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

[6-text p 443] [Sloane 1685 folio 87]

[Whilome þere was dwellynge in Lumbardye A worþi knyȝt þat borne was at pavye In whiche he lyued in grete prosperite And sixty ȝere a wyfles man was he Line 1248 And folowyd ay hys bodyly delyte On womman þere as was hys appetyte As don þese foules þat ben seculers And whan þat he was paste sixty ȝeres Line 1252 Were hit for holynesse or for doteage I can not sey but suche a grete corage hade þis knyȝt to be a weddid man þat day and nyȝt he dothe all þat he can Line 1256 To aspye where þat he wedded myȝt be Praynge oure lorde to graunten hym þat he Myȝt onys knowe þat blessefulle lyf That ys bytwext an husbonde & his wyf Line 1260 And for to leuen vnder þat holy bonde With first god man to womman bande Non other lyf seyde he ys worthe a bene For wedlok ys so esy & so clene] [[Sloane 1685 extract ends]] That in this world it is a paradys [Camb. Gg. 4. 27] [folio 261a] Thus seyde this olde knyght þat was so wys And serteynly as soth as god Is kyng To take a wyf it is a glorious thyng Line 1268 And nemely whan a man is old & hore Thanne is a wyf the freut of his tresore Thanne schulde he take a ȝong wyf & a fayr On whiche he myȝte engendere & been eyr Line 1272

[6-text p 444] Line 1272 And leede his lyf in ioye & in solace Where as these bachelerys synge allas Whan that they fynde ony aduercitee In loue which is but childis vanytee Line 1276 And trewely it is weel to been so That bachelerys han ofte peyne & wo On brothil ground they bylde / & brothelnesse They fynde / whan they wene sekyrnesse Line 1280 They lyue but as a bryd or as a beste In lyberte & vndyr non areste There as a weddede man in his estat Leuyth a lyf blysful & ordenat Line 1284 Vndyr the ȝok of maryage I-bounde Wel may his herte in ioye & blisse aboūnde ffor who can been so buxsum as a wif Who is so trewe & ek so ententyf Line 1288 To keepe hym syk & hol as is his make ffor weel or wo sche wele hym not for-sake Sche is nat wery hym to loue & serue Thogh þat he lye bedrede tyl he sterue Line 1292 And ȝit some clerkys seyn it is nat so Of which þ^e theofraste is on of tho What fors thow Theofraste lyste to lye Ne take no wyf quod he for husbonderye Line 1296 As for to spare in houshold thyn dispence A trewe seruaunt doth more diligence Thyn good to kepe than tyn owene wyf ffor sche wele cleyme half part al hire lyf Line 1300 And ȝyf þou be sek so god me save Thynne verray frendys or a trewe knave Wele kepe þe bet / than sche that wayth ay [folio 261b] Aftyr thyn good / & hath doon manye a day Line 1304 And ȝif thow take a wyf on to thyn hold / fful lyghtely mayst þou been a coukewold [¶ Caue] This sentence / & manye an hunderede werse Wryth this man / there god his bonys cursse Line 1308

[6-text p 445] Line 1308 But takyth no kep of alle swich vanytee Defye Theofraste & herke me A wyf is godys ȝifte verrayly Alle oþere manere ȝiftys hardyly Line 1312 As londys [[first lordys]] rentys / pasture or comune Or meoblys alle been ȝiftys of fortune That passyn / as a schadewe vp on a wal But dredles if pleynly speke I schal Line 1316 A wyf wele laste & in thyn hous endure Weel lengere than the lyste parauenture Maryage is a ful gret sakrement He which that hath no wyf I helde hym schent Line 1320 He lyuyth helpeles & al desolat I speke of folk in seculeer estat And herke why I seye nat this for noght That weman is for manys helpe I-wrought Line 1324 The heye god [[first good]] whan he badde adam makyd And say hym al a-lone bely nakyd / God of his greete goodnesse seyde than Lat vs now make an helpe vn-to this man Line 1328 Lyk to hym self & thanne he made hym Eue Heere may ȝe se & [[erasure]] here may ȝe preue That wif is manys helpe & his confort His paradys terestre / & his desport Line 1332 So buxsum & so vertevous is sche They muste nedis liue in vnite On flesch they been & on blood as I gesse Hath but oon herte / in wele & in destresse Line 1336 A wif a seynte Marie benedicite How myȝte a man han ony aduersite That hath a wif sertis I can not seye The blysse that is be-twixe hem tweye Line 1340 Ther may non tunge telle nor herte thynke [folio 262a] ȝif he be pore sche helpith hym to swynke Sche kepith his good / & wastyth neuere a del Al that hire husbonde luste hire likyth weel Line 1344

[6-text p 446] Line 1344 Sche seyth nat onys nay whan he seyth ye Do this seyth he al redy sere seyth sche O blysful ordere of wedlok precious Thow art so merye & ek so vertyuous Line 1348 And so comendit & apreuyd ek That euery man that halt hym worth a lek Vp-on hise bare kneis oghte al his lyf Thankyn his god that hym hath sent a wyf Line 1352 Or ellys preye to god hym for to fynde A wif to laste vn-to his lyuys ende ffor thanne his lyf is set in sekyrnesse He may not ben disseyuyd as I gesse Line 1356 So þat he werche aftyr his wyuys reed Thanne may he baldely beryn vp his heed They been so trewe & therwithal so wise ffor which ȝif þou wilt werkyn as the wyse Line 1360 Do alwey so as wemen wele þ^e reede Lo how that Iacob as these clerkys rede By good conseyl of his modyr Rebekke Bond the kidis skyn a-boutyn his nekke Line 1364 ffor which his faderis benyson he wan Lo Iudith as the story telle can By good conseyl sche godys peple kepte And slow hym Olefernus as he slepte Line 1368 Lo Abigayl bi good conseyl how sche Sauede hire husbonde / Naabal whan þat he Schulde a be slayn & loke Ester also By good conseyl deliuerede out of woo Line 1372 The peple of god / & made hym Mardoche To assure en-haunsede for to bee There nys no thyng In gre superlatyf As seyth senec. A-boue an humble wyf Line 1376 Suffere thyn wyuys tunge as catoun bit Sche schal comaunde & sche schal suffere it And ȝit sche wele obeye of curteysye [folio 262b] A wyf is kepere of thyn husbondrye Line 1380

