whiȝt and of wysedome · þat feer wey is bettere Than richesse oþer reaulte · an raþer yhurde in heuene For þe ryche haþ muche to rekene · and ryȝth softe walkiþ The heye wey to heuene-warde · he halt hit nat ful euene There þe poure presseþ by-fore · whitP.17.56: whit, "with." a pak at hus rygge Opera enim illorum sequntur illos . Batauntlyche as beggers don · and boldeliche he craueþ For hus pouerte and pacience · perpetuel ioye Also pruyde in richesse regneþ · raþer þan in pouerte Oþer in þe maister oþer · in þe man · som mancion he shewith Ac in pouerte þer pacience is · pruyde hath no myȝghte Ne non of þe seuene synnes · sitte no man þer longe Ne haue power in pouerte · yf pacience hit folewe For þe poure is ay preest · to plese þe riche And buxume at isP.17.66: is, "his." biddyng · for hus breed and drynke And buxumnesse and bost · aren euere more at wratthe And ayther hateþ oþer · and mowen nat dwelle to-gederes Yf wratthe wraxle whitP.17.69: whit, "with." þe poure · he hath þe worsse ende For yf þei boþe pleyen · þe poure his bote fyble An.d yf he chide oþer chatere · hym chyuyþ þe worsse For loueliche he lokyþ and louh is hus speche That mete oþer moneye of straunge men mote begge · And yf glotenye greue pouerte · he gadereþ þe lasse For hus rentes wol nat reche · ryche metes to bigge Þauh hus glotenye be of good ale · he goþ to a cold beddyng And hus heued vn-heled · vneisyliche ywrye Fo when he streynminimeþ hym to strecche · þe straw is hus whitel So for hus glotonye and grete synne · he haþ a greuous penaunce That is weylawey whan he awakeþ · and wepeþ for colde So is he neuere more ful murye · so meschief hym folweþ Þaugh couetyce wolde whitP.17.82: whit, "with." þe poure wraxle · þei mai nat come to-gederis By þe necke nameliche · her neiþer may henten oþer For men knoweþ þat couetise · is of ful kene wil And haþ hondes and armes · of a long lengthe And pouerte is a pety þyng · apereþ nat to hus nauele A loueliche laik was hit neuere · by-twyne a long and a short** Thauh auerice wolde angrye pouerte · he hath bote lytel myȝthe For pouerte haþ bote pokes · to putten yn hus goodes Ther auerice haþ almaries · and yre-bounden coofres And wheþer be betere to breke · lasse boost hit makeþ To breke a beggers bagge · þan an yre-bounden cofre Lecherye loueþ none poure · for he hath bote lytel seluer Ne doþ men dyne dylicatliche · neyþer drynke wyne ofte A straw for þe stywes · hy stod nat ful longe And þay hadde non oþer haunt · bote of poure peple Thaugh slewþe suwe pouerte · and serue nat god to paye Meschief is ay amenea mene · and makeþ hym to þenke That good hus grettest help · and no gome elles And he is seruaunt al-way he seith · and of hus seite boþe And wheþer he be oþer be nat · he beriþ þe sygne of pouerte And in þat secte oure sauyour · sauede al mankynde For-thi alle poure þat pacient is · of poure ryght may cleyme Affter here endyng heere · heuene-riche blysse Muche hardyloker may he aske · þat her may haue hus will In lounde and in lordshepes · and lykynge of body And for goodes loue leueþ al · and lyueþ as a beggere As amaydea mayde for amannesa mannes loue · here moder for-sakeþ Hure fader and hure frendes · and gooþ forth whithP.17.109: whith, "with." hure paramour Muche is suche amaydea mayde to loue · here moder for-sakeþ More þan þat maide is · þat is ymaried by brocage As by asent of sondry bodyes · and seluer to bote More for couetice of catel · þan kynde loue of þe mariage So hit farith by ech apersonea persone · þat possession forsakeþ And putteþ hym to be pacient · and to pouerte hym weddeþ Þe wyche is sibbe to cryst self · and semblabele boþe · Quath actyf þo al angryliche · and argueynge as hit were What is pouerte pacient quaþ he · ich praye þat þou telle hit The scribe's intention about line division is ambiguous. Other manuscripts clearly take the passage to be prose requiring no line divisions. Paupertas quaþ pacience est odibile bonum . remocio curarum . Possessio sine calumpnia . donum dei . sanitatis mater . Absque solicitudine semita . sapiencie temperatrix . negocium sine dampno . Incerta fortuna . absque solicitudine felicitas . Ich can nat construen al this · quath actiua uita . Parfay quath pacience · propreliche to telle In englisch hit is ful harde · ac somdel ich shal telle þe Distinctio paupertatis . Pouerte is þe firste poynte · þat prude most hateþ · Thanne is pouerte good · quaþ good shkyleP.17.127: The direction of change cannot be determined from the image. CHECK THE MS ***??? þauh hit greue alytela lytel Al þat may putten of pruyde · in place þer he regneþ remocio curarum . For seilde sitt** pouerte · þe sothe to declare As a Iustice to Iuge men · men enioyneþ þer-to no poure Ne to be a mayre ouere men · ne Ministre vnder kynges Seilde is þe poure put · to punysshe eny peuple Ergo pouerte and poure men · parfournen þe comaundement Nolite iudicare quemquam . possessio sine calumpnia . Seilde is þe poure ryght riche · bote of hus ryght heritage He wynneþ nat whitP.17.136: whit, "with." whyghtesP.17.136: whyghtes, "men, people." false · ne whitP.7.136: whit, "with." vnselide mesures Ne borweþ of is neyghebore · bote þat he may wel paye And lyghlylyhtly men leneþ to fewe men · and men hym poure The feorthe is a fortune · þat florisshiþ þe soule WhitP.7.140: Whit, "with." sobrete whithfro (or for)P.17.140: Whith, "with." alle synnes · and al-so ȝut more Hit defendit þe flessh · fro folyes ful menye And a collateral confort · crystes owene sonde donum dei . Ȝut hit is moder of myrth · and of mannes helthe And Frende in alle fondyngesP.17.144: A crossed flourish between the original <g> and the <es>, suggests that the scribe made the word plural as an afterthought. · and of foule vueles leche sanitatis manmaterP.17.144: A suspension occurs with man. . The syxte hit is a paþ of pees · ȝe þorw þe pas of haultone Pouerte myghte passe · whith-outeP.17.146: whith-oute, "without." peril of robbynge For þer as pouerte passeþ · pees folweþ commenliche And euere þe lasse þat eny lyf ledeþ · the lyghter hus herte is þere As he þat wot neuere whitP.7.149: whit, "with." wham · in myghtes to mete Seneca . pauper est absque solici?tudinesolicitudine semita .P.17.150: The reading suggests that P's exemplar read solicitudine and that his corrector worked from an inferior C witness? The seueþe hit is aweelle of wysedome · and fewe wordes sheweþ For lordes aloweþ hym lytel · oþer leyth ere to hus reisone sapiencie . temperatrix . He tempreþ hus tonge to treuthe-ward · þat no tresour coueyteþ The eyhteþe hit is a leel labour · and loþ to take more Than he may sothliche deserue · in somer oþer in wynter And þauh he chaffare he chargeþ no los · mowe he charite wynne Negocium sine dampno . Þe nyethe hit is swete to soules · no suger swettere For pacience is hus paneter · and payn to pouerte fyndeth And sobrete ȝeuex heere swete drynke · and solaceþ heere in alle angres Thus leryde me a lerede man · for oure lordes loue seint austyn . That pure pouerte and pacience · was a louh lyuynge in erthe A blessid lyf whit-outeP.17.163: whit, "with." busynesse · bote oneliche for þe soule Absque solicitudine felicitas . Now god þat al þynge gyueþ · graunte hus saule reste That wrot þis to wis.se men · what pouerte was to mene Thenne hadde actyf a lodere · þat heyhte liberum arbitrium . That knew conscience ful wel · and clergie boþe He þat haþ lounde and lordshep quaþ he · at the laste ende Shal be pourest of power · at hus partyng** hennes Thenne ich wondrede what he was · thees liberum arbitrium . And prayede pacience · þat ich a-pose hym moste And suffrede me and seide · a-say hus oþer name Leue liberum arbitrium quaþ ich · of what londe ar ȝe Ȝif þow be cristes creature · for cristes loue tel me Ich am cristes creature quaþ he · and cristine in menye place And in cristes court yknowe · and of hus kynne apartyea partye Is noþer peter þe porter · ne paul whitP.7.178: whit, "with." his fauchon That wolde defende me heuene dore · dynge ich neuere so late At mydnyȝth at mydday · my uoise is so yknowe Þat eche creature þat loueþ criste · wolcomeþ me faire Wher-of serue ȝe ich seide · syre liberum arbitrium . Of som tyme to fyghte quaþ he · falsnesse to destruye And som tyme to suffre · boþe sorwe and teene Layke oþer leue · at my lykynge chese To do wel oþer wiksuspensionee · awila wil wit areysona reyson And may nat be whit-oute abodya body · to bere me wher hym lykeþ Thenne is þat body bettere þan þow quaþ ich · nay quaþ he no betere Bote as a wode were a-fure · þenne worchen boþe And ayþer is oþeres heete · and also of o wil And so is man þat haþ hus mynde · myd liberum arbitrium . And þe wyle ich quyke · þe cours cald am ich anima . And wenne ich wilne oþer wolde animus ich hyhte And for þat ich can and knowe · cald ich am mannys þouht And whan ich make mone to god memoria ich hatte And wen ich deme domes · and do as treuthe techeþ Thenne is racio my ryhte name · reson in englissh And wenne ich fele þat folke telleþ · my furste name is sensus . And þat is witte and wisedome · the welle of alle craftes And when ichP.17.199: This spelling appears only here and in P1.4. We initially transcribed both as "Ic," but the superscription in addition to the scribe's failure to use any forms other than iche ~ i ~ y suggests he intended it as an abbreviation. chalange oþer nat chalange · chepe oþer refuse Þanne am ich consciencia cald · godes clerk and hus notarie And when ich wol do oþer nat** do · goode dedes oþer ille Then am ich liberum arbitrium as lettrede men tellen And when ich loue leelly · oure lord and alle oþere Then is leel loue my name · in latyn þat is amor . And when ich flee fro þe body · and feye leue þe caroygne Then am ich a spirit specheles and spiritus þenne ich hote Austyn and ysidorus ayther of hem bothe Nempnede me þis to name · þow now myght cheese How þow coueitest to calle me · now knowest þow alle myne names Anima pro diuersis accionibus diuersa nomina sortitur dum uiuificat corpus anima est . dum uult animus est . dum recolit memoria est . dum iudicat racio est . dum sentit sensus est . dum amat amor est . dum declinat á malo ad bonum . liberum arbitrium est . dum negat uel consentit consciencia est . dum spirat spiritus est . Ȝe ben as a bihsshep quaþ ich · al bordynge þat tyme For bihsshopes blessed · thei bereþ meny names Presul and pontifex and metropolitanus . And oþer names an hepe episcopus and pastor . That is soth he seide · now ich seo þy wil How þow woldest know and conne · þe cause of alle here names And of myne yf þow myghtest · me þynkeþ by þy speche Ȝe syre ich seyde by so · þat no man were a-greuede Alle þe science vnder sonne · and alle sotile craftes Ich wolde ich knewe and couthe · kyndeliche in myn herte Thanne ert þow inparfyȝt quaþ he · and on of prydes knyghtes For suche a louste and lykynge lucifer feel fro heuene Ponam pedem meum in aquilone & ero similis altissimo . Hit were a-geyn kynde quaþ he · and alle kynne reisoune That eny creature sholde conne al excepte cryst one Aȝene alle suche salamon spekeþ · and dispiseþ here wittes And seith sicut qui comedit multum mel . & non ei bonum est . Sic qui scrutator est magestatmagistatis opprimatur a gloria . To englissh men this is to mete · þat mowen speke and huyre The man þat muche hony eet · is mawe hit engleymeþ The whyttiour that eny whight is · bote yf he worche þer-after The biterour he shal a-bygge · bote yf he wol worche Beatus seith seynt bernard . qui scripturas legit . Et uerba uertit in opera emforth is power Couetise to conne · and to knowe science Pute oute of paradys adam and eue . Sciencie appetitus hominem immortalitatis gloriam spoliauit . And ryght so as hony is · vuel to defie Ryght so sothly sciences · swelleþ in a mannes saule And doþ hym to be deynous · and deme þat beth nat lerede Non plus sapere seide þe wyse Quam oportet sapere lest synne of pruyde wexe Freres fele sithes to þe folke · þat þei prechin Meuen motifs meny tymes · Insolibles and fallaces That boþe lered and lewed · of here by-lyue douten To teche þe ten commaundemens · where tensitheten sithe bettere And hou þe folk folyliche · here fif wittes myspenden As wel freres as oþer folk · folliliche spenden In housyng** and in helyynge · in hih cleregie shewynge More for pomp and prude · as þe peuple wot wel That ich lye nat loo · for lordes þei plesyn And reuerenceþ þe riche · þe rather for here seluer Aȝens þe counsail of cryst · as holy cleregye whittnesseþ Ne sitis acceptores personarum . Loo what holy wryt wyttnesseþ · of wikked techeres As holynesse and honestete · out of holy churche Spryngeþ and spredeþ · and enspireþ þe peuple Þorgh parfit preest-hood · and prelates of holichurche Ryght so out of holychurche · al vuel spredeþ Theer inparfit preest-hod is · prechours and techours And seo hit by ensample · of trees in somer-tyme Theer somme bowes bereþ leues · and somme bereþ none The bowes þat bereþ nat · and beeþ nat grene leuede Theer is a myschif in þe more · of suche manere stockes Ryght so persones and preestes · and prechers of holy churche Ys þe rote of ryghit feithe · to reuwele þe peuple Ac þer þe rote is roten · reson wot þe sothe Shal neuere floure ne frut wexe · ne fair leef be grene For wolde þe letteride leue · the lecherie of cloþinge And be courteis and kynde · of holychurche goodes Parte whitheP.17.271: whithe, "with." poure · and ȝoure pruyde leue And þerto trywe of ȝoure tonge · and of ȝoure tail also And haten harlotrie · to vnderfonge þe tyþes Of vserers and of hores · and al vuel wynnynges Loth were lewede men · bote þey ȝoure lore folweden And a-menden hem of here mysdedes · more for ȝoure ensamples Þan for to preche and preuen hit nat ypocrisie hit semeþ Ypocrisie is abraunche of pruyde · and most among clerkes And ylikned in latyn · to alothlichea lothliche dounghep That were by-snywe al whitP.7.280: whit, "with." snowe · and snakes whit-ynneP.17.280: whit-ynne, "within." Ryȝt so meny preestes · prechours and prelates Þat beþ enblaunched with bele paroles and whithP.17.282: whith, "with." bele cloþes And as lambes þei loken · and lyuen as wolues Iohannes crisostomus karpeþ þus of clerkus Sicut de templo omne bonum progreditur . sic de templo omne malum procedit . Si sacerdocium integrum fuerit . tota floret ecclesia . si autem corrupta fuerit . omnium fides marcida est . Si sacerdocium fuerit in peccatis . totus populus conuertitur ad peccandum . Sicut cum uideris arborem pallidam & marcidam intelligis quod uicium habet in radice . Ita cum uideris populum indiciplinatum & irreligiosum . Sine dubio sacerdocium eius non est sanum . Alas lewede men muche leese ......ȝe þat fynden Vnkynde creatures to beo · kepers of ȝoure soules Ac þyng þat wikkedliche is wonne · and whitP.7.288: whit, "with." false sleithes Wolde neuere þat oþer-wise god bote wicked men hit hadde As imparfit preestes · and prechers after seluer Secutours and sodenes · somners and here lemmannes And þat with gyle was gete · vngraciousliche be dispendid Curatours of holychurche · and clerkus þat ben auerous Lightliche þat þei leue · loseles hit deuoren Leyueþ hit wel lordes boþe lered and lewede Þat þus goþ here godes · atte laste ende And lyuen a-ȝens holy lore and þe loue of charite Charite quaþ ich þo · þat is a þing** for-sothe That maistres comenden muche · wher may hit be founde Ich aueP.17.300: aue, "have." lyuede in londen · meny longe ȝeres And founde ich neuere in faith · as freres hit precheþ Charite þat chargeþ nat · ne chit þauh men greue hym As paul in a pistele · of hym bereþ wittnesse Non inflatur . non est ambiciosa non querit que sua sunt . Ich knowe neuere by cryst · clekcle[r]kclerk noþer lewede That he ne askede after hus · and oþer wyle coueytede Thyng þat needede hym nat and nyme hit yf he myghte And fynde hym bote figuratifliche · a ferly me þynkeþ Hic in enigmate . tunc facie ad faciem . And so ich trowe trewely · by that men tellen of charite Charite is a childish thing** · as holichurche wittnesseþ Nisi efficiamini sicut paruuli . et cetera . As proud of a peny · as of apoundea pounde of golde And also glad of a goune · of a grey russett As of a cote of cammoka · oþer of clene scarlett** He is glad whitP.17.316: whit, "with." alle glade · as gurles þat lauhen alle And sory wen he seeþ men sory · as þow seest children Lauhen þer men lauhen an loure þer men loureþ Annd when a man swereþ for-soþ · for-soþ he hit troweþ He weneþ þat no whiȝtP.17.320: whiȝt, "man, person." · wolde lyghe and swere Ne þat eny gome wolde · gylen oþer ne greue · For drede of god þat is so good · and þus ous techeþ Quodcumque uultis ut uobis faciant homines · facite eis . He hath no lykynge to lauhe · ne lyhe men to scorne Alle siknesses and sorwes · for solas he hit takeþ And alle manere meschifs · as minstracie of heuene Of deþ ne of derþe · drad was he neuere Ne mysliked þauh he loore · oþer leuede to þat ilke Þat neuere payed peny aȝeaȝeyn · in place þere he borwede Who fyndeþ hym is fode quaþ ich · oþer what frendes hath he Rentes oþer richesses · to releue hym at hus neode Of rentes ne of richesses quaþ he · reccheþ he neuere A frende he haþ þat fyndeþ hyme · þat failede hym neuere On aperis tu manum · alle þynge hym fyndeþ Fiat uoluntas tua festeþ hym eche day And also he can clergie credo in deum patrem . And portreieþ þe pater noster and peynteþ hit whitP.17.337: whit, "with." auees And oþer-while hus wone is · to wende in pilgrymages Ther poure men and prysouns beþ · and payeþ for here lyflode Clotheþ hem and comforteþ hem · and of crist precheþ hem What sorwes he suffrede · in ensample of ous alle That pouerte and pacience · parfitliche ytake Ys muche merit to þat man · þat wel may suffren Whan he haþ thus visetid fetered folke · and oþer folke poure Thenne he ȝerneþ in-to þouht · and ȝepliche he secheþ Pruyde whitP.17.346: whit, "with." alle þþ[e]þe portinaunce · and packeþ hem to-gederes And laueþ hem in þe lauandrie laborauiP.17.348: The forms laboraui and laboram are ambiguous. Given scribal inconsistency in dotting the minim for <i>, the forms are indistinguishable in many manuscripts. in gemitu meo . And boukeþ hem at hus brest · and beeteþ hit ofte And whitP.17.349: whit, "with." wharme water of hus eyen · wokeþ hit he white Lauabis me et super niuem dealbabor . Þanne syngeþ he wanne he so doþ · and som tyme wepynge Cor contritum & humiliatum . deus non despicies . Were ich whithP.17.353: whith, "with." hym by crist quaþ ich · ich wolde neuere fro hym Þauh ich my