The Cambridge ms (University library, Gg. 4.27) of Chaucer's Canterbury tales / edited by Frederick J. Furnivall.

[6-text p 201]

[Here endith the prolog // And begynneþ the tale of Melibe

[There are no line-numbers or breaks between the paragraphs in the MS. Tyrwhitt's breaks are kept here to prevent slight differences in the Six Texts throwing out many lines.]

MS Reg. 18 C II, on leaf 197.]

[2157] A Yong man whilom celled Melibe myghti and ryche bygat vpon his wyf þat called was prudence a doughter whiche þat cleped sapience.

[2158] vpon a day fel þat he for his disport is went in to þe feldes him to pleye / [2159] his wyf and eke his doghter hath he left with-ynne his hous of whiche þe dores were faste I-schet // [2160] ffoure of his olde foos han hit aspyed. and . setten laddres to þe walles of his hous and by þe wyndowes ben entred [2161] and betyn hys wyf and wounded his doughter with fyue mortal woundes in fyue sondry places / [2162] This is to sayn in here feet in here hond and in here eres in hire nose and in here mouth & laften her for deed and wenten here way //

[2163] When Melibeus retorned was aȝeyn vntil his hous and sawh all þis meschief // And he I-lyke a mad man rend|yng his clothes gan to wype and crye euerlenger þe more //

[2164] Prudence his wyf as ferforth as sche durste by-soght him of his wepyng for to stynte [2165] but noght for-thi he gan to wipe & crye euer the lenger þe more //

[2166] This noble wyf prudence remembred here on þe sentence of Ovide in his book þat cleped is þe remedye of loue / where he saith: [2167] he is a fool þat desturbeth þe moder for to wipe in þe deeth of hire child til sche haue wepte her fille for a certeyn tyme: [2168] Then schal man don his diligence with amyable wordes hire to conforte and [MS Reg. 18 C II folio 197b] to preye hire of

[6-text p 202] her wepyng for to stynte; [2169] for whiche reson this [MS Reg. 18 C II folio 197a] noble prudence suffred her housbonde for to wepe and crye as for a certayn space // [2170] And when she sawh her tyme she saide him in þis wyse / Alas my lord quod she whi make ȝe ȝoure self for to be lyke a fool; [2171] fforsothe it perteyneth not to a wisman to maken suche a sorwe / [2172] ȝoure Doughter with þe grace of god shal be warisched and askape / [2173] And all were it so þat sche right nowe were deed ȝe oughte not as for her deth] [folio 327a] ȝoure self dystroye // [2174] ¶ Senec seyth the wyse man schal nat take to greet disconfort for the deth of hise childeryn / [2175] but certis he schulde sufferyn it in pacience As wel as he a-bydyth the deth of hise propere persone /

[2176] ¶ This Melibeus answerde a-noon & seyde / What man quod he schulde of his wepynge stynte / that hath so greet a cause for to weepe / [2177] Ihesu crist oure lord hym self wepte for the deth of lasarus his freend [2178] ¶ Prudence answerede / crertys weel I wot / Atempre wepyng is no thyng defendit to hym that sorweful is a-mongis folk / in sorwe / but it is rathere graunted hym to weepe [2179] ¶ The apostele paule vn-to the romaynys wrythth / Man schal reioyse with hem that makyn Ioye / And wepyn with sweche folk as wepyn / [2180] but thogh attempere wepyng be grauntid / outrageous wepynge certis is defendid / [2181] mesure of wepynge schulde been consideryd aftyr the loore that techith vs Senek [2182] ¶ Whan that thyn frend is deed quod he / let not thynne eyen to moyste been of teerys / ne to meche dreye / Al-thow thynne terys comyn to thynne eyen / lat hem nat fallyn [2183] And whan thow hast forgoon thyn freend . . . & this is moore wysdom / than for to wepyn for thyn frend / whiche that thow hast loryn / for theere-inne is no boote / [2184] And therfore ȝif ȝe gouerne ȝow be sapience putte awey sorwe out of ȝoure hertis / [2185] Rememberyth yow that Ihesus Syrat seyth

[6-text p 203] A man that is ioyous & glad in herte / it hym con|seruyth floryschynge in his Age / & sothly sorweful herte makyt hise bonys dreye [2186] he seyth ek thus that sorwe in herte; sleth ful manye a man [2187] ¶ Sa|lomon seyth / that ryght as mothis in the schepis flesch anoyeth to the clothis / & the smale wermys to the tree / rygh so anoyith sorwe to the herte. [2188] Wherefore vs oughte as weel in the deth of oure childeryn; as in the loos of oure goodys temperelys haue pacience

[2189] ¶ Remembrith yow vp-on the paciente Iob / Whan he hadde lost hise childeryn & his temperel sul|staunce / & in his body endurynge & resceyuyd ful manye a greuous trybulacioun / yet seyde [folio 327b] he thus [2190] ¶ Oure lord hath [sente it me / oure lord hath] be-raft it me / rygh so as oure lord hath wold / rygh so it is don / I-blyssede be the name of oure lord / [2191] ¶ To these forseyde thyngis Answerde Melybeus to his wyf prudence ¶ Alle thynne wordys quod he been sothe & therto pro|fitabele / but trewely myn herte is troubeled / with this sorwe so greuously / that I not what to don. [2192] ¶ Lat calle quod Prudence thyn trewe frendys alle And thyn lynage / whiche that been wyse tellyth ȝoure cas And herkenyth what they seye in conseylynge And ȝow gouerne aftyr here sentente [2193] ¶ Salomon seith werke alle thyn thyngis by conseyl; & thow schalt neuere repente

[2194] ¶ Thanne by the conseyl of his wyf Prudence; this Mellibeus leet callyn / a gret congregacioun / of folk / [2195] as Surgeons Phisiciens olde folk And ȝynge & some of hise olde enemyis reconsyled As by here semblaunt / to his loue & in to hise grace / [2196] & therewithal theere come some of hise negheboris That dydyn hem reuerence / moore for dreede than for loue as it happith ofte / [2197] There comyn also manye subtyle flatererys / & wise aduocatys / lernede in the lawe

[2198] ¶ And whan these folk togedere assemblede were / this Mellibeus in sorweful wyse / schewede hem his cas /

[6-text p 204] [2199] & by the manere of hise speche / it semyd that in herte he bar a crewel yre / redy to doon venge|aunce vp-on hise fois / & sodeynly desyrede that the werre schulde begynne / [2200] but neuere the les ȝit axede he here conseyl / vp-on this matyere / [2201] A surgeen by lycence / And assent of sweche as were wyse vp ros & vn|to Melybeus seyde as ye may here

[2202] ¶ Sire quod he / as to vs surgeenys apertenyth that we do to euery wight the beste / that we can wheere as we been with holdyn / And to oure pacient that we don no damage / [2203] Wherfore it happith manye tyme / & ofte that whan twey men / hath euerych woundyd othyr .O. same surgeen helyth hem bothe / [2204] Wherfore vn-to oure art it is nat perteynent to noryche werre / ne partyis to supporte [2205] ¶ But sertys as to the waryschyng [folio 328a] of ȝoure doughtir Al be it so sche be perlyously woundit we schul do so ententyf bysynesse / from day to nygh That with the grace of god sche schal been hool & sound / as soone as is possible / [2206] Almost ryȝt in the same wyse the phisycionys answeredyn / Saue that they seydyn a fewe wordys moore / [2207] that ryght as maladyis ben cureede by here contraryis / rygh so schal men waryche / werre; by vengeaunce [2208] ¶ Hise neghe|boris ful of enuye / Hise feynede frendis that semede reconsyled & hise flatererys [2209] madyn semblaunt Of wepyng / & empeyrede & agregede meche of this matyr. in preysynge greetly Mellibie / of mygh of power / of rychesse & of frendys / despisynge the power of hise aduersaryis [2210] & seydyn vtrely that thy schuldyn Anon wrekyn hym on hise fois & begynne werre /

[2211] vp ros thanne an Aduocat / that was wys / by leue & by conseyl of othere / that weere wyse & seyde [2212] ¶ Lordyngis the neede which that we been assembled in this place / is ful heuy thyng / & an heygh matire [2213] by cause of the wrong & the wikkedenesse that hath been doon / & ek by resoun of the greete damages / that

[6-text p 205] in tyme comynge been possible to fallyn for the same / [2214] & ek by resoun of the greete rychesse & power of the partyis bothe [2215] for the whiche resonys / it weere a ful greet peril / to erryn in this matyer [2216] ¶ Wherefore Mellybeus this is oure sentens. we conseyle ȝow a-bouyn alle thynge / that rygh a-non thow do thyn dylygence / in kepynge of thyn propre persone in swich a wyse / that thow ne wante noon espie / ne wache thyn body for to saue [2217] ¶ And aftyr that we conseyle That in thyn hous thu sette suffyciaunt garnysoun. so that they may as weel thyn body as thyn hous defende [2218] But certys for to meue werre / ne sodeynly for to doon vengeauns we may not deme in so lytyl tyme. that it weere profit|able / [2219] Wherfore we axe leyser & espase to haue delyberacioun / in this cas to deeme [2220] ffor the comune prouerbe seyth this / He that soone demyth sone schal repente; [2221] & ek men seyn that [folio 328b] thylke Iuge is wys that sone vndyrstondyth a matiere And Iugith be leyseer / [2222] for al be it so that alle taryinge be a-noyeful algatis it is not to be repreuyd in yeuynge of iugement / ne in vengeaunce takynge whan it is suffisaunt & resonabele / [2223] & that schewede oure lord Ihesu cryst by en|saumple / for whan that woman was takyn in auouterye was brough in his presence to knowyn what schulde been don of hire persone / al be it that he wyste weel / hym self what that he wolde answere; yet ne wolde he nat answere sodeynly but he wolde haue deliberacioun & in the ground he wrot / twyis / [2224] & by these causis; we axe deliberacioun & we schul thanne by the grace of god conseyle the thyng that schal been profitable //

[2225] vp styrtyn thanne the ȝonge fok at onys & the moste partye of that cumpanye / han skorned this olde wise man And begunne to make noyse / & seydyn / that [2226] ryght so as whil that yryn is hoot / men schuldyn smytyn. rygh so schuldyn men wreke here wrongis / whil

[6-text p 206] that they been frosche & newe & with loude voys. [se escrièrent, "guerre! guerre! guerre!"

[2227] Adonc se leva un des anciens,] And with hise hand made contenaunce that men schuldyn holdyn hem stylle / and ȝeuyn hym audience. [2228] lordyngis quod he theere is ful manye a man that cryeth werre werre; that wot ful lytil what werre amountyth / [2229] werre at hise begynny[n]g hath so greet an entre and so large; that euery whight may entre whan hym lykyth / & lyghtely fynde werre / [2230] but certis what ende therof schal falle; it is nat lyght to knowe [2231] ffor sothly whan that werre is onys begunne; there is ful manye a child born of hise modyr that schal sterue ȝong be cause of thilke werre / & ellys lyue in sorwe & deye in wrechedenesse / [2232] And therefore or that ony werre begynne men must haue gret conseyl / & gret deliberacyoun [2233] And whan this olde man wende for to enforse his tale be resouns wel nygh alleattonys / bygunne they to ryse / for to brekyn his tale & bodyn hym ful oftyn hise wordis to abregge [2234] for sothly he that pre [folio 329a] chith to hem / that lestyth not to heere hise wordys; his; sarmoun hem anoyeth [2235] ¶ ffor Ihesus Syrak seyth. that Musik in wepynge; is a-noyous thyng this is to seyne / as meche avaylyth to speke by-fore folk / to whiche hise speche anoyeth as doth to synge be-fore hym that wepith [2236] ¶ And whan that þis wyse man wantede audience; al schamefast he sette hym doun / agayn [2237] ¶ ffor salomon seyth. There as thow maght haue noon audience / enforce the not to speke / [2238] I se weel quod this wyse man that the comune prouerbe is soth that good conseyl wantyth whan it is most neede. [2239]

And ȝit hadde this Mellibeus in his conseyl manye folk that priuyly in hise eere conseylede hym / certeyn thyng. & conseyllede hym the contrarye; in general audyence// [2240] Whanne Melibeus hadde herd that the grettere

[6-text p 207] partye of his conseyl were acorded that he schulde make werre; a-noon he concentede to here conseylynge And fully affermede hire centence [2241] ¶ Thanne dame. prudence / whan that sche saw how that hire husbonde schop hym for to wreke hym on hise fois & to begynne werre / Sche in ful humble wyse whan sche sagh hire tyme / seyde hym these wordys [2242] Myn lord quod sche / I ȝow beseche al hertyly / as I dar & can. ne hastyth ȝow to faste / And for alle guerdounnys as ȝeuyth me audyence [2243] ¶ ffor Piers Alfonce seyth / who so that doth to the othir good or harm / haste the not to quite it / for in this wise / thi frend wole abyde / & thyn enemy schal the lengere lyue in drede // [2244] The prouerbe seyth / he hastyth weel that wisely can abyde / And in wikke hast is no profyt

[2245] ¶ This Melibee answerede vn-to his wyf prudence I purpose [. . . .] not to werkyn by thyn conseyl for manye causis & resonys / for certys euery whit wele holdyn me thanne a fool / [2246] this is to seyne / If I for thyn conseylynge wolde schaunge thyngis that been ordeyned And afformede be so manye wise [2247] ¶ Sec|undely I seye. [folio 329b] That alle wemen been wekke & noon good of hem alle. ffor of a thousent men seyth Salomon / I fond on good man / but certis of alle wemen good weman fond I neuere [2248] ¶ And also certys ȝif I gouernede me by thyn conseyl; it schulde seme that I hadde ȝouyn the the maisterye / & goddys forbode that it so were / [2249] for Ihesus Sirak seyth / that ȝif the wyf haue the maysterye / sche is contraryous to hire husbonde [2250] ¶ And Salomon seyth neuere in thyn lyf to thyn wyf / ne thyn child / ne to thyn frend ne ȝeue power ouyr thyn self / for bettere it weere That thynne childeryn axsyn of thyn persone thyngis that hem nedyth; than thow see thyn self in the hondys of thynne childeryn / [2251] And also ȝif I wolde werke by thyn conseylyng / certis myn conseyl muste been secre til it weere tyme that it muste ben