[6-text p 447] Line 1380 Weel may the syke man bewayle & wepe There as þer is no wif the hous to kepe I warne the ȝif wisely thow wilt werche Loue wel thyn wif / as Cryst louede his cherche Line 1384 If thow louyst thyn self thow louyst thyn wyf No man hatyth his flesch but in his lyf He fosteryth it & therfore bidde I the Cheryche thyn wyf or thow schat neuere the Line 1388 Husbonde or wyf / what so men Iape or pleye Of wordely folk / holdyn þe sikere weye They been so knyt there may non harm be-tyde And namely vp-on the wyuys syde Line 1392 ffor which this Ianuarye of whiche I tolde Considerede hath with hise dayis olde The lusty lyf / the vertyvous quiete That is in maryage hony swete Line 1396 And for hise frendis on a day he sente To tellyn hem teffect of his entente ¶ With face sad / his tale he hath hem told He seyde frendis I am hor & old Line 1400 And alwey god wot on myn pittis brynke Vp-on the soule sumwhat muste I thynke I haue myn body folyly dispendit Blyssede be god that it schal ben a-mendit Line 1404 ffor I wele been certayn a weddede man And that a-noon / in al the haste I can Vn-to sum mayde fayr & tendere of age I preye ȝow schapith for myn maryage Line 1408 Al sodeynly for / I nyl nat a-byde And I wele fonde tespie on myn syde To whom I may been weddit hastyly But for as meche as ȝe been mo than I Line 1412 Ȝe schul rathere swich a thyng espyen Than I & wheere me best were to allyen But on thyng werne I ȝow mynne freendis deere I wele non old wyf han in no manere — Line 1416

[6-text p 448] Line 1416 Sche schal not passe twenty ȝeer certayn [folio 263a] Old fysch & ȝong flesch/ wolde I haue ful fayn Bet is quod he a pyk than a pykerel And bet than old bef is the tendere veel Line 1420 I wil no weman / thretty ȝeer of age It is but benestraw / & gret forage And ek these olde wyuys god it wot They cunne so meche craft on wadis boot Line 1424 So meche broke harm whan hem leste That with hem schulde I neuere lyue in reste ffor sundery scolys make subtyl clerkys Woman of manye scole half a clerk is Line 1428 But serteynly a ȝong thyng may men gye Ryght as men may warm wex with handis plye Wherfore I sey ȝow pleynly in a clause I wele noon old wyf han for this cause Line 1432 ffor ȝif so were I hadde swich myschaunce That I in hire ne coude haue no plesaunce Thanne schulde [I] lede myn lyf in a-vouterye And streyt to the deuyl whan I deye Line 1436 Ne chyldere schulde I none vp-on hire gete Ȝit were me leuere houndis haddyn me etyn Than that myn erytage schulde falle In straunge hand & this I telle ȝow alle Line 1440 I dote not I wot the cause why Men schulde wedde & ferthere more wot I There spekyth manye a man of mariage That wot no more of it than wot myn page Line 1444 ffor whiche causis men schulde take a wyf Sith he ne may nat liue chast his lyf Tak hym a wyf with gret deuocioun By cause of leful procreacioun Line 1448 Of childere too thonour of god a-boue And nat only / for paramour or loue And for they schulde / lecherye eschue And ȝilde here dette / whan þat it is dewe Line 1452

[6-text p 449] Line 1452 Or for eche of hem / schulde helpyn oþer In myschif / as a systyr / schal the brothir And lyuyn in chastite ful holy-ly [folio 263b] But siris bi ȝoure leue þat am not I Line 1456 ffor god be thankyd I dar make a-vaunt I fele myn lemys starke & suffisaunt To do al that a man bihouyth to I wot myn self best what I may do Line 1460 Thow I be hor I fare as doth a tree That blosmeth er than freut I-wexe bee A blosmy tre is neythir dreye ne ded I fele me nower hor but on myn heed Line 1464 Myn herte & alle mynne lymys been as grene As laurer thourgh þ^e ȝeer is ay seene And syn that ȝe han herd al myn entente I prey ȝow to myn wil ȝe wele assente Line 1468 ¶ Dyuers men dyuersly hym tolde Of mariage manye ensaumplis olde Some blamede it some preysede it certeyn But at the laste schortely for to seyn Line 1472 As alday fallyth altercacioun By-twyxe fryndys in disputacioun There fyl a stryf bi-twyxen hise bretheryn two Of which that on is clepid placebo [Placebo] Iustinus sothly cleped was that oþer Placebo seyde o Ianuarye brothir fful lityl neede/ hadde ȝe myn lord so decre Conseyl to axe of ony that is heere Line 1480 But that ȝe been so ful of sapience That ȝow ne lykyth for ȝoure hye prudence To wyue fro the word of Salamon [ ] [[No gap in MS, but a mark of omission; and a line is left blank at the bottom of the leaf for the omitted words.] Werke alle thynge by conseyl thus seyth he And thanne schat þou not repente the And thow that salamon spak swych a word Myn owene deere brothir & myn lord Line 1488

[6-text p 450] Line 1488 So wysely god myn soule brynge at reste I holde ȝore conseyl is the beste ffor brothir myn of me tak this motyf I haue now been a court man al myn lyf Line 1492 And god it wot thow I onworthy bee [folio 264a] I haue stondyn in ful gret de-gree A-boutyn lordis of ful high estaat Ȝeet hadde I neuere with non of hem debaat Line 1496 I neuere hem contraryed trewely I woot weel that myn lord can moore þan I What that he seyth I holde it ferme & stable I sey the same or ellys thyng semblable Line 1500 A ful gret fol is ony conseyllour That seruyth ony lord of hey onour That dar presume or ellys thynkyn it That his conseyl schulde passe his lordis wit Line 1504 Nay lordis been none folys be myn fay Ȝee han ȝoure self schewid heere to day So high sentence so holyly & so wel That I consente & conferme euery deel Line 1508 Ȝoure wordis alle & ȝoure opynyoun By god there nys no man in al this toun Ne in al ytayil that coude bet a sayd Cryst hoold hym of this consayl wol weel apayed Line 1512 And trewely it is an hygh corage Of ony man that schapyn is in age To takyn a ȝong wyf by myn fader ken Ȝoure herte hangith on a Ioly pyn Line 1516 Doth now in this matyr ryȝt as ȝow lyst ffor finally I holde it for the best ¶ Iustinus þat ay stylle sat & herde [Iustinus] Ryȝt in this wyse / to placebo answerde Line 1520 Now brothir myn be pacient I preye Syn ȝe han seyd & herkenyth what I seye Senek a-mong hise othere wordis wyse [Seneca.] Syn that a man hym ouȝte rygh weel tavise Line 1524

