William Langland's The vision of Piers Plowman

Passus 13

And I awaked therwith, witlees nerhande, Line 13.001 And as a freke that fey were, forth gan I walke Line 13.002 In manere of a mendynaunt many yer after, Line 13.003 And of this metyng many tyme muche thought I hadde: Line 13.004 First how Fortune me failed at my mooste nede, Line 13.005 And how that Elde manaced me, myghte we evere mete; Line 13.006 And how that freres folwede folk that was riche, Line 13.007 And [peple] that was povere at litel pris thei sette, Line 13.008 And no corps in hir kirkyerd ne in hir kirk was buryed Line 13.009 But quik he biquethe hem aught or sholde helpe quyte hir dettes; Line 13.010 And how this coveitise overcom clerkes and preestes; Line 13.011 And how that lewed men ben lad, but Oure Lord hem helpe, Line 13.012 Thorugh unkonnynge curatours to incurable peynes; Line 13.013 And how that Ymaginatif in dremels me tolde Line 13.014 Of Kynde and of his konnynge, and how curteis he is to bestes, Line 13.015 And how lovynge he is to bestes on londe and on watre: Line 13.016 Leneth he no lif lasse ne moore; Line 13.017 The creatures that crepen of Kynde ben engendred; Line 13.018 And sithen how Ymaginatif seide, " Vix iustus salvabitur,' Line 13.019 And whan he hadde seid so, how sodeynliche he passed. Line 13.020 I lay down longe in this thoght, and at the laste I slepte; Line 13.021

Line 13.021 And as Crist wolde ther com Conscience to conforte me that tyme, Line 13.022 And bad me come to his court--with Clergie sholde I dyne. Line 13.023 And for Conscience of Clergie spak, I com wel the rather; Line 13.024 And there I [merkede] a maister--what man he was I nyste-- Line 13.025 That lowe louted and loveliche to Scripture. Line 13.026 Conscience knew hym wel and welcomed hym faire; Line 13.027 Thei wesshen and wipeden and wenten to the dyner. Line 13.028 Ac Pacience in the paleis stood in pilgrymes clothes, Line 13.029 And preyde mete par charite for a povere heremyte. Line 13.030 Conscience called hym in, and curteisliche seide, Line 13.031 " Welcome, wye, go and wassh; thow shalt sitte soone.' Line 13.032 This maister was maad sitte as for the mooste worthi, Line 13.033 And thanne Clergie and Conscience and Pacience cam after. Line 13.034 Pacience and I were put to be mettes, Line 13.035 And seten bi oureselve at a side borde. Line 13.036 Conscience called after mete, and thanne cam Scripture Line 13.037 And served hem thus soone of sondry metes manye-- Line 13.038 Of Austyn, of Ambrose, of alle the foure Evaungelistes: Line 13.039 Ehentes et bibentes que apud eos sunt. Line 13.039 Ac this maister ne his man no maner flessh eten, Line 13.040 Ac thei eten mete of moore cost--mortrews and potages: Line 13.041 Of that men myswonne thei made hem wel at ese. Line 13.042 Ac hir sauce was over sour and unsavourly grounde Line 13.043 In a morter, Post mortem, of many bitter peyne-- Line 13.044 But if thei synge for tho soules and wepe salte teris: Line 13.045 Vos qui peccata hominum comeditis, nisi pro eis lacrimas et Line 13.045 oraciones effuderitis, ea que in deliciis comeditis, in tormentis evometis. Line 13.045 Conscience ful curteisly tho commaunded Scripture Line 13.046 Bifore Pacience breed to brynge and me that was his mette. Line 13.047 He sette a sour loof toforn us and seide, "Agite penitenciam,' Line 13.048 And siththe he drough us drynke: "Dia perseverans-- Line 13.049

