The Holy Bible, containing the Old and New Testaments, with the Apocryphal books,

ECCLESIASTES.

[Here bigynneth Ecclesiastes [From AG. Here biginneth the bok of Ecclesiastes. EPY. No initial rubric in the other MSS.] .] CAP. I.

[verse 1] The wordis [The wordis; for many men erriden in the mater of blis of man, and sum|men seiden, that mannus blis stondith in richessis, othere men seiden in delices, othere men seiden in onours, and so of many othere goodis, that moun be getun in present tyme bi mannus tra|uel; therfor Salomon schew|ith in this book, that mannus blis stondith not in siche goodis, but in God, which is good with outen ende; and in i. c^o. he preueth that mannus blis stondith not in kunnyng, for kunnyng getun bi mannus weye is vnprofit and diseseful, and quyetith not a mannus desir. Lire here. C.] of Ecclesiastes [of Ecclesi|astes; that is, of Salomon, for Ecclesiastes is seid a spekere to the puple. Lire here. C.] , sone of Dauid, the [Om. I.] kyng of Jerusalem. [verse 2] The [Om. I.] vanyte [The vanyte, etc.; that is, the moste va|nyte. and alle; thingis in whiche false men setten blis. ben vanyte; that is, ful veyne. vndur the sunne; that is, in pre|sent liyf; as if he seye, ech man may preue bi experience, that he getith not of his tra|uels no but vnstable good and able to be lost, nameli, bi deth, which he may not ascape. Lire here. C.] of vanytees, seide Ecclesiastes; the [Om. I.] vanyte of vanytees, and alle thingis ben vanite. [verse 3] What hath a man more of alle his trauel, bi which he traueilith vndur the [Om. plures.] sunne? [verse 4] Generacioun [A generacioun I.] passith awei, and [an oother I.] generacioun cometh; but the erthe stondith with outen ende. [verse 5] The sunne risith, and goith doun, and turneth aȝen [verse 6] to his place; and there it risith aȝen, and cumpassith bi the south, and turneth aȝen to the north. The spirit [The spirit, etc.; that is, the sunne; not for it hath a soule, but for it causith liyf in these lowere thingis. Lire here. C.] cumpassynge alle thingis goith `in cumpas [aboute I.] , and turneth aȝen in to hise cerclis. [verse 7] Alle floodis entren in to the see, and the see fletith not ouer the markis set of God; the floodis turnen aȝen to the place fro whennus tho [thei I.] comen forth, that tho [thei I.] flowe [flowe out C.] eft. [verse 8] Alle thingis ben hard [ben harde; to be vndurstondun. Lire here. C.] ; a man may not declare tho thingis bi word; the iȝe is not fillid bi siȝt, nether the eere is fillid bi hering. [verse 9] What is that thing that was [that was; bothe in thingis and in opynyouns of men. schal come; thouȝ in the meene tyme it ceessith and is forȝetun. Lire here. C.] , that that schal come? What is that thing that is maad, that that schal be maad? [verse 10] No thing vndir the sunne is newe, nether ony man may seie, Lo! this thing is newe; for now it ȝede bifore in worldis, that weren bifore vs. [verse 11] Mynde of the formere thingis is not, but sotheli nether thenkyng of tho thingis, that schulen come afterward, schal be at hem that schulen come in the last tyme. [verse 12] I Ecclesiastes was king of Israel in Jeru|salem; [verse 13] and Y purposide in my soule to seke and enserche wiseli of alle thingis, that ben maad vndur the sunne. God ȝaf this werste ocupacioun [this worste ocupacioun; in Ebreu it is yuel ocupacioun; for thouȝ kunnyng getun bi mannus weye is good in it silf, netheles it is yuel, in as myche as it hath trauel and turment of studie knyt therto, and for sumtyme it is a letting of more good, that is, of deuocioun and of preyer. Lire here. C.] to the sones of

men, that thei schulden be ocupied ther|ynne. [verse 14] I siȝ alle thingis that ben maad vndur the sunne, and lo! alle thingis ben vanyte and turment of spirit. [verse 15] Weiward men ben amendid [mendid I.] of hard; and the noum|bre of foolis is greet with outen ende. [verse 16] I spak in myn herte, and Y seide, Lo! Y am made greet, and Y passide in wisdom alle men, that weren bifore me in Jerusa|lem; and my soule siȝ many thingis wiseli, and Y lernede. [verse 17] And Y ȝaf myn herte, that Y schulde knowe prudence [that Y schulde knowe prudence; that rulith wel in mannus thingis worthi to be doon. and doc|tryn; that is, the vertu of Goddis lawe. and errours; aboute dyuyn thingis. and foly; aboute mannus thingis, to eschewe and impyngne siche errours and foli. Lire here. C.] and doctryn, and errours and foli. And Y knew that in these thingis also was trauel and turment [verse 18] of spirit; for in myche wisdom [in myche wis|dom; of man. is myche indig|nacioun; for siche kunnyng bolnyth with pride, and a proud man is liȝtli stirid to indignacioun. Lire here. C.] is myche indignacioun, and he that encressith kun|nyng, encreessith also trauel [also trauel; for men that han dedeyn and ben vnpa|cient, feelen many an|gwischis with ynne hem silf. Lire here. C.] .

CAP. II.

[verse 1] Therfor Y seide in myn herte [Y seide in myn herte; in ii. c^o. Salomon schewith, that mannus blis is not in delices of bodi. Lire here. C.] , Y schal go, and Y schal flowe in delicis, and Y schal vse goodis; and Y siȝ also that this was vanyte. [verse 2] And leiȝyng Y arrettide er|rour, and Y seide to ioye, What [Wherto I.] art thou disseyued in veyn? [verse 3] I thouȝte in myn herte to withdrawe my fleisch fro wyn, that Y schulde lede ouer my soule to wis|dom, and that Y schulde [wolde I.] eschewe foli, til Y schulde se, what were profitable to the sones of men; in which dede the noumbre of daies of her [Om. C.] lijf vndur the sunne is nedeful. [verse 4] Y magnefiede [magnefiede, ether made greet C et plures.] my werkis, Y bild|ide housis to me, and Y plauntide vynes; [verse 5] Y made ȝerdis and orcherdis, and Y set|tide [sette I.] [verse 6] tho [hem N.] with the [Om. CI.] trees of al kynde; and Y made cisternes of watris, for to watre the wode of trees growynge. [verse 7] I hadde in possessioun seruauntis and handmaidis [handmaidens IR.] ; and Y hadde myche meynee, and droues of grete beestis, and grete flockis of scheep, ouer alle men that weren bifore me in Jerusalem. [verse 8] Y gaderide togidere to me sil|uer and gold, and the castels of kingis and of prouyncis; Y made to me syngeris and syngeressis [syngsters I.] , and delicis of the sones of men, and cuppis and vessels in seruyce,