[6-text p 451] Line 1524 To whom he ȝeuyth his lond or his catel And syn I ouȝte a-vise me ryȝt wel To whom I ȝeue myn good a-wey fro me Weel more I ouȝte avisede be Line 1528 To whom I ȝeue myn body for alwey I warne ȝow weel it is no childys pley To take a wif with-oute a-vysement [folio 264b] Meen muste enquyre this is myn assent Line 1532 Wher sche be wys & sobere or dronkelewe Or proud or othere weyis a schrewe A chidystere or wastouur of thyn good Or ryche or pore or ellis mannyssch wood Line 1536 Al be it so that no man fyndyn schal Noon in this world that trottyth hool in al Ne man ne beste whiche as men coude deuyse But nathe-lees it oghte I-nough suffise Line 1540 With ony wyf ȝif so were that sche hadde Moo thewys goode / than / vicis badde And al this askyth leyser for tenqueere ffor god it wot I haue wepte manye a tere Line 1544 fful priuyly syn that I hadde a wyf Preyso ho so wole a weddede manys lyf Certeyn I fynde it but cost & care And obseruancis of alle blyssis bare Line 1548 And ȝit god wot myne neighe-bouris a-boute And namely of women manye a route Seyn that I haue the moste stedefast wyf And ek the mekeste on that beryth lyf Line 1552 But I wot best where wryngeth me myn scho Ye mowe for ryght as ȝow leste do A-viseth ȝow ȝe been a man of age How that ȝe enteryn / in-to a maryage Line 1556 And namely with a ȝyng wif. & a fayr By hym that maade watyr erthe & ayr The ȝyngeste man that is in al this route Is bisy I-nogh to bryngyn it a-boute Line 1560

[6-text p 452] Line 1560 To han his wif a-lone trostyth me ȝe schul not plese hire fully ȝerys thre This is to seyne to don hire ful plesaunce A wyf axeth ful manye an obseruaunce Line 1564 I preye ȝow that ȝe ben nat euele a-payed ¶ Weel quod this Ianuarye hast þou sayd Straw for thyne senek & for thyn prouerbis I counte not a paner ful of erbys Line 1568 Of scole termys wisere men than thow [folio 265a] As thow hast herd assentedyn right now To myn purpos Placebo what sey ȝe I seye it is a cursede man quod he Line 1572 That lettyth matrimonye sekerly And with that word they rysyn sodeynly [[deynly corrected: sodeynli in margin]] And been assentid fully that he schulde Been wedded whan hym leste & where he wolde Line 1576 ¶ His fantasye / & curyous besynesse ffrom day to day / gan in the soule enpresse ffor Ianuarye a-boute his maryage Manye fayr schap & manye fayr visage Line 1580 There passede thorw his herte nygh^t be nyght As who so take a myrour pulschede bryght And sette it in a comoun market place Thanne schulde he seen manye a figeur pace [[first face]] By his myrour & in the same wyse Gan Ianuarie in with his thought a-vyse Of maydenys which that dwellyn hym by syde He wiste nat where that he myghte a-byde Line 1588 ffor ȝif that on haue beute in his face A nothir stant so in the puplis grace ffor hire sadnesse & hire benyngnetee Tha^t of the peple gretteste voys hadde sche Line 1592 And some were ryche & haddyn badde name But natheles by-twixe ernest & game He at the laste apoyntyd hym on on And leet alle oþere from his herte goon Line 1596

[6-text p 453] Line 1596 And chese hire of his owene autoritee ffor loue is blynd alday & may not see And whan that he was in his bedde brought He portreyede in his herte & in his thought Line 1600 Hire frossche beute & hyre age tendere Hire myddyl smal & hire armys longe & sklendere Hire wise gouernaunce / hire gentillesse Hire womanly berynge & hire sadnesse Line 1604 And whan that he on hire was condessendit Hym thouȝte his choys myȝte not been a-mendit ffor whan that he hym selue concludede hadde [folio 265b] Hym thouȝte eche othere manys wit so badde Line 1608 That impossible it were to replye A-geyn his choys that was his fantassie Hise frendis sente he th^o [[to altered to th^o]] at his instaunce And preyede hem to do hym that plesaunce Line 1612 That hastely they wolde don hym come He wolde abrege hire lordschepe alle en some Nedyth namore for hym to goon ne ryde He [[e corrected]] was a-poyntid there he wolde a-bide Line 1616 Placebo cam & ek hise frendis soone And aldyrferst he had hem alle a boone That noone of hem / noone argumentis make Ageyn the purpos which that he hath take Line 1620 Which purpos was plesaunt to god seyde he And verray ground of his prosperitee He seyde there was a maydyn in the toun Which that of beute hadde greet renoun Line 1624 Al weere it so sche weere of smal degre Suffiseth hym hire ȝouthe & hire beutee Whiche mayde he seyde he wolde han to his wyf To leede in ese & holynesse his lyf Line 1628 And thankede god that he myȝte han hire al That no wyȝt of his blysse partyn schal And preyede hem to laboure in this nede And schapen that he fayle nat to speede Line 1632

[6-text p 454] Line 1632 ffor thanne he seyde his spiryght was at ese Thanne is quod he no thyng may me displese Saue on thyng prikyth in myn concience The whiche I wele reherce in ȝoure presence Line 1636 ¶ I haue he seyde herd seyd / ful ȝore ago There may no man haue parfit blyssis two This is to seyne in erthe & ek in heuene ffor thow he kepe hym from the synnys seuene Line 1640 And ek from euery braunce of tylke tree Ȝit is there so parfit felicite And so greet ese & lust in maryage That euere I am a-gast / now in myn age Line 1644 That I schal leede now so merie a lyf [folio 266a] So delicat with-oute woo & stryf That I schal han myn heuene in erthe here ffor sythe that veray heuene is bouȝt so dere Line 1648 With tribulacyounnys & greet penaunce How schulde I thanne lyue in swich plesaunce As alle weddede men doon with here wyuys Come to the blis there Crist eterne on liue is Line 1652 This is myn drede & ȝe myne brethere tweye Assoylyth me this questioun I preye ¶ Iustinus whiche that hatith his folye Answerde a-noon ryȝt in his Iaperye Line 1656 And for he wolde his longe tale abregge He wolde non autorite a-legge But seyde sere so there be noon obstakele Othir than this god of his heye mirakele Line 1660 And of his mercy may so for ȝow werche That er ȝe han ȝoure ryȝt of holy cherche ȝe may repente of weddede manys lyf In whiche ȝe se ther is no woo ne stryf Line 1664 And ellis god for-beede but he sente A weddede man hym grace to repente Wel ofte rathere than a sengle man And therfore syre the beste reed þat I can Line 1668

[6-text p 455] Line 1668 Dispeyre ȝow not but hauyth in memorye Perauntir sche may been ȝoure purgatorye Sche may been goddis meene & goddys whippe Thanne schal ȝoure soule vp to heuene skyppe Line 1672 Swiftere than an arwe out of a bowe I hope to god here aftyr ȝe schul knowe That ther is non so greet felycite In maryage ne neuere mor schal be Line 1676 That ȝow schal lette of ȝoure saluacioun So that ȝe vse as skil is & resoun The lustis of ȝoure wyf attemprely And that ȝe plese hire nat to amourously Line 1680 And that ȝe kepe ȝow ek from othere synne Myn tale is doon for myn wit is thenne Byth not a-gast heere-of myn brothir dere [folio 266b] But let vs wadyn [[o corrected]] out of this mateere Line 1684 The wyf of bathe ȝif ȝe han vndyrstonde Of maryage which ȝe han on honde Declarid hath ful wel in lytyl space ffaryth now weel god haue ȝow in his grace Line 1688 And with that word this Iustyne & his brothir They take here leue & eche of hem of othir ffor whan they sagh that it muste needis be They wroughte so sly & wys tretee Line 1692 That sche this mayde which þat Mayus hyghte As hastyly as euere sche myghte Schal weddede been on to this Ianuarye I trowe it weere to longe now to tarye Line 1696 Ȝif I ȝow tolde of euery scrit & bond By which that sche was feffyd in his [[l corrected]] lond Or for to herkene of hire ryche aray But fynally is comyn the day Line 1700 That to the cherche bothe be they went ffor to resceyue the holy sacrement fforth comyth the prest with stole a-bout his nekke And bad hire be lyk sarra & rebekke Line 1704