Line 13.049 As longe,' quod he,-"as lif and lycame may dure.' Line 13.050 " Here is propre service,' quod Pacience, "ther fareth no prince bettre!' Line 13.051 And he broughte us of Beati quorum of Beatus virres makyng, Line 13.052 And thanne he broughte us forth a mees of oother mete, of Miserere mei, Deus Line 13.053 Et quorum tecta sunt peccata Line 13.053 In a dissh of derne shrifte, Dixi et confitebor tibi. Line 13.054 "Bryng Pacience som pitaunce,' pryveliche quod Conseience; Line 13.055 And thanne hadde Pacience a pitaunce, Pro hac orabit ad te Line 13.056 omnis sanctus in tempore oportuno. Line 13.056 And Conseience conforted us, and carped us murye tales: Line 13.057 Cor contritum et humiliatum, Deus, non despicies. Line 13.057 Pacience was proude of that propre service, Line 13.058 And made hym murthe with his mete; ac I mornede evere, Line 13.059 For this doctour on the heighe dees drank wyn so faste: Line 13.060 Ve vobis qui potentes estis ad bibendum vinum ! Line 13.060 He eet manye sondry metes, mortrews and puddynges, Line 13.061 Wombe cloutes and wilde brawen and egges yfryed with grece. Line 13.062 Thanne seide I to myself so Pacience it herde, Line 13.063 " It is noght foure dayes that this freke, bifore the deen of Poules, Line 13.064 Preched of penaunces that Paul the Apostle suffrede-- Line 13.065 In fame et frigore and flappes of scourges: Line 13.066 Ter cesus sum et a Iudeis quinquies quadragenas &c; Line 13.067 Ac o word thei overhuppen at ech a tyme that thei preche Line 13.068 That Poul in his Pistle to al the peple tolde-- Line 13.069 Periculum est in falslis fraribus!' Line 13.069

Line 13.069 (Holi Writ bit men be war--I wol noght write it here Line 13.070 In Englissh, on aventure it sholde be reherced to ofte Line 13.071 And greve therwith that goode men ben--ac gramariens shul rede: Line 13.072 Unusquisque a fratre se custodiat, quia, ut dicitur, Line 13.072 periculum est in falsis fratribus. Line 13.072 Ac I wiste nevere freke that as a frere yede bifore men on Englissh Line 13.073 Taken it for his teme, and telle it withouten glosyng! Line 13.074 They prechen that penaunce is profitable to the soule, Line 13.075 And what meschief and maleese Crist for man tholede). Line 13.076 "Ac this Goddes gloton,' quod I, "with hise grete chekes, Line 13.077 Hath no pite on us povere; he parfourneth yvele. Line 13.078 That he precheth, he preveth noght,' to Pacience I tolde, Line 13.079 And wisshed witterly, with wille ful egre, Line 13.080 That disshes and doublers bifore this doctour Line 13.081 Were molten leed in his mawe, and Mahoun amyddes! Line 13.082 "I shal jangle to this jurdan with his juste wombe Line 13.083 To telle me what penaunce is, of which he preched rather!' Line 13.084 Pacience parceyved what I thoughte, and [preynte] on me to be stille, Line 13.085 And seide, "Thow shalt see thus soone, whan he may na moore, Line 13.086 He shal have a penaunce in his paunche and puffe at ech a worde, Line 13.087 And thanne shullen his guttes gothele, and he shal galpen after; Line 13.088 For now he hath dronken so depe he wole devyne soone Line 13.089 And preven it by hir Pocalips and passion of Seint Avereys Line 13.090 That neither bacon ne braun ne blancmanger ne mortrews Line 13.091 Is neither fissh ne flessh but fode for a penaunt. Line 13.092 And thanne shal he testifie of a trinite, and take his felawe to witnesse Line 13.093 What he fond in a f[or]el after a freres lyvyng; Line 13.094

