The Lansdowne ms of Chaucer's Canterbury tales / edited by Frederick J. Furnivall.

[6-text p 168]

GROUP B. (β. FRAGMENT III.)

§ 4. THE SHIPMAN'S TALE.

Incipit fabula Naute

A Marchant whilom dwelled att sein Denys [folio 181a] That riche was for whiche men helde him wys. A wif he hadde of excellent beaute. And compinable and reuerent was sche Whiche is a þinge þat causeþ more dispence Then worþe is al þe chier and reuerence. Line 1196 That men haue done att festes or at daunces Suche Salutacions and countenaunces Passeþ as doþe þe schadowe on a wall Bot woo is him þat paie most for all Line 1200 The Cely husbonde algates he must paye He moste vs cloþe and vs araie Al for his owen wo[r]schip richelye In whiche araie we dauncen Iolylye Line 1204 And if þat he nouht maie paraduenture Or elles luste no suche to endure Bot þenkeþ it is waste and yloste þat mot anoþere payen for owre coste Line 1208 Or leue vs golde and þat is parilous This noble marchant helde a noble hous ffor whiche he had al daye grete repaire ffor his largenesse and for his wif was faire Line 1212 That wonder is? bot herkeneþ to my tale Amonges al his gestes grete and smale Ther was a monke a faire man and a bolde .I. trowe . a þerte wynter he was of olde Line 1216 That euere in one was draweinge to þe place This ȝonge monke þat was so faire of face

[6-text p 169] Aqweynted was so wiþ þis goodman Seþen þatt her first knowleche began Line 1220 That in his hous as famylier was he As it is possible any frende to be And for als muchel as þe good manne. And eke þis monke of whiche þat .I. be-ganne. Line 1224 Were boþe tuo borne in o vilage þe monke him clayme as for cosinage And he aȝeine he seiþ nouht ones naye Bot was as glad þere-of as foule of daye Line 1228 ffor to his herte it was a grete plesaunce Thus bene þei knytt wiþ eterne alliaunce And ilke of hem gan oþer to assure Of broþerhed whiles þat þeire lyue maie endure. Line 1232 ffre was dan Iohn and namely of dispense [folio 181b] As in þat hous and ful of diligence To do plasance and also grete Costage He nouht forȝate to ȝeue þe lest page Line 1236 In al þat hous bot after here degre He ȝaf þe lorde and seþen al þe meyne Whan þat he cam sum maner honest þinge ffor whiche þei were al gladd of his comynge Line 1240 As foule is feine whan sonne vpriseþ No more of þis as now for it suffiseþ Bot so be-fel þis marchant vpon a daie Schope him to make rede his araie Line 1244 Towarde þe toune of Brugges for to fare To byen þere a porcion of ware ffor whiche he haþe to parische sent anone A messagier and preide haþe dan Iohn Line 1248 Thas he scholde come to seinte Denys and pleye Wiþ him and wiþ his wif a dai or tweye Are he to brugges wente in al wise þis noble Monke of whiche .I. ȝowe deuise Line 1252 Haþ of his Abbot as him lust lycenc Be-cause he was a man of hihe prudence

[6-text p 170] And eke an Oficere oute for to ride To se here graunges and her bernes wide Line 1256 And vnto Seint Denys he comeþ anone Who was so welcom as my lorde dan Iohne Oure dere Cosyn ful of Curtasye With him brouht a Iubbe of Maluese Line 1260 And eke anoþer ful of goode vernage And volatile as aie was his vsage And þus .I. lete hem ete and dringe and pleie þis marchant and his monke a daie or tweie Line 1264 The þred daie þis Marchant vp he riseþ And on his nedes sadly him a-viseþ And vp in-to his counte hous goþe he To reken wiþ him-self wel maie be Line 1268 Of þilke ȝere howe þat wiþ him stode And howe þat he despended had his goode And if þat he encresed were or none His bokes and his bagges many one Line 1272 He leyþe be-for him on his counteingborde fful riche was his tresore and his horde ffor whiche ful fast his counterhous dore he schette [folio 182a] And eke he nolde no man schold him lette Line 1276 Of his accomptes for þe mene time And þus he sitte til it was passed prime Dan Iohn was resen in þe morne also And in gardyn wakkeþ to and fro Line 1280 And haþe his þinges seide deuoutly This good wif cam walkinge priuely In-to þe Gardeine þer he walkeþ soft And him Salueþ as sche haþ done oft Line 1284 A maiden childe cam in hire compaignie Whiche att hir lust maie gouerne and gye ffor ȝit vnder þe ȝerde was þe maide O dere Cosyn myne dan Iohn sche saide Line 1288 What eyleyþe ȝowe so raþe to rise Nece quod he hit ouht ynouhe suffise

[6-text p 171] .V. houres to slepe on a nyht Bot it were for an olde palled knyht Line 1292 As ben þes wedded men þat ly and dare As in a forme sitt alweie an hare Were al for-strauht wiþ houndes grete and smale Bot dere nece whi be ȝe so pale Line 1296 .I. trowe certes þat oure good man Haþe ȝowe labourde seþen þe niht be-gan That ȝowe were nede to resten hastelye And wiþ þat worde he louhe ful merelye Line 1300 And of owen þouht he wex rede Þis faire wif gan to sake hire hede And seide þus? ȝe god wote al quod sche Nay cosyne myne it stant nouht so wiþ me Line 1304 ffor be þat god þat ȝaf me soule and life In al þe reme of fraunce is þere no wif þat lesse lust haþe to þat sori pleie ffor .I. maie singe alace and weilewaie Line 1308 þat .I. was borne bot to no whight quod sche Dare .I. nouht tell howe it stant wiþ me Wherefore .I. þenke oute of þis londe to wende Or elles of my-selfe to make an ende Line 1312 So fol am .I. of drede and of care This monke be-gan vpon þis wif to stare And seide alace my nece god for-bede That ȝe for any sorwe or for any drede Line 1316 ffor-do ȝowre self. bot telleþ forþe ȝoure greffe [folio 182b] Paraduenture .I. maie in ȝoure meschieffe Counsel or helpe and þer-fore telleþ me All ȝowre annoyȝe for it schall be secre Line 1320 ffor on my portos .I. make an oothe þatt neuer in my lif for leue ne lothe Ne schal .I. of no counsel ȝowe be-wreye The same aȝeine to ȝowe .I. seye Line 1324 Be god and be þis portos .I. swere Þouhe men wolde me al to peces tere

[6-text p 172] Ne schal .I. neuere for to go in-to hell Be-wreye a worde of þinge þat me tell Line 1328 Not for no Cosinage ne alliance Bot verreyly for loue and affiance Thus bue þe sworne and here vpon kist And ekke of hem tolde oþere what hem lust Line 1332 Cosine quod sche if .I. had a space As .I. haue none and namely in þis place þan wolde .I. tel a legent of my lyue What I haue sufferd seþen .I. was a wive Line 1336 Wiþe myne husbande alþeihe he be ȝoure cosine Nay quod þis monke be god and be seint Martine He nys no more cosine vn-to me Than is þe leue þat hangeþ on þis tre Line 1340 .I. clepe him so be seinte denise in fraunce To haue þe mor cause of acqueyntance Of ȝowe whiche .I. haue loued specialye Abouen al wemmen sekurlye Line 1344 This swere .I. nowe on my professioun Telleþ ȝoure greue lest þat he come a-doun And hasteþ ȝowe and go ȝoure weie anone My dere loue quod sche o Doun Iohn Line 1348 fful leue me were þis counsel to hide Bot out it mot it maie longer abide Myne husband is to me þe werst man Þat euer was seþen þe werlde began Line 1352 Bot seþen .I. am a wif it sitte nouht me To telle no wyght of oure priuete Neyþer a bedde ne in none oþer place God schelde .I. scholde tel it for his grace Line 1356 A wif ne schal nouȝt seine of hire husbande Bot all honoure as .I. kan vnder-stonde. Saue vn-to ȝowe þus muche tel .I. schall [folio 183a] As helpe me god he ne is nouht worþe att all Line 1360 In no degre þe value of a flie Bot ȝit me greueþ most his Nygardrye

[6-text p 173] And wele ȝe wote þat wemmen naturellye Desiren þinges seven as wel as .I. Line 1364 Þey wolden þat husbondes scholden be Hardy. and wyse. riche. and þer-to fre And buxum to his wif and fresche a bedde Bot be þat ilke lorde þat for vs bledde Line 1368 ffor his honour miself to araie A sonday next .I. must paye And hundreþ frankes or elles .I. am lorne Ȝit were me leuer þat .I. were vnborne Line 1372 The me were done a sclander or velanye And if myn husbonde eke myht a-spye .I. were bot lost and þerefore .I. ȝowe preye Lene me þis somme and elles mot .I. deye Line 1376 Dan Iohn .I. seie lene me þis hundreþ frankes Parde .I. wil nouht fail þe my þonkes If þat ȝow lust to do þat .I. ȝowe preye ffor att a certeyne daye .I. wil ȝowe peye Line 1380 And do to ȝowe what plesance and seruise Þat .I. maie do riht as ȝowe lost deuise And bot .I. do god take on me vengeaunce As foule as hadde Genylon of fraunce Line 1384 This gentil monke ansewerd in þis manere Nowe trewly myne owen ladi dere .I. haue quod he on ȝowe so grete a rowþe Þat .I. ȝowe swere and pliht ȝowe my trouþe Line 1388 Þat whan ȝoure husbond is to flaundres fare .I. wil deliuer ȝowe owet of þis werldes care ffor .I. wil bringen ȝowe an hundreþ frankes And wiþ þat he cauht hire be þe schankes Line 1392 And here enbraced harde and kissed ofte Goþe nowe ȝoure weie quod he al stil and soft And latt us deyne as sone as euer we maie ffor be my chilinder it is prime of þe daie Line 1396 Goþe nowe and be as trewe as .I. schal be Nowe elles god for-bede sir quod sche

[6-text p 174] And forþe sche goþe as gelous as a pye And badde þe cokes þat þei scholde hem hihe Line 1400 So þat men myht dyne and þat anone [folio 183b] Vp to hir husbond is þis wif gone And knokkeþ att his Counter boldely Que la quod he peter it am .I. Line 1404 Quod sche whatte howe longe wil ȝe fast Howe longe time wil ȝe reken and kast Ȝoure sommes ȝoure bokes and ȝoure þinges The deuel haue part on al suche rekenynges Line 1408 Ȝe haue y-nowhe parde of goddes sonde Comme doune to daie and latte ȝoure bagge stonde Ne be ȝe nouht aschamed þa[t] dan Iohn Schal fastinge al þis daye Elenge gone Line 1412 What latt vs here Masse go we dyne Wif quod þis man litel canstowe deuyne The Corious besines þat we haue ffor of vs chapmen so god me saue Line 1416 And be þat lorde þat called is seinte Ive Scarsely amonges tuelue tweyne schollen þriue Continuly lasteynge vnto oure age We maye wele make chiere and good visag Line 1420 And driue forþe þe werld as it maie be And kepen oure estate in priuete Til we be dede or elles þat we pleie On pilgrenage or gone out of þe weye Line 1424 And þere-fore haue .I. grete necessite Vpon þis qweinte werlde to avise me ffor euer more we must stonde in drede Of happe and fortune in myne chapmanhede Line 1428 To flandres wil .I. go to morwe att daye And Come aȝeine as sone as euer y maye ffor whiche my dere wif .I. þe be-seke As be to euery wyht buxum and meke Line 1432 And for to kepe oure goode be curiouse And honestly gouerne wele oure house

[6-text p 175] Þou hast ynouhe in euery manere wyse Þat to a þrefte husbonde may . suffise Line 1436 Þe lakkeþ none array . ne no vitaile Of siluer in þi purce þou maist nouȝht faile And wiþ þat worde his counter dore he schett . . . . . [no gap in the MS.] Line 1440 And hastely a messe was þere seide And spedely þe tables wer ylaide And to þe dener fast þei hem spedde And richely þis monke þis chapman fedde [folio 184a] Line 1444 And after dener Dan Iohn Soburlye This chapman tok aparte al priuely He seide him þus Cosyn it standeþ so Þat wele .I. se to brugges wil ȝe go Line 1448 God and seinte Austine spede ȝowe and guyde .I. praie ȝowe Cosin wisly þat ȝe ride Gouerneþ ȝowe also of ȝowre dyette And temparaly. and namely in þis hete Line 1452 Be-tuex vx tuo nedeþ no strange fare ffare wel cosin god schilde ȝowe fro care If any þinge þere be be daye or be nyht If it lye in my power and my myht Line 1456 þat ȝe me wil command in any wyse It shal be done riht as ȝe wil devise O þinge er þat ȝe go if þat it maie be .I. wolde praie ȝow for to lene me Line 1460 An .C. frankes for a weke or tweyne ffor certeine bestes þat .I. most bye To store wiþ a palas þat is owres God helpe me so .I. wolde þat it were ȝoures Line 1464 .I. schal nouȝht fail surely of my daie Note for .a .M. frankes a myle waye Bot lat þis þinge be secre .I. ȝowe preie . . . . . [no gap in the MS.] Line 1468 And fare nowe wele myne owen Cosine dere Graunt Mercy of ȝoure cost and of ȝoure chere

[6-text p 176] This noble Marchant gentilli anone Ansewarde and seide o kosine Dan Iohne. Line 1472 Nowe sekerly þis is a small request Mi golde is ȝoures whan þat ȝou lest And Nouht onely my golde bot my Chaffare Takeþ what ȝowe lest god scheld þat ȝe spare Line 1476 Bot o þinge is ȝe knowe it wele y-nowhe Of chappemen þat her mony is hir plouhe We may creance whiles we haue a name Bott goldelesse for to be is no game Line 1480 Payeþe it aȝeine whan it liþe in ȝoure ese After my myht ful feine wod .I. ȝow plese Þes .C. frankes he fette forþ anone And priuely he toke it to dan Iohn Line 1484 No wyght of al þis werlde ne wiste of þis lone Saueynge þis Marchant and dan Iohn alone. Thei dranken and Romen [[or Roiuen]] and pleye [folio 184b] Til þat Dan Iohn Rideþ to his Abbei Line 1488 The morwe cam and forþe þis marchant Rideþ To flanders-ward his prentis wele him gydeþ Til he cam in-to brugge merily. Now go-þe þis marchant fast and besily Line 1492 Aboute his nedes and biþe and creaunceþ He neyþer pleyþe att þe dyes ne daunceþ Bot as a Marchant schortly for to tell He leteþ his lyf and þere .I. late him duell Line 1496 The sonday next þis marschant was agone To seinte Denys y-commen was Dan Ione Whiche crowe and berde fresche and newe schaue In al þe house þer nas so litel a knaue Line 1500 Ne no wyght elles þat he nas feyne ffor my lorde Dan Iohne was comen aȝeine And schortly to her pointe for to gone Þis faire wif accordeþ to dan Iohn Line 1504 And for þis .C. frankes he scholde al nyht Haue hire in his armes bolte vpriht

[6-text p 177] And þis accorde parformed was in dede In merþe al nyht a besi lif þei lede Line 1508 Til it was daie þat Dan Iohn went his weie And badde þe menyȝe fare wele and haue good daie ffor none of heme no wight in þe toune Haþe of dan Iohn riht none suspecione Line 1512 And forþe he rideþ home to his abbeie Or wher him list no more of him .I. seye This Marchant whan þat ended was þe faire To seint Denyse he gan to repaire Line 1516 And wiþ his wif he makeþ fest and chere And telleþ hire þat chaffer is so dere Þat nedes most he maake a cheuesance ffor he was bounden in a requenysance Line 1520 To paye .xx. M. schildes anone ffor whiche þis marchant is wont to gone To borwe of certeine frendes þat he hadde A certeine and somme wiþ him he ladde Line 1524 And whan þat he was comen into þe toune ffor grete chere and grete affeccione Vn-to Dan Iohn him first goþe to pleie Nouht for to borwe of him no moneye Line 1528 Bot for [to] wite and see of his welfare [folio 185a] And for to tellen him of his chaffare As frendes done whan þei be mette in fere Dan Iohn. him Makeþ fest and mery chiere Line 1532 And him tolde aȝeine ful specially Howe he hadde bouht ful wele and graciously Thonked he god al hole his Marchandise Saue þat he must in al maner wise Line 1536 Maken a cheuesans as for his best And þan he scholde be in Ioye and rest Dan. Anseward certes .I. am feyne Þat ȝe in hele be comme home aȝeine Line 1540 And if þat .I. were riche as haue .I. blisse Off .xx. M. scheldes schold ȝe nouht mysse

[6-text p 178] ffor. ȝe so kindely þis oþere daie Lent me gold and as .I. kan. and maie Line 1544 .I. þonke ȝowe be god and be seint Iame Bot. naþeles .I. toke vn-to owre dame Ȝoure wif att home þe same golde aȝeine Vpon ȝoure benche sche woote. it wele certeine Line 1548 Be certeyne tokenes þat .I. can hire tell Nowe be ȝoure leue .I. maie no longer duell Oure Abbote will oute of þis toune anone And on his company most .I. gone Line 1552 Grete wele oure dame myne owen nece swete And faire wele dere cosine til we mete This Marchant wiþ þat was ful war and wise Creanced haþe and eke paide in parisshe Line 1556 To certeyne lombardes rede in hire hande The summe of golde and gatte of hem þe bande And home he goþe mery as a papenioye ffor wele he knewe he stode in suche araie Line 1560 þat nedes most he winne in suche a viage A .M. frankes aboue al his costage It wif ful rede mett him att þe gate As sche was wonte of olde vsage algate Line 1564 And al þat nyht in merþe þei be sette ffor he was riche and clerely oute of dette Whane it was daye þis Marchant gan embrace His wife al newe and kist hir on hire face Line 1568 And vpe he goþe and makeþe it wonder touhe No more quod sche be god ȝe haue ynowhe. And wantonly aȝeine wiþ him sche pleide [folio 185b] Til att þe last þis Marchant seide Line 1572 Be god quod he .I. am a litel wroþe Wiþ ȝowe my wif al-þouhe it be me loþe And wote ȝe whye be god as þat .I. gesse ffor ȝe haue maade a maner strangenesse Line 1576 Be-twex me and my Cosyne Dan Iohn Ȝe scholde haue warned me ar .I. hadde gone

[6-text p 179] That he had ȝowe an .C. frankes payede Be rede token and he him helde yuel apaide Line 1580 ffor þat .I. to him spake of cheuesaunce Me semed soo as be his countenaunce Bot naþeles be god heuen kinge .I. þouht nouht to axe of him no þinge Line 1584 .I. praie þe wif ne do no more soo Til me alweie are þat .I. fro þe goo If any dettour haþe in myne absence Ypayde þe lest þoruhe þi necligence Line 1588 I myht him axe a þinge þat he haþe paide This wif was nouht aferde ne affraide But boldely sche seide and þat anone Mary. y dify þat fals monke dan Ione Line 1592 .I. kepe nouht of his tokenes neuer a dele He toke me certeine golde þis wote .I. wele Þat ivel þedom on his monkes snowte ffor god it wote .I. wende wiþ-outen doute Line 1596 Þat he it had yȝeue me be cause of ȝowe To do þere-wiþe myn honure and my prowe ffor Cosinage eke and for bele chere Þat he haþ hadde ful often time here Line 1600 Bot seþen .I. see .I. stonde in suche disioynte .I. wil answere ȝoue to þe poynte Ȝe haue mo slakker dettores þan am .I. ffor .I. wil paie ȝowe wele and redelye Line 1604 ffro daye to day and if so be. þat .I. faile .I. am ȝoure wif score it on my taile And .I. schal paie as sone as euer y maie ffor be my trouþe .I. haue on myne araye Line 1608 And nouht on waste bestouede euerydele And for .I. haue bestowed it so wele To ȝoure honoure for goddes sake .I. saie As be nouht wroþe bot lat vs hauhe and pleye. Line 1612 Ȝe schollen my. Ioly body haue to wedde [folio 186a] Be godde .I. wil nouht paie ȝowe bot in bedde

[6-text p 180] ffor-ȝeue it me myne owen spouse dere Turneþe hider-warde and makeþ better chiere Line 1616 This Marchant seyhe þer was no better remedye And for to chide it nere bot folye Seþen þat þe þinge maie nouht amended be Nowe wif he seide and .I. for-ȝeue it þe Line 1620 Bot be þi life ne be no more so large Kepe bette my goode þis ȝeue .I. þe in charge Thus endeþ nowe my tale and god vs sende Toyleynge ynouhe vnto oure lyues ende Line 1624

Explicit fabula Naute.

[6-text p 181]

Incipit prologus Priorisse [on leaf 186]

Wele saide be corpus dampnus seide oure Oste Nowe longe mot þou seile be þis coste Sire gentil Maister gentil marinere God ȝeue þe monke a .M. last quade ȝere Line 1628 A ha felaus beþe war of suche a Iape The monke put in þe mannes hode an ape And in his wives eke be seint Austine Draueþ no monkes more vnto ȝoure inne Line 1632 Bot nowe passe ouere & lat vs seke aboute Who schal nowe telle first of al þis route Anoþer tale and wiþ þat worde he seide As curteysly as it hadde bue a maide Line 1636 My lady Prioresse be ȝoure leue So þat .I. wist .I. scholde ȝow not greue .I. wolde deme þat ȝe telle scholde A tale next if so were þat ȝe wolde Line 1640 Now wil ȝe vouche-saue my lady dere Gladly quod sche and seide in þis manere

[6-text p 182]

Incipit Priorisse ffabula [[No breaks in the MS between the stanzas.]]

[The Prologue.]

Olorde oure lorde þi name howe mervelouse Is in þis large werlde y-spredde quod sche ffor nouȝt onely þi loude preciouse Parformed is be men of dignite Line 1646 Bot be þe mouþe of childern þi bounte Parformed is for on oure breste soukeinge Some time schewen þei þine heriinge Line 1649

Where-fore in loude as .I. kan beste or maie Of þe and of þe white lylye floure Whiche þat þe bare and is a maide alweie To tel a storye .I. wil do my labour [folio 186b] Line 1653 Nouhte þat .I. maie encrese hir honour ffor sche hir self is honour and þer-to Rote Of bounte next hire sonne of soules bote Line 1656

¶ O moder maide o maide moder fre O busche vnbernde bernynge in Moyses siht Þat rauisched doune fro þe deite Þoruhe þine humblesse þe gost þat in þe aliht Line 1660 Of whos verteu whan he in þine hert aliht Conceyued was þe faders Sapiens Helpe me to tel it in þi reuerence Line 1663

¶ Lady þine bounte and þine Magnificence Þine vertue and þi grete humilite Þere maie no tunge expresse in no science ffor sum time ladi ar men preye to þe Line 1667 Thou gost be-forne of þine benyngnyte And getest vs þe liht þoruhe þi praiere To guyden vs vnto þi son so clere Line 1670

[6-text p 183] Line 1670

¶ My konnynge is to wayke o blisful qweene ffor to declare þi grete worþinesse Þat .I. ne may þe weyht nouht sustene Bot as a childe of twelmoþe age or lesse Line 1674 Þat can vnneþ any worde expresse Riht so fare .I. and þerefore .I. ȝowe preye Gydeþ my songe þat .I. schal of ȝowe seye Line 1677

[THE TALE.]