[verse 9] to helde out wynes; and Y passide in richessis alle men, that weren bifor me in Jerusalem. Also wisdom dwellide [wisdom dwell|ide, etc.; til that he was disseiued bi wymmen. Lire here. C.] stabli [verse 10] with me, and alle thingis whiche [that I.] myn iȝen desiriden, Y denyede not to hem; nether Y refreynede myn herte, that ne it vside al lust, and delitide it silf in these thingis whiche I hadde maad redi; and Y demyde this my part [and Y de|nyde this my part; that is, lustful liyf. my part; that is, blis; for he was disseyued by wymmen, and felde in to this errour. Lire here. C.] , if Y vside my trauel. [verse 11] And whanne Y hadde turned me to alle werkis [the werkis I.] whiche myn hondys had|den maad, and to the trauels in whiche Y hadde swet [swat I.] in veyn, Y siȝ in alle thingis vanyte and turment of the [Om. I.] soule, and that no thing vndir sunne dwellith stabli. [verse 12] I passide [passide forth I.] to biholde wisdom [Y passide to biholde wisdom; that is, Y bi|helde that tra|uel is aboute the geting of kunnyng, and most in dyuyn thingis, which is seid wisdom propirly. Of this place and othere liyk, sum men seyen, that Salomon dide penaunce in the ende; but it semeth that this pe|naunce was not sufficient and perfit, for he distriede not the idols whiche he hadde maad, as Y seide ful|liere in XXX. c^o. of Prouerbis. what is a man, etc.; that is, of what vertu, that he may ateyne to God bi the knowing of creaturis. Salomon spek|ith ofte in this book, in the persoone of othere men, not oneli that seyen truthe, but also that erren, that the truthe appere more bi con|traries leid to|gidere. Lire here. C.] , errours [and errours A sec. m.] , and foli; Y seide, What is a man, that he may sue the king, his maker? [verse 13] And Y siȝ, that wisdom ȝede so mych bifor foli, as miche as liȝt is dyuerse fro derknessis. [verse 14] The iȝen of a wijs man ben in his heed [ben in his heed; that is, in the hiȝere part of soule that ȝyueth tent to con|templacioun of dyuyn thingis. Lire here. C.] , a fool goith in derknessis [in derk|nessis; for he thenkith erthely thingis aloone and sensible, whiche comparisound to God ben derknessis. was of euer either; that is, of the wise man and of the fool. Salomon seith this in the persoone of hem that denyeden vndedlynesse of mannus soule. ben yuel; that is, defautif. and turment of the spirit; Salomon asoilith not here this obieccioun maad aȝenus the truthe, for obieccioun takith opinli fals, and for a wiys man and iust schal haue meede, and a fool schal haue peyne with outen ende. Lire here. C.] ; and Y lernede, that o perisching was of euer either. [verse 15] And Y seide in myn herte, If o deth schal be bothe of the fool and of me, what pro|fitith it to me, that Y ȝaf more bisynesse to wisdom? And Y spak with my soule, and perseyuede, that this also was vanyte. [verse 16] For mynde [the mynde I.] of a wijs man schal not be, in lijk maner as nether of a fool with outen ende, and tymes to comynge schulen hile alle thingis togidere with forȝetyng; a lerned man dieth in lijk maner and [as I.] an vnlerned man. [verse 17] And therfor it anoiede me of my lijf, seynge that alle thingis vndur sunne ben yuele, and that alle thingis ben vanyte and turment of the spirit. [verse 18] Eft Y curside al my bisynesse, bi which Y trauelide moost studiousli vndur sunne, [verse 19] and Y schal haue an eir after me, whom Y knowe [knew E.] not, whether he schal be wijs ether a fool; and he schal be lord in my trauels, for whiche [the whiche I.] Y swatte greetli, and was bisi; and is [is ther I.] ony thing so veyn?

[verse 20] Wherfor Y ceesside, and myn herte for|sook for to trauele ferthere vnder sunne. [verse 21] For whi whanne another man trauelith in wisdom, and techyng, and bisynesse, he leeueth thingis getun to an idel man; and therfor this is vanyte, and greet yuel. [verse 22] For whi what schal it profite to a man of al his trauel, and turment of spirit, bi [with I.] which he was turmentid vndur sunne? [verse 23] Alle hise daies ben ful of sorewis and meschefs, and bi nyȝt he restith not in soule; and whether this is [be I.] not vanyte [vanyte; that is, veyn trauel, and with out fruyt, as if he seie, ȝis. Lire here. C.] ? [verse 24] Whether it is not betere to ete and drynke [to ete and drynke; that is, to lyue co|uenabli bi thingis getun. goodis of hise trauels; in spendinge a part of the goodis in the werkis of pitee and of liberalte. and this is of the hoond of God; that is, good grauntid of God, and is not so greet good, that it is man|nus blis. Lire here. C.] , and to schewe to hise soule goodis of hise trauels [trauel S.] ? and this thing is of [in M. Om. E et plures.] the hond of God. [verse 25] Who schal deuoure so, and schal flowe in delicis [in delices, etc.; that is, wymmen, as if he seide, no man. Lire here. C.] , as Y dide [haue I.] ? [verse 26] God ȝaf wisdom, and kunnyng, and gladnesse [and glad|nesse; that is, glad liyf in vsinge wel temporal goodis. Lire here. C.] to a good man in his siȝt; but he ȝaf tur|ment, and superflu bisynesse to a synnere, that he encreesse, and gadere togidere, and ȝyue to hym that plesith God [and ȝyue to him that plesith God; not that he ȝyueth wil|fuly to goode men; but for whanne he is deed, siche goodis ben ȝouun to goode men ful ofte, as whanne Na|bal was deed, hise goodis camen to Da|uyth, in III. book of Kingis, xxv. c^o. but also this; that is, bisynesse in sich gadering of goodis, whiche goodis the getere vsith not, but ben ȝouun to othere men. Lire here. C.] ; but also this is vanyte, and veyn bisynesse of soule.

CAP. III.

[verse 1] Alle thingis han tyme [han tyme; in iii. c^o. Salo|mon remoueth long liyf fro mannus blis, which long liyf is wont to be desirid of men, outakun feweste men and ful perfit, as Poul desiride to be deed, and to be with Crist. Lire here. C.] , and alle thingis vndur sunne passen bi her spaces. [verse 2] Tyme of birthe, and time of diyng; tyme to plaunte, and tyme to drawe vp that that is plauntid. [verse 3] Tyme to sle [Tyme to sle; aduersaries of riȝtfulnesse ether of comynalte. Lire here. C.] , and tyme to make hool; tyme to distrie, and tyme to bilde. [verse 4] Tyme to wepe, and tyme to leiȝe; tyme to biweile, and tyme to daunse. [verse 5] Tyme to scatere stoonys, and tyme to gadere togidere; tyme to colle [colle ether biclippe C et plures. colle eithir to-clippe a.] [tyme to colle; that is, to ȝyue tent to generacioun, in ȝong age of hem that ben weddid. tyme to be fer; that is, in eelde, whanne the vertu of gendring failith, and whanne comyn turment is of the puple; therfor men and beestis weren chast in the arke in the grete flood of Noe, as Ebreys seyen. Lire here. C.] , and tyme to be fer fro collyngis. [verse 6] Tyme to wynne [gete I.] , and tyme to leese; tyme to kepe, and tyme to caste awei. [verse 7] Tyme to kitte, and tyme to sewe togidere; tyme to be

stille, and tyme to speke. [verse 8] Tyme of [to I.] loue, and tyme of hatrede; tyme of batel, and tyme of pees. [verse 9] What hath a man more [What hath a man more; no but vncerteynte of kunnyng. of his trauel; in long bisynesse of studie; as if he seye, litil ether nouȝt; for thouȝ men lyuen neuere so longe, they atteynen not to perfit know|inge, ȝhe, of the leeste thing. Y siȝ the tur|ment; in ocu|pacioun of studie. which God ȝaf to the sones of men; in as myche as he ȝaf to hem vndurstonding, to enquere siche thingis. Lire here. C.] of his trauel? [verse 10] I siȝ the turment, which God ȝaf to the sones of men, that thei be occupied therynne. [verse 11] God made alle thingis good in her tyme [God made alle thingis goode in her tyme; that is, of creacioun. of hem; that is, of men. fynde not, etc.; in knowynge that werk par|fitly, thouȝ he schulde lyue bi ful long tyme. Lire here. C.] , and ȝaf the world to disputyng of hem, that a man fynde not the werk which [that I.] God hath wrouȝt fro the bigynnyng `til in to [vnto I.] the ende. [verse 12] And Y knew that no thing was betere `to a man [Om. I. to man N.] , `no but [than I.] to be glad, and to do good werkis in his lijf [in his liyf; that is, to lyue couenabli and vertuously, bi the cours of kynde, so that he be apayed with the terme of liyf, which the kynde ȝaf to him. etith and drynkith; in lyuynge onestly and with out su|perflu bisy|nesse. good of his trauel; in ȝyuynge tho thingis that he gat, in party liberaly, in party merci|fuly. ȝifte of God; that is, good in pre|sent tyme. Lire here. C.] . [verse 13] For whi ech man that etith and drinkith, and seeth good of his trauel; this is the ȝifte of God. [verse 14] I haue lerned that alle werkis [the werkis I.] , whiche [that I.] God made, lasten stidfastli `til in to [vn to I.] with outen ende; we moun not adde [we moun not adde, etc.; therfor we owen to be apayed with the terme of oure liyf, and to be not bisi of encreessing bi the lengthe of liyf. Lire here. C.] ony thing to tho [tho werkis I.] , nether take awei fro tho thingis, whiche God made, that he be dred. [verse 15] That thing that is maad, dwellith perfitli; tho thingis that schulen come, weren bifore; and God re|storith that, that is goon. [verse 16] I siȝ vndur sunne [Y siȝ vndur sunne, etc.; that is, in the dwellinge place of men. vnfeithfulnesse in the place, etc.; that is, where riȝtful doom was wont to be ȝouun, is ȝouun wickid doom. Lire here. C.] vnfeithfulnesse in the place of doom; and wickidnesse in the place of riȝtfulnesse. [verse 17] And Y seide in myn herte, The Lord schal deme a iust man, and an vnfeithful man; and the tyme of ech thing schal be thanne. [verse 18] I seide in myn herte of the sones [Y seide in myn herte of the sones, etc.; Salomon spekith this in the persoone of vnfeithful men, that denyen liyf to comyn in blis ether peyne aftir deth. Lire here. C.] of men, that God schulde preue hem, and schewe that thei ben lijk vnresonable [Om. I.] beestis. [verse 19] Therfor oon is the perisching of man and of beestis, and euene condicioun is of euer eithir; as a man dieth, `so and tho [riȝt so I.] beestis dien; alle beestis [tho I.] brethen in lijk maner, and a man hath no thing more than a beeste. [verse 20] Alle thingis ben suget to vanyte, and alle thingis goen to [til N.] o place; tho ben maad of erthe, and tho turnen aȝen togidere in to erthe. [verse 21] Who knowith, if the spirit of

the sones of Adam stieth vpward, and if [Om. C.] the spirit of beestis goith [goon S.] dounward? [verse 22] And Y perseyuede that no thing is betere, than that a man be glad in his werk [in his werk; that is, in ver|tuouse werkis. Lire here. C.] , and that this be his part; for who schal brynge hym, that he knowe thingis that schulen come after hym?