[6-text p 208] knowe & this it may nat bee [2252. For it is written, 'the Iangelerye of women can hide thyngis that they wot nought.' [2253] Furthermore the philo|sopher saith, 'in wikkede conseyl wemen venquysse men;' and for these reasons I ought not to make use of thy counsel. See lines 2274, 2280, p. 209, 210, below.] [2254]

WHan dame Prudence ful debonerly & with greet pacience hadde herd al that hire husbonde hadde seyd & that hym likede for to seyne / thanne axed sche of hym lycence for to spekyn & seyde in this wyse [2255] ¶ Myn lord quod sche as to ȝoure fyrste resoun certis it may lyghtely been answeryd ffor I seye that it is no folye for to chaunge conseyl / whan the thyng is chaungit / or ellys whan the þyng semyth othir wyse than it was by forn / [2256] And moore-ouyr I seye / that thogh that ȝe han sworn & by-hight to perforne ȝoure empryse / & nathe-les ye weyue to perforne tilke same empryse by iuste cause / men schulde nat seyn therefore / that ȝe weere a lyere ne for-sworn [2257] for the bok seyth that the wyse man makyth no lesynge; whan he turnyth hise corage to the bettere. [2258] And al be it so that ȝoure empryse be establid & ordeined / by gret multitude of folk / ȝit thar ȝe not accomplyssche thikke same ordynau[n]ce but ȝow lyke // [2259] ffor the trouthe of thyngis & the profyt been rathere ffoundyn in fewe folk that been wyse & ful of resoun than by greet multytude of folk theere euery man cryeth & clateryth what that hym lykyth / sothly swich [folio 330a] multytude is nat honest / [2260] And to the secunde resoun wheere that ȝe seyn that alle wemen been wekke. saue ȝoure grace / certis ȝe dispise alle wemen in this wyse / & he that alle dispiseth; alle displesyth as seyth the book / [2261] & senek seyth / that who so wele haue sapi|ence. schal no man dispreyse / but he schal gladly teche the cience that he can; with-outyn presumpcioun or pride / [2262] And sweche thyngis as he nought ne can; he schal not been aschamed to lerne hem / & enquyre of lasse

[6-text p 209] folk than hym self [2263] And syre that theere hath been ful manye a good woman; may lyghtely been preuyd / [2264] for certys / sere oure lord Ihesu crist / wolde neuere han descendit to been born of a woman; ȝif alle wemen hadde been wekke / [2265] And aftyr that for the greete bounte / that is in oure lord Ihesu crist / whan he was resyn from deth to lyue / aperede rathere to a woman than to hise apostellis / [2266] And thogh that salomon seyth that he ne fond neuere woman good; it ne folwyth nat therfore that alle wemen been wikke / [2267] for thow that he ne fond no good woman; certys manye a nothir man hat foundyn manye a woman ful good & trewe [2268] ¶ Or ellis the entent of Salomon perauenture was this / that as in souerein bounte he fond no woman / [2269] this is to seyne that theere is no wyȝt that hath souereyn bountee saue god a-lone / as he hym self recordyth in hise Euaun|gelie [2270] for theere is no cryature so good; that he ne wanthith sumwhat of the perfeccioun of god that is his makere [2271] ¶ Youre thredde resoun is this / ȝe seyn þat ȝif ȝe gouerne ȝow by myn conseyl; it schulde seme that ȝe hadde ȝeue me the maystrye & the lordschepe ouyr ȝoure persone / [2272] Sire saue ȝoure grace / it is nat so / for if it so were that no man schulde been conseyled but only of hem that hadde lordschepe & maystrye of his persone; men wolde nat been conseyled / so ofte / [2273] for sothly thilke man that axsith conseyl of a purpos / ȝit hath he fre choys whether he wele werke by that conseyl / or noon [2274] ¶ And [folio 330b] as to ȝoure forte resoun / there ȝe seyen that the Iangelerye of women can hide thyngis that they wot nought As ho sey that a woman can not hyde that sche wot [2275] Sire these wordys been vndyr|stonde / of women that been Iangleressis / & wekkede / [2276] of whiche wemen men seyn / that thre thyngis dryuyn a man out of his hous / that is to seyne smoke / droppynge of reyn & wikkede wyuys / [2277] And

[6-text p 210] of sweche wemen seyth salomon / that it weere bettere to dwelle in disert; than with a wekkede woman that is ryotous / [2278] And sire by ȝoure leue that am not .I. [2279] for ȝe han ful ofte assayed myn grete sylence & myn greete pacience / & ek how wel that I can hyde & helyn thyngis that men oughtyn secrely to hidyn [2280] ¶ And sothly as to ȝoure fyfte resoun where as ȝe seyn that in wikkede con|seyl / wemen venquysse men / god wot thikke resoun stant heere in no stede / [2281] for vndyrstonde now ȝe axe conseyl to do wekkedenesse / [2282. et se tu vouloies user de mauvais conseil et de mal faire] & ȝoure wif restreynyth thilke wekkede purpos / & ouyr-comyth ȝow be resoun & be good conseyl / [2283] certys ȝoure wyf; oughte rathere been preysed / than I-blamyd / [2284] thus schul ȝe vndyr|stonde the philysophere / that seyth In wekkede conseyl women wenquysschyn here husbondys [2285] ¶ And theere as ȝe blamyn alle wemen & here resonys / I schal schewe manye ensaumplys that manye a woman hath been ful good and ȝit been / & here conseylys holsom & profitable [2286] ¶ Ek sum men han seyd that the conseylynge of women is othir to dere or to lytyl of prys [2287] but al be it so that ful manie a woman is badde & here conseyl vile / & not worth / ȝit han men foundyn ful manye a good woman / & ful descreet & wis in conseyllynge / [2288] lo Iacob by conseyl of hise moodyr Rebekka / wan the benysoun of ysaak his fadyr & the lordschepe ouyr alle hise bretheryn / [2289] Iudith by hire goode conseyl; delyuerede the cete of Bethulye in whiche sche dwellede out of the bondys of Olofernus / that hadde it be-segit & wolde it al distroye [2290] ¶ Abygail deliuerede Nabal hire husbonde [folio 331a] from Dauid the kyng þat wolde han slayn hym & a-paysed the yre of the kyng bi hire wit / & by hyre goode con|seylyng [2291] Hester by hire goode conseyl / enhaunsede gretly the peple of god in the regne / of Assuerus the kyng [2292] ¶ And the same bountee in good conseylyng of

[6-text p 211] manye a good woman may men telle / [2293] & moore ouyr / whan that oure lord hadde creat Adam / oure forme fadyr / he seyde in this wyse / [2294] It is not good to be a man a-loone / make we to hym an helpe / semblable to hym self // [2295] Heere may ȝe se / that if that wemen weere not goode / ne here conseyl good & profytable; [2296] oure lord god of heuene wolde neythir han wrouȝt hem / ne callede hem helpe of man / but rathere confusyoun of man / [2297] And there seyde onys a clerk in two wers / What is betere than gold. Iaspre. What is betere than Iaspre / Wysdom / [2298] What is betere than wysdom / woman / & What is betere than good woman / no thyng. [2299] And sire by manye oþere resonys may ȝe se þat manye weemen been goode / & here conseyl good & profitable / [2300] and therfore ȝif ȝe wele troste to myn conseyl; I schal restore ȝow ȝoure douȝtyr hol & sound / [2301] and ek I wele do ȝow so mechil that ȝe schul haue honour in this cause [2302]

WHan Melibee / hadde herd the wordys / of his wyf Prudence / he seyde thus [2303] ¶ I se wel that the word of Salomon is soth // he seyth that wordis / that been spokyn discreetly by ordenaunce; been hony|combis / for they ȝeue swetenesse / to the soule / & holsom|nesse to the body [2304] ¶ And wif by cause / offe thynne swete wordys / and ek for I haue asayed & preuyd thyn greete sapience / & thyn greete trouthe / I wele gouerne me by thyn conseyl in alle thynge /. [2305]

NOw seere quod dame prudence / an syn ȝe wouche saf to been gouernyd by myn conseyl / I wele enforme ȝow / how ȝe schul gouerne ȝow / self in chesynge of ȝoure conseyl [2306] ¶ ȝe schal fyrst in alle ȝoure werkys / meekely besekyn to the hye god that he wele been ȝoure conseylour / [2307] and schapith ȝow to swych entente that he ȝeue ȝow conseyl & confort as tauȝte Thobie his sone // [2308] At alle tymys thow schat [folio 331b] plese

[6-text p 212] god / And preye hym to dresse thynne weyis / and loke þat alle thynne conseylis / been in hym for euere moore / [2309] seynt Iame / ek seyth / If onye of ȝow haue nede of sapience / axe it of god / [2310] And aftyrward thanne schal ȝe take conseyl in ȝoure self / & examyne wel ȝoure thouȝtis / of sweche thyngis / as ȝow thynkyth that been best for ȝoure profyt [2311] and thanne schul ȝe dryue forth / from ȝoure herte the thyngis that been contrarious to good conseyl / [2312] that is to seyne / yre coueytyse / & hastyfnesse /

[2313] ffyrst he that axsith conseyl of hymself / certis he muste ben with-outyn Ire / for manye causes // [2314] The ferste is this / he that hat gret wrathe & yre in hym self he wenyth alwey that he may don thyng; that he may not doon / [2315] And secundely he that is yrous / & wratheful / he ne may not wel deme / [2316] And he that may not wel deme / may not weel conseyle [2317] ¶ A|nothir is this / that he that is yrous & wratheful as seyth Senek / ne may not spekyn but blameful thyngis / [2318] and with hise vicyous wordis he steryth othere folk to angir / & to yre [2319] ¶ And ek sere ȝe muste dryue coueytyse out of ȝoure herte [2320] ffor thapostele seyth / that coueytyse / is rote of alle harmys / [2321] & truste weel / that a coueytous man ne can not deeme ne thynke; but only to fulfylle the ende of his coueytyse / [2322] and sertis that ne may neuere / been aconplichit / ffor euere the moore habundaunce that he hath of rychesse the more he desyryth [2323] ¶ And the moste also dryuyth out of ȝoure herte / hastyfnesse / for certys [2324] ȝe may not demyn for the beste of a sodeyn thouȝt that fallyth in ȝoure herte but ȝe muste avyse ȝow on it ful ofte / [2325] for as ȝe herde heere be-forn / the comune prouerbe / is this / that he that sone demyth soone repentyth //

[2326] Sire ȝe been not alwey I-lyk in disposicioun / [2327] for certys sum thyng / that sumtyme semyth to ȝow that it is good for to do; a nothir tyme it semyth to ȝow the contrarye

[6-text p 213]

[2328] ¶ Whan ȝe han takyn conseyl in ȝoure self / & han demyd by good deliberacioun / swych thyng as ȝow semyth best / [2329] thanne rede I ȝow [folio 332a] that ȝe kepe it secree / [2330] bewreye not ȝoure conseyl to no persone / but if so be that ȝe wenyn sekyrly / that thorw ȝoure bewreyinge / ȝoure condycioun schal ben to ȝow the moore profitable // [2331] ffor Ihesus Syrak seyth neythir to thyn fo ne to thyn frend / discouere not thyn secre ne thyn folye / [2332] for they wele ȝeue ȝow audyence & lokynge & supportacioun in ȝoure presence / & skorne ȝow in ȝoure absence / [2333] A nothir clerk seyth / that skarsely schalt thow fyndyn ony persone / that may kepe conseyl secrely / [2334] the bok seyth / whil that thow kepist thyn conseyl in thyn herte thow kepist it in thyn prysoun / [2335] And whan thow bewreyist thyn conseyl to ony whit he holdyth the in his snare [2336] And therfore ȝow is betere / to hyde ȝoure conseil in ȝoure herte; than preyen hym to whom ȝe han bewreyed ȝoure conseyl; that he wele kepe it clos & stylle [2337] ¶ ffor Seneca seyth If so be that thow ne mayst / not thyn owene conseyl hyde; how mayst thow preye ony othir whit thyn conseyl secrely to kepyn / [2338] But natheles ȝif thow wene sekyrly that thyn bewreyinge of thyn conseyl to a persone wele make thyn condycioun stondyn in the betere plyt thanne schat thow telle hym tyn conseyl in this wyse [2339] ffyrst thow schat make no semblaunt whethir the were leuere pes or werre / or this or that / ne shew hym nat thyn wil ne thyn entent / [2340] for troste weel that comounly these / conseylourys been flatererys [2341] namely the conseylourys of greete lordis / [2342] for they enforse hem alwey rathere to speke plesaunte wordis enclynynge to othere lordys lust; than othere that been trewe / & profitable / [2343] And therfore men seyn / that ryche men / han selde good con|seyl / but if he haue it of hym self / [2344] and aftyr that thow schat considere thyne frendys / & thynne enemyis. [2345] And as touchinge thyne frendys / thow schat con|sideryn

[6-text p 214] whiche are most feythful / & most wys & oldeste & most apreuid in conseylynge / [2346] & of hem schalt thow axe thyne conseyle; as the caas requiryth /