by-lyue sholde begge · a-boute at menne hacches Wher clerkus knowe hym nat quaþ ich · þat kepen holychurche Peers the plouman quaþ he · most parfitliche hym knoweþ Et uidit deus cogitationes eorum . By cloþynge ne by karpinge · knowe shalt thou hym neuere Ac þorw werkes þou myght wite · wher forþ he walkeþ operibus credite  He is þe muriest of mouthe · at metes þer he sitteþ And compenable in companye · as crist hym-self techeþ Nolite tristes fieri sicut ypocrite Ich haue seyen hym my-self · som tyme in russett Both in greye and in gr.eys · and in gylt harneys And al-so gladliche he gyueþ · to gomes þat hit needeþ Eadmund and edward ayþer where seyntes And chief charite whithP.17.367: whith, "with." hem · and chast al here lyue Ich haue seyen charite al-so · syngen and rede Ryden and rennen · in raggede cloþes Ac biddyng as a beggere · by-heold ich hym neuere Ac in riche robes · raþest he walketh Y-called and ycrymyled · and huchu[s]his croune shaue And in freres frocke · he was yfounde ones Ac it is feer and fele ȝeres · in fraunceys tyme In that secte sitthe · to selde he haþ be founde RichemenRiche men he comendeþ · and of here robes takeþ Of þo þat leelliche lyuen · and louen and by-leyuen Beatus est diues sine macula . In kynges court he comeþ · hyfP.17.379: hyf, "if." hus counsail be trewe Ac yf couetise be of hus counsail he wol nat come þer-ynne Among þe comunes in court · he comeþ bote seilde For brawelynge and bacbytynge · and beryng of false whittnesse In constorie by-fore þe comissarie · he comeþ nat ful ofte For here lawe is ouere-longe · bote yf þei lacche seluer WhitP.17.385: Whit, "with." bihsshopes he wolde beo · for beggers sake Ac auerice oþer-whiles · halt hym whith-outeP.17.386: whith-oute, "without." þe gate Kynges and Cardineles · knowen hym som tyme Ac þorw couetise and hus consail · congeied is he ofte And ho-so coueyteþ to know hym · suche kynde hym folweþ As ich tolde þe whithP.17.390: whith, "with." tonge · a litel tyme passed For noþer he beggeþ ne biddeþ · ne borweþ to ȝelde He halt hit anycetea nycete · and a foul shame To beggen oþer to borwe · bote of god one panem nostrum cotidianum . Hic The hic is shared between the explicit of this passus and the incipit of the next, centered vertically on the rule between the two lines. explicit passus septimus & ultimus de dowel . Hic Incipit passus primus de dobet . The hic is shared between the incipit of this passus and the explicit of the last, centered vertically on the rule between the two lines. t THer is no suche ich seide · þat som tyme ne borweth Oþer beggeþ oþer byddeþ · beo he riche oþer poure And ȝut oþer-while wroþ · whithouteP.18.2: whithoute, "without." eny synne Ho-so is wroþ and wolde be awreke · holi wryt quaþ he proueþ He passeþ chief charite hifP.18.5: hif, "if." holichurche beo trywe Caritas omnia suffert . Holywrit whitnesseþ · þer were suche eremites Solitarie by hem-self · and in here selles lyueden Whiþ-oute borwynge oþer beggynge · bote of god one Excepte þat egidie an hynde oþer-while To hus selle seilde cam · and suffrede to be melked Elles fouweles fedden hem · in frythes þer þei woneden Boþe antonye and erseny · and oþer mo fele Paul primus. heremita hadde parroked hym-selue That no man myghte se hym · for muche mos and leues Foweles hym fedde · yf frere austyn be trywe For he ordeynede þat ordre · other elles þei gabbyn Paul after isP.18.18: is, "his." prechynge · panyeres he made And wan whithP.18.19: whith, "with." hus hondes · al þat hym neodyde Peter fysshede for hus fode · and hus fere andreu SomP.18.21: The <S> was mistakenly partially rubricated and has been gone over again in text ink. thei solde and som thei sode · and so þei leueden boþe Marie magdalene by mores leuede and dewes Loue and leel by-leyue · heeld lyf and soule to-gedere Maria egipciaca eet in þyrty wynter Bote þre lytel loues · and loue was here souel Ich can nat rekene hem ryght now · ne reherce here names That lyueden þus for oure lordes loue · meny longe ȝeres Whit-outeP.18.28: Whit-oute, "without." borwyng oþer beggyng** · oþer þe bok lyeþ And woneden in wildernesse · a-mong wilde bestes Ac dorst no best byten hem · by daye ne by nyghte Bote myldeliche whan þei metten maden louh chire And feyre by-fore þo men · fauhnede whithP.18.32: whith, "with." þe tayles Ac bestes broughte hem no mete · bote onliche þe fouweles In tokenynge þat trywe man · alle tymes sholde Fynde honeste men inand holy men · and oþer ryghtful peuple For wolde neuere feith fulgoudfeith-ful goudg[o]dgod · þat freres and monkes token Lyflode of luþer wynnynges · in al here lif-tyme As wyttnesseþ holy writt · what thobie seyde To isP.18.39: is, "his." wif whan he was blynde · herdehe herde a lambe blete A wyf be war quaþ he · what ȝe haue here-ynne Lord leyue quaþ þe lede · no stole þyng be here Videte ne furtum sit . & alibi . melius est mori quam male uiuere . This is no more to mene · bote men of holychurche Sholde receyue ryght nauth · bot þat ryght wolde And refucse reuerences · and raueneres offrynges Thenne wolde lordes and ladies · be loth for to a-gulte And to take of here tenauns · more þan treuthe wolde And marchauns merciable wolde be · and men of lawe boþe Wolde religiouse refuse · raueneres almesse Then grace sholde growe ȝut · and grene leued wexe And charite þat child is now · sholde chaufen of hem-self And confortye alle cristene · wold holychurche amende Iob þe parfit patriark · þis prouerbe wrot and tauhte To makye a man louye mesure · þat monkes beeþ and Freres Nunquam dicit Iob rugiet onager cum habuerit herbam . aut mugiet bos cum ante eum plenum presepe steterit . Brutor animalium natura te condempnat . quia cum pabulum sufficiat commune ex adipe prodiit iniquitas . Yf lewede men knewe this latyn · a litel þei wolde auisen hem Er thei amorteisede eny more · for monkes oþer for chanons //P.18.58: The corrector virgules perhaps indicate recognition of error in we at the end of this line. Alas lordes and ladies · lewede counsail haue weȝe Þat founded beþ to fulle · to feffe suche and fede With þat ȝoure barnes and ȝoure blod · by goode lawe may cleyme For god bad hus blesside · as þe book** techeþ honora patrem & matrem . To helpe þy fader formest · by-fore freres and monkes And er prestes oþer pardoneres · oþer eny peuple elles Help þi kynne crist bit · for þer by-gynneþ charite And afterwarde awhaiteP.18.65: awhaite, "await." · hoo haþ moost neede And þer help yf þou hast · and þat halde ich charite Loo laurence for hus largenesse · as holy lore telleþ Þat hus mede and hus man-hede · for euere-more shal laste Iusticia euis manet in eternum . He gaf godes men goodes · and nat to grete lordes And fedde þat a-fyngred where · and in defaute lyueden Ich der nat carpe of clerkes now þat cristes tresoure kepen TatP.18.73: Tat, "That." poure peuple by pure ryght · here part thei myghten aske Of þat holichurche of þe olde lawe cleymeþ Preestes on aparail and on purnele spenen Men may lykne letterid men · to a luhssheborgh* oþer werse And to a badde peny · whitP.18.79: whit, "with." a good preynte For of muche moneye · þe metal is right nauht Ȝut is þe prente pure trewe · anP.18.116:an, "and." parfitliche graue And so it fareth by false cristine here follouht is triwe Cristendome of holychurche · þe kynges marske of heuene Ac þe metal þat is mannes saule of meny of þes techeres Is alayed whitP.18.85: whit, "with." lecherie · and oþer lustes of synne That god coueiteþ nat þat coygne · þat crist hym-self preentede And for synne of soule · for-sakeþ hus owene coygne //P.18.86: The corrector's virgules perhaps refer to minim errors in the line or the otiose tilde. Thus are þe lithere lyknede · to luhssheborueP.18.86: An otiose tilde appears above <ru>. sterlinges That faire by-fore folke · prechen and techen And worchen nat as þei fynden wryten · and wissen þe peuple For what þorw werre and wrake and wycked hyfdesP.18.89: hyfdes, "heads." May no preiour pees make · in no place hit semeþ Lewede men hauen no by-leyue · so letterid men erren Neiþer þe see ne þe sande · ne þe seed ȝeldeþ As þei woned were · in wham is defaute Nat in god þat he nys goud · and þe grounde boþe And þe see and þe seed · the sonne and þe mone Don her deuer day and nyȝth · and yf we duden also · Ther sholde be plente and pees perpetuel · for euereP.18.97: The caesura is not marked in this line, though heavy ink at the end of flourishes confuses the issue. Wonderwyse shupmen now · and oþer witty peuple HanP.18.99: An otiose vertical mark in text ink is written before the <H>. no by-leyue to þe lyft · ne to þe lood-sterres Astronomyens al day in here art faillen That whilen warned men by-fore · what shoulde by-ffalle after Shupmen and shephurdes · by the seuen sterres Wisten while and tolden · whenne hit shoulde reynen Tyliers þat tyleden þe erthe · tolden here maystres By þe seed þat þey sewe · what þey shoulde notye And what lyue by and leue · þe londe whas so trewe Now failleth þis folke · boþe sowers and shupmen Noþer þei knoweþ ne conneþ · o cours by a noþer Astronomyens al-so · aren at ere whittesP.18.109: ere whittes, "their wits'." ende Of þat was calculed of þe clymat · the contrarye þey fyndeth Grammere þat grounde is of alle · by-gyleþ now children For þer is nouthe non · who-so nymeþ hete That can uerfieuer[si]fieuersifie fayre · oþer formeliche endite Ne þat can construen kyndeliche · þat poetes maden Gowe now to eny degre · and bote gyle be halde amaystera mayster And aflaterera flaterer for hus huhsshereP.18.116: huhsshere, "usher, teaching assistant." · and ferliche me þynkeþ Doctours of decree · and of dyuyn maystres That shoulde þe seuene ars conne · and a-soile ada quodlibet . Bote þei faille in fylosophye · and filosophers lyueden Lord leyue þat þese preestes · leelly seyn here masses That thei ouerhuppe nat for hast · as ich hope thei do nat ThatThogh hit suffusesuff[i]sesuffice for oure sauacion · sothfast by-leyue As clerkus in corpus christi feste · syngen and reden That sola fides sufficit to saue whithP.18.126: whith, "with." lewede peuple Ac yf preestes don here deuer wel · wheP.18.125: whe, "we." This nonce-form in the manuscript for "we" reflects loss of initial aspiration in the scribe's dialect. shullen do þe bettere For saresyns mowe be saued so · yf þei so by-leyuede In þe lengthynge of here lyf · to leyue on holychurche What is holychurche frend quaþ ich charite he seyde Lyf and loue and leaute · in o by-leyue aP.18.129: a, "and." See MED, s.v. a conj. The form is archetypal. lawe And loue a knotte of leaute · and of leel by-leyue Alle-kynne cristene · clynynge on o wyl Whith-outeP.18.134: whith-oute, "without." gyle and gabbynge · gyue and selle and leue Loue lawe whith-outeP.18.135: whith-oute, "without." leaute · lowableallouable was it neuere God lereþ no lyf to loue · whith-outeP.18.134: whith-oute, "without." leel cause Iewes gentiles and sarrasines · Iugen hem-selue That leeliche þei by-leyuen and ȝut here lawe dyuersen And on god þat al by-gan · whithP.18.139: whith, "with." goode herte þei honoureþ Ac oure lorde loueþ no loue · bote lawe be þe cause For lechours louen aȝen þe lawe · and at þe laste beeþ dampned And theeues leaute haten · and at þe laste beeþ hanged And leelle men louen as lawe techeþ · and loue þer-of aryseþ The wich is hefd of charite and hele of mannes soule Dilige deum propter deum . id propter ueritatem est . Et inimicum tuum propter mandatum . id propter legem est . Et amicum propter amorem . id est propter caritatem . Loue god for he is good · and grounde of alle treuthe Loue þyn enemy entyerly · godes heste to ful-fille Loue þy frend þat folweþ þy wil · þat is þe faire soule For whanne alle frendes faillen · and fleen a-wey in deiynge Thenne suweþ þe þy soule · to sorwe oþer to ioye And ay hopeþ eft to be whitP.18.149: whit, "with." here bodye atte laste In murthe oþer in mornynge and neuere eft to departe And þat is charite my leue childe to be cher ouer thi soule Contrarie hure nauht as in conscience · yf þou wolt come to heuene Were sarrasyns ich seide · seo nat what is charite Hit may be þat sarrasyns · hauen a suche manere charite Louye as by lawe of kynde · oure lord god al-myghty Hit is a kynde þyng** a creature · hus creatour to honoure For þer is no man þat mynde hath · þat ne meokeþ hym and by-secheþ To þat lord þat hym lyf lente and lyflode hym seyndeþ Ac meny manere men þer beoþ · as sarrasyns and Iewes Louyeþ nat þat lorde a-ryght · as by þe legende sanctorum . And lyuen out of leel by-leyue · for thei leyue in a mene A man þat hihte makamede · For messye thei hym healdeP.18.162: An otiose stroke appears on the <l>. And after hus lerynge thei lyuen · and by lawe of kynde And when kynde hath hus cours · and no contrarye fyndeth Þenne is lawe lost · and lewete vnknowyn Beaute saunz bounte blessed was hit neuere Ne kynde saunz cortesie In no contreye preysed Men fyndeþ þat makamede · was a man ycrystned And a cardinal of court · agreta gret clerk whit-alle A.nd porsuede to haue be pope · pryns of holychurche And for he whas lyke alouhsheborgha louhsheborgh · ich leyue oure lord hym lette For-thi southte he in-to surrye and sotile hou he myghte Beo maister ouer alle þo men · and on þis manere wroughte He endauntede a douue · day and nyght here fedde In aiþer of hus eris · pryueliche he hadde Corn þat þe coluer eet · when he cam in places And in what place he prechede · and þe peuple tauhte Thenne sholde þe coluere come · to þe clerkes ere Menynge as after hus mete · thus makamede here enchauntede And when þe coluer kam þus · þenne kneweleknelede þe peuple · For makamede to men swor · hit was a messager of heuene And sothly god self · in suche a coluere lyknesse Tolde hym and tauhte hym · hou to teche þe peuple Thus makamede in muysbyleyue · man and womman brouhte And in hus lore thei leyuen ȝut · as wel lered as lewede And sutthe oure sauyour · suffrede suche a fals crystine Deceyue so sarrasyns · sothly me thynkeþ Holy men as ich hope · thorw help of þe holy gost Sholde conuerten hem to crist · and cristendom take Alas þat men so longe · on makamede by-leyuen So meny preestes to prechie · as þe peuple makeþ Of Nazareth of Nynyue of Neptalym of damaske . That thei ne wendeþ þe wey · as holy writ biddit Ite in uniuersum mundum sutthe ȝe wilneþ þe name To be prelates and preche · þe passion of Ihesus . And as hynhy[m]-self seyde · so lyue and deye Bonus pastor animam suam ponit pro ouibus suis . Hit is reuthe to rede · hou ryght holy men lyueden How thei defouleden here fleessh · for-soken here owen wil Feer fro kuth and fro kyn · vuel cloþed ȝeoden Baddeliche beddyd · no book bote here conscience Noþer richesse bote þe rode · to reioyesen hem Inne Absit uos gloriari nisi in cruce domini nostri iesu christi . And þo was pees and plente · a-mong poure and riche And now is reuthe to rede · hou þe rede noble Ys yreuerenced by-fore þe rode · and receyuyd for þe worthier To a-mende and to make · as whitP.18.207: whit, "with." men of holichurche Than cryst oþer croys þat ouercam · deþ and dedly synne And now is werre and wo · and ho-so whi askeþ For couetyse after a croys · þe croune stant in golde Boþe riche and religiouse that rode þei honouren Þat in grotes is ygraue · and in gold nobles notaP.18.212: A scribe has drawn two red lines from the marginalia "nota" to the primary text to the lines beginning "for couetyse" and "Sullen ouerturne" For couetyse of þat croys · clerkes of holychurche Sullen ouerturne as templers duden þe tyme aprocheþ faste Mynne ȝe nat lettered men hou þo men honourede More tresour and treuthe · ich dar nat telle þe southe How þo corsede crystine catel and richesse worshepeden Reyson and RiȝtfuldomeRiȝtful dome · þe reliousreli[gi]ousreligious damnede Right so ȝe clerkus ȝoure couetise er come ouht longe prophecie . Shal dampne dos ecclesie and depose ȝow for ȝoure pruyde Deposuit potentes de sede . Hyf knyȝtht-hod and kynde whitP.7.222: whit, "wit." and þe comune and conscience To-geders louen leelliche · leyueþ hit wel bisshopes The lordshep ToTheP.18.224: P uniquely reads To, inconsistent with the guidewords from the preceding leaf. lordshup of londes · leese ȝe shulle for euere And lyuen as leuitici dude · and as oure lord ȝou techeþ Per primicias . et decimas . Whenne constantyn of hus cortesye holychurche dowedeP.18.227: We are following the order of the X manuscript in which the Latin line is separate from and comes above the Whenne line. Two red crosses indicate where the missing line should be inserted and a red line drawn from the end of the ME whenne line and the Latin line above it in the margin. WhithP.18.228: Whith, "with." londes and leedes · lordshepes and rentes An Angel men hurde an hih · at rome crye Dos ecclesie this day · haþ ydronke venym And tho þat han petris power · aren poysoned alle A medecine moste þer-to · þat myghte amende þe prelates That sholden preye for þe pees · and possession hem letteþ Takeþ here londes ȝȝ[e]ȝe lordes and leet hem lyue by dymes Yf ȝe kynges coueyten in cristene pees to lyuen For yf posession be poyson and inparfyȝt hem make The heuedes of holychurche · and tho þat ben vnder hem Hit were charite to deschargen hem · for holychurches sake And purge hem of þe oolde poyson ere more perel falle For were preest-hod more parfyȝt · þat is þe pope formest That whiþ moneye menteyneþ men to werren vp-on cristine Aȝens þe lore of oure lorde · as seynt luk wytnesseþ michi uindictam . Hus prayers whithP.18.243: whith, "with." hus pacience to pees sholde brynge Alle londes to loue · and þat in a lytel tyme The pope with alle preestes pax uobis sholde make And take hede hou makamede þorwe a mylde doue He hald al surrye as hym-self wolde · and sarasyns in quyete Nouht þorw manslauht and strengthe · Makamede hadde þe mastrie Bote þorw pacience and pryuy gyle · he was prynce ouer hem alle In suche manere me þynkeþ · moste þe pope Prelatis and preestes prayen · and by-seche Deuowtliche day and nyȝt · and whiþ-drawe hem fro synne And crye to crist þat he wolde · hus coluere seynde The wiche is þe holygost þat out of heuene descendede To make a perpetuel pees by-twyne þe prynce of heuene And alle manere men · þat on þis molde lybbeþ Yf preest-hod were perfiȝt and preyede thus · the peuple sholde amende That now contrarien cristes lawes · and cristendom despisen For sutthe þat þes sarasyns · scribes and þes Iewes Hauen a lippe of oure by-leyue · þe lightloker me þynkeþ Thei sholde turne þat trauayle wolde · and of