Ther was a Ce in a grete Cite Amonge cristen folk and Iewre Su[s]teynde be a lorde of þat contre ffor foule vser and locre of velany Line 1681 Hatteful to criste and to his compaignye And þoruhe þe strete men miht ride or wende ffor it was and open at euere ende Line 1684

¶ A litel folke of cristen folke þere stode Doune att þe ferþer ende in whiche þere were Childern an hepe commen of cristes blode þat in þat scole ȝere be ȝere Line 1688 Lerned þe doctrine as men vsed þere þis is to seie to singen and to rede As smale childern done in here childehede Line 1691

¶ Amonge þes childern was a wedow sonne A litel clergeon vj. ȝere of age Þat daye be daie to scole was his wonne And eke also where he sawe þe ymage [folio 187a] Line 1695 Of cristes modere had he in vsage As him was tauht to knele adoune and saie His Aue marie as he goþe be þe weie Line 1698

[6-text p 184] Line 1698

¶ Thus haþe þis wedowe hire lytel childe tauht Oure blisfol lady cristes modere dere To worschipe aie and he for-ȝat it nouht ffe Cely childe wil al daie sone lere Line 1702 Bot aie whan .y. remembre me on þis Matere Seint Nicholas stant euer in my presence ffor he so ȝonge to criste dide reuerence Line 1705

¶ This childe is·litel booke lerenynge As he satt in þe scole att his primere He alma redemptoris herd singe As childern lerned hir Antiphanere Line 1709 And as he durste he drouhe him nere and nere And erkened aye þe wordes and þe note Til he þe first vers couþ al be rote Line 1712

¶ Nouht wyste he what þe latine was to seie ffor he so ȝonge and tender was of age Bott on a daie his felawe he gan preie To expounen þis songe in his langage Line 1716 Or tellen whi þis songe was in vsage This preide he him to constrewe and declare fful oft time vpon his knees bare Line 1719

¶ His felawe whiche þat elder was þan he Ansewarde his þus þis songe .I. haue herd seie Was maked of oure blissed ladi fre Hir to salue and eke hir to preie Line 1723 To bene oure helpe and socour whane we deye .I. can no more expounde in þis matiere .I. leren songe .I. can bott small gramere Line 1726

¶ And is þis songe maad in reuerence Of cristes moder seide þis Innocent Nowe certes .I. wil do my diligence To konne it ar cristenmes be went Line 1730

[6-text p 185] Line 1730 Þouhe þat .I. for my primer schal be schent And schal be beten þries in an oure .I. will. it conne oure lady for to honoure Line 1733

¶ His felawe tauht him homward priuely fro day to day til he couþe it be rote. And þanne he songe it wele and boldely ffro warde to warde accordeinge to þe note [folio 187b] Line 1737 Þreys on a daye it passed þoruhe his þrote To scoleward and homwarde when he went On cristes moder sette was his entent Line 1740

¶ As I haue seide þoruhe oute þe Iewrye This litel Childe as he cam to and fro fful merily þan wolde singe and crye On alma redemptoris euer mo Line 1744 The swettnesse haþe his herte perced so Of cristes moder þat to hire to preie He can nouht stinte of singinge be þe waie Line 1747

¶ Owre ferst foo þe serpent Satanas Þat haþe in Iewes his waspes neste Vp swal and seide O Ebrayke peple alas Is þis a þinge to ȝowe þat is honest Line 1751 Þat suche a boye schal walken as him lest In ȝoure and singen of suche sentence Whiche is aȝeines ȝoure lawes reuerence. Line 1754

¶ ffro þens forþ þe Iewes han conspirede This Innocent of þis werlde to chace In homicide haunt þei þere-to huyrede one That in a leye hadde a priue place Line 1758 And as þe childe gan forby for to pace This cursed Iewe him hente and helde fast And kutte his þrote and in a pute him cast Line 1761

[6-text p 186] Line 1761

¶ I sey þat in a wardrope þei him drewe Where as þis Iewes purgen entraile O cursed folke o herodes al newe What may ȝoure yuel tent ȝoue availe Line 1765 Morder wil oute certein. it wil nouht faile And namely þere honure of god schold sprede The blode oute crieþ on ȝoure cursed dede Line 1768

¶ O martire soundede to virginite Now maiste þou singe folowinge euer in on The white lombe Celestial quod he Of whiche þe grete euaungelist seint Iohn Line 1772 In Pathmos wrote whiche seiþe þei þat gone Be-forne his lombe and singe a songe of new Thet neuere flexly wemmen þei knewe Line 1775

This pouer wedowe wayteþ al þat nyht Affter þis litel Childe bot home cam he nouht for whome alsoune as it was daies liht Wiþ face pale for drede and besy þouht [folio 188a] Line 1779 Sche haþe att scole and elles where him souht Til finally sche gan so fer asspye Þat he was seyȝen last in þe Iewrye Line 1782

¶ Wiþ moders pyte in hir breste enclosede Sche goþe as sche were halue oute of mynde To euery place where sche haþ supposed Be liklyhed hire childe to finde Line 1786 And euer on cr[i]stes moder meke and kinde Sche cried and att þe last þus sche wrouht Amonge þe cursed Iewes sche him souht Line 1789

¶ Sche freyneþ and sche preiþe pitously To euery Iewe þat duelled in þilk place . . . . . [no gap in the MS.] Thei saiden naie bot ihesus of his grace Line 1793

[6-text p 187] Line 1793 Ȝaue in her þouht in wiþ a litel space þat in þat place after her sonne sche cried Thare he was cast in a putte be side Line 1796

¶ O grete god þat parfourmed þin laude Be mouþe of Innocence Lo here þi myht This gemme of chastite þis emeraude And eke of Marterdom þe ruby briht Line 1800 Þere he wiþ þrote ycorue leie vpriht He Alma redemptoris gan to singe So longe þat al þe place gan to ringe Line 1803

¶ The cristen folke þat þoruhe þe strete wente In Camyne to wonderne of þis þinge And hastely þei for þe prouost sente He cam anone wiþ-outen any taryinge Line 1807 And herieþ crist þat is heuen kinge And eke his moder honoure of mankinde And after þe Iewes lete he binde Line 1810

¶ This childe wiþ pitous lamentacioune Vp taken singeinge his songe al weye And wiþ honoure of grete processioune Thei Carien him to þe next Abbeye Line 1814 His modere swoneynge be þe bere laye Vnneþ myhte þe peple þat was þere This newe rachel bringe fro his bere Line 1817

¶ Wiþ torment and wiþ schamful deþe ilkone This prouost doþe þes Iewes for to sterue That of þis morder wist and þat anane He nolde none suche cursednesse obsirue. Line 1821 Euel schal haue þat yuel wil deserue [folio 188b] There-fore wiþ wilde hors he did him drawe And after þat he hinge him be þe lawe Line 1824

[6-text p 188] Line 1824

¶ Vpon þis bere ay lyeþ þis Innocent Be-forne þe chief autter whiles Masse last And after þat þe Abbot wiþ his Couent Hadde spedde hem for to burye him fast Line 1828 And whan þei haly water on him cast And ȝit spakke þe childe whan spreynt was þe holy water And songe O alma redemptoris mater Line 1831

¶ This Abbot whiche þat was an holy man As monkes be or elles ouhten to bee Þis ȝonge childe to coniure he gan And seide o dere childe .I. hailese þe Line 1835 Be vertue of þe holy Trinite Tel me what is þi cause for to singe Sethen þi þrote is kette att myn semeinge Line 1838

¶ My þrot is cutte vnto my nekke bone Saide þis childe and as be waie of kinde .I. scholde haue deyed longe time agone Bott ihesu criste as ȝe in bokes finde Line 1842 Wil þat his glori last and bue in mynde And for worschipe of his moder dere Ȝette may .I. singe O Alma loude and cle[re] Line 1845

¶ This wel of Mercie cristes moder swete .I. loued alweie as after my coninge And whan þat .I. my lif scholde lete To me sche camme and badd me for to singe Line 1849 Þis Antime verrely in my mynde deynge As ȝe haue herd and whan þat .I. had songe Me þouht sche laide a greyne vpon my tonge Line 1852

¶ Wher-for .I. saie and singe most certeigne In honour of cristes moder fre Til of my tonge of taken is þe greyne And after þat seide sche þus to me Line 1856

[6-text p 189] Line 1856 My litel childe nowe wil .I. feche þe Whan þat þe greine. is fro þi tonge ytake Be nouht agast .I. wil þe nouht for-saake Line 1859

¶ This Holy monke þis Abbot him mene .I. His tonge oute cauht and toke awey þe greyne And he ȝaf vpe þe gost ful softly And whan þe Abbotte hadde þis wondere seyne Line 1863 His salte teres strikled doune as reyne [folio 189a] And gruffe he fel al platte to þe grounde And still he laie as he had bene ybounde Line 1866

The [Couent] Eke ley vpon þe pament Wepeinge and heriinge Cristes moder dere And after þei rise and forþe been went And toke aweie þis marter fro his bere Line 1870 And in a tombe of Marble stones clere Enclosen þei his lytel body swete There he is nowe god lene vs for to mete Line 1873

O ȝonge hewe of Lincolne sleyne also Wiþ cursed Iewes as it is notable ffor it nys bot a litel while a-goo Preye eke for vs we sinful folke vnstable Line 1877 Þat of his Mercie god so merciable On vs his grete mercie multiplye ffor reuerence of his moder Marye Line 1880

Explicit fabula priorisse.

[6-text p 190]

Incipit prologus de Thopas. [[No breaks in the MS between the stanzas.]] [folio 189]

Whan seide was þis tale euery man As sober was þat wonder was to se Ti þat oure Oste Iape beganne And þan att erst he loked vpon me. [.id est. Chaucer] And seide þus what man ert þou quod he Thou lokest as þou woldest finde an hare ffor euer vpon þe grounde .I. se þe stare Line 1887

Appr[o]che nere and loke merely Nowe ware ȝowe sires and latt þis man haue place He in þe waste is schapen as wele as .I. This were a popet in armes to enbrace Line 1891 ffor any womman smal and faire of face He semeþe eluysche be his countenance . . . . . [no gap in the MS.] Line 1894

Say nowe sumwhat seþen oþere folke haþe seide Tel vs a tale of merþe and þat anone Oste quod .I. ne be nouht yuel apaide ffor oþer tale certes can I. none Line 1898 Bot of a rime .I. lerned longe agone Ȝe þat is good quod he shal we here Summe deynteþ þinge me þenkeþ be his chiere Line 1901

Explicit prologus.

[6-text p 191]

Incipit fabula. [[No breaks in the MS between the stanzas.]]

[Fitte I.]

LEsteneþe lordes in goo[d] entent And .I. wil tel verraiment Of Miracle and of solace. Line 1904 Al of a knyht was faire and gent [folio 189b] In Bataile and in turnament His name was. sir Thopas Line 1907

.I.-borne he was in fer contre In flaundre al beȝonde þe see Att Poperinge in þe place. Line 1910 His fader was a man ful fre And lord he was of þat cuntre As it was goddes grace Line 1913

Sir Thopas was douhty swayne White was his face as a peyndemayne His lippes reede as roose Line 1916 His rode is like scarlet in greyne And .I. ȝowe tell in goode certeyne He hadde a semely nose. Line 1919

His here his berde was lyke safroun Þat to his gerdel rauht a doune His schone of cordeweyne Line 1922 Of brugges was his hosen broune His roob was of Ciclatoune Þat cost mony a Iayne Line 1925

[6-text p 192] Line 1925

He couþe hunt att wilde dere And ride on haukeinge for þe reuer Wiþ grey goshauke on honde Line 1928 Therto he was a good archere To werstelynge was þer none his pere Þere any man scholde stonde Line 1931

fful mony a maide briht in boure Þei morne for his paramoure whane þei were bette to slepe Line 1934 Bot he was chast and no lichoure As swete as is þe brembel floure Þat bereþe þe rede hipe Line 1937

And so befel vpon a daie ffor soþe as .I. ȝowe telle maie Sir Thopas wolde oute ride Line 1940 He worþe hup on his stede grey And his honde a laucegaie A longe swerde be his side Line 1943

He prikeþ þoruhe a faire fore[st] Ther inn is mony a wilde best Ȝe boþe bukke and hare. Line 1946 And as he prikeþ Norþe and est [folio 190a] I telle ȝowe him hadde almest Betidde a sori care. Line 1949

Ther springen erbes grete and smale The lycoris and þe Setuale And mony clowe gilofre Line 1952 And Notmuges to putte in ale Wheþer it be moiste or stale Ore for to ley in Cofre Line 1955

[6-text p 193] Line 1955

The Birdes singen it is nouht naye The sparhauke and þe popeniaye þat ioye it was to here Line 1958 þe þrostelkoke maade eke his laye þe wode dowfe vppon þe spraye Sche songe ful loude and clere Line 1961

Sire Thopas fell in louelongeinge An[d] whanne he herde þe þrostell singe And priked as he ware woode Line 1964 His faire stede in his prikeinge So swette þat men myht him wringe His sides were al blode Line 1967

Sire Thopas eke so wery was ffor prekinge on þe soft gras So fers was his corage Line 1970 þat doune he laide him in þat place To maken his stede sum solace ffor he was so sauage Line 1973

A seynte Mary benedicite What eyleþ þis loue att me To bynde me so sore Line 1976 Me dremed al þis nyht parde Ane Elfe qvene schal my lemman be And slepe vnder my gore Line 1979

Ane Elfe queene wil .I. loue .y-wisse ffor in þis world no womman is Worþi to be my maake Line 1982 in toune Al oþer wemmen .I. forsake And to an Elfe queen .y. me betake Be dale and eke be doune Line 1986

[6-text p 194] Line 1986

In-to his sadel he cam anone And prikeþ ouere stile and stone Ane Elfe qwene for to aspye. Line 1989 Tyll he so longe haþe ryden and gone [folio 190b] That he fonde in a priue wone The Cuntre of faire. Line 1992 So wilde ffor in þat Contre was þere none . . . . [no gap in the MS.] Neyþer wife ne childe Line 1996

Til him þer came a Ioly geante His name was cleped sir Olyfaunte A parlous man of dede Line 1999 He saide childe be termagaunt Bot if þou wilte prike oute of myne haunte Anone .I. slee þi steede Line 2002 wiþ mace Here is þe queen of faire Wiþ harpe and pipe and simphene Dwellinge in þis place. Line 2006

The childe so most .I. þe To morne wil .I. mete þe When .I. haue myne armor Line 2009 And ȝit .I. hope par ma feie That þat þou schalt wiþ þis launce leie Abine it ful sore. Line 2012 Thoruhe þin mawe Schal .I. perce .If .I. maie Or it be fulle prime of daie ffor here þou schall be slawe Line 2016

[6-text p 195] Line 2016

Sir Thopas drowhe a bak ful fast This Geant att him stones cast Owte of a fell staf slynge Line 2019 Bot a faire ascapeþ childe Thopas And all it was þoruhe goddes gras And þoruhe his faire beringe Line 2022

Ȝit listeneþ lordes to my tale Meryer þan þe nyhteyngegale ffor nowe .I. wil ȝow rowne Line 2025 Howe sir Thopas wiþ sides smale Prekeinge ouer doune and dale Is come aȝeine to toune Line 2028

His mery men comanded he To make him boþe game and gle ffor nedes most he fiht Line 2031 wiþ .o. Geant wiþ hedes þree ffor paramoure and Iolyte Of one þat schote ful briht Line 2034

Done come he seide myne mynstrals An gestours for to tel vs tales Anone in myne armeinge Line 2037 Of Romans þat bene Roials [folio 191a] Of Popes and of Cardinals And eke of loue longeinge Line 2040

Thei fet him first þe swete wyne . . . . . . . . . . Line 2043 . . . . . [no gap in the MS.] And lykhirhers and eke Comyne Wiþ sugre þat is trye Line 2046

[6-text p 196] Line 2046

He dide next his white lire Of Cloþe of lake fyne and clire A breche and eke a schart Line 2049 And next is schert an Akton And ouer þat an haberioun ffor perceynge of his herte Line 2052

And ouere þat a fine hauberke Was al y-wrouht of Iewes werke fful stronge it was of plate Line 2055 And ouer þat is cote Armour As white as is a lely floure In whiche he wole debate. Line 2058

His schelde was al of gold so rede And þere in was a bores hede A Charbokel be side Line 2061 And þere he suore on ale and brede That þe Gyant schulde be dede By-tide whatt be-tide Line 2064

His Iambes were of quereboly His swerde scheþe of Ivory His helme of Latoun briht Line 2067 His Sadell was of Ruel bone His Bridell as þe sonne schone Or as þe mone so liht Line 2070

His spere was of fine Cypres Þat bedeþ werre and noþinge pes Thede ful scharpe y-grounde Line 2073 His sted was al dappel greye Hite enamble by þe weye fful softly and rounde. Line 2076

[6-text p 197] Line 2076

In londe Lo lordes myne here a fitte If ȝe wil any more of it To tel it wil .I. fonde Line 2080

[Fitte II.]

Nowe haldeþ ȝoure mouþe par Charite Boþe knyke and lady free And herkeneþ to my spelle. Line 2083 Of Bataile and of Cheualry [folio 191b] And of ladys loue drery. Anone .I. wil ȝowe tell Line 2086

Men speke of Romans of prise Of horne Childe and of Ipose Of Beuys and sir Guy Line 2089 Of sir Libeus and plendamour Bot sir Thopas he bereþ þe floure Of Roial Chiualry Line 2092

His goode steede al he be-strode And forþe vpon his weye he glode As sparkeles oute of þe bronde Line 2095 Vpon his creste he bare a toure And þer-in stiked a lyly floure God schelde his corps fro schonde Line 2098

And for he was a knyht aunterous He wolde slepen in none hous Bot lygen in his hode Line 2101 His briht helme was his wangere And by him baiteþ his dextrere Of erbes fine and good Line 2104

[6-text p 198] Line 2104

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . [no gap in the MS.] Line 2108

[6-text p 199]

¶ Incipit prologus

NO mor of þis for goddes dignite [on leaf 191, back] quod oure ost foure þou makest me So wery of þi lewdenes Þat also wissely god me blis Line 2112 Myn eres ake of þine darsti speche Nowe suche a rime þe deuel .y. beteche. This mai be wele ryme dogerel whie so quod .I. whie wilt þou lette me Line 2116 More of my tale þan a noþer man Seþen it is þe best rime .I. can By god . quod he pleinly .I. þe seie Thou schalt no langer rime here to daie Line 2120 Thou doste nouht elles bot dispendes time Sire att o worde þou schalt no longer rime Late see wheþer þou canste tell ouht in geste Or tell in prose sumwhat att þe lest Line 2124 In whiche þer be sume merþe & some doctrine Gladle quod .I. be goddes swete pine .I. wil ȝowe tell a litel þinge in prose þat auht lyke ȝowe as .I. suppose Line 2128 Or elles certes ȝe be to daungerous It is a morale tale vertuouse [folio 192a] Al be it tolde sum tyme in sundre wise Of sundre folke as .I. schal ȝowe deuise Line 2132 As þus ȝe wote euery euaungelist That telleþ vs of ihesu crist Ne saiþe nouht al þinge as his felawe doþe Bot Naþeles her sentence is al soþe Line 2136 And al. accorden att here sentence Al be þare in her tellinge difference

[6-text p 200] ffor somme of hemme seine more & somme seine lesse Whan þei his pitous passion expresse Line 2140 .I. mene of Mark. Matheu. luke. & Iohn Bot doutles her sentence is al one There-for lordeynges al .I. ȝowe be-seche If þat ȝe þinke .I. varye in my speche Line 2144 As þus. If þat .I. telle sum what more Of prouerbes þan ȝe haue herde to fore Comprehendit in þis litel tretis here To enforce wiþ þe effect of Mi Matiere Line 2148 And þouhe .I. nade þe same wordes saye As ȝe haue herde ȝitt to al ȝowe .I. preie Blameþ me nouht for as my sentence Ȝe schol nouht finde muche difference Line 2152 ffro the sentens of þe tretys leuyte After þe whiche þis Mery tale .y. write And Herken whatt .I. schal seye And lett me tale .I. preye Line 2156

[6-text p 201]

Hic incipit fabula de Mellybeo per Chaucer.

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

[Lansdowne MS 851, on leaf 192.]

[2157] A ȝonge man whilom called Mellibe. Mihte. & riche be-gate vpon his wyf. þat called was. Prudence. a douhter which was cleped Sapience.//

[2158] vpon a daie fel þat he for his disporte is went in to þe feldes him to pley; [2159] His wife & eke his douhter haþe he laft wiþ-in his hous. of whiche þe dores were fast yschett. [2160] Foure of his olde foos haue it aspied. And setten ledders to þe walles of his hous. & be þe wyndows entred [2161] & beten his wif & wounded his douhter with .v. mortale woundes in .v. sundre places [2162] ¶ This is to seye. in here fete in hire hondes in hire eres & in hire nose & in hire mouþe. And laften hir for dede & wenten here wey.

[2163] ¶ Whan. Mellibeus returned was aȝein in to his hous. & sauhe al þis meschief ¶ He ylike a mad man rentynge his cloþes gan to wepe & crye.

[2164] Prudens his. [folio 192b] ¶ Prudence his wif as ferforþ as sche dorst. be-souht him of his wepeinge for to stinte [2165] ¶ Bot not for-þi he gan to wepe & crie. euer þe lengeer þe more.

[2166] þis noble wif prudence remembreþ her on þe sentence of Ouide. In his boke þat cleped is þe remedie of loue. where he seiþe. [2167] He is a. foole þat distorbleþ þe modere for to wepe in þe deþe of hir childe. til sche haue wepped hire fil as for certeine time. [2168] Than schal a man done his diligence wiþ amyable wordes. hir to recomford. & to preier her of

[6-text p 202] here wepeinge for to stinte [2169] ¶ For whiche resone þis noble prudence suffurd hir husbond for to wepe & crie for a certeine space. [2170] ¶ And whan sche sauhe hire time sche seide him in þis wyse /./ Alas my. lorde quod sche. whie maake ȝoure self for to be like a fole. [2171] ¶ For sothe it aperteigneþ not to a wiseman. To maak suche a sorwe [2172] ¶ Ȝoure douhter wiþ þe grace of god schal be warissched & ascape ‖ [2173] And al were it so riht nowe sche were dede. ȝe ouht not as for hire deþe ȝoure self to destruye. [2174] ¶ Senec. [¶ Senec.] seiþe. þe wiseman schal nouht tak to grete discomford for þe deþe of his childer. [2175] bot certe he scholde suffere it in pacience. As wele as he Abideþ þ^e deþ of his owen propre person.

[2176] ¶ Þis Millibeus ansewarde a-none & seide ¶ What man quod he scholde of his wepeinge stinte þat haþe so grete a cause for to wepe. [2177] Ihesu criste owre lorde him self wepped for þ^e deþ of Lazarus his frende [2178] ¶ Prudence anseward; certez wele .I. wote atempre wepeinge is nouht defended vnto him þat sorwful is a-monge folk of sorwe. Bot it is raþer graunted him to wepe [2179] ¶ þe Apostle paule vn to þe Romaynes writeþ. // Man schal reioyse wiþ hem þat hem þat maken ioye; & wepe wiþ suche folke as wepen. [2180] ¶ Bot þouhe atempre wepeinge be graunted; Outrageous wepeinge certes is defended. [2181] ¶ Mesurable wepeinge schold be considered after þe lore þat techeþ vs Senec [2182] ¶ Whan þat þi frende is ded lat nouht þine yen to moiste bien of teres; ne to muche drye ¶ Al þouhe þe teres commen of þine yen. lat hem nouht fallen [2183] ¶ And whan. þou hast for-gone þi frende .I. rede þou do þi diligence to gette þe a nother. And þis is more wysere þan to wepe for þi frende þe whiche þat þou hast lorne; For þer inne is no boote [2184] ¶ And þerfore if þe lust to gouerne þe be Sapience Putte awaie sorwe fro ȝoure hert. [2185] Remembreþ ȝowe þat. Ihesu Sirak. saiþe;

[6-text p 203] A man þat is ioyus & gladde in hert; it him con|serueþ florischeinge in his Age. Bot soþely Sorweful hert Makeþ his bones drye [2186] ¶ He seiþe eke þus; þat sorwe in hert. sleeþe mony a man. [2187] Sa|lamon seiþe þat riht as mouhtes in þe schepes fles anoyeþ to þe cloþes An þe smale wermes on þe tres vn to þe fruyte; Riht so anoyþe sorwe vnto þe hert /./ [2188] Wherfore we ouht as wele in þe deþe of oure childerne; as in þe losse of oure godes temperel; ¶ Haue pacience.

[2189] Remembre ȝowe vpōn þe pacient ¶ Iob. whan he hadde lost his children & his temperel sub|stance. And in his [folio 193a] bodi endured & suffred mony a greuous temptacionz; Ȝit seid he þus. [2190] ¶ Owre lorde quod he ȝaue it me. oure lorde haþ be-raft it me. Riht so as oure lorde haþe wolde; riht so be it done. y|blissed be þe name of oure lorde [2191] ¶ To þis afor þinges Melibius ansewerd to his wif Dame prudence. Al þi wordes quod he bien soþe & þer-to pro|fitable. Bot trewely Min hert is trobled wiþ þis sorwe so greuously þat .I. note what to done. [2192] ¶ Late cal quod prudence þine trewe frendes al; & þin lignage whiche þat bien wise; telle hem þin caas & herken what þei seine in conseilinge; And ȝowe gouerne þere after here sentence /./ [2193] Salomon seiþe ¶ worche al þi þinge be counsel; & þou schal neuer repent.

[2194] Than be þe conseil of his wif dame Prudence. Melibeus lete callen a grete congregacione of folke [2195] . . . . . [no gap] olde & ȝonge. And somme of his olde ennemys reconsiled as be her semblant in to his loue & in to his grace. [2196] And þer-wiþ-al cam somme of his neihbours þat dide him reuerence more for drede þan for loue as it happeþ oft [2197] ¶ þare commeth also ful mony a subtile flatreres and wise aduocates lerned in þe lawe.

[2198] And whan þis folk togeder assembled were This Mellibeus in sorwful wise schewde hem þis cas.

[6-text p 204] [2199] And by þe manere of speche he bare in his herte a cruel ire rede to do venge|ance vpon his foos; // And sodanly desired þat werre schold / beginne [2200] ¶ Bot naþeles ȝit axed he counseile vpon þis mate[re] [2201] ¶ A Surgeane / be licence / & assent of suche as were wise vp rose vn to Melibeus & seide as ȝe maie here.

[2202] Sir quod he as to vs surgeans apperteyneþ to euery whight þe best þat we can where as we be wiþ - holde & to oure pacience þat we do no damage. [2203] Ther-for it happeþ mony time & oft. þat whan tuo men haþe eueryche wounded oþere one same surgean heleþ hem boþe. [2204] Wherefor vnto oure arte it is nouht pertinent; to norische werre ne parties to supporte [2205] Bot certes as to þe warissheinge of ȝoure douhtere be it so þat sche is perilously. wounded. we shold done so entenfully be signes fro daie to nyht þat wiþ þe grace of god sche schal be sounde & hole as sone as it is possible [2206] ¶ Al men in þe same wise ansewarden &. þe Phesiciens. saue þei seiden a fewe wordes more [2207] ¶ That riht as Maladise bene heled be hire contraries /./ Riht so schal men warisshe werre be vengeance [2208] his neyh|bour ful of envye; // His feyned frendes þat semed reconsiled. his flatrers [2209] maden semblant of wepeinge empaired & engreged muche of his matiere in preiseinge gretely /./ Melibeus of myht of pouere of riches & of frende. Dispiseinge þe powere of his aduersaries. [2210] & seiden outerly þat he anone scholde wreken him on his ennemys & be-ginne werre

[2211] Vp rose þan an Aduocate þat was wise & seide be leue & be counseile of oþer þat were wise. & seide. [2212] Lordeinges þe nedes for whiche we bene assembled in þis place is a ful heuy þinge. & an hihe matiere [2213] because of þe wronge & of þe wikkenesse þat haþe be done. And eke be reson of þe grete. damage

[6-text p 205] in time comynge. bien possible to fal for þis same cause. [2214] & eke [folio 193b] be reson of þe grete richesse & power of þe parties boþe. [2215] For whiche resouns it were a grete perile for to erren in þis matiere [2216] ¶ Where-fore Milebeus þis is oure sentence; We counsel ȝowe a-boue al þinges þat riht anone þou do þi diligence in kepeinge of þi propre persone in suche [a wise] þat þou ne wante none aspie. ne to wache þine bodie for to saue. [2217] ¶ And after þat we counseile þat þou setten in þine hous sufficeant garnyson so þat þei maie þi body also wele as þine hous defende. [2218] ¶ Botte certes for to meve werre ne sodanly to done vengeance we maie nouht deme in so litel time þat it were profit|able. [2219] wherefore we Axen leyser & space to haue deliberacion in þis caas to deme [2220] ¶ For þe comune prouerbe seiþ þus ¶ He þat sone demeþ sone schal repent [2221] ¶ And eke men seine þus ¶ That ilke Iugge is wise þat sone vnderstondeþ a matier; & Iugeþe b[y] leyser [2222] ¶ For al-be-it so; þat a tariinge be a-noyeful. Algates it is not to reproue in ȝeueinge of Iuggement ne in vengeance takeinge. whan it is suffisant & resonable; [2223] ¶ And þat schwde oure lorde ihesu criste be en|sample. For whan þat womman was taken in aduoutre & was browhte in his presence to knowe what schal be done wiþ hire persone ¶ Albeit so þat he wist wele him selfe what þat he wold onsewere. ȝete ne wolde he ansewere sodanly bot he wold haue deliberacione. And in þe grounde he wrote twyes. [2224] And be þis cause we axen deliberacione. And we schal þan by þe grace of god counseile þe þo þinges þat schallen be profitable

[2225] vp stert þan þe ȝonge folke att ones And þe most partie of þat compaignie haþe scorned þis olde wise man. & begonnen to maken noyce & seiden [2226] riht so ¶ Al þe while þat Iren is hote men schold smyte. Riht so men scholde wreken here wronges whiles

[6-text p 206] þat þei bne frische & newe ¶ And wiþ loude voice þei criden. werre. werre.

[2227] Vprose one of þe olde wise. & wiþ his honde he maade a countenance þat þei schold holde hem stil; and ȝeuen hem audience [2228] ¶ lordeinge quod he þere is ful mony a man þat crieþ werre. werre. þat woote ful lytel what þat werre amounteþ // [2229] Werre att his beginynge haþ so grete an entringe & so large; þat euery wight maie entren whan him likeþ And lyhtly finde werre. [2230] Bot certes to whatt ende þat schal þere-of be-fal; it is note lyhtly to knowe [2231] ¶ Whan þat werre is ones begonne. þer is ful mony a childe vnborne of his moder þat schal sterue ȝonge be cause of þilke werre. Oþere elles leue in sorwe & deye in wrechednesse, [2232] ¶ And þere-fore or þat any werre be-ginne men most haue grete conseile & goode deliberacion. [2233] ¶ And whan þis olde man wende to enforcen his tale be resoun. welnyhe al att ones bygonne for to rise to breken his tale. & biden him ful oft of his wordes to abrigge //. [2234] For soþely he þat precheþ to hem þat lust nouht his wordes ne his sermon hem he anoyeþ. [2235] For ihesus Sirak seiþe. That Musike in wepeinge is anoyus þinge. Thus muche it is to seine As much anoyeþ to spek to-forne folke to wiche his speche annoyeþ as [folio 194a] it is for to singen be-forne him þat wepeþ. [2236] ¶ And whan þis wiseman sawhe þat him wanted audience al schamfast he sett him doune a-ȝeine [2237] For Salomon seiþe þere as þu mai haue none audience enforce þe nouht to speke. [2238] I. see wele quod þis wiseman þat þe comen prouerbe is soþe; þat good counseile wanteþ whan it is most nede.