[2347] I seyde that fyrst [folio 332b] ȝe schul clepyn to ȝoure con|seyl ȝowre frendis that been trewe // [2348] ffor Salomon seyth that ryȝt as the herte of a man delythth in sauour that is sote / ryȝt so the conseyl of trewe frendys ȝeuyth swetnesse to the soule / [2349] & he seyth also theere may no thyng [be] to the trewe frend / [2350] for certis gold ne syluyr ben not so meche worth; as the goode wyl of a trewe frend [2351] ¶ And ek he seyth that a trewe frend / is a strong defens / who so that it fyndyth; sertis he fyndyth a greet tresor [2352] ¶ Thanne schul ȝe ek considere If that ȝoure trewe frendis; been descreete / & wise ffor the bok seyth / Axse alwey thyn conseyl of hem that been wyse / [2353] And by this same resoun / schul ȝe clepyn to ȝoure conseyl / of ȝoure frendis / that been of age / Sweche as han seyn / & been expert in manye thyngis And been apreuyd in manye thyngis conseilynge / [2354] ffor the bok seyth that in olde men is the sapience / & in long tyme the prudence // [2355] And tullius seyth / that greete thyngis ne ben not ay accompliced / be strenthe ne be delyuerenesse of body / But by conseyl be autoritee of personys / & by science / the whiche thre thyngis ben not feblid by age / but certys they enforsyn & en|cresyn day be day // [2356] And thanne schal ȝe keepe this for a general reule / ffyrst schal ȝe clepe to ȝoure conseyl a fewe of ȝoure frendys that been especial [2357] ffor Salomon seyth / Manye frendis haue thow / but a-mong a thousent cheese the on to been thyn conseyl|our [2358] ffor al be it so / that thow ne telle thyn conseyl but to a fewe / thow mayst aftyrward tellyn it to mo yf it be neede / [2359] but loke alwey that thyn conseylouris haue thilke thre condiciounnys / that I haue seyd

[6-text p 215] before / þat is to seye / that they been trewe wyse & of old experience / [2360] And werke not in euery thingis alwey be on conseylour alone / for sumtyme byhouyth it to been conseyled by manye / [2361] ffor salomon seyth / Saluacioun of thyngis is / where as there been manye conseylourys

[2362] ¶ Now sithe that I haue told ȝow / of whech folk ȝe schul ben conseylid. now wele I teeche ȝow whiche conseyl ȝe oughte to eschewe [2363] ¶ ffyrst ȝe schul eschewe/ the con [folio 333a] seylyng of folys / for salomon seyth take no con|seyl of a fool / for he ne can not conseyle but aftyr his owene lust & his affeccioun / [2364] The book seyth / that the properte of a fol is this he trowyth lyghtely harm of euery wight / & lyȝtely trowyth alle bounte in hym self / [2365] Thow schalt ek eschewe / the conseylynge of alle flatereris wheche as enforsen hem rathere to preysyn ȝoure persone by flaterye than to telle ȝow the sothe|ffastnesse of thyngis /

[2366] Wherfore Thullyus seyth / among alle the pestelences that been / in frenchepe / the gretteste is flaterye / & therfore it is more neede / that thow eschewe & drede flatererys than ony othir peple // [2367] The bok seyth thow schalt rathere drede & fle from the swete wordis of flaterynge preyseris / than from the egere wordis of thyn frend that seyth the thynne sothis [2368] ¶ Salomon seyth that the wordis of a flaterere is a snare to cachyn innocentis / [2369] he seyth also / that he that spekyth to hise frend / wordis of swetnesse & of plesaunce; settith a net be-forn hise feet to cachyn hym / [2370] & therfore seyth Tullius / Enclyne not thyne eris to flatereris / ne take no conseyl of wordis of flaterye / [2371] And Catoun seyth Auyse the weel & eschewe wordis of swetnesse & of plesaunce [2372] ¶ And ek thow schalt eschewe the conseylynge of thyne olde enemyis that been reconsyled // [2373] The bok seyth that no wight retornyth sauely into the

[6-text p 216] grace of hise olde enemy [2374] ¶ And ysope seyth / ne truste not to hem to wheche thow hast had sumtyme werre or enmytee ne telle hem not thyn conseyl / [2375] And Seneca tellyth the cause why / It may not be seyth he / that where as greet feer long tyme hath deured; that there ne dwellyth sum vapour of warmnesse [2376] And therfore Seyth Salomon / in thyn olde fo truste neuere / [2377] ffor sekirly / thow thyn enemy be reconsyled / & makyth the cheer of humylite / & loutyth to the with hise heed / ne truste hym neuere / [2378] ffor sekyrly he makyth thilke feynede humylitee more for his owene profyt than for loue of thyn persone / by cause that he dem|yth to haue victorie ouyr thyn persone / by swich feynede contenaunce / the [folio 333b] whiche victorie / he myȝte not haue be stryf or werre / [2379] & Petyr Alfonce seyth make non felaueschepe with thynne olde enemyis / for ȝif thow do hem bounte; they wele peruertyn it in to wikkedenesse // [2380] And ek thow muste eschewe the wekedenesse of hem & the conseyil that been thynne seruauntis & beryn the grete reuerence / for perauenture they seyn / it moore for drede than for loue. [2381] And therfore seyth a philisofere in this wyse / There is no whit perfytely trewe to hym that he to soore dredyth / [2382] And Tullius seyth / theere is no myȝt so greet of ony Emperour / that longe may endure / but ȝif he haue moore loue of the peple than drede [2383] ¶ Thow schalt also enchewe the conseylynge of folk that been dronkelewe / for they ne can no conseyl hyde / [2384] ffor Salomon seyth there is no priuyte; theere as regnyth dronkenesse // [2385] ȝe schal also han in suspect / the conseylynge of sweche folk as conseyle ȝow o thyng priuyly / & conseyle ȝow the contrarie opynly [2386] ¶ ffor Cassiodere seyth / that it is a manere sleyte to hynderyn whan a man schewith to don on thyng pryuyly & werkyth the contrarye opynly / [2387] Thow schalt also haue in suspect / the conseylynge of wekede folk ffor the bok seyth the conseylynge of wekede folk; is alwey ful

[6-text p 217] of fraude / [2388] And Dauid seyth blisful is that man that hath not folwid the conseylynge of schrewis / [2389] Thow schalt also eschewe the conseylynge of ȝonge folk for here conseyl is not rype [2390]

NOw sere sithe I haue schewyd to ȝow of whiche folk ȝe schul take ȝoure conseyl / & of whiche folk ȝe schul folwe the conseyl; [2391] now wele I teche ȝow how ȝe schul examyne ȝoure conseyl aftyr the doctryne of. thullyus [2392] ¶ In examynynge of ȝoure conseylourys; ȝe schul considere many thyngis / [2393] Aldyrferst thow schat considere that in thilke thyng that thow purposyst & vp-on what thyng thow wilt haue conseyl / that verray trouthe be seyd & conseruyd / This is to seyne / Telle trewely thyn tale / [2394] for he that seyth fals may not weel been conseyled / in that cas of whiche he lyeth / [2395] And [folio 334a] aftyr this thow schat considere the thyngis that acordyn to that / thow purposist to don by thyn conseyl|ours ȝif resoun acordyn therto / [2396] & ek ȝif thyn myȝt may atteyne therto / & ȝif the more part / & the betere part of thyne conseylouris acordyn therto / or no // [2397] Thanne schalt thow considere / What thyng schal folwe of that conseyllyng as. hate. pees. w[e]rre. grace. profyt or damage & manye othere thyngis / [2398] [et en toutes ces choses] thow schalt chese the beste / & weyuyn alle othere thyngis [2399] ¶ Thanne schalt thow considere / of what rote is engenderede the matyre of this conseyl / & what freut it may conteyne / & engen|deryn [2400] ¶ Thanne schalt [thow] considere ek alle these causes from whens they been sprongyn [2401] And whanne ȝe han examynyd ȝoure conseyl as ȝe haue seyd / & whiche partye is the betere & more profitable And han aproued it be manye wyse folk & olde. [2402] thanne schat thow considere; ȝif thow mayȝt perforne it & makyn of it a good ende / [2403] ffor resoun wele / that ony man schulde begynne a thyng / but ȝif he myȝte perforne it as hym oughte / [2404] Ne no wiȝt schulde

[6-text p 218] take vp-on hym / so heuy charge / that he myȝte not bere it / [2405] for the prouerbe seyth / he that to meche enbraset distreynyth lityl / [2406] And catoun seyth / Assay to don swich thyng as thow hast power to don / lest that the charge appresse the not so sore / that the be-houith to weyue thyng that thow hast begunne [2407] & ȝif so be that thow be endoute / wheþer thow mayȝt perforne it or non chese rathere to suffere than begynne / [2408] And Petyr Alfonce seyth / ȝir thow hast myȝt to doon a thyng / of whiche thow muste repente; it is betere // ȝa // than nay / [2409] this is to seyne the is betere to helde thyn tunge stylle; than for to spekyn / [2410] Thanne may ȝe vnderstonde by strongere resonys / that ȝif thow hast power / to perforne a werk of whiche thow auht repente; thanne is it betere / that thow suffere / than begynne / [2411] weel seyn they that defendyn euery wiȝt to asay a thyng of whiche he is endoute / whethir he may perforne it or no [2412] And aftyr whan ȝe han examynyd ȝoure [folio 334b] conseyl as I haue seyd beforn / & knowyn weel that ȝe may per|forne ȝoure emprise conforme it thanne sadli til it be at an ende— [2413]

NOw is it resoun & tyme that I schewe ȝow whanne & wherfore / that ȝe may chaunge ȝoure con|seylourys with-outyn repreve / [2414] Sothly a man may chaungyn hise [conseil et son] purpos ¶ ȝif the cause cesseth or whanne a new cas betydyth [2415] ¶ ffor the lawe seyth that vp-on thyngis / that newely betydyn / byhouyth newe conseyl / [2416] & seneca seyth / ȝif thyn conseyl is come to the eeris of thynne enemy / chaunge thyn conseyl. [2417] Thow mayst also chaunge thyn conseyl; ȝif so be that thow fynde that be errour / or be othere cause / harm or damage / may betyde / [2418] Also ȝif thyn conseyl [est déshonneste, ou vient de cause déshonneste, [2419] car les lois dient que toutes pro|messes that] be dishonest. been of no value /

[6-text p 219] [2420] And ek ȝif it so be / that it be inpossible / or may not been goodly performyd or kept //

[2421] And take this for a general rewle / that euery conseyl þat is affermyd so strongely that it may not been chongit for no condicioun that may betyde / I seye that thilke conseyl is wikke [2422]

THis Melibeus whan he hadde herd the doctryne / of his wyf / Dame Prudence; answerede in this wise [2423] Dame quod he as ȝit into this tyme / ȝe han weel & conabely tauȝt me as in general / how I schal gouerne me in chesynge & in wotholdynge of myne conseylouris [2424] ¶ But now wolde I fayn that ȝe woldyn condessendyn in especial / [2425] & tellyn how ȝow lykyth or what semyth ȝow by oure conseylouris that we han chosyn in oure present neede / [2426]

MYn lord quod sche I beseke ȝow in alle humblesse that ȝe wele nat wilfully repleye // a-ȝen myne resonys / ne distempare ȝoure herte thow I speke thyng that ȝow displese / [2427] ffor god wot that as in myn entent / I speke it for ȝoure beste. for ȝoure honour & for ȝoure profit ek / [2428] And sothly I hope that ȝoure be|nyngnete wele takyn it in pacience / [2429] Trustith me weel / quod sche that ȝoure conseyl / as in this cas [folio 335a] ne schulde nat as to spekyn propirly / been callyd a conseylynge / But a mocioun or a meuynge of foly [2430] in whiche conseyl ȝe han erred / [en moult de manière]

[2431] [Premièrement, tu as erré] in the assem|blynge of ȝoure conseylouris / [2432] ffor ȝe schulde ferst a clepid a fewe folk / [et puis après plusieurs] if it hadde been neede / [2433] But certis ȝe han clepid sodeynly to ȝoure con|seyl / a greet multitude of peple ful chargeaunt & ful anoyous for to heere [2434] ¶ Also ȝe han errid for theere as ȝe schulde only haue clepid to ȝoure conseyl ȝoure trewe frendis olde & wyse / [2435] ȝe han I-clepid straunge folk. ȝonge folk. false flatereris / & enemyis

[6-text p 220] reconsyled / & folk þat don ȝow reuerence with-outyn loue / [2436] And ek also ȝe han erred / for ȝe han brouȝt with ȝow to ȝoure conseyl; Ire. Coueytyse. & Hastifnesse / [2437] the wheche thre thyngis been con|traryous / to euery conseyl honeste & profitable / [2438] And the whiche thre thyngis; ȝe han not anientissed or destroyed hem neythir in ȝoure self ne in ȝoure conseylourys / as ȝe ouȝte [2439] ¶ Ȝe han erred also for ȝe han schewid to ȝoure conseylouris ȝoure talent & ȝoure affeccioun to makyn werre anon & for to doon vengeaunce / [2440] they han espied be ȝoure wordis to what thyng ȝe been enclyned / [2441] & therefore han they conseylid ȝow rathere to ȝoure talent; than to ȝoure profit [2442] ¶ Ȝe han errid also / for it semyth that ȝow suffysith to han been con|seylid by these conseylouris only / & with litil avis [2443] wheere as in so greet & in so high a neede / it hadde been necessarye / mo conseylouris / & moore deliberacioun / to perforne ȝoure emprise [2444] ¶ Ȝe han errid also ffor ȝe han not examynyd / ȝoure conseyl in the for seyde manere / ne due maneere / as the caas requiryth [2445] ¶ Ȝe han errid also for ȝe han makid non deuysioun / bytwixe ȝoure conseylouris / . . . . . [2446] ne ȝe ne haue not knowe / the wil of ȝoure trewe frendis olde & wyse / [2447] but ȝe han cast alle here wordys in an hochepot / & enclyned ȝoure herte to the more part & to the grettere noumbere // And theere been ȝe condescendit / [2448] & sith ȝe wote weel that men schal [folio 335b] alwey fynde a grettere noumbre of folys than of wise men / [2449] & therfore in the conseylis that been at congregaciounnys & multitudis of folk there as men take more reward to the nombre than to the sapience of personis / [2450] ȝe seen weel that in sweche conseylyngis foolis han the maistrie [2451]