CAP. IV.

[verse 1] I turnede me to othere thingis, and Y siȝ fals chalengis, that ben don vndur the sunne [that ben doon vndur the sunne; in iiii. c^o. he preueth that mannus blis stondith not in lordschip, for it hath myche disese and tra|uel and perel of synne. Lire here. C.] , and the teeris of innocentis [the giltlees I.] , and no man coumfortour; and that thei for|sakun [destitut, ether forsakun C et plures. destitute, or failinge I.] of the help of alle men, moun not aȝenstonde the violence of hem. [verse 2] And Y preiside more deed men than lyuynge [verse 3] men; and Y demyde hym, that was not borun ȝit, and siȝ [Y siȝ CMç.] not the yuels that ben don vndur the sunne, to be blisfulere [more blessid I.] than euer eithir [than euer eithir; that is, lesse wrecchid than an yuel man deed, and an yuel man lyuynge; for he that is deed borun and dieth in ori|genal synne onely, hath no peyne of feel|ing, but he hath more de|litable liyf, than he myȝte haue in present liyf, as alle doctours seyen, that speken of hem that dien in origenal synne onely. Lire here. C.] . [verse 4] Eft Y bihelde alle the tra|uelis of men, and bisynesses; and Y per|seyuede that tho ben opyn to the [Om. I.] enuye of neiȝbore [the neiȝbore I.] ; and therfor in this is va|nyte, and superflu bisynesse. [verse 5] A fool fold|ith togidere hise hondis, and etith hise [verse 6] fleischis [fleishe I.] [etith hise fleischis; for whi for he eschewith tra|uel, he hath litil to ete, and so hise fleischis ben maad thynne. Lire here. C.] , and seith, Betere is an handful with reste, than euer either hondful with trauel and turment of soule. [verse 7] I bihelde and foond also another vanytee [an other va|nyte, etc.; that is, the wrecchid|nesse of an auarouse man. hath not a se|cunde; for he fleeth to haue meynee and frenschipe with ony man, lest it bihoueth him spende sum|thing, and ne|theles he cees|sith not to gete catel, with greet turment of bodi and of soule. that tweyne be to gidere; that is, that many men be ioyned togi|dere in fren|schip and felouschipe. Lire here. C.] vndir [verse 8] the [Om. IN pr. m.] sunne; oon is [ther is I.] , and he hath not a secounde; not [nether I.] a sone, not [ne I.] a brother; and netheles he ceesith not for [Om. I.] to trauele, nether hise iȝen ben fillid with [of I.] richessis; nether he bithenkith [bithenkith him I.] , and seith, To whom trauele Y, and disseyue my soule in goodis? In this also is vanyte, and the [Om. I.] worste [ful yuel I.] turment. [verse 9] Therfor it is betere, that tweyne [two I.] be togidere than oon; for thei han profite of her felouschipe. [verse 10] If oon fallith doun, he schal be vndurset of the tothere [that oother I.] ; wo to hym that is aloone [wo to him that is aloone; that is, hath not felouschipe and frenschip with ony man. Lire here. C.] , for whanne he fallith, he hath noon reisynge [to reise I.] him [him up I.] . [verse 11] And if tweyne slepen [slepen to gidre I.] , thei schulen be nurschid

togidere [nurschid to|gidere; herbi in figuratif speche is vn|durstondun the reste of many men in o loue. hoot; in charite. a thre fold coorde, etc.; that is, as myche as mo men and goode ben ioyned to gidere in frenschipe, bi so myche the staat of hem is amendid. Lire here. C.] ; hou schal oon be maad hoot? [verse 12] And if ony man hath maistri aȝens oon, tweyne aȝen stonden hym; a threfolde corde is brokun of hard. [verse 13] A pore man and wijs is betere than an eld kyng and fool, that kan not bifore se in to tyme to comynge. [verse 14] For sum tyme a man goith out bothe fro prysoun and chaynes to a rewme; and anothir borun in to a rewme is wastid bi nedynesse. [verse 15] I siȝ alle men [Y siȝ alle men; that is, many men. with the se|cunde; that is, the sone of the king that schal regne aftir him. Lire here. C.] lyuynge that goen vndur the sunne, with the secounde ȝong wexynge man, that schal rise for hym. [verse 16] The noumbre of pu|ple, of alle that weren bifore hym, is greet with outen mesure, and thei that schulen come aftirward, schulen not be glad in hym; but also this is vanyte and turment of the spirit. [verse 17] Thou that entrist in to the hous of God, kepe thi foot [kepe thi foot; that is, go thou not in boost|fuly nether proudly, as myȝty men of this world, that ben enhaunsid in her power, ben wont to do. neiȝe thou; to prestis and techeris of the lawe, for to here Goddis heestis, to fille tho feithfuli in werk. Lire here. C.] , and neiȝe thou for to here; for whi myche betere is obe|dience [the obedience M.] [betere is obe|dience; in the kepinge of Goddis heestis. than the sacri|fices of foolis; that is, of brekeris of the lawe, that dreden not to breke Goddis heestis bi her power, and gessen to plese hym bi of|fringis and sa|crifices. witen not what yuel thei doen; for bi this that thei ben proude, they ben blynd|id, and kun|nen not knowe the greuous|nesse of her synne. Lire here. C.] than the sacrifices [sacrifice A.] of foolis, that witen not what yuel thei don. [verse 1] Speke thou not ony thing folily [Speke thou not ony thing folili; of God ether of hise domes, in repreuynge tho. Lire here. C.] , nether thin herte be swift to brynge forth a word bifore God; for [sothly I.] God is in heuene, and thou art on erthe, therfor thi wordis be fewe. [verse 2] Dremes suen many bisynessis, and foli schal be foundun in many wordis. [verse 3] If thou hast avowid ony thing to God, tarie thou not to ȝelde [ȝelde it I.] ; for an vnfeithful and fonned biheest [vnfeithful and fonned biheest; it is seid vnfeithful, whanne aftir a vow maad in the tyme of nede, the purpos is chaungid anoon whanne the nede ceessith; it is seid a fonned biheest, whanne it is of a thing vnleueful ether vndifferent, as if a man makith a vow, to reise a stre fro erthe, for this turneth not in ony thing to the onour of God, ethir if a vow is maad of a good thing, netheles impossible to him that makith a vow. Lire here. C.] displesith hym; but `ȝelde thou [Om. I.] [verse 4] what euer thing thou hast avowid [auowid to God, ȝelde thou it I.] ; and it is myche betere to make not a vowe, than aftir a vowe to ȝelde not biheestis [the biheestis I.] . [verse 5] Ȝyue thou not thi mouth [thi mouth; in openynge it ouer myche to glotenye. to do synne; bi the vice of leccherie. Lire here. C.] , that thou make thi fleisch to do synne; nether seie thou bifor an aungel, No puruyaunce is [ther is I.] ; lest perauenture the Lord be wrooth on [of I.] thi wordis, and distruye alle the werkis of thin hondis. [verse 6] Where ben many dremes, ben ful many vanytees, and wordis with out noumbre; but drede thou God. [verse 7] If

thou seest false chalengis of nedi men, and violent domes, and that riȝtfulnesse is dis|tried in the prouynce, wondre thou not on this doyng; for another is hiȝere than an hiȝ man, and also othere men ben more [verse 8] hiȝe aboue these men; and ferthermore the kyng of al erthe comaundith to the seruaunt [to the ser|uaunt; that is, to ech creature soiet to him silf. Lire here. C.] .

CAP. V.