[2239] ¶ Ȝitte hadde þis Melebeus in his conseile many folke þat . . . [no gap] conseilled him priue þinge. An counseld him þe contrarie in general audience.

[2240] Whan mellibeus hadde herde þe grettest

[6-text p 207] partie of his counseile were accorded þat he schold make werre. A-none he consentid to here counselynge. And full affermed to he[re] sentence [2241] ¶ Than dame Prudence sauhe howe þat hire hosband schope hime for to wreke him on his foos; & to be-ginne werre Sche in full humble wise whan sche sauhe hire time Saide him in þis wordes [2242] ¶ Mi lorde quod sche .I. ȝowe beseche as hertly as .I. dar & can / ne haste ȝowe nouht to fast And Afore al guerdouns ȝeuef me audience. [2243] For Pers Amphons saiþe .O. who so doþe þe goode oþer harme haste þe nouht to qwyten it. For in þis wise þi frende wil abide And þine ennemy schal þe langere leue in drede; [2244] The prouerbe seiþe þat he hasteþe him wele þatte wele can abide. And in wikked hast is no profite.

[2245] This Melibe ansewerd to his wyf prudence; I. purpos nouht quod he to wirke be þi counseile ffor mony causes & resons; For certes euery wight wold hold me þan a foole; [2246] ¶ This is for soothe. If .y. for þin counsellynge wolde chaunge þinges þat buen ordeined & affermed be so mony a wyse; [2247] Sec|undly .I. saie þat al wemmen bien þikke & none goode of hem alle. ffor of a. þousand men as seiþe Salomon [¶ Salomon] .I. fonde o good man bot certes of alle wemmen fonde .I. neuere good womman [2248] ¶ And Also certes if .I. gouerned me be þi counseile it schold seme þat .I. hadde .y.-ȝif to þe ouer me þe maistre. And god forbede þat it so were [2249] ¶ For Ihesus Sirake. seiþe. If þe wif haþe þe maistre sche is contrarius to hir husbonde. [2250] ¶ And Salomon. seiþe. neuere in þi lif. to þi wif ne to þi childe ne to þi frende ne ȝeue none powere ouer. þine selfe; For better it were þat þine childern asken of þine persone þinges þat hem nedeþ. þan þou þi self in þe handes of þine childerne. [2251] And also if .I. wil worche be þi conseillynge. Certes my conseil most som time be secre til it wer time þat it must be

[6-text p 208] knowe; And þis ne may nouht be do; [2252. For it is written, 'þe Ianglerye of wemmen can hide [only] þinges þat þei wote nought' [2253] Furthermore, the philo|sopher saith, 'in wiked counsel, wemmen venquyseþ men;' and for these reasons I ought not to make use of thy counsel. (See Prudence's answers to Reasons 4 & 5, below.)]

[2254] ¶ Whan dam pruden ful debonarly & [with] al pacience hadde herd al þat hire husbond lyked for to seye./ Than axe sche of him licence for to speke. And seide in þis wise. [2255] Mi lorde quod sche; as to ȝoure first reson it maie lyhtly bne ansewerd. ffor .I. seie. it ne is folye to chaunge counseil. whan þe þinge is chaungede or elles whan þe þinge semeþ oþerewise þan it semed a-forne [2256] And more ouere .I. saie. þeihe þat ȝe haue sworne & behiȝt to performe ȝoure emprise. [and natheless ye weyve to performe that same emprise] Be Iuste cause men schold nouht seine þerefore þat ȝe were a lyere ne for-sworne [2257] ¶ ffor þe booke seiþe þat þe wise man makeþ no leseinge when he torneþ his corage to þe bettere [2258] ¶ An if it so be þat [folio 194b] ȝoure emprise be establisshet & ordeined be grete multitude of folke ȝit þarre þe nouht accomplise þilke ordinance bot ȝowe likeþ; [2259] ¶ For þe treuþe of þinges & þe profit bene rather y-founde in fewe folke þat bien wise and ful of resoune þan be grete multitude of folke þere euery man crieþ & clatereþ what hem likeþ; Suche multitude is nouht honest. [2260] And as to þe secund reson. Where as ȝe seine þat al wemmen bene wikke. saue ȝoure grace; for certes ȝe dispisen al wemmen in þis wise. And he þat all despiseþ. all þinge him despiseþ as seiþe þe boke.// [2261] And Seneca. seiþe who þat woll haue sapience schall no man despise. Bot he schal gladly teche þe science þat .I. kan. wiþ-oute presumpcion or pride. [2262] And suche þinges as nouȝ can he schal not be ascamed to leren hem; & to enqueren of lesse

[6-text p 209] folke þan of him self; [2263] And sire þat þare haþ bue many a goode womman maie lihtly be proued [2264] ¶ Certes sire oure lorde ihesu crist nold neuere haue descended to be borne of womman if al wemmen hadde be wikke. [2265] And after þat for þe grete bounte þat is in wemmen oure lorde ihesus whan he was resen fro deþe to lyf; he appered raþer to wemmen þan he dide to his aposteles [2266] And þouhe þat Salomon seiþ. he ne fonde neuer womman goode. It fouloweþ nouht þere-fore þat al wemmen be wikke [2267] ¶ For þouhe þat he no fonde no good womman. Certes mony a noþer man haþ founden many a womman ful goode & trewe. [2268] Or elles perauenture þe entente of Salomon was þus; That as in souereine bounte he fonde no womman [2269] ¶ þis is to seie þat þere is no wight þat haþe parfite bounte saue god alone; as he him self recordeþ in his euaun|geliste; [2270] ffor þere ne is no creture þat him ne wanteþ sumwhat of þe perfeccion of god þat is his maker [2271] ¶ The þred reson is þis ¶ ȝe seie þat if ȝe gouern ȝoue be my counsel; it scholde seme þat ȝe hadde ȝeue to me þe maistre. & þe lordeschipe of ȝoure persone; [2272] Sire; saue ȝoure grace it is nouht so ¶ For if so were þat noman scholde be conseiled bot only of hem þat hadd lordeschip & Meistre of his person. Men nold nouȝt be counceilled so oft. [2273] For soþely þilke man þat axeþ counsel of a purpos; ȝit haþe frewill weþer he wil do after þat counseil or no; [2274] ¶ And as to ȝoure ferþe reson. þere as ȝe seine þat þe Ianglerye of wemmen can hide þinges þat þei wote nouht. As who seiþe; þat a womman kan nouht hide þat sche wote; [2275] sire þes wordes buen vnder|stonde of wemmen þat bien Ianglers & wikked; [2276] of whiche wemmen Men seine þat þre þinges driueþ a man oute of his house ¶ þat is to seie. Smoke. dropeinge of Reine? & wikked wyues. [2277] ¶ And

[6-text p 210] of suche wemmen seiþe Salomon . þat him were better duelle in desert. þan wiþ a womman þat is reyetous. [2278] And sire be ȝoure leue þat am nouht .I. [2279] For ȝe haue ful oft assaide my grete silence & my grete pacience. And eke howe wele þat .I. can hide. & hele þinges þat men ouhten sekerly to hiden; [2280] ¶ And forþe as to ȝoure fift resone; wher as ȝe seie þat in wiked coun|sel wemmen venquyseþ men; Gode wote þilke [folio 195a] reson stondeþ here in no stede; [2281] ¶ For vnder-stondeþ nowe ȝe ax conseil for to do wikkednesse. [2282] And if ȝe wil wirke wikkenesse; & ȝoure wife restreyneþ þilke wikked purpos; And ouere-comme ȝowe be reson & be goode counsel. [2283] Certes ȝowe wif ouht raþer to be preised þan to be blamed. [2284] This schold ȝe vnder|stande þe Philosofre þat saiþe. In wikked conseile wemmen venquisched her husbondes. [2285] And þere as ȝe blame al wemmen & here resons .I. schal schew ȝoue be monye ensamples þat mony wemmen han bien ful goode & ȝut buen. ¶ An here consel holsome & profitable [2286] eke: Sommen haue seid þat counselinge of wemmen es eiþer to dere or elles to lite of prise [2287] ¶ Bot al be it so þat ful mony a womman is badde. & hire consel vile & not worþe. ȝit haþe men founden mony a goode womman. & ful discrete & wise in counselinge. [2288] ¶ Lo Iacob þoruhe þe good counsel of his moder Rebec /./ whan he hadde. þe benyson of his fader. & þe lordschip ouere al his breþer. [2289] ¶ Iudiþe þoruhe hire goode counsel deliuerd þe Cite of Buþhilie in whiche sche duelte oute of þe hande of Olifernce þat hit beseged; & wolde haue al destruyed it. [2290] ¶ Abegayle deliuer Nabal hire husbonde fro dauid þe kinge þat wold haue sleyne him & apesed þe ire of þe kinge be hire witte & be hire good counseil|inge. [2291] Ester be hire counseile enchauncede gretlye þe peple of god in þe reigne of Assur [2292] ¶ And þe same bounte in goode conselinge of

[6-text p 211] mony wemmen mai men tell [2293] ¶ And forþere more whan þat owre lorde hadde created Adam oure forme fadere. he seide in þis wise [2294] it is nouht good to bue a man alone Maake we an helpere semblable to him self; [2295] Here maie ȝe see þat if þat wemmen were nouht goode & here counseile goode & profitable; [2296] oure lorde god of heuen ne wold neyþer haue wrouht hem ne called hem þe helper of man. [. . . . .] [2297] ¶ And þere seide ones a clerk in tuo vers. What is better þan golde. Iasper; what is better þan Iasper. wisdome. [2298] And what is better þan wisdome Womman /./ And whatt is bester þan womman. þat is a good womman. noþinge. [2299] ¶ And sire be monye of oþere resons may ȝe seen þat mony wemmen ben goode. & eke here conseile goode & profitable also [2300] ¶ And þerfor sire if ȝe wil trust vnto mi counsel .I. schal restore ȝoure douhter hole & sounde. [2301] and eke þat .I. wil done to ȝowe so muche þat ȝe schal haue honoure in þis caas

[2302] ¶ whan Melibe hadde herde þe wordes of his wif Prudence. he seide þus; [2303] That þe wordes of salomon is soþe; for he seiþe þat þe wordes þat buen spoken discretelye be ordinance bien honye combes; For þei ȝeue swetnesse to þe soule & holesomenesse to þe bodye; [2304] And wif be cause of þi swete wordes & eke for .I. haue prouede & assaide þi grete sapience & þi grete trewþe .I. wil gouerne me be þi consel in al þinge

[2305] ¶ Nowe. sire quod Dam Prudence & seþen ȝe vouche sauf to be gouernde be my counsel .I. wil en|forme ȝowe how þat ȝe schal gouerne ȝoure selue In cheseinge of ȝoure counselours. [2306] ¶ Ȝe schol first forme al ȝoure werkes mekely. besecheinge to þe hihe gode þat he wolde be ȝoure. [folio 195b] consellour. [2307] And schapeþ ȝowe to suche entent þat he ȝeue ȝowe consel & comforte as tauht Thobe to his son [2308] Att all times þou schalt blisse

[6-text p 212] god & prei him to dressen þine weies. And loke also þat þi counsele ben in him for euermore. [2309] ¶ Seint Iame seiþe if any of ȝowe haue nede of sapiens aske it of god [2310] ¶ And afterward þan scholne ȝe take counsel in ȝoure self And examine wele ȝoure owen wittes of suche þinges as ȝowe þenkeþ þat is beste for ȝoure profit [2311] ¶ And þan schal ȝe driue fro ȝoure hert þenges þat bene contrarious to good consell. [2312] þat is to so seie. Ire. couetise. & hastenesse.

[2313] ¶ First he þat askeþ counsel of him self certes he most be wiþ-outen ire . . . . .[2314] . . . . . [no gap in the MS.] & wrathe in him-self; He weneþ al waie þat he maie do þinge þat he maie nouht do; [2315] And secundly he þat is yrous & wroþe he may nouht wel . . . [2316] . . . . . [no gap in the MS.] counsel [2317] ¶ þe þredde is þis; þat he þat is Irous & wroþe as seiþe Senec ne maie nouȝt speke bot blame-ful þinges. [2318] And wiþ þilke vicious wordes; he stireþ oþere folke to angur. & to Ire. [2319] ¶ And eke sir ȝowe most drede couetise & put it oute of ȝoure hert. [2320] ¶ For þe Apostel seiþe; þat Couetise is þe rote of al harmes [2321] ¶ And trusteþ riht wele þat a couetouse man can nouȝt deme ne þinke bot only to fulfil þe ende of his couetise; [2322] And certes þat mai neuer be acomplised ¶ For euer þe mo abundance þat he haþe of riches þe more he desireþ. [2323] ¶ And sir ȝoue most also driue oute of ȝoure herte hastifnesse [2324] For certes ȝe maie not deme for ȝe best A sodan þouht þat falleþ in ȝoure herte Bot ȝow mot avise on it ful oft. [2325] For as ȝe haue herde here-be-forne; þe commune prouerbe is þis. That he þat son deme sone repenteþ.

[2326] ¶ Sire ȝe be not alweie in like disposicione. [2327] For certes some þinge þat some time semeþ to ȝowe goode for to do; Anoþer time it semeþ to ȝowe þe contrarie [[A great bit is now omitted in Lansdowne.]]

[6-text p 213]

[2328] [Whan ye han taken counseil vnto youre self and [MS Reg. 17 D xv folio 246b] han demed bi goode deliberacioun suche thyng as yow semyth best [2329] than rede I yow that ye kepe it secre [2330] bewry youre counseil to no persone. but if so be that ye wene sikerly that thurgh yowre be-wreyeng your condicion shalbe to youre more profitable [2331] ffor Ihesus Syrak seyth neyther to thy foo ne to thy friend discouere nat thi secree ne thi folye [2332] for they wil yeve the audience and lokyng and supportacioun in thi presence and scorn in thy absence [2333] Another clerk seyth that scarsly thow shalt fynde any persone that may kepe thy counsaile secretly [2334] The booke seyth while that thow kepest thy coun|seil in thyn hert thow kepist it in thy prison [2335] and when thow bewryest thy counseil to any wight he holdith the in his snare [2336] And therfor yow is better to hide youre counseile in yowre hert than pray hym to whom ye have bewreyed youre counseil that he wil kepe it close and stille [2337] ffor Senek seyth if so be that thow ne mayst thyn owne counseil hide / how darstow pray any other wight thy counseil secretely to kepe / [2338] But natheles if thow wene sikerly that thy bewreyeng of thi counseil to a persone wil make thy condicion to stande in the better plite than shalt thow telle hym thy counseyl in this wise [2339] ffirst thow shalt make no semblaunt whether the were leuere pes than werre or this or that ne shewe hym nat thy wil and thyn entent. [2340] for trust wele that comunely thise counsellours bien flaterers [2341] namely the counseillours of grete lordes [2342] for they enforcen hem alwey rather to speke plesaunt wordis enclyneng to the lord his lust. than wordis that bien trewe or profitable [2343] and therfor men [MS Reg. 17 D xv folio 247a] seyn that the riche man hath sielde goode coun|seil. but if he have it of hym self [2344] and after that thow shalt considre thy friendis and thyn enemyes [2345] And as towchyng thy friendis thow shalt con|sidre

[6-text p 214] whiche of hem bien most feythful and most [[MS Reg.]] wise and most eldest and most appreved in counseillyng [2346] and of hem shalt thow axe thi counseil as the caas requirith

[2347] I sey that first ye shul clepe to yowre coun|seil yowre friendis that bien triewe [2348] ffor Salamon saith for right as the hert of man delitith in savour that is swete right so the counseil of thy friendis yevith swetnesse to the soule [2349] he seyth also ther may nothyng be lykned to the true friende [2350] ffor certes gold ne siluer be nat so moche worth as the goode wille of a triewe friend [2351] And he seyth that a triewe friend is a stronge defence who so that it fyndith certis he fyndith a grete tresour [2352] than shul ye eke considre if that yowre triewe friendis bien discrete and wise for the booke seyth aske alwey thy counseil of hem that bien wise [2353] And be this same reason ye mow clepe to youre counseil of yowre friendis that bien of age [qui assez ont veu] and bien expert in many thynges and han ben appreved in counseillynges [2354] ffor the booke seyth in old men is al the sapience and in long tyme the prudence [2355] As Tullius seyth that grete thynges ne be nat acompliced bi strength ne be delyuer|nesse of body. but by goode counseile and bi auctorite of persones and bi science The whiche .iij. thynges ne be nat fiebled bi age but certes they enforcen and en|cresen day bi day [2356] And than shul ye kepe this for a general rewle ffirst ye shul clepe to your counseil a fewe of youre friendis that bien especial [2357] ffor Salamon saith many friendis have thow. but among a M¹. chese the oon in especial to be thy coun|seillour [2358] for albe it so that thow first ne telle thy counseill but to a fewe thow mayst after-warde tel it to mo folk if it be nede [2359] but loke alwey that thy counseillours have thylk .iij. condicions that I have seyde

[6-text p 215] before. that is to sey that they be triewe wise and old experience [2360] and werk nat alwey in euery nede be oo counseillour alone for somtyme behovith it to be counseiled be many [2361] ffor Salamon seyth saluacion of thynges is where as there bien many counseillours [[MS Reg. extract ends]] ]

[2362] ¶ Now haue .I. tolde ȝowe of whiche folke [Lansdowne MS, on leaf 195, back] ȝe scholde be counseled Nowe wil .I. teche ȝowe whiche counsell ȝe owe to eschewe [2363] ¶ ffirst ȝe scholne eschewe þe counseillinge of foles. Salomon seiþe; Takeþ no coun|sell of no foole for he wil counsel bot after his owen lust and his affeccions; [2364] ¶ The booke seiþe þat þe properte of a foole is þis. He troueþ lyhtly harme of euery whight; & lyhtly troueþ a bounte in him self [2365] ¶ Thou schalt eke eschewe þe counseileinge of al flaterers whiche enforcen hem raþer to preysen ȝoure persone by flatry þan for to tel ȝow þe soþe|fastnesse of þe þinge.

[2366] Wherefore tullius. seiþe Amonge al þe pestelence þat ben in frenschip þe grettest is flaterie; And þer-fore is it more nede þat þoue eschewe & drede flatrers þan any oþer peple. [2367] The boke seiþe þou schalt raþer [drede and] fle fro þe swete wordes of flateringe & preiseinge þat from þe egre wordes of þine frende þat seiþe þe þi soþes; [2368] Salomon. seiþe; The wordes of a flaterer is a snare to cache innocence. [2369] ¶ He seiþe also; He þat spekeþ to his frendes wordes of swettnesse; & al plesance; setteþ a nette to for his fete to cache him; [2370] And þerefor tullius seiþe Enclyne nouȝt þine eres to flatere[r]s ne take no counsel of wordes of flaterye; [2371] And Caton· Avise þe wele & eschewe þe wordes of [folio 196a] swetenesse & of plesance; [2372] ¶ And eke þou schalt eschewe þe counsellinge of þine olde enmys þat be reconsiled [2373] ¶ The boke seiþe þat no whiht retorneþ safly in to þe

[6-text p 216] grace of his olde enmye. [2374] And. Isope. seiþe. Ne trust nouht to hem to whiche some time þou hast hadd werre or enemete; ne tell hem nouht þine counsell. [2375] ¶ And Senec telleþ þe cause whi; It maie nouht be seiþ he þat where longe time fire haþe endured þat þere dwelleþ som tyme vapoure of hete; [2376] ¶ And þerefor seiþ Salomon. In þine olde foo truste þou neuere. [2377] ffor sekerly þouhe þine enmye be reconsilede & makeþ þe þere of humylite & louteþ to þe wiþ his hede ne trust him neuere. [2378] ffor certes he makeþ þilke feyned humylite more for his profit þan for any humylite. or for any loue of þin persone . . . . . [no gap] be suche feyned countenance. The whiche victorie. he myht haue be strif of werre. [2379] ¶ And Peter alfons seiþe Maake no felaweschepe wiþ þine olde enmys; ffor if þou done hem bounte þei willen peruerten it to wikkednesse; [2380] ¶ And eke þou most eschiewe þe counselinge of þine seruantȝ þat beren þe grete reuerence; ffor parauenture þei seine it more for drede þan for loue [2381] And þerfore seiþe a philosofer in þis wise. Ther is no wyght parfitly trewe to hime þat he to sore dredeþ; [2382] And Tullius seiþe There is no wight so grete of any emperoureȝ þat longe maie endure bot if he haue loue of þe peple & drede [2383] ¶ þou schalt eschewe also þe counselinge of folke þat bien dronkenlewe for þei ne can no counsell hide. [2384] Salomon. seiþe. þere nys no priuete þere as regneþ drunkennesse [2385] ¶ ȝe scholne haue also in suspecte to þe counselinge of suche folke as counsel ȝowe a þinge priuely & counsel ȝowe a thinge þat is contrarye openly [2386] ¶ ffor Cassidorie. seiþe þat it is a maner sleihte to hindren his enmye whan he scheweþ to done a þinge openlye & wirkeþ priuely þe contrarie. [2387] ¶ þou schalt haue also in þi suspecte þe counselinge of wikked folke . . . . . [no gap] þat is alweie ful

[6-text p 217] of fraude; [2388] And Dauid seiþe þat blisful is þe man þat haþe nouht foulowed þe counse[l] of schrewes. [2389] ¶ Tho schalt also eschewe þe counselinge of ȝonge folke; ffor here counselinge is nouht ripe as Salomon seiþe

[2390] ¶ Nowe sire seþens .I. haue schewde ȝoue of whiche folke ȝe scholne take counseile & of whiche folke ȝe schollen folowe þe counsell [2391] ¶ Now wil .I. techeche howe ȝe scholne examyne ȝoure counsele after þe doctrine of tullius [2392] ¶ In þe examenynge þan of ȝoure conseloure ȝe scholne considere many þinges [2393] Alþere first þou schalt considere þilke þinge þat þou purposed; and vpon what þinge þou wolte haue counsel þat verrey treuþe be seide & conseruede. þis to seie; Tel treuly þin tale. [2394] For he þat seiþe fals maye wele be counseled in þat caas; . . . . .] [2395] ¶ And after þat þou schalt consideren þe þinges þat accorden to þat þou purposest for to be by þine counsel|loures if reson accordeþ þere to /./ [2396] And eke if þi myht maie atteigne þere to; ¶ And if þe more part & þe bettere parte of ȝoure counsellours accorden þer-to or no [2397] þenne schal þou considere whatt þinge schal folowe of hire counselinge. As hate pees. werre. grace profit oþer Damage or many oþir þinges; [2398] And in al þinges þou schalt schese þe best and. And [folio 196b] weife al oþere þinges [2399] ¶ Than schalt þou considered of what rote it is engenderd þe matier of þine counsel & what fruyte it maie conceive & engendre. [2400] þou schalt eke considerer al þes causes for whiche þei bue spronge; [2401] ¶ And whan ȝe haue examyne ȝoure counsel as .I. haue seide and whiche partye is better & more profitable; & hast approued it be mony wise folke & olde; [2402] þan schalt þou considere. if þou maist performe it & make a good ende. [2403] For certes reson wil nouht þat any man schall beginne a þinge bot if he myht performe it as him ouht; [2404] Ne no wight schol

[6-text p 218] taken vpon him so heuy a charge þat he ne myht bere it. [2405] ¶ For þe prouerbe seiþ; He þat to muche enbracet distreyneþ litul. [2406] And Caton seiþe Asseie suche þinge as þou hast pouere to done lest þe charge oppresse þe to sore; þat þe be-houeþ to weyve þinge þat þou hast begonne [2407] ¶ And if so be þou be in doute wheþe þou maiste performe a þinge or none; chese raþer for to suffur þan for to beginne [2408] ¶ And Peter Alphon seyþe. If þou hast myht to done a þinge of whiche þou most repent. . . . .[2409] . . . . . [no gap] It is better to hold þine tonge still; þan for to speke [2410] ¶ Then may .I. vnder-stonde be stronger resones þat if þou hast power to performe a werke of whiche þou schalt repent þe. Than is it better þat þou suffur þan begynne; [2411] wele seyne þei þat defenden euery whight to assaie a thinge of whiche he is in doute where he mai performe it or none; [2412] And after whan ȝe haue examined ȝoure counsell; as .I. haue seide be-forne; And knoweþe wele þat ȝe maie per|forme ȝoure emprise conferme it þan sadly til it be att an ende.