þe trinite techen hem For alle paynymes preyen · and parfitliche by-leyuen In þe grete heye god · and hus grace asken And maken here mone to makamede · here message to shewe Thus in aP.18.265: a, "one." faith lyueþ þat folke · and in a false mene And þat is reuthe for þe ryght men þat in þe reame wonyeþ And bereþ name of Neptalym of Nynyue and of damaske . For when þe holy kynge of heuene sende hus sone to eerthe Meny myracles he wrouhte man for to turne In ensample þat men sholde seo by sad reyson That men myghte nat be sauede · bote þorw mercy and grace And þorw penaunce annd passioun and parfyȝt by-leyue And by-cam a man of a mayde and metropolitanus . And baptisede anP.18.274:an, "and." busshoppede · whitP.18.274: whit, "with." þe blode of hus herte Alle þat wilnede oþer wolde · whitP.18.275: whit, "with." inwhiȝtP.18.275: inwhiȝt, "inwit." by-leue hit Meny seint sitthe suffrede deþ al-soo For to enferme þe faithe fulwydeful wyde-where deyden In Inde and in alisaundre in Ermanye in spayne . And f..ro mysbyleue meny man turnede In sauacion of mannys saule seynt thomas of cauntelbury Among vnkynde cristine in holychurche was sleye And alle holychurche honourede for þat deyinge He is aforbusnea forbusne to alle busshopes · and abryȝthea bryȝthe myrour And souereyneliche to alle suche þat of surrye bereþ name And nat in engelounde to huppe abowte · anP.18.399:an, "and." halewen menne auters And crepe in a-monge creatours · and confesson a-ȝen þe lawe Nolite mittere falcem in alienam messem . Meny man for crystes loue · was martred a-mong romaynes Er cristendome wher knowe þer · oþer eny croys honourede Eueriche busshope by þe lawe · sholde buxumliche weynde And pacientliche þorgh hus prouynce · and to hus peple hym shewe Feden hem and folwen hem · and fere hem fro synne In baculi forma . sit presul hec tibi norma . Fer trahe punge gregem . seruando per omnia legem . And enchaunte hem to charite · on holychurche to be-leyue For as þe kynde is of aknyȝtha knyȝth oþer for a kynge to be take Among here enemys in morteilsmortel bateles To be culled and ouercome þe comune to defende So is þe kynde of creatour for cristes loue to preche And deye for hus dere children to distrye dedlysynnededly synne bonus pastor . And nameliche þer as lewede lyuen and no lawe knowen Ac we crystine comeþconneþ þe lawe · and hauen of oure tounge Busshopes and bookes · the byleyue to teche Iuwes lyuen in þe lawe · þat oure lord tauhte Moyses to be maister · þer-of til messie come And in þat lawe þei leyue · and leten · hit for the beste And ȝut knowe þei crist · þat cristendome tauhte And for a .....parfyt prophete · þat muche peuple sauede And of selcouþe sores · sauede men ful ofte By þe meracles þat he made messie he semede Tho he lyfte vp lazar þat leyde was in graue · Quatriduanus cold · quik** dude hym walke Iuwes seyden þat hit seyn · whitP.18.313: whit, "with." sorcerie he wrouhte And fondeden hou to struyen hem · and strueden hem-selue And here power thourh hus pacience · to pure nought brouhten And thei seien soþliche · and so doþ þe sarrasyns That Iesus was bote a Iegelour a Iaper a-monge þe comune And a sophistre of sorcerie · and pseudo propheta . And hus lore was lesynge · and lacken hit alle And hopen þat he be to comynge · þat shal hem releuereloeue?? Moyses oþer makamede · here maistres deuineþ And haueþ suspecion to be saf · boþe sarrasyns and Iewes Thorwe moyses and makamede · and myghte of god þat mad al Now sytthe þat theese sarrasyns anP.18.457:an, "and." al-so þe Iewes ConneP.18.326: An otiose tilde appears over <nn>. þe ferste clause of oure by-leyue Credo in deum patrem . Prelates and preestes · sholde preoue yf thei myghte Lere hem lytulhum and lytulum · and in iesum christum filium eius . Til þei couþe speke and spele · and in spiritumm sanctum . Recorden hit and rendren hit wyth remissionem peccatorum . Carnis resurectionem & uitam eternam . amen . HicThe hic is shared between the explicit of this passus and the incipit of the next, centered vertically on the rule between the two lines. explicit passus primus de dobet · dobet ·"de dobet · dobet ·" is written between the trailer of this passus and the header of the next passus and is centered vertically on the rule between the two lines. Two diagonal, crossing lines are drawn between de dobet · dobet and the rest of the header. Hic Incipit passus secundus de dobet · dobet ·The repetition of dobet is presumably an error. L LEue liberum arbitrium quaþ ich · ich leyue as ich hopeP.19.1: An otiose curl appears on the <p> of hope. Thou couþest telle and teche me · to charite ich leyue · Thenne louh liberum arbitrium and ladde me forþ with tales Til we comen in-to acontreea contree cor hominis hit hyhte Herber of alle pryuytees · and of holynesse Euene in þe myddes · an ympe as hit were Þat hihte ymago dei graciousliche hit growede Thenne gan ich asken what hit hyhte · and he me sone tolde Þe tree hihte trewe loue quaþ he · the trinite hit sette Þorgh louely lokynge hit lyueþ · and launceþ vp blossemes The wiche blosmes burnes · benygne speche callen And þer-of comeþ a good frut · þe wich men · calleþnCHECK THE MS for order of change. Other mss have the "þ."***??? werkes Of holynesse of hendynesse · of help hym þat neodeþ The wiche is callid caritas cristes owene fode And solaceþ alle soules · sorghful in purgatorie Now certes ich seide · an sykede for ioye Ich þonke þe a þowsend sythes · þat ȝe me hider kende And suþþen þat ȝe foweche saue · to seye me what hit hihte And he þonked me þo · bote þenne took** ich hede Hit hadde shorieres to shoue hit vp · þre shides of o lengþe And of o kynne colour · and o kynde as me þouhte Alle þre yliche longe · and yliche large · Muche meruailede me · on what more thei growede And efte askede of hym · of what wode þei were Thees þre shoryeres quaþ he · þat bereþ vp þis plonte Thei by-tokneþ trywely þe trinite of heuene Thre persouns in-departable perpetuel were euere Of o wyl of o whitP.19.28: whit, "wit." · and here whitP.19.28: whit, "with." ich kepe The frut of þis faire tree · fro þre wykkede wyndes And fro fallyng of stok hit faille nouht of hus myghte The wordle is a wykkede wynde · to hem þat wolde treuthe Couetyse comeþ of þat whynde · and hit beteþ caritas And for-freteþ þat frut · whitP.19.33: whit, "with." manye fayre syghtes And whithP.19.34: whith, "with." þe ferste plaunke · ich palle hym doune potencia dei patris . Þanne is flessh a feel wynde · in flouryng tyme Þorgh lecherie and lustes so loude he gynneþ blowe Þat hit norceþ nyce syȝtes · and som tyme wordes And menye wykkede wormes · workes of synne And al for-bit caritas to þe bare stalke Thanne sette ich þe secunde plaunke sapiencia dei patris . The wich is þe passion and penaunce · and þe parfytnesse of ihesus . And þer-with ich warde hit oþerwyse · til hit wexe rype Thenne foundeþ the feende · my frut to destruye And leithe a laddere þer-to · of lesynges beþ þe ronges With alle þe wyles þat he can · waggeþ þe roote Þorw bak-byters and braweleres · and þorwe bolde chyderes And shakeþ hit · newerene were hit vnder-shorede · sertes hit sholde nat stande So þees lourdeines litheren þer-to · þat alle þe leues fallen And feccheþ a-way this frut som tyme · by-fore boþe myn eyen Thenne palle ich a-doune þe pouke · with þe þridde shoryere The wiche is spiritus sanctus and soþ fastbyleyuesoþfast byleyue And þat is grace of þe holy gost · and þus gat ich þe mastrye Ich totide vp-on þat tree þo · and þenne tok ich hede Wheþer þe frut wher faire · oþer foul to loken on And þe frut was wonder fair · non fairer beo myghte Ac in þre degrees hit grew · gret ferly me þouhte And askede þo yf hit were · al of on kynde Ȝe certes he seide · and sothliche þow leyue hit Hit is al of o kynde · and þat shal ich prouen Ac somme ar swettere þan some · and sannere wollen rotye Men may seo on an appul treo meny tyme and ofte Of okynneo kynne apples · aren nat yliche grete Ne of sywynge smale · ne of swetnesse swete Tho þat sitten in þe sonne syde · somme aren rype Swettour and saueriour · and also more grettoure · Than þat seilde hauen þe sonne · and sitten in þe north half** And so hit fareþ sotthly · soone by oure kynde Adam was as tree · and we aren as hus apples Somme of ows sothfast · and somme variable Somme litel and some large · like apples of kynde As weddede men and wodewes · and ryȝth worthy maidenes Þe wiche þe seynt espirit þe sonne of al heuene Conforteþ hem in here continence · þat lyuen in contemplacion · As monkes and monyales men of holichurche These hauen hete of þe holi gost as crop of treo þe sonne Wedewes and wedeweres · þat here owen wil for-saken And chast leden here lif · ys lyf of contemplacion And more lykyng** to oure lorde þan lyue as kynde askeþ And folwe þat þe flessh wole · and frut forþ brynge That lettered men in here langage actiua uita callen Ȝe syre ich seide · and sitthen þer aren bote to lyues Þat oure lorde a-loweþ as lered men ous techeþ That is actiua uita and uita contemplatiua . Whi groweþ this frut in þre degrees · for a good skyle he seide Her by-neoþe ich may nyme · yf ich neode habbe Matrimonye a moiste frut þat multeplieþ þe peple Thenne a-boue is abeterea betere frut · ac boþe to ben goode · Wedewehode more worþier · þan wedlok as in heuene Þanne is virginite more vertuous · and fairest as in heuene For þat is euene with angeles · and angeles peer Hit was þe furste frut · þat þe fader of heuene blessede And bad hit be abata bat of erþe · amana man and a mayde In menynge þat þe faireste þyng** þe furste þyng sholde honoure And þe clennest creature · creatour ferste knowe In kynges court and knyghtes þe clennest men and fairest Shullen serue for þe lord selue so fareþ god almyghty Maidenes and marteres · ministred hym her in erthe And in heuene buth most pryue and next hym by reson For þe fairest frut · by-fore hym as of eorthe And swete whiþ-oute swellinge · sour worth hit neuere This is a propre plente quaþ ich · and pryueliche hit bleweþ And bryngeþ forþ faire frut · folke of alle nacion Bothe parfit and inparfit · pure fayn ich wolde A-saye what sauour hit hadde · ich seide þat tyme Leue liberum arbitrium leet som lyf hit shake A-non he het elde · an hih for to clymbe And shaken hit sharply · þe ripen sholden falle Elde clam to-warde þe crop · þan comsede hit to crie He waggede wedewehod and hit wepte after He meeuede matrimonye · hit made a foule noyse For euere as elde hadde eny doun þe deuel was wel redy And gederide hem alle to-gederis boþe grete and smale Adam and abraham and ysaye þe prophete Sampson and samuel and seynt · Iohan þe baptist And bar hem forþ baldely · no body þo hym lette And made of holy men hus horde in limbo doun inferni . Ther is deornesse and drede and þe deuel maister Þenne meouede hym mod in maiestate dei . Þat libera uoluntas dei lauhte þe mydel shoriere And hitte after þe fende · happe hou hit myghte filius by þe faders wil · fleght with spiritus sanctus . To ransake þe rageman and reue hym hus apples Þat fyrst man deceyuede · thorgh frut and false by-heste And þenne spake spiritus sanctus . in gabrielis mouthe To þat mayde þat hihte marie meek þyng with-alle Þat on Ihesus a Iustice sone · moste Iouken in hire chaumbre Til plenitudo temporis tyme come were That elde felde efte þat frut · oþer fulle to be rypy Þat Ihesus sholde Iuste þer-fore · and Iugement of armes Who sholde fecche þis frut · þe feend oþer Ihesus self The maide myldeliche þo · þe messager hue answerede And saide hendyliche to hym · loo me hus handmayde For to worchen hus wil · with-oute eny synne Ecce ancilla domini & cetera . And in þe wombe of þat wenche · he was fourty wokes And man by-cam of þat mayde · to saue mankynde Byg and a-bydynge · and blodbold in hus barn-hede To hauen fouhten with þe feende · ar ful tyme come Ac liberum arbitrium leche-crafte hym tauhte Til plenitudo temporis hih tyme a-prochede That suche a surgeyn · setthen yseye was þer neuere Ne non so faithfol fysician for alle þat by-souhte He lechede hem of here langoure · laȝars and blynde bothe Ceci uident . claudi ambulant . leprosi mundantur . And comune wymmen conuertede · and clansede hem of synne And he lyft vp laȝar þat lay in hus tombe Quatriduanus cold · quyke dude hym rome Ac er he made þat miracle mestus cepit esse . And wepte water with hus eyen · the whi whiten fewe Ac þoo þat seyen þat selcouth · seyden þat tyme Þat he was god oþer godes sone for þat grete wonder And somme Iewes seiden · whithP.19.151: whith, "with." sorserie he wrouhte And þorwe þe myghte of mahon and þorw mysbyleyue demonium habes . Thanne sathan is ȝoure saueyour quaþ ihesus and haþ sauede ȝow ofte Ac ich sauede ȝow sondry tymes · also ich fedde ȝowe With fisshes and with fyf loues · fyfe þousend at ones And þer-of lefte baskettes ful of broke mete Broke bred to beren hit · a-wey hoo-so wolde Vnkynde and vnknowing** quaþ crist . and with a rop smot hem And ouere-turnede in þe temple · here tables and here stalles And drof hem out alle þat þer bowten aP.19.160: a, "and." solde And seide þis is an hous · of orisouns and of holynesse And whenne þat my wil is ich wolde hit ouer-throwe And er þre dayes after · edefye hit newe The Iewes tolden þe Iustice · hou þat ihesus seyde Ac þe ouerturnyg**ouerturny[n]g** of þe temple by-tokned þe resureccion Enuye and vuel wil ȝorn in þe Iewes And porsuede hem pryueliche and for pans hym bouhte Ne forte tumultus fieret in populo . Of Iudas þe Iewe iesus owene disciple This by-fil on afrydaya fryday · a litel by-fore paske Þat Iudas and Iewes ihesus thei mette Aue rabbi quaþ þat ribaud · and right til hym he ȝede And custe ihesus to be knowe þer-by · and kauhte of þe Iewes Thanne ihesus to Iudas · and to þe Iewes seyde Falsnesse ich fynde · in þy faire speche And kene care in thi cossyns · and combraunce to þe selue Thow shalt be myrour to menye men to deceyue Wo to hem þat þyn wiles vsen to þe wordles ende . nota . Ve homini illi per quem scandalum uenit . Sitthe ich by treson am take and to ȝoure Iewes Suffrieþ myne apostles in pees and in pees gangen Thus Iewes to þe Iustices ihesus thei ladden WhithP.19.183: Whith, "with." muche noyse þat nyght · ner frentik ich awakede In Inwit and in alle whittes · after liberum arbitrium . Ich waitede wyterly · ac ne wiste weder heo wente And þanne mette ich whiþ amana man · on mydlentens soneday . abraham de trinitate . As hor as an haweþorn · and abraam he hihte Of wennes ert þow quaþ ich · and hendeliche hym grette Ich am with faiþ quaþ þat freek** · hit falleþ nat me to lye And herande of armes · er eny lawe were What is hus conysaunce quaþ ich · in hus cote armure Þre persones in o pensel quath he departable fram oþer O speche and o spirit · spryngeþ out of alle Of o wit of on wil were neuere a-twynne And sondry to seo vpon solus deus he hoteþ Siþthen thei ben surlepees quaþ ich · thei han sondry names That is soþ saide he · þe syre hatte pater . ??? . And þe secunde is a sone · of þe syre ??? filius . The þridde is þat halt al · a þyng by hym-selue Holigost is hus name an he is in alle This is meerk þyng** for me quaþ ich · and for meny oþer How o lorde myghte lyue a?sic/corr tag needed? þre · ich leyue hit nat ich seide Muse nat to muche þer-on quaþ faith tyl þow more knowe Ac looke þow leyue hit leelly al þy lyf-tyme That þre by-longeþ to on lorde þat lygaunce cleymeþ Mighte and mene to seo hus owen Mighte Of hym-self and of hus seruaunt · and suffreþ hem boþe God þat gynnynge hadde neuere · bote þo hym good þouhte Sente forth hus sone · as for seruaunt þat tyme To okupien hym here · til issue were spronge The wiche aren children of charite · and holichurche þe moder Patriarkes and prophetes and apostles were þe children And crist and cristendome · and cristene holichurche By-tokeneþ þe trinite and trywe by-leyue O god almyghty þat man made and wrouhte Semblable to hym-self er eny synne were A þre he is þer he is · and here-of bereþ whittnesseP.19.217: whittnesse, "witness." Þe werkes þat hym-self wrouhte · and þis wordle boþe Celi enarrant gloriam dei & opera manuum euis annunciat firmamentum . That he is þre persones departable · ich proue hit by man-kynde And o · god almyghty yf alle men beo of adam . Eue was of adam and out of hym ydrawe And abel of hem boþe and alle þre o kynde As theese þre þat ich carpe of adam and eue . And abel heer essue · aren bote on in man-hede Matrimonie with-oute moillere is nat muche to preyse The bible bereþ witnesse · a book of þe olde lawe That a-corsed alle couples · þat no kynde forth brouhte Maledictus sit homo qui non reliquit semen in israel . And a man with-oute a make myghte nat welle of kynde Multeplie ne more ouer with-oute a make louye Ne with-oute a sowere be suche seede · þis we seen alle Now goo we to god-hede in god fader of heuene Was þe sone in hym-selue in a simile as eue . Was wanne god wolde · out of þe weye y-drawe And as abel of adam and of hus wif eue . Sprang forth and spak · a spir of hem tweyene So out of þe syre and of þe sone · the seynt espirit of bothe Ys and ay weren and worth with-outen ende And as þre persones palpable · is pureliche bote o man-kynde The wiche is man and hus make · and moillere isP.19.241: is, "his." issue So is god godessone in þre persones þe trinite In matrimonie aren þre · and of .o. man cam alle þre And to godhede goþ þre · and of o god is alle þre Loo treys encountre treys quaþ he · in godhede and in manhede Hauest þow seyen þis ich seide · alle þre and o god In a somer ich seyh hym quaþ he · as ich sat in my porche WereP.19.248: Were, "where." god cam goynge a þre · ryght by my gate Tres uidit et unum adorauit . Ich ros vp and reuerencede god · and ryght fayre hym grette Wesh here feet and wypede hem · and after þei eten And what ich þouhte and my wif he ous wel tolde He by-hihte ous issue and heir · in oure olde age Ful triwe tokne by-twyne ous is · wat tyme þat ich mete hym Hou he fondede me ferst my faire sone ysaac To make sacrifice of hym he het me hym to honoure Ich with-sat nat hus heste · ich hope and by-leyue Wher ich walke in þis wordle he wol hit me a-lowe Ich circumsysede my sone · and al-so for hus sake My-self and my meyne · and alle þat maule were Bledden blod for þat lordes loue ich hope to blesse þe tyme Myn affiaunce and my feith · is ferm hus byleyue For hym-self seide ich sholde haue · and myn issue boþe Lond and lordshup ynow · and lyf with-outen ende To me and to myn issue more he by-hihte Mercy for oure mysdedes · as meny tymes As we wilnede