[verse 9] An auerouse [An auerouse, etc.; here bi|ginneth the v. c^o. bi Jerom, and in this c^o. Salomon schew|ith, that man|nus blis stondith not in temporal richessis. schal not take, etc.; that is, that loueth richessis as an auarouse man doith, schal take no profit of tho, for his auarice suffrith him not to vse tho. Lire here. C.] man schal not be fillid of monei; and he that loueth richessis schal not take fruytis of tho [hem I.] ; and therfor this is vanyte. [verse 10] Where ben [ther ben I.] many richessis, also many men ben [ther ben I.] , that eten tho; and what profitith it to the haldere, no [Om. I.] but that he seeth richessis with hise iȝen? [verse 11] Slepe is swete to hym that worchith, whe|ther he etith [ete I.] litil ether myche; but the fulnesse of a ryche man suffrith not hym to slepe. [verse 12] Also anothir sijknesse is ful yuel, which [that I.] Y siȝ vndur the sunne; rich|essis ben kept in to the yuel [harm I.] of her lord [in to the yuel of her lord; for herbi ra|ueynours and couetouse men setten tresoun to riche men, and thei ben stranglid for her richessis. Lire here. C.] . [verse 13] For thei perischen in the worste turment; he gendride [gaat I.] a sone, that schal be in soue|reyn nedynesse. [verse 14] As he ȝede nakid out of his modris wombe, so he schal turne aȝen; and he schal take awei with hym no thing of his trauel. [verse 15] Outirli it is a wretchid sijknesse; as he cam, so he schal turne aȝen. What therfor [Om. C.] profitith it to hym, that he trauelide in to the wynde [in to the wynd; as if he seye, no thing; for his trauel profitith not to him silf, nethir to hise sones. Lire here. C.] ? [verse 16] In alle the daies of his lijf he eet in derk|nessis, and in many bisinessis, and in nedy|nesse [nedi nessis a.] , and [of C.] sorewe. [verse 17] Therfor this semyde good to me, that a man ete, and drynke, and vse gladnesse of his trauel, in which he trauelide vndir the sunne, in the noum|bre of daies of his lijf, which God ȝaf to hym; and this is his part. [verse 18] And to ech man, to whom God ȝaf richessis, and catel, and ȝaf power to hym to ete of tho, and to vse his part, and to be glad of his trauel; this is the ȝifte of God. [verse 19] For he schal not bithenke [thenke I.] miche on the daies of his lijf, for God ocupieth his herte with delicis.

CAP. VI.

[verse 1] Also another yuel is [ther is I.] , which [that I.] Y siȝ vndur the sunne; and certis it is oft vsid anentis men. [verse 2] A [Sum I.] man is [ther is I.] , to whom God ȝaf [hath ȝoue I.] richessis, and catel, and onour; and no thing failith [ther failith I.] to his soule [lijf I.] of alle thingis which [that I.] he desirith; and God ȝyueth not power [God ȝyueth not power, etc.; for God draw|ith him awey sudeynly fro present liyf. Lire here. C.] to hym, that he ete therof, but a straunge man shal deuoure it. This is vanyte [a vanyte A.] , and a greet wretchidnesse. [verse 3] If a man gendrith [getith I.] an hundrid [If a man gendrith an hundrid, etc.; defaute that cometh of aua|rice makith a man wrecchid, ȝhe, thouȝ he hath richessis and many othere thingis that ben de|sirid in present liyf. and his soule; that is, he him silf. vsith not, in his owne per|soone, the goodis of his catel. a deed borun child; that asayede noon yuel of present liyf, and hath liyf more delitable than is this present liyf; therfor he is betere than an auarouse man, for in al his liyf he feelith not no but yuel, and an|gwisch of bodi and soule. Lire here. C.] fre [of fre I.] sones, and lyueth many ȝeris, and hath many daies of age, and his soule vsith not the goodis of his catel, and wantith biriyng; Y pronounce of this man, that a deed borun child is betere than he. [verse 4] For he cometh in veyn [he cometh in veyn; to birthe, and goith to the sepulcre. Lire here. C.] , and goith to derknessis; and his name schal be don awei bi for|ȝetyng. [verse 5] He siȝ not the sunne, nether knew dyuersyte [the dyuersite I.] of good and of yuel; [verse 6] also thouȝ he lyueth [lyue I.] twei thousynde ȝeeris, and vsith not goodis [and vsith not goodis; but euere yuels, as if he seide, long liyf pro|fitith no thing to him, but anoyeth more. Lire here. C.] ; whether alle thingis hasten not [wher alle thingis hasten not, etc.; that is, alle cor|ruptible thingis hasten bi deth to the erthe, fro whennus tho weren takun. Lire here. C.] to o place? [verse 7] Al the trauel of a man is in his mouth [Al the trauel of a man is in his mouth; that is, for couenable sustenaunce of mannus liyf. but the soule of him; that is, of the auarouse man bifor seid. schal not be fillid with goodis; for he schal not vse his richessis, and therfor he hath richessis in veyn. Lire here. C.] , but the soule of hym schal not be fillid with goodis. [verse 8] What hath a wijs man more than a fool? and what hath a pore man, no [Om. I.] but that he go thidur, where is lijf [where is liyf; that is, to blis to comynge, where deth hath no place. Lire here. C.] ? [verse 9] It is betere to se that, that thou coueitist, than to desire that, that thou knowist not; but also this is vanyte, and presumpcioun of spirit. [verse 10] The name of hym that schal come, is clepid now, and it is knowun, that he is a man, and he mai not stryue [he may not stryue, etc.; that is, alegge resonably aȝenus God, that it perteyneth to man to knowe thingis to comynge that ben vncerteyn, and not teld in hooly writ. wordis ben ful, etc.; of dyuynyngis aboute thingis to comyng, to seke grettere, etc.; that is, kunnyng that passith his vndurstonding. sithen he knowith not, etc.; that is, what is profitable to him in present liyf. ether who may, etc.; God aloone. Lire here. C.] in doom aȝens a strongere than hym silf. [verse 11] Wordis ben ful manye, and han myche vanyte in [and C.] dispuytinge. [verse 1] What nede is it to a man to seke grettere thingis than hym silf; sithen [sith I passim.] he knowith not, what schal bifalle to hym in his lijf, in the noumbre of daies of his pilgrimage, and

in the tyme that passith as schadowe? ether who may schewe to hym, what thing vndur sunne schal come aftir hym?

CAP. VII.

[verse 2] A good name [A good name; that cometh of onest liyf. is betere than pre|ciouse oyne|mentis; here Salomon tech ith of veri blis, that stond|ith in God aloone, and in his cleer siȝt, and knowing, and loue; and the disposicioun of blis stondith in meedeful werk, for whi hope is certeyn abiding of blis to comynge, that risith of grace and good werkis, and sich vertuouse liyf is a maner of bigynnyng of parfit blis. day of deth; of iust men; for in the day of deth they by|gynen to lyue verily, and therfor the day of deth of hooly men is clepid the birthe of hem. Lire here. C.] is betere than preciouse oynementis; and the dai of deth is betere than the dai of birthe. [verse 3] It is betere to go to the hous of morenyng [hows of mornyng; where moren|yng is maad for deed men. to the hows of feeste; wher|ynne the synne of gloteny is ofte doon, and the synne of leccherie sueth ofte. Ire is betere; the fadir, that loueth the sone, is wrooth, whanne he seeth him do folily; but a straunger, that reckith not of him, leiȝith of his foly. Lire here. C.] , than to the hous of a [o C.] feeste; for in that hous `of morenyng [Om. I.] the ende of alle men is mo|nestid [warned I.] , and a man lyuynge thenkith, what is to comynge. [verse 4] Yre is betere than leiȝyng; for the soule of a trespassour is amendid [corectid I.] bi the [Om. I.] heuynesse of cheer. [verse 5] The herte of wise men is where [where that I.] sorewe is; and the herte of foolis is where gladnesse [foly gladnesse I.] is. [verse 6] It is betere to be repreued of a wijs man, than to [Om. U.] be disseyued bi the [Om. CIX.] flateryng of [verse 7] foolis; for as the sown of thornes bren|nynge vndur a pot, so is the leiȝyng of a fool. But also this is vanyte. [verse 8] Fals cha|lenge [Fals caleng; that is, greuouse wrong. disturblith, etc.; netheles it castith not him doun anoon fro the vertu of stidefastnesse. Lire here. C.] disturblith a wijs man, and it schal leese [fordo I.] the strengthe [it schal leese the strengthe, etc.; that is, the vertu of stidefastnesse, if the trobling wexith strong; therfor a wiys man owith to arme him silf bi preyer. Lire here. C.] of his herte. [verse 9] For|sothe the ende of preyer is betere [the ende of preyer is betere, etc.; for it bigynneth of sorewe for wrong doon, and it is endid in coumfort ȝouun of God, bi which a man is maad pacient in aduersites. Lire here. C.] than the bigynnyng. A pacient man is betere than a proud man. [verse 10] Be thou not swift to be wrooth; for ire [wraththe I.] restith in the bosum [herte I text. or bosum I marg.] [in the bosum; that is, in his herte. Lire here. C.] of a fool. [verse 11] Seie thou not, What gessist thou is of [the C sec. m. EFGHIKMPQ RSUXYaç.] cause, that the formere tymes weren betere than ben now? for whi siche axyng is fonned. [verse 12] Forsothe wisdom with richessis is more profitable [wisdom with richessis is more profitable; therfor Ambrose on Luk seith, As richessis ben lettingis to yuele men, so to goode men tho ben helpis. Lire here. C.] , and profitith more to men seynge [and profitith more to men seynge, etc.; that is, wisdom is betere with richessis, than with out richessis; and this is soth, whanne othere vertues ben euene in a riche man and a pore man; for a wise man hauynge richessis may do werkis of pitee and of liberalte, whiche he that hath no richessis, may not do. Lire here. C.] the sunne. [verse 13] For as wisdom defendith, so money de|fendith [so money defendith; that is, mynystrith spensis aȝenus visible enemyes, and it defendith aȝenus vnuysible enemyes, by meedeful werkis of pitee and of liberalte. Lire here C.] ; but lernyng and wisdom [but lernyng and wisdom, etc.; that is, liyf of grace, and of glorie to a wiys man, and without richessis, but richessis without wisdom moun not ȝyue this. C.] hath [han I.] this more, that [ouer that I.] tho ȝyuen lijf to `her weldere [hem that han hem I.] . [verse 14] Biholde thou the werkis of God, that [and se that I.] no man may amende hym, whom