[2413] ¶ Nowe is it reson & time þat .I. schewe ȝowe whenne & where; for þat ȝe maie chaunge ȝoure counsel|lours wiþ-outen ȝoure reproue [2414] ¶ Soþely a man maie chaunge his purpos & his counsel if þe cause seseþ; or whan a newe caas be-tideþ; [2415] ffor þe lawe seiþ vpon þinges þat newly be-tyden be-houeþ new counsel; [2416] And senec saiþe. If þi counsell come to þe heres of þine ennemys chaunge þi counsel. [2417] . . . . .] if so be þat þou finde þat be errour or be any oþere cause harme or damage may betide [2418] ¶ Also if þi counsel be dishoneste. or elles come of dishonest cause change þine counsel. [2419] For þe lawe seiþe þat al behestes þat bene dishonest ne biene of no valew;

[6-text p 219] [2420] ¶ And eke if it so be þat it be impossible or maie noȝt gladly be perfourmed or kepet

[2421] ¶ And take þis for a general rewle. That euery counsel þat is enformed so strongely þat it maie not be chaunged for no condicion þat maie be tide; I. saie þat ilke counsel is wykked;

[2422] ¶ Mellibeus whan he hadde herde þe doctrine of his wif Dame Prudence. he anseward in þis wise. [2423] Dame quod he as ȝit vnto þis time ȝe haue wele tauht me as in general howe .I. schal gouerne me. & in þe cheseinge. & in wiþholdeinge of my counsellours. [2424] ¶ Bott nowe wolde .I. faine þat ȝe wolde condescende in speciale; [2425] and telleþ me howe þat likeþ ȝowe or howe þat semeþ ȝow be owre coun|sellours þat we haue chose in þis present nede

[2426] ¶ Mi lorde quod sche .I. beseche ȝowe in al hum|blesse þat ȝo wold nouht wilfully reprouen aȝeine myn resouns ne distemper ȝoure herte þeihe .I. speke þinge þat ȝowe displese [2427] ¶ ffor god wote as in myne entent .I. speke it as for þe best; for ȝoure honoure & for ȝoure profit eke; [2428] And soþely .I. hope þat ȝoure [folio 197a] be|nignite wil tak it in pacience // [2429] And trusteþ to me wele þat ȝoure consel in þis ne schold nouȝt as to speke properly be called a counsellinge; bot A mocion or ameueinge of folye. [2430] ¶ In whiche counsel ȝe haue herde in mony a sondre wyse;

[2431] first & forwarde ȝe haue herde in þe assem|blinge of ȝoure counsellours; [2432] ffor first ȝe schold haue cleped a fewe folk to ȝoure counsell. ¶ And after þat ȝe myht haue schewde it to mo folke if it hadd be nede; // [2433] Bot certes sodanly ȝe haue cleped to ȝoure coun|sel a grete multitude of peple ful chargeaunt & ful annoyus for to here; [2434] ¶ And also ȝe haue herde for|þer as ȝe scholde onely haue cleped to ȝoure counsel ȝoure trewe frendes olde & wise; [2435] ¶ ȝe haue cleped also strange folk ȝonge folke false flateres & ennemys

[6-text p 220] reconsiled. And folke þat do ȝowe reuerence wiþe outen loue [2436] And eke also ȝe haue herde for ȝe haue brouht wiþ ȝou to ȝoure counsell. Ire. couetise./ & hastinesse./ [2437] ¶ þe whiche þre þinges be con|trarie to euery good consell & honest. & profitable; [2438] The whiche þre þinge ȝe haue nouht anentisched oþer de|struyde hem ney þere in ȝoure self ne in ȝoure counsellours as ȝowe auht [2439] ¶ ȝe haue herde also for ȝe haue schewde to ȝoure consellours ȝoure talent. ȝour affeccion anone for to do vengeance; [2440] And þei haue aspide be ȝoure wordes to what þinge ȝe be enclyned; [2441] And þere fore haue þei raþer counseld ȝowere talent; þan to ȝoure profitte.// [2442] ȝe haue herd also for ȝowe semeþ it sufficeþ to haue be coun|seld be þis counsellours onely & be lytil avise; [2443] where as in so grete & in so hihe a nede it hadde bue necessarie mo counsellours & mo delib[er]aciones to performe ȝoure emprise. [2444] ¶ Also ȝe haue nouȝt herde ȝoure counsell in þe forseid manere ne in dieu manere as þe caas requireþ. [2445] ¶ ȝe haue herde also for ȝe haue maade no diuision be tuex . . . . . [no gap] ȝoure trewe frendes & ȝoure feyned counselloures [2446] Ne ȝe haue nouht knowe þe will of ȝoure trew frendes olde & wise. [2447] Bot ȝe haue cast al here wordes in an hoche poche & enclyned ȝoure hert to þe more part and to þe gretter nombre [and there be ye condescended [2448] Et tu scez bien que les fols sont tousjours en plus grant nombre que les sages,] of foles þan of wise men; [2449] And þare for þe counsellinge þat ben at congregacioun & mul|titude of folk; þere as men tak more rewarde to þe nombre þan to þe Sapience. of persones. [2450] ¶ ȝe se wele þat in suche consellinge þe foles haue þe maistre. [2451] ¶ Mellibe anseward & seide aȝeine .I. graunt wele þat .I. haue herde [2452] Bot þere as þou hast tolde me here beforne. That he nys nouht to blame to chaunge his con|sellours

[6-text p 221] for certeine caas & for certeine & iust cause; [2453] .I. am al rede to chaunge my consellours riht as þou woldest deuise.// [2454] for þe prouerbe seiþe ffor to do synne is manysshe Bot certes for to perseuere longe þere in is werkes of þe deuel.

[2455] ¶ To þis sentence anseward anone dame Pru|dence & seide [2456] examyneþ quod sche ȝoure coun|sel. & lat vs see whiche of hem haþ spoken most resonablelye; & tauht ȝoue best consell. [2457] ¶ And for als muche þat examinacions is necessarie Lat vs beginne att surgiens & att phiciens þat first spaken of þis matiere [2458] ¶ .I. seie þat Phesiciens & sirurgiens haue seide ȝowe in ȝoure counsel discretely as hem ouht [2459] in here speche & ful wisely; As to þe office of hem [folio 197b] apparteneþ to done to euery whiht honour & profit & nouht for to annoye [2460] And after her craft to done grete diligence vn to þe cure of hem whiche þat haue in here gouern|ance [2461] ¶ And sir riht as þei haue anseward wisely & discretly. [2462] riht so rede .I. þat þei ben hihelye & souereingly guerdount for here noble speche. [2463] & eke for þei scholne more do þe ententif bisenesse in þe curacione of þine douhter dere; [2464] ffor albe-it so þat þei be ȝoure frendes þere for schal ȝe nouht suffre þat þei serue ȝoue for nouht; [2465] bot ȝe auht þere after guerdon hem & payen hem here largesse [2466] ¶ And as toucheinge þe proporcion whiche þat þe phecisiens encresseden in þis caas. ¶ This is to seine [2467] þat in maladies is þat a contrarie is waressched be anoþer contrarie [2468] ¶ I. wolde faine k[n]owe howe ȝe vnderstode þilke text & what is ȝoure sentence [2469] ¶ Certes quod Millibeus .I. vnderstonde it in þis wise; [2470] Riht as þei haue done to me a contrarie. So scholde .I. do hem anoþere; [2471] ffor riht as þei haue venged hem vpon me & done me wronge; Riht so wil .I. venge me vpon hem

[6-text p 222] & done hem wronge; [2472] & þan haue .I. cured a contrary wiþ anoþer contrarie

[2473] ¶ Lo lo quod dame Prudence. howe lihtly is euery man enclined to his owen desire & to his plesance. [2474] Certes quod sche þe wordes of þe Phisiciens ne schold nouht be vnderstande in þat wise. [2475] ¶ ffor certes wykkednesse is not contrarie to wikkedenesse. ne ve[n]gaunce is nouht contrari to veng|aunce. ne wronge to wronge; [mais sont semblables [2476] Et pour ce, vengence par vengence, ne injure par injure n'est pas curé] [2477] bote euery of hem encreseþ & gregeþ oþere [2478] Bot certes þe wordes of phesiciens scholde be vnderstonde in þis wise; [2479] ffor goode & wykked|nesse bene tuo contraries; & pes & werre. venge|ance & suffrance. discord & accord. & mony oþere þinges [2480] ¶ Bot certes wikkednesse schal be warisched be goodenesse. discorde be acorde. werre. be pes. & so forþ & oþere þinges. [2481] ¶ And here to þe Apostel sein Paule in mony place; [2482] He seiþe ne ȝeldeþ nouht harm for harme ne wikked speche. [pour maudit] [2483] Bot do wele to hem þat done þe harme. & blesse hem þat seiþ to þe harme. [2484] ¶ And in monye oþere places he amonesteþ pees & accorde [2485] ¶ Bot now wil .I. speke of þe coun|sel whiche was yȝeue to ȝowe be men of lawe þe wyse folke & þe olde folke [2486] þat seiden al be one accorde as ȝe herde beforne. [2487] ¶ That ouer al þinges ȝe scholne do ȝoure diligence to kepe ȝoure persone & to warnyssche ȝoure hous [2488] ¶ And þei seiden also þat in þis caas ȝowe ouhten to wirchen ful aviselie & with grete deliberacione. [2489] ¶ And sir. as to þe first pointe þat toucheþ vn to þe kepeinge of ȝoure persone [2490] ¶ ȝe schul vnderstonde þat he þat haþe werre schal euermore deuoutly & mekely preyen befor al þinges [2491] þat ihesus crist of his merci wil

[6-text p 223] haue him in protectione & bien his souereigne helpeinge at his nede; [2492] ffor certes in þis werlde þere nys no wiht þat mai be counseld ne kepped sufficiantly with|outen þe kepeinge of oure lor[d] ihesu crist; [2493] To þis sentence accordeþ þe profet dauid þat seiþe. [2494] If god ne kepe þe Citee. in Idel wakeþ he þat it kepeþ [2495] ¶ Now sir þan scholne ȝe qwite þe kepeinge of ȝoure person to ȝoure trewe frendes þat bene aproued & yknowe; [2496] & of hem schol ȝe axen [folio 198a] helpe ȝoure persone for to kepe ¶ For Caton seiþe if þou hast nede of helpe ax it of þi frendes. [2497] For þere is none so good a fesicien as is þi trew frende [2498] ¶ And after þis schal ȝe kepe ȝowe frome al strange folke & fro lyers; And alweye haue in suspect here companye [2499] ¶ For Pers Alphon seiþe Ne take no company beþe were of a straunge man bot it so be þou haue knowe him of longer time; [2500] And if it so be þat he fal into þi compaigne per|aduenture wiþ-outen þine assent; [2501] enquere þan as sotelly as þou canste of his conuersacion & of his lif be-fore; & feyneinge þine weie seyinge þou woldest go þeder as þou woldest not go; [2502] If he bere a spere hold þe on þe riht side of him. & if he bere a swerde holde on þe left side of him. [2503] & þan schal ȝe kepe ȝowe wislye fro al suche manere of peple as .I. haue seide ȝowe here be-fore. & hem & here coun|sell eschewe. [2504] And after þis þan schal ȝe kepe ȝowe in suche manere [2505] þat for any presumpcion of ȝoure bodely strengeþ þat ȝe dispise nouht ne acompteþ nouȝt þe miht of ȝoure aduersarie so lit þat ȝe lette þe kepeinge of ȝoure person for ȝoure presumpcion. [2506] For euery wiseman dredeþ his enemye; [2507] ¶ And Salomon seiþe. welfull is he þat of al haþe drede [2508] For certes he þat haþ þoruhe hardenesse of his herte; and þoruhe þe hardinesse of him self haþ so grete presumpcion him schal yuel betide; [2509] And þan

[6-text p 224] schal ȝe euer more enconterewaite en-buschementez and al espyaile [2510] ¶ ffor as seiþe þe wiseman. . . . . [no gap.] [2511] he ne falleþ in no perile þat perilousnes escheweþ [2512] ¶ And al be it so þat þou seme þat þou be in secrete place ȝit schalt þou alweie done þi diligence in þe kepeinge of þi per|son; [2513] þis is to seie be nouht necligent to kepe þi person Nouht onely fro þi grettest enemye bot only fro þi leste enmye. [2514] Senec. seiþe. A man þat is wele a-vised he dredeþ his lest enemye; [2515] Ouide. seiþ. þat þe litel wesel wil sle þe grete bull & þe wilde hert. [2516] And þe prouerbe seiþe a litel þorne mai greue a kinge ful sore & a lite hunde wil holde þe wilde bore [2517] bot naþelesse .I. seie nouht þou schal nouht be so grete a cowarde þat þou doute where as is no drede [2518] ¶ The book seiþe: þat somme men haue grete lust to deceyue; Bot þei dred to be de|ceyued; [2519] [Après, tu te dois garder de venin] And kepe þe from þe company of scoreners; [2520] for þe boke seiþe þat scorners makeþ no company. bot fle here word as venum.

[2521] ¶ Nowe as to þe secunde point. þere as ȝoure counsellours consell ȝow to warnystor ȝoure houses with grete diligence.// [2522] I. wold fein knowe howe þat ȝe vnderstonde þilke wordes & what is ȝoure sentence

[2523] ¶ Millebeus ansewarde & seide; certes .I. vnder|stonde in þis wise þat .I. schal warnstore myne house wiþ toures suche as haþe casteles & oþere manere edifices; & armour & archers [2524] be whiche þinge. If .I. maie my person & my hous so kepe. & defende þat myne enemys schal be in drede my hous to aproche

[2525] ¶ To þis sentence anseward a-none dame Prudens warnyscheinge quod sche of hihe toures & of hihe edifices apparteined som time to pride; [2526] And eke men make hihe toures. [et les edifices a grant traueil et a grans

[6-text p 225] despens / Et quant elles sont faites elles ne valent rien se elles ne sont deffendues par saiges et par loyaulz amiz & grans missions [MS Reg. 19 C xi folio 58a:2] ] [2527] And vnderstand wele þat þe grettest & þe strangest garison þat a riche man maie haue. [folio 198b] As wele to kepen his person & his goodes is [2528] þat he be byloued wiþ his subiectes & wiþ his neiȝbours // [2529] ffor þus seiþ Tullius; Thet þere is a manere Garnyson þat man maie venquysschen ne discomfite And þat is [2530] a lord to be loued of his Citeȝeines And of his peple

[2531] ¶ Nowe sir as to þe þred pointe; Where as ȝoure olde & wise counsellours seiden; þat ȝow nouht not sodenly ne hastely proceden in þis nede; [2532] Bot þat ȝowe ouhten purveye & apparel ȝowe in þis caas; wiþ grete diligence & grete deliberacion; [2533] Trewly .I. trowe þat þei seiden riht wisly & riht soþe; [2534] ¶ ffor. Tullius; seiþe; In euery nede er þou be-ginne it; apparel þe with grete diligence. [2535] Than seie .I. þat in vengeance takeinge in werre. in Bataile & in warnestoringe. [2536] er þou beginne .I. reede þat þou appareile þe þere to; and do it wiþ gode deliberacion [2537] ¶ ffor Tullius seiþe; þe longe apparaileinge beforne þe Bataile Makeþ schort victorie. [2538] And Cassidorus seiþe; The garnyson is strongere whan it is longe time avisede.

[2539] ¶ Bot nowe lat vs speke of þe counsel þat was acorded be oure neihbours suche as done ȝowe reuerence wiþ-outen loue [2540] ȝoure olde enemyes recon|silede; ¶ Ȝoure flaterers [2541] þat counseiled ȝowe cer|teine þinges priuely; & openlye counseled ȝowe þe contrarie; [2542] ¶ The ȝonge folke also þat counseld ȝowe to do vengeance and to make werre anone; [2543] ¶ And certe sir as .I. haue seide be-forne ȝe haue gretly erred to haue cleped suche manere of folke to ȝoure counsell; [2544] wiche counsellours buene ynowhe repreuede be þe resons a-forne seide [2545] ¶ Bot naþeles late vs nowe descende to

[6-text p 226] þe speciale; ¶ Ȝe schollen first procede after þ^e doctrine. of Tullius. [2546] Certes þe treuþe of þis Matier eiþere of þis counsell nedeþ nouht diligently enquiren; [2547] For it is wele wist whiche þei bien; þat haue do ȝow þis trispas & velany; [2548] & howe many trespassours & in what manere þei haue done to ȝowe al þis wronge & all þis velanye [2549] ¶ And after þis; þan schal ȝe examyne þe secunde condicion; þe whiche þat Tullius haddeþ in þis matiere. [2550] ¶ For tullius. putteþ a þinge whiche att he clepeþ consentynge; þis is to seie; [2551] who buen þei & whiche buen þei & houe mony þat consenten to þi counsell in þi wilfulnes to done hasti vengeance; // [2552] And lat vs consider also who bien þei. & how mony bien þei [et quelz (MS Reg. 19 C xi, lf 58, col. 4)] þat þat consenten to ȝoure aduersaries [2553] ¶ And certes as to þe first pointe it is wele knowen whiche be þei þat consentine to ȝoure hastif wilful|nes; [2554] For treuly al þo þat counsel ȝoue to maken sodein werre ne bien nouȝt ȝoure frendes [2555] ¶ Lete se nowe whiche bien þei þat ȝe holde so gretely ȝoure frendes as to ȝoure person; [2556] For al be it so þat ȝe bene myhte & riche; certes ȝe bue bot alone. [2557] ffor certes ȝe haue no childe bot a douhtere; [2558] ne ȝe haue no breþern ne cosins germayns ne none oþere nyhe kinred; [2559] where-for ȝoure enmys scholden stint to plete wiþ ȝowe ne to destruyen ȝoure person; [2560] ¶ Ȝe knowen also þat ȝoure riches most be dispended in diuerse parties; [2561] And what þat euery whight [folio 199a] haþ his parte þei wolne tak litel rewarde to vengen þi deþ [2562] ¶ Bot þine enemys bien þre; & þei haue many childerne. breþern; cosins; & oþere nyhe kinrede [2563] ¶ And þouhe so were þat þou haddest sleine of hem tuo or þre; Ȝit dwellen þere y-nowe to awreken here deþe; & to sle þine persone [2564] & þeihe so be þat ȝoure kinred be more sikere & stedfast þan

[6-text p 227] þe kinrede of ȝoure aduersarie; [2565] ȝit neuer þe les ȝoure kinred is bot after kinrede þat bien bot litil sibbe to ȝowe [2566] ¶ And þe kine of ȝoure ennemys bue nyhe sibbe to hem; And certes as in þat her condicion is better þat is ȝoures [2567] ¶ Than latt vs consideren also of þe counsellinge of hem þat counseleden ȝow to taken sodein vengeance; weþere it accordeþ to reson or none; [2568] And certes ȝe knowen wele naye; [2569] ¶ For as be riht & reson þere maie no man take vengeance of no wyht bot þe Iuge þat haþe Iurdiction of it [2570] whan it is graunted him to take þilke vengeance hastelye or at|temperellye as þe lawe requireþ [2571] ¶ And ȝit more ouere of þilke worde þat Tullius clepeþ consentinge; [2572] þou schalt consent if þi myht & þi power maie consent; And sufficeþ to þi wilfulnesse & to þine counsellours; [2573] And certes þou maist wele seie þat naie; [2574] For sekerly as for to speken propurlye we maie do no þinge bot onely suche þinge as we may done rihtfully [2575] ¶ And certes rihtfully ne maie ȝe take no vengeance as of ȝoure propre Auctorite; [2576] ¶ þan maie ȝe seen þat ȝoue pouer ne consenteþ nouȝt ne accordeþ nouȝt wiþ ȝoure wilfulnesse. [2577] ¶ Nowe latte vs examyne þe þrede pointe þat tullius clepeþ þe consequent; [2578] ¶ þou schalt vnderstonde þat þe vengeance þat þou purposest for to take his conse|quent; [2579] And þer-for falleþ anoþere vegeance. Perill. werre. & oþere damage wiþ-outen nombre of whiche be nouht war as att þis time; [2580] And as toucheinge þe ferþe pointe; þat Tullius clepeþ en|genderinge [2581] ¶ Thou schalt consider þat þis wronge whiche þat is done to þe; is engenderd of þe hate of þine enmys; [2582] And of þe vengeance takeing; And vpon þat wolde engender anoþer vengance & muchel sorwe & wastinge of richesse as .I. seide ere

[2583] Now sir as toucheinge þe pointe þat tullius clepeþ causes. whiche. þat is þe last pointe. [2584] ¶ þou

[6-text p 228] schalt vnderstonde þat þe wronge þat þu hast receyued haþ certeine causes [2585] whiche þat clerkes clepen. Oriens & officiens & causa longinqua & causa propinqua. þis to seine þe ferre cause [et la proch|aine [2586] La longtaine est dieu qui est cause de toutes choses / [2587] La prochaine sont ces iij. ennemiz [2588] La cause (Reg. 19 C xi)] Accidentale. was hate. [2589] The causes Material bene þe .v. wondes of þine douhter; [2590] The cause formale is þe manere of here wercheinge þat brouht ledders And clomben in att þine wyndows. [2591] þe cause finale was for to sle þi douhter. It lakked nouht in as muche as in hem was [2592] ¶ Bot for to speken of þe ferre cause as to what ende þeie scholne come; or what schal be-tiden of hem in þis caas ne can .I. nouht deme bot be coniectinge & be supposeinge; [2593] ¶ For we scholne supp[os]e [que Ilz en vendront] to a wikked ende; [2594] Be cause þe booke of decrees seiþe ¶ Seldome or wiþ grete peine bene causes / [folio 199b] brouhte to an hende whan þei bene badly be-gonne.

[2595] ¶ Nowe sir if men axed me; whi þat ȝe suffer men to done ȝowe þis velanye; certes .I. can not wele ansewer as for no soþfastnesse [2596] ¶ For þe Apostele seiþe þat þe science & þe Iuggement of oure lorde god bene myhty & depe; [2597] þere maie no man comprehende ne serche ham sufficeantly; [2598] Nareþeles be serteine presumpciouns & coniettinges .I. holde & beleue [2599] þat god þat is ful of Iustice & rihtwisnes Haþ suffred þis be-tide be Iust cause resonable;

[2600] ¶ þi name is Melibe. þis is to seie a man þat drinkeþ honye; [2601] Thow hast ydronken so muche hony of þi swete temperal riches & delices & hon|ours of þis werlde [2602] þat þou art dronken; & hast forȝeten oure lorde ihesu criste þi creatour; [2603] þou hast noȝt done to him suche honour as þe ouhte; [2604] ne þou hast nouht wele take hede to

[6-text p 229] þe wordes of Ovide þat seide; [2605] vnder þe hony of þe goodes of þi bodi; is hidde þe venym þat sleþ þi soule; [2606] And Salomon seiþe; If þou hast found Hony; ete of it what sufficiþe; [2607] For if þou ete of it oute of mesure; Þou schalt spewe & be nedy & pouere; [2608] And peraduenture criste haþe in despite & haþ torne awaie fro þe his face; & his heres of Misericorde; [2609] And also he haþe suffred þat þou haste biene ypunysched in þe maner þat þou hast trespast [2610] ¶ Thou hast done sinne aȝeines oure lorde ihesu criste; [2611] for certes þe þre enemys of mankinde þat is to seie. þe flesche. þe fende. & þe werlde. [2612] Thou hast suffurde hem entre in to þine [soule] wilfully be þe windowes of þi bodye [2613] And hast nouht defended þe sufficiantly aȝeines here defautes & temptaciouns; So þat þei haue wounded þi soule in .v. place; [2614] þis is to seine. ¶ þe dedely sinnes þat biene entred in to þine hert be þi .v. wittes. [2615] And in þe same manere oure lorde ihesu crist; haþe suffred þat þine þree enemys be entrede in to þine house be þe windowes; [2616] And han wounde þi douhter in þe same manere;

[2617] ¶ Certes quod Mellibe .I. see þat ȝe en|force ȝowe mechel be wordes to ouer-come me. In suche manere þat schal nouȝt avenge me of myne enmye [2618] scheweinge me þe perils & þe yueles þat myhten fal of þis vengeance [2619] ¶ Bot [who]so wolde consider in al vengeance þe perils & þe yuels þat miht sewe of vengancez takeinge [2620] a man wold neuere take veniance; And þat were harme; [2621] for be þe venge|ance takeinge buen þe wikked men deseuerd fro þe good men; [2622] ¶ And þo þat han wil to done wikked|nesse; restreyne here wikked purpos; Whan þei seen þe punyssheinge and þe chastesinge of trespassours

[2623] [And to this answered dame Prudence: 'Certes,' said she, 'I grant you that from vengeance come many

[6-text p 230] benefits as well as many evils; [2624] yet vengeance be|longeth not to "a singulere person," but only to the judges, and to those who have jurisdiction over evil-doers.'] [2625] ¶ An ȝite saie .I. more; þat riht as a singulere person sinneþe In takeinge vengeance of anoþer manne. [2626] Riht so sinneþ þe Iugge if he take no vengeance of hem þat hit haue deseruede; [2627] ffor Senec seiþe. That maistere is good þat reproueþ schrewes; [2628] And as Cassidorye seiþe A man dredeþ to done outrages whan he wote & knoeþ þat it displese þe Iuge & þe souereyngnes; [2629] ¶ And anoþere. The Iuge þat dredeþ to done riht Makeþ schrewes. [2630] And seinte Poule þe Appostle seiþe in his epistle whan he writeþ vn-to þe Romayns; That þe Iuge beren nouht þe spere wiþ-owten cause [2631] bot þei beren it to punysshen þe schrewes & þe mysdoers & to [folio 200a] defende þe goode men; [2632] If ȝe wilne þan take vengeance of ȝoure enemys ȝe schol retourne or haue ȝoure recours to þe Iuge þat haþ þe Iurdiccioun vpon hem. [2633] & he schal punysshe hem as þe lawe axeþ & requireþ;

[2634] ¶ A quod Mellibe; þis vengeance lykeþ me no þinge; [2635] I be-þinke me nowe howe fortone haþe norisched me fro my childhode And haþ holpen me to passe mony a strange place; [2636] Now .I. will assayene here troweinge wiþ goddes grace & helpe þat ȝe schal helpe me my schame for to venge

[2637] ¶ Certes quod prudence if ȝe wolne wirche be my counseil; ȝe schol nouht assaye fortune be no weye [2638] ¶ Ne ȝe schol nouht lene or borwe vnto here after þe worde of Senec. [2639] For þinges þat bene folylye done & þat biene in hope of fortune schal neuer come a good ende [2640] And as þe same Senec seiþe; The more clere & þe more and þe more schineinge þat fortune is; þe more brutel & þe sonner ybroke sche is; [2641] Tristeþ nouht in hire for sche is neyþere stedfast ne stable; [2642] ¶ For whan þou trowest to be most sekere or sure of hire

[6-text p 231] helpe; Sche wil Faile þe & deceyve þe; [2643] ¶ And where as ȝe seine þat fortone haþ norissched ȝow fro ȝoure child-hode; [2644] I. saie ȝoue þat in so muche schal ȝe þe lasse trust in hire & in hire witte; [2645] ¶ For Senec seiþe. þat what man is norisched be fortune sche makeþ him a grete foole; [2646] ¶ Nowe seþen ȝe desire & axen vengeance; And þe vengeance þat is done after þe lawe & be-forne þe Iuge ne likeþ ȝowe nouȝt; [2647] And vengeance þat is done in hope of forton is peril|ous & vncerteine; [2648] Than haue ȝe none oþer remedye; bot for to haue ȝoure recours vnto þe souereyne Iuge þat vengeþ al velanyes & wronges [2649] And he schal venge ȝoue after þat þi self witnesseþ; . . . . [no gap] [2650] Leueþ þe vengeance to me & .I. schal done it;

[2651] Mellibe anseward; I. ne venge me nouht of þe wronge þat men han done to me [2652] .I. schal somne or werne hem þat haue done þis velany to me And al oþere to done me anoþere velanye [2653] ¶ For it is wreten if þou take no vengeance of an olde velanye; þou somp|nest þine aduersarie to done þe a newe velanye; [2654] [Et ainsi par mon serement en souffrant len me fera tant de villenie de toutes pars (Reg. 19 C xi, lf 60, col. 2)] þat .I. myht neyþe ber it ne susteinge; [2655] And. so schold .I. be oueresett And halden ouere lowe; [2656] For men seine in muchel suffringe schold mony þinges falle. vn-to þe whiche .I. schal nouht suffre

[2657] ¶ Certes quod prudence .I. graunte þat ouer muchel suffrance is nouht good; [2658] ¶ Bot ȝit ne fouloweþ it nouȝt þere-of; þat euery person to whom men doone velanye take of hit vengeance; [2659] For þat appar|teneþ & longeþ al only to þe Iuge. For þei schal vengen þe vilenys & þe inIuryes [2660] And þerfore þo tuo Auctoritees þat ȝe haue seide aboue ben only vnderstonden in þe Iugges [2661] ¶ For whan þei suffren ouere mechel þe wronges & velanys be done