[6-text p 456] Line 1704 In wisdam & in trouthe of maryage And seyde his orysounnys as is vsage And crouchith hem & bit god schulde hem blysse And made al sikyr I-nough with holynesse Line 1708 Thus been they weddit with solempnetee And at the laste sittyth he & sche With othere worthi folk vp on the deys Al ful of Ioye & blisse is the paleys Line 1712 And ful of instrumentis & of vitayle The moste deynteuous of al Itaylle By-forn hem stood swich instrument of soun That Orpheus nor [[r corrected]] Thebes Amphioun Line 1716 Ne made neuere swich a melodye At euery cours þan cam loud menstralsye That neuere trumped Ieob for to heere Ne Theodomas ȝit half so cleere Line 1720 At Thebes whan the Citee was in doute [folio 267a] Bacus the wyn hem shynketh alle a-boute And venus laugheth vp-on euery wyght ffor Ianuarye bycomyn was hire knyght Line 1724 And wolde bothe asaye hise corage In liberte & ek in maryage And with hire fyr brond in hire han^d a-boute Daunceth by-fore the bryde & al the route Line 1728 And certeynly I dare ryȝt wel sey this Ymeneus / that god of weddyng is Saw neuere his lyf / so merye a weddede man Hold thow thyn pees / thow poete Marcian Line 1732 That wrytist vs that ilke weddyng murye Of hire Philologie / & hym mercurie And of the song that the Musys sunge To smal is bothe thi penne & ek thyn tunge Line 1736 ffor to discryue of thyn maryage Whan tender ȝouthe haue weddit stoupynge age There is swych myrthe It may not been I-wretyn Assayeth it ȝoure self thanne may ȝe wetyn Line 1740

[6-text p 457] Line 1740 Ȝif that I lye or noon / in this matyre Mayus that sit with / so benynge a cheere Hire to byholde it semede fayrye Queen Ester lokede neuere with swich an eye Line 1744 On Assure / so meke a lok hath sche I may ȝow nat deuyse al hure beutee But thus meche of hire beute telle I may That sche was lyk the bryȝte morwe of may Line 1748 fful fyld of alle beute & of plesaunce This Ianewarye is rauyst in a traunce At euery tyme he lokede on hire face But in his herte he gan hire manace Line 1752 That he that nyght in armys wolde hire streyne Hardere than euere parys dede Eleyne But natheles ȝit hadde he greet pitee That ilke nyȝt offendyn hire muste hee Line 1756 And thouȝte allas o tendere creature Now wolde god ȝe myȝte wel endure Al myn corage it is so scharp & keene [folio 267b] I am a-gast ȝe schul it not susteene Line 1760 But god for-beede þat I dede al myn myȝt Now wolde god [[first good]] that it were waxe nyght And that the nyȝt / wolde lastyn euere mo I wolde that al this peple were a-go Line 1764 And fynally he doth al his labour As he best myghte / sauynge his honour To haste hem from the meete in subtyl wyse The tyme cam that resoun was to ryse Line 1768 And aftyr that men daunce / & drynkyn faste And spicis al aboute the hous they caste And ful of ioye & blysse is euery man Alle but a squier· hyte Damyan Line 1772 The whiche carf by-fore þ^e knyght manye a day He was rauysschd on his lady May That for the verray peyne he was nygh wood Almost he schulde a swounnede as he stod Line 1776

[6-text p 458] Line 1776 So soore hath venus hurt him with hire brond As that sche bar daunsynge in hire hand [[a partly altered to o]] And to here bed they wentyn hastyly Na moore at this tyme speke I Line 1780 But theere I leete hym weepe I-nogh & pleyne Tyl frosche may wele rewyn on his peyne O perylous fyr þat in the bed straw bredyth [Auctor] O famulier fo that his seruise beedith Line 1784 O seruaunt traitour false homeli hewe Lyk to the neddere in bosum sly ontrewe God schilde vs alle from ȝoure aqueyntaunce O Ianuarie dronkyn in plesaunce Line 1788 In mariage se how thyn damyan Thyn owene squyer & thyn bore man Entendyth for do the velanye God graunte the thyn homely fo tespye Line 1792 ffor in this world is wersse pestelence Than homely foo alwey in thyn presence ¶ Parformede hath the sunne his ark dyurne No lengere may the body of hym soiurne Line 1796 On thorisonte / as in that latitude [folio 268a] Nigh with his mental that is derk & rude Gan ouersprede Themysperie a-boute ffor which departid is this blisful route Line 1800 ffrom Ianuarie with stant on euery syde Hoom tyl here housis hastily they ryde Where as they don here thyngis as hem leste And whan they saw here tyme goon to reste Line 1804 Soone aftyr that this lusty Ianuarye Wol go to bedde he wil no lengere tarye He drynkith Ipocras clarre [[? first cleree]] & vernage Of spicis hoote tencresyn his corage Line 1808 And manye a letuarie hadde he ful fyn Swych as the cursede Monk daun Constantyn Hath wretyn in his cursede bok de Coitu To ete hem alle he was no thyng eschu Line 1812

[6-text p 459] Line 1812 And to hise priue frendis thus seyde he ffor godis loue as soone as it may bee Let voydyn al this hous in curteys wyse And they han doon ryȝt as they wole deuyse Line 1816 Men drynkyn & the trauys drawe a-non The bryde was brough a bedde as stylle as ston And whan the bed was was with the prest I-blyssid Out of the chambere hath euery wygh hym dressid Line 1820 And Ianuarye hath faste in armys take His frosche May his paradys his make He lullyth hire he kissith hire ful ofte With thilke brustelis of his berd on-softe Line 1824 Lyk to the skyn of houndfysch scharp as brere ffor he was schaue al newe in his manere He rubbith hire a-boute hire tendere face And seide thus allas I mote trespace Line 1828 To ȝow myn spouse & ȝow gretly offende Er tyme come that I schal doun dessende But nathe-les consideryth this quod he There wot no werkeman what so euere he be Line 1832 That may bothe werke weel & hastely This wil been don at leyser parfitly It is no fors how longe that we pleye [folio 268b] In trewe wedlok coupplit been we tweye Line 1836 And blyssede be the ȝok that we been inne ffor in [oure] actis we mowe don no synne A man may doon no synne with his wif Ne hurte hym selue with his owene knyf Line 1840 ffor we han leue to pleye vs bi the lawe Thus labourith he tyl the day gan dawe And thanne he takyth a soppe in fyn clarree And vp ryȝt in his bed thanne sittyth hee Line 1844 And aftyr that he song ful loude & clere And kyste his wif & made wantoun cheere He was al coltissh / ful of ragerye And ful of Iargoun / as a flekkede pye Line 1848