MElibeus answerede agen & seyde I graunte wel that I haue erryd / [2452] but theere as thow hast told / me heere be-forn / that he nys to blame that chaungith his con|seyl

[6-text p 221] in certeyn cas / & for certeyn Iuste causis [2453] I am al redy to schaunge myn conseylouris / ryȝt as thow wolt deuyse / [2454] the prouerbe seyth that for to do synne / is mannyssch / But certis to perseuere longe therinne; is werk of the deuyl [2455]

TO this centence answerede anon Dame prudence / & seyde // [2456] Examynyth quod sche ȝoure con|seyl / & lat vs se the whiche of hem han spokyn moost resonablely & taught ȝow best conseyl // [2457] And for as meche as the examynacioun is necessarie / lat vs begynne at the Surgens / & at the phisiciens / that fyrst spekyn in this matyere / [2458] I seye ȝow that the surgeens & phisiciens han seyd ȝow in ȝoure conseyl descretly as hem ouȝte / [2459] & in here space seydyn ful wysely / that to the offyse of hem aperteynyth to doon to euery wyȝt honour & profyt / & no wyȝt to anoyen [2460] & aftyr here craft to don greet diligence vnto the cure of hem whiche that they han in here gouern|aunce / [2461] And sire ryȝt as they han answerid wisely & discretly / [2462] ryȝt so rede I that they been heyly & souereynly gwerdounnyd for here noble speche / [2463] And ek for they schuldyn don the moore ententif besynesse in the curacioun of thyn doughtyr deere / [2464] for al be it so / that they been ȝoure frendis / therfore schal ȝe nat sufferyn; that they serve ȝow for naught [2465] but ȝe oughtyn rathere gwerdounnyn hem & schewyn hem ȝoure largesse / [2466] And as touchynge the prepocicioun whiche the phisiciounnys encresedyn in this cas / this is to seyne / [2467] that in maladyis / that on contrarye is war [folio 336a] chid by a-nothir contrarye / [2468] I wolde fayn knowyn how ȝe vndyrstonde thilke text / & what is ȝoure sentence. [2469] CErtis quod Melibeus I vndirstonde it in this wise / [2470] that ryȝt as they han don. a contrarye ryȝt so schulde I doon hem a-nothir / [2471] ffor ryȝt as they han vengede hem on me / & don me wrong; ryȝt so schal I wengyn me vp-on hem

[6-text p 222] & doon hem wrong / [2472] And thanne haue I cured on contrarye by a-nothir [2473]

LO lo quod Dame Prudenence how lyȝtely is euery man enclyned to his owene desyr / & to his owene plesaunce / [2474] Certis quod sce the wordis of the phisiciens ne schuldyn not han been vndyrstondyn in this wise / [2475] for certis wikkedenesse is not contrarye to wikkedenesse / ne vengeaunce to vengeaunce / ne wrong to wrong / but [sont semblables [2476] Et pour ce, vengence par vengence, ne injure par injure, n'est pas curé, [2477] mais] euerich of hem encresith & morith othir // [2478] But certis the wordis of the phisiciens / schuldyn ben vndirstondyn in this wise / [2479] ffor good & wekede|nesse been two contraryis / & pees & werre / & venge|aunce & sufferraunce / discord & acord / and manye othere thyngis / [2480] But certis wikkedenesse; may been waryschid by goodnesse discord; by acord / werre; by pees / & so forth of othere thyngis // [2481] And heereto a-cordyth seynt Poule the apostelle in manye placis [2482] he seyth / Ne ȝildith not harm for harm / ne wikkede speche for wikkede speche / [2483] but doth weel to hym that doth the harm / And blysse hym that seyth to the harm / [2484] & in manye othere placis he amonestyth pees & accord / [2485] But now wele I spekyn to ȝow of the con|seyl that was ȝouyn to ȝow of the meen of lawe / and the wise folk [2486] that seydyn alle by on acord / as ȝe han herd by-fore / [2487] That ouer alle thynge ȝe schal don ȝoure diligence to kepyn ȝoure persone & to warnestore ȝoure hous / [2488] and seydyn also that in this caas ȝe oughtyn for to werkyn ful a-visely / & with greet delib[er]acioun / [2489] And sere as to the fyrste poynt that touchith to the kepynge of ȝoure persone / [2490] ȝe schul vndyrstonde that he that hath werre schal eueremore deuoutely & meekely preyen [folio 336b] before alle thynge [2491] that Ihesu cryst of his mercy / wele

[6-text p 223] han hym in hise protexioun / & ben his souereyn helpynge at hise neede / [2492] for certys in this world / theere is no wyȝt that may been conseylyd ne kept sufficyantly / with|outyn the keping of oure lord Ihesu Cryst / [2493] To this centence acordyth þ^e prophete dauid / that seyth / [2494] If god ne kepe the cete. In idyl. wake he that kepeth [2495] ¶ Now sere thanne schul ȝe commytte the kepynge of ȝoure persone to ȝoure trewe frendis that been aprouyd & I-knowe / [2496] & of hem schul ȝe axen helpe ȝoure persone for to kepe ¶ ffor catoūn seyth / ȝif thu hast nede of helpe; axe it of thynne frendis / [2497] ffor theere ne is noon so good a phisicien as thyn trewe frend / [2498] And aftyr this thanne schul ȝe keepe ȝow ffrom alle straunge folk and from lyeris / and haue alwey in suspekt / hire compaynye / [2499] ffor pers Alphonse seyth Ne take no compaignye by the weye of a strāng man but ȝif it be so that thow haue knowyn hym by a long tyme beforn / [2500] & ȝif so be that he falle / in-to thyn cumpanye per|auenture with-outyn thyn assent / [2501] enquire thanne as subtyly as thu mayst / of his conuersacioun / & of his lyf be-fore / & feyne thyn weye / Sey that thow wel go thedyr there that thow wilt not go / [2502] an ȝif he beryth a spere / hold the on the ryȝt syde / & ȝif he bere a swerd / hold the on the left syde [2503] ¶ And aftyr this thanne schal ȝe kepe ȝow wisely from alle sweche manere peple / as I haue seyd be-fore / And hem & here conseyl eschewe / [2504] And aftyr this thanne schal ȝe kepyn ȝow in swich maner / [2505] that for ony presumpcioun of ȝoure strenthe / that ȝe ne dispise / ne attempte not the myȝte of ȝoure aduersarye / so lite that ȝe lete the kepynge of ȝoure persone / for ȝoure presumpcioun / [2506] for euery wise man dredyth his enemy / [2507] And salomon seyth / Weleful is he that of alle thynge hath dreede / [2508] ffor certys he that þour the hardynesse of his herte or thorw the hardynesse of hym-self / hath to greet presumpcioun / hym schal euele betyde / [2509] Thanne

[6-text p 224] schal ȝe eueremoore countre wayte embusschementȝ / & espiaill // [2510] for Seneca seyth / that the wise man that dredith harmys / eschewith harmys / [2511] ne [folio 337a] he ne fallyth in-to perilys / that perilis eschewyth / [2512] And al|be-it so / that it seeme that thow art in sekyr place / ȝit schalt thow alwey doon diligence in kepynge of thyn persoone / [2513] this is to seyn ne be not necligent to keepen thyn persone / not only for thynne gretteste enemyis / but from thyn leste enemye / [2514] Seneca seyth / a man / that is weel auysed / he dredyth his leste enemye // [2515] Ouyde seith / that the litelle wesele / wele sle the greete bole & the wilde hert // [2516] And the book seyth that the lytil thorn; may pryke a kyng wol sore / & an hound wele holde the wylde boor / [2517] But nathelees I sey nat þat thow schat been so coward that thow doute there wheere-as is no drede / [2518] The book seyth / that sum folk han greet lust / to disseyue; but ȝit they dredyn hem to been dis|seyuyd / [2519] ȝit schalt thow dreede to ben enpoysounnyd / And keepe the from the cumpaygnye of skornerys / [2520] ffor the book seyth / woth skornerys make no compaignye / but fle here wordys as venym /

[2521] Now as to the secunde poynt / wheere-as ȝoure wise conseylourys / conseylede ȝow to warnestore / ȝoure hous with greet diligence / [2522] I wolde knowe how that ȝe vndyrstande / thilke wordis & what is ȝoure centence [2523]

MElibeus answerede & seyde / certis I vndyrstonde it in this wyse / That I schal warnestore myn hous / with touris & sweche as han castell & othere manere edifices & armure and artelleryes / [2524] by whiche thyngis I may myn persone & myn hous so kepyn & defendyn / that myne enemyis schul been in dreede myn hous for to aprochyn [2525]

TO this centence answerede anon Prudence // warne|storynge is quod sche of heye tourys & of greete edifices / [appertaining aucune ffois a orgueil [2526] apres on fait les tours et les grans edifices (MS Reg. 19 C vii, lf 133, bk)]

[6-text p 225] with greete costagis & with greete trauayle / And whan that they been accomplesed / ȝit be they not worth a stre but if they been defendit by trewe frendys that been olde & wyse // [2527] And vndyrstonde weel that the gretteste & the strengeste garnesoun that a ryche man may han / as weel to kepyn his persone [folio 337b] as hese goodis / is [2528] that he be belouyd with hise subiectis. And with hise neigheboris / [2529] ffor thus seyth thullyus that there is a manere garnesoun / that no man may venquische / Ne desconfite / & that is [2530] a lord to been belouyd / of hise citesynys & of his peple [2531]

NOw sere as to the thredde poynt wheer-as ȝoure olde & wise conseylouris / seydyn that ȝow ne ouȝtyn / not sodeynly ne not to hastifly procedyn in this neede / [2532] But that ȝow ouȝtyn purueyen / & appar|aylyn ȝow / in this cas / with greet diligence / & greet delyber|acioun / [2533] trewely I trowe that they seydyn / ryȝt wisely & ryȝt soth / [2534] for tullyus seyth in euery neede / er thow begynne it / apparayle the with gret diligence / [2535] Thanne seye I that in vengeaunce takynge in werre / in batayle / & in warnestoryinge / [2536] er thow begynne I reede / that thow apparayle the not therto & do it with greet dyligence & greet deliberacioun // [2537] ffor Thullyus seyth that longe apparaylynge / by-forn þ^e batayle / makyt schort victorye [2538] ¶ And Cassiodorus seyth The garnesoun is strongere whan it is longe tyme auysed

BUt now lat vs spekyn of the conseyl / that was acordit be ȝoure neigheboris / Sweche as doon ȝow reuerence with-outyn loue / [2540] ȝoure olde enenyis reconsyled / ȝoure flatereris [2541] that conseyledyn ȝow cer|teyn thyngis pryuyly / & opynly conseyledyn ȝow / the contrarye / [2542] The ȝonge folk also that conseylede ȝow / to venge ȝow & make werre a-noon [2543] And certis sere as I haue seyd be-forn; ȝe han greetly errid / to han clepid / swich manere folk to ȝoure conseil [2544] whiche conseylouris / been I-nowgh repreuyd / be the resonys a-fore-seyd / [2545] but natheles lat vs now dessende to

[6-text p 226] the special // ȝe schul fyrst procedyn / aftyr the doctrine / of thullius / [2546] Certis the trouthe of this matire or of this conseyl / nedyth not diligently enquire [2547] for it is weel wist whiche they been that han don to ȝow this trespas / and vilenye / [2548] and how manye trespasouris / and in what manere they han doon to ȝow al this wrong & al this vilenye // [2549] And aftyr this ȝe [folio 338a] schuln examyne al the secunde condicioun whiche þat the same thullyus addyth in this mateere / [2550] ffor tullius put a thyng whiche that he clepith consentynge / This is to seyne / [2551] who been they / & whiche been they / and how manye been they / & whiche been thei that consentedyn to ȝoure aduersaryis / [2552] [et considérons aussi qui sont ceulx, et quans, qui se consentent à tes adversaires. (Le Mén. i. 211.)] [2553] And certis as to the fyrste poynt / it is weel knowyn whiche folk been they / that consentedyn to ȝoure hastif wilful|nesse / [2554] ffor trewely alle tho that consentede ȝow to makyn sodeyn werre / ne been not ȝoure frendis / [2555] lat vs now considere [qui tu es et] whiche been they that ȝe holdyn ȝowre frendis / as to ȝoure persone [2556] ffor al be it so / that ȝe been myghty & ryche / Certis ȝe ne been but a-loone / [2557] for certis ȝe ne han no child but a douȝtyr / [2558] ne ȝe ne han breteren ne cosynys germaynys / ne noon othir nygh kenrede [2559] wherefore that ȝoure enemyis / for drede schulde stynte to plede / with ȝow or distroye ȝoure persone / [2560] ȝe knowyn also that ȝoure rychesse mote been despendit in dyuerce partis / [2561] and whan that euery wigh hath his part / they ne wele takyn but lityl reward to vengyn thyn deth // [2562] But thynne enemyis been thre and they han manye childeryn / bretheryn cosynys & othere nygh kenrede / [2563] and thow so weere / thow hadyst slayn of hem two or thre / ȝet dwellyn þere I-nowe to wrekyn here deth / & to sle tyn persone / [2564] & thow so be that ȝoure kynreede / be moore sekyr & stefast / than