[6-text p 232] with-owten punyschinge; [2662] þei sompne not a man onely for to do newe wronges; bot þe commaunde it [2663] ¶ Also a wise man seiþe; þat þe Iuge þat cor|recteþ nouht þe sinner; commandeþe & biddeþ him to do sinne [2664] ¶ And þe souereignes & þe Iuges myhten in her londe so muche suffure of þe schrewees & þe mysdoers; [2665] þat þei scholden be [folio 200b] suffrance be processe of time wexen of suche powere & myht; þat þei scholde put oute þe Iuges & þe souereignes fro here places; [2666] & att þe last maken hem lesen here lordeschippes;

[2667] Bot lat vs nowe put þat ȝe haue leue to vengen ȝowe; [2668] If ȝe be nouht of myht & powere as nowe to vengen ȝowe; [2669] ¶ For if ȝe willen maake comparison vn-to þe myht of ȝoure aduersaries; ye scholne finde in many þinges þat .I. haue schewde ȝowe aforne þis; þat here condicion is better þan ȝoures; [2670] ¶ And þerefore seie .I. þat it is good as nowe þat ȝe suffre & be pacient

[2671] ¶ Forþere more ȝe knowe. þat after þe comune sawe it is a wodenesse a man to striue aȝeines a stronger oþere a more myhty man þan him self [2672] ¶ And for striue wiþ a man of euen strenkeþ; þat is to seie wiþ a strange man as he is it is a perile. [2673] And for to striue wiþ a weyker man it is foly; [2674] And þer-for scholde a man flyȝe striueinge as muche as he miht; [2675] as Salomon seiþe; It is a grete worschipe a man to kepe him fro noyse & strif [2676] ¶ And if it so be-falle or happe þat a man of gretter myht & strengeþ þan þou ert do þe greuance [2677] Stodye & besye þe raþere to stille þe same greuance þan for to venge þe [2678] For Senec seiþe. þat he putteþ him in grete perile þat striveþ wiþ a gretter man þan he him self is [2679] ¶ And Caton seiþe if a man of hiher astate or degre or more myhte þan þou do þe anoye or greuance suffre hime. [2680] For he þat ones haþe greued þe

[6-text p 233] maie a-noþere time releue þe & helpe þe; [2681] ¶ Ȝitt sett .I. caas þat ȝe haue boþ myht & licence to venge ȝowe; [2682] I. seie þat þere bue mony þinges þat schold reteyne ȝowe. of vengeance takeinge [2683] And maake ȝow for to encline & for to suffre And for to haue paciens in þe wronges þat han be done to ȝowe; [2684] first & forwarde yf ȝe wolne considere þe defautes þat bene in ȝoure owen person; [2685] ffor whiche defautes god haþ suffred ȝowe to haue þis tribulacione as .I. haue seide ȝowe here before; [2686] ffor þe poet seiþe; That we ouhten pacientlye take þe tribu|lacions þat comeþ to vs whan we þinken & consideren þat we haue deserued to haue hem. [2687] ¶ And seint Gregorie seiþ whan a man considereþ wele þe nombre of his defautes & of his sinnes [2688] þe peynes & þe tribulacions þat he suffreþ semen þe lasse vn-to hime [2689] ¶ And alsomuche as him þink|eþ his sinnes þe more heuy & greuous. [2690] In so muche semeþ his peine. þe lihter & þe esier vn-to him; [2691] ¶ Also ȝe owen to enclyne & to bowen ȝoure herte to taken þe pacience of oure [lord] ihesu crist. As seiþe seint Peter in his Epistles; [2692] ¶ Ihesu crist he seiþ haþe suffred for vs & ȝeuen ensample vn-to euery man for to folowe & to sewe him; [2693] ffor he dide neuer sinne. ne neuere ne came a veleyns worde out of his mouþe; [2694] ¶ Whan men cursed him · he cursed hem nouht. And whan men betene him he manessed hem nouht [2695] ¶ Also þe grete paciens whiche þe seintez þat bien in paradise haue hadde in tribulacions þat þei haue sufferd wiþ-outen her desert or gilt [2696] ouht muche to stire. [folio 201a] Ȝowe to pacience; [2697] [Aprez moult te dois encliner a pacience ce [Reg. 19 C xi folio 60b:2] ] [2698] consideringe þat þe tribulacions of þis werlde bot litel while endureþ; & sone passed biene & gone; [2699] And þe Ioye þat man sekeþ to haue by pacience in tribulacione is perdurable After þat þe

[6-text p 234] Apostele seiþe in þis epistle [2700] ¶ The Ioye of god he seiþe is perdurable þat is to seie euer lasteinge /;/ [2701] Also troweþ & beleueþ stedfastlye þat is nouht wele y-norisched ne wele y-tauht þat can nouht haue pacience. . . . . [no gap] [2702] ¶ For Salomon. seiþe; þat þe doctrine of þe witte of man it knowen be pacience; [2703] And in anoþere place he seiþe. He þat is pacient gouerneþ him be grete prudence; [2704] And ȝut Salomon seiþe. þe Angry & þe wuþful man makeþ noys; and þe pacient man attempreþ him & stille him [2705] ¶ He seiþe also it is more worþe to be riht pacient þat to be riht stronge; [2706] And he þat may haue þe lorschip of his owen hert is more to preise; þan he þat be his force & strengeþ takeþ grete Citees [2707] ¶ And þerfor seiþ seint Iame in his apistle þat pacience is a grete vertue of perfeccione.

[2708] ¶ Certes quod Mellibe .I. graunte ȝowe dame prudence. þat pacience is a grete vertue of Perfeccione. [2709] Bot euery man maie not haue þe perfeccion þat ȝe sechen [2710] ¶ Ne .I. ne am not of þe nombre of riht per|fite me[n]. [2711] ffor myne herte may neuer bue in pees vnto þe time it be venged .// [2712] And al be it so þat it was grete perile to myne enemys to done a velany in takeinge vengeance vpon me. [2713] ȝit token þei none hede of þe perile bot fulfilden here wikked wil & here corage [2714] ¶ And þere-fore me þenkeþ þat men ouht not to reproue me þeihe .I. putte me in-to a litel perile for to avenge me; [2715] And þouhe .I. do a grete excesse; þat is to saie; þat .I. do a vengeance outrage be a-noþer;

[2716] ¶ A quod Dame prudence ȝe seyne ȝoure wil & as ȝoue likeþ [2717] ¶ Bot in no caas of þe werlde a man schold nouht done outrage ne excesse for to avengen him [2718] ¶ For Cassidori seiþe; That as yuel doþe he þat avengeþ him be outrage; As he þat doþe þe

[6-text p 235] outrage; [2719] And þere-fore ȝe schollen venge ȝow after þe order of riht; þat is to seine be þe lawe; nouht be excesse ne be outrage; [2720] Also If ȝe wil venge ȝow of þe outrage of ȝoure aduersaries in oþere manere þan riht commandeþ ȝe synnen; [2721] ¶ Therefore seiþe Senec That a man schal neuere venge schrewnesse by schrewdnesse; [2722] a[n]d if he seie þat riht axeþ to defende violence be violence; An feihtinge be feyhtinge; [2723] Certes ȝe seie soþe whan þe defence is done riht anone wiþ-outen interualle or with-owten tarynge or delaye [2724] for to defenden him & nouht for to vengen him; [2725] And it be-houeþ þat a man putte suche temperance in his defense [2726] þat men haue no cause ne Matire to reproue him þat defendeþ him of excesse & outrage. [Car au|trement Ce seroit contre droit et contre raison (Reg. 19 C xi)] [2727] ¶ Parde ȝe wote wele þat ȝe maake no defense as nowe for to defende ȝowe. bot for to venge ȝowe [2728] ¶ And so seweþ it þat ȝe haue no wil to ȝoure dede attemperally; [2729] And þere-for me þinkeþ þat pacience is goode ¶ For Salomon seiþe; he þat is nouht pa [folio 201b] cient schal haue grete harme

[2730] ¶ Certes quod Mellibe .I. graunt wele þat whan a man is vnpacient & wroþe of þat þat toucheþ him nouht & þat at apperteigneþ nouht to him; þouht it harme him it is no wondere [2731] for þe lawe seiþe; he þat is coupable; þat entre-meteþ him or medeleþ him wiþ suche þinges as perteigneþ nouht to him; [2732] ¶ And Salomon seiþe. That he þat entermeteþ him of þe noyse & þe strif of a-noþere man is like to hime þat takeþ an hunde be þe eres; [2733] ffor riht as he þat take a strange honde be þe eres is oþere while beten wiþ þe honde; [2734] riht in þe same wise it þe resoun þat he haue harme. þat by his inpacience medeleþ him of þe noyce of anoþere man; wher as it apperteineþ nouht vnto him [2735] ¶ Bot ȝe knowen wele þat þis dede; þat

[6-text p 236] is to seie my greue & my disese toucheþ me riht nyhe. [2736] ¶ And þere-for þeih .I. be wroþe & im|pacient; it is no merveile [2737] ¶ And saueinge ȝoure grace .I. can nouȝt see þat it myht gretly harme þeih. .I. take vengeance [2738] ffor .I. am more Richer & myhte þan myne enemys biene [2739] ¶ And wele knowe ȝe þat be mony & he haueinge grete posses|sions bien al þinge of þis werld gouernede; [2740] And Salomon seiþ All þinges obeyne to money;

[2741] ¶ Whan prudence had herd hir husbonde to avaunten him of his riches & of his monye; & dispreyse|inge of þe pouer of his aduersaries; Sche spak & seide on þis wise [2742] [Certes treschier sires] .I. graunte þat ȝe be riht riche & myhty; [2743] & þat þe risches bien goode to hem þat haue wele geten hem. & þat wele can vsen hem [2744] ¶ For riht as þe body of man maie noȝt leue withouten soule; ne more may it leue wiþ-outen temperale godes [2745] ¶ And be rich|es may a man geten him grace; [2746] ¶ And þer-for seiþe Pamphilles; If any goddes douhter he seiþe be riche; sche maie chese he seiþe of a þousand men. [lequel quelle veult pour mary [2747] Et de mil [MS Reg. 19 C xi folio 61b:1] ] one wil not for-saken hur ne refuysen hire. [2748] ¶ And þis Pamphiles seiþe al so if þou be riht happe; þat is to seie if þou be riht riche þou schalt finde a grete nombre of frendes & felawes [2749] ¶ And if þi fortun chauncheþ þat if þou wex pore; ffare wele frenchipp & phelauschipe; [2750] ffor þou schalt be alone wiþ-outen any company. bot if be þe compaigne of good folke [2751] ¶ And ȝitte seiþe þis Pamphiles more ouere; þat þei þat bien þralle & bonde of lignage scholne be maade worþe & noble be richesse; [2752] And riht so as be ryches þere comen mony godes; Riht so be pouert comeþ mony harmes & yuels; [2753] ffor grete pouerte con|streyneþ

[6-text p 237] a man to done mony yuels [2754] ¶ And þere|for clepeþ Cassidor. pouert. þe moder of ruyen. [2755] þat is to seie þe moder of ouere þroweinge. or fallinge doune. [2756] And þerfor seiþ Pers Alphons. One of þe grettest aduersarie of þis werlde is; [2757] whan a fre be kinde or of birþe is constreyned be pouert to eten þe almes of his enemye; [2758] ¶ And þe same seiþ. Innocent In one of his bokes seiþ þat þe sorwe [folio 202a] Ful & þe mys happe is þe condicion of a pouer beggere. [2759] ffor if He axeþ nouht his mete he deyeþ for hungere; [2760] And if he ax he deyeþ for schame; And algates necessite constreineþ him to axe. [2761] And þer-for seiþ Salomon; þat better is to deie þan to haue suche pouert; [2762] ȝut seiþ Salo|mon; þat better is to deie of bitter deþe þan for to leue in suche wise; [2763] Be þes resouns þat .I. haue seide vnto ȝowe; and be mony oþere resons þat .I couþe sei; [2764] I graunt ȝowe wele þat riches bene good to hem þat geten hem wele; & to hem þat wele vsen hem. [2765] And þer-fore wil .I. schewe ȝowe howe ȝe schall haue ȝowe; [en amassant les richesses et en vsant de celles (MS Reg. 19 C xi, lf 61, back, col. 2.)]

2766] ¶ First ȝe schol geten hem with-oute grete desire be goode leyser so-keingly & nouht ouere Hastely; [2767] ffor a man þat is to desireinge to gette riches; aboundeneþ him first to þeft; & to all oþere yuels; [2768] And þere-fore seiþ Salomon. He þat hasteþ him ouere besilye to wax riche schal be none Innocent; [2769] He seiþe also þat þe richesse þat hastely commeþ to a man. Sone & lyhtly goþe & passeþ fro a man; [2770] ¶ But þat richesse þat commeþ litell & lytel wexiþ alweie & multiplieþ; [2771] ¶ And sire ȝe schal gete richesse ynouhe be ȝowre witte & be ȝoure trauaile vnto ȝoure profite [2772] And þat wiþ-owten wronge or harme; doinge to any oþere person; [2773] ¶ For þe lawe

[6-text p 238] seiþe þere makeþ no man him self riche if he do harme to anoþere wyght; [2774] [Car la loy dit que droit et nature deffent que nulz ne se face riche au dommaige dautruy (MS Reg. 19 C xi, lf 62, col. 1)] [2775] ¶ And Tullius seiþe þat no sorwe ne no drede of deþe ne no þinge þat maie fall to a man [2776] is so muche aȝeines nature; As a man to encrese his owen profite to þe harme of anoþere man; [2777] And þouhe þe grete men & þe riche men geten richesse More lihtly þan þou; [2778] ȝit schalt þou nouht bien ydel ne slowe to done þi profitt; ffor þou schalt in al wise fliȝe ydelnesse; [2779] ¶ For Salomon. seiþe þat Idelnesse techeþ a man to done many yuels; [2780] And eke he seiþ þat he þat trauaileþ & bysiþ him to tilien his londe schal eten brede [2781] Bot þat is Idel & casteþ him nouht to do no besines ne occupacioun schal fall in-to pouert & deye for hunger; [2782] And he þat is ydel & slowhe ne can neuer finde couenable time For to done his profite [2783] ¶ For þere is a versifiour þat seiþe þe ydel man excuseþ him in winter because of þe grete colde; and in somer be cause of þe grete hete; [2784] ffor þes causez seiþe Caton; Wakeþ & enclyneþ ȝow nouȝt ouere mechel for to slepe For ouere muche rust causeþ & norischeþ mony vices [2785] ¶ And þerefore seiþe seinte Ierome Doþe some goode dedes þat þe deuel whiche is oure enmye ne finde ȝowe vn-occupied; [2786] ¶ For þe deuel ne takeþ nouȝt lihtly vn-to his worche|inge suche as he findeþ yoccupied in good werkes;

[2787] ¶ Than þus in geteinge riches ȝe mot fliȝe ydelnesse; [2788] & afterward ȝe scholne vse þe richesse þe whiche ȝe haue getten be ȝoure witte & be ȝoure trauayle [2789] In suche a maner þat men halden ȝowe nouht scarce ne to spareinge ne to foole large; þat is to seie ouere large a spender; [2790] For riht as men blam an auarous man be cause of his scarste; & þinkeinge [2791] in same wise; he is to blame

[6-text p 239] þat spendeþ ouer largely. [2792] [folio 202b] ¶ An þer-for seyþe catōn; Vse þe richesse þat þou hast goten [2793] in suche maner þat men haue no matier ne cause to clepe þe wreche ne chinche [2794] For it is grete schame to a man to haue a pouer hert & a riche purce [2795] ¶ He seiþe also þe goodes þat þou haste goten vse hem be Mesure; þat is to seine spend mesurablye; [2796] for þei þat folely wasten & dispenden þe goodes þat þei haue [2797] whan þei haue no more propre of hire owen; þei schapen hem to tak þe goodes of a-noþere man; [2798] I seie þan þat he schal ffle auarice [2799] vseinge ȝoure riches in suche manere þat men seie nouht þat ȝoure richesse bue ybered; [2800] Bot þat ȝe haue hem in ȝoure miht & in ȝoure weldeinge [2801] ¶ ffor a wiseman reproueþ þe auerouce man; And seiþe þus in in tuo vers; [2802] Wher-to & Whi beriþ a man his goodes be his auarice And knoweþe wele þat nedes most he deye; [2803] ffor [deþ] is þe ende offe euery man as in þis present lif; [2804] and for þat cause & enchesoune Ioyneþ he him or knytteþ he him so fast vn-to his goodes; [2805] þat al his wittes mowe nouht deseuern him or departe him fro his goodes; [2806] And knoweþe wele or ouht to knowe þat whan he is dede he schal not bere it oute of þe werlde wiþ him; [2807] And þere-for seiþ sein Austine þat þe Auerouce man is likkened vn-to hell; [2808] þat þe more it desireþ; þe more it sweloweþ & deuoureþ; [2809] ¶ And also wele as ȝe wolde eschewe to ben ycleped an averous man or a chinche [2810] As wele scholde ȝe gouerne ȝowe & kepe ȝowe in suche a wise þat men clepe ȝow nouht to large [2811] ¶ þer-fore Tullius seiþe; The goodes he seiþe of þine house scholde not be hidde ne kepped in close bot þat þei myht ben opende wiþ pite. & wiþ debonarte; [2812] ¶ þat is to sei ȝef hem parte þat haþ grete nede [2813]

[6-text p 240] Ne þi goodes schal nouȝt be so open to ben euery mannes goodes. [2814] Afterwarde in geteinge of ȝoure richesse & in vseinge hem ȝe scholne alweie haue þrei þinges in ȝoure herte; [2815] [Cest assauoir dieu conscience et bonne fame [2816] Tu dois donques auoir dieu eu ton ceur (MS Reg. 19 C xi, lf 62, bk, col. 1)] [2817] And for no richesse ȝe scholne do no þinge þat maie displesaunce to god [ton createur] [2818] ¶ For after þe worde of Salomon. It is better to haue a litel goode wiþ þe loue of god; [2819] þan to haue muche goode & tresor & lese þe loue of his lorde god; [2820] And þe prophit seiþe; þat better it is to be a good man & haue litel goode & tresour; [2821] þan to be holden a schrewe & to haue grete richesse [2822] ¶ Ȝit seye .I. forþer more; þat ȝe scal done ȝoure bisines to geten ȝowe rechesse [2823] so þat ȝe geten hem wiþ good conscience [2824] ¶ And þe Apostle seiþe þat þere is no þinge in þis werlde of whiche we scholne haue so grete Ioye as when oure concience bereþ vs good wittenesse; [2825] And þe wise man seiþe; The substance of a man is ful good whan sinne is nouht in mannes conscience; [2826] ¶ Afterwarde in gettinge of ȝoure richesse; And in vsinge of hem [2827] ȝow must haue grete besinesse & grete diligence þat ȝoure good name be al weie kepped & conserued [2828] ¶ For Salo|mon seiþe; þat better it is & more aveileþ a man to haue goode name þan to haue grete richesse; [2829] And [folio 203a] þerfore he seiþe in anoþere place; Doþ grete diligence seiþe Salomon; in kepeinge of þi frende & of þi goode name [2830] for it schal longer abide wiþ þe [þan] any tresor be it neuere so precious; [2831] And certes he scholde not be cleped a gentil man þat after god & good conscience al þinges left þat ne doþe his besines ne diligence to kepen his goode name [2832] ¶ And Cassidorie seiþe þat it is signe of a goode hert whan a man loueþ & desireþ to haue a goode name;

[6-text p 241] [2833] An þerfore seiþ seiþ seint Austine þat þere beene tuo þinges þat bien necessarie & nedefull. [2834] And þat is good conscience [2835] to þine owen person inwarde; & good loos of þin neihbour outewarde [2836] And he þat trustuþ him so muchel in his goode conscience [2837] þat he dispiseþ his good name or loos and rekkeþ nouȝt to kepe his goode name; nys bot a cruel cherlle

[2838] ¶ Sire nowe haue .I. schewde ȝow howe ȝe schol done in geteinge of richesse & howe ȝe scholne vsen hem; [2839] And .I. se wele þat for þe trust þat ye haue in rechesse ȝe wol men Bataile & werre; [2840] ¶ I counsell ȝowe þat ȝe be-gynne no werre in trust of ȝoure richesse. For þei sufficen nouht werres to main|tene [2841] ¶ And þerfore seiþ a Philosofre That a man desireþ & wil algates haue werre: schal neuer haue sufficeance. [2842] For þe richer þat he is þe gretter dispence mote he make; If he will haue wor|schippe & victorie; [2843] And Salomon seiþe; þat þe gretter richesse þat a man haþe; þe more despendoures he haþe; [2844] ¶ And dere sir al be it so; þat for ȝoure richesse ȝe mai haue muche folke; [2845] ȝutte behoueþ it nouht ne it is nouȝt goode to beginne werre; where as ȝe maie in oþere manere haue pees vnto ȝoure worschip & prophite; [2846] For þe victories of batailles þat bien in þis werlde lyþe nouȝt in grete nombre of multitude of peple in þe vertue of man. [2847] Bot it liþe in þe will & in þe hande of oure lorde ihesu crist; [2848] ¶ And þere-fore Iudas Machabeus whiche was goddes knyht; [2849] Whan he schold feyhten aȝeines his aduersaries þat hadd a gretter nombre; & a gretter mul|titude of folke; & stronger þan was þe peple of Macha|be; [2850] ȝit he comford his litel compaigne & seide riht in þis wise; [2851] ¶ As lihtly quod he may oure lorde god almyhty ȝeue victori to fewe folke;

[6-text p 242] as to mony folke [2852] ffor þe victorie of Bataile commeþ nouht be grete nombre of peple; [2853] Bot it commeþ fro oure lorde of heuen; [2854] And dere sire for also muchel as þere is noman certeine; if it be worþi þat god ȝif him victorie [neant plus se Il est certain se Il est digne de lamour de dieu] or nouȝt; After þat Salomon seiþ; [2855] Therfor euery man schold gretely drede werres to be-ginne [2856] ¶ And be-cause þat in Batailes scholne fallen mony periles; [2857] And happeþe oþere while; þat as sone is þe grete man sleyne; as þe lytel man; [2858] ¶ And as it [is] wreten in þe secunde boke of kinges; The dedes of Bataile been aduenterous & vncertein; [2859] ffor as lyhtly as one is hurte wiþ a spere [folio 203b] as a-noþer; [2860] And þere-fore it is grete perile in werre ¶ Ther-fore scholde men flee & eschewe werre in as muchel as a man maie goodly; [2861] ¶ For Salomon seiþe he þat loueþ perile; schal fal in perile

[2862] ¶ After þat dame Prudence had spoken in þis manere Mellibe anseward & seide; [2863] ¶ I. see wele dame Prudence þat be ȝowre faire wordes & be ȝoure resouns þat [vous mettez auant que] þe werre likeþ ȝow no þinge; [2864] Bot .I. haue nouht ȝit herde ȝoure wise counsele how .I. schal do in þis nede;

[2865] ¶ Certes quod sche .I. counseile ȝowe to accorde with ȝoure aduersaries & þat ȝe haue pees wiþ hem; [2866] ¶ For [Seneques,, MS Reg. 19 C xi, lf 63, col. 2] seinte Iames seiþe [en ses epistre] þat be concorde & pees þat smale Richesse waxen grete [2867] And be debate & discorde grete riches fallen doune; [2868] And ȝe knowen þat of þe grettest & most souereine þinge þat is in þis werlde is vnite & pees; [2869] ¶ And þerfore seide oure lorde ihesu crist to his Apostles in þis wise [2870] ¶ Wel happy & blissed be þei þat louen & purchasen pees; For þei bien cleped þe childerne of god; [2871] ¶ A quod Mellibe; Nowe .I. se wele ȝe loue nouht my honour ne my worschippe. [2872] Ȝe knowen wele þat myne

[6-text p 243] aduersaries haue begon þis debate. [et la brigue par leur oultraige] [2873] And ȝe seen wele þat þei neuer queren ne preyne me nouht of pees; ne þei axe me nouht to be recon|siled; [2874] Wil ȝe þan þat .I. go meke me & obeye me to hem & crye hem Mercye; [2875] ffor soþe þat were not my worschipe; [2876] ffor riht as men seine þat ouer grete humblesse engenderþ despisinge. So fareþe it be to grete humilite & mekenesse

[2877] ¶ Þan by-gan dam prudence to make sem|blante of wraþþe; & seide [2878] certes sire saue ȝoure grace; I loue ȝoure honour & ȝoure profite as .I. do myn owen. & euer haue done [2879] ne ȝe ne none oþere sawe neuer þe contrarye; [2880] ¶ And. ȝit if .I. hadde seide ȝe scholde haue purchased þe pees & þe reconsiliacion; I. hadde nouht mechel mestaken me ne .I. saide amys; [2881] ffor þe wise man seiþe. The dis|cencion be-ginneþ be anoþere man; & þe reconsileinge be-ginneþ be þi self [2882] ¶ An þe profet seiþe; fflye schrewdenesse & do goodnesse; [2883] Seche pees & folowe it in al so muche as in þe is; [2884] Ȝit seiþ he nouht ȝe schollen þe raþer pursewe to ȝoure aduersarie þan þei schollen to ȝowe [2885] ¶ for .I. knowe wele ȝe bene so harde y-herted þat ȝe wil do no þinge for me. [2886] ¶ And Salomon. seiþe; þat he þat haþe ouer harde an hert; atte þe last he schal myshapp & mystide;

[2887] Whan Mellibe had herde dame produce maake semblant of wraþþe he seide in þis wise. [2888] Dame .I. preie ȝowe þat ȝe be nouht displesed of þinges þat .I. seie ȝowe [2889] ¶ For ȝe knowe wele þat .I. [am] angry & wroþe & þat is no wonder [2890] And þo þat been wroþe weten nouht wele what þei done; ne what þei seine; [2891] Where-fore þe prophete seiþe; þat troubled eyen haue none clere siht [2892] Bot sitteþe & counseleþ me riht as ȝe list; For; I am redy to done riht as ȝe wol desire [2893] ¶ And if ȝe reproue me of my folye .I. am more holden to loue ȝowe & to preise

[6-text p 244] ȝowe. [2894] For Salomon seiþe he þat reproueþ him þat doþ folye [2895] he schal finde gretter grace þan he þat disceyueþ him be wordes.