[6-text p 460] Line 1848 The slakke skyn a-boute his nekke shakyth Whil that he song so chuntyth he & crakyth But god wot wat that May thouȝte in hire herte Whan sche hym say vp syttyn in his scherte Line 1852 In his nyght cappe & in his nekke lene Sche preyseth nat his pleying worth a beene Thanne seyde he thus myn reste wele I take Now day is come I may no lengere waake Line 1856 And doun he leyde his heed & slep tyl pryme And aftyrward whan that he saugh his tyme Vp ryseth Ianuarie but frosche may Held [[ld corrected]] hire chaumbere tyl the fourte day Line 1860 As vsage is of wyuys for the beste ffor euery labour sumtyme mote han reste Or ellis longe may he not endure This is to seyne no lyuys creature Line 1864 Be it of fysch or bryd or beste or man ¶ Now wele I speke of woful Damian That languysseþ for loue as ȝe schal heere Therfore I speke to hym in this maneere Line 1868 I seye O sely Damyan / allas Answere to myn demaunde as in this cas How schalt thow to thyn lady frosche May Telle thyn wo / sche wele alwey seye nay Line 1872 Ek ȝif thu speke sche wele thyn wo bi-wreye [[y corrected]] [folio 269a] God be thyn helpe I can no betere seye This syke Damyan in Venus fyr So brennyth that he deyeth for desyr Line 1876 ffor which he put his lyf in auenture No lengere myghte he in this lyf endure But pryuyly a pennere gan he borwe And in a lettere wrot he al his sorwe Line 1880 In maner of a compleynt or a lay Vn-to his fayre frosche lady May And in a purs of silk he hyng on his scherte He hath it put & leyd it at his herte Line 1884

[6-text p 461] Line 1884 The mone that at noon was thilke day That Ianuarie hath weddyd frosche May In two of Taur was in-to Cancre glydyn So longe hath Mayus in hire chaumbre a-bedyn Line 1888 As custome is vn-to these nobles alle A bryde schal nat etyn in the halle Til foure or thre dayis at the leste I-passede been thanne lat hire goon to feste Line 1892 The fourte day compleet from noon to noon Wha [[first What]] that the hie masse was I-doon In halle sit this Ianuarye & May As frosche as is the bryghte somerys day Line 1896 And so bi-fel how that this goode man Remembrede hym vp-on Damyan And seyde seyntemarye how may this be That damyan entendith nat to me Line 1900 Is he ay sik or how may it be-tyde Hise squyeris that stodyn there by syde Excusede hym by cause of his siknesse Whiche lettede hyn to don his busynesse Line 1904 Noon othir cause myȝt make hym to tarye That me forthynkyth quod this Ianuarye He is a gentil squyer by myn treuthe ȝif that he deye it were harm & reuthe Line 1908 He is as wys descreet & as secre As ony man I wot of hys degre And therto manly & ek seruysable [folio 269b] And for to been a thrifty man ryȝt able Line 1912 But aftyr mete as sone as euere I may I wele myn self visite hym & eek May To don hym al the confort þat I kan And for that ilke word hym blyssede euery man Line 1916 That of his bounte & his gentillesse he wolde so confortyn in seknesse his squyer for it was a gentyl dede Dame quod this Ianuarye tak good heede Line 1920

[6-text p 462] Line 1920 At aftyr mete ȝe with ȝore women alle Whan ȝe han been in chaumbere out of this halle That alle ȝe go to se this damyan Doth hym disport he is a gentil man Line 1924 And tellyth hym that I wele hym visite Haue I no thyng but restede me a lyte And speede ȝow faste for I wele a-byde Til that ȝe slepe faste by myn syde Line 1928 And with that word he gan to hym to calle A squyer that was marchale of his halle And told hym serteyn wordis that he wolde This frosche May hath streyt hire woye I-holde Line 1932 With alle hire wemen on to Damyan Doun by his beddis syde sit sche than Confortynge hym as goodly as sche may This damyan whan that his tyme he say Line 1936 In secre wyse his purs & ek his bille In which that he I-wrytyn hadde [[he erased]] his wille Hath put In-to hire hand with-outyn moore Saue þat he sikyth wondyr deepe & soore Line 1940 And softely to hire thus seyde he Mercy & that ȝe nat discouere me ffor I am deed ȝif that this thyng be kyd This purs hat^h sche / in with hire bosum hid Line 1944 And wente hyre woy ȝe gete no more of me But vn-to Ianuarye I-comyn is. sche That on his. beddis. syde sat ful softe And t^hakyth hire & kysseth hire ful ofte Line 1948 And leyde hym doun to slepe & that a-non [folio 270a] Sche feynede hire as that sche muste goon There as ȝe wot that euery man mot neede And whan sche of that bille hath takyn heede Line 1952 Sche rente it al to cloutis at the laste And in the pryue softely it caste ¶ Who stodyeth now but fayre frosche May A-doun by olde Ianuarye sche lay Line 1956

[6-text p 463] Line 1956 That slepte tyl that the co^vhe [[first coghe]] hath hym a-wakyd A-non he preyede hire to stryppe hire al nakyd He wolde of hire he seyde han sum plesaunce And seyde hire clothis dide hym encumbraunce Line 1960 And sche obeyeth be hire lef or loth But lest the precious folk be with me wroth How that he wrouȝte I dar not to ȝow telle Or whethir hire thoughte it ^paradys or helle Line 1964 But heere I lete hem werke in hire wyse Til euynsong rong & thanne they muste ryse Were it by desteny or by auenture Were it by influence or by nature Line 1968 Or constellacioun / that in swich estat The heuene stood / that tyme fortunat ffor to putte a bille / forth of venus werkis ffor alle thynge hath tyme / as sey these clerkys Line 1972 To ony woman for to geete hire loue I can not seye but greete god a-boue That knowith that noon act is causeles He deeme of alle / for I wil holde myn pees Line 1976 But soth is this how that this frossche May Hath take swich emprescioun that day Of pite of this ilke damyan That from hire herte sche ne dryue can Line 1980 This [[rme altered]] remembraunce for to doon hym ese Sertayn thouȝte sche / whom that this thyng displese I rekke not / for here I hym assure To loue hym best/ of ony criature Line 1984 Thow he namore / hadde than his scherte Lo pete rennyth sone / in gentyl herte Heere may ȝe se how excellent fraunchise [folio 270b] In wemen is whan they hem weel a-vise Line 1988 Sum tyraunt is as theere been manyon That hath [[h inserted]] an herte as hard as is a ston Which wolde a lat hym steruyn in the place Wel rathere than grauntyn hym hire grace Line 1992