[6-text p 227] the kenreede of ȝoure aduersarye / [2565] ȝet natheles / ȝoure kenrede nys but a fer kynrede they been but lytil sibbe to ȝow / [2566] and the kyn of ȝoure enenyis been nygh sibbe to hem / & certis as in þat heere condicioun is betere than is ȝourys // [2567] Tanne lat vs considere also / if the conseylynge of hem that conseyledyn / ȝow to takyn sodeyn vengeauns / whethir it acorded to resoun or no / [2568] And certis ȝe knowe wel nay / [2569] for as be ryȝt & resoun / theere may no man ta [folio 338b] kyn venieaunce on no wight but the Iuge that hath the Iurysdixioun of it / [2570] whanne it is I-grauntid / to take thilke vengeaunce / hastily or at|temprelly as the lawe requyrith / [2571] & ȝit moore ouyr / of thilke word that Thullius clepith consentynge [2572] thow schalt considered ȝif thyn myȝt & thyn power / may consente & suffise / to thyn wilfulnesse / & to thynne conseylourys [2573] and sertis thow mayst weel seyn þat nay / [2574] ffor sekirly as for to spekyn proprely. we may doon nothyng but only swich thyng as we may don it rithtfully / [2575] & certis ryȝtfully may ȝe take no venieaunce / as of ȝoure propre autorite [2576] thanne may ȝe seen / that ȝoure power ne consentith nat ne acordith nat with ȝoure wilfulnesse [2577] ¶ Lat vs now examyne the thredde poynt that / Thullius clepith consequent / [2578] Thow schalt vndyrstonde / that the vengeaunce that thow purposest for to take is the conse|quent / [2579] And therof folwith a-nothir uengeau[n]s / peril & werre & othere vengeaunce & damagis with-outyn noumbere / of whiche we been not war as at this tyme // [2580] And as touchynge the / fourte poynt / That Thullius clepith engenderynge / [2581] thow schalt considere that this wrong whiche that is doon to the; is engenderyd / of the hate of thynne enemyis / [2582] & of the vengeaunce takyng vp-on that / wolde engendere a-nothir / vengeaunce. And meche sorwe / in wastynge of rychessis as I seyde

[2583] ¶ Now sere as to the poynt that tullius clepith causes / with that is the laste poynt / [2584] thow

[6-text p 228] schalt vndirstonde / that the wrong that thow hast resceyuid hath certeyn causes / [2585] whiche that clerkis clepyn Oriens / & efficiens / And Causa longinqua / & Causa Propinqua / this is to seyne the ffer cause / & the nygh cause / [2586] the fer cause is almyghti god / that is cause of alle thyngis / [2587] the nygh cause is thynne thre enemyis / [2588] the cause accidental was hate / [2589] the cause material; been the fyue woundis of thyn doughtre [2590] The cause formal is the manere of here werkynge / that brougtyn ladderys & clombyn in at thyne wyndowis / [2591] the cause final was for to sle thyn dougtyr / It lettede nat in as meche as in hem [folio 339a] was // [2592] But for to spekyn of the ferthe cause as to what ende they schul come / or what schal finally betyde of hem in this caas / ne can I nat deeme / but be coniectynge & by supposynge [2593] for we schul suppose / that they schul come to a wekkede ende / [2594] bi-cause that the bok of Decreis seyth / Selde or woth greet peyne been causis I-brouȝt to a good ende / Whan they been baldely begunne [2595]

NOw sere ȝif meen wolde axsyn me whi that god sufferede / men to doon ȝow this veleny certis I can|not weel answeryn as for no Sothfastnesse / [2596] for thapostelle seyth that the sciencis & the iugementis of oure lord god / almyȝty; been ful deepe / [2597] there may no man comprehende / ne serchyn hem sufficiently [2598] ¶ Nathelees / bi certeyn presumpciounnys / & coneytyngis I holde & bileeue / [2599] that god whiche that is ful of iustise / & of ryghtwisnesse hath suffered this betyde by iuste cause / resonable

[2600] Thyn name is Melibee this is to seyne a man / that drynkyth hony / [2601] or he that hath I-dronkyn hony / so meche of sweete temperel richesse & delicis of honouris of this world [2602] that thow art dronkyn / & hast forgetyn Ihesu cryst thyn creature / [2603] thow ne hast nat doon to hym swich honour & reuerence / as the ouȝte [2604] ne thow ne hast not weel takyn keep to

[6-text p 229] the wordis of Ouide that seyth [2605] vndyr the hony of the goodis / of the body is hid the venym that sleth the soule / [2606] And salomon seyth ȝif thow hast foundyn hony / ete of it that suffyseth / [2607] ffor ȝif thow ete of it out of meseur / thow schalt spewe / & been nedy / & poure / [2608] & perauenture / cryst hat the in dispyt and hath turnede awey from the hys face & hise eeris of mysericorde / [2609] And also he hath sufferede / that thow hast been ponyschid / in the maneere that thow hast trespased / [2610] Thow hast doon synne a-geyn oure lord Ihesu cryst / [2611] ffor certis the thre enemyis / of mankynde that is to seyne / the flesch the feend & the world / [2612] thow hast suf [folio 339b] fred hem to entre in-to thyn herte wilfulli by the wyndowys / of thyn body / [2613] & hast not defendit thyn self sufficiauntly a-geyn here assautis / & here temptaciouns So that they han woundede thyn soule in fyue placis [2614] this is to seyne; the dedly synnys that been entered in-to thyn herte / by thynne fyue wittis / [2615] And in the same manere / oure lord crist hath wold & suffered that thyne .iij. enemyis been entrede in-to thyn hous by the wyndowys [2616] And han I-wounded thynne douȝtyr / in the forseyde manere / [2617]

CErtis quod Melibee I se wel that ȝe enforce ȝow mechel by wordis to ouyrcome me in swich manere; that I schal nat venge me of myne enemyis / [2618] Schewynge me the perilis & the euell that myȝtyn fallyn of this vengeaunce // [2619] But who so wolde considere / in alle vengeauncis the perilis & the yuyllys that myȝte sewe of vengeaunce takynge / [2620] a man wolde neuere take vengeaunce / & that were harm / [2621] for by the venge|aunce takynge; been the wikkede men disseuered from the goode men / [2622] And thei that han wil to doon wikkede|nesse; restreyne here wikkede purpos / whan they seen the ponyschynge & the chastisynge of the trespasourys / [2623]

[Ad ce respont dame prudence Certes dist elle Ie te ottroie que de vengance vient moult de biens

[6-text p 230] [2624] Mais faire vengance nappartient pas a vn chascun fors aux iuges / Et a ceulz qui ont les iuridicions sur les malfauteurs [MS Reg. 19 C xi folio 59b:2] ] [2625] And ȝit seye I moore / that ryȝt as a senguler persone synnyth in takynge vengeaunce / of a-nothir man; [2626] righ so synnyth the Iuge ȝif he do no vengeaunce / of hem that it han deseruyd / [2627] for Senek seyth / that maystir is good that preuyth schrewis / [2628] And as Cassiodere seyth / A man dredith to doon outrages / whan he wot & knowith that it displeseth to the Iugis / & to the souereynys / [2629] And a-nother seyth / The Iuge that dredith to doon ryȝt; makyth men schrewis // [2630] And seynt poule thapostelle seyth in his epistelle / whan he wrythith vnto the romaynys / that the Iuges berith not the spere / with-outyn cause; [2631] but they beryn it to ponysche þe schrewis & mysdoerys / & for to defendyn the Goode men [2632] Ȝif ȝe wele than [folio 340a] ne take vengeaunce of ȝoure enemyis / ȝe schul returne or haue ȝoure recours / to the Iuge that hath the Iurisdiccioun / vp-on hem / [2633] & he schal punyschyn hem as the lawe axit & requirith [2634]

Aquod Melibee this vengeaunce likyth me nothyng / [2635] I bethynke me now & take heed how fortune hath norichid me / from myn chyldeheede / & hath holpyn me to passyn manye a strong paas / [2636] now wele I assayen hire trowynge with godis helpe / that sche schal helpyn me myn schame for to venge [2637]

CErtis quod Prudence / If ȝe wele werke by myn con|seyl / ȝe schul not assaye fortune by no way / [2638] ne ȝe schul not lene / or bowe / on to here aftyr the word of senek / [2639] for thyngis that been folyly doon / & that been doon in hope of fortune / schuln neuere been brouȝt to good ende / [2640] And as the same Senek seyth / the moore cleer & the more schynynge that fortune is; the moore bretil & the sunnere brokyn sche is / [2641] truste nat in here for sche nys nat stedefast ne stable / [2642] ffor whan thow trowist to been most sekyr or sewir of hire

[6-text p 231] helpe; sche wele fayle & disseyue the / [2643] And wheere as ȝe seyn that Fortune hath norichid ȝoure childheede [2644] I seye that in so meche schul ȝe the lasse truste in here wit / [2645] For senek seyth / what man that is norichid by ffortune; sche makyth hym a greet fool / [2646] Now thanne syn ȝe desyre & aske vengeaunce / & the vengeaunce that is doon aftyr the lawe / & by-fore the Iuge / ne likyth ȝow nat [2647] And the vengeaunce that is doon in hope of fortune is perli|ous & vncerteyn / [2648] thanne haue ȝe noon othir remedie / but for to haue ȝoure recours / vn-to the souereyn Iuge that vengith alle vilanyis / & wrongis / [2649] & he schal venge ȝow aftyr / that hym self witnessith where as he seyth / [2650] leuyth the vengeaunce ¶ to me & I schal doon it [2651]

MElibie answerede / If I ne venge me not of the vilanye that men doon to me / [2652] I somoune or [folio 340b] warne hem that han doon to me that vilenye & alle othere to doon to me a-nothir vilenye / [2653] for it is wretyn / ȝif thow take ne vengeaunce of an opyn vilanye / thow somoun|yst thynne aduersaryis; to do the a newe velanye [2654] And also for myn sufferaunce men woldyn do me so meche vilenye / that I ne myghte neythir beere it ne sus|teene / [2655] & so schulde I bee put & holdyn ouyr lowe / [2656] ffor men seyn in meche sufferynge schal manye thyngis falle vn-to the whiche thow schalt nat mowe suffere [2657]

CErtis quod .prudence. I graunte now that ouyr meche sufferaunce / is nat good [2658] But ȝit ne folwith it not therof / that euery persone to whom men doon vilenye; tak of it vengeaunce / [2659] for that aper|tenyth & longith al only to the Iugis / for they schul venge / the vilanyis & the Iniurijs / [2660] And therfore to two autoriteis / that ȝe han seyd a-bouyn / been only vndyrstondyn In the Iugis / [2661] For whan they sufferyn ouermeche the wrongis & vilenyis to been doon

[6-text p 232] with-outyn punyschynge [2662] they somone nat a man al only for to doon newe wrongis / but they comaundyn it / [2663] also a wys man seyth / that the Iuge that cor|ectith nat the synnere comaundyth / & biddyth hym to do synne / [2664] & the Iugis & souereynys / myȝtyn in here land so meche suffere of the schrewis & mysdoerys; [2665] that they schuldyn by swich sufferaunce / by processe of tyme / waxen of swich poweer & myȝt / that they schuldyn puttyn out / the Iugis & the souereynys from here placis [2666] & at the laste makyn hem to lesyn here lordschepe //

[2667] But lat vs now putte that ye han leue to vengen ȝow / [2668] I seye ȝe been nat of myȝt & power as now to venge ȝow / [2669] ffor ȝif ȝe wele make comparisoun vn-to þ^e myȝt of ȝoure aduersaryis / ȝe schul fynde in manye thyngis that I haue schewid ȝow er this / that hire condicioun is bettere than ȝoures [2670] & therfore seye I that it is good / as now / that ȝe suffere & been pacient

[2671] Fertheremore ȝe knowe wel / that aftyr the comu [folio 341a] ne sawe. it is a woodnesse a man to stryue with a strongere / or a moore myȝty man / than he is hym selue / [2672] & for to stryue with a man of euene strenthe / that is to seyne with as strong a man as he is hymselue / it is peril / [2673] And for to stryue with a weykere man; it is folye / [2674] & therfore schulde a man fle stryuynge / as meche as he myȝte // [2675] ffor Salomon seyth it is a greet worschepe / to a man to kepyn hym from noyse / & stryf. [2676] & If it so befalle or happe / that a man be of grettere myȝt & strenthe / than thow art / do the greuaunce / [2677] stodye & besye the rathere to stylle the same greuaunce; than to venge the / [2678] ffor senek seyth / that he puttith hym in greet peryl / that stryuyth with a grettere man than he is hym self / [2679] And catoun seyth // If a man of heyere staat or degre or moore myȝt than thow / do the ony noye or greuaunce / suffere hym / [2680] ffor he that onys hath greuyd the /