and wolde · with mouth and herte asken And sitthen he sende me to sayn · and seide þat ich sholde Worshupen hym with wyn and with bred boþe At ones on an auter · in worshup of þe trinite . And make sacrifice so · som-what hit by-tokneþ Ich leyue þatþilkeþat þilke lorde thenke · a newe lawe to make Fiet unum ouile et unus pastor .P.19.273: There is a space between pas and tor with a flourish between the two parts of the word. Thus haue ich beo hus heraude · her and in helle And comforted menye carful þere þat after hus comyng** loken For-thi ich seke hym he seide for seynt Iohan þe baptist Seide þat he seih hym her þat sholde ioye ous alle ecce agnus dei . Thenne hadde ich wonder of hus wordes · and of hus wide cloþes For in hus bosom he bar a þyng** · and þat he blessede ofte And ich loked in hus lappe a lazar lay þer-ynne · With patriarkes and prophetes pleiynge to-gederes What waytest þow quaþ faiht and what woldest þow haue Ich wolde wyte quaþ ich þo · what is in þy lappe Loo quaþ he and leet me seo · lord mercy ich seide This is apresenta present of muche prys · what pryns shal hit haue Hit is a preciouse present quaþ he · ac þe pouke hit haþ attachede And me þer-wiþ quaþ þe wye · may no wed ous quite Ne no bern beo oure borghe · ne brynge ous out of daunger Fro þe poukes poundfalde no maynprise may ous fecche Til he come þat ich carpe of · crist is hus name Þat shal delyuery ous som day out of þe deueles powere And betere wed for ous wagen · þan alle we beon worthi And þat is lif for lyf oþir ligge þus euere Longynge in my lappe þus · til such a lord ous fecche Alas ich seide þat synne · so longe shal lette The myght of godes mercy · þat myghte ous alle amende And wepte for hus wordes with þat ich seyh an oþer Rappliche renne · þe righte wey we wente And ich fraynede hym furst fro wennes he come What he hihte and woder he wolde · and wyghtliche he ous tolde Hic explicit passus secundus . de dobet ·P.19.300: The same pattern appears here as has appeared above at the passus division, with hic and de dobet shared between two lines and connected with lines. Hic Incipit passus tercius de dobet . P.20.000: The hic and de dobet are shared with trailer of passus 19. I Ich am spes quaþ he · and spirr after a knyght þat tooke me amaundementa maundement · vp-on þe mounte of synay . To ruele alle reames þerwith in right and reison Loo here þe lettere quaþ he in latyn and in ebrew . That ich seye is soþe seoho soseo hoso lykeþ Ys hit a selede ich seide · may men seo þe letteres Nay he seyde ich seke hym þat haþ þe seel to kepe The wiche is criste and cristendome · and a croys þer-on to honge Were hit þer-with a seeled ich wote wel þe soþe That lucifers lordshup ligge sholde ful lowe Leet se thi letteres quaþ ich we myghte þe lawe knowe He plyghte forþ a patente · a pece of an harde roche Wher-on was write to wordes · in þis wise glosede dilige deum & proximum . This was þe tyxt triweliche ich toke ful good gome The glose gloryousliche was wryte · wyth a gylt penne In his duobus mandatis pendit tota lex . Ys her al alal þy lordes lettere quaþ ich · ȝe leyf he me sayde And ho-so worcheþ after þis write ich wol vnder-take Shal neuere deouel hym dere ne deþ in soule greue For þauh ich seye hit my-self ich haue sauede with þis charme Of men and of wymmen · meny score þousend He seiþ soþ seide faith ich haue founde hit trewe Loo her in my lappe quaþ faith þat leyuede vp-on þe lettere Boþe Iosue and Iudith · and Iudas makabeus And sixe þousand mo quaþ faith ich can nat telle here names Ȝoure wordes aren wonderful quaþ ich · wher eny of ȝow be trywe And al leel to be-leyuen on for body oþer for soule · Abraam seith þat he seih · holiche þe trinite Þre persones parcel-mele departable from oþer And alle þre bote o god · thus abraam bereþ whittnesse And ysauede þat by-leyueþ so · and sory for here synnes He can no certayn summe telle · and somme aren in hus lappe What neodeþ þanne · a newe lawe to brynge Sutthe þe furste suffisede · so by-leyue and be ysauede And now comeþ her thes spes and haþ aspied þe lawe Þat of þe trinite ne telleþ · ne takeþ mo persones To god-hede bote o god · and o god almyghty The wiche alle men aren holde · ouere alle þyng to honoure And sitthe to loue and to lene for þat lordes sake Alle manere of men · as meche as ousself And for to louye and to leyue · inoin o lorde almyghty Hit is lyght for lewede and fore lered boþe Ac for to be-leyue in o lorde þat lyueþ in þre persones And lereþ þat we louye sholde · as wel lyeres as leele Go þy gat quaþ ich þo spes so me god helpe Tho þat leorneþ thi lawe · wolle litel wile hit vsen And as we wente in the way · thus wondrynge in þis matere Then seih we a samaritan cam syttynge on a mule Rydynge ful raply þe righte way þat we wente Comynge fram a contreie · þat men callide Ierico . To Iusten in ierusalem he Iacede awey ful faste Boþe abraam and spes adde he metten to-gederes In a wilde wildernesse · wher theoues hadden bounde AmanA man as me tho thouhte · to mucemuche care þei brouhte For he ne myghte steppe ne stande ne stere fot ne hondes Ne helpe hym-selue sothliche · for semiuiuus he semede And naked as a neelde · and non help aboute hym Faith on hym hadde furst a sight ac he fleih a-syde And wolde nat neyhle hym · by nyne londes lengthe Hope cam hippyng after þat hadde so y-bosted Hou he with moyses maundement hade meny men holpen And wanne he hadde siht of þis sike · a-syde he gan drawe And dredfulliche with-drow hym · an dorste go no nerre Ac as sone so þe samaritan hadde sighte of þat syke · He alighte a-non of lyarde · and ladde hym in hus hondes And to þis weye he wente · hus wondes to by-holde He parceyuede by hus p.ous he was in peril to deþe And bote he hadde recouer þe raþer þat rise sholde he neuere He vnbokelede hus boteles and boþe he a-tamede With wyn and with oile · hus wondes he gan lithe Enbaumede hym and bond hus heuede · and on bayarde hym sette And ladde hym forth to lauacrum . lex dei a graunge Is sixe myle oþer seuene · by-syde þe newe markett And lefte hym þere alechinge to lyuen hif he myghte And took two pans to þe hosteler · to take kepe to hym And þat goþ more for hus medicine ich make þe good aȝenwarde For may nat lette quaþ þe lede · and lyarde he bystrydeþ And rapede hym to ride · þe righte wey to ierusalem Bothe faith and hus felawe spes folweden faste after Ac ich suwede þe samaritan and seide hou þei boþe Weren a-fered and flowen · fro þe man y-wondede Haue hem excused quaþ þe samaritan here help wolde nat vaille Ne medecine vnder molde · þe man to hele brynge Noþer faith ne fyn hope · so festered aren hus wondes With-oute þe blod of þat barn he beoþ nouht ysauede The wiche barn mot neodes be bore of a mayde And with þe blod of þat barn · embaumede and baptizede And þauh he steppe and stande right strong worth he neuere Til he haue heten al þat barn · and hus blod dronken And ȝut be plastrede with pacience when fondynges hym prykieþ For wente neuere man þis way þat he ne was here riflede Saue my-selue sothliche and suche as ich louede And ȝut to be-leyue leelly vp-on þat litel baby Þat is likame lechen atte laste ous alle A syre ich seide shul nat weye by-leyue As faith and hus felawe spes enformede me boþe In þre prosonespersonesp[er]sones a parcelesP.20.97: ???*** Gloss? OF or ME? · departable fram oþer And alle þre bote o god þus abraham me tauhte And hope afterwarde · of god more me tolde And lerede me for hus loue to louye al man-kynde And hym abouen alle and hem as my-selue Noþer lacky ne alose ne leyue þat þer were Eny wyckeder in þis wordle þan y were my-self And most imparfit of alle persones · and pacientliche suffre Alle manere of men and þauh ich myghte me venge Ich sholde tholie and þonken hem þat me vuel wolde He seide soth quaþ þe samaritan and so ich rede þe also And as abraam þe olde · of o god þe tauhgte Loke þow louye and by-leyue · al þy lyf-tyme And if kynde witt carpe her aȝen · and oþer kynne þouhtes Oþer heretikes with argumens · þyn hond þou hem shewe For god þat al by-gan · in gynnynge of þe worlde Ferde furst as a fust · and ȝut is as ich leyue mundum pugillo continens . As with a fust with o fynger · yfolde to-gederes Til hym liked and luste · to vnlose þe fynger And profrede hit forth as with þe paume · to what place hit sholde The paume is þe piþ of þe honde · and profreþ forþ þe fyngres To mynestre and to make · þat myght of hond knoweþ And by-tockneþ trewely · telle ho-so likeþ The holy gost of heuene · he is as þe paume The fyngres þat freo beo · to felden and to clycchen By-tokneþ sotthliche þe sone · þat sent was tyl erthe Touchede and tastede · at techynge of þe paume Seynte marie a mayde · and mankynde lauhte natus ex maria virgine . The fader is þenne as þe fust · with fynger and with paume To huden and to holde · as holy wriȝth telleþ · omnia traham ad me ipsum . Al þat þe fynger gropeþ · graythly he grypeþ Bote yf þat þat he gropeþ · greue þe paume Thus are thei alle bote on · as hit an hande were A fust with a fynger · and afolla foll paume And as þe fust is ful hand · yfoolde to-gederes So is þe fader a ful god · þe furste of hem alle And as my fust is furst · er ich my fyngers shewe So is he fader an former · þe furste of alle þynges tu fabricator omnium . And alle þe myghte with hym is · was and worth euere Þe fyngres is ful hand for failled thei here ...þombe Portrey ne peynte partfitlicheparfitliche ich leyue Sholde no wryȝth worche · were he aweye Ryȝght so faillede þe sone · þe syre be ne myghte Ne holde ne helpe · ne hente þat he louede dextre dei tu digitus . The paume is pureliche þe honde · and haþ power by hym-self Oþer-wise þan þe wrytn(?)hen fust oþer werkmanshup of fyngres For þe paume haþ power to putten out þe Ioyntes And to vnfolde þe fust for hym hit bylongeþ And receyuen þat þe fyngres rechen · and refuse yf hym likeþ Al þat þe fyngres and þe fust · felen and touchen Beo he greuened with here gripe · þe holy gost let falle Thus is þe holigost god noþer grettoure neP.20.148: An dark ink mark above this word appears to be meaningless. lasse Thenne is þe sire oþer þe sone · and of þe same myghte And all þre nys bote o good · as my hand and my fyngres Vnfolde oþer yfolde · a fust wyse oþer elles Al is hit bote on hand · hou-so yturne hit Ac ho-so is hurt in þe hand · euene in þe myddes He may receyue ryght nouht reson hit sheweþ For þe fyngeres þat folde sholden · and þe fust make For peyne of þe paume power hym failleþ To clucche oþer to clawe · to cluppe oþer to holde Were þe myddel of myn hand · with-oute mal · esemalese In menye kynne manere ich myghte my-self helpe Boþe meue and amende þauh alle my fyngres oken By this simile he seide ·ich seo an euidence That ho-so synegeþ in þe seynt espirit asoillede worth he neuere Noþer her ne elles wer as ich herde telle qui peccat in spiritum sanctum . & cetera . He prikeþ god as in þe paume · þat peccat in spiritum sanctum . For þe fader is as þe fust · þe sone is as þe fyngres The holy gost of heuene he is as þe paume So ho-so synegeþ aȝens þe seynte espirit hit semeþ þat he greueþ God þer he gripeth · and wolde hus grace queynche For to a torche oþer to a taper · the trinite is likenede As wexe and a weke · and warme fur to-gederes And flaumed fuyr forth of hem boþe And as wex and weke were twynede to-gederes Fostren forþ a flaume · and a fayr lye That serueþ þes swynkeres · to seo by anyghtes So doþ þe syre and þe sone · and seynt espirit to-gederes Fostren forth a-mong* folke · fyn loue and by-leyue Þat alle kynne crystene clanseþ of synne And as þou suxt some tyme · sodenliche of a torche Þe blase beo blowen out · ȝut brenneþ þe weke With-outen lye and lyght · lyght fuyr in þe macche So is þe holy gost god · and grace with -oute mercy To alle vnkynde creatures · þat coueyten to distruye Leel lycame and lif · þat oure lorde shupte And as glowynge gledes · gladeþ nat þes workemen Þat worchen and waken · in wynteres nyghtes As doþ a kyx oþer a candele þat cauht haþ fuyr and blaseþ No more doþ þe syre ne þe sone ne seynte espirit to-gederes Graunten eny grace · ne for-gyuenesse of synnes Til þe holy gost by-gynne · to glowen and blase So þat þe holy gost gloweþ bote as agledea glede Til þat loue and by-leyue · leelliche to hym blowe Thenne flammeþ he as fuyr · on fader and on filius And melteþ myghte in-to mercy as wey may seo awyntera wynter Isykles in euesynges thorgh hete of þe sonne Melteþ in amynt whilea myntwhile · to myst and to water So grace of þe holy · gost · melteþ al to mercy The grete myghte of þe trinite to mercyable and to none oþere And as wex wiþ-oute more · vpon awarma warm glede Wol brennen and blasen beo thei to-gyderes And solasen hem þat mowe nat seon syttyng* in deorknesse So wol þe fader for-ȝyuen folke · of mylde hertes That rufulliche repenten · and restitucion maken In as muche as þei mowen · amenden and payen And yf hit sufficith nat for a-sethP.20.204: a-seth, "satisfaction" < AN asez. þat in suche wile deyn And þe wicke and þe warme fuyr wol make a fayr flamme For to murthen men with þat in meerk sytten So wol crist of hus curtesye and men crye hym mercy Boþe for-ȝeuen and for-ȝuten and ȝut bydde for ous To þe fader of heuene · for-ȝyuenesse to haue Ac hewe fuyr of a flynt · four hundred wynter Bote þou haue tache to take hit with · tunder and broches Al þy labour is lost · and al þy longe trauayl For may no fuyr no flamme make · faille hit hus kynde So is þe holigost god · and grace with-oute mercy To alle vnkynde creatures · as crist hym-self wittnesse Amen dico uobis nescio uos . Beo vnkynde to þyn emcrystene and al þat þow canst bidde Dele and do penaunce · day and nyght euere And puorchace al þe pardoun of paumpelon and or rome And Indulgences ynowe and be ingrat to þy kynde The holygost huyreþ nat · ne helpeþ þe be thow certayn For vnkyndenesse queyncheþ hym · þat he nat shyne Ne brenne ne blase cleer for blowynge of vnkyndenesse Seynt paul þe apostel proueþ wer ich lye . Si linguis hominum loquar & cetera . For-þi beoþ war ȝe wyse men þat with þe wordle deleþ That ryche beon and reson knowen reueleþ wel ȝoure soule Beoþ nat vnkynde ich consaile ȝou to ȝoure emcristene For menye of ryke men by my saule ich lye nat Ȝe brenneþ ac ȝe blaseþ nat and þat is a blynde bekne Non omnis qui dicit domine domine intrabit in regnum celorum . Mynne ȝe nat riche men · to wich a meschaunce Þat diues deyed and dampned · for hus vnkyndenesse Of hus mete and of hus moneye to men þat hit neodede Ȝut wan he hit nat with wrang ne with queynte sleythes Bote ryȝthfulliche as men þat · al hus richesse cam hym · And on hym-self seith þe book · soutelede hou he myghte · Most lordliche lyuen and leet hus lycame werie Cloþes of most cost · as clerkes bereth wittnesse Epulabatur splendide & induebatur bisso & purpura . And for he was a nigard · to þe neodful poure For godes treitour he his tolde for al hus trewe catel · And dampned is and dwelleþ · with þe deuel in helle Sitthþe he with-oute whiles wan · and wel myghte a-temye Lordliche for to lyuen and likyngliche be cloþede And is in helle for al þat howe wole riche nouthe Excuse hem þat beþ vnkynde · and ȝut here catel wonne With wiles and with luther wittes · and ȝut wollen nat atemye To gon semliche ne sitte sitth holy writ techeþ That þat wikkedliche is wonne · to wasten hit and to make frendes Facite uobis amicos de mammona iniquitatis . Eche arichea riche man ich rede reward her-of take And ȝeueþ ȝoure goud to þat god · þat grace of ariseþ For ȝe þat ben vnhende to hyse · hope ȝe none oþer Bote to dwelle þer diues is dayes with-outen ende Thus is vnkyndenesse · and a-queyncheþ as hit were The grace of þe holygost · godes owene kynde For þat þat kynde doþ · vnkynde for-doth Acorsede þeoues vnkende cristene men · for couetise and enuye Sleehþ a man for hus noebles · with mouth oþer with handes For þat þe holygost haþ to kepe and suche harlotes destruyen The wiche is lif and loue · the lye of mannes body For euery maner good man · may be lycknede to a torche Oþer elles to a taper · to reuerence with þe trinite . And ho-so morþrerþmorþer[e]þmorthereth a goud man · me þynkeþ in myn Inwitt He for-doþ þe light þat oure lorde · lokeþ to haue worsshep of And ȝut in mo maneres · men offendeþ þe holygost Ac þis is þe worste wise þat eny whight myghte Synegen a-ȝens þe seynt espirit assenten to destrueye For couetise of eny kynne · þyng þat cryst dere boughte How myghte he aske mercy · oþer eny mercy hym defende That wikkidliche and wilfulliche · wolde mercy anyente Innocence is next god · and nyght and day hit cryeþ Veniaunce veniaunce · for-ȝeue be hit neuere Þat shende ous and shadde oure blod · for-shupte ous as hit semede Vindica sanguinem iustorum . Thus veniaunce veniaunce verray charite askeþ And sitthen þat charite þat holychurche is chargeþ this so sore Leyue ich neuere þat oure lorde · atte laste ende Wol louye þat lyf þat loue and leel charite destruyen · Ich pose ich hadde Ich pose ich hadde syneged so quaþ ich · and sholde nouthe deye And now am ich sory þat ich so dude · þe seynt espirit to agulte Confesse me and crye hus grace · god þat al made And myldeliche hus mercy aske myghte ich nat be saued Ȝus seide þe samaritan so þou myghtest repente ThaP.20.285: Tha, "that, so that." ryght-wisnesse þorgh repentaunce tow reuthe myghte turne Ac hit is bote seilde seyn ther southnesse bereþ wittnesse Eny creature be coupable · by-for a kynges Iustice Beo yrauncsendeyraunsomed for repentaunce · þer al reson hym dampneþ Ther þat partye porsueþ þe apeel his so huge May no kynge mercy graunte til boþe men a-corden Þat ayþer partye haue a quyte as holy writt wittnesse Numquam dimittitur peccatum . & . cetera . Thus hit fareþ by suche folke þat folwen here owene wil Þat vuel lyuen and leten nat til hem for-sake synne Drede of desperacion þenne dryueþ a-wey grace Þat mercy in here mynde may nat þenne falle For good hope þat hem helpe sholde to wham hope turneþ And nat of þe vnpower of god · þat he nys ful of myghte To amenden al þat amys is · and hus mercy grettour Than alle oure wikkede werkus · as holy writ telleþ Misericordia eius super omnia opera eius . Ac er hus rightwisnesse to reuthe turne · restitucion hit makeþ As sorwe of herte is satisfaction · for suche as may nat paye Ac þre þynges þer beoþ þat doþ amana man to sterte Out of isP.20.305: is, "his." owene houehousehou[s]e · as holy writ sheweþ That on is a wikkede wif · þat wol nat be chastede Hure fere fleeth fro huere · for fere of huere tounge And yf hus