[6-text p 464] Line 1992 And hem reioysyn in hire crewel pryde And rekkyn nat to been An homytyde This gentil May fulfyld of pitee Ryȝt of hire owene hand makede sche Line 1996 In which sche grauntyth hym hire werra^y grace There lakkyth not but only day & space Where that sche myȝte vn-to his lust suffyse ffor it schal been ryȝt as ȝe wele deuyse Line 2000 And whan sche saugh hire tyme vp-on a day To visite þis Damyan/ goth May And subtyly this lettere doun sche threste Vndyr his pilwe rede it ȝif him leste Line 2004 Sche takyth hym by the hand & harde [[rde corrected]] hym twyste So secrely that no man of it wyste And bad hym been al hol / & forth sche wente To Ianuarye whan that he for hire sente Line 2008 ¶ Vp ryseth Damyan [[a corrected]] the nexte morwe Al passede was his siknesse & his sorwe And kymbith hym & proynyth [[a partly al|tered to o]] hym & pikyth He dooth al th^at hym luste & lykyth Line 2012 And ek to Ianuarye he goth as lowe As euere dede a dogge for the bowe He is so plesaunt on to euery man ffor craft is al / ho so do it can Line 2016 That euery wyȝt is fayn to don hym good And fully in his ladyis grace he stood Thus leete I Damyan a-boute his neede And in myn tale forth I wele procede Line 2020 ¶ Some clerkis seyn that felicitee Stant in delyt / & therfore serteyn he This noble Ianuarie with al his myȝt In honeste wys as longith to a knyȝt Line 2024 Schop hym to lyue ful delyciously [folio 271a] His housynge his a-ray as honestely To his degre was makyd as a kyng is A-mongis his othere honeste thyngis Line 2028

[6-text p 465] Line 2028 He made a gardyn wallede al wyth stoon So fayr a gardyn woot I nowher noon ffor out of doute I verrayly suppose That he that wrot the romauns of the rose Line 2032 Ne coude of it the beute weel deuyse Ne priapus ne myȝte nat suffyse Thow he be god of gardynys for to telle The beaute of the gardyn & the welle Line 2036 That stood vndyr a laurer al wey grene fful ofte tyme he pluto & his queene Proserpen & al hire fayrye Disportyn hem & makyn melodye Line 2040 A-boute that welle & dauncedyn as men tolde This noble knyght this Ianuarye the olde Swich deynte hath [[h inserted: i altered]] // in it to walke & pleye That he wele no wyȝt suffere to bere þ^e keye Line 2044 But he hym self / for of the smale wiket He bar alwey of syluyr a Clyket Of which whan that hym lykith he it on-schette And whan he wolde paye his wyf hire dette Line 2048 In somyr sesoun thidyr wolde he go And May his wyf & no wyȝt but they two And thyng that were nat doon a bedde He in the gardyn parfornede hem & spedde Line 2052 And in this wyse manye a merye day Lyuede this Ianuarye & frossche May But wordely ioye may non alwey dure To Ianuarie ne to non creature Line 2056 ¶ O sodeyn hap o fortune onstable Lyk to the scorpioun so deceyuable That flateris wythyn hed whan þou wolt stynge Thyn tayl is deeth thourgh thyn enuenymynge Line 2060 O bretil Ioye o sweete venym queynte O Monstre that so subtyly canst peynte Tynne ȝiftys vndyr colour of stedefastnesse [folio 271b] That thow disseuyst bothe moore & lesse Line 2064

[6-text p 466] Line 2064 Whhy hast thow Ianuaris thus disseyuyd That haddyst hym for thyn fulle frend resceyuyd And now thow hast by-raft hym bothe his Iyen ffor sorwe of which desyryth he to deyen Line 2068 Allas this noble Ianuarye free A-mydde his lust & his prosperitee Is waxen blynd / & that al sodeynly He wepith & he waylyth pitously [[pitously corrected]] Line 2072 And therwithal the fyr of Ielusye Lest that his wif schulde falle in sum folye So brente his herte that he wolde fayn That sum man bothe hym & hire hadde slayn Line 2076 ffor neythir aftyr his deth ne his lyf Ne wolde he that sche weere loue ne wyf But euere lyue as widewe in clothis blake Soul as the turtle that hat lost hire make Line 2080 But at the laste aftyr a monyth or tweye His sorwe gan a-swage soth to seye ffor whan he wiste / he may noon oþer bee He paciently takyth his aduersite Line 2084 Saue out of doute he may not for-goon That he was Ielous eueremor in oon Whiche Ielusye it was so outrageous That neythir in halle ne in noon othir hous Line 2088 Ne in non othir place neuere the mo He nolde suffere hire neythir to ryde or go But ȝif that he hadde hand on hire alwey ffor which ful ofte wepith fresche May Line 2092 That louyth Damyan so benygnely That sche mot othir deye sodeynly Or ellys sche mote han hym as hire leste Sche wayth whan hire herte wolde breste Line 2096 ¶ Vp-on that othir syde ek damyan By-comyn is the sorwefuleste man That euere was for neythyr nyȝt ne day Ne myȝte he speke a worde with frosche May Line 2100

[6-text p 467] Line 2100 As to his purpos of no swich mateere [folio 272a] But If that Ianuarie muste it heere That hadde an hand vp-on hire euere mo But natheles by wrytyng too & froo Line 2104 And priue sygnys wiste he what sche mente And sche knew ek the fyn of his entente O Ianuarye what myȝte it the a-vayle [Auctor//] Thow myȝtist se as fer as schepis sayle Line 2108 ffor also good is blynd disseyuyd bee As to be disseyuyd whan a man may see Lo Argus which that hadde an hunderede eyen ffor al that he coude poure or pryen Line 2112 Ȝit was he blynd as god wot so been mo That wenyn wisely that it be nat so Passe ouyr is an ese I seye namoore This frosche May that I spak of so ȝore Line 2116 In warm wex hath enpryntit the klyket That Ianuarye [[first Ianuerye]] bar of that smale wiket By which in to his gardyn ofte he wente And Damyan that knew al his entente Line 2120 The klyket countirfetid priuyly There nys no more to seye but hastily Sum wondyr bi this cliket schal by-tyde Which ȝe schul here ȝif ȝe wele on byde Line 2124 O noble ouyde ful soth is seyd god wot [Auctor] What sleyȝte is it thow it be longe & hoot That he nyle it fynde out in sum manere By Piramus & Tisbee / may men leere Line 2128 Thow they were kept ful longe streyt ouyral They been a-cordit rounynge thorw a wal Ther no with koude a founde swich a slyghte But now to purpos er than dayis eyghte Line 2132 Were passed er the monyth of Iuil [[uil corrected]] be-fel That Ianuarie hath cauȝt so greet a wyl Thour eggyng of his wif hym for to pleye [[ye corrected]] In his gardyn & no wight but thy tweye Line 2136