[2896] Than seide dame Prudence .I. make no sembland of wraþþe ne of anger bot for ȝoure owen profit. [2897] For Salomon seiþe [folio 204a] ¶ He is more worþe þat re|proueþ or chideþ a foole for his foly scheweinge him semblant of wraþþe; [2898] þan he þat supporteþ him & preiseþ him in his mys-doinge & lauheþ att his folye [2899] ¶ And þis salomon seiþ affterwarde; þat by þe sorweful visage of man; þat is to seye; be þe sory & þe heuy countenance of a man [2900] þe foole correcteþ & amende him selfe

[2901] ¶ Than seide Mellibe; ¶ I schal nouht kon An|sewere vn-to so mony resons as ȝe putteþ to me & scheweþ; [2902] seiþe schortly ȝoure will & ȝoure con|seile And .I. am redy . to ffulfille & performe

[2903] ¶ Than Dame Prudence discouerd all hire will vn-to him & seide; [2904] I counsel ȝowe quod sche abouen all þinge; þat ȝe maken pes be-twene god & ȝowe; [2905] & beþe reconsilede vn-to him & to his grace [2906] For as .I. haue seide ȝowe here be-forne; God haþe suffred ȝowe to haue þis tribulacione & disese . for ȝoure sinnes; [2907] And if ȝe done as .I. seie ȝowe god will sende ȝowre aduersaries vnto ȝowe; [2908] & maaken hem to fallen att ȝoure fete rede to done ȝoure will & youre com|mandement [2909] ¶ For Salomon seiþe whan þe con|dicione is plesant & likeande vnto god; [2910] He chaungeþ þe hertes of mannes aduersaries; & con|streyneþ hem to besechen him of pees & of grace; [2911] & .I. praye ȝowe lete me speke wiþ ȝoure aduersaries in priue place; [2912] for þei schol not knowe þat it be ȝoure will or ȝoure assent; [2913] And þan whan .I. knowe her wil and here assent; I. may counsel ȝoue more surely;

[2914] ¶ Dame quod Mellibe; doþe ȝoure will &

[6-text p 245] ȝoure likeinge . [2915] For .I. putte me holy in ȝoure disposicione & ordinance.

[2916] ¶ Than dame prudence whan sche sawe þe good wil of of hire husbonde; Sche delyuerly toke a-vise in her self [2917] þinkinge howe sche myht bringe þis neede vnto a good conclusione & to a good ende; [2918] And whan sche sawe hire time; sche sente for þe aduersaries to come to hire into A priue place; [2919] And schewde wisely vnto hem þe grete goodenesse þat commeþ of Pees; [2920] And þe grete harmes & perils þat bene in werre; [2921] And seiden to hem in goodely manere howe þat hem auȝten to haue grete re|pentance [2922] of þe iniury & þe wronge þat þei hadden done to Mellibe here lorde an vnto hire & vnto hire douhtere;

[2923] And whan þei herden þe good wordes of dame prudence; [2924] þei weren so supprised & rauysshed & hadden so grete Ioye of hire þat wonder was to tell; [2925] ¶ A lady quod þei ȝe haue schewde vn-to vs þe blisse of swettnesse after þe sawe of dauid þe profette; [2926] For þe reconsileinge whiche þat we ne be not worþi to haue in no manere; [2927] ¶ Bot we ouhten to require it wiþe grete contricione & humilite; [2928] ȝe of ȝoure grete goodnesse haue presented vnto vs; [2929] ¶ Nowe see we wele þat þe conscience & þe conynge of Salomon is ful trewe . [2930] For he seiþe þat swette wordes multiplien & encresen frendes; And maken schrewes to be debonaire & meke;

[2931] ¶ Certe quod þei we putte oure dede & al oure matier & cause & holy in-to ȝowre good wille; [2932] & bene redy to obeye to þe speche of þe commande|ment of my lorde Mellebe; [2933] ¶ And þerfore dere & benyngne lady; we preyne ȝowe & be-sechen ȝowe as we kon & mowen [2934] þat [folio 204b] þat it like vn-to ȝoure grete goodnesse to ful-fille in dede ȝoure goode wordes [2935] ¶ For we considern & knoweleche

[6-text p 246] þat we haue offended & greued my lorde Mellibe oute of reson & mesure [2936] so fer forþe þat we be nouht of pouere to maken him amendes; [2937] And þere-fore we oblige vs & oure frendes for to done al his wille & commandement [2938] Bot peraduenture he haþe suche heuynesse & suche wraþþe to vs warde because of oure offense; [2939] þat [he] wil enioyne vs suche peyne as we maie nouht bere ne susteine. [2940] ¶ And þer-fore noble lady; we be-sechen ȝoure wommanly pyte [2941] to take suche avisemen in þis nede; þat we ne oure frendes be nouht disherited [et perdus] þorwhe oure folye

[2942] ¶ Certes quod Prudence it is it is an harde þinge & riht perilous [2943] þat a man putte him in þe arbitracione & Iugement al vtterly; & in þe myht & pouere of his ennemys; [2944] For Salamon seiþe; Leueþ me & ȝif credence to þat .I. schal seine; .I. saie [tout peuple et toutes gens et gouuerneurs de gloire (Reg. 19 C xi)] [2945] Ne ȝeue neuere þi sonne ne þi wif. þi frende ne þi self [2946] vn-to þe hondes ne myht of þine ennemye; [2947] And Naþeles .I. counsel ȝowe [Se il a doncques deffendu que on ne donne [puissance] sur soy a frere ne a amy [MS Reg. 19 C xi folio 64a:2] ] [2948] By a stronger resone he defendeþ & forbedeþe a man to ȝeue him selfe vn-to his ennemye; [2949] ¶ And naþeles .I counsel ȝowe þat ȝe mistrust nouht my lorde; [2950] for .I. wote wele & knowe wele þat he is debonaire & meke large & curteise [2951] & no þinge desirous of good ne Couytous to haue richesse; [2952] ffor þere is no þinge in þis werlde þat he desireþ saue worschipe & honour; [2953] Forþermore .I. knowe wele & .I. am riht sure þat He schal no þinge do in þis nede; wiþ-oute myne counsel; [2954] And .I. schal so werchen in þis cause be þe grace of oure lorde god þat ȝe scholne be reconsiled vnto vs/:/

[2955] Then seiden þei wiþ o voyce; ¶ Worschipful

[6-text p 247] lady we putten vs & oure good al fully in ȝoure wille & disposicioun [2956] & bene redy to comme whan it likeþ vnto ȝoure noblesse; to lemete vs or to assigne vs [2957] for maken oure obligacion; & bynde vs as stronge as it lykeþ vn-to ȝoure goodnesse [2958] þat we maie fulfille þe wil of ȝoue & of my lorde Mellybe.

[2959] ¶ Whan dame Prudence had herde þe on|sewers of þes men Ȝe badde hem gone aȝeine priuely; [2960] & sche retourned a-ȝeine to hire lorde Mellibe · And tolde him howe sche fande his aduersaries repentaunt [2961] And knowlecheinge ful reuerently · & lowly her sinnes & tres|pas; & howe þei were redy to suffur al peine; [2962] Re|quireinge him & preyinge him of Mercy & pytee

[2963] ¶ Then seide Mellibe he is wele worþi to haue pardone & for-ȝeuenesse [qui nexcuse point son pechie [2964] mais recognoist et sen repent et demande indulgence [2965] Car seneque dist la est remission (MS Reg. 19 C xi, lf 64, bk)] wher as confession is; [2966] For confession is neyhbour to Innocence [2967] ¶ And þe wiseman seiþe in anoþer place; he þat haþ schame of his sinne & knowleche it is worþi haue mercy /./ And þere-fore .I. assent & conferme to haue pees [2968] ¶ Bot it is good þat we do it nouht wiþ-outen þe wil & assent of oure frendes;

[2969] ¶ þan was Prudence riht gladde & ioyful & seide; [2970] Certes sir quod sche ȝe haue goodely & wele ansewarde [2971] ¶ For riht as be counsel. assent & helpeinge of ȝoure frendes ȝe haue be stired to venge ȝowe & maake werre [2972] Riht so wiþ|outen hire counsel schol ȝe nouht accor; þowhe ȝe ne haue pees wiþ ȝoure aduersa [folio 205a] ries; [2973] ffor þe lawe seyþe; Ther is no þinge so good be waie of kinde As þinge to bene vnbounden by him þat it was y-boundende;

[2974] And þan dame Prudence wiþe-outen delaye or taryinge sent anone Messageres for here kinne & for hire olde frendes þat were trewe & wise [2975]

[6-text p 248] And tolde hem be order in þe presence of Mellebe al þe Matier as it was abouen expressed & declared; [2976] And preyden hem þat þe wolde ȝeuen hire a wise coun|seile what best were to done in þis matiere; [2977] ¶ And whan Millebes counsel hadd taken hire a-vise & goode deliber|acione of þe forseide matier; [2978] And hadde examyned it be grete besines & grete diligence; [2979] þei ȝauen ful counseile for to haue pees & rest. [2980] And þat Mellibe schold receyue it with goode herte of his aduersaries to for-ȝeuenesse & mercye;

[2981] And whan dame Prudence hadd herde þe assent of hire lorde Mellibe. And þe counsel of here frendes [2982] accorded wiþ her wil & entencion [2983] sche was wonderly glad in hert & seide. [2984] ¶ There is an olde prouerbe quod sche seiþe; þat þe godnesse þat þou maist do þis daie do it [2985] & abide it nouht ne delaye it nouht til to morwe [2986] ¶ And þerfore .I. counsel þat ȝe send ȝoure messagiers wiche þat ben discrete & wyse [2987] vn-to ȝoure aduersaries tellynge hem on ȝoure be-halue [2988] if þei wil trete of pes & of accorde; [2989] þat þei schapen hem with-outen de-laie or tariinge to come to vs /./ [2990] whiche þinge performed was indede [2991] ¶ And whan þes trespassours & repentinge folke of here folyes; þat is to seie þe aduersaries of Mellibe. [2992] had herde what þes messagiers seiden vn-to hem [2993] þe were ful gladde. & ioyful & anseward ful mekely & beningly; [2994] ȝeldeinge graces & þonkes to her lord Mellibe. & to al his compaigne; [2995] And schopen wiþ-outen delay to gone wiþ þe messagiers; & obey to þe commandement of here lord Mellibe

[2996] ¶ And riht anone þe token her weie to Mellibe [2997] & toke þe somme of here trewe wordes & frendes to maken feiþ for hem; and for to bien her borwes [2998] ¶ And whan þei camen to

[6-text p 249] þe presence of Mellibe he seide hem þes wordes; [2999] It standeþ þus quod Mellibe; & soþe it is þat ȝe [3000] causels and wiþ-oute skil & resoun [3001] haue done grete Iniuries & wronges to me & to my wif Dame Prudence; & to my douhter also; [3002] ¶ For ȝe haue entred in-to myne howse be violence [3003] & haue done suche outrage; þat all men knowe wele þat ȝe haue deserued þe deþe [3004] ¶ And þere-fore wil .I. knowen & witen of ȝowe [3005] weþer þat ȝe wil putte þe punysshement & þe chasteysinge & þe vengeance of þis outrage in þe wil of me & of my wif dame Prudence or ȝe wil nouht;

[3006] Than þe wysest of hem þre answarde for hem al. & seide. [3007] ¶ Sire quod he we knowen wele þat we bien vnworþi to comme to ȝoure courte of so grete a lorde & so worþe as ȝe bien; [3008] And for we haue so gretely mys-taken vs & haue offended & agilte in suche a wise aȝeines ȝoure hihe lord-schippe [3009] þat trewlye we haue deseruede þe deþ; [3010] Bot ȝit for þe grete goodnesse & debonarte þat al þe werlde wittenesseþ of ȝoure persoun [3011] [folio 205b] We submitte vs vn-to þe hihe excellence & benignite of ȝoure gracious lorschip [3012] and bien rede to obeie vn-to al ȝoure commandementes [3013] Besecheinge ȝowe þat of ȝoure merciable pitee to wylne consider oure grete repentance & lowe submissione; [3014] And to grante vs for-ȝefnesse of owre owtrageous trespas & offense; [3015] For wel we knowe þat ȝoure liberale grace & mercye strecchen ferþer in-to goode|nesse þan done owre outrageous giltes & trespasses in-to wikkednesse; [3016] albeit þat cursedly & damp|nablye we haue gilte aȝeines ȝowre hihe lordschippe;

[3017] Than Mellibe toke him vpe fro þe grounde ful benyngly [3018] & receyued here obligacions & here landes by hire oþes vppon here plegges & her borwes [3019] & assigned hem a certein daie to retorne vn-to his courtes; [3020] for to accepte & receyve þe sentence &

[6-text p 250] Iuggement þat Mellibe wold comande to be done on hem be þe causes aforne seide; [3021] whiche þinge ordeint; euery man retourned to his hous /;/

[3022] And whan þat Dam prudence sawhe her time sche f[r]eyned & axed her lord Mellibe; [3023] Whatte vengeance he þouht to take on his aduersaris

[3024] ¶ To whiche Mellibe anseward & seide; Certes quod [he]; I. þenke & purpos fully [3025] to dis|herit hem of al þat þei haue; & for to putten hem in exile for euer more

[3026] Certes quod Dame Prudence þis were a cruel sentence & mechel aȝeines resoun; [3027] For ȝe be riche ynowe & haueþ no nede of oþere mennes goode; [3028] and ȝe myht lyhtly geten ȝow a couetouse name. [3029] whiche is a vicious þinge & ouhte be eschewed of euery man; [3030] ffor after þe sawe of þe Apostle Couetise is rote of al harmes; [3031] ¶ And þere-fore it were better to lese so muchel goode of ȝoure owen; þan for to tak of here goode in þis manere. [3032] ¶ For better it is to lese goode wiþ worschippe þan it is goode to wynne worschippe wiþ velanye and schame [3033] ¶ And euery man ouhte to done his besinesse to geten him a goode name; [3034] And ȝitte schal he nouht onely keppen him in kepinge of his good name; [3055] Bott he schal also enforcen him alweie to done some þinge be whiche he may renouelle his goode name [3036] For it is y-writte; þat þe olde good lose or goode name of a man is sone gone & passed; whan it is nouht newed ne re|nouelled /;/ [3037] And as toucheinge þat ȝe seyne þat ȝe wol exile ȝoure aduersaries; [3038] þat þenkeþ me muchel aȝeines reson & out of mesure; [3039] Con|sider þe power þat þei haue ȝouen ȝowe vpon hem selfe; [3040] And it is wreten þat he is worþe to lesen his priuelege þat mysvseþe þe myht & þe pouere þat is ȝouen him; [3041] ¶ And .I. sette caas þat ȝe myht annoye hem þat peyne be riht & lawe. [3042] whiche .I.

[6-text p 251] trowe ȝe may not do; [3043] I. seye ne myht not put it to excution; paraduenture [3044] & þan were it likly to retorne to þe werre as it was be-forne; [3045] ¶ And þer-fore if ȝe will þat men do ȝowe obseruance & obeysaunce; ȝe most deme more curteisly; [3046] þis is to seine ȝe most ȝeue mor esi sentence & Iuggementz; [3047] for it is wreten þat he þat most curtesly commandeþ; to him. men most obeyen [3048] ¶ And þer|fore .I. praye ȝowe þat in þis necessite; & in þis nede ȝe casten þere-fore to ouere-come ȝoure hert; [3049] ¶ For Senec seiþe he þat ones ouere-commeþ his hert [folio 206a] ouer-commeþ twyes; [3050] ¶ And Tullius seiþe; þer is noþinge so commendable in a grete lorde · [3051] as whan he is debon|aire & meke & appeseþ him mekely; [3052] ¶ And .I. preie ȝowe þat ȝe wil for-bere nowe to do vengeance [3053] in suche maner þat ȝoure goode name may be kepped & conserued; [3054] and þat men maie haue cause & matiere to preyse ȝowe of pite & of mercye; [3055] And þat ȝe haue no cause to repente ȝowe of þinge þat ȝe done; [3056] ¶ For Senec seiþe; he repenteþ him in yuel manere þat repenteþ him of his victorie [3057] where|fore .I. preie ȝowe; lete. Mercy be in ȝoure herte; [3058] to þeffecte & þentente þat god al myhty haue Mercy vpon ȝowe in his last Iugement; [3059] [Car saint Iaques dit en lepistre Iugement (19 C xi.)] wiþ outen mercy schal be to him þat haþe no mercye of anoþere wyht;

[3060] ¶ Whan Mellibe hadde herd þe grete skils & resons of dame Prudence; and of hire wise informacions & techeinges [3061] his hert gan encline to þe will of his wif consideringe to þe trewe entent [3062] con|formed him a-nane; & assented ffully to worchen after hire conseile; [3063] & þongede god of whome procedeþ al godenesse þat him sent a wif of so [grete] discrecione; [3064] ¶ And whan þe daie cam þat his aduer|saries schold appere in his presence. [3065] He spak

[6-text p 252] to hem ful goodly And seide to hem in þis wise; [3066] Al be it soo; þat of ȝoure pride & be presumcion & foly . & of ȝoure necligence & vnkunynge [3067] ȝe haue misborne ȝowe & trespassed to me; [3068] ȝitt for al so muche as .I. see & beholde ȝoure gre[te] humilite; [3069] & þat ȝe bene sori & repentant of ȝoure giltes [3070] it constreyne me to do ȝowe grace & mercye; [3071] wherefore .I. receyve ȝowe to my grace; [3072] & for-ȝeue ȝowe vtterly al þoffences Iniuries & wronges þat ȝe haue done aȝeines me & myne [3073] to þis affecte & to þis ende þat god of his endeles mercy [3074] wole att þe time of oure deyeinge forȝeuen oure gelte þat we haue trespased vn-to him in þis wrecched werld; [3075] ¶ For doubtelesse · if we bien sory & repentant of þe sinnes & giltes þe whiche we haue trespasede in þe siht of oure lorde gode; [3076] He is so fre & so merci|ful [3077] þat he wil for-ȝeuen vs ower giltes [3078] & bringe vs vnto þilke blisse þat neuere haþ ende; To whiche blisse he vs bringe þat blod on crosse for vs spreynde. Qui cum patre &c.

Explicit Fabula Galfridi Chaucer/ de Mellibeo . Milite

[6-text p 253]

Incipit Prologus de Monacho. [on leaf 206]

Whan endede was þe tale of Mellibe And of Prudence & of hire benygnite Line 3080 Oure Oste seide as .I. am ffeiþful man And be þe precious corpus madrian I had leuere þan a barel ale That goo l lef my wif hadde herde þis tale Line 3084 For sche nys no þinge of suche pacience As was þis Mellebes wif Prudence Be goddes bones whan .I. bete my knaues Sche bringeþ me þe grete clobbed staues Line 3088 And crieþ slee [[or sleo]] þe dogges euerychone And brekeþ boþe bak & bone And if þat any neigheboruhe of myne [folio 206b] Wil nouht in cherche to my wif encline Line 3092 Or be so hardy to hire to trespas Whan sche commeþ home sche rumpeþ in my face And crieþ false cowarde wreke þine wife By corpus bones; I. wil haue þi knyf Line 3096 And þou schalt haue myn distaf & go spynne Fro day to nyht riht þus wil sche be-ginne Alas sche seiþe þat euer y was schape To wedde a mylkesoppe or a coward ape Line 3100 Þat wil be ouere ladde wiþ euery wight þou darst nouȝt stonde be þi wif ariht þis is my lyf bot þat .I. wold fiht And oute att þe dore anone .I. mot me diht Line 3104 Or elles .I. am lost bot if þat .I. Bue like a wilde lione foole hardye .I. wote wele sche wil do me sle sum daie Some neihbour; & þan go my waie Line 3108 For .I. am perilous with knyf on honde Albeit þat .I. dar hir nouȝt wiþ-stonde

[6-text p 254] For sche is bigge in armes be my feiþe Þat schal he finde þat hire misdoþe or seiþe Line 3112 Bot lat vs passe a-weie fro þis matiere My lorde sir monke he seiþe beþe merye of chere For ȝe schal tel a tale trewly Lo Rouchester stant here fast by Line 3116 Ride forþe myne owen lorde breke nouht oure game Bot be my trouþe .I. knowe nouȝt ȝoure name Wheþer .I. schal cal ȝowe my lorde Doune Iohn Or dan Thomas or dan Albon Line 3120 Oþere of whatt house be ȝe be ȝoure fader kinne .I. vowe to good þou hast a ful faire skynne It is a gentil pasture þere þou goste þou ert nouht like a penant or a goste Line 3124 Vpon my feiþ þou ert sum officiere Somme worþe sexteyne eyþere sum celerere Fo[r] be my fader soule as to my dome þou ert a maister whan þou ert att home Line 3128 No pouer cloistrer ne no pouer novise Bot a gouernoure a wilye & wise And þere-wiþ-al of braunes & of bones A wele faringe persone for þe nones Line 3132 .I. preie to god gif him confusione [folio 207a] þat firste þe brouȝt in-to religione Þou woldest haue be a tredefoule ariht Haddest þou as grete leue as þou hast myht Line 3136 To performe al þi luste in gendrure þou hadest be-geten mony a creature Alas whi weres þou so wide a cope God ȝeue þe sorwe and .I. were a pope Line 3140 Nowht onely þou bot euery myhty man Theihe he were schore hihe vpon his panne Schol haue a wif for al þis werlde is lorne Religion haþ tak vp al þe corne Line 3144 Of tredeinge & we burel men bene schrimpes Of feble tres þere comme feble impes

[6-text p 255] þis makeþ þat oure heires bene so sklender And febel þat þei maie nouht wele engender Line 3148 This makeþ þat oure wifes wil assaie Religious folke for þei maie better paie Of venus Payment þan may we God woot no lusshbourues paie ȝe. Line 3152 Bot be nouȝt wroþe my lord þouhe þat .I. pleie Fol in game a soþe .I. haue herd seie This worþi monke toke al pacience And seid .I. wil do al my diligence Line 3156 As fere as souneþ vnto honeste To telle ȝoue a tale or tuo or þre And if ȝowe lust herken hiderwarde .I. wil ȝowe seie þe lif of seint Edwarde Line 3160 Or elles Tregedise furst. wil .I. tell Of whiche .I. haue an hundreþ in my sell Tregedie is for to tel a certeine storie As olde bokes maken memorie Line 3164 Of hem þat stode in grete prosperite And is yfall oute of hihe degre In-to myserie & endeþ wricchedlye And þei bien vesified comunly Line 3168 Of sex fete wiche þat men clep exametrone In prose eke bien endited mony one And eke in metric in mony a sondre wise Lo þis ouht ȝowe .I.-nouhe suffise Line 3172 Nowe herkeneþ if ȝou luste for to here Bot first .I. ȝoue be-seche in þis matiere. Þouhe .I. be order tel nouht þes þinges [folio 207b] Be it of popes Emperoure or kynges Line 3176 And affter her age as me wreten finde Bot tel hem some be-fore some be-hinde And it commeþ nowe to my remembrance Have me excused of myne ignorānce. Line 3180

Explicit Prologus.

[6-text p 256]

Incipit fabula de Casibus virorum. [on leaf 207, back]

Y [[The illumin|ated Y goes down to line 3203, in the MS.]] wil be-weile in maner of tregedrie þe maner of him þat standeþ in hihe degre And felle so þat þer was no remedye To bringe hem out of her aduersite Line 3184 For certeyne whan þat fortune luste to flye Þere maie no man of hire þe course wiþ-holde . . . . . [no gap in the MS.] Beþe war By þis ensample ȝonge & olde Line 3188

Primo de Lucifero

At Lucifer þouhe he an angele were And nouht a man att him .I. wil beginne For þeihe fortōn maie none angel dere Frome hihe degre ȝit fell he fro his sinne Line 3192 Doune in-to hell where as he ȝitte is inne O lucifer brihtest of aungeles all Nowe ert þou Sathanas þat maist not twynne Owte of misery in whiche þou ert fall Line 3196

De Adame . primo homine .

Lo Adam in þe felde of Damasene Wiþ goddes owen fingere wrouht was he And nouht begeten of mannes sperme vnclene And welde al Paradise saueinge o tre Line 3200 Hadd neuer werldly man so hihe degre As Adam til he for his gouernance Was dreven oute of his hihe prosperite To labure & to hell & to muschance. Line 3204

[6-text p 257]

De Sampsone

Lo Sampson whiche was annunciate Be þe Angel longe ar his natiuite And was god almyhty consecrate And stode in noblesse whiles he myht see Line 3208 Was neuer suche anoþer as was he To speke of strenkeþ & þer-to hardinesse Bott to his wif told he his secre. þoruhe whiche he slouhe him self þoruh wrechednesse Line 3212

¶ Sampson þis nobble & myhty champion [folio 208a] Wiþ-outen wepe saue his hondes tueye He slowhe and al to-rent þe lyon To-ward his weddynge walkinge be þe waie Line 3216 He false wif couþe him plese & preie Til sche his counseile knewe & sche vntrewe Vn-to his foos his consel gan be-wreye And him for-soke & toke a noþer newe Line 3220

¶ An .C. foxes to Sampson for ire And al her tailes he to-geder bonde And sette þe fox tailes al on fire For he in euery taile hadde putt a bronde Line 3224 And þei brente al þe cornes in þat lande And al here Oliues & here vines eke A þousand men eke he slowhe wiþ his honde And hadde ne wepen bot an asse cheke Line 3228

¶ When þei were sleine so þersted him þat he Was nyhe lorne for whiche he gan to preie þat god wolde of his peine sum pite And send him drinke or elles most he dye Line 3232 And of þis asse cheke þat was so drye oute of a wange toþe spron anone a welle Of whiche he dranke . ynouhe schortly to seie Thus help him god as Iudicum can telle Line 3236

[6-text p 258] Line 3236

¶ Be verrei force att Gasan in a nyhte Maugre þe felistiens of þat Cite The gates of þe toune he haþe vp pliht And on his bakke; y-karid hem haþ he Line 3240 Hihe on hulle wher as men miht se O noble almyhty sampson leue & dere þat stronge & noble haþ bue In al þis werlde ne was þere neuer þi pere Line 3244

¶ This Samson neuer siþer dranke ne wyne Ne on hi[s] hede cam rasure none ne schere Be precepte of þe Messagier diuine For al his strenkeþ was in his here Line 3248 And fully tuenty ȝere be ȝere He hadde of Israel þe gouernance Bot after sone schal he wepe mony a tere [folio 208b] For womman schal bringe him to meschaunce Line 3252

¶ Vnto his lemman Dalida he tolde þat in his heres al his strenkeþ laye And falsly to his fomen sche him solde And slepeinge vpon hir berme vpon a daie Line 3256 Sche maade to clippe or schere his here a-waie And maade his fomen al his craft to spyen And whan þei him fonde in suche araie Þei bonde him fast & put oute his eyȝen Line 3260

Bot er his here was clepped or y-schaue þere was no bonde þat myht him bynde Bott now is he in prisone put in a kaue Where as þei maden him att þe queren grinde Line 3264 O noble Sampson stronkest of mankinde O whilom Iuge in glorie & richesse Now maist þou wepe with þine yne blinde Seþen þou ert fro welþe fal in-to wrechednesse Line 3268

[6-text p 259] Line 3268

¶ The ende of þis caitifs was as .I. schal seie His fomen maade a feste vpon a daie And maden him as her fole to-forne him pleie And þis was [in] a temple of a grete araie Line 3272 Bot att þe last he maade a foul affraie For he tuo postes schoke & maade hem fall And doune fell þe temple & al þer it laie And slowe him selfe & eke his fomen all Line 3276

¶ This is to seie þe princes euerychon And eke a þousand bodis was þere sleyne Wyþ fallinge of þe grete temple of stone Of Sampson ne wil .I. no more seyne Line 3280 Be ware of þis ensample olde & pleyne þat no man tel her counsel til he[r] wyues Of suche þinge as þe wolde haue secre feyne If þat it touche her lymes or her lyues Line 3284

De Ercule.