hous be vnhelede · and ryne in hus bedde He sekeþ and sekeþ · er he slepe drye Ac when smoke and smorþre · smyt in hus eyen Hit doþ hym wors þan hus wif · oþer whete to slepe For þorw smoke and smorþ.re · smerteþ hus syghte Til he be blereyde oþer blynde · and þe borre in hus þrote Koweþ and corseþ þat crist ȝyue hym sorwe Þat sholde bryngge yn bettere wode · oþer blowe til hit brente These þre þat ich telle of thus beoþ to vnderstounde The wif is oure wikkede fleshe · wol nat be chastede For kynde clyueþ on hym euere · to contrarie þe soule And þauh he falle he fynt skyles þat frelete hit made And þat is lightliche for-ȝyue and for-ȝute boþe To man þat mercy askeþ and amende þenkeþ Ac þe reyn þat ryneþ þer we reste sholde · Beoþ syknesses and oþer sorwes þat we suffren ouht As seynt paul þe apostel · in hus pistles techeþ Nam uirtus in infirmitate perficitur And þauh men maken muche deol in here angre And beo inpacient in here penaunces pure reson knoweþ That þei han cause to contrarien by kynde of here syknesse And lightliche oure lorde at here lyues ende Haþ mercy of suche men · þat vuel may suffrye Ac þe smooke and þe smorþre · þat smyȝt in oure eyen Þat is couetise and vnkyndenesse · wich quencheþ godes mercy For vnkyndnesse is contrarie · of alle kynne reson For þer ne is syk ne sory ne non so muche wrecche Þat he ne may louye and hym lyke · and leue of hus herte Goude wil goud worde boþe whusshen and wylnen Alle manere of men · mercy and for-ȝeuenesse And louye hem yliche hym-sylf · þat hus lyf amende Ich may ne lenger lette quaþ he · and lyarde he prykede And wente away as þe wynde · and þerwith ich awakede Hic explicit passus tercius de dobet · P.20.340: The hic and the de dobet are shared with the incipit of the next passus Hic Incipit passus quartus de dobet · P.21.000: Hic and de dobet are shared with the explicit of the preceeding passus. W WOlwerieWollewaerd and wetschode wente ich forth after As a richelees renke · þat reccheþ nat of sorwe And ȝeode forþ lyke a lorell · al my lyf-tyme Til ich wax wery of þis worlde · and wilnede efte slepe And lenede me til lenten · and longe tyme ich slepte Of gurles and of gloria laus gretliche me dremede And how osanna by orgne · olde men songe On was semblable to þe samaritan and somdel to peers plouhman . Barfot on an asse bak bootles cam prykye With-oute spores oþer spere · and sprakliche he lokede As is þe kynde of a knyght · þat comeþ to be doubed To geten hus gilte spores · and galoches ycoped Thenne was faith in a fenestre · and cryde a filij dauid . As doþ an heraud of armes · when auntres comeþ to Iustes Olde Iuwes of ierusalem for ioye þei songen · benedictus qui uenit in nomine domini . Þenne ich fraynnede faith what al þat fare by-mente And ho sholde Iusten in ierusalem . iesus he seyde And fecche þat þe feond cleymeþ peers frut þe plouhman . Ys peers in þis place quaþ ich · and he preynkte vpon me Liberum dei arbitrium quaþ he · for loue haþ vndertake That þes Iesus of hus genterise · shal Iouste in peers Armes In hus helme and hus haberion · humana natura . ÞaP.21.23: Þa, "that." Cf. P20.285. crist be nat knowe for · consummatus deus . In peers plates þe plouhman thes prykere shal ryde For no dunt shal hym dere · as in in deitate patris . Ho shal Iouste with Iesus quaþ ich Iuwes oþer scrybes Nay quaþ faith bote þe feond · and fals dom to deye Deþ seith he wol for-do and a-doun brynge Al þat lyueþ oþer lokeþ · a londe and awaterea watere Lyf seyth þat he lyeþ and haþ leyde hus lyf to wedde Þat for al þat deþ can do with -Inne þre dayes To walke and fecche fro þe feonde peers frut þe plouhman And legge hym þer hym lykeþ · and lucifer bynde And for-bite a-doun and brynge · bale deþ for euere O mors tua ero mors · Thenne cam pilatus with muche peuple sedens pro tribunali . To seo hou douhtiliche deþ sholde do · and deyme here beyer ryght The Iuwes and þe Iustices aȝens Iesus þey were And alle þe court cryede crucifige lowede Thenne put hym apeloura pelour by-for pilat and seyde Thes Iesus of oure Iuwen temple · Iapede and despisede To for-don hit on a day · and in þe þre dayes after Edefien hit efte newe her he stant þat seyde hit And ȝut make as muche in alle manere poyntes Bothe as longe and as large · aloft and a-grounde And as wyde as hit euere was · this we whitnessen alle Crucifige quaþ a kachepol · he can of wicche-crafte Tolle tolle quaþ anoþer · and toke of kene þornes And by-gan of a grene þorne · a garlaunde to make And sette hit sore in hus hefd · and suthe seyde in enuye Aue rabi quaþ þat ribaud · a reodes shotte at hus eyen · And nailede hym with þre nayles naked on þe rode And with a pole poyson putten to hus lippes And bed hym drynke hus deþ to lette · and hus dayes lengthen And seide yf he sotthfast beo he wol hym-self helpen And now yf þow be criste crist godes sone of heuene Come a-doune of þis rode and þenne wole we leyue That lyf þe louyeþ · and wol nat lete þe deye Consummatum est quaþ crist and comsede for to sounye Pitousliche and paal · as prison þat deyeþ The lord of lyf and of light · þo leyde hus eyen to-gederes The day for drede þer-of with-drow and deork by-cam þe sonne The wal of þe temple to-cleef · euene a two pices The harde roche al to-rof · and ryght derk nyght semede The erthe quook and quashete · as hit quyke were And dede men for þat deon · comen out of deope graues And tolden wy þat tempest · so longe tyme durede For a byter bataile þe dede bodye seyde Lyf and deþ in þis deorknesse her on for-doþ þat oþer Ac shal no whitP.21.70: whit, "wight, being." wite witerliche · hoshalho shal haue þe mastrye Er soneday a-boute sonne rysynge and sank with þat til erthe Somme seiden he was godes sone · þat so faire deyede . vere filius dei erat iste . Somme seiden he can of sorcerye · good is þat we asaye Wher he be ded oþer nat ded · doun er he be take Two þeoues þer were þat þoleden deþ þat tyme Vpon crois by-side crist so was þe comune lawe Quikliche cam a cacchepol and crakede a-two here legges And here armes after of euerich of þo þeoues Ac þer was no boye so bolde · godes body to touche For he was knyght and kynges sone kynde for-ȝaf þat tyme Þat no boye hadde hardinesse hym to touche in deyynge Ac þer cam forth a blynde knyght with kene spere y-grounde Hihte longeus as þe lettere telleþ · and longe hadde lore hus sight By-fore pilat and oþer peuple · in þe place he houede Ac maugrey hus meny teþ he was mad þat tyme To Iouste with Iesus this blynde Iuwe longeus . For alle hij were vnhardy · þat houede þer oþer stonde To touche hym oþer to tryne hym oþer to take hym doun and graue hym Bote þis blynde bachelere þat bar hym þorw þe herte The blood sprang* doun by þe sper · and vnsperrede þe knyghtes eyen Tho feol þe knyght vpon knees · and cryed ihesus mercy Aȝens my wil hit was quaþ he · þat ich ȝow wonde made He syghede and seide · sore hit me for-þynkeþ Of þe dede þat ich haue donn · ich do me in ȝoure grace My londe and my licame · at ȝoure lykynge takeþ hit And haue mercy on me ryghtful · ihesu ryght with þat he wepte Thenne gan faith foully · þe false Iewes to despisen And calde hem caytifs a-corsed · for þis was a vil vilanye Veniaunce is to ȝou falle · þat makede þe blynde Beten hym þat was ded · hit was a boyes dede Corsede caityfs knyghthod was hit neuere To bete a body ybounde with eny bryȝth wepne Þe gree ȝut haþ he geten · for alle hus grete wondes For ȝoure campion chiualer · chief knyght of ȝow alle Ȝelt hym recreaunt remynge · ryght at iesus wil For beo þis deorkenesse ydo · deþ worth venkised And ȝe lordlinges han lost · for lyf shal haue þe maystrie And ȝoure fraunchises þat freo was · fallen is to þraldom And alle ȝoure children cheorles · chuuen shulle þei neuere Ne haue lordshup in lond noþer lond tylie And as barayne beo · and by vsure libbe The wiche is lif þat oure lorde · in alle lawes defendeþ Now beoþ ȝoure goode dayes don · as daniel of ȝow telleþ When crist with crois ouer-cam ȝoure kyngdom shal to-cleue Cum uenerit sanctus sanctorum cessabit unctio uestra . What for fere of þis ferly and of þe false Iewes Ich drow in þat deorknesse to descendit ad inferna . And þer ich seyh sothliche · secundum scripturas . Out of þe west as it were · a weynche as me þouhte Cam walkynge in þe way · to helle-ward heP.21.120: he, "she." lokede Mercy hihte þat mayde · a mylde þing* with-alle And a ful benyngne burde and buxum of speche Heore sustre as hit semede · cam softly walkynge Euene out of þe est · and westwarde hesheo þouhte AcomelyA comely creature and clene treuthe sheo hihte For þe vertue þat here folwede · afered was hesheo neuere Whan þeos maydenes metten mercy and treuthe . Ayþer axed of oþer · of þis grete wonder Of þe deone and deorknesse · and how þe day roued And wiche a light and wich aleoma leom · lay by-fore helle Ich haue ferly of þis fare · in faith seide treuthe And am wendyng to wyte · what þis wonder meneþ Haue no meruayle þer-of quaþ mercy murthe hit by-tokneþ A mayde þat hatte Marie and moder with-oute felynge Of eny kynde of creature · conceyuede þorw speche And grace of þe holygost waxe gret with childe With-oute wommen wem · in-to þis wordle brouhte hym And þat my tale is trywe ich take god to witnesse Sutthen þis barn was ybore · beoþ þritty wynter passed Deyed and deþ þolede þis day a-boute mydday That is þe cause of þis eclipse · þat ouer-closeþ now þe sonne In menynge þat man shal fro meorknesse beo drawe The while þis light and þis leom shal lucifer a-bleynde For patriarkes and prophetes han prechede her-of ofte ***???red crossThe rubricating scribe has drawn a large red cross in the right margin covering three lines. That þyng þat tynt was þorw treo treo shal hit wynne And þat þat deþ doun brouhte · deþ shal releue That þat þou tellest quaþ treuþe · is bote a tale of walterot For adam and eue . and abraham with oþere Patriarkes and prophetes þat in peyne liggen Leyf hit neuere þat ȝeon lyght · hem a-lofte brynge Ne haue hem out of helle · hold þy tonge mercy Hit is trufle þat þou tellest ich treuthe wot þe sothe That þyng þat ones was in helle · out comeþ hit neuere For Iob þe parfit patriarke repreoueþ þy lawes Quia in inferno nulla est redempcio . Thenne mercy ful myldeliche · mouþed þes wordes Þorgh experience quaþ heo · ich hope þei shulle be sauede For venym for-doþ venym þer vecche ich euydence That adam & eue haue shullen bote Of alle fretynge venymes þe vilest is þe scorpion May no medecyne amende þe place þer he styngeþ Til he be ded ydo þerto and þenne hit distrieþ The ferste venemoste thorgh vertu of hym-selue And so shal this deþ for-do · ich þar my lyf legge Al þat deþ and þe deouel · dude formest to eue . Ryght as þe gylour þorw gyle · by-gylede man formest So shal grace þat al by-gan · make a good ende And by-gyle þe gylour · and þat is a goo sleithe ars ut artem falleret . Now suffre we saide treuthe ich seo as me thynkeþ Out of þe nype of þe northtnorth · nat ful feer hennes Rythwisnesse come rennynge · reste we þe wyle For he wot more þan we · he was er þan we boþe That is soth seide mercy and ich seo her by southe Wer comeþ pees pleyinge In pacience cloþed Loue heore haþ coueyted longe leyue ich non oþer Bote loue haue sent heore som lettere · what þis light by-meneþ That ouere-houeþ helle þus · he shal ous telle Wenne pees In pacience cloþed · aproched ayþer oþer Ryghtwisnesse reuerencede pees in heore riche cloþinge And prayede pees to tellen huere · to what place he wolde In heore gay garnemens · wham he gladie þouhte My wil is to weynde quaþ pees and wel-come hem alle Þat meny day myghte ich nat seo · for meorknesse of synne Adam and eue and oþer mo in helle Moyses and meny mo mercy shullen synge And ich shal daunce þer-to · do also þow suster For iesus ioustede wel ioye by-gynneþ to dawen ad uesperum demorabitur fletus & ad matutinum leticia . Loue þat is my lemman suche letteres me sente Þat mercy my suster and ich · mankynde shullen saue And þat god haþ for-gyue · and graunted to al mankynde Mercy my suster and me to maynprise hem alle And crist haþ conuerted þe kynde of ryghtwisnesse Into pees and pyte of hus pure grace Lo here þe patente quaþ · pees . in pace in idipsum . And þat þis dede shal dure Rauest þou quaþ ryghtwesnesse · oþer þou ert right dronke Leyuest þou þat þe ȝon light vnlouke myghte helle And saue mannes soule · suster wene hit neuere AcAtA[t] þe bygynnynge of þe worlde god gaf þe dom hym-selue Þat adam and eue and hus issue alle Sholden deye doun-right · and dwelle in peyne euere Yf þei touchede þe treo and of þe frut eten Adam afterwarde · a-ȝens hus defense Faste fret of þat frut · and for-soke as hit were The leel loue of oure lorde · and hus lore boþe And folwede þat þe feonde tauhte and hus sheshesfleshes wil A-ȝens reson and ryghtwysnesse recorde þis with treuþe That here peyne is perpetuel no preyere may hem helpe For-thi let hem chewe as þei chose · and chide we nat susteres For hit is a botles bale þe byte þat þei eten And ich shal preye quaþ pees here peyne mote haue an ende Þat here wo in-to wele wende mote atte þe laste For hadde þei wist of no wo wele hadde þei nat knowe For wot no whitP.21.215: whit, "person, being." wat wele is · þat neuere wo suffrede Ne wat is hot hunger · þat hadde neuere defaute Ho couþe kyndeliche wit · colour discriue Hif alle þe worlde where whit oþer swan whit alle þynges Yf no nyght were no man as ich leyue Sholde wite whiterly · what day were to mene Ne hadde god suffrede of som oþer þan hym-selue He hadde nat wist wyterly weþer deþ wer sour oþer sweyte For sholde neuere right riche man þat lyueþ in reste and hele Ywyte what wo is · ne were þe deþ of kynde So god þat al by-gan of hus good wil By-cam man of a mayde · mankynde to saue And suffrede to be solde to seo þe sorwe of deyynge The wiche vnknytte alle care · and comsyng* is of reste For til moreyne mete with ous · ich may hit wel a-vowe Ne wot no whight as ich wene · what is ynowh to mene For-thi god of hus goudnesse þe furste man Adam He sette hym in solace furst · and in souerayne murthe And sutthe suffrede hym to synege · sorwe to fele To white white, "wit, know." þer-þorwwyte wat wele was · an kyndeliche to knowe And after auntrede god hym-self and touk adams kynde To white what he hadde suffred in þre sondry places Boþe in heuene and in erthe · and now to helle he þenkeþ To wite what alle wo is · þat what of alle ioye Omnia probate quod bonum est tenete . So shal hit fare by þis folke · here folie and here synne Shal lere hem what loue is and lisse with-outen ende For wot no whight what werre is · þer as pees regneþ Ne what whiterliche wele · til wele away hym teche Thenne was þer a whight · with two brode eyen Book hihte þat beau-pere · a bold man of specheP.21.245: The ill-formed <c> here looks very like a <t>. By godes body quaþ þes book · ich wole bere wyttnesse Tho þis barn was ybore · þer blased a sterre Þat alle þe wise of þe worlde · in owito wit a-corde Þat suche a barn was ybore in · bethleem þe cyte Þat mannes soule sholde saue · and synne destruye And alle þe elemens quaþ þe book here-of bereþ whitnesse Þat he was god þat al wrouhte · þe wolkene furst shewede To þat weren in heuene · token · stella comata . And tenden hit as a torche to reuerence hus burthe Þat light folwede þe lorde in-to þe lowe erthe The water whitnessedP.21.256: whitnessed, "witnessed." þat he was god · for god wente on hym drye Peter þe apostel · parceyuede hus gate And as he wente vpon þe water wel hym knewe and seide Domine iube me uenire ad te . Loo how þe sonne gan louke hure light in huere-selue When he sey hym suffry deþ þat sonne and see made Lo þe erthe for heuynesse · þat he wolde deþ suffre Quaquide as quike þyng · and alto quascheteal toquaschete þe roches Lo helle myghte nat holde · bote openede þo god deþ þolede And let out symondes sones to se hym honge on rode Non uisurum se mortem . Now shal lucifer lyue hit · thauh hym loþ þynke FoFor ihesus as a gyaunt · with a gyn comeþ ȝeonde To breken and to bete a-doun · al þat ben a-gayns hym And to haue out alle · of hem þat hym likeþ And ȝut ich book wol beo brent · bote he a-rise to lyue And conforten al hus kyn and out of care brynge And al þe Iuwene ioye · vnioyenen and vnlouken And bote yf þei reuerencen hus resurexion · and þe rode honoure And by-leyue on a newe lawe · beo ylost lyf and soule Suffre we saide treuthe and huyre and seo boþe AspiritA spirit speke to helle · and bit vnsperre þe ȝates Attollite portas principes uestras & eleuamini porte eternales & cetera . A voys loude in þat light to lucifer seide Princes of þis palys prest vndo þe ȝates For here comeþ with coroune · þe kynge of alle glorie · Thenne syhede satan · and seide to helle Suche a light a-ȝeyns oure leue lazar hit fette Colde care and combraunce · is come to ous alle Yf thes kyng* comen yn · mankynde wol he fecche And leden hit þer lazar is · and lightliche me bynde Patriarkes and prophetes han parled her-of longe Þat suche a lorde and a lyght shal leden hem alle hennes Ac rys vp ragamoffyn · and reche me alle þe barres That belial þe beel-syre · beot with þy damme And ich shal lette þis lorde and hus light stoppe Ar we þorw bryghtnesse be blent barre we þe ȝates Cheke we and cheyne we · and eche chyne stoppe Þat no light leopen yn at louer ne at loupe And þow astrot hot out · and haue out knaues Coltyng* and al hus kynne · oure catel to saue Brynston boilaunt · brennyng out casteþ hit Al hot in here heuedes þat entren ny þe walles Setteþ bowes of brake · a brasene gonnes And sheteþ out shot ynowh · hus shultrom to blende Sette mahon at þe mangenel · and mulle-stones þroweþ WhithP.21.302: Whith, "with." crokes and with kalketrappes · a cloye we hem echone Lusteþ quaþ lucifer · for ich þis lord knowe Boþe þis lord and þis lyght · is longe gon ich knew hym May no deþ þis lord dere · ne no deoueles queyntise And wher he wolde is hus wey · ac war hym of þe periles Yf he reue me of my ryght · he robbeþ me by mastrie For by ryght and reson þe renkes þat beon here Body and soule beþ myne · boþe good and ille For he hym-self hit seide · þat syre is of helle That adam and eue and al hus issue Sholden deye with deol · and here dwelle euere Yf þei touchede a treo oþer toke þer-of an appel Thus thees lorde of light suche a lawe made And sitthe he is so leel a lorde · ich leyue þat he wol nat Reuen ous of oure ryght sutthe reson hem dampned And sutthe we han beosesedbeo sesed · seuene þowsend wynter And neuere was þeraȝeyn · and now wolde by-gynne He were vnwrast of hus worde