[6-text p 233] mai a-nothir tyme releue the & helpe // [2681] Ȝit sette I caas ȝe han bothe a lycence / for to venge ȝow / [2682] I seye that theere been ful manye thyngis / that schul restreyne ȝow of vengeaunce takynge / [2683] & make ȝow for to enclyne to sufferre & for to han pacience / in the wrongis that han been don to ȝow / [2684] fferst & foreward ȝif ȝe wele / considere the defautis / . . . . .[2685] . . . . . god hath suffered ȝow to haue this tribulacioun / as I haue seyd ȝow heere by-fore / [2686] For the Poete seyth that we ouȝtyn paciently / takyn the tribu|laciounnys that comyn to vs whan that we thynkyn & con|sideryn that we han deseruyd to han hem [2687] ¶ And seynt Gregorie seyth that whan a man considerith weel the noumbere of hise defautis & of hise synnys / [2688] the peynys & the tribulaciounnys that he sufferyth semyn the lasse vnto hym / [2689] And in as meche as hym sem|yth his synne is moore heuy / & greuous [2690] in so meche semyth his peyne the lyȝtere & the esiere vnto hym // [2691] Also ȝe owyn to enclyne / & bowe ȝoure herte to [folio 341b] take the pacience of oure lord Ihesu cryst / as seyth seynt petyr / In hise episteles / [2692] Ihesu Crist he seith hath suffered for vs / & ȝeuyn ensample to euery man to folwe / & sewyn hym / [2693] for he dede neuere synne ne neuere cam there / A vileyns word out of his mouth [2694] whan men cursede hym; he cursede hem not / . . . . . [2695] Also the greete pacience / whiche seyntis that been in paradys han had in tribulaciounnys / that they been I-sufferid with-outyn here desert or gilt / [2696] oughte meche stere ȝow to pacience / [2697] Ferthere more ȝe schul enforse ȝow to haue pacience / [2698] considerynge that the tribulaciounnys / of this world but lityl while endure / & soone passede been & goone / [2699] And the Ioye that a man sekyth for to han bi pacience in trybulaciounnys / is perdurable / aftyr that

[6-text p 234] thapostele seyth in his epistele [2700] ¶ The Ioye of God is perdurable that is to seyne euere lastynge / [2701] Also trowith & bileuyth stedefastly / that he nys not weel I-noryschid / ne weel I-tauȝt that can not haue pacience / or wele not receyue pacyence / [2702] For salomon seyth / that the doctryne & the wit of a man is knowyn by pacience / [2703] And in a-nothir place he seyth that he that is pacient gouernyth hym by greet prudence / [2704] And the same Salomon seyth / That the angry & the wratheful man; makyth noysis / & the pacient man attempereth hym & stillith / [2705] he seyth also it is moore worth to ben pacient; than for to ben ryȝt strong / [2706] And he that may haue the lordschepe of hese owene herte; he is moore to preyse / than he that by his force or strenthe; takyth greete ceteis [2707] And therefore seyth seynt Iame In his epistle / that Pacience is a greet vertu of perfeccioun. [2708]

CErtis quod Melibee I graunte ȝow dame Prudence / that Pacience is a greet vertu of perfeccioun [2709] But euery man may not han the perfeccioun that ȝe seekyn / [2710] ne I am not of the noumbre of ryȝt per|fite men / [2711] For myn herte may neuere been in pees / vnto the tyme it be ven [folio 342a] git / [2712] And al be it so / that it was greet peril to mynne enemyis to doon me a vilenye / in takynge vengeaunce vp-on me; [2713] ȝit take they noon heede at the peril /. but fulfilledyn here wekede wil / & here corage / [2714] & therfore me thynkyth men ouȝte nat repreue me thogh I putte me in a lityl peril / For to vengyn me / [2715] And thow I do a greet excesse / that is to seyne that I venge oon outrage / by a-nothir. [2716]

Aquod dame Prudence / ȝe seyn ȝoure wil & As ȝow likyth / [2717] but in noo cas of the world a man schulde nat doon outrage ne exces. ffor to vengyn hym / [2718] For Cassiodere seyth / that as euele doth he that vengith hym by outrage; as he that doth the

[6-text p 235] outrage / [2719] And therefore ȝe schul venge ȝow; aftyr the ordere of ryȝt / that is to seyne by the lawe / & nat by excesse / ne by outrage [2720] And also ȝif ȝe wele venge ȝow / of the outrage of ȝoure aduersarijs in othere maneere than ryȝt comaundyth / ȝe synnyn [2721] & therfore seyth Senek / that a man schal neuere venge schrewedenesse by schrewedenesse / [2722] & ȝif ȝe seyn that ryȝt axeth a man to defende violence / [ . . . . .] & fyȝtynge. By fytynge [2723] certis ȝe seyn soth / whan the defence is doon a-noon with-outyn interual or with-outyn taryinge or delay [2724] for to defende hym; & not for to venge hym / [2725] And it behouth that a man putte swich attemperaunce in his defence / [2726] that men haue no cause / ne matere to repreuyn hym; that defendyth hym from excesse & outrage / for ellis weere it a-geyn resoun / [2727] ¶ Parde ȝe knowyn weel that ȝe makyn no defence / as now for to defende ȝow; but for to venge ȝow / [2728] And so sewith it that ȝe han no wil / to doon ȝoure deede atemperelly / [2729] And therfore me thynkyth / that Pacience is good ffor Salomon seyth / that he that is not pacient; schal haue greet harm [2730]

CErtis quod Melibee I graunte ȝow that whan a man is inpacient & wroth of that that touchith hym / not / & that apertenyth [folio 342b] nat vn-to hym; thow it harme hym it is no wondyr / [2731] for the lawe seyth that he is coupable that entyrmetith or medelyth with swich thyng / as apertenyth nat vn-to hym [2732] ¶ And Salomon seith that he that entirmetyth hym of the noyse of stryf / of a-nothir man / is lyk to hym that takith an hound bi the eeris / [2733] For ryȝt as he that takith a strong hound bi the eris; is othirwhile betyn with the hound / [2734] Ryȝt in the same wise is it resoun that he haue harm that by his enpacience medelyth hymself bi the noyse of a-nothir man where as it aperteynyth not vn-to hym / [2735] But ȝe knowyn weel that this deede that

[6-text p 236] is to seyne / myn greef & myn deseese touchith me ryȝt now / [2736] And therfore thow I be wroth & in|pacient; it is no meruayle // [2737] And sauynge ȝoure grace / I can not seen that it myȝte greetly harme me thow I tok vengeaunce [2738] ffor I am richere & moore myȝty than myne enemy is been // [2739] And weel knowe ȝe that by monee & by hauynge / greete posses|siouns been alle thyngis of this world / gouernyd [2740] ¶ And salomon seith That alle these thyngis obeye to monye. [2741]

WHanne Prudence hadde herd these wordis of hire hosisbonde how he auaunted hym of hese richesse / and of hise mene / dispreysynge the poweer / of hise aduersaryis / sche spak & seyde in this wyse / [2742] Certis deere sere / I graunte ȝow that ȝe been riche / & myghty / [2743] & that the richessis been goode to hem / that han weel I-getyn hem and that weel cunne vse hem // [2744] For rygh as the body of a man may not leue with-outyn the soule; no moore may it leue with-oute the temperel goodis / [2745] and by richessis may a man getyn hym best frendis / [2746] And therefore seyth Pamphilles ¶ If Auerthes doughtir he seyth be ryche / Sche may chesen of a thousent men . . . . .[2747] . . / oon wele not forsakyn hyre ne refusyn hire / [2748] And this Pamphiles seith also / If thow be ryȝt happy / that is to seyne / If [folio 343a] thow be ryȝt ryche / thow schat fyndyn a greet noumbere of felawys & frendis / [2749] And ȝif thyn fortune chonge Fare weel freendschepe & felaweschepe / [2750] for thow schat been a-loone / with-outyn ony cumpanye But if it be the cumpanye of poore folk [2751] ¶ And ȝit seyth this Pamphilles moore ouyr That they that been / boonde & thralle / of linage schuln been made worthy & noble bi the richesses [2752] & ryȝt so as by richessis theere comyn manye goodys; ryȝt so by pouerte / comyn theere manye harmys / & euellis / [2753] For greet pouerte; con|streynyth

[6-text p 237] a man to doon manye euellis / [2754] And th[e]r|fore clepith Cassiodere / pouerte the moodyr of ruine / [2755] that is to seyne the modyr of ouyrthrowynge or of fallynge doun / [2756] And therrefore seyth Peers alfonce On of the gretteste aduersiteis of this world is [2757] whan a fre man by kynde / or of burthe is constreyned / bi pouerte / to ete te almesse / of hise enemy / [2758] & the same seyth Innocent in oon of hise bookis / he seith that sorweful & myshappi · is the condicioun of a poore beggere / [2759] for if he axe nat his meete / he dieth fore hungir / [2760] And ȝif he axe / he dieth for ¶ schame / And algatis necescitee constreynyth hym to axe / [2761] And therfore seith Salomon / betere is it to deye than for to haue swich pouerte / [2762] And as the same Salo|mon seith Betere it is to deye of bittere deth; than for to leuyn in swich wyse / [2763] By these resonys that I haue seyd vn-to ȝow / & by manye othere resonys / that I coude seye / [2764] I graunte ȝow that richessis been goode to hem that hem getyn weel / And to hem that weel vsyn the rychessis / [2765] and therffore wele I schewe ȝow how ȝe schul haue ȝow in [amassant les (Le Ménagier, i. 222)] rychessis & in what maneere ȝe schul vse hem /

[2766] Fyrst ȝe schul geete hem with-outyn greet desyr / bi good leyseer / sokyngely but nat ouer hastyfely / [2767] For a man that is to desyrynge / to geete rychessis / abandonyth hym fyrst to thefte & to alle othere euyllis / [2768] And therfore seyth Salomon he that hastyth hym to busily to wexen ryche / he schal been noon innocent / [2769] he [folio 343b] seyth also that the rychesse that hastily comyth to a man; soone anlyghtely goth & passith from a man / [2770] But that richesse that comyth lityl & lyȝtil / wexeth alwey & multyplyeth / [2771] And sere ȝe schul gete richessis by ȝoure wit / & by ȝoure trauayle / vn-to ȝoure profyt [2772] & that with-outyn wrong or harm doinge to ony othir persone / [2773] For the law

[6-text p 238] seyth / that there makyth no man hym ryche / ȝif he do harm to a-nothyr witht. [2774] this is to seyne / that nature defendyth / & forbedyth by ryght / that no man make hym self ryche; vn-to the harm of a-nothyr / persone. [2775] And thullius seyth / that no sorwe ne no drede / of deth ne nothing that may falle vn-to a man [2776] is so meche ageyns nature; as a man to encrese his owene profit / to the harm of a-nothir man / [2777] And thow the greete men / & the myȝty men / getyn richessis / moore lyȝthely than thow / [2778] ȝit schalt thu nat been ydyl ne slow to don thyn profit ffor thow schalt in alle wise / fleen ydilnesse / [2779] ffor Salomon seyth / that idilnesse techith a man to doon manye euyllis / [2780] And the Same Salomon seyth that he that trauaylith / & besijth hym to tilyin his lond schal etyn breed / [2781] But he that is idyl & castyth hym to no besynesse / ne ocupacioun schal falle in-to pouerte / & deye for hungir / [2782] And he that is ydil & slow / can neuere fyndyn conabele tyme for to doon his profyt [2783] ffor there is a versefiour seyth / that the ydele man excuseth hym in wyntyr bi cause of greet cold / & in somyr by cause of the greete heete / [2784] For these causes / seyth catoun wakyth & enclynyth ȝow nat ouyrmeche for to slepe / ffor ouyrmeche slep causeth & norichith manye vicis [2785] And therfore seyth seynt Ierome / doth some goode dedys / that the deuyl whiche is oure enemy / ne fynde ȝow nat vn-ocupied / [2786] For the deuyl takyth nat lyȝtely vn-to hise werk|ynge sweche as he fyndyth ocupied in goode werkis /

[2787] Thanne thus in getynge richesses the muste fleen Idilnesse / [2788] & aftyrward ȝe schul vse the rychesses / whiche ȝe han getyn by ȝoure wit And by ȝoure trauayle / [2789] in swich manere that men holdyn [folio 344a] ȝow nat to scars ne to sparynge / ne fool large / that is to seyne ouyr large a spendere / [2790] For ryȝt as men blamyn an auericious man / by cause of hise scarcite & chyncherye; [2791] ryȝt so / in the same wise / is he to blame

[6-text p 239] that spendyth ouyr largely / [2792] And therefere seyth Catoun vse he seyth thynne richessis / that þ^u hast getyn [2793] in swich a maner / that men haue ne matier ne cause to calle the neythir wreche ne chinchere / [2794] ffor it is greet schame to a man to haue a poore herte & a ryche purs [2795] he seyth also the goodis that thow hast getyn / vse hem by meseur / that is to s[e]yne spende mesurabely / [2796] for they that folyly wastyn & despendyn the goodis that they han / [2797] whan they han no moore propere of here owene / they schapyn hem to takyn the goodis of a-nothyr man [2798] ¶ I seye thanne ȝe schul fleen aueryce [2799] vsynge ȝoure richessis in swich manere / that men seye nat that ȝoure richessis been I-buryed / [2800] But that ȝe haue hem in ȝoure myȝt & in ȝoure weldynge // [2801] ffor a wys man repreuyth the auericious man / & seyth thus in two vers / [2802] Wherto & whi buryeth a man hise goodis bi his greete aueryce / & knowyth weel that nedis muste he deye / [2803] for deth is the ende of euery man as in this present lyf / [2804] And for what cause & what enchesoun / ioynyth he hym or knyttyth he hym / so faste vnto hise goodis / [2805] that alle hise wittys moun nat disseueren hym ne departyn hym from hise goodis / [2806] & knowith weel or oughte to knowyn / that whan he is deed he schal no thyng bere with hym / ouȝt of þis world / [2807] And therefore seyth seynt Augustyn / that the auarycious man is lykkened vn-to helle / [2808] that the more it swolwith / the moode desyr it hath to swolwe / & deuoure / [2809] And as weel as ȝe wolde eschewe / to been called an auerycious man / or chynche / [2810] as weel schulde ȝe keepe ȝow & gouerne ȝow in swich a wyse / that men ne calle ȝow nat fool large / [2811] Therfore seyth Tullius / the goodis he seyth of thyn hous schulde not been kept [folio 344b] ne hid so cloos / But that they myȝtyn been openyd bi pete & debonayeretee / [2812] that is to seyne to ȝeuyn hem part / that han greet neede / [2813]

[6-text p 240] Ne thynne goodis schulde not been so opyn / to been euery manys goodis [2814] ¶ Aftyrward in getynge of ȝoure richesse & in vsynge hem / ȝe schul alwey haue thre thyngis in ȝoure herte / [2815] that is to seyne oure lord god Concience / And good name // [2816] ffyrst ȝe schul haue god in ȝoure herte / [2817] And for no rychesse ȝe schul doon no thyng that schulde displese oure lord good / that is ȝoure creature & makere / [2818] ffor aftyr the word of salomon / It is bettere to haue a lytil good with the loue of god [2819] than to haue meche good / & tresor And leese the loue of hise lord god / [2820] And the prophete seyth / that t[h]e moore prophit & the betere it is to been a good man / & haue lytil good & tresore; [2821] than to been heldyn a schrewe & haue greete rychessis [2822] And ȝit seye I ferthere moore / that ȝe schul alwey doon ȝoure besynesse to gete ȝow richessis [2823] so that ȝe gete hem with good concience // [2824] And thapostelle seyth / that there ne is thyng in this world of whiche ȝe schulde haue so greet Ioye / as whan oure concience beryth vs witnesse / [2825] And the wise man seyth. The substaunce of a man is ful good / whan synne is not in mannys concience / [2826] Aftyrward in getynge of ȝoure richessis / & in vsynge of hem [2827] ȝow muste haue greet besynesse / And greet dilligence / that ȝoure goode name be alwey kept & conseruyd / [2828] ffor Salo|mon seyth that betere it is / & moore it a-vaylith a man to haue a good name than for to haue manye rych[e]ssis / [2829] And therfore he seyth in a-nothir place / Doo greet diligence seyth salomon in kepynge of thyn frend & of thyn goode name / [2830] for it schal longere a-bydyn / with the than ony tresore be it neuere so precious / [2831] and certis he schulde nat been callid a gentil man that aftyr god & good concience / alle thynge left / ne doth his diligence / & bisynesse to kepyn his goode name // [2832] And Cassiodere seyth / That it is [folio 345a] signe of a gentil herte / whan a man louyth & desiryth to haue a good name /

[6-text p 241] [2833] And therfore seyth seynt austyn / that there been two thyngis that been necessarye & nedeful [2834] & that is good Concience & good loos / [2835] that is to seyne good concience to thyn owene parsone / In word and good los / for thyn neyghebore owtward / [2836] And he that trustith hym so mechil in hise goode concience / [2837] that he displesith & settyth at nouȝt / his goode name or los / & rekkith nat thow he kepith nat his goode name / nys but a crewel cherl /

[2838] Sire now haue I schewid ȝow / how ȝe schuldyn doon to getyn rychessis / & how ȝe schuldyn vsyn hem / [2839] And I se weel that for the trust that ȝe han in ȝoure richessis / ȝe wele meue werre / & batayle [2840] ¶ I conseyle ȝow that ȝe begynne no werre in trust of ȝoure rychessis / for they ne suffyse not / werrys to mayn|tene / [2841] And therfore seyth a philysophere That man that desyryth & wele algatis han werre / schal neuere han suffisaunce / [2842] for the rychere that he is the grettere dispencis wolde he makyn / ȝif he wele haue wor|schepe & victorie [2843] And Salomon seyth / that the grettere rychessis that a man hath; the mo dispendouris / he hath [2844] ¶ And deere sere / al be it so that for ȝoure rychessis / ȝe mowe haue meche folk / [2845] ȝit behouyth it nat / ne it is nat good to bryngyn werre / where as ȝe mowe in othere manere haue pees / vn-to ȝoure worschepe & profyt / [2846] ffor the victorye of bataylis / that been in this world / lyth not in grete nou[m]bre or multitude of peple / ne in the vertew of man / [2847] but it lyth in the wil & in the vertu of oure lord god / almighty / [2848] & therfore Iudas / Machabeus / whiche was goddis knygh / [2849] whanne he schulde fyghte aȝen hyse aduersaryis that a grettere noumbre & a grettere mul|titude of puple of folk & was strongere / than was his puple of Machabye / [2850] ȝit he reconfortyth his litil cumpanye / & seyde ryȝt in this wise / [2851] Also lyghtely quod he may oure lord god / almyghty ȝeue victorye to a fewe folk;

[6-text p 242] as to manye folk / [2852] [folio 345b] for the victorie of batayle / comyth not by the greete noumbre of peple [2853] but it comyth from oure lord god / of heuene [2854] ¶ And deere sere for as meche as theere is no man / certeyn if it be worthi that god ȝeue hym victorie / . . . . . or noght aftyr that salomon seyth / [2855] therfore euery man / schulde greetly drede werris / to begynne / [2856] And by cause that in bataylis fallyn manye perilis / [2857] And happith othir|while / that as soone as the greete man slayn as the lityl man / [2858] And as it is I-wretyn in the secunde book of kyngis / the deedis of bataylis been auenturouse And no thyng certeyn / [2859] for as lyȝtely is on hurt with a spere as a-nothir / [2860] And for there is gret peril in werre / therfore schulde a man fle & eschewe werre in as meche as a man may goodly / [2861] ffor Salomon seyth / he that louyth peril / schal falle in peril / [2862]

Aftyr that Dame Prudence hadde spokyn in this maneere / Melibee answerede & seyde [2863] I se weel dame prudence / that be ȝoure fayre wordys and by ȝoure resonys / that ȝe han schewede me; that the werre lykyth ȝow no thyng / [2864] but I haue not ȝit herd ȝoure conseyl / how I schal doon / in this neede [2865]

CErtis quod sche / I conseyle ȝow that ȝe acorde with ȝoure aduersaryis / & that ȝe han pees with hem / [2866] ffor seynt Iame seyth / in hise epistellis That by concord & pees / the smale rychessis waxen greete / [2867] & by debat & discord / the greete richessis fallyn doun [2868] & ȝe knowyn weel that on of the gretteste / & most souereyn thyng that is in this world / is vnytee & pees / [2869] and therfore seyde oure lord Ihesu Crist to hise apostell in this wyse / [2870] wol happi & blyssede been they / that louyn & purchasyn pees / for they been callede childeryn of god / [2871] A Quod Melibee / Now se I that ȝe louyn not myn honour / ne myn worchepe / [2872] ȝe knowyn weel that mynne

[6-text p 243] aduersaryis han begunne this debaat & brige / by here outrage [2873] & ȝe seen weel that they ne requiryn ne preyen me nat of pees / ne they axsyn nat to been reconsylid / [2874] wele ȝe thanne that I goo and meeke / me & obeye me to hem / & crye hem mercy / [2875] for sothe that weere nat myn worschepe / [2876] ffor ryȝt as men [folio 346a] seyn / that oure greete homelynesse / engenderyth dispressynge so faryth it / by too gret humilte or meeknesse [2877]

Thanne bygan Daame Prudence / to makyn sem|blaunt of wrethe & seyde [2878] Certis sire saue ȝoure grace / I loue ȝoure honour & ȝoure profyt as I do myn owene / & euere haue do / [2879] ne ȝe ne noon othir seyen neuere the contrarye / [2880] And ȝit If I hadde seyd / that ȝe schulde / han purchasyd / the pees & the reconsyliacyoun / I ne hadde nat meche mystake me / ne sayd a-mys // [2881] ffor the wise man seyth / The dis|sencioun begynnyth by a-nothir man / & the reconsylyng bygynnyth by thi self / [2882] And the prophete seyth ffle schrewedenesse & do goodnesse / [2883] Seeke pees & folwe it in-asmeche as ȝe may / [2884] ȝit seye I nat / that ȝe schul rathere / pursewe to ȝoure aduersarye / for pees / than they schul to ȝow / [2885] ffor I knowe weel that ȝe been so hard hertid / that ȝe weele doon no thyng for me // [2886] And Salomon seyth / that he that hath ouyr hard an herte / that he at the laste schal myshappe or mystyde.

Whanne Melibee hadde herd dame Prudence makyn semblaunt / of wrathe / he seyde in this wise / [2888] Dame I preye ȝow that ȝe been nat displesid / of thyngis that I seye / [2889] ffor ȝe knowe weel / that I am angery & wroth / & that is no wondyr / [2890] & they that been wrothe; wetyn nat weel what they doon / ne what they seyn / [2891] Therfore the prophete seyth / that troublede eyen han no cleer syȝt / [2892] but seyth & conseylyth me / as ȝou lykyth / for I am redy to do / ryght as ȝe wele desire / [2893] and ȝif ȝe repreue me of myn folye / I am the moore holdyn for to loue ȝow & to preyse

[6-text p 244] ȝow // [2894] ffor Salomon seyth / that he that repreuyth hym that doth folye [2895] he schal fynde grettere grace / than he that disseyuyth hym with sweete wordys / [2896]

Thanne seyde dame Prudence / I make no semblaund / of wrathe ne of angir: but for ȝoure greete profyth / [2897] ffor Salomon seyth he is more worth / that re|preuyth or chydyth / a fool for hise folyee / schewynge hym semelaunt of wrethe; [2898] than he that support[it]h hym / & preysith hym in his mysdoinge. [folio 346b] and laughit at hise folye / [2899] and this same salamon seyth aftyrward / that by the sorweful visage of a man that is to seyne by the sorye & heuy cuntenaunce / of a man [2900] the fool / correctyth & amendyth hymself / [2901]

Thanne seyde Melibee / I schal nat cunne answere to so manye & fayr resonys as ȝe puttyn on to me / & schewyn / [2902] seyth schortely vn-to me ȝoure wil & ȝoure conseyl / & I am al redy to performe it & fulfille it /

Whanne Dame Prudence discouerede al hire wil on to hym & seyde / [2904] I conseyle ȝow quod sche abouyn alle thynges / that ȝe makyn pees by-twexe god and ȝow / [2905] & beth reconsyled vn-to hym / & to hise grace / [2906] ffor as I haue seyd ȝow heere by-forn / God hath sufferid ȝow to haue this tribulacioun & dissese for ȝoure synnys / [2907] and ȝif ȝe do as I seyde ȝow / god wele sende ȝore aduersarijs vn-to ȝow / [2908] & make hem to falle at ȝoure feet / redy to doon ȝoure wil & ȝoure com|aundement / [2909] for Salomon seyth / whanne the con|dicioun of a man / is plesaunt & lykynge to god / [2910] he chaungith the hertis of the mannys aduersarijs & con|streynyth hem to beseke hym of pees & of grace [2911] & I preye ȝow lat me spekyn with ȝoure aduersarijs pryuyly / [2912] for they schal nat knowe that it be of ȝoure wil / or ȝoure assent / [2913] and thanne whanne I knowe here wil & here entent I may conseyle ȝow the moore sewerly

[2914] DAme quod Melibee doth ȝoure wil &

[6-text p 245] ȝoure lykynge / [2915] for I putte me holly in ȝoure disposicioun and ordynaunce [2916]

Thanne dame Prudence whanne sche saw the greete wil of hire husbonde / delibered & took auys in hireself / [2917] thynkynge how sche myȝte brynge this neede into a good conclusioun / & to a good ende [2918] And whan sche saw hire tyme sche sente for hise aduersaryis / to come vn-to hire into a priue place / [2919] & schewede wisely vn-to hem / the greete goodis that comyn of pees [2920] & the greete harmys / & perilis that comyn in werre / [2921] & seyde to hem in a goodely manere / how that [folio 347a] hem oughte to han greet re|pentaunce / [2922] of the Iniurie & the wrong that they hadde doon to hire lord / and vn-to hire & to hyre douȝtyr [2923]

And whanne / they herdyn the goodelyche wordis off Dame Prudence / [2924] they weere so suppreysed / & rauyschit & haddyn so greet Ioye of hire that wondyr was to seen / or telle // [2925] A lady quod they ȝe han schewyd vnto vs / the blyssynge of swettnesse / aftyr the sawe of dauyth the prophete / [2926] ffor the reconsilyng whiche we ne been nat worthi for to haue / in no maneere / [2927] but we ouȝtyn to requiryn it with vericontrycioun / & humilitee that [2928] ȝe of ȝoure greete goodnesse / haue presentid vn|to vs / [2929] Now se we weel / that the science & the cun|nynge / of Salomon is ful trewe / [2930] ffor he seyth that sweete wordys / multiplyen & encresyn frendis / & makyn schrewys to been debonayre & meeke /

[2931] Certis quod they / we putte oure deede & al oure matyere & cause al only in ȝoure goode wil / [2932] and been redy to obeye to the comaunde|ment of myn lord / Melibee / [2933] And therefore deere & benygne lady / we preye ȝow & beseke ȝow as mekely as we cunne / And moun / [2934] that it like vnto ȝoure greete goodnesse / to fulfylle in deede ȝoure good|lyche wordis // [2935] ffor we consideryn & knowelechyn /

[6-text p 246] that we haue offendit & greuyd myn lord Melibee out of mesure [2936] so fer forth that we been nat of poweer / to makyn hise amendis / [2937] And therfore we obligyn & byndyn vs & oure frendis for to doon his wil / & al his comaundementz / [2938] but perauenture he hath swich heuynesse & swich wrathe to vsward / by cause of oure offence [2939] that he wele enioynyn vs swich a peyne as we mowe nat bere ne sustene / [2940] And therfore noble lady we besekyn to thyn womanly pete / [2941] to takyn swich auysement / in this neede / that we ne oure frendis been nat diseritid ne distroyed / thorw oure folye [2942]

CErtis quod Prudence / it is an hard thyng [et per|illeuse] [2943] that a man putte hym al vtreely in arbitracioun / and Iugement & in the mygh & power of hyse enemyis / [2944] ffor Salomon seyth / Leeuyth me [folio 347b] & ȝeuyth credence to that that I schal seyn / I seye quod he the puple / folk / & gouernouris of holy cherche [2945] to thyn sone to thyn wif / to thyn frend ne to thyn brothyr [2946] ne ȝeue thow neuere mygh ne maystrye / of thyn body whil thow leuyst [2947] ¶ Now sithyn that he defendyth that a man schulde nat ȝeuyn to hise brothir ne to his frend the myȝt of hise body / [2948] by a strongere resoun / he defendith & forbedyth a man / to ȝeuyn hym self to his enemy / [2949] And nathe|les I conseyle ȝow that ȝe mystruste nat myn lord / [2950] for I wot weel & knowe verrayly / that he is debonayre / and meeke large curteys / [2951] & no|thyng desyrous / ne coueytous of good ne rychesse / [2952] for there ne is no thyng in this world / that he desiryth; saue only worschepe & honour / [2953] fferthere-moore I knowe & am ryȝt sekyr that he schal nothyng doon in this neede with-outyn myn conseyl / [2954] And I schal so werkyn in this cause / that by the grace of oure lord god ȝe schul been reconsyled vn-to vs

[2955] Thanne seydyn they with oon wois / worschepe|ful

[6-text p 247] lady we putte vs & alle oure goodis // all fully in ȝoure wil & disposicioun [2956] and been redy to come / what day it lyke vnto ȝoure noblesse / to lymite vs / or assigne vs / [2957] for to makyn oure obligacioun / & boond as strong as it likith vn-to ȝoure goodnesse / [2958] that we mowe fulfylle the wil of ȝow // and of myn lord Melibee [2959]

Whanne Dame Prudence / hadde herd the answerys of these men / sche bad hem gon a-gayn priuyly / [2960] and sche retornede to hire lord Melibee / and tolde hym how sche foond hise aduersarijs ful repentaunt / [2961] knowelechynge ful lowely here synnys & trespase and how they were redy / to suffere alle peyne / [2962] requirynge & preyinge hym / of merci & pete [2963]

Thanne seyde Melibee / he is weel worthi to haue pardoun & forȝeuenesse of hise synne / that excusith nat his synne / [2964] but [folio 348a] knowelecheth & repentith hym axinge indulgence [2965] ffor Senek saith theere is the remissioun & forȝeuenesse of synne / wheere as the con|fescioun is / [2966] neighbore to innocence; is confessioun / [2967] . . . . . And therfore I assente / & conferme me to haue pees / [2968] but it is good that we doon not with-outyn the assent & wil of oure frendis [2969]

Thanne was prudence / ryȝt glad & Ioyeful and seyde / [2970] Certis sere quod sche / ȝe han weel & goodly answeryd / [2971] for rygh as by the conseyl / assent & helpe of ȝoure frendis / ȝe han been stirid to venge ȝow / & make werre / [2972] ryȝt so with|outyn hire conseyl / schul ȝe nat acordyn / ȝow / ne haue pees with ȝoure aduersarijs / [2973] ffor the lawe seith There ne is no thyng so good be woye of kynde as a thyng to been onbounde / by hym that it was I-bou[n]de //

[2974] And thanne Dame Prudence / with-outyn delay or taryinge / sente a-non hire messagis for hire kyn & for hire olde frendis / whiche that were trewe / & wyse [2975]

[6-text p 248] & tolde hem bi ordere in the presence of Melibee / al this matieere as it is a-boue expressid / & declared / [2976] And preyede hem that they wolde ȝeue hire a-vis & con|seyl / what best were to don in this neede // [2977] And whanne Melibees frendis haddyn takyn hire auys / & deliber|acioun of the forseyde matieere [2978] & hadde examynede it bi greet auysement & besynesse & greet diligence / [2979] they ȝeve ful conseyl / for to haue pees & reste / [2980] And that melibee schulde resseyue with good herte hise aduer|saryis / to forȝeuenesse & mercy

[2981] ¶ And whanne dame Prudence / hadde herd thassent of hire lord / Melibee & the conseyl of hise frendis / [2982] acord / with hire wil / & hyre entencioun [2983] sche was wondirly glad / in hire herte / & seyde / [2984] there is an old prouerbe / quod sche / that seyth That the goodnesse that thow mayght don this day do it / [2985] & abyde not ne delaye it not til tomorwe / [2986] & therfore I conseyle that ȝe sende ȝoure massagis / sweche as been discreete / & wyse. [2987] vn-to ȝoure aduersaryis / tellynge [folio 348b] hem on ȝoure behalue / [2988] that ȝif they wele trete of pees / & of acord / [2989] that they schape hem with-outyn delay or tarynge to comyn vn-to vs / [2990] whiche thing perfornede was / in deede [2991] & whanne these trespasouris & repentynge folk of here folyis / that is to seyne the aduersaryis of Melibee / [2992] haddyn herd what these messageris seydyn vn-to hem / [2993] they weere right glad & ioyeful / & answeredyn ful mekely & benygnely [2994] ȝeldynge gracis / & thankyngis to here lord Melibee & to alle his cumpaynye / [2995] & schopyn hem with-outyn delay to gon with the massangeris / & obeye to the comaundement of here lord Melibee //

[2996] & ryȝt a-noon they toke here woye to the court / of Melibee / [2997] & tokyn with hem summe of here trewe frendis to make feith for hem / & for to been here borwys / [2998] And whanne they were come to

[6-text p 249] the presence / of Melibee / he seyde hem these wordys / [2999] It standith thus quod Melibee / & soth it is that [3000] causeles & with-outyn skille / & resoun ȝe [3001] han doon greete Iniurijs & wrongis / to me & to myn wif Prudence And to myn doughtyr also / [3002] for ȝe han entred in-to myn hous by violence / [3003] & han doon swich outrage that alle men knowyn wel / that ȝe han deseruyd the deth / [3004] And therfore wele I knowe & wete of ȝow [3005] whethir ȝe wele putte the ponyschynge and the chastisynge in-to vengeaunce / of this outrage in the wil of me / & of myn wyf; or ȝe wele nat [3006]

¹THanne the wyseste of hem thre / answerede for hem alle & seyde / [3007] Sire we knowe wel that we been onworthy to come to the court of so gret a lord & so worthy as ȝe been [3008] ffor we han so greetly mystakyn vs / & han offendit & agilt in swich a wise ageyn ȝoure hye lordschepe / [3009] that trewely we han deseruyd the deth / [3010] But ȝit for the greete goodnesse & debonaierete / that al the world witnessith of ȝoure persoone / [3011] we submyttyn vs to the excellence & the benygnete of ȝoure graciouse lordschepe [3012] And been redy to obeye [folio 349a] to alle ȝoure comandementis/ [3013] besekynge ȝow that of ȝoure Merciable pete / ȝe wolde considere oure geeete repentaunce & lowe submissioun [3014] & graunte vs forȝeuenesse of oure outrageous trespacis and offence [3015] for weel we knowyn / that ȝoure liberal grace / & mercy / strechyn hem ferthere / in-to good|nesse; than don oure outrageous giltis & trespacis in-to wekedenesse [3016] Albe-it that cursedely & damp|nably we han gilt agen ȝoure highe lordschepe.¹ [3017]

THanne Melibee tok hem vp from the ground ful benygnely / [3018] & resseyuede here oblygacyounys & here bondis / by here othis vpon here plegges / & borewis / [3019] and assignede hem a certeyn day to retourne vn-to hise courtt [3020] forto resceyue & accepte the sentence/

[6-text p 250] & Iugement that Melibee wolde commaunde to been doon on hem / by the cause afforseid. [3021] whyche thyngis or|deynyd / euery man retourned to his hous //

[3022] And whanne that dame Prudence saw hire tyme sche feynede and axede hire lord Melibee [3023] [folio 349b] what vengeaunce he thouȝte to takyn of hise aduersaries [3024]

TO whiche Melibee answerede & seyde certis quod he I thynke & purpose me fully [3025] to dys|erite hem of al that they han / & for to putte hem in exil for euere. [3026]

CErtis quod dame prudence this were a crewel sentence / & mechil a-geyn resoun / [3027] for ȝe been riche I-now / & han non ned of othere menys / [3028] & ȝe myȝtyn lyȝtely in this wyse / getyn ȝow a coueytous name [3029] whiche is a vicious thyng & oughte to been eschewid of euery good man / [3030] ffor aftyr the sawe of the word of thapostele / Coueytyse is roote of alle harmys / [3031] & therfore it were betere / for ȝow to lese so meche good / of ȝoure owene; than for to takyn of hire good / in this manere [3032] ffor betere it is to lese good / with worchepe; thanne it is to wynne good with vilanye / & schame / [3033] And euery man oughte to doon his diligence / & his besynesse / to getyn hym a good name / [3034] & ȝit schal he nat only / besye hym in kepynge his good name; [3035] but he schal also enforsyn hym alwey to doon sumthing by whiche he may renouelle / hise goode name [3036] ffor it is wretyn / that the olde goode loos / or goode name / of a man is soone goon & passid / whanne it nys nat newid ne re|nouellyd / [3037] And as touchynge that ȝe seyn ȝe wele exile ȝoure aduersaryis / [3038] that thynkyth me mekyl ageyn resoun And out of meseure / [3039] con|syderede the power that they han ȝeuyn ȝow vp-on hem-self / [3040] And it is wretyn that he is worthy to leese hise priuylege that mysuseth & the poweer / that is ȝeuyn hym / [3041] & I sette caas / ȝe myȝte enioyne hem / that peyne by ryȝt / & by lawe / [3042] whiche I

[6-text p 251] trowe ȝe ne may not do / [3043] I seye ȝe myght nat putte it to execucioun parauenture [3044] & thanne weere it likly to returne to the werre as it was by-forn [3045] & therfore ȝif ȝe wele that men doon ȝow obeys|aunce / ȝe muste deeme moore curteysly [3046] this is to seye ȝe muste ȝeue moore esy sentenceȝ & Iugementis / [3047] ffor it is wrete / that he that most curteysli comaundyth / to hym; meen muste obeye / [3048] & there|fore I preye ȝow / that in this necescite / & this neede ȝe caste ȝow to ouercome ȝoure herte // [3049] ffor senek seyth that he that [ones] ouyrcomyth [folio 350a] [Harl. 1758 folio 181b] [his/herte ouercomeþ twies/ [3050] And Tullius/ seith. þer is/ no þing/ so comendable in a gret lorde. [3051] as/ when he is/ debon|eire & meke. & appesiþ hym mekeli. [3052] And I praie you · þat ye woll/ forbere now to do vengeaunce [3053] in suche a maner þat your good name maie be kept & conserued. [3054] & þat men maie haue cause & mater/ to preise you in pite & mercy. [3055] & þat ye haue no cause to repent you of þing/ þat ye done. [3056] ffor Senek seith. he ouercomeþ in euyll/ maner þat repentiþ hym of his/ victorie. [3057] Wher|fore I praie you lat/ mercy ben in your herte [3058] to þ^e effecte & þ^e entente þat god almyȝti haue mercy vp-on you in his/ last iugement [3059] ³¶ ffor seynt/ Iame seith in his/ epistell/. Iugement³ with out mercy schall/ be do to. hym. þat haþ no mercy of anoþer wight.

[3060] When Me [Harl. 1758 folio 182a] libe had herd þ^e grete skiles/ & resons/ of dame Prudence & of/ her/ wise informacions/ & techinges/. [3061] his herte gan enclyne to þ^e wille of his/ wif. considering/ to her trewe entent/. [3062] con|formed hym anon & assentid fulli to wirchen aftir/ hir/ counceile. [3063] & þankid god of/ whom procediþ all/ goodnes/ þat hym sent a wif/ of so gret discrecion. [3064] And when þ^e daie come þat his/ aduer|saries/ schulden appere in his presence. [3065] he spak/

[6-text p 252] to hem full/ goodli & seide to hem in þis/ wise. [3066] ¶ All/ be it/ so þat of your pride & hie presumpcion & folie & of your necligence & vnkonnyng. [3067] Ye haue mys/ born you & trespaced to me. [3068] Yet for as/ meche as/ I se & beholde your gret humylite [3069] & þat ye ben sorie & repentaunt of/ your giltes/. [3070] it/ constreyneþ me to do yow grace & mercy · [3071] wherfore I receyue you to my grace. [3072] & foryeuen/ you intierli alle þ^e offences/ yniuries/ & wrongis/· þat ye han done ayenst/ me & myn. [3073] to þis/ effecte & to þis/ ende þat god of his/ endeles/ mercy · [3074] will/ at þe tyme of diyng/. foryeuen/ our/ giltes/ þat we haue trespaced vn-to hym in þis/ wrecchid worlde. [3075] ffor doutles/ if/ we be sorie & repentaunt/ of þ^e synnes/ & giltes/· in þ^e whiche we han trespaced in þ^e sight/ of our/ lord god. [3076] he is/ so fre & so merci|full/. [3077] þat he will/ foryeuen/ vs/ our/ giltes/. [3078] & bryngen vs/ to þilke blis/ þat neuer hath ende . To whiche blis/ he vs/ brynge · þat blood on crois/ for vs/ did sprynge. Qui cum deo patre. & cetera.//

Here/ endith Chaucers/ tale/ of Melibe/ And Prudence/]

Notes

• Ovidius
• Camb. Univ. Libr. MS Gg, 4. 27, begins here.
• no gap in the MS.
• no gap
• no gap
• [MS repeats the pacience]
• no gap in the MS.
• no gap in the MS.
• no gap in the MS.
• no gap in the MS.
• [^1_1 All this paragraph is repeated in the MS, begin|ning Whanne instead of Thanne.]
• is cut out
• ¶ Tullius/.
• ¶ Seneca.
• [^3_3 in margin]
• ¶ Iacobus/.
• [Harl. MS 1758 extract ends]