¶ Of Ercule þe souereine conqueroure Syngen his werkes lewde & hihe renonone For in his time of strengeþ he bare þe floure He slowhe & raft þe scynne fro þe lyone. Line 3288 He of Centaurus leide þe bost a doune [[ [folio 209a] It repeats ¶ He slouhe & raft þe skynne fro þe lyon]] He arpies slowhe þe cruel birdes fell He golden apelles raft þe dragoune He drouhe oute Serberous þe hounde of hell Line 3292

¶ He slowhe þe cruel tyrant Buserus And maade his hors to frete him flesche & bone He slouhe þe verrey serpent venemous Of Achilles tuo hornes brak he one Line 3296 And he slowhe Cacus in a kaue of stone He slowhe þe Gyant Anteus þe stronge He slowhe þe Grisely bore & þat anone And bare þe hede vpon his neke longe Line 3300

[6-text p 260] Line 3300

Was neuere whihite sen þe werlde be-gan That slouhe so mony monstres as did he þoruhe-oute þis wide werlde his name ranne What for his streynkeþ & his bounte Line 3304 And euerye . Realme went he for to see He was so stronge þat noman miht him lette A-boue þe werldes ende seiþe trophe In stede of bondes he a piler sette Line 3308

¶ A lemman hadd þis noble champion þat hiht Dianier frische as maie And as þe clerkes maade mencione Sche haþ him sent a schert frische & gaie Line 3312 Alas þis scherte & walawaie envenymed was subtily wiþ all Or þat he had werde it hafe a daie It maad his flesche fro þe bone fall Line 3316

¶ Bo naþelesse sōme clerkes hir excusen Be one þat hiht nescius þat it Maked Be as be maye .I. wil hir nouht accusen Bon on his bake þis schert he weres al naked Line 3320 Til þat his flesche was for þe venym blakede And whan he sauhe none oþer remedye In hote coles he haþ him self rakede For wiþ no venym deynede he to deye Line 3324

¶ Thus starfe þis worþe myhte ercules [folio 209b] Lo who maie trust on fortune any þrowe For him þat foloweþ al þis werlde of pres Er he bewarre is oft y-laide ful lowe Line 3328 Ful wyse es he þat him self knowe Be war for whan þat fortune lust to glose Than weyteþ sche hir man downe to þroue Bu suche a weie as he wolde lest suppose Line 3332

[6-text p 261]

De Rege Nabugodonosor

¶ The myhty trone þe precious tresoure þe glorious septre & Roial Maieste þat hadde þe kinge Nabugodonosore Wiþ tunge vnneþ maie descriued be Line 3336 He twyes name iherusalem þe Cite The vessel of þe temple he wiþ him ladde Att Babiloyne was his souereigne see In whiche his glorie & his delyte he had Line 3340

¶ þe fairest childern of þe blode Roial Of iherusalem he dide do gelde anone And maade eche of hem to bu his clerke Amonge al oþere Danyel was one Line 3344 þat was þe wisest childe of euerychone For he þe dremes of þe kenge expounded Where as in Caldeie clerk was þere none þat wist to what fyne his dremes sounded Line 3348

¶ This proude kinge lete make a stature of golde Sexty Cubetes longe & .vij. in brede To whiche ymage boþe ȝonge & olde Commanded he to loute & haue in drede Line 3352 Or in a forneys ful of flammes rede He scholde be bernt þat wold not obeie Bot neuer wolde assent to þat dede Danyel ne his ȝonge felawes tweye Line 3356

¶ This kenge of kinges proude & elate He wende god þat sitteþ in Mageste Ne myht him nouht be-reue of þat estate Bot sodanly he lost his dignite Line 3360 And like a beste him semed for to be And ete haye as an oxe & leye þere oute. In reyne wiþ wilde bestes walked he [folio 210a] Til certein time was comme aboute Line 3364

[6-text p 262] Line 3364

And ylike an egle fethers was his heres His nayles like birdes clowes were God releued him a certein ȝeres And ȝaf him witte & þan wiþ mony a tere Line 3368 He þonked god; and euer his lif in fere Was; he to done amys or more trespas And or þat time leide was on his bere He knewe wele þat god was ful of myht & grace Line 3372

De Baltazar dicti Regis Nabugodonosor filio.

His sone which þat hiht Baltazar That helde þe regne after his fader daie He be his fader couþe nouht be war For proude he was of herte & of araye Line 3376 And eke an ydolatre was he aye His hihe astate assured him in pride Bot fortune kest adoune & þere he laye And sodanly his regne gan deuide Line 3380

A feste he maade vn-to his lordes al vpon a time he maad hem bliþe be And þan his officers gan he call Goþe bringeþ forþe þe vesseles quod he Line 3384 Whiche þat my fader in his prosperite Owte of þe temple of iherusalem be-rafte And to oure hihe goddes þonke we Of honour þat oure helders wiþ vs lafte Line 3388

His wif his lordes & his concubines Ay dranken whiles þeire appetite laste Oute of þis noble vessels sondre wynes And on a wal þis kinge his yȝe kaste Line 3392 And sauhe an hand armelesse þat wrote ful fast For fere of whiche he qwoke & sikked sore This hand þat baltazar maade so sore agast Wrote Mane techel phares; & no more Line 3396

[6-text p 263] Line 3396

In al þat londe Magecien was þere none þat couþe expoune what þis lettre meant Bot Daniel expound it anone And seide kynge god to þi fader sent [folio 210b] Line 3400 Glory & Honour Regne tresoure & rent And he was proude & no þinge god ne dradde And þere-fore god grete wreche vpon him sent And him be-raft þe Regne þat he hadde. Line 3404

He was oute cast of Mannes compaignye With asses was his habitacione And ete hey as a beste in wete & druye Til þat he knowe be grace & be resone Line 3408 That god of heuen haþ domynaciōn Ouere euery Regne & euery creture And þan hadd god of him compassiōn And him restored his Regne & his figure Line 3412

Eke þou þat ert his son is proude also And knowest al þis þinges priuely And ert Rebel to god & ert his foo Thowe dranke eke of his vessels boldely Line 3416 þi wif eke & þi wenches synfully Dranke of þe same vessels sondre wynes And heried fals goddes curssely Therefor to þe schapen grete peine is Line 3420

This honde was sent fro god þat on the wall þat wrote Mane techel phares trust me Thyne Reygne is done þou weyest nouht att all Dyuided is þi regne and it schal be Line 3424 To medes & to perses ȝeuen quod he And þilke same nyht þe kinge was slawe And Darius occupieþ his degre þeyhe he þere-to na hadde neiþere riht ne lawe Line 3428

[6-text p 264] Line 3428

Lordinges here-by ensamples maie ȝe take Howe þat in lordeschippe is no sekernesse For whan fortune wil a man forsake He bereþ awaye his regne & his Rechesse Line 3432 And eke his frendes boþ more & lesse And whan a man haþe frende þoruhe fortune Mishappe wil make hem ennemys .I. gesse This prouerbe is ful soþe & ful comune. Line 3436

De Cenobia Palmere Regina.

CEnobia of Palimere þe quene [folio 211a] As writen Persiens of hire noblesse So worþi was in aremes & so kene That no wight passed hire in hardinesse Line 3440 Ne in lignage ne in oþere gentillesse Of þe kinges blode of perce is sche descended I seie þat sche mad nouht most fairnesse Bot of hire schappe sche myht bue amended Line 3444

Fro hire childhede .I. finde þat sche fledde Office of wemmen & to wode sche wente And mony a wilde hertes blode sche schedde Wiþ arwes brode þat sche to hem sente Line 3448 Sche was so sweft þat sche a-none hem hente And whan sche was elder sche wolde kill Lyons liberdes and beres altorente And in hire armes wilde hem att hire will Line 3452

Sche dorst wilde bestes dennes seeke And rinne in þe mountain al þe niht And slepe vnder a busche & sche couþe eke Wrastelen be verrey force & verrey myht Line 3456 Wiþ any ȝonge man were he neuere so whight Ther myht no þinge in hir armes stonde Sche kepped hire Maidenhede fro euery whight To no man deyned hire to be bonde Line 3460

[6-text p 265] Line 3460

¶ Bo att þe last here frendes haue hire maried To Odenake a prince of þat Cite Al were it so þat sche hem longe taried And ȝe scholne vnderstande how þat he Line 3464 Hadde suche fantasies as hadd sche Bot naþeles whan þei were knytte in fere Thei leueden in Ioie & in felicite For vche of hem had oþere leef & dere Line 3468

¶ Saue on þinge þat sche nolde neuer assent By no weye þat by hire scholde he lye Bot ones for it was hire pleyne entent To haue a childe þe werlde to multeplye Line 3472 And also sone as sche miht a-spye þat sche was not wiþ childe wiþ þat dede Than wolde sche suffre him done his fantasy [folio 211b] Eft sone and nouht but ones oute of drede [[No breaks henceforth between the stanzas of each Tragedy.]] Line 3476

¶ And if sche ware wiþ childe at þilke cast No more scholde he pleie þilke game Til fully fou[r]te dayes were past Than wolde sche ones do suffre him þe same Line 3480 All were þis Odenake wilde ore tame He gatt no more of hire for þus sche saide It was to wives lechery & schame In oþere caas if þat men wiþ hem pleide Line 3484

¶ Tuo sonne be þis Edenok hadde sche The whiche sche kepped in vertewe & in lettrure Bot nowe vnto oure tale torne we .I. say þat worschipful creature Line 3488 And wise þerwiþ & large wiþ mesure So penyble in þe werre & korteyse eke Ne more laboure miht in werre endure Was none þeihe al þis werlde men schold seche Line 3492

[6-text p 266] Line 3492

¶ Here riche araye miht nouht be tolde As wele in vessel as in cloþinge Sche was al cladde in perre & in golde And eke sche left for none hunteynge Line 3496 To haue of sundre tonges folk knoweynge Whan þat sche leyser hadde to entende To leren bokes was al hire lykeynge Howe sche in vertue myht hire lif dispende Line 3500

¶ And schortly of þis storie for to entrete So douhte was hir husbonde as sche Þat þei conquered mony regnes grete In þe Orient wiþ mony a faire Cete Line 3504 Apartenaunte vnto þe Maieste Of Rome & wiþ stronge honde helde hem fast Ne neuere myht hire fomen done hem flye Aye wile þat Odenake dayes last Line 3508

¶ Her batailles who so lust hem for to rede Aȝeine Sapore þe kinge & oþere moo And howe þat al þis processe fel in dede And whie sche conquerde & what title hadd þere too Line 3512 And aftere of hire meschief & hire woo Ho þat sche was be-seged & y-take Late him vnto mi maister Petrak go þat writeþ ynouhe of þis .I. vndertake Line 3516

¶ When Odenak was dede sche myhtyly [folio 212a] The regnes helde & wiþ hire propre hande Aȝeine hir foos sche fauht trewly þat þere nas kinge ne prince in al þat lande Line 3520 That he nas gladde if he þat grace fande That sche ne wolde vpōn his lande werrey Wiþ hire þei maad alliance be bande To biene in pees & latt hir ride & pleie Line 3524

[6-text p 267] Line 3524

¶ The Emperour of Rome Claudius Ne him be-forne þe Romeyne Galiene Ne dorste neuere be so Coragius Ne none Ermyne ne none egipcie[ne] Line 3528 Ne Surrien; ne none arrabiene Withe-in þe felde þat dost wiþ hir fiht Lest þat sche wolde hem wiþ her handes sleyne Or wiþ hire meyne to putten hem to fliht Line 3532

¶ In Kinges abite went here sones two As eyres of here Regnes all And ermanno; and Thimalao Here name were as perciens hem call Line 3536 Botte ffortune haþe ay in here hony gall This myhty qwene maie no while endure Fortune oute of her Regne maade hire fall To wrichednesse & to mysaduenture Line 3540

¶ Aurelyon whan þat þe gouernance Of Rome camme in-to his hondes tweye He schope vpon þis qwene to do vengeance And wiþ his legions he toke his weie Line 3544 Toward Cenoby & schortly for to seie He maade hire flee & att þe last hire hent And fetterd hire & eke her children tweye And wann þe londe & home to Rome þei went Line 3548

¶ Amange þis oþer þinge þat he wanne Here Chare þat was wiþ gold wrouht & perre Þis grete Romaine þis Aureliane Haþ wiþ him ladde for þat men scholde see Line 3552 Be-forne his triumphe walkeþ sche With gilt cheynes on hire nek hangeinge Corounde sche was as after her degre And ful of perre charged hir cloþinge Line 3556

[6-text p 268] Line 3556

¶ Alas fortune sche þat whilom was Dredeful to kinges & to emperoures. Now gaureþ al þe peple on hire alace [folio 212b] And sche þat elmed was in stark stoures Line 3560 And wanne be fors tounes stronge & toures Schal on here nowe were a fitermyte And sche þat bare þe Septer ful of floures Schal bere a distaf here cost for to qwyte Line 3564

De Petro Hispanye Rege.

¶ O noble o worþi Petre of spayne Whome fortune helde so hihe in maieste Wele ouhte men þi pitous deþ compleine Thi bastard broþer maade þe to fle Line 3568 And after att a sege be soubtilite Thowe were betraide & ladde to his tent Where as he wiþ his owen hand slouhe þe Succedinge in þi Regne & in þi Rent Line 3572

Betelmewe Claykeynne [[Bertrand du Guesclin.]] . Oliuer Mawnye

¶ The felde of snowe wiþ þe egle blak þere-inne Cauht wiþ þe lime Rodde colours as þe glede He brewe þis cursednesse and al þe sinne The wykked nest was wirkir of þis nede Line 3576 Nouht Charles & Olyuer þat ay toke goode hede Of trouþe & honour bot of Armorekke Genyloun Olyuer corrupt for mede Brouhtest þis worþi kinge in suche brekke. Line 3580

De Petro Rege Cipri

¶ Worþe Petre kinge of Cipre also That Alisander wanne be hihe maistrye Ful mony an eyþen wrouhtest þou ful wo Of whiche þine owen leges hadde enuye Line 3584 And for no þinge bot for þi chiualrye Thei in þi bedde han sleyne þe be þe morwe Thus gan fortune gouerne & guye And out of Ioye bringe men in to sorwe Line 3588

[6-text p 269]

De Barnabo vicecomite Mediolano.

¶ Of Milane grete Barnabo viscounte God of delice & scowrge of Lombardie Whi scholde nouht .I. þine fortune a-counte Sethen in estate þou clome were so hihe Line 3592 Thine Broþer sone þat was þine double allie For he þi nevow was & sone in lawe Wiþ-in his prisoun maade þe to deye Bot whie ne howe woote .I. þat þou wer slawe Line 3596

¶ De Hugiline Comyte Pisano. [folio 213a]

Of þe Erle Hugylyne of Pise þe Langoure There maie no tunge tel for pite Bot litel oute of Pise stant a toure In wiche toure in prisone put was he Line 3600 And wiþ him ben his litel childern þre þe eldest scarsly .v. ȝere was of age Alas fortune it was grete cruelte Suche burdes to putte in suche a cage Line 3604

¶ Dampned he was to deye in þat prisone For Roger þat bischop was of Pise Hadde on him maade a fals suggestione Thorwhe þe peple gan on him a-rise Line 3608 And putten him to prison in suche wise As ȝe haue herde & mete & drinke he hadde . . . . . [no gap in the MS.] And þere-wiþ-all it was ful pore & badde. Line 3612

¶ And one a daie be-fell þat inne þat oure Whan þat his mete was wonte to be brouht The gayler schette þe dores of þe toure He herde it wele bot he sawe it nouht Line 3616 And in his hert anone þere fell a þouht þat þei for hunger wolde done him deyen Alas quod he alas þat .I. was wrouht þer-wiþe þe teres fel fro hyȝen Line 3620

[6-text p 270] Line 3620

¶ His ȝonge son þat þrei ȝere was of age vnto him seide fader whi do ȝe wepe Whan wil þe Gayloure bringen oure potage Is þere no morsel brede þat ȝe do kepe Line 3624 .I. am so hungry þat .I. maie nouht [slepe] Now wolde god þat .I. myht slepe euer þan scholde none hunger in my wombe crepe þare nys noþinge saue brede þat me were leuere Line 3628

¶ þus daie be daye þis childe gan to crie Til in his fader berme adoune it leye And seide fader Fare wele .I. mote deye And kissed his fader & deyed þe same daye Line 3632 And whan þe woful fader dede him seye For woo his arme tuo he gan to bite And seid alas fortune; & walaweye Þine fals whele my woo .I. al wite Line 3636

¶ His childern wende þat it for hungere was þat he his arme gnowhe & nout for woo And seid fader do nouht so alas [folio 213b] Bot raþer ete þe flesche vpon vs tuo Line 3640 Oure flesche þou ȝaf vs tak oure flesche vs fro And ete ynouhe riht þus to him þei seide And efter þat wiþ-inne a daie or tuo þei leide hem doune in his lappe & deyed Line 3644

¶ Him self dispeired eke for hunger starf Þus endede is þe mihte Erle of Pise Fro hihe a state fortune fro him carf Of þis tregedrie it ouht .I.-nouhe suffise Line 3648 Who so wile here it in a longer wise Reede þe grete Poete of Itaile That hiht Daunte for he can it deuise Fro pointe to poynte nouht o worde wil he faile Line 3652

[6-text p 271]

De Nero Imperatore.

¶ Alþouhe þat Nero were as vicious As fende þat liþe ful lowe adoune Ȝitte he as telleþ vs swytheneus þis wide werlde hadde in subieccione Line 3656 Boþe est & west & septemtrione Of Rebees safers & of Pereles white Were al his cloþes brouded vp & doune For he in Gemmis grete gan delite Line 3660

¶ More delicate more Pompus of araie More proude was neuere Emperoure þan he þat ilke cloþe þat he hadde wered a daie After þat time he nold it neuere se Line 3664 Nettes of gold þrede hadde he grete plente To fysshe in tybre whan him luste to pleie His lustes were as lawe in his degre For fortune as his frende wolde him obeye; Line 3668

¶ He Rome brent for his delicacie The Senatours he slowhe vpon a daye To howe þat men wolde wepe & crye And slowhe his broþer & by his suster laye Line 3672 His moder Maade he in pytous araie For he hir wombe slitte to be-holde Where he conceyved was so walawaye Þat he so litel of his moder tolde Line 3676

¶ No tere oute of his eyen for þat siht Ne came Bot seide a faire womman was sche Grete wonder is þat he couþe or miht Be domeseman of hire dede bewte [folio 214a] Line 3680 The wyne to bringe commaunde he And dranke anone none oþere woo he maade Whan myht is Ioyned vnto cruelte Alas to depe wil þe venym wade Line 3684

[6-text p 272] Line 3684

¶ In ȝouþe a maister hadde þis Emperoure To teche him letrure & cur[t]esye For of Moralite he was þe floure As in his time bott if bokes lye Line 3688 And whiles his maister hadde of him þe maystre He maade him so konnynge & so souple þat longe time was or tirannye Or any vice dorst in him vncouple Line 3692

¶ This Seneka of whiche .I. devise Be-cause Nero had of him suche drede For he for vices wold him chastise Discretely as be worde & nouht be drede Line 3696 Sire wolde he saie an Emperoure mot nede Be vertuouse & hate tyrantrye For whiche he him in baþe maad to blede On boþe his armes til he most deye Line 3700

¶ This Nero hadde eke of a continuance In ȝouþe aȝeine his maister for to rise Whiche afterward him þouht a grete grevance There-fore he maade him deye in þis wyse Line 3704 Bot naþeles þis Senec þe wise Chese in a baþþe to deye in þis manere Raþere þan haue a noþer tormentrie And þus haþe Nero sleyne his maister dere Line 3708

¶ Now fel it so þat fortune lust no longere The hihe pride of Nero to cherische ffor þouhe he were stronge ȝitte were sche strenger Sche þouht þus be god .I. am to nyce Line 3712 To sette a man þat is fulfilled of vice In hihe degre & Emperour him call Be god oute of his sete .I. wil him trise When he leste weneþe sonest schal he fall Line 3716

[6-text p 273] Line 3716

¶ Þe Peple rose vpon him vpon a nyht For his defaute & whan he hadd it aspiede Oute of his dore anone he haþe him dyht Alone & þere he wende haue bue alyede Line 3720 He knokked fast & ay þe more he cryed The faster schetten þei þe dores all [folio 214b] Tho wist he wele he had him self be-gilede And wente his weie no longere dorst he call Line 3724

¶ The peple cried & Rombled vpe & doune That wiþ his eres herde he howe þei seide Where is fals terant þis Neroune For fere al-moste out of his witte braide Line 3728 And to his goddes pitously he seide For socoure for it myht nouht be-tide For drede of þis him þouht þat he deide And ranne in-to a gardeyne him to hide Line 3732

¶ And in þis cardyne fonde he cherles tueye And fatten be a fire ful grete & rede And to þe cherles tuey he gan to preye To slene him & to girde of his hede Line 3736 þat to his body whan þat he ware dede Were no despite ydo for his defame Him selfe he slouhe he couþe no better rede Of whiche fortune louhe & had a game Line 3740

De Oliferno principe.

¶ Was Neuere capitaigne vnder a kinge That Regnes mo putte in subieccione Ne strenger was in felde of al þinge As in his time none gretter in renoune Line 3744 Ne more Pompose in hihe presumsione Than Oliferne whiche fortune ay kyste So lykerously & ledde him vpe & doune Til þat he heded was er þat he wiste Line 3748

[6-text p 274] Line 3748

¶ Nouht onely þat þis werlde hadde of him awe For leseinge of Richesse & lyberte Bot he maade euery man Reny his lawe Nabugodonosor was lord he seide Line 3752 None oþere god scholde honoured be Aȝeines his hest no whight dar trespas Saue in Bethulia a stronge cite Where Eleachim a preste was of þat place Line 3756

¶ Bot take kepe of þe deþe of Oliferne Amydde his oste he drunke laye a nyht Wiþ-inne his tent large as is a berne And ȝit for al his pompe & al his myhte Line 3760 Iudithe a womman as he laie vp riht slepeinge his hede of smote & fro his tente Ful Priuely sche stale fro euery wyght [folio 215a] . . . . . [no gap in the MS.] Line 3764

De Antiochio illustri.

¶ What nedeþ it of kynge Antiocheus To tel his hihe & Roial Maieste His hihe pride his werke venymmous For suche anoþere was neuere none as he Line 3768 Redeþ whiche þat he was in Macabe And redeþ þe proude wordes þat he seide And whie he fel fro his prosperite And in an hulle howe wrychedly he deyed Line 3772

¶ Fortune had him enhaunsed so in pride þat verraylye he wende he myhte atteygne vnto þe sterres vpon euery sidde And in a balance to weye iche mounteyne Line 3776 And al þe floodes of þe see restreyne And goddes peple hadde he moste in hate Hem wolde he sle in torment & peyne Weneynge þat god myht nouht his pride abate Line 3780

[6-text p 275] Line 3780

¶ And for þat Nichamoure & Timothee Wiþ Iewes were venqwiste mihtile vnto þe Iewes suche an hatte hadde he That he hadde greyþed his chare ful hastelye Line 3784 An swore & seide ful dispitouslye Vnto Ierusalem wolde he eft sone To wreke hire on it ful crouellye Bot of his purpose he was lette ful sone Line 3788

¶ God for his manasse him so sore smote Wiþ inne-visible wounde aye vncurable þat in his guttes karf so & bote þat his peynes weren importable Line 3792 And certeinly þe wreche was resonable For mony mannes guttes dede he peine Bot fro his purpos cursed & dampnable For al his smert he nold him nouht restreine Line 3796

¶ Bot Badde anone apparellen his Oste And sodanly or he was of it warre God daunted al his pride & al his boste For he so sore fel oute of his chare Line 3800 þat hurte his limes & his scynne to-tare So þat he ne myht go ne Ride Bot in a chayere men aboute him bare Al for-brused boþe bakke & side Line 3804

¶ The wreche of god him smote so crudelye [folio 215b] þat in his bode wyked wermes creped And þer-wiþ-all he stanke so orribily þat none of al his meyne þat him kepped Line 3808 Wheþere so þat he woke or elles sleped Ne myht nouht þe stink of him endure In þis Meschef he weiled & eke wepped And knowe god lorde of euery creature. Line 3812

[6-text p 276] Line 3812

¶ To al his oste & to him self also Ful wlatesome was þe stinke of þis caren No man miht him bere to ne fro And in his stinke & in his orrible peyne Line 3816 He starf ful wrecchedly in a mownteyne Thus haþ þis Robboure & þis homicide That mony a man maade to wepe & pleyne Suche guerdone as belongeþ vnto pride Line 3820

De Alexandro Magno Philippi Regis Macidonie filio

The storie of Alexander is so comune That euery wight þat haþe discrecione Haþe herd sum-whate or al of his fortune Þis wilde werlde as in conclusione Line 3824 He wān be strenkeþ or for his hihe renoune Thei weren gladde for pes vnto him sende The pride of man & beste he laide adoune Wher-so he came vn-to þe werldes ende Line 3828

¶ Comparison myht ȝite neuere be makede Be-tuex him & anoþer conqueroure For al þis werlde for drede of him haþe qwaked He was of kny[ht]hede and of fredome floure Line 3832 Fortune him maade þe heire of owre honour Saue wyne & wemmen no þinge miht aswage His hihe atente in armes & laboure So was he of loueinge corage Line 3836

¶ What pite were it to him þouhe .I. ȝowe tolde Of .Darius & an. C. M. mo Of Princes kinges Erles bolde Whiche he conquered & brouht hem in-to woo Line 3840 As fer .I. saie as man mai ride or goo þe werlde was his Whatt schold .I. more deuise For þouhe .I. write or tolde ȝowe euermo Of his knyhthode he miht not suffise Line 3844

[6-text p 277] Line 3844

¶ Twelue ȝere he regned as seiþe Machabe Philippus þe sonne of Macedo he was [folio 216a] That first was kynge of grece þe Contre O worþi gentil Alisander Alas Line 3848 þat euer schold falle suche a cas Enpoysonde of þi folke þou were Þin suster fortune haþe torne in-to an as And ȝit for þe ne wepped sche neuer a tere Line 3852

¶ How schal men ȝeue teres to compleyne The deþe of gentillesse & of frauncheys Þat al þe werlde weldede in his demeygne And ȝit him þouht it myht nouht suffise Line 3856 So ful was his Corage of hihe emprise Alace who schal me helpe to endite Fals fortune & poyson to despise The whiche tuo of al þes wo .I. wite Line 3860

De Iulio Cesare

¶ By wisdom manhede & be labour Fro humblehede & fro Roial Maieste Vp rose he Iulius þe conquerour That al þe Occident be lande & see Line 3864 Be strenkeþe of hande or elles be trete And vnto Rome maade hem tributarye And seþþen of Rome þan Emperoure was he Til þat fortune wex his aduersarie Line 3868

¶ O myht Cesar þat in Thessalye Aȝeines Pompeus fader þin in lawe Of þat þe orient hadde al þe cheualrie As fer as þe daie beginneþ to dawe Line 3872 Theime þoruhe þi knyhthode hast hem take & slawe Saue fewe folke þat wiþ pompeus fledde þorwhe whiche þou puttest al þe orient in awe þonke fortune þat so wele þe spedde Line 3876

[6-text p 278] Line 3876

¶ Bot nowe a litel while .I. wil beweile þis Pompeus þis noble gouernoure Of Rome whiche þat flyeþ att þis Batayle .I. saye one of his men a fals traiture Line 3880 His hedde of fmote to wynne him fauoure Of Iulius & him þe hede brouht Alas Pompey of þe Orient conqueroure That fortune vnto suche a deþe brouht Line 3884

¶ To Rome aȝeine Repaireþ Iulius Wiþ his tryumphe laureate ful hihe Bot on a time Brutus Cassius [folio 216b] þat euere hadde of his hihe astate envie Line 3888 Ful priuely had maad conspiracye Aȝeynes þis Iulius in subtilite wise And kest þe place in whiche he scholde deye Wiþ Bodekynnes as .I. schal ȝowe devise Line 3892

¶ This Iulius to þe Capitoile went vpon a daie as he was wont to goone And in þe Capitoile anone him hente This falce Brutus on of his foule fone Line 3896 And stikked him wiþ Bodekinnes anone Wiþ mony a wound & þus þe lete him lye Bot neuere gronte he att no stroke bott one Or elles att tuo bot if his story lye Line 3900

¶ So manly was þis Iulius of hert And so wele loued estately honeste þat þouht his dedely woundes so sore smert His Mantil ouere his hippes cast he Line 3904 For no man schol se his priuetee And as he lay in deynge in a trance And wist verraily þat dede was he Of honeste ȝit hadde he Remembrance Line 3908

[6-text p 279] Line 3908

¶ Lucan to þis story .I. recommende And to Sweton & to Valerius also þat of þis storie writeþ worde & ende How þat þes grete Conquerous two Line 3912 Fortune was first frende & siþen foo No man ne trust vpon his fauour longe Bot haue hire in awaite for euer mo Wittnesse on all þes conqueroures stronge Line 3916

De Creso Rege.