þat witnesse is of treweþe That is soþ seide satan · bote ich me soreP.21.320: An otiose mark appears above the final <e>. douhte For þow gete hem with gyle · and hus gardyn breke Ageyn hus loue and hus leue · on hus londe ȝeodest* Nat in forme of a feonde · bote in forme of an Addre And entisedest eue to ete · by heore one ve soli . And by-hihtest heore and hym . after to knowe As to godes with god boþe good and ille Thus with treison and with trecherie þou troiledest hem boþe And dudest hem breke he buxumnesse þorw false by-heste Thus haddest þou hem out · and hyder atte laste Hit is nat greythly getyn ther gyle is þe rote And god wol nat be by-gyled · quaþ gobelyn ne by-Iaped We haue no triwe title to hem · for þi treison hit makeþ For-thi ich drede me quaþ þe deouel · lest treuthe wol hem Fecche And as þow by-gyledest godes ymage · in goynge of an addre So haþ god by-gyled ous alle · in goynge of a wye For god haþ go quaþ gobelyn in a gome lyknesse This þritty wynter as ich wene · and went abowte and prechede Ich haue asailid hym with synne · and som tyme ich askede Wher he were god oþer godes sone · he gaf me short answere Thus haþ he troiled and trauailed In hus tyme Forþ like a tydy man · this to and þritty wyntere And wenne ich seih þat he was so ich sotelide how ich myghte Lette hem þat louede hym nat · lest þei wolde hym martryemartre Ich wolde haue lengthed hus lyf · for ich leyuede yf he deyede And hus soule huder come · he sholde shende ous alle The body wyle hit one bones ȝeden a-boute was hit euere To lere men to beo leel · eche man to louen oþer The wiche lif and lawe · be hit longe yusede Hit shal vndon ous deoueles · and don brynge ous alle Now yseoy seo wher hus soule comeþ · seilinge hiderwardes WhitP.21.351: Whit, "with." glorie and with gret light · god hit is ich wot wel Ich rede wey fleo quaþ þe feond · faste alle hennes For hus were betere nat beo þan a-byde in hus syghte For-thi lesynge lucifer · we loste furst oure ioye And out of heuene hider · thi pruede made ous falle For we lyuede on þy lesinges þer losten we blysse And now for a later lesynge þat þow lowe tyl eue WheP.21.358: Whe, "we." han lost oure lorshep · a londe and in helle Nunc princeps huius mundi Suþþe þat satan · myssayde þus foule Lucifer for hus lesynges · leyue ich non oþer Bote oure lord atte laste · lyeres here rebuke And wyten hem al þe wrecchednesse þat wrouht is on erthe Beo yware ȝe wise clerkes · and wytty men of lawe Þat ȝe by-gylie nat þeos men for atte laste dauid . Whittnesseþ in hus wrytynge what is lyeres mede Odisti omnes qui operantur iniquitatem . & perdes omnes qui loquntur mendacium . A lytel ich ouer-lep · for lesynges sake Þat ich ne segge as ich seih · suynge my teme For eft þat light bad vnlouke · and lucifer answerede What lord ert þu quaþ lucifer · a voys aloud seyde The lord of myght and of man þat made alle þynges Duke of þis dymme place · a-non vndo þe ȝates That crist mowe comen In · þe kynges sone of heuene And with þat breþ helle brake with alle beliales barres For enywyeeny wye oþer-warde · wyde openede þe ȝates Patriarkes and prophetes populus in tenebris Songen with seint Iohan . ecce agnus dei . Lucifer loke ne myghte · so lyght hym a-blente And þo þat oure lord louede with þat lyght forth flowen Lo me her quaþ oure lorde · lyf and soule bothe For alle synful soules to saue oure beyere ryght Myne þei were and of me · ich may þe beter hem cleyme Al þauh recson recorde · and ryght of my-selue That yf þei eten þe appel alle sholden deye Ich by-hihte hem nat here · helle for euere For þe dedliche synne þat þei duden · thi deceite hit made With gyle þow hem gete · a-geyn alle reson For in my paleis paradis in persone of an Addere Falsliche fettest þere · þat me by-feol to loke By-glosedest hem and gyledest hem · and my gardyn breke Aȝeyns my loue and my leyue · þe olde lawe techeþ Þat gylours beþ by-gylid and in here gyle falle And ho-so hitteþ out a mannes eye oþer elles hus for-teþ Oþere eny manere membre · maymeþ oþer hurteþ The same for shal · he haue þat enye so smyteþ Dentem pro dente & oculum pro oculo . So lyf shal lete þer lyf haþ lyf anyented So þat lyf quyte lyf · þe olde lawe hit askeþ Ergo soule shal soule quyte · and synne to synne wende And al þat man mys-dude · ich man to amenden hit And þat þat deþ for-dude · ich deþ to releuen Boþe aquyte and aquykye · þat was aqueynt þorwe synne And gyle be by-gyled · thorgh grace atte þe laste Ars ut artem falleret . & cetera . So leyf hit nat lucifer þat ich a-ȝens þe lawe Fecche here eny synful soule · souereynliche by maistrie Bo..þe þorgh ryght and reson · raunson here myne lige No.n ueni soluere legem . sed adimplere . So þat þorgh gyle was geten · þorwe grace is now ywonne And as Adam and alle þorw a treo deyden · Adam and alle þorgh a treo shal turne to lyue And now by-gynneþ thi gyle · agayn on þe turne And my grace to growe · ay wydder and wydder The biternesse þat þou hast browe · now brouk hit þy-self* That ert doctour of deþ · drynk þat þow madest* For ich þat am lord of lyf · loue is my drynke And for þat drynke to daye · deyede as hit semede Ac ich wol drynke of no dich · ne of no deep cleregie Bote of comune coppes alle cristene soules Ac þi drynke worth deþ · and deop helle þy bolle Ich fauht so me fursteþ ȝut · for mannes soule sake sicio . May no pyement ne pomade · ne presiouse drynkes Moyste me to þe fulle · ne my þurst slake Til þe vendage valle · in þe vale of Iosaphat . And drynke ryght rype most Resurreccio mortuorum . Then shal ich come as a kyng* · with coroune and with angeles And haue out of helle · alle menne soules Feondes and feondekenes · by-for me shullen stande And be at my byddyng* at blysse oþer att peyne Ac to beo merciable to man · þenne my kynde askeþ For we beoþ broþerne of blod · ac nat in baptisme alle Ac alle þat beoþ myn half broþerne · in blod and in baptisme Shal neuere eft in helle come · beo he ones oute Tibi soli peccaui & malum coram te feci . & cetera . Hit is nat vsed on erthe · to honge eny felones Ofter þan ones · þauh þei weren treitours And yf þe kyng of þe kyngdom · come in þe tyme Ther a þeof þoly sholde deþ oþer Iuwes Lawe wolde he ȝeue hym lyf · and he lokede on hym And ich þat am a kynge ouer kynges shal come suche tyme Ther þat dom to þe deoþ · dampned alle wyckede And yf lawe wol ich loke on hem hit lyth in my grace Wheþer þei ...deye oþer deye nat dude þei neuere so ille Be hit eny þyng dure ybouht þe boldnesse of here synne Ich may do mercy of my ryghtwisnesse · and alle myne wordes trywe For holy writ wole þat ich be awreke · of hem þat wrouhte ille As nullum malum impunitum & nullum bonum irremuneratum . And so of alle wyckede ich wolle here take veniaunce And ȝut my kynde in my kene yre shal contrarie my wil Domine ne in furore tuo arguas me neque in ira tua corripias me . To beo merciable to meny · of myne half-broþerne For blod may seo blood boþe a þurst and a cale Ac blod may nat seo blod · blede bote hym rewe · Audiui archana uerba que non licet homini loqui . Ac my ryghtwisnesse and my right shal regnen in helle And mercy and mankynde · by-for me in heuene For ich were an vnkynde kynge · bote ich my kyn helpe And nameliche at suche a neode · þat neodes help askeþ Non intres in iudicio cum seruo tuo domine . Thus by lawe quaþ oure lord · lede ich wol fro hennes Alle þat ich louye · and leyuede in my comynge Ac for þe lesynge þat þow lucifer lowe til eue . Þow shalt abygge bitere quaþ god · and bond hym with cheynes Astrott and alle oþere hudden hem in heornes Thei dorste nat loken on oure lorde · þe leste of hem alle Bote leot hym leden forth wich hym luste · and leue wiche hym lykede Mony hundrede of aungelis harpeden þo and songen Culpat caro purgat caro regnat deus dei caro . Thenne pipede pees of poetes a note Clarior est solito . post maxima nebula phebus Post inimicicias . clarior est et amor . After sharpest shoures quaþ pees moost shene is þe sonne Ys no weder warmer · þan after watery cloudes Noþer loue leuere · ne leuere freondes Þan after werre and wrake · wanne loue and pees beon maistres Was neuere werre in þis worlde ne wykkeder ennye Þat loue and hym luste to lauhynge brouhte Treuwes quaþ treuthe þou tellest soþ by · iesus Cluppe we in couenaunt · and ech of ous cusse oþer And leet no peuple quaþ pees parceyue þat we chide For impossible is no þyng to hym þat is al-myghty Þow seist soþ quaþ rightwisnisse and reuerentliche heo custe . pees and pees heore · per secula seculorum . Misericordia & ueritas obuiauerunt sibi . Iusticia & pax osculate sunt . Treuthe trompede þo · and song* te deum laudamus . And þenne lutede loue In alowd note Ecce quam bonum & quam iocundum est habitare fratres in unum . Tyl þe day dawede these damseles daunsede That men rang to þe resurectioun · and with þat ich a-wakede And kallyd kytte my wyf · and kalote my doughter Arys and go reuerence godes resureccioun And creop on kneos to þe croys and cusse hit for a Iuwel An ryghtfullokest a relyk non riccher on erthe For godes blesside body hit bar for oure bote And hit a-fereþ þe feonde for such is þe myghte May no grysliche gost glyde þer hit shadeweþ · Hic Explicit passus quartus & ultimus de dobet . P.21.496: The trailer shares the Hic with the incipit of the succeeding passus. Hic Incipit passus primus de dobest · Tthus ich awakede and wrot what ich hadde dremed And dyhte me derly · and dude me to churche To huyre holliche þe masse and be housled after In myddes of þe masse þo · men ȝeden to offrynge Ich feel eft-sones aslepe · and sodeynliche me mette That peers the plouhman was peynted al blody And cam yn with acroysa croys · by-fore þe comune peuple And right like in alle lymes · to oure lord ihesu . And þenne calde ich conscience to kenne me þe soþe Is this ihesus þe Iouster quaþ ich · þat Iuwes duden to deþe Oþer is hit peers plouhman ho peynted hym so rede Quaþ conscience and kneolede þo this aren cristes armes Hus colours and hus cote armure · and he þat comeþ so blody Hit is crist with isP.22.14: is, "his." crois · conquerour of crystine Whi calle ȝe hym crist siþthen þat Iuwes cald hym · ihesus Patriarkes and prophetes propheciede by-fore Þat alle kynne creatures sholden kneolen and bowen Anon as men nempned · þe name of god ihesu . Ergo is no name · to þe name of ihesu . And non so neodful to nempne by nyghte ne by daye For alle deorke deoueles · dreden hit to huyre And synful ben solacede · and saued by þat name And ȝe callen hym crist for what cause telleþ me Is crist more of myght · and more worþiere name Than ihesu oþer iesus þat al oure ioy come of Thow knowest wel quaþ conscience and þow conne reson Þat knyght kyng conqurour may be o persone To beo cald aknyghta knyght as[i]sis fair · for men shal to hym kneole To be cald a kyng* · is fairour for he may knyghtes make And to be cald conquerour that comeþ of special grace Of hardynesse of heorte and of hendenesse To make lordes of laddes · of londe þat he wynneþ And fre men foule þralles · þat folwen nat hus lawes The Iuwes þat weren gentel men ihesu þei dispiseden Boþe hus lore and hus lawe · now aren þei lowe cheorles As wide as þe worlde is wonyeþ þer none Bote vnder tribut and taillage as tikes and cheorles And þo þat by-comen cristene · by counsail of þe baptist . Aren frankelayns and freo þorgh fullyng* þat thei toke And gentel men with ihesu for ihesus was yfulled And vp-on caluarie with croys coronede kyng of Iuwes Hit by-comeþ for a kyng to kepen and defende And conquerour of hus conqueste hus laies and hus large So dude ihesus þe Iuwes · he Iustefiede and tauhte hem The lawe of þe lykyng lyf þat laste shal euere And fendede hem fro foule vueles feueres and fluxes And fro feondes þat were in hem and false by-leyue Þo was he ihesus of Iuwes cald · gentel prophete And kyng of here kyndgdom · and corone bar of þornes And þo conquered he on croys as conquerour noble Myghte no deþ hym for-do ne adoun brynge Þat he ne aros and regnede · and rauesshede helle And þo was he conquerour called of quyke and of dede For he ȝaf adam & eue and oþer mo blisse Þat longe hadde leye by-fore · as luciferes cheorles And tok lucifer þe loþliche þat lord was of helle And bond hym as he is bounde · with bondes of yren Ho was hardier þan he · hus heorte blode he shadde To maken alle foolk freo þat folwen hus lawe And sutthe he ȝaue largeliche · alle hus leel lege Places in paradis at here partyng* hennes He may beo wel cald conquerour · and þat is crist to mene Ac þe cause whi he comeþ þus with croys and hus passion Ys to wissen ous þer-with · þat when we beo temptid Ther-with to fighten and fenden ous · fro fallyng* into synne And seo by hus sorwe þat ho-so loueþ ioye To penaunce and to pouerte · he mot putte hymselue And muche wo in þis worlde · wilnen and suffren Ac to carpe more of crist and how he cam to þat name Faithly for to speke · hus furste name was ihesus . Tho he was bore in bethleem · as þe book telleþ And cam to take mankynde · kynges and aungeles Reuerencide hym right faire · with richesse of eorthe Aungeles of heuene · comen kneolede and songen gloria in excelsis deo . Kynges comen after · kneolede and offride Muche gold and murre · with-oute mercy askynge Oþer eny kynne catel bote knewelichede hym souereyn Boþe of sand sonne and see and sitthen þei wente In-to here kyngene kutthe by counsail of aungeles And þer was þat word fulfild · þe wich thou of speke Omnia celestia terrestria flectantur in hoc nomine ihesu . For alle þe aungeles of heuene · at hus burthe kneolede And al þat wit of þe worlde · was in þo þre kynges Reson and ryghtfulnesse · and reuthe þei offrede · Were-fore and whi wise men þat tyme Maistres and lettred men magi hem calde That on kyng cam with reson keuered vnder sense The secounde kynge sitthen · sothliche he offrede Ryghtwisnesse vnder red gold · resones felawe Gold is licknede to leaute þat laste shal euere And reson to ryche gold · to right and to treuthe The þridde kynge cam þo · and kneolede to iesu And presentide hym with pite · aperynge by mirre For mirre is mercy to mene and mylde speche of tonge Eorthliche honeste þynges was offred þus at ones Þorgh þre kynde kynges kneolyng* to ihesu . Ac for alle þes preciose presentes · oure lord ihesus . Was noþer kyng no conquerour til he comsede wexe In þe manere of man · and þat by muche sleithe As hit by-comeþ for a conquerour to conne menye sleithes And menye whiles and wyt · þat wol be a ledere And so dude ihesus in hus dayes · ho-so dorste tellen hit som tyme he suffrede · and som tyme he hidde hym · And som tyme he fauhte faste · and fleih oþer-wile And som tyme gaf good · and grauntede hele Boþe lyf and lyme as hym luste he wrouhte As is of a conquerour so comsede ihesus Til he hadde alle hem þat he for bledde In hus Iuuente thes ihesus at Iuwene feste Turned water in-to wyn · as holy writ telleþ And þer by-ganP.22.111: ***??? @er-by gan?? god of hus grace gretliche to dowel For wyn is lykned to lawe and lyf holynesse And lawe lackede þo · for men louede nat here enemy And crist counsaileþ thus · and comaundeþ boþe To lerede and to lewede · for to loue oure enemys So at þat feste furst · as ich by-fore tolde By-gan god of hus grace · and of hus goodnesse dowel And þo was he clipede and cald · nat onliche crist bote ihesu . A fauntekyn ful of wytt filius Marie . For by-fore hus moder Marie made he þat wonder That sheo furst and formest sholde ferm by-leyue That he thorgh grace was gete and of no gome elles He wrouhte þat by no wyt bote by worde one After þe kynde þat he cam of ther comsede he dowel And wenne he was woxen more · in hus modres absence He made lame to leepe and ȝaf light to þe blynde And fedde with to fisshes and with fyue louesSo afyngred fele So a-fyngred fele folke · mo þan fyf þousand Thus he comfortede careful · and cauhte a grettere name The wiche was dobet wher þat he wente For deue þorgh hus doynges and dombe speke and herde And alle he heled and halp þat hym of grace askyde Tho he was callyd in þe contreo · of þe comune peuple For þe dedes þat he dude fili dauid Iesus . For dauid was þe douhtiest · of dedus in hus tyme The buyrdes so songen saul interfecit mille & dauid decem milia . For-þi þe contreye þer ihesu cam · cald hym fili dauid . Nempnede hym of nazareth and no man so worthi To beo caiser oþer kyng* of þe kyngdom of Iuda Ne ouere Iuwes Iustice · as ihesus hem þouhte Her-of hadde cayfas enuye · and oþere Iuwes And for to do hym to diþe · day and nyght þei casten And culled hym on croys wyse · at caluarye on afrydaya fryday And sutthen buriede hus body · and beden þat men sholde Kepen hit fro nyght-commeres · with knyghtes yarmed For no freonde sholde hit fecche · for prophetes hem tolde That þat blesside body · of burielesse sholde aryse And gon in-to galile · and gladen hus apostoles . And hus moder Marie thus me by-fore deuynede The knyghtes þat kepten hit · by-knewen hem-selue Þat aungeles archaungeles ar þe day spronge Comen kneolynge to þat corps · and songen Christus rex resurgens and hit aros after Verrei man by-fore hem alle · and forþ with hem ȝeode The Iuwes preyede hem of pees · and preyede þo knyghtes Telle þe comune þat þer cam · a companye of hus aposteles And by-wocched hem as thei woke · and away stelyn hit Ac marie magdalene mette hem by þe weye Goynge to-ward galile · in god-hede and man-hede And lyues and lokynge · and heo aloud cryede In eche companye þer heo cam Christus resurgens . Thus cam hit out · þat crist ouer-cam · rekeouered and leyuede Sic oportet christum pati & intrare gloriam suam . For þat wommen witeþ · may nat wel be consail Peter parceyuede al þis and porsuede after Boþe Iames and Iohan . Ihesu to seke Tadee and ten mo · with thomas of ynde And alle þese wise weyes · weren to-gederes In an hous al by-shutt and here dore barred Crist cam yn and al was closed boþe dore and ȝates To peter and to hus aposteles · and seyde pax uobis . And took thomas by þe hand · and tauhte hym þe grepe And fele with hus fyngres · hus fleshliche heorte Thomas touchede hit · and with hus tunge seyde dominus meus & deus meus . Thow ert my lord ich by-leyue · god lord ihesu . That deydest and deþ þoledest and deme shalt ous alle And now ert lyuynge and lokynge · and laste shalt euere +P.22.178: Illegible marks in the near right margin may have prompted the cross in the far right margin? Crist carpede þenne · and corteisliche seide Thomas for thou trowest this · and trewely by-leyuest hit Yblessed mote þou beo · and beo shalt for euere And