Line 13.094 And but the first leef be lesyng, leve me nevere after! Line 13.095 And thanne is tyme to take and to appose this doctour Line 13.096 Of Dowel and Dobet and if Dobest be any penaunce.' Line 13.097 And I sat stille as Pacience seide, and thus soone this doctour, Line 13.098 As rody as a rose ruddede hise chekes, Line 13.099 Coughed and carped; and Conscience hym herde, Line 13.100 And tolde hym of a trinite, and toward us he loked. Line 13.101 "What is Dowel, sire doctour?' quod I; "is Dobest any penaunce?' Line 13.102 " Dowel?' quod this doctour--and drank after-- Line 13.103 " Do noon yvel to thyn evencristen--nought by thi power.' Line 13.104 "By this day, sire doctour,' quod I, "thanne [in Dowel be ye noght]! Line 13.105 For ye han harmed us two in that ye eten the puddyng, Line 13.106 Mortrews and oother mete--and we no morsel hadde. Line 13.107 And if ye fare so in youre fermerye, ferly me thynketh Line 13.108 But cheeste be ther charite sholde be, and yonge children dorste pleyne! Line 13.109 I wolde permute my penaunce with youre--for I am in point to dowel.' Line 13.110 Thanne Conscience ful curteisly a contenaunce he made, Line 13.111 And preynte upon Pacience to preie me to be stille, Line 13.112 And seide hymself, "Sire doctour, and it be youre wille, Line 13.113 What is Dowel and Dobet? Ye dyvynours knoweth.' Line 13.114 "Dowel?' quod this doctour; "do as clerkes techeth; Line 13.115 And Dobet is he that techeth and travailleth to teche othere; Line 13.116 And Dobest doth hymself so as he seith and precheth: Line 13.117 Qui facit et docuerit magnus vocabitur in regno celorum.' Line 13.117 "Now thow, Clergie,' quod Conscience. "carpe us what is Dowel.' Line 13.118 " I have sevene sones,' he seide, "serven in a castel Line 13.119 Ther the lord of lif wonyeth, to leren hem what is Dowel. Line 13.120 Til I se tho sevene and myself acorde Line 13.121 I am unhardy,' quod he, "to any wight to preven it. Line 13.122 For oon Piers the Plowman hath impugned us alle, Line 13.123 And set alle sciences at a sop save love one; Line 13.124 And no text ne taketh to mayntene his cause Line 13.125

Line 13.125 But Dilige Deum and Domine quis habitabit; Line 13.126 And seith that Dowel and Dobet arn two infinites, Line 13.127 Whiche infinites with a feith fynden out Dobest, Line 13.128 Which shal save mannes soule--thus seith Piers the Plowman.' Line 13.129 " I kan noght heron,' quod Conscience, "ac I knowe wel Piers. Line 13.130 He wol noght ayein Holy Writ speken, I dar x el undertake. Line 13.131 Thanne passe we over til Piers come and preve this in dede. Line 13.132 Pacience hath be in many place, and paraunter knoweth Line 13.133 That no clerk ne kan, as Crist bereth witnesse: Line 13.134 Pacientes vincunt &c.' Line 13.134 "At youre preiere,' quod Pacience tho, "so no man displese hym: Line 13.135 Disce,' quod he, " doce; dilige inimicos. Line 13.136 Disce, and Dowel; doce, and Dobet; Line 13.137 Dilige, and Dobest--[do] thus taughte me ones Line 13.138 A lemman that I lovede--Love was hir name. Line 13.139 ""With wordes and with werkes,'' quod she, "and wil of thyn herte Line 13.140 Thow love leelly thi soule al thi lif tyme. Line 13.141 And so thow lere the to lovye, for the Lordes love of hevene, Line 13.142 Thyn enemy in alle wise eveneforth with thiselve. Line 13.143 Cast coles on his heed of alle kynde speche; Line 13.144 Bothe with werkes and with wordes fonde his love to wynne, Line 13.145 And leye on him thus with love til he laughe on the; Line 13.146 And but he bowe for this betyng, blynd mote he worthe!' Line 13.147 "Ac for to fare thus with thi frend--folie it were; Line 13.148 For he that loveth thee leelly, litel of thyne coveiteth. Line 13.149 Kynde love coveiteth noght no catel but speche. Line 13.150 With half a laumpe lyne in Latyn, Ex vi transicionis, Line 13.151 I bere ther, in a bou[s]te, faste ybounde Dowel, Line 13.152 In a signe of the Saterday that sette first the kalender, Line 13.153 And al the wit of the Wodnesday of the nexte wike after; Line 13.154 The myddel of the rnoone is the myght of bothe. Line 13.155 And herwith am I welceme ther I have it with me. Line 13.156 " Undo it--lat this doctour deme if Dowel be therinne; Line 13.157