¶ This Riche Cresus whilom kinge of Lyde Of whiche Cresus Ciquus sore him dradde Ȝette was he cauht amydes al his pride And to be brent men to þe fire him ladde Line 3920 Bot suche a Raine doune fro þe walkyn schadde Þat slouhe þe fire & maade him to eskape Bot to be warre ȝitte no grace he hadde Til fortune on þe galoues maade him gape Line 3924

¶ Whan he ascaped was he can nouht stinte For to be-ginne a newe Reyne aȝeine He wende wele þat fortune him sente Suche happe þat he ascaped þoruhe þe Reine [folio 217a] Line 3928 þat of his foos he myht nouht be sleine And suche a sweuen vpon a nyht he mette Of whiche he was proude & eke feine þat in vengeance he al his hert sette Line 3932

¶ Vpon a tre he was as þat him þouhte There Iubiter him wessche boþe halse & side And phebus eke a faire towel him brouht To drye him wiþ & þerto wex his pride Line 3936 And to his douhter þat stode him be-side Whiche þat he knowe in hihe science abounde He badd him tel hir what it signified And sche his dreme began riht þus expounde Line 3940

[6-text p 280] Line 3940

¶ The tre quod sche þe galouse is to mene And Iubiter be-tokeneþ snowe & reyne And Phebus wiþ his towele so clene Is þe sonne stremes for to seyne Line 3944 Thou schalt an honged be fader certeine Reyne schal þe wassche & sonne schal þe drye Thus warned sche him ful platte & pleine His douhter þat called was Phayne Line 3948

¶ An honged was Cresus þe proude kynge His Roial throne myht him nouht availe Tregedrye in none oþere maner þinge Ne cann in sinynge · crie ne be-weyle Line 3952 Bot þat fortune al wei wil assaile Wiþ vnwar stroke þe Reignes þat bien proude For whan men trusteþ hir þan wil sche faile And couere hire briht face wiþ a cloude Line 3956

Explicit fabula.

[6-text p 281]

Incipit prologus [on leaf 217]

Hoo quod þe knyht good sir no more of þis þat ȝe haue saide it is y-nowhe y-wis And muchel more for litel heuynesse Is riht ynouhe to muche folke as .I. gest Line 3960 .I. seie for me it is a grete disese Where as men haþ buen in gre welþe & ese To heren of here sodan fal alas And þe contrarie is Ioye & grete solace Line 3964 As whan haþe bue in pouere astate And climbeþ vp & waxeþ fortunate And þare abideþ in prosperite Suche þinge is glad-some as it þenkeþ me. Line 3968 And þouhe suche were goodely for to telle [folio 217b] Ȝe quod oure Ost be seint poules belle Ȝe seie riht soþe þis monke he clappeþ loude He spake howe fortune couerd was wiþ a cloude Line 3972 .I. note neuer what & also of a tregedrye Riht nowe ȝe herde & parde no Remedye It is to be-weile ne to compleyne That þat is done and als it is a peine Line 3976 As ȝe haue seide to hire of heuenesse Sir monke no more of þis so god ȝow blysse Ȝoure tale anoyeþ al þis Compaignye Suche talkeinge is nouht worþe a botter flye Line 3980 For þere-inne is no sporte ne game Where-fore sir Monke Dan Piers be ȝoure name I praie hertely tel vs sumwhatt elles For seker ner clynkenge of ȝoure belles Line 3984

[6-text p 282] Line 3984 þat on ȝoure bridel hongeþ on euery side Be heven kinge þat for vs al deide I schal for þis fal doune for slepe Al-þouhe þe slouhe hadde neuere be so depe Line 3988 Than hadde ȝoure tale be tolde in veyne For certeynly as þes clerkes seyne Where as a man maye haue none audience Nowht he[l]peþ to tellen his sentence Line 3992 And wele .I. woote þe substance is in me If any þinge schal wele Reported bee Sire sey sum whatt of hunteinge .I. ȝowe preie Naye quod þe monke .I. haue no luste to pleie Line 3996 Nowe latte a noþere tel as .I. haue tolde Than spak oure Oste wiþ rude speche & bolde And seide vnto þe Nones preste anone Com nere sir prest come hider sir Iohn Line 4000 Tel vs suche þinge as may oure hertes glaade Be merye þouhe þou ride vpon a Iade þat þouhe þine hors be foule or lene If he wil serue þe rekke þe nouht a bene Line 4004 Looke þat þine herte be mere euermo Ȝis oste quod he so mot .I. ride or go Bot .I. be mery .I.-wisse .I. wil be blamede And riht anone he haþe his tale tamede Line 4008 And þus he seide to vs euerychon This swete preste þis goodman sir Iohn

[6-text p 283]

Þ^e Preste [head-line]

A Pouer wedowe sumdel stoupe in age [folio 218a] was whilom dwellynge in a narwe cotage Line 4012 Be sides a groue standinge in a dale þis wedow whiche .I. tolde ȝowe of my tale Seþþen þilke daie sche was last a wif In pacience ledde a ful simple lif Line 4016 For litel was hire catel & hire rent Be husbandry suche as god hire sent Sche fant her self & eke her douhtern tuo Þe large sewes hadde sche & no mo Line 4020 Þre kyne & eke a schepe þat hiht mal Ful soty was hir boure & eke hire hal In whiche sche ete mony a sklender mele Of poynant sauce her neded neuer a dele Line 4024 No deynte morsel passed hire þrote Hire Dyaut was accordant to hire cote Replecioun maad hir neuer seke Atempre diete was all hire phesike Line 4028 And exercise & hertes sufficiaunce The goute lettid hire no þinge to daunce þe Poplexie ne shent nouht hire hede Ne wyne dranke sche neyþere white ne rede Line 4032 Hire borde was serued most wiþ white & blakke Melke & broune brede in whiche sche fande no lakke Seyned bakon & somtyme a neye or tweye For sche was as it were a manere deye Line 4036 A gardeyne sche hadde closed al aboute Wiþ stikkes & a drye diche wiþ oute In whiche sche hadde a kok þat hiht chauntrell In al þe land of croweinge was his pere Line 4040

[6-text p 284] Line 4040 His voice was merier þan þe meri organe On mesdaies þat in þe cherche gone Wele sukere was his croweinge in his loge Than is a kloke or any abbeie orlege Line 4044 Be nature he knewe iche ascencioune Of þe equinoxiale of þilk toune For whanne degrese .xv. were descended Þan knewe he þat it myh not bue a-mended Line 4048 His kombe was redder þan þe fine coralle Enbateled as it were a castel wall Ilyke aȝure was his legges & his tone His bille was blakke & as þe gete it schone. Line 4052 His nailes whitter þan þe lyly floure [folio 218b] And ylike burnesshed gold was his colour This gentil kok hadd in his gouernance .Vij. hennes to done him plesance Line 4056 Whiche weren his susters & his paramours And wondere ylike to him as of Coloures Of wiche þe faire hewe on hire þrote Was cleped faire damysel pertelote Line 4060 Corteys sche was discrete & debonaire And companable & bare hire self so faire Seþens þilke daie sche was sevenyht olde That trewly sche haþe þe hert in holde Line 4064 Of chaunteclere loken in euery lyþþe He loued hire so þat wele was him þere wiþ Bot suche a ioye it was to here hem singe Whan þat þe briht sone be-gan to springe Line 4068 In swete accorde . My leue is fare in londe For þilke time as .I. have vnderstonde Bestes & birdes kouþe speke & singe And so befel at in a dawenynge Line 4072 As chaunteclere amonge his wives all Satt on his perche þat was in þe hall And next him satt his faire pertelote This chaunteclere gan gronen in his þrote Line 4076

[6-text p 285] Line 4076 As a man þat in his dreme is drecched sore And whan þat Pertilote þus herde him Rore Sche was agast & seide hert dere What eyleþ ȝowe to grone in þis manere Line 4080 Ȝe bue a verrey sleper fye for schame And he anseward & seide þus madame .I. pray ȝow þat ȝe take it to no greue Be god me mette þat .I. was in suche mischeue Line 4084 Riht nowe þat ȝit myne hert is sore afliht Nowe quod he My sweven rede ariht And kepe my body oute of foule prisone Me mette þat .I. Romed vpe & doune Line 4088 Wiþ-inne oure ȝerd where as .I. sawe a beste Was like an hunde & wolde haue maad areste Vpon My body & wolde haue hadde me dede His colour was be-twixe white & Rede Line 4092 And tipped was his taile & boþ his eres Wiþ blak vnlyke þe remenant of his heres. His snowte smal wiþ gloweinge eyen tweye [folio 219a] Ȝit of his loke almoste for fere .I. deye Line 4096 þis caused me my groneinge douteles Avoye quod sche Fy on ȝowe herteles Alas quod sche for be þat god aboue Now haue ȝe lost my hert & my loue Line 4100 .I. kan nouht loue a coward be my feiþe For certes what so any womman seyþe Wil al desiren if it myht be To haue husbandes harde wise & fre Line 4104 And secre ne no nygard ne none fole Ne him þat is agast of euery tole Ne none avauntour be þat god aboue How dorst ȝe seye for schame vnto ȝoure loue Line 4108 þat any þinge myht maake ȝowe aferde Haue ȝe none mannes herte & han berde Alas & kan ȝe be agast of sweue[n]sse [No thyng god woot/ but vanyte/ in sweuyn is/. [Harl. 1758 folio 194b] ]

[6-text p 286] Sweuens engendur of repleciones [And ofte of/ fame & of complexions/. [Harl. 1758 folio 194b] ] Whan humours bien to aboundant in a whight Certes þis dreme whiche ȝe haue herd to nyht Line 4116 Comeþ of þe grete superfluyte Of ȝoure rede coloure parde Whiche causeþ folk to dreme hire dremes Of Arwes and of fire wiþ rede lemes Line 4120 Of Rede bestes þat willen hem bite Of contek & of whelpes grete & lite Riht as þe humore malancolye Causeþ many a man in slepe to crye Line 4124 For fere of beres & boles blake Or elles blake deueles wi him tak Of oþere humerous couþ .I. tel also þat werken mony a man in slepe ful wo Line 4128 Bot .I. wil passe as lihtly as .I. kan Lo Caton whiche þat was so wise a man Seide he not þus ne do no force of dremes Now sir quod sche whan we flye fro þe bemes Line 4132 For goddes loue as take sum laxatif Vpon perile of my soule & of my lyf .I. counsel ȝowe þe best .I. wil nouȝt lye þat boþe of coloure & of Malancolye Line 4136 ȝe pure ȝowe; & for ȝe scholne nouht tary þouhe þat in þis toune is no potecarye .I. schal my self to erbes techen ȝowe [folio 219b] þat schal biene ȝoure hele & ȝoure prowe Line 4140 And in þe gardine þo erbes schal .I. finde þe whiche haue of here prop[er]te be kinde To purgen ȝowe be-neþe & eke aboue For-ȝetteþ nouht þis for goddes owen loue Line 4144 Ȝe bien ful colerik of complexioune Were þe sonne in his ascencioune Ne fynde ȝoue replite of ȝoure humers hote And if it do; I. dare wele leie a grote Line 4148

[6-text p 287] Line 4148 þat ȝe schal haue a feuere terciane Or an Agwe þat maie be ȝoure bane A daye or tuo ȝe schal haue digestiues Of wermes ar ȝe take ȝoure laxatiues Line 4152 Of Laureole; Centaure & of fymyter Or elles of elobore þat groweþ þere Of Catapuce or of gaitres buryes Of herbe yve groinge in owre gardine þat merery is Line 4156 Peke hem vp riht as þei growe & ete hem inne Be mery husbande for ȝoure faders kinne Dredeþ no dreme .I. can sei ȝowe no more Madame quod he gremercy of ȝoure lore Line 4160 Bot naþeles as toucheinge dan Catoune That haþ of wisdom suche grete renoune Be god men maie in olde bokes reede One of þe grettest Auctor oute of drede Line 4164 And mony a man more of auctorite Than euer Caton was so mott .I. þe That al þe [re]uerese seine of here sentence And haue wele founden be experience Line 4168 þat dremes be significacions As wele of Ioye as of tribulacions þat folke enduren in þis lif present The nedeþ nouht to make of þis none argument Line 4172 Þe verei preue scheweþ it in dede One of þe grettest auctor þat men rede seiþ þus þat whilom tuo felawes ȝede On pilgrenage in a ful grete nede Line 4176 And happed so þei cam in to a toune Where as þere was suche congregacione Of peple and eke of streite herbigage þat þei [ne] fande as meche as a cotage. Line 4180 In whiche þei boþe myht y-loged be [folio 220a] Wherfor þei myhten of necessite As for þat nyht departen of compaignye And iche of hem goþe vntil his ostelerye Line 4184

[6-text p 288] Line 4184 And toke his logeinge as it wolde fal þat one of hem was loged in a stal Ferre in a ȝerde wiþ oxen of þe plouhe þe toþere man was loged wele y-nowhe Line 4188 As was his aduentur or his fortune That vs gouerneþ all as in comune And so be-fel longe ar it were daie þis man mette in his bedde þere he leye Line 4192 Howe þat his felawe gan on him calle And seid alas for in an oxe stalle This nyht .I. schal be mordred þere .I. lye Nowe helpe me dere broþere ar .I. deye; Line 4196 In al haste come to me he seide. This man oute of his slepe for fere abraide. Bot whan þat he wakened out of his slepe He turned him & toke of þis no kepe Line 4200 Him þouht his drem was nouht bot a vanite Thus twyes in his slepe dremed he And att þe þredde time ȝit his felawe Cam as him þouht .I. am nowe .I.-slawe Line 4204 Be-holde my blode wounde depe & wide Aryse vp erly in þe morne tyde And att þe west gate of þe toune quod he A cart ful of donge þere schalt þou see Line 4208 In whiche my body is hidde ful priuelye Do þilke cart areste boldelye My golde caused my morder soþe to seyne And tolde hym euery poynte howe was sleyne Line 4212 Wiþ a ful pytous face pale of hewe And trust wele his drem he fonde ful trewe For on þe morne as sone as it was daie To his felawes inne he toke þe riht waie Line 4216 And whan he cam to þis oxe stall Affeter his felawe he began to call The Osteler answerd him anone And seide sir ȝoure felawe is gone Line 4220

[6-text p 289] Line 4220 As sone as dei he went oute of toune This man gan fal in grete suspeccion Remembreinge on his dremes þat he mete And forþe he goþe no longere wolde he let [folio 220b] Line 4224 Vnto þe west gate of þe toune & fonde A donge cart as he went to donge þe londe þat was araide in þe same wyse As ȝe haue herde þe dede man deuise Line 4228 And wiþ an hardy hert he gan to crie Vengeance & Iustice of þis felonye Myne felawe murdre is þe same nyht And in þis carte he lieþ gapeinge vpriht Line 4232 [I cry out on the mynistres quod he [MS Reg 17 D xv folio 277b] [Not in MS Reg. 18 C ii (nor are l. 4112, 4114); not in Harl. 1758.]] That shulden kepe. and rule this citee Harrow allas. hire lith my felaw slayne [folio 278a] What shuld I more. vnto this tale sayne The peple vp stert. and cast the cart to ground And in the myddil of the dung. ther they found] [[MS Reg. ex|tract ends]] The de[de] man þat murded was al newe O blisful god þat art so iust & trewe Line 4240 Lo howe þou be-wryest morder al weie Mordre wil oute þat se we daie be daie Mordre is so wlatesome & abomynable To god þat is so Iuste & resonable Line 4244 þat he ne wil nouht suffre it heled be þei it abide a ȝere or two or þre Mordre wil oute þis es myne conclusioune And riht anone Ministres of þe same toune Line 4248 And hente þe carter & sore him pynede And eke the hostelere so ferre engynede þat þei be-knewe here wykkednesse anone And weren hanged be þe nekke bone Line 4252 Here maie menne see þat dremes bien to drede And certes in [the] same book .I. rede Riht in þe next chapetre .I. rede of þis .I. gabbe nouht so haue .I. Ioye & blis Line 4256

[6-text p 290] Line 4256 [Two men that wold. han passed the see [MS Reg. 17 D xv folio 278a] ] For certeyne cause into a fer Contre If þat þe wynde ne hadde bue contrarie þat maade hem in a Cite for to tarye Line 4260 þat stode ful merie vpon an hauen side Bot on a daie aȝeines þe euen tide The wynde gan chaunge & blew as him lest Iolif & gladde þei wenten vnto rest Line 4264 And kesten hem ful erly vnto seile Bot herken þat o man fel in grete pereile The tone of hem in slepeinge as he leye Him mett a wonder dreme aȝeines þe daye Line 4268 Him þouht a man stode be his side And him commanded þat he schold abide And seid him þus if þou to morne wende þou schalt be dreynte my tale is att an ende Line 4272 He awoke & told his felawes what he mette. And praide him his viage for to lete [folio 221a] As for þat daie he praide him to abide His felawe þat laye be his beddes side Line 4276 Gan for to lauhe & scorned him ful fast No dreme quod he maie myne herte agaste þat .I. wil lette for to do my þinges .I. sett nouht a strawe be dremeinges Line 4280 For swevens bien bot vanytees & Iapes Menne dreme alweie of owles & of apes And of mony a mase þere wiþ all Men dremen of þinge þat neuer was ne schall Line 4284 Bott seþen .I. see þat þou wilte here abide And þus for-slewþen willfully þe tide God wote it reweþ me & haue good daie And þus he toke his leue & went his waie Line 4288 And er þat he hadde halfe his cours ysailed .I. note whie ne whatt meschaunce it eylede Bot Casuelly þe schip bothome to-rentte And schip & man vnder þe water wente Line 4292

[6-text p 291] Line 4292 In siht of oþere schippes hem beside þat wiþ him sailed att þe same tide And þerfore he seide pertelote so dere Bu suche ensamples olde maist þou lere Line 4296 þat noman schold bue to recheles Of dremes for .I. saie þe doubteles þat mony a dreme ful sore is for to drede ¶ Lo in þe lif of seint kenelme .I. rede Line 4300 þat was kenulphes son þe noble kinge Of Mercenrike howe Kenelme mette a þinge A litel ar he was murdred on a daie His murdre in his avisione he seyhe Line 4304 His norice him expounded euery dele His sweuen & bad him for to kep him wele For traison bot he was .vij. ȝere olde And þere-fore litel tale haþe he tolde Line 4308 Of ony dreme so holy was myn herte Be god .I. hadde leuer þan my scherte þat ȝe hadde his legende as haue .I. Dame pertelote .I. saie ȝow trewlye Line 4312 Macrobeus þat write þe avisioun In Aff[r]ike of þe worþe Cyprioun Affermeþ dremes & seiþ þat þere biene Warneynge of þinges þat men after seen · [folio 221b] Line 4316 And forþermore .I. praie ȝowe lokeþ wele The olde testament of Danyele If he helde dremes of any vanyte Rede eke of Ioseph & þan schal ȝe see Line 4320 Wheþer dremes bien sumtyme .I. seye nouht all Warneynge of þinges þat schal after fall ¶ Loke of Egipte þe kinge dan Pharaho His Baker & his Boteler also Line 4324 Where þei ne felte none effect in dremes Who so wolle se[r]che þe actes of sundre Realmes Maie rede of dremes mony a worder þinge Loo cresus whiche þat was of Lidde kinge Line 4328

[6-text p 292] Line 4328 Met he nouht þat he sat vpon a tre Whiche signified he scholde an hanged bue Lo here Adromacha Ectores wyfe þat daie þat Ector schold lese his lif Line 4332 Sche dremed on þe same nyht be-forne Howe þat þe lif of Ector schold be lorne If þilke daye he wente in-to Bataile Sche warned him bot it myht not availe Line 4336 He went for to feyhten neuere þe lese Bot he was sleyne of Achilles Bot þilke tale is al to longe to tell And eke it is nyhe daie .I. may. duell Line 4340 Schortly .I. seie as for conclusione þat .I. schal ha of þis avisione Of aduersitees & .I. saie forþere more þat .I. wil tell of laxatifs no store Line 4344 For þei biene venemous .I. wote riht wele .I. hem defy .I. loue hem neuere a dele Now lat vs speke of merþe & stinte al þis Madame Pertelot so haue .I. blisse Line 4348 Of o þinge god haþe me sent large grace For whan .I. se þe beaute of ȝoure face Ȝe bien so scarlete rede aboute ȝoure eyȝen It makeþe al my; drede for to deyen Line 4352 For as so seker as in principio Mulier est hominis confusio Madame þe sentence of þis latine is Womman is mannes Ioye & al his blisse Line 4356 For whan .I. fele a nyht ȝoure soft side Al be it þat [I] maie nouht on ȝoure ride [folio 222a] For þat oure perche is maade so narwe alas I am so ful of Ioye & solace Line 4360 þat .I. defy boþe sweuen & dreme And wiþ þat worde he flieþ doune fro þe beme For it was daie & eke his hennes all And wiþ a chokke he gan hem for to call Line 4364

[6-text p 293] Line 4364 For he had fonden a corne laie in þe ȝerde Royal he was no more aferde He feþerde pertelode tuente time And trade hire as oft ar it were prime Line 4368 He lokeþ as it were a grime lyone And on his toos he Romed vp & doune Him deynede noȝt to sett his feet on grounde Aie chokked he whan he hadde a corne yfounde Line 4372 And to him þan ran his wyves all Thus Roial as a prince in his halle Leue .I. þis chaunteclere in his pasture And after. wil .I. tel of his aduenture Line 4376 ¶ Whan þe moneþ in whiche þe werlde be-ganne þat hiht Marche whan god first maad manne Was complete & passed where also Seþen .Marche be-gan .xxx. daies & tuo Line 4380 Be-fel þat Chaunteclere in his pride His .vij. wives walkinge be his side Kest vp his hiȝen to þe briht sone þat in þe signe of taurus was yrone· Line 4384 þrette degrees & one & sumwhat more He knewe be kinde & be none oþere lore þat it was prime & krewe wiþ blisful steuen þe sonne he seide is clombon vp on heuen Line 4388 .xl. degres & .I. & more y-wisse Madame pertelote Mi werldes blisse Herken howe þes blisful birdes sînge And see þe frische flowres how þei springe Line 4392 Ful is myne herte of reuel & solas Bott sodanly him fel a sorweful cas For euere þe later ende of Ioye is sone ago And comunly oft time it falleþ so Line 4396 And if a Rethor couþe faire endite He in a cronikle myht sauely write As for a souereyne notabilite. Nowe euerey wiseman herken me [folio 222b] Line 4400

[6-text p 294] Line 4400 This storie is as trewe .I. vnder-take As is þe booke of lancelote þe lake That wemmen helde in ful grete Reuerence Nowe wil .I. turne aȝeine to my sentence Line 4404 A kole fox ful of sleihte & iniquite þat in þe groue had woned ȝeres þre Be hihe ymaginacion aforne y-kast The same niht þorwhe-oute þe hegges brast Line 4408 In-to þe ȝerde þer chaunteclere þe faire Was wonte & eke his wif to repaire And in a bedde of wortes stil he laye Til it was passed vndern of þe daye Line 4412 Wayteinge his time on chaunteclere to fall As gladly done þes homicides all Þat in awaite ligge to murdre men O fals Mordroure roukeinge in þi den Line 4416 O newe Scariot & newe Genyloun Fals dissimylour o greke Synoun That brouhtest troye al vtterly to sorwe O chaunteclere acursed be þat morwe Line 4420 þat þou in þe ȝerde fleihe from þe bemes þou were wele y-warned be þi dremes þat þilke daie was perilouse to þe Bot þat at god a-for wote it mote nedes be Line 4424 After opinione of certeine clerkes Witnesse on him þat any clerke es þat in scole grete altercacioun In þis matier & grete disputacioun Line 4428 And haþe bue of an hundreþ þousand men But .I. ne can bult it to þe branne As kan þe holy doctur Austine Or Boice or þe Bischoppe Bradwardine Line 4432 Weþere þat goddes will afore weteinge Streyneþ me nedely for to done a þinge Nedely clepe .I. Simple necessite Of elles if þe fre choyce be graunted me Line 4436

[6-text p 295] Line 4436 To do þat same þinge or to do it nouȝt þouhe god for-wote it ar it was wrouht Or of his weteinge streyneþ neuere a dele Bot be necessite condicionele Line 4440 .I. wil nowht haue to done of suche Matier Mi tale is of a koke as ȝe maie here [folio 223a] That toke his counsel of his wif with sorwe To walken in þe ȝerde vpon þe morwe Line 4444 þat he hadde mette þe dreme as .I. ȝowe tolde Wemmen counsel bien ful often colde Wemmen counsel brouht vs first to woo And maade Adam fro paradise to go Line 4448 þere as he was ful mery & wele att ese Bot for .I. note whome .I. miht . it displese If .I. counsel of wemmen wolde blame Passe ouere for .I. said it in my game Line 4452 Rede Auctors where þei trete of suche matier And what þei seine of wemmen hier þese biene þe kokkes wordes & nouht myne .I. kan no harme of no womman devine Line 4456 Faire in þe sande to baþe hire merilye Lyþe pertelote & hire susters bye Aȝeine þe sunne & chaunteclere so fre Sange merier þat þe meri mere-maide in þe see Line 4460 For Phisiologus seiþe witterly How þat þei singen wele & merely And so be-fell as he kest his yȝe Amonges þe wortes vpon a butterflye Line 4464 He was ware of þis fox þat ley ful lowe Noþinge lust him þan to crowe Bot cride anone kok kok & vp he sterte As a man was affraide in his herte Line 4468 For naturaly a beste desireþ to flee Fro his contrarie whan he maie it see