blessed moten þei beo · in body and in soule Þat neuere shullen seo in syht · as þou seost nouthe And leelly by-leyuen al this · ich loue hem and blesse hem Beati qui non uiderunt & crediderunt . And when þis dede was don dobest he þouhte And ȝaf peers power · and pardon he grauntede To alle manere of men · mercy anP.22.195:an, "and." forȝyuenesse And ȝaf hym myghte to asoylye men · of alle manere synnes In couenaunt þat þei come and kneweliched to paye To peers pardon plouhman . Redde quod debes . Thus haueþ peers power beo hus pardon payed To bynde and vnbynde · bothe here and elles wer And assoille of alle synnes · saue of dette one A-non after an hyh · vp in-to heuene He wente and woneþ þere and wol come atte laste And rewardy hem right wel · þat Reddit quod debet . Payeþ now parfitliche · as pure treuthe wolde And wat persone payeþ hit nat punysshen he þenkeþ And demen hym at domesday · boþe quyke and dede The gode to þe god-hede · and to grete ioye And wyckede to wonye in wo with-outen ende Thus conscience of crist and of þe croys carpede And consailede me to kneole þerto and þenne cam me þouhte On spiritus paraclitus to peers and to hus felawes In licknesse of a lyghtynge · a lyghte on hem alle And made hem come and knowe · alle kynne langages Ich wondrede what þat was · and waggede conscience And was aferede for þe lyght · for in fuyres lyknesse Spiritus paraclitus ouer-spradde hem alle Quaþ conscience tho and kneolede · this is cristes messager And comeþ fro þe grete god grace is hus name Kneole now quaþ conscience and yf þow conne synge Welcome hym and worshupe hym with veni creator spiritus . And ich sang* þat song* þo · and so dude meny hondrede And cryden with conscience help ous god of grace Tho by-gan grace to go · with péérs the plouhman . And consailede hym and conscience the comune to someny For ich wolle dele to-day · and diuyde grace To alle kynne creatures · þat can hus fif wittes Tresour to lyue by to huere lyues ende And wepne to fighte with þat wol neuere faille For auntecrist and hise shal al þe worlde greue And encombry þe conscience · bote yf crist þe helpe And fele false prophetes flaterers and glosers Shullen come and be curatours · ouer kynges and Erles Thanne shal pruyde be pope · and pryns of holychurche Couetise and vnkyndenesse cardinales hym to lede For-þi quaþ grace ar ich go · ich wole gyue ȝow tresour And wepne to fyghte with · wanne aunticrist ȝow assailleþ And gaf ech man a grace ·to gye with hym-self Þat ydelnesse ne encombrie hem nat · ne enuye ne pruyde Diuisiones graciarum sunt . To somme men he ȝaf wit wordes to shewe To wynne with truthe þat þe wordle askeþ As preostes and prechours · and prentises of lawe Thei to lyue leelly by labour of tounge And by wit to wyssen oþere · as grace hem wolde teche And somme he kende hem craftes · and connynge of syghte With syllynge and byggynge · here by-lyue to wynne And somme he lerede to laboure a lonnde and a watere And lyue by þat labour · a leel lyf and trewe And somme he tauhte tulye to teche and to coke As here wit wolde · when the tyme come And somme to dyuyne and dyuyde numbres to kenne And to compassen and colours to make And somme to seo and to seye what sholde by-falle Bothe of wele and of wo · and be war by-fore As astronomyens · þorw astronomye and philosopheres wise And somme to ryde and rekeuere þat vnrightfulliche was wonne He wissede men wynnen hit aȝeyn · þorgh wyghtnesse of handes And Fecchen hit fro false men with foleuyles lawes And somme he lereredelerede to lyue · in longynge to be hennes In pouerte and in pacience to preye for alle crystyne And alle he lerede to beo leell and eche acraftea crafte loue oþere Noþer bost ne debat beo among* hem alle Thauh somme be clannore þan some · ȝe seon wel quaþ grace . That alle crafte and connygeconnyng · cam of my ȝyfte Loke þat non lacken oþer · bote louye as broþrene And he þat most maistries can · beo myldest of berynge And coroneþ conscience kyng* · and makeþ craft ȝoure stywarde And after craftes consail · cloþeþ ȝow and fedeth For ich make peers plouhman my procuratour and my reue And registrer to receyuen redde quod debes . My power and my plouhman peers shal beo on erthe And for to tulye treuthe ateomea teome shal he haue Grace gaf to peers a teome · of foure grete oxen That on was luc a large beest and a louh chyrede Marc and matheu þe þirde · myghty beestes boþe And Ioyned til hem on Iohan most gentil of alle The prys neet of peers plouh · passynge alle oþere And sitthe grace of hus goodnesse gaf peers foure stottes Al þat hus oxen ereden · thei to harwen after On hihte austyn . and ambrosie anoþer Gregori the grete clerk and Ierom þe goode Theose foure the faith to teche · folwede peers teom And harowede in an hand-wyle · al holy scripture With to eythes þat thei hadden an olde and anywea nywe Vetus testamentum et nouum . And grace gaf to peers greynes cardinales uertues . And sewe hit in mannes soule and sitthen he tolde here names Spiritus prudencie þe furste sed hihte Þat ho-so eete þat seed · ymagenye he sholde Er he dude eny dede deuyse wel þe ende And lerede men a ladel bygge with a long stele That caste for to kele a crokke · and saue þe fatte aboue The secunde seed highte spiritus temperancie . He þat eete of þat seed · hadde suche akyndea kynde Sholde neuere mete ne myschief make hym swelle Ne sholde no scornere · out of skyle hym brynge Noþer wynnynge ne welthe · of wordliche richesse Wast word ne ydelnesse ne wyckede speche meoue Sholde no curiouse cloþe come on hus rygge Noþer mete in hus mouthe · þat maister Iohan spicede The þrydde seod þat peers · sewe was spiritus fortitudinis . And ho-so ete of þat seed hardy was he euere To suffren al þat god sente · syknesses and angres Mighte no lyere with lesynges ne loos of wordly catell Make hym for eny mournyng* þat he ne was mury in soule And bold of a bydyng* busemares to suffren And plede with pacience · and · parce michi domine . And keouered hym vnder consail · of caton þe wise Esto forti animo cum sis dampnatus inique . The furthe seed þat peers sewe waswas spiritus iusticie And he þat eete of þat seed · sholde be euene trywe With god and nat a-gast · bote of gyle one For gyle goþ so priuely · þat good faithe oþer-wyle May nat be aspiede · þorw spiritus iusticie . Spiritus iusticie spareþ nat to spille Hem þat beoþ gulty · and for to corecte The kyng* and þe kyng* falle · in eny þynge gulty for counteþ he no kynges wraþthe · when he in court sytteþ To deme as a domesman · adrad was he neuere Noþer of duk ne of deþ · þat he ne doþ þe lawe For present oþer for preyoure · oþere eny princes letteres He dude equyte to alle · euene-forth hus knowynge Theese foure seedes peeres sew and sutthen he dude hem harwen With olde lawe and with newe lawe · þat loue myghte wexe A-monge these foure vertues and vices destruyen For cominlicheP.22.319: The intended spelling is probably comunliche. in contreies · cammokes and weodes Fouleþ þe frut in þe felde þer þei growen to-gederes And so doþ vices anP.22.321: an, "and." vertues · and for-thi quaþ péérs . Harweþ alle þat conneþ kynde wit · by counsail of theose doctours And tulieþ after here techinge · þe cardinale uertues . Aȝeynst þat þi greynes quaþ grace bygynneþ to growe Ordeyne þe an hous péérs to herberghen in thi cornes By godes grace quath peers ȝe mote gyue me tymber And ordeyne þat hous herP.22.327: her, "ere, before." ȝe hennes wennde And grace gaf hym þe croys with þe corone of þornes Þat crist vpon caluarie · for mankynde one peynede And of hus baptisme and blod · þat he bledde on rode He made a maner morter and mercy hit hihte And þer-with grace by-gan · to make a good foundement And watelide hit and wallyde hit with hus peynes and hus passion And of alle holy writt · he made a roof after And cald þat hous vnite holychurche in englishe And wanne þis dede was don grace deuysede A cart hihte cristendome · to carien hom peers sheues And gaf hym capeles to hus cart contricion with confession . And made preosthod haiwarde the wile hym-self wente As wide as þe worlde is · with peers to tulye treuthe . And þe londe of by-leyue · þe lawe of holychurche Now is peeres to þe plouh pruyde hit aspide · And gadered hym a gret ost · greuen he þenkeþ Conscience and alle cristene and cardinale uertues . To blowen hem doun and breken hem · and bite ato þe rotes And sente forþ sourquidours · hus seriauns of armes And hus aspie spille loue · on speke vuel by-hynde These to comen to conscience and to cristyne peuple And tolden hem tydynges þat tyne þey sholde The seedes þat syre peers sewe þe cardinale uertues . And peers bern worth to broke · and þei þat ben in vnite . Shullen come out and conscience and ȝoure two capeles Contricion and confession and ȝoure cart bileyue . Shal be colered so queyntely and keouerede vnder oure sophistrie That conscience shal nat knowe by contricion . Noþer by confession ho is cristyne oþer .heþene Ne no manere marchaunt · þat with monye deleþ Weder he wynne wit right oþer with wrang* oþer with vsure With suche colour and queyntise · comeþ pruyde armede With þe lord þat lyueþ · after þe luoust of hus bodye To wasten in welfare · and in wickede kepynge Al þe worldle in awhile · þorugh oure wit quaþ pruyde Quaþ conscience to alle crystyne tho my consail is we wende Hastiliche into vnite and holde we ous þere Preye we þat apeesa pees were in peers bern þe plouhman For wyterly ich wot wel · we beoþ nat of strengthe To go a-gayn pruyde bote grace with ous were And þenne cam kynde wit conscience to teche He criede and comaundede alle cristyne people To delue and dike a deop diche al aboute vnite Þat holychurche stod in holynesse · as hit were apilea pile Conscience comaundede þo · alle crystyne to delue And make a muche mot · þat myghte be a strengthe To helpe holychurche and hem þat hit kepeþ Thenne alle kynne cristyne · saue comune wommen Repentede and refusede synne · saue thei one And assisour and a somenour · þat weren for-swore ofte Whitynge and wilffulliche with þe false þei holden And for seluere were for-swore · sothly þei wisten hit Ther ne was cristyne creature þat kynde wit hadde Þat he ne halp a quantyte holynesse wexe Somme by bedes byddyng* · and somme by pilgrimages OþeOþe[r]or oþere pryueie penaunces · and somme þorw pans delynge And þenne water wellede · for wyckede werkes Egreliche ȝernynge · out of mennys eyen · Clannesse of þe comune · and clerkes clene lyuynge Made unite holychurche · in holynesse stonde Ich care nat now quaþ conscience thauh pruyde come nouthe The lord of loust shal beo lett · al þis lente ich hope Comeþ now quaþ conscience ȝe cristyne and dyneþ Þat han labored leelly · al þis lente tyme Her is bred yblessid · and godes body þer-vnder Grace gaf þorw godes worde · to peers plouhman power And myghte to maken hit · and men for to etyn hit In help of here hele · ones in a mounthe Oþer as ofte as thei hadde neode · thei that hadden payed To peers pardon plouhman . Redde quod debes . How quaþ alle þe comune · consailest thou ous to ȝelde Al þat we owen eny wyght · er we go to housele That is my consail quaþ conscience · and cardinale vertues Oþer ech man for-ȝeue oþer and þat wole þe paternoster . Et dimitte nobis debita nostra . sicut & nos & cetera And so to beo a-soillede · and sytthen beo housled Ȝe bawe quaþ a brewere ich wol nat beo ruelede By Ihesu for al ȝoure iangelynge · after spiritus iusticie · Ne after conscience by crist for ich couþe selle Boþe dregges and draf · and drawe at one hole Thicke ale and þynne ale · and þat is my kynde And nat to hacke after holynesse · hold þy tonge conscience Of spiritus iusticie þow spekest muche an ydel Caitif quaþ conscience corsede wrecche Vnblessed ert þow brewere bote yf god þe helpe Bote þow lyue by þe lore of spiritus iusticie . The chef seede þat peers sewe · saued worst þou neuere Bote conscience þe comune fede · and cardinale vertues Leyf* hit wel we beon lost boþe lyf and soule Thenne is meny man ylost · quaþ a lewede vicory Ich am a curatoure of holychurche · and cam neuere in my tyme Man to me þat couthe telle of cardinale uertues . Oþer þat acountede conscience a cockes feþer oþer an hennes Ich knew neuere cardinal þat he ne cam fro þe pope And we clerkes when thei comeþ for here comunes payeþ For here pelure and palfrayes mete · and pylours þat hem folwen The comune clamat cotidie eche man to oþere The countrey is þe corsedour þer cardinales comeþ ynne And ther thei liggyn and lengen most · lecherie þer regneþ For-þi quaþ þeis vicory by verrai god ich wolde Þat no cardinal come a-mong* þe comune peuple Bote in here holinesse · heolden hem stille At Auenoun a-mong* Iuwes cum sancto . sanctus eris & cetera . Oþer in rome as here ruwele wolde · þe relikes to kepe And thow conscience in kynges court · and sholdest neuere go þennes And grace þat thou so gredest of · were gyour of alle clerkes And peers with hus newe plouh · and hus olde boþe Emperour of alle þe worlde þat alle men were cristyne Imparfit is þe pope · þat al þe peuple sholde helpe And soudeþ hem þat sleeþ suche · as he sholde saue Ac wel worthe peers plouhman þat porsueþ god in doynge Qui pluit super iustos . & iniustos at ones And sent þe sonne to saue · a corsed mannes tulthe As bryght as to þe beste man · oþer to þe beste womman Right so peers plouhman peyneþ hym to tulie As wel for awastoura wastour oþer for awenchea wenche atte stuwes As for hym-self and his seruauns · saue he is furst yserued So blessed beo peers plouhman þat peyneþ hymP.22.442: ***???CHECK THE MS. The tilde, if indeed it is a tilde, is written in darker ink than the surrounding text. MS Sc also reads hy. to tulie And trauaileþ and tuleþ · for a tretour al-so sore As for a triwe tydy man · alle tymes lyke And worsheped be þat wrouhte al · boþe good and wykke And suffren hem þat synful beon · til tyme þat thei repenten And god amende þe pope þat pileþ holichurche And cleymeþ by-fore þe kynge · to beo kepere ouere cristyne And counteþ noȝt þauh cristine men be culled and robbed And fyndeþ folke to fighte and cristene blod to spille Aȝeyn þe lawe boþe old and nywe · as luk bereþ wittnesse Non occides . Michi uindictam . Sikerliche hit semeþ · by so hym-self hadde hus wil Þat hym reckeþ right nought · of al þe oþer remenaunt And crist of hus cortesye · þe cardinales saue And turne here wit to wisedom · and welþe for þe soule For þe comune quaþ þes curatour counten ful litel The consail of conscience oþer cardinale uertues . Bote hit soune as by syght · som-what to wynnynge Of gile ne of gabbynge · gyueþ þei neuere tale For spiritus prudencie a-mong* þe peuple is gyle And tho faire vertues · as vices thei hym semeþ Eche man soteleþ sleithe · synne to huyde And coloreþ hit for a connynge · and a clene lyuynge Thenne louh þer a lorde · and by this light seide Ich halde hit right and reson · to take of my reeue Al þat myn auditour · oþer elles my stiwarde Conseileþ me by here a-counte · and my clerkes wrytynge With spiritus intellectus thei toke þe reeue rolles And with spiritus fortitudinis fecche hit wol he nul he Thenne cam þer a kynge and by hus corone seide · Ich am akynga kyng with corone þe comune to reule And holychurche and clergie · fro corsede men to defenden And yf me lackeþ to lyue by · þaþ[e]þe lawe wole þat ich take Ther ich may haue hit hastminimelokest for ich am hefd of lawe And ȝe ben bote membrys · and ich a-boue alle Sitthen ich am ȝoure alre hefd ich am ȝoure alre hele And holychurches chef help · and chefteyn of þe comune And what ich take of ȝow two ich take hit at techynge Of spiritus iusticie for ich Iuge ȝou alle So ich may baldely beo houslede for ich borwe neuere Ne craue of my comune bote as my kynde askeþ In condicion quaþ conscience þat þou conne defende And ruele þy reame in reson right wel and treuthe Þan þat þou haue þyn askyng* as þe lawe askeþ Omnia sunt tua ad defendendum . sed non ad deprehendendum . The vikery hadde feer hom · and faire tok hus leue And ich a-wakede þer-with · and wrot as me mete Hic . explicit passus primus de dobest · P.22.491: The Hic and the de dobest are shared with the incipit of the next passus. Red lines connect the shared portions of the incipit and explicit. Hic . Incipit passus secundus de dobest ·P.23.000: Hic and de dobest are shared between the trailer of the last passus and the header of this one. a And as ich wente by þe way when ich was þus awakede Heuy chired ich ȝeode · and elynge in heorte For ich ne wiste wher to ete ne in what place And neyhede ny þe noon and with neode ich mette Þat a-frontede me foule · and faitour me calde Couþest þou nat he seide excuse þe · as dude þe kyng* and oþere That þou toke to lyue by · to sustinaunce and cloþes As by techinge and tellynge of spiritus temperancie . And þat þou nome no more · þan neode þe tauhte Neode haþ no lawe · ne neuere shal falle in dette For þre þynges þat he takeþ hus lyf for to saue That is mete whanne men hym wyrneþ for he no monye weldeþ And wot þat non wol be hus borgh noþer haþ wed to legge And he cacche in þat cas and come þer-to by sleithe Soþliche he syneweþ nat þat so wynneþ hus fode And þauh he come so to cloþ and can no betere cheuesaunce Neode nymeþ hym a-non · vnder hus mayn-pryse And ȝeueþ hym loust for to lape þe lawe of kynde wolde Þat he dronke of eche a diche · er he deide for þerste So neode at grete neode may nyme as for hus owene With-oute consaile of conscience or cardinale uertues . So þat he suwe and saue spiritus temperancie . For is no vertue by-fore to spiritus temperancie . Noþer spiritus iusticie . ne spiritus fortitudinis . For spiritus fortitudinis forfeteþ ful ofte He shal do more þan mesure meny tyme and ofte And bote men ouere bittere · and som body to lyte And greue men grettour þan good faith wolde And spiritus iusticie shal Iugen wol he nul he After þe kynges counsaile · and þe comune lyke And spiritus prudencie in menye poynt shal fayle Of þat he weneþ wolde falle yf isP.23.32: is, "his." wit ne were Wenynge is no wisedome ne wys ymaginacion Homo proponit deus disponit god gouerneþ alle Goode vertues next hym is neode for a-non he meokeþ And is as louh as a lomb · for lackynge of þat hym neodeþ For neode makeþ neody for neode louh herted filosofres for-soken welthe · for þei wolde be neody And wonede wel elyngliche · and wolden nat be riche And god al hus grete ioie · gostliche he lefte And cam and took man-kynde · and by-cam ful neody He was so neody seith þe bok in meny sondry palaces Þat he seide in hus