[6-text p 468] Line 2136 That in a morwe vn-to this May sente hee Rys vp myn wyf myn loue myn lady free The turtell voys is herd myn douwe sweete [folio 272b] The wyntir is goon with hise reynys weete [[first sweete]] Come forth with thynne eyne columbyn Line 2141 Hou fayrere been thynne brestis than is wyn The gardyn is enclosede al a-boute Come forth myn leue spouse out of doute Line 2144 Thow hast me wounded in myn herte o wyf No spot of the ne knowe I al myn lyf Come forth & lat vs takyn oure disport I cheese the for Myn wif & myn confort Line 2148 Sweche olde lowede wordys vsede he On Damyan a signe made sche That he schulde go bi-forn with his Cliket Damyan hath thanne openid the weket Line 2152 And in he sterte & that in swich manere That no wyght myghte it wetyn nothir I-here And stylle he sit vndyr a busch a-noon This Ianuarie as blynd as is a ston Line 2156 With Mayus in his hand no wyȝt mo In to his frosche gardyn is go And clapte to the weket sodeynly Now wyf he seyde heere nys but thow & .I. Line 2160 That art the creatour that I best loue ffor by that lord that sit in heuene a-boue Leuere I hadde to deyin on a knyf Than ȝow offendyn trewe deere wyf Line 2164 ffor godys sake thynk how I the chees Nought for no coueytyse douteles But only for the loue I hadde to the And thow that I be old & may not se Line 2168 Beth to me trewe & I telle ȝow whi Thre thyngis certis schul ȝe wynne þer-by ffyrst loue of crist & to ȝoure self honour And al myn eritage toun & tour Line 2172

[6-text p 469] Line 2172 I ȝeue it ȝow makyth charteris as ȝow leste This schal been don to morwe er sunne reste So wysely myn soule good brynge to blysse I prey ȝow fyrst in couenau[n]t ȝe me kysse Line 2176 And thow that I be Ialous wite me noght [folio 273a] Ȝe been so deepe enpryntid in myn thought That whan that I considere ȝoure beute And therwithal the onlikely elde of me Line 2180 I may not certis thow I schulde deye fforbeere to been out of ȝoure cumpaynye ffor verray loue this is with-outyn doute Now kys me wif & lat vs rome a-boute Line 2184 This frosche may whan sche these wordys herde Benyngnely to Ianuarye answerde But fyrst & forward sche be-gan to wepe I haue quod sche a soule for to kepe Line 2188 As wel as ȝe & also my honour And of myn wyfhod [[h altered]] theilke tendir flour Whiche that I haue assurede in ȝoure hond Whan that the prest to ȝow the body bond Line 2192 Wherfore I wele answere in this manere By the leue of ȝow myn lord so deere I preye to god that neuere dauwe þ^e day That I ne sterve as foule as woman may Line 2196 Ȝif euere I do on to myn kyn that schame Oþer ellys I enpeyre so myn name That I be fals / & if I do that lak Do strepe me & putte me in a sak Line 2200 And in the nexte ryuer do me drenche I am a gentil woman & no wenche Whi speke ȝe thus but men been euere vntrewe And women haue repref of ȝow ay newe Line 2204 ȝe can noon othir cuntenauns I leue · But speke to vs of onthrift & repreue And with that word sche saw where Damyan Sat in the busch & coghe sche be-gan Line 2208

[6-text p 470] Line 2208 And with hire fyngir signis made sche That Damyan schulde clymbe vp on a tre That chargede was with freut & vp he wente ffor verrayly he knew al hire entente Line 2212 And euery signe that sche coude make Wel bet than Ianuarye hire owene make ffor in a lettere sche hadde tolde hym al [folio 273b] Of this matire how he werchin schal Line 2216 And thus I leete hym sitte vp on the pyrye And Ianuarye & May romynge merie ¶ Bryȝt was the day & blev the fyrmament Phebus hath of gold hise stremys doun sent Line 2220 To gladyn euery flour with his gladnesse He was that tyme in gemynys as I gesse But lytyl from his declinacioun / Of Cancer Iouis exaltacioun Line 2224 And so byfel that bryȝte morwe tyde That in that gardyn · in the ferthere syde Pluto that is kyng of fayrye And manye a lady in his cumpainygnye [[nyg corrected]] ffolwynge his wyf the queen Proserpyne Eche aftyr othir right as ony lyne Whil that sche gaderede flourys in the mede In Claudian ȝe may the storijs rede Line 2232 How in his gr^esely carte he hire sette This kyng of fayrye thanne a-doun hym sette Vp-on a benche of turuys frosche & greene And ryght a-non thus seyde he to his queene Line 2236 ¶ Myn wyf quod he there may no man sey nay Thexperience so preuyth euery day The tresoun / which that wemen doon to man Ten hunderede thousent tellyn I can Line 2240 Notable of ȝoure ontrouthe & brotilnesse O salamon [[? salomon]] wys & rycheste of rychesse fful fyld of sapience & of wordely glorye fful worthi been thynne wordis to memorie Line 2244

[6-text p 471] Line 2244 To euery witht that wit & resoun can Thus preyseþ he ȝit the bounte of man A-mongis a thousent men ȝit fond I oon But of wemen alle fond I noon Line 2248 Thus seyde þ^e kyng þat knowith ȝoure wikkedenesse And Ihesus [[MS Ihc]] filyus Syrac as I gesse Ne spekyth of ȝou but selde reuerence A wylde fyr & corupt pestylence Line 2252 So falle vp-on ȝoure bodyis ȝit tonyght [folio 274a] Ne se ȝe nat this honurable knyght By cause allas that he is blynd & old His owene man schal make him Cokewold Line 2256 Lo heere he sit the lecchour in the tree Now wele I grauntyn of myn mageste On-to this olde blynde worthi knyght That he schal han a-ȝyn hie eyen sight Line 2260 Whan that his wyf wolde don hym vilenye Thanne schal he knowe al hire harloterye Bothe in repref of hire & of othere mo Ȝe shal / quod Proserpyne wol ȝe so Line 2264 Now by myn moderys syris soule I swere That I schal ȝeue hire sufficiaun[t] answere And alle women aftyr for hire sake That thow they ben in ony gilt I-take Line 2268 With face bold they schuln hem self excuse And bere hem doun that wolde hem accuse ffor lak of answere non of hem schal deye Al hadde men seyn a thyng with bothe hise eyen Line 2272 Ȝit schul we wemen visage it hardely And weepe & swere & chyde subtyly So þat ȝe men schul been as lewede as gees What rekkith me of ȝoure autoriteis Line 2276 I wot wel that this Iew this Salamon [[altered to Salomon]] ffond of vs wemen folis many on But thow he ne fond no good woman Ȝit hath there foundyn manye a nothir man Line 2280