God hath dispisid [whom God hath dispisid; that is, hath forsake him fynaly; and a signe of this forsaking is, the hardnesse in yuel; bro|theris repreu|yng ether priuy blamyng ow|ith to ceesse, whanne a man seeth his bro|ther obstynat in synne, but the iuge owith not to ceesse herfor of pu|nysching, but more to pu|nysche so, ȝhe, by deth, if his trespas axith this, that the comyn good and pees be not disturblid bi him. Lire here. C.] . [verse 15] In a good day vse thou goodis, and bifore eschewe thou an yuel day; for God made so this dai as that dai, that a man fynde not iust playnyngis aȝens hym. [verse 16] Also Y siȝ [sawȝ I passim.] these thingis in the daies [in the daies, etc.; that is, of present liyf, that passith sone awey, so it is not no but vanyte. Lire here. C.] of my natyuyte [birthe I.] ; a iust man perischith in his riȝtfulnesse, and a wickid man lyueth myche tyme in his malice. [verse 17] Nyle thou be iust myche [ouer myche I.] [Nyle thou be iust myche; that is, in pu|nysching ouer scharply. nether vndurstonden, etc.; of thi riȝtfulnesse. astonyed; in ȝyuynge a cruel sentence, and not iust. Lire here. C.] , nether vndurstonde thou more than is nedeful; lest thou be astonyed. [verse 18] Do thou not wickidli myche [Do thou not wickidly myche; for cruelte is a greet wickid|nesse, and for it makith a man to erre, and to gete to him silf dedly enemytes, it sueth, nyle thou be a fool, etc. not thyn; in hastinge thi deeth bi ene|mytes. a iust man; in de|fendinge him in his riȝtful|nesse. Lire here. C.] , and nyle thou be a fool; lest thou die in a tyme not thin. [verse 19] It is good, that thou susteyne a iust man; but also withdrawe thou not thin hond from hym; for he that dredith God, is not necli|gent of ony thing. [verse 20] Wisdom hath coum|fortid a wise man, ouer ten pryncis [ouer ten prynces; that is, more than eny power of man. Lire here. C.] of a citee. [verse 21] Forsothe no iust man is [ther is I.] in erthe, that doith good, and synneth not. [verse 22] But also ȝyue thou not thin herte to alle wordis [the wordis I.] , that ben seid; lest perauenture [verse 23] thou here thi seruaunt cursynge thee; for thi conscience woot, that also thou hast cursid ofte othere men. [verse 24] I asayede alle thingis in wisdom [in wisdom; that is, for wisdom to be getun. it ȝede; in my reputacioun. Lire here. C.] ; Y [and Y I.] seide, I schal be maad wijs, and it ȝede awei ferthere fro [verse 25] me, myche more than it was; and the depthe is hiȝ [lowe I.] [the depthe is hiȝ; that is, the kynde of God, as to the knowing of persoones is an hiȝ depthe. who schal fynde it; as if he seye, no man bi mannus seking. Lire here. C.] , who schal fynde it? [verse 26] I cumpasside alle thingis in [with I.] my soule, to kunne, and biholde [to beholde I.] , and seke wisdom and resoun, and to knowe the wickidnesse of a fool, and the [Om. C.] errour of vnprudent men. [verse 27] And Y foond a womman bitterere [a womman biterere, etc.; for a womman departith the soule fro his Creatour, but deth departith oneli fro the body. of hunteris; that is, of fendis. Lire here. C.] than deth, which [the which I.] is the snare of hunteris, and hir herte is a net, and hir hondis ben boondis; he that plesith God schal ascape hir, but he that is a synnere, schal be takun of hir. [verse 28] Lo! Y foond [Lo! Y foond; that is, enqueride deligentli. oon and other; that is, in appliynge my wit to ech thing. Lire here. C.] this, seide Ecclesiastes, oon and other, that Y schulde [verse 29] fynde resoun, which [that I.] my soule sekith ȝit;

and Y foond [foond it I.] not [and Y fond not; that is, til to perfec|cioun. o man, vertuouse of a thousinde; that is, ful fewe men ben foundun ver|tuouse in com|parisoun of men failing fro vertu, for the noumbre of foolis is greet with out noum|bre. Y foond not a womman of alle; that is, not oon ver|tuouse; not that no wom|man is vertu|ouse, but for fewe in com|parisoun of men ben ver|tuouse, as it is seid comynly, that no man is in the chirche, whanne ful fewe men ben there, in com|parisoun of the multitude that is wont to come to gidere thi|dur. with ques|tiouns; that is, hardnessis aboute the get|ing of siences and vertues. Who is sich; that is, so wor|thi to be preisid among men, as a wiys man; that is, a ver|tuouse man bi vertues and vn|durstonding; he that atteyneth to vertuouse liyf and trewe vndurstonding, is ful excelent among men. Lire here. C.] . I foond o man of a thousynde; Y [and Y C.] foond not a [oo Y.] womman of alle. [verse 30] I foond this oonli, that God made a man riȝtful; and he medlide hym silf with questiouns with out noumbre. Who is siche as a wijs man? and who knowith the expownyng [soilyng, ether [the IS] expownyng C et ceteri.] of a word [ether ex|pownyng of a word; that is, of a priuy word, as if he seye, noon, no but a wiys man in vndurstond|ing and ver|tuouse liyf. chaunge his face; that is, in the rising aȝen, whanne he schal ȝyue to him a gloriouse face. Lire here. C.] ? [verse 1] The wisdom of a man schyneth in his cheer; and the myȝtieste schal chaunge his face.

CAP. VIII.

[verse 2] I kepe the mouth of the kyng [Y kepe the mouth, etc.; that is, the comaundement is brouȝt forth of his mouth, and this is seid in the persoone of a trewe obeiere to God. Lire here. C.] , and the comaundementis and sweryngis of God. [verse 3] Haste thou not to go awei [to go awey; that is, in brekinge his heestis. Lire here. C.] fro his face, and dwelle thou not in yuel werk. For [verse 4] he schal do al thing, that he wole; and his word is ful of power, and no man mai seie to hym, Whi doist thou so? [verse 5] He that kepith the comaundement of God `in this lijf [Om. I. in his lijf a.] , schal not feele ony [of ony C.] thing of yuel; the herte of a wijs man vndurstondith tyme and answer. [verse 6] Tyme and [eyther S.] cesoun [leiser, ether cesoun C et ceteri.] is to ech werk; and myche turment is of a [verse 7] man, for he knowith not thingis passid, and he mai not knowe bi ony messanger thingis to comynge [come I.] . [verse 8] It is not in the power of man to forbede the spirit [spirit; that is, his soule, fro goyng out fro the bodi. Lire here. C.] , nethir he hath power in the dai of deth, nethir he is suffrid to haue reste, whanne the batel neiȝeth [neiȝeth niȝ I.] ; nethir wickidnesse schal saue a wickid man. [verse 9] I bihelde alle thes thingis, and Y ȝaf myn herte in alle werkis, that ben don vndur the sunne. Sum tyme a man is lord of a man, to his yuel [to his yuel; that is, to the yuel of the Lord, whanne herbi he is reisid aȝenus God. Lire here. C.] . [verse 10] Y siȝ wickid men biryed, which, whanne thei lyueden ȝit, weren in hooli place; and thei weren preisid in the citee, as men of iust werkis; but also this is vanyte. [verse 11] Forsothe [Sothly I.] for the sentence [the sentence; of Goddis punyschyng. Lire here. C.] is not brouȝt forth soone aȝens yuele men, the sones of men [the sones of men; that is, that ben nurschid in fleisly lustis, that ben the sones of men, and not of God. Lire here. C.] doon yuels with outen

ony drede. [verse 12] Netheles of that, that a syn|nere doith yuel [yuelis M.] an hundrid sithis, and is suffrid bi pacience, Y knew that good schal [it shal I.] be to men dredynge God, that re|uerensen his face [face or presence I.] . [verse 13] Good be not [Good be not, etc.; that is, temporal pro|sperite, for he mysvsith it. maad longe; for it is to him occasioun of multipliyng of synnes. Lire here. C.] to the wickid man, nethir hise daies be maad longe; but passe thei as schadewe, that dreden not the face of the Lord. [verse 14] Also another vanyte is [ther is I.] , which [that I.] is don on erthe. Iust men ben [ther ben I.] , to whiche [whom I.] yuels comen, as if thei diden the werkis of wickid men; and wickid men ben [ther ben I.] , that ben so [as I.] sikur, as if thei han [hadden I.] the dedis of iust men; but Y deme also this moost veyn [moost veyn; that is, moost vnresonable; and he spekith here in the persoone of a fleisly man and vnfeithful, that thenkith not on peynes and meedis to com|ynge. Y preis|ide, etc.; that is, lustful liyf. to vndurstonde the departing; aboute the tri|bulacioun of vniust men, and the pros|perite of wickid men. Lire here. C.] . [verse 15] Therfor Y preysid gladnesse [gladnesse; that is, lustful liyf. Lire here. C.] , that no good was to a man vndur the sunne, no [Om. I.] but to ete, and drynke, and to be ioiful; and that he schulde bere awei with hym silf oneli this of his trauel, in the daies of his lijf [of his trauel in the dayes of his liyf, etc.; of this it is opin, that Sa|lomon spekith here in the per|soone of a fleisly man, that thenkith of present liyf onely. And Y settide myn herte, etc.; this, that God suf|frith iust men to be set in tri|bulacioun in present liyf, and vniust men to haue pro|sperite, per|teyneth to the iust domes of God, but priuy to vs; and therfor siche thingis owen not to be souȝt of vs, but it suffisith to knowe in ge|neral, bi feith and hooly scripture, that siche thingis that bifallen here, be ordeyn|ed bi Goddis wisdom, to the glorie of him, and also of chosun men; wherfor God schal be glorified in alle thingis, and it is worthi to obeye to hise comaundementis. Lire here. C.] , whiche God ȝaf to hym vndur the [Om. I.] sunne. [verse 16] And Y settide myn herte to knowe wisdom, and to vndurstonde the departing, which is turned in erthe. A man is, that bi daies and niȝtis takith not sleep with [with his I.] iȝen. [verse 17] And Y vndurstood, that of alle [Om. C.] the werkis of God, a man may fynde no resoun of tho thingis, that ben don vndur the sunne; and in as myche as he traueilith more to seke, bi so myche he schal fynde lesse; ȝhe, thouȝ a wijs man seith [sey I.] that he knowith, he schal not mow fynde.

CAP. IX.

[verse 1] [Here bigynne the ix. c^o. in Ebreu. Lire here. C.] I tretide alle these thingis in myn herte, to vndirstonde diligentli. Iust men, and wise men [Om. S.] ben [ther ben I.] , and her werkis ben in the hond of God; and netheles a man noot [woot not I. not S pr. m. wot not S sec. m.] , whether he is [be I.] worthi of loue or [ether ceteri.] of ha|trede [hate M.] [ether of hatrede; of God. Lire here. C.] . [verse 2] But alle thingis ben kept vncer|teyn in to tyme^u to comynge; for alle thingis bifallen euenli to a iust man and to a wickid man, to a good man and to an yuel man, to a cleene man and to an vnclene man, to a man offrynge offryngis and sacrifices, and to a man dispisynge

sacrifices; as a good man, so and a syn|nere; as a forsworun man, so [riȝt so I.] and [Om. I.] he that greetli swerith treuthe. [verse 3] This thing is the worste among alle thingis, that ben don vndur the sunne, that the same thingis bifallen to alle men; wherfor and the hertis of the sones of men ben fillid with malice and [and with I.] dispisyng in her lijf; and aftir these thingis thei schulen be led doun to [in to C.] hellis. [verse 4] No man is [ther is I.] , that lyueth euere, and that hath trist of this thing; betere is a quik dogge [betere is a quyk dogge, etc.; lyoun and dogge ben vndurstondun yuele men, that is, a quyk syn|nere is of betere condicioun than a deed synnere, for he that lyueth may repente, and turne to good. her mynde is ȝouun to forȝeting; that is, bifor God, for he ȝyueth not to hem place of penaunce, thouȝ they ben in his mynde to pu|nysche hem, and they know|en no thing, wherbi they moun turne aȝen to good, thouȝ they knowen many othere thingis. Lire here. C.] than a deed lioun. [verse 5] For thei that lyuen witen that thei schulen die; but deed men knowen no thing more, nether han meede ferthere; for her mynde is ȝouun to forȝetyng. [verse 6] Also the loue, and hatrede, and enuye perischiden togidere; and thei han no part [and thei han no part, etc.; that is, in suf|fragies ether preieris and almes dedis, whiche quyke men doen for dede men; al this profitith not to hem that dien out of charite. Lire here. C.] in this world, and in the werk that is don vndur the [Om. I.] sunne. [verse 7] Therfor go thou, iust man, and ete thi breed in gladnesse, and drynke thi wiyn with ioie; for thi werkis plesen God. [verse 8] In ech tyme thi clothis be white [thi clothis be white; that is, thi liyf be hooly and onest. and oyle; of Goddis grace faile not fro thyn heed; that is, fro thyn vndurstonding, which is heed in the myȝtis of the soule; that is, lyue thou so, that God with|drawe not his grace fro thee. with the wiyf which thou louest; that is, with the wis|dom of Goddis lawe, as Ebreys seyen; for a good man ches|ith this wisdom to be his wiyf, as it is seid in viii. c^o. of Wisdom. in the dayes of liyf of thyn vnstableness; that is, of present liyf, which is vnstable, and owith to be spendid in the ocupacioun of Goddis lawe. this is thi part, etc.; that is, thou schalt bere these thingis with thee fro present liyf, and not temporal goodis. Lire here. C.] , and oile faile not fro thin heed. [verse 9] Vse thou lijf with the wijf which thou louest, in alle the [Om. ceteri.] daies of lijf [the lijf I.] of thin vnstablenesse, that ben ȝouun to thee vndur sunne [the sunne CGSa.] , in al the tyme of thi vanyte; for this is thi part in thi lijf and trauel, bi which thou tra|uelist vndur the sunne. [verse 10] Worche thou bisili [Worche thou bisili, etc.; that is, as myche as thou maist, do thou bisili meedeful werkis. Lire here. C.] , what euer thing thin hond mai do; for nether werk, nether resoun, nethir [ne I.] kun|nyng, nether [ne I.] wisdom schulen be at hellis, whidir thou haastist. [verse 11] I turnede me to another thing, and Y siȝ vndur sunne, that rennyng is not of swift men, nethir batel is of stronge men, nether breed is of wise men, nether richessis ben of techeris, ne [nether ceteri.] grace is of crafti men; but tyme and hap is in alle thingis [hap is in alle thingis; that is, vncerteynte, that owith refreyne a man fro pride. Lire here. C.] . [verse 12] A man knowith not his ende; but as fischis ben takun with

an hook, and as briddis ben takun with a snare, so men ben takun in yuel tyme [in yuel tyme; that is, in the tyme of deth, that priueth fro liyf. Lire here. C.] , whanne it cometh sudeynli on hem. [verse 13] Also Y siȝ this [Om. C.] wisdom vndur the sunne, and Y preuede it the mooste. [verse 14] A litil citee [A litil citee, etc.; this myȝte be doon to the lettre, as a wiys womman sau|yde the citee Abela in II. of Kingis XX. c^o.; netheles Cris|ten doctours expownen this comynli of Crist and hooly chirche; bi the citee is vndur|stondun hooli chirche; the kyng biseginge it, is the deuel and his malice; the pore man and wiys, is Crist, that ledde a pore liyf, and as myche as per|teyneth to him, he bi his wis|dom delyueride his puple fro the fendis power. and no man bithouȝte on that pore man; that is, ful fewe ben kynde in com|parisoun of vnkynde men, and this vn|kyndenesse cometh of foly. Lire here. C.] , and a [Om. ceteri.] fewe men ther ynne; a greet kyng cam aȝens it, and cumpasside it with palis, and he bildide [bildide it with C.] strengthis [strengthis, ether engyns C et ceteri.] bi cumpas; and [and the I.] bisegyng was maad perfit [full I.] . [verse 15] And a pore man and a wijs was foundun ther ynne; and he delyuerede the citee bi his wisdom, and no man bithouȝte aftirward on that pore man. [verse 16] And Y seide, that wisdom is betere than strengthe; hou therfor is the wisdom of a pore man dispisid, and hise wordis ben not herd? [verse 17] The wordis of wise men ben herd in silence, more than the cry of a prince among foolis.

CAP. X.

[verse 18] Betere is wisdom than armuris of batel; and he that synneth in o thing [that synneth in o thing, etc.; for bi o dedly synne al the heelp of me|ritis biforgo|inge is lost. Litil foly at a tyme, etc.; this lettre must be takun thus bi the Ebreu, where it is writun thus, litil foly is heuyere than wisdom and glorie, that is, a litil defaute in vertues that is seid foly, is heuyere than wisdom and glorie, which defaute makith wisdom and glorie to be vile ofte in a famouse persoone. Lire here. C. Netheles oure Latyn lettre is thus, wisdom and litil glorie is preciousere than foli at a tyme. C.] , schal leese many goodis. [verse 1] Flies `that dien, leesen [diynge fordon I.] the swetnesse of oynement. Litil [A litil I.] foli at a [sum I.] tyme is preciousere [more precious I.] than wisdom and glorie. [verse 2] The herte of a wijs man is in his riȝt side; and the herte of a fool is in his left side. [verse 3] But also a fool goynge in the weie, whanne he is vnwijs, gessith alle men foolis. [verse 4] If the spirit [If the spirit; that is, the violent stiring. of him that hath power; that is, of the fostring of synne, ether of the fend. stieth on thee; in hurlinge ether stiringe thee violently to synne. forsake thou not thi place; that is, stidefastnesse of vertu. and heeling; that is, myȝty withstonding aȝenus temptaciouns, which is seid helthe of soule, schal make moste synnes to ceesse. Lire here. C.] of hym, that hath power, stieth on [upon I.] thee, forsake thou not thi place; for heeling [curyng, ether heelyng C et plures. curyng, or takyng hede I.] schal make gretteste synnes to ceesse. [verse 5] An yuel is [ther is I.] , which [that I.] Y siȝ vndur the sunne, and goith [goynge I.] out as bi errour fro the face of the prince; [verse 6] a fool set in hiȝ dignyte, and riche men sitte bynethe. [verse 7] I siȝ seruauntis on horsis, and princes as seruauntis goynge on the erthe. [verse 8] He that diggith a diche, schal falle in to it; and an eddre [an addre; that is, the deuel. Lire here. C.] schal bite hym, that distrieth an hegge [an hegge; that is, the lore of oneste, tauȝt of wise men. Lire here. C.] . [verse 9] He that berith

ouer stoonys, schal be turmentid in tho; and he that kittith trees [that kittith trees; so he that puttith forth him silf to occasiouns of synnes, schal suffre peyring of soule. Lire here. C.] , schal be woundid of tho. [verse 10] If yrun is foldid aȝen, and this [it I.] is not as bifore, but is maad blunt, it schal be maad scharp with myche trauel; and wisdom schal sue aftir bisynesse [aftir bisy|nesse; that is, the staat of a vertuouse man schal come aȝen, aftir myche di|ligense to reky|uere vertu. Lire here. C.] . [verse 11] If a serpent bitith, it [he I.] bitith in silence; he that bacbitith priueli, hath no thing lesse than it. [verse 12] The wordis of the mouth of a wijs man is [ben I.] grace; and the lippis of an vnwijs man schulen caste hym doun. [verse 13] The bigynnyng of hise wordis is foli; and the laste thing of his mouth is the worste errour. [verse 14] A fool multiplieth wordis; a man noot [wot not I.] , what was [a man noot what was, etc.; that is, a fon|ned man, for he dispisith to biholde the dedis of wise men biforgoinge. that that schal come, etc.; that is, God aloone may do this, but the fool is not worthi to sich reuelacioun. Lire here. C. in to the citee; that is, to the reste of seyntis. whos king is a child; in wit and yuele con|dicioun; for herbi sugetis ben wantoun, and vices ben encreessid many fold. eten eerli; that is, out of du ordre. is noble; that is, in vertues and kyn. Lire here. C.] bifore hym, and who mai schewe to hym that, that schal come aftir hym? [verse 15] The trauel of foolis shal turment hem, that kunnen not go in to the citee. [verse 16] Lond, wo to thee, whos kyng is a child, and whose princes eten eerli. [verse 17] Blessid is the lond, whos kyng is noble; and whose princis eten in her tyme, to susteyne the [her I.] kynde, and not to waste [leccherie A sec. m. marg. I.] . [verse 18] The hiȝnesse of housis schal be maad low in slouthis; and the hous schal droppe [the hows schal droppe, etc.; that is, in the slouthe of hondis fro goode werkis. Lire here. C.] in the feble|nesse of hondis. [verse 19] In leiȝyng thei dis|posen [In leiȝing thei disposyn, etc.; that is, vnco|uenablemyrthe. Lire here. C.] breed and wyn, that thei drynk|ynge ete largeli; and alle thingis obeien to monei [obeien to mo|ney; that is, for thei han nede to myche money for greet meynee and large table, therfor thei distrien doom for the ȝiftis of riche men. Lire here. C.] . [verse 20] In thi thouȝt bacbite thou not the kyng, and in the priuete of thi bed, curse thou not a riche man; for the briddis [the briddis, etc.; that is, telleris of wordis. schulen bere thi vois; to thyn accusing. Lire here. C.] of heuene schulen bere thi vois, and he that hath pennys [he that hath pennes; that is, a swift tellere of wordis. schal telle the sentence; that is, thi wordis, to thi dampnyng; ether bi him that hath pennes, is vndurstondun an yuel iuge, which is ouer swift to brynge forth hard sentence aȝenus symple men spekinge liȝtli. Lire here. C.] , schal telle the sentence.

CAP. XI.

[verse 1] Sende thi breed on watris [Sende thi breed on watris; that is, ȝyue thou mete and drinke to nedi men. fynde it; in resseyuynge meede in tyme to comynge, and sum tyme in present liyf. Lire here. C.] passynge forth, for aftir many tymes thou schalt fynde it. [verse 2] Ȝyue thou partis seuene [Ȝyue thou partis vii. etc.; that is, ȝyue thou largeli of thi goodis to nedy men. yuel schal come on erthe; that is, in present liyf, and thou maist be delyuerid therfro bi werkis of pyttee ȝouun to nedi men. if a tre fallith doun to the south; that is, if a man dieth, and goith to the part of chosun men. ether to the north; that is, to the part of repreuable men. there it schal be; that is, vn|chaungably; and therfor in present liyf a man owith to be bisi aboute the werkis of pitee, as myche as he may disserue. Lire here. C.] , and also eiȝte; for thou woost not, what yuel

schal come on erthe. [verse 3] If cloudis ben fill|ed, tho [thei I.] schulen schede out reyn on the erthe; if a tre fallith doun to the south, ether to the north, in what euer place it fallith doun, there it schal be. [verse 4] He that aspieth the wynd [He that aspi|eth the wynd; that is, dilayeth to sowe, for the wynd, and di|layeth to repe, for the schew|ing of cloudis, so thei that abiden an ablere tyme and lengthe of liyf, ben lettid ofte to do the werkis of pitee. Lire here. C.] , sowith not; and he that biholdith the cloudis, schal neuere repe. [verse 5] As thou knowist not, which is the weye of the spirit, and bi what resoun boonys ben ioyned togidere in the wombe of a womman with childe, so thou know|ist not the werkis of God, which is makere of alle thingis. [verse 6] Eerli sowe [Eerli sowe, etc.; that is, bigynne thou the werkis of pitee at the tyme of ȝongthe. and thyn hond ceesse not; to do werkis of pitee. in the euentid; that is, eelde, wher|ynne men ben wont to be more hard. thou woost not what schal come forth more; that is, schal be maad more acceptable to God. euer either togidere; that is, is ac|ceptable to God. the betere; bi the fruyt of meede. Lire here. C.] thi seed, and thin hond ceesse not in the euentid; for thou woost not, what schal come forth more, this ethir that; and if euer eithir cometh [come I.] forth togidere, it schal be the betere. [verse 7] The liȝt is sweet, and delitable to the iȝen to se the sunne. [verse 8] If a man lyueth many ȝeeris, and is glad in alle these, he owith to haue mynde of derk tyme [of derk tyme; that is, of deth. of many daies; that is, of tyme, that hath noon ende after deth. Lire here. C.] , and of many daies; and whanne tho schulen come, thingis passid [thingis pass|id; that is, de|litable thingis of this liyf, that passiden as schadewe. Lire here. C.] schulen be repreued of vanyte. [verse 9] Therfor, thou ȝonge man, be glad [thou ȝong man, be glad, etc.; Ebreys seyen, that this is seid by scorn, and this semeth wel bi the lettre. Lire here. C.] in thi ȝongthe, and thin herte be in good [goodnes CFGIKMNQRSXaç.] in the daies of thi ȝongthe, and go thou in the weies [go thou in the weies, etc.; that is, bi the maner of thyn owne wille. biholding of thyn iȝen; that is, in su|ynge the styr|ing of coueitise. Lire here. C.] of thin herte, and in the biholdyng of thin iȝen; and wite thou, that for alle these thingis God shal brynge thee in to doom. [verse 10] Do thou awei ire fro thin herte, and remoue thou malice [remoue thou malice; that is, lecherie. ȝongthe and lust; that is, ȝongthe sekinge veniaunce, and lust hauntinge lecchery, passen awey soone, and leden to an yuel ende. Lire here. C.] fro thi fleisch; for whi ȝongthe and lust ben veyne thingis.

CAP. XII.

[verse 1] Haue thou mynde on thi creatour [thi creatour; that is, God, that made thee of nouȝt to his ymage and licnesse. Lire here. C.] in the daies of thi ȝongthe, bifore that the tyme of thi turment come, and the ȝeris of thi deth neiȝe, of whiche [the which I.] thou schalt seie, Tho plesen not me [to me I.] . [verse 2] `Haue thou mynde on thi creatour [Om. I.] , bifor that the

sunne be derk, and the liȝt, and sterrys, and the mone; and [and the EPR.] cloude [cloudis ceteri.] turne aȝen after reyn [after reyn; that is, aftir the tribulacioun of eelde. the keperis; that is, iȝen, keperis of the body, bi|gynnen to faile, and to be dullid. and strongeste men; that is, hipis and leggis. and grynderis; that is, teeth. and seeris; that is, iȝen, set bi|twixe the holis of the heed. the doris in the street; that is, lippis, set in the pleyn place of the face. Lire here. C.] . [verse 3] Whanne the keperis of the hous schulen [Om. S.] be mouyd, and strongeste men schulen tremble; and grynderis schu|len be idel, whanne the noumbre schal be maad lesse, and seeris bi the hoolis schulen [verse 4] wexe derk; and schulen close the doris in the street, in the lownesse of vois of a gryndere; and thei schulen rise at the vois of a brid [vois of a brid; that is, the cok. douȝtris of song; that is, eeris, that deliten in melodie. C.] , and alle the douȝtris of song schulen wexe deef. [verse 5] And hiȝ thingis schulen drede, and schulen be aferd in the weie [be aferd in the weie; that is, the hiȝere part of soule, and the lowere part that hath compassioun on the bodi; for alle men dreden kyndly the deth neiȝinge, and to go out of the weye of present liyf. an ale|maund, etc.; that is, the heed schal wexe hoor. locuste; that is, the wombe. capparis; that is, coueitise of flech. go; bi deth. euerlast|ingnesse; for he schal neuere turne aȝen to present liyf. Lire here. C.] ; an [and an C.] alemaunde tre schal floure, a locuste schal be maad fat, and capparis [capparis is an herbe. X.] schal be distried; for a man schal go in to the hous of his euerlastyngnesse, and weileris schulen go aboute in the street. [verse 6] Haue thou mynde on thi creatour, byfore that a siluerne roop [a siluerne roop; that is, acording in the bodi lyuynge, be brokun bi deth. a goldun lace; that is, liyf to comynge. on the welle; that is, on the ioynyng togi|dere of othere membris on the herte. the sisterne; that is, the heed on the herte. and dust; that is, the body. Lire here. C.] be brokun, and a goldun lace renne aȝen, and a watir pot be al to-brokun on the welle, and a wheele [verse 7] be brokun togidere on the cisterne; and dust turne aȝen in to his erthe, wherof it was, and the spirit turne [go CEFGHIKMNPQRSUXa.] aȝen to God, that ȝaf it. [verse 8] The vanyte of vanytees, seide Ecclesiastes, the vanyte of vanytees, and alle thingis ben vanyte. [verse 9] And whanne Ecclesiastes was moost wijs [Ecclesiastes was most wiys; that is, Salomon was wiseste of alle men of his tyme. Lire here. C.] , he tauȝte the puple, and he telde out the thingis [verse 10] whiche he dide, and he souȝte out wisdom, and made many parablis; he souȝte pro|fitable wordis, and he wroot moost riȝtful wordis, and ful of treuthe. [verse 11] The wordis of wise men ben as prickis, and as nailis fastned deepe, whiche [the whiche I.] ben ȝouun of o scheepherde [o schepparde; that is, God, that rulith and feedith alle thingis. Lire here. C.] bi the counsels of maistris [maistris; that is, of the persoones in Trynyte, ether of hooli aungels. seke thou nomore than these; that is, than the bokis of hooli scripture; netheles herbi ben not excludid othere bokis, that ben nedeful to the vndurstonding of hooly scripture, but oneli tho bokis that ben not nedeful to helthe; of whiche bokis it sueth, noon ende is to make many bokis, for newe hardnessis risen euere in siche thingis. ofte thenking; aboute sich thingis. is turment of fleisch; that is, makith turment of fleisch, and is with out profit, sithen it is of thingis that ben not nedeful to helthe, and lettith the knowing of nedeful thingis; therfor a man owith with alle myȝtis and bisynessis ȝyue tent to tho thingis that ben nedeful to the helthe of soule. Lire here. C.] . [verse 12] My sone, seke thou no more than these; noon ende is [ther is I.] to make many bookis, and

ofte thenkyng is turment of fleisch. [verse 13] Alle we here togydere the ende of spekyng. Drede thou God, and kepe hise heestis; `that is to seie, ech man [this is, al man CGHKMNQSUXa. this is, eueri man EP. that is to wite, euery man I. this al man R.] [this is al man; that is, perfit man; that is, these twey partis, to drede God and kepe hise heestis, maken a man parfit in vertu. that ben doon; that is, of men that moun do wel and yuele, bi fredom of wille. ech thing doon bi errour; in Ebreu it is, for ech thing helid ether priuy; but thing doon bi errour is vndurstondun trespas by ma|lice ether bi ig|norance. good; in kynde, ne|theles yuel bi circumstaunce ether entent. Lire here. C.] . [verse 14] God schal brynge alle thingis in to dom, that ben don; for ech thing don bi errour, whether it be good, ether [or I passim. Sa.] yuel.

Here endith Ecclesiastes, and here bigynneth the Song of Songis [Here endith the book of Ecclesiastes, and here bygynneth the book of Songis. F. Here endith Ecclesiastes, and bygynneth the prolog on Song of Songis. G. Heere endith Ecclesiastes, and bigynneth Song of Songis. ISXa. Here endeth the booc of Ecclesiastes; se now the book of Song of Songis. K. Here endith the book of Ecclesiastes, and here bigynneth the book of Song of Songis, that weren maad of Salomon, to be sungen in the temple of the Lord, in to euerlastinge wurschiping, and nedith noon other prologe. M. Here endith Ecclesiastes, and here bigynneth the book of Songis of Songis. N. Heere eendith the book of Ecclesiastes, and bigynneth the book of Songes. R. Here endith Ecclesiasticus, and here bigynneth the book of Songis. U. Here endith Ecclesiastes, and bigynneth Song of Songis, of the bridales of Christ and of the Chirche. X. No final rubric in EP.] .