sorwe · on þe selue rode Boþe fox and fowel may · fleo to hole and crepe And þe fisshe haþ fynnes to flete with to reste Þer neode haþ ynome me so · þat ich mot neode byde And suffre sorwes soure · þat shal to ioye turne For-þi beo nat a-baihsshed · to bydde and to beo neody Sithe he þat wrouhte al þe worlde · was wilfulliche neody Neuere non so neody ne non so poure deyede When neode hadde vnder-nome me thus · anon ich feol a-sleope And mette ful merueilousliche · þat in amannesa mannes forme AAntecrist P.23.53: Cf. P23.128 below. cam þenne · and al þe crop of treuthe Turned tyte vp-so-doun · and ouer-tilt þe rote And made fals to sprynge and sprede and spedde menne neodes In eche contreie þer he cam he cutte awey treuthe And gert gyle growe þer as he a god were Freres folweden þat feonde · for ȝe ȝaue hem copes And religiouse reuerencede hym and rongen here belles Al þe couant þo cam · to wolcome þe tyraunt And alle hise as wel as hym saue onliche fooles The wiche fooles weren gladdere to deye Þan lyue lengoure suþe leaute · was so rebuked And a fals feonfende anticrist ouer alle folke regnede That were mylde men and holye þat no meschief dradden Defieden al falsnesse and folk þat hit vsede And wat kyng comfortede hem knowynge here gyle Thei corsede and here consail were hit clerk* oþer lewede Anticrist thus sone hadde hundredes at hus baner And pruyde bar þat baner boldeliche abouhte With a lorde þat lyueþ after lykynge of hus body And cam a-ȝeyns conscience þat keper was anP.23.72: an, "and." gyour Ouer kynde cristyne and cardinale uertues Ich consaile quaþ conscience þo · comeþ with me ȝe fooles In-to unite holichurche · and halde we ous þere And crye we to kynde þat he come and defende Ous fooles fro þe feondes lymes · for peers loue þe plouhman And crye we on al þe comune þat þei come to unite . Ther to abyde and bykere aȝeyns beliales children Kynde huyrde þo conscience and cam out of þe planetes And sente forþ hus fereours · feuers and fluxes Couhes and cardiacles claumpes and toþ-aches Reumes and Radegoundes and roynouse scabbes Bules and bocches and brennyng aguwes Frenesyes and foule vueles these foragers of kynde Hadden prykede and preyede polles of people Largeliche alegiona legion · lees þe lyf sone Ther was harow and help · her comeþ kynde . With deþ þat is dredful to vn-do ous alle The lord þat lyuede after loust þo a-loud criede After comfort a knyght to come and bere hus baner Alarme Alarme quaþ þat lorde · eche lyf kepe hus owene Thenne mette þes men er mynstrales myghte pipe And er heraudes of armes hadden discriuede lordes Elde þe hore · was in þe vaunt-warde And bar a baner by-fore deþ by right he hit claymede Kynde cam after hym · with menye kynne sores As pockes and pestilences and muche people shente So kynde thorgh corupcions · culde ful menye Deþ cam dremend after and al to douste paihste Kynges and knyghtes caysers and popes Lered ne lewide · he lefte no man stande That he hitte euene sterede neuere after Many a lofly lady and here lemmanes knyghtes Sounede and swelte for sorwe of dyþes dyntes Conscience of hus cortesie · þo kynde he by-souhte To cessen and suffren · and seo wher þei wolde Leue pruyde pryueliche · and beo parfit cristene And kynde cessede tho to seon þe peuple amende Fortune gan flaterie þenne · thaym fewe þat were a-lyue And by-hyght hym long lyf · and lecherie he sente Amonges alle manere men · wedded and vnweddede And gaderede a gret ost · al a-geyn conscience Thees lecherie leyden on · with lauhynge chire And with pryuey speche · and peyntede wordes And armede hym with ydelnesse and in hy beryng** He bar a bowe in hus honde and manye brode arwes Where fetherede with faire by-.heste and meny afalsa fals treuthe WhitP.23.119: Whit, "with." vntydy tales he teonede ful ofte Conscience and hus companye · of holychurche þe techers Thenne cam couetise and caste how he myghte Ouercome conscience and cardinale uertues . And armed hym in auarice · and hungriliche lyuede Hus wepne was al wiles to wynne and to huyden WhithP.23.125: Whith, "with." glosynges and with gabbynges · he gyleþP.23.125: An otiose curl is written above the <g>. þe peuple Symonye hym sywede · to assaille conscience . And pressede on þe pope · and prelates þei maden To holde with AAunticristP.23.128: A rubricating scribe has written over the original <A> in text ink. The ink is darker than the first rubricator's and may reflect a second rubricating hand? Cf. P23.53 above for a similar instance. · here temperalite to saue And cam to kynges consail · as a kene baroun · And knockede conscience In court by-fore hem alle And gerte goode faith to flee · and fals to a-byde And baldeliche bar adoun with meny a bryght noble Muche of þe wit and wisdom · of westmynster halle He iogged til a iustice · and ioustede in hus ere And ouertulte al hus treuthe with tak this on amendement And to þe arches in haste he hyede a-non after And turnede cyuyle in-to symonye · and sitth he tok þe official And for a menyuer mantel · he made leel matrimonye Departe er deþ come and adeuorsa deuors shupte Alas quaþ conscience and cride wolde crist of hus grace . That couetise were cristyne þat is so kene to fyghte And bold and byddynge · þy while hus bagge lasteþ And þanne lohw loude lyf and let dagge hus cloþes And armyd hym in haste in harlotes wordes And held holynesse a Iape and hendynesse awastoura wastour And let leaute achierla chierl · and lyere a freo man Conscience and consail · he countede folye Thus relyede lyf · for a litel fortune And prykeþ forth with pruyde preyseþ he no vertue Ne careþ nouht hou kynde slouh · and shal come atte laste And culle alle erthyly creatures saue conscience one Lyf tho leep asyde · and lauhte hym a lemman Hele and ich quaþ he and hihnesse of herte Shal do þe nat drede neiþer deþ ne elde And for-ȝute ȝouthe and ȝyue nauht of synne This likede lyf and fortune hus lemman And geten in here glorie a gadeling* atte laste On þat muche wo wrouhte sleuthe was hus name Sleuthe wax wonder ȝerne and sone was of age And wedded on wanhope · a wenche of þe stywes Heore syre was a sysour · þat neuere swor treuthe On RobertTomme two-tounged · ateynt at eche enqueste Thes sleutheP.223.163: The <u> is malformed. was sleyh of werre · and aslyngea slynge made And þrewe drede of dispayr · a doseyne myle a-boute For care conscience cryede vp-on elde And bad hym fonde to fighte and afere wanhope And elde hente good hope · and hastiliche shrof hym And wayueþ away wanhope · and with lyf he fighteþ And lif fleyht for fere to syke after helpe And by-souhte hym of socour and of here salue hadde And gaf hym gold goud won þat gladede here hertes And þei gauyn hym a-gayn · aglasenea glasene houe Lyf leyuede þat leche-craft lette sholde elde And to dryue away deþ with dayes drogges Elde auntred hym on lyf and atte laste he hitte A fisician with a forrede hod þat he fel in a palsye And þer deiede þat doctour er thre dayes after Now ich seo saide lyf þat surgerye ne phisike May nat amytea myte a-vaille · to medlen a-ȝens elde And in hope of hus hele · good heorte he hente And rod so to reuel · arychea ryche place and a murye The companye of comfort men clipid hit som tyme And elde hastede after hym and ouer my hefde ȝeode And made me ballide by-fore and bar on þe croune So harde he ȝeode ouer myn hefde hit wol be syne euere Syre vuel ytauhte elde quaþ ich vnhende go with þe Suþþe wanne was þe hey-wey ouer menne hefdes Haddest þou be hende quaþ ich þow woldest haue askede leue Ȝe leue lordeyn quaþ he and leyde on me with age And hitte me vnder þe ere vnnyþe may ich huyre He boffatede me a-boute þe mouhthe and beet out my wang-teþ And gyuede me with goutes ich may nat go at large And of þe wo þat ich was yn my wif hadde reuthe And wisshede wel whiterlyche þat ich were in heuene For þe lyme she louede me fore · and leep was to feele And anyghȝtes nameliche when we naked were Ich ne myghte in none manere · maken hit at heore wille So elde and he hit hadde · afeyntede and for-beete And as ich sat in þis sorwe · sauh how kynde passede And deþ drow neyghynge me · for drede gan ich quaken And criede carfully to kynde of kare me brynge Lo hou elde þe hore haþ me byseye Awreke me yf ȝoure wil beo for ich wolde be hennes Yf þow wolt beo awreke · wende in-to unite . And held þe þare euere til ich sende for þe And loke þou conne som craft · er þou come þennes Consaileþ meP.23.207: A meaningless mark appears above the <e>. kynde quaþ ich · what crafte be best to leere Lerne to loue quaþ kynde and lef alle oþer þynges Hou shal ich come to catel so · to cloþe me and to feode And þow loue leelliche · lacke shal þe neuere Wede ne wordliche mete while þy lyf lasteþ And ich þorgh consail of kynde comsede to rome Thorgh contricion and confession · til ich cam to unite . And þer was conscience constable crystine to saue He was bysegide soþliche with seuene · grete geauntes That with aaunticrist helden harde aȝeyns conscience Sleuthe with hus slynge · an hard sauht he made Proude preostes cam with hym · passend an hundred In paltokes and pikede shoes and pissares longe knyues Thei come aȝeyns conscience with couetise þei helden By þe marie quaþ a mansede preest · was of þe marche of yrelonde Ich counte conscience no more · by so ich cacche seluer Then ich do to drynke · adrawta drawt of good ale And so seide syxty of þe same countreo And shotten aȝeyns hym with shot mony shef oþes And brode hokede harwesP.23.226: harwes, "arrows." · godes herte and hus nailes And hadde almost vnite · and holychurche a-doune Conscience cride helpe · cleregie oþer ich falle Thorgh imparfit preestes · and prelates of holychurche Freres herde hym crie · and comen hym to helpe Ac for thei couthe nat wel here crafte conscience for-soke hem Neode Neyhede þo ner to conscience he tolde Þat þei came for couetise to haue cure of soules And for thei aren poure paraunter · for patrimonye hem failleþ Thei wolle flaterie to fare wel · to folke þat ben riche And sitthen þei chosen chile and caytif pouerte Let hem chewe as þei chosen · and charge hem with no cure For lommere he lyeþ · þat liflode mote begge Than he þat laboreþ for lyflode · and leneþ hit beggeres And sitthen freres for-soke · þe felicite of erthe Lat hem be as beggers · oþer lyue by aungeles fode Conscience of þis consail tho · comsede for to lauhe And cortesly confortid hem · and cald yn alle freres And seide sires sothly · wel-come be ȝe alle To unite and to holichurche · ac o þing** ich ȝow preye Holdeþ ȝow in unite and haueþ non enuye To lerede ne to lewide · bote lyueþ after ȝoure reule And ich wol beo ȝoure borw · ȝe shulleþ haue brede and cloþes And oþer necessaries ynowh · ȝou shal no þyng lakke With þat ȝe leue logyk** and lernyeþ for to louye For loue lefte þei lordshupes · boþe londe and scole Frere fraunceis and domynyk** · for loue to be holy And yf he coueiteþ cure kynde wol ȝow telle That in mesure god made alle manere þynges And sette hit at sertayn · and at a syker numbre And nempnede hem names · and nombrede þe sterres Qui numerat multitudinem stellarum . Kynges and knyghtes · þat kepen and defenden Hauen officers vnder hem and ech of hem a certayn And yf þei wage men to werre · thei wryten hem in numbre Wol no treserour take hem wages trauayle þei neuere so sore Bote hij beon nempned in þe numbre · of hem þat ben ywaged Alle oþere in bataille beeþ yolde brybours Pilours and pyke-herneys in eche parshe a-corsede Monekes and monyales and alle men of religion Here ordre and here ruele wol · to haue a certayn numbre Of lered and lewede þe lawe wole and askeþ A certayn for a certayn · saue onliche of freres For-thi quaþ conscience by crist kynde wit me telleþ Hit is wickede to wage ȝou · ȝe wexit oute of numbre Heuene haueþ euene numbre · and helle is with-oute numbre For-thi ich wolde whiterly · þat ȝe were in registre And ȝoure numbre vnder notarie sygne and noþer more ne lasse Enuye herde þis · and het freres go to scole And lerne logik and lawe and eke contemplacion And preche men of plato · and prouen hit by seneca That alle þyng vnder heuene · ouhte to beo in comune He lyeþ as ich leyue · þat to þe lewede so precheþ For god made to men a lawe · and moyses hit tauhte Non concupisces rem proximi tui . And vuel is this yholde in parshes of yngelonde For persones and parshe preestes · þat sholde þe peuple shryue And thei beon curatours cald · to knowe and to hele Alle þat been here parshenes · penaunces enioyneþ And beo ashamede in here shryft* ac shame makeþ hem wende And fleo to freres · as fals folke to westmynstre Þat borweþ and bereþ hit thuder · and thenne byddeþ frendes Ȝeorne of for-ȝeuenesse oþer lenger ȝeres leue Ac wile he is in westmynstre · he wol be by-fore And maken hym myrie with oþer menne goodes And so hit fareþ by muche folke þat to freres hem shryueþ As asissours and excecutours þei shal ȝeue þe freres A prarcelparcelparcel to preye for hem · and maken hem murþe With þe remenant of þe good þat oþer men by-swonke And suffre þe dede in dette to þe day of dome Enuye here-fore hatyde conscience . And freres to philosophie · he fond hem to scole The wile couetise and vnkyndenesse · assaillede conscience . In vnite holichurche conscience held hym And made pees portor · to pynne þe ȝates Alle tale-tellours and titereres in ydel Ypocrise and thei and hard swat thei ȝeuen Ypocrise atte þe ȝate harde gan fighte And wondede wel wickedly · meny awysa wys techere That with conscience acordede and cardinale uertues . Conscience calde a leche þat couthe wel shryue To salue þo þat sik were and þorgh synne ywonded Shruft shupte sharpe salue and made men do penaunce For here mysdedes that thei wrouht hadde And þat peers pardoun were ypaied Redde quod debes . Somme likede nat þis leche and lettres þei senten Yf eny surgeyn were in þe sege · þat softere couþe plastre Sire lyf to lyue in lecherie lay þere and gronede For fastynge of a friday he ferde as he wolde deye Ther is a surgen in þe sege þat softe can handle And more of fisik by feer and fairer he plastreþ On frere flaterere is fisician and surgien Quaþ contricion to conscience do hym come to unite . For her is meny man hurt · þorgh ypocrisye We haue no neode quaþ conscience · ich wote no bettere leche Than person oþer parshe prest penytancer oþer busshup Saue péérs the plouhman þat hath powere ouere alle and Indulgence And indulgence may do bote yf dette Lette Ich may wel suffry quaþ conscience sutthe ȝe disyren That frere flatere be fet and fysyke ȝou syke The frere here-of herde · and hyede faste To a lorde for a lettere Leue to haue to curen As bhe a curatour were · and cam with hus letteres Baldely to þe bushope · and hus breef hadde In countreyes þer he cam confessions to hure And cam ther conscience was · and knockede atte ȝate péés vnpynnede þe dore · þat was portour of vnite And in hast he hesshede · what hus wil were In faith quaþ þis frere · for profit and for helthe Carpe ich wolde with contricion and þer-fore cam ich hyder He is syke seide péés and so aren meny oþere Ypocrisye haþ hurt hem · ful hard is yf ȝe keuere Ich am a surgen seide þe frere · and saules can ich make Conscience knoweþ me wel · and what ich can done Ich preye the quaþ péés tho · er þow passe forþere What hattest þou ich praye · hele nat þy name Certes seide isP.23.342: is, "his." felawe · syre penetrans domos . Ȝe go þi gate quaþ pees by god for al þy fysike Bote þow conne eny craft · þou comest nat here-ynne Ich knew such on ones nat eyhte wynter passede Cam yn thus ycopede at a court þere ich dwellede He was my lordes leche · and my ladies boþe And atte þe laste þis lymytour · þo my lordP.23.348: The <o> and <r> are ligatured. whasP.23.348: whas, "was." oute He saluede so oure wommen til somme where with childe Hende speche het pees þo · opene þe ȝates And lat yn þe frere and hus felawe · and make hem faire chyre He may seo and huyre here · so may by-falle That lyf þorgh hus lore · shal leue couetise And to beo a-drad of deþ · and wiþ-drawe hym fro pruyde And a-corde with conscience and cusse here aiþer oþere Thus þorgh hende speche · entrede þe frere And cam to conscience and corteisliche hym grette Thou ert wolcome quaþ conscience canst þou hele syke Here is contricion quaþ conscience My cosyn ywondede Conforte hym quaþ conscience and take kepe to hus sores The plastres of þe person · and þe pouderes beoþ to sore And lat hem lygge ouer-lange · and loþ is to chaungen fro lente to lente he let hus plastres byde That is ouerlonge quaþ þis lymatour ich leyue ich shal amende hit He goþ gropeþ contricion anP.23.377:an, "and." gaf hym aplastrea plastre Of a pryue payement · and ich shal preye for ȝowe And for hem þat ȝe aren holden to · al my lyf-tyme And make ȝou my lady · in masse and in matynes As freres of oure fraternite · for a litel seluer Thus he goþ and gadereþ · and gloseþ þer he shryueþ Til contricion hadde clene for-ȝute · to crie and wepe and wake For hus wickede werkes · as he was wonede by-fore For comfort of hus confessour contricion he lefte That is þe souereyne salue · for alle kynne synnes Anon sleuthe seih þat · and so dude pruyde And comen with a kene wil conscience to assaille Conscience criede eft · cleregie come help me And bad contricion to come · to helpe þe ȝate He lith adreynched saide pees and so doþ meny oþere The frere with hus fisik þis folke haþ enchauntede And doþ men drynke dwale · þat men dredeþ no synne By crist quaþ conscience tho ich wol by-come a pilgryme And wenden as wide · as þe wordle regneþ To seke peers þe plouhman þat pruyde myghte destruye And þe freres hadden afyndyngea fyndynge* Dug The "g" has a crossed flourish, but it is overwritten by the "e" þat for neode flateren And counterpleideþ me conscience nowe kynde me a-venge And sende me hap and hele · til ich haue peers plouhman . And sitthe he gradde after grace til ich gan a-wake Hic explicit passus secundus de dobest .Explicit peeres plouheman scriptum per Thomas DankastreP.23.388: Russell and Kane, p. 10, argue that the first capital letter is "more like a heavily flourished L" than a <D>. CHECK THE WHOLE MS***??? Omnibus est notum quod multum diligo potum s(e)c(un)d(u)m y WThorlac Turville-Petre informs me that this verse appears three times in the University of Nottingham Library's MS Mi LM 2, twice on fol. 126v and again on fol. 142v. Finito libro reddatur gloria cristo Amen & cetera Johannes Meade me possedet pretij iij s iiij d.In the bottom left margin, something illegible (perhaps Ink?) is written sideways.