[6-text p 472] Line 2280 wemen ful trewe ful goode & verteuous witnesse that dwelle in crystis hous with martyrdom thy preuyn here constau[n]ce The romayn geestis ek makyn remembraunce Line 2284 Of manye a verray trewe wyf also But sire be nat wroth / al be it so Thow that he seye he fond no good woman I prey ȝow takyth the sentense of the man Line 2288 He mente thus that in souereyn bountee Nis noon but god that sit in trynitee ¶ Ey for verray god that is but on [folio 274b] What make ȝe so meche of salamon Line 2292 What thow he made a temple godys hous What thow he weere ryche & gloryous So maade he ek a temple of false goddis How myȝte he don a thyng that moore forbodyn is Line 2296 Parde as fayre as ȝe his name enplaystre He was a lechour & an ydolastere And in his elde he verray god for-sok And ȝif god ne hadde as seyth the bood Line 2300 I-sparede for his faderis sake he schulde Haue lost his regne rathere than he wolde I sette ryght noght al [[? for at]] al the vilanye That ȝe of wemen wryte a Botyrflye Line 2304 I am a woman nedis muste I speke Or ellis swelle tyl myn herte breke ffor sithyn he seyde we been Iangleressis As euerre mote I brouke mynne tressis Line 2308 I schal nat spare for non curteysye To speke hym harm that wolde hym vilanye Dame quod this pluto be no lengere wroth I ȝeue it vp but sithe I swor myn oth Line 2312 That I wolde graunte hym his syghte ageyn Myn word schal stonde I werne ȝow certeyn I am a kyng it sit me not to lye And I quod sche a quen of fayrye Line 2316

[6-text p 473] Line 2316 Hire answere schal sche han I vndyr-take Lat vs no moore wordis hereof make ffor sothe I wele no lengere ȝow contrarye ¶ Now lat vs turne a-geyn to Ianuarye Line 2320 That in the gardyn with his fayre May Syngith ful muriere than the popyniay Ȝow loue I best & schal & othir noon So longe a-boute the aleyis is he goon Line 2324 Til he was comyn a-geyn thilke pirie Where as this Damyan sittyth ful merye And hye a-mong the frossche leuys grene This frosche may that is so bryȝt & schene Line 2328 Gan for to sike & seyde allas myn syde [folio 275a] Now sire quod sche for ough that may be-tyde I muste han of the perys that I se Or I mot deye so sore longith me Line 2332 To etyn of the smale perys grene Help for hire loue that is / of heuene queene I telle ȝow weel a woman In myn plyt May han to freut so greet an apetyt Line 2336 That sche may deyen but sche of it haue Allas quod he that I ne hadde here a knaue That coude clymbe allas allas quod he That I am blynd ȝa sere no fors quod sche Line 2340 But wolde ȝe vouche saf for godis sake The pirie inwith ȝoure armys for to take ffor weel I wot that ȝe mystroste me Thanne schulde I klymbe wel I-nough quod sche Line 2344 So I myn foot myȝte sette vp-on ȝoure bak Certys quod he ther-on schal been no lak Myghte I ȝow helpyn with myn herte blod He stoupede doun & on his bak sche stod Line 2348 And caughte hire by a twyste & vp sche goth Ladyis I preye ȝow þat ȝe been nat wroth I can nat glose I am a rude man And sodeynly a-noon this Damyan Line 2352

[6-text p 474] Line 2352 Gan pullyn vp the smok & in he throng And whan that pluto saw this greete wrong To Ianuarye he ȝaf a-geyn his syght And maade hym se as wel as euere he myght Line 2356 And whan that he hadde cauȝt his siȝt a-geyn Ne was there neuere man of thyng so fayn But on his wyf his thouȝt was euere mo Vp to the tre he caste his eyen two Line 2360 And saw that Damyan his wyf hadde dressed In swich maner it may not been expressed But ȝif I wolde speke vncurteysly And vp he ȝaf a roryng & a cry Line 2364 As doth the modyr whan the schild schal deye Out help allas / harrow he gan to crye O stronge lady stoore what dost thow [folio 275b] And sche answerde sire what eylyth ȝow Line 2368 Hauyth pacience & resoun in ȝoure mynde I haue ȝow holpyn on bothe ȝoure eyen blynde Vp peril of myn soule I schal not lyen As me was tauȝt to hele with ȝoure eyen Line 2372 Was no thyng bet to makyn ȝow to see Than strogele [[first strugele]] with a man vp on a tree God wot I dede it with ful good entente Strogele quod he / ȝa algate in it wente Line 2376 God ȝeue ȝow bothe on schamys deth to deyen He swyuede the I say it with mynne eyȝen And ellis be I hangid bi the hals Thane is quod sche myn medecyn al fals Line 2380 ffor certeynly ȝif that ȝe myȝte see Ȝe wolde not seyn these wordys vn-to me Ȝe han sum glemesyng & no parfyt syght I se quod he as weel as euere I myȝt Line 2384 Thankyd be god with bothe myne eyen two And bi myn treuthe me thynkyth he dede þ^e soo Ȝa maȝe maȝe good sere quod sche This thank haue I for I maade ȝow to se Line 2388

[6-text p 475] Line 2388 Allas quod sche that euere I was so kynde Now dame quod he lat al passe out of mynde Come doun myn lyf & If I haue myssayd God helpe me so as I am euele a-payid Line 2392 But by myn fadyr soule I wende haue seyn How that this Damyen hadde by the leyn And that thyn smok hadde leyn vp-on his brest Ȝa sere quod sche ȝe may wene [[ne altered]] as ȝow lyst But sere a man that wakyth out of slep He may not sodeynly takyn kep Vp-on a thyng ne seen it parfytly Til that he be a-dawed verrayly Line 2400 Rygh so a man that longe hath blynd ybe Ne may not sodeynly so weel I-see ffyrst whan his syȝte is come newe ageyn As he that hath a day or too I-seyn [[1 leaf out of Camb. MS]] [Tylle þat youre siȝt y-stabled by a while [Sloane MS 1685 folio 102b] þere may fulle many a siȝt you be-gyle By ware I prey you for by heuen kynge Fulle many a man weneth to see a thynge Line 2408 And hit ys all an oþere þan hit semyth he mysse conceyueth mysse demeth And with þat worde she lepe doun of þat tre Thys Ianuarye who was glade but she Line 2412 he kyssith and clypythe hir fulle ofte And on hir wombe he strokethe hir fulle softe And to hys palys home he hathe hir ladde Nowe gode men I prey you to be glad Line 2416 Thus endethe here my tale of Ianuarye God blesse vs and his modir/ Seynt Mary Amen] [[Sloane 1685 extract ends]]