Line 13.157 For, by hym that me made, myghte nevere poverte, Line 13.158 Misese ne mischief ne man with his tonge, Line 13.159 Coold, ne care, ne compaignye of theves. Line 13.160 Ne neither hete, ne hayl, ne noon helle pouke, Line 13.161 Ne neither fuyr, ne flood, ne feere of thyn enemy. Line 13.162 Tene thee any tyme, and thow take it with the: Line 13.163 Caritas nichil timet. Line 13.163 "And ek, have God my soule! and thow wilt it crave, Line 13.164 Ther nys neither emperour ne emperesse, erl ne baroun, Line 13.165 Pope ne patriark, that pure reson ne shal make thee Line 13.166 Maister of alle tho men thorugh myght of this redels-- Line 13.167 Nought thorugh wicchecraft but thorugh wit; and thow wilt thiselve Line 13.168 Do kyng and quene and alle the comune after Line 13.169 Yyve thee al that thei may yyve, as thee for best yemere, Line 13.170 And as thow demest wil thei do alle hir dayes after: Line 13.171 Pacientes vincunt.' Line 13.171 " It is but a dido,' quod this doctour, "a disours tale! Line 13.172 Al the wit of this world and wight mennes strengthe Line 13.173 Kan noght [par]formen a pees bitwene the Pope and hise enemys, Line 13.174 Ne bitwene two Cristene kynges kan no wight pees make Line 13.175 Profitable to either peple--and putte the table fro hym, Line 13.176 And took Clergie and Conscience to conseil, as it were, Line 13.177 That Pacience tho most passe--for pilgrymes konne wel lye.' Line 13.178 Ac Conscience carped loude and curteisliche seide, Line 13.179 " Frendes, fareth wel,' and faire spak to Clergie, Line 13.180 " For I wol go with this gome, if God wol yeve me grace, Line 13.181 And be nilgrym with Pacience til I have preved moore.' Line 13.182 "What! ' quod Clergie to Conscience, "are ye coveitous nouthe Line 13.183 After yeresyeves or yiftes. or yernen to rede redels? Line 13.184 I shal brynge yow a Bible, a book of the olde lawe, Line 13.185 And lere yow, if yow like, the leeste point to knowe, Line 13.186 That Pacience the pilgrym parfitly knew nevere.' Line 13.187 " Nay, by Crist!' quod Conscience to Clergie, " God thee foryelde. Line 13.188

Line 13.188 For al that Pacience me profreth, proud am I litel; Line 13.189 Ac the wil of the wye and the wil of folk here Line 13.190 Hath meved my mood to moorne for my synnes. Line 13.191 The goode wil of a wight was nevere bought to the fulle: Line 13.192 For ther nys no tresour therto to a trewe wille. Line 13.193 "Hadde noght Marie Maudeleyne moore for a box of salve Line 13.194 Than Zacheus for he seide, " Dimiaium bonorum meorum do pauperibus,' Line 13.195 And the poore widewe for a peire of mytes Line 13.196 Than alle tho that offrede into gazophilacium ?' Line 13.197 Thus curteisliche Conscience congeyed first the frere, Line 13.198 And sithen softeliche he seide in Clergies ere, Line 13.199 "Me were levere, by Oure Lord, and I lyve sholde, Line 13.200 Have pacience parfitliche than half thi pak of bokes! ' Line 13.201 Clergie of Conscience no congie wolde take, Line 13.202 But seide ful sobreliche, "Thow shalt se the tyme Line 13.203 Whan thow art wery forwalked, wilne me to counseille.' Line 13.204 "That is sooth,' seide Conscience, "so me God helpe! Line 13.205 If Pacience be oure partyng felawe and pryve with us bothe, Line 13.206 Ther nys wo in this world that we ne sholde amende, Line 13.207 And conformen kynges to pees, and alle kynnes londes-- Line 13.208 Sarsens and Surre, and so forth alle the Jewes-- Line 13.209 Turne into the trewe feith and intil oon bileve.' Line 13.210 "That is sooth,' quod Clergie, "I se what thow menest. Line 13.211 I shall dwelle as I do, my devoir to shewe, Line 13.212 And confermen fauntekyns oother folk ylered Line 13.213 Til Pacience have preved thee and parfit thee maked.' Line 13.214 Conscience tho with Pacience passed, pilgrymes as it were. Line 13.215 Thanne hadde Pacience, as pilgrymes han, in his poke vitailles: Line 13.216 Sobretee and symple speche and soothfast bileve, Line 13.217 To conforte hym and Conscience if thei come in place Line 13.218 There unkyndenesse and coveitise is, hungry contrees bothe. Line 13.219 And as thei wente by the weye, of Dowel thei carped; Line 13.220 Thei mette with a mynstral, as me tho thoughte. Line 13.221

Line 13.221 Pacience apposed hym first and preyde he sholde telle Line 13.222 fo Conscience what craft he kouthe, and to what contree he wolde. Line 13.223 "I am a mynstral,' quod that man, "my name is Activa Vita. Line 13.224 Al ydel ich hatie, for of Actif is my name, Line 13.225 A wafrer, wol ye wite, and serve manye lordes-- Line 13.226 And fewe robes I fonge or furrede gownes. Line 13.227 Couthe I lye and do men laughe, thanne lacchen I sholde Line 13.228 Outher mantel or moneie amonges lordes mynstrals. Line 13.229 Ac for I kan neither taboure ne trompe ne telle no gestes, Line 13.230 Farten ne fithelen at festes, ne harpen, Line 13.231 Jape ne jogele ne gentilliche pipe, Line 13.232 Ne neither saille ne sautrie ne synge with the gyterne, Line 13.233 I have no goode giftes of thise grete lordes Line 13.234 For no breed that I brynge forth--save a benyson on the Sonday, Line 13.235 Whan the preest preieth the peple hir Paternoster to bidde Line 13.236 For Piers the Plowman and that hym profit waiten-- Line 13.237 And that am I, Actif, that ydelnesse hatie; Line 13.238 For alle trewe travaillours and tiliers of the erthe, Line 13.239 Fro Mighelmesse to Mighelmesse I fynde hem with wafres. Line 13.240 "Beggeris and bidderis of my breed craven, Line 13.241 Faitours and freres and folk with brode crounes. Line 13.242 I fynde payn for the Pope and provendre for his palfrey, Line 13.243 And I hadde nevere of hym, have God my trouthe, Line 13.244 Neither provendre ne personage yet of the Popes yifte, Line 13.245 Save a pardon with a peis of leed and two polles amyddes! Line 13.246 Hadde ich a clerc that couthe write I wolde caste hym a bille Line 13.247 That he sente me under his seel a salve for the pestilence, Line 13.248 And that his blessynge and hise bulles bocches myghte destruye: Line 13.249 In nomine meo demonia eicient et super egros manus imponent et bene habebunt. Line 13.249 And thanne wolde I be prest to the peple, paast for to make, Line 13.250 And buxom and busy aboute breed and drynke Line 13.251 For hyrn and for alle hise, founde I that his pardoun Line 13.252

Line 13.252 Mighte lechen a man--as I bileve it sholde. Line 13.253 For sith he hath the power that Peter hadde, he hath the pot with the salve: Line 13.254 Argentum et aurum non est michi: quod autem habeo, Line 13.254 tibi do: In nomine Domini surge et ambula. Line 13.254 "Ac if myght of myracle hym faille, it is for men ben noght worthi Line 13.255 To have the grace of God, and no gilt of the Pope. Line 13.256 For may no blessynge doon us boote but if we wile amende, Line 13.257 Ne mannes masse make pees among Cristene peple, Line 13.258 Til pride be pureliche fordo, and that thorugh payn defaute. Line 13.259 For er I have breed of mele, ofte moot I swete, Line 13.260 And er the commune have corn ynough many a cold morwenyng; Line 13.261 So, er my wafres be ywroght, muche wo I tholye. Line 13.262 "Al Londoun, I leve, liketh wel my wafres, Line 13.263 And louren whan thei lakken hem; it is noght longe ypassed Line 13.264 There was a careful commune whan no cart com to towne Line 13.265 With bake breed fro Stratford; tho gonnen beggeris wepe, Line 13.266 And werkmen were agast a lite--this wole be thought longe; Line 13.267 In the date of Oure Drighte, in a drye Aprill, Line 13.268 A thousand and thre hundred, twies thritty and ten, Line 13.269 My wafres there were gesene, whan Chichestre was maire.' Line 13.270 I took greet kepe, by Crist, and Conscience bothe, Line 13.271 Of Haukyn the Actif Man, and how he was yclothed. Line 13.272 He hadde a cote of Cristendom as Holy Kirke bileveth; Line 13.273 Ac it was moled in many places with manye sondry plottes-- Line 13.274 Of pride here a plot, and there a plot of unbuxom speche, Line 13.275 Of scornyng and of seoffyng and of unskilful berynge; Line 13.276 As in apparaill andin porte proud amonges the peple; Line 13.277 Ootherwise than he hath with herte or sighte shewynge; Line 13.278 Hym wilnyng that alle men wende he were that he is noght, Line 13.279

Line 13.279 Forwhy he bosteth and braggeth with manye bolde othes; Line 13.280 And inobedient to ben undernome of any lif lyvynge; Line 13.281 And so singuler by hymself as to sighte of the peple Line 13.282 Was noon swich as hymself, ne noon so pope holy; Line 13.283 Yhabited as an heremyte, an ordre by hymselve-- Line 13.284 Religion saunz rule and resonable obedience; Line 13.285 Lakkynge lettrede men and lewed men bothe; Line 13.286 In likynge of lele lif and a liere in soule; Line 13.287 With inwit and with outwit ymagynen and studie Line 13.288 As best for his body be to have a bold name; Line 13.289 And entremetten hym over al ther he hath noght to doone; Line 13.290 Wilnyge that men wende his wit were the beste, Line 13.291 Or for his crafty konnynge or of clerkes the wisest, Line 13.292 Or strengest on stede, or styvest under girdel, Line 13.293 And lovelokest to loken on and lelest of werkes, Line 13.294 And noon so holy as he ne of lif clennere, Line 13.295 Or feirest of feitures, of forme and of shafte, Line 13.296 And most sotil of song other sleyest of hondes, Line 13.297 And large to lene lo[o]s therby to cacche; Line 13.298 And if he gyveth ought to povere gomes, [go] telle what he deleth; Line 13.299 Povere of possession in purs and in cofre," Line 13.300 And as a lyoun on to loke and lordlich of speche; Line 13.301 Boldest of beggeris, a bostere that noght hath, Line 13.302 In towne and in tavernes tales to telle Line 13.303 And segge thyng that he nevere seigh and for sothe sweren it, Line 13.304 Of dedes that he nevere dide demen and bosten, Line 13.305 And of werkes that he wel dide witnesse and siggen, Line 13.306

Line 13.306 "Lo! if ye leve me noght, or that I lye wenen, Line 13.307 Asketh at hym or at hym, and he yow kan telle Line 13.308 What I suffrede and seigh and somtymes hadde, Line 13.309 And what I kouthe and knew, and what kyn I com of.' Line 13.310 Al he wolde that men wiste of werkes and of wordes - Line 13.311 Which myghte plese the peple and preisen hymselve: Line 13.312 Si hominibus placerem, Christi servus non essem. Et alibi: Line 13.312 Nemo potest duobus dominis servire. Line 13.312 "By Crist!' quod Conseience tho, "thi beste cote, Haukyn, Line 13.313 Hath manye moles and spottes--it moste ben ywasshe!' Line 13.314 "Ye, whoso toke hede,' quod Haukyn, "bihynde and bifore, Line 13.315 What on bak and what on body half and by the two sides-- Line 13.316 Men sholde fynde manye frounces and manye foule plottes.' Line 13.317 And he torned hym as tyd, and thanne took I hede; Line 13.318 It was fou1er bi fele fold than it first semed. Line 13.319 It was bidropped with wrathe and wikkede wille, Line 13.320 With envye and yvel speche entisynge to fighte, Line 13.321 Lying and lakkynge and leve tonge to chide; Line 13.322 Al that he wiste wikked by any wight, tellen it, Line 13.323 And blame men bihynde hir bak and bidden hem meschaunce; Line 13.324 And that he wiste by Wille, [to Watte tellen it], Line 13.325 And that Watte wiste, Wille wiste it after, Line 13.326 And made of frendes foes thorugh a fals tonge: Line 13.327 "Or with myght of mouth or thorugh mannes strengthe Line 13.328 Avenged me fele tymes, other frete myselve withinne Line 13.329 As a shepsteres shere, ysherewed men and cursed hem.' Line 13.330 Cuius malediccione os plenum est et amaritudine; sub lingua Line 13.330 eius labor et dolor. Et alibi: Filii hominum dentes eorum Line 13.330 arma et sagitte et lingua eorum gladius acutus. Line 13.330

Line 13.330 "Ther is no lif that I lovye lastynge any while; Line 13.331 For tales that I telle no man trusteth to me. Line 13.332 And whan I may noght have the maistrie, swich malencolie I take Line 13.333 That I cacche the crampe, the cardiacle som tyme, Line 13.334 Or an ague in swich an angre, and som tyme a fevere Line 13.335 That taketh me al a twelvemonthe, til that I despise Line 13.336 Lechecraft of Oure Lord and leve on a wicche, Line 13.337 And seye that no clerc ne kan--ne Crist, as I leve-- Line 13.338 To the Soutere of Southwerk, or of Shordych Dame Emme, Line 13.339 And seye that [God ne] Goddes word gaf me nevere boute, Line 13.340 But thorugh a charme hadde I chaunce and my chief heele.' Line 13.341 I waitede wisloker, and thanne was it soilled Line 13.342 With likynge of lecherie as by lokynge of his eighe. Line 13.343 For ech a maide that he mette, he made hire a signe Line 13.344 Semynge to synneward, and somtyme he gan taste Line 13.345 Aboute the mouth or bynethe bigynneth to grope, Line 13.346 Til eitheres wille wexeth kene, and to the werke yeden, Line 13.347 As wel fastyng dayes as Fridaies and forboden nyghtes, Line 13.348 And as lef in Lente as out of Lente, alle tymes yliche: Line 13.349 Swiche werkes with hem were nevere out of seson, Line 13.350 Til thei myghte na moore--and thanne hadde murye tales, Line 13.351 And how that lecchours lovye laughen and japen, Line 13.352 And of hir harlotrye and horedom in hir elde tellen. Line 13.353 Thanne Pacience parceyved, of pointes his cote Line 13.354 Was colomy thorugh coveitise and unkynde desiryng. Line 13.355 Moore to good than to God the gome his love caste, Line 13.356 And ymagynede how he it myghte have Line 13.357 With false mesures and met, and [mid] fals witnesse Line 13.358 Lened for love of the wed and looth to do truthe, Line 13.359 And awaited thorugh w[itte]s wyes to bigile, Line 13.360

Line 13.360 And menged his marchaundise and made a good moustre: Line 13.361 "The worst withinne was--a greet wit I let it! Line 13.362 And if my neghebore hadde an hyne, or any beest ellis, Line 13.363 Moore profitable than myn, manye sleightes I made Line 13.364 How I myghte have it--al my wit I caste; Line 13.365 And but I it hadde by oother wey, at the laste I stale it, Line 13.366 Or pryveliche his purs shook, unpikede hise lokes; Line 13.367 Or by nyghte or by daye, aboute was ich evere Line 13.368 Thorugh gile to gaderen the good that ich have. Line 13.369 "If I yede to the plowgh, I pynched so narwe Line 13.370 That a foot lond or a forow fecchen I wolde Line 13.371 Of my nexte neghebore, nymen of his erthe; Line 13.372 And if I rope, overreche, or yaf hem reed that ropen Line 13.373 To seise to me with hir sikel that I ne sew nevere. Line 13.374 "And whoso borwed of me aboughte the tyme Line 13.375 With presentes pryvely, or paide som certeyn-- Line 13.376 So wolde he or noght wolde he, wynnen I wolde; Line 13.377 And bothe to kith and to kyn unkynde of that ich hadde. Line 13.378 "And whoso cheped my chaffare, chiden I wolde Line 13.379 But he profrede to paie a peny or tweyne Line 13.380 Moore than it was worth, and yet wolde I swere Line 13.381 That it coste me muche moore--swoor manye othes. Line 13.382 "In haly daies at holy chirche, whan ich herde masse Line 13.383 Hadde I nevere wille, woot God, witterly to biseche Line 13.384 Mercy for my mysdedes, that I ne moorned moore Line 13.385 For losse of good, leve me, than for likames giltes; Line 13.386 As, if I hadde dedly synne doon, I dredde noght that so soore Line 13.387 As whan I lened and leved it lost or longe er it were paied. Line 13.388 So if I kidde any kyndenesse myn evencristen to helpe, Line 13.389 Upon a cruwel coveitise my conscience gan hange. Line 13.390 "And if I sente over see my servaunts to Brugges, Line 13.391 Or into Prucelond my Prentis my profit to waiten, Line 13.392

Line 13.392 To marchaunden with moneie and maken here esehaunges, Line 13.393 Mighte nevere me conforte in the mene tyme Line 13.394 Neither masse ne matynes, ne none maner sightes; Line 13.395 Ne nevere penaunce parfournede ne Paternoster seide Line 13.396 That my mynde ne was moore on my good in a doute Line 13.397 Than in the grace of God and hise grete helpes.' Line 13.398 Ubi thesaurus tuus, ibi et cor tuum. Line 13.398 Yet that glotoun with grete othes his garnement hadde soiled Line 13.399 And foule beflobered it, as with fals speche, Line 13.400 As, there no nede ne was, Goddes name an idel-- Line 13.401 Swoor therby swithe ofte and al biswatte his cote; Line 13.402 And moore mete eet and dronk than kynde myghte defie-- Line 13.403 "And kaughte siknesse somtyme for my surfetes ofte; Line 13.404 And thanne I dradde to deye in dedlich synne'-- Line 13.405 That into wanhope he w[orth] and wende nought to be saved, Line 13.406 The whiche is sleuthe, so slow that may no sleightes helpe it, Line 13.407 Ne no mercy amenden the man that so deieth. Line 13.408 Ac whiche ben the braunches that bryngen a man to sleuthe? Line 13.409 Is whan a man moorneth noght for hise mysdedes, ne maketh no sorwe, Line 13.410 Ac penaunce that the preest enjoyneth parfourneth yvele, Line 13.411 Dooth non almesdede, dred hym of no synne, Line 13.412 Lyveth ayein the bileve and no lawe holdeth. Line 13.413 Ech day is halyday with hym or an heigh ferye, " Line 13.414 And if he aught wol here, it is an harlotes tonge. Line 13.415 Whan men carpen of Crist, or of clennesse of soule, Line 13.416 He wexeth wroth and wol noght here but wordes of murthe. Line 13.417 Penaunce and povere men and the passion of seintes-- Line 13.418 He hateth to here therof and alle that it telleth. Line 13.419

Line 13.419 Thise been the braunches, beth war! that bryngen a man to wanhope. Line 13.420 Ye lordes and ladies and legates of Holy Chirche Line 13.421 That fedeth fooles sages, flatereris and lieris, Line 13.422 And han likynge to lithen hem [in hope] to do yow laughe-- Line 13.423 Ve vobis qui ridetis &c-- Line 13.423 And yyveth hem mete and mede, and povere men refuse, Line 13.424 In youre deeth deyinge, I drede me soore Line 13.425 Lest tho thre maner men to muche sorwe yow brynge: Line 13.426 Consencientes et agentes pari pena punientur. Line 13.426 Patriarkes and prophetes, prechours of Goddes wordes, Line 13.427 Saven thorugh hir sermon mannes soule fro helle; Line 13.428 Right so flatereris and fooles arn the fendes disciples Line 13.429 To entice men thorugh hir tales to synne and harlotrie. Line 13.430 Ac clerkes, that knowen Holy Writ, sholde kenne lordes Line 13.431 What David seith of swiche men, as the Sauter telleth: Line 13.432 Non habitabit in medio domus mee quifacit superbiam; qui loquitur iniqua . . . Line 13.432 Sholde noon harlot have audience in halle ne in chambre Line 13.433 Ther wise men were--witnesseth Goddes wordes-- Line 13.434 Ne no mysproud min amonges lordes ben allowed. Line 13.435 Clerkes and knyghtes welcometh kynges minstrales, Line 13.436 And for love of hir lord litheth hem at festes; Line 13.437 Muche moore, me thynketh, riche men sholde Line 13.438 Have beggeres bifore hem, the whiche ben Goddes minstrales, Line 13.439 As he seith hymself--Seynt Johan bereth witnesse: Line 13.440 Qui vos spernit me spernit. Line 13.440 Forthi I rede yow riche, reveles whan ye maketh, Line 13.441 For to solace youre soules, swiche minstrales to have-- Line 13.442 The povere for a fool sage sittynge at th[i] table, Line 13.443 And a lered man to lere thee what Oure Lord suffred Line 13.444 For to save thi soule fram Sathan thyn enemy, Line 13.445 And fithele thee, withoute fl,terynge, of Good Friday the storye, Line 13.446

Line 13.446 And a blynd man for a bourdeour, or a bedrede womman Line 13.447 To crie a largesse bifore Oure Lord, your good loos to shewe. Line 13.448 Thise thre maner minstrales maketh a man to laughe, Line 13.449 And in his deeth deyinge thei don hym gret confort Line 13.450 That bi his lyve lithed hem and loved hem to here. Line 13.451 Thise solaceth the soule til hymself be falle Line 13.452 In a welhope, [for he wroghte so], amonges worthi seyntes, Line 13.453 There flatereres and fooles thorugh hir foule wordes Line 13.454 Leden tho that loved hem to Luciferis feste Line 13.455 With turpiloquio, a lay of sorwe, and Luciferis fithele. Line 13.456 Thus Haukyn the actif man hadde ysoiled his cote, Line 13.457 Til Conscience acouped hym therof in a curteis manere, Line 13.458 Why he ne hadde wasshen it or wiped it with a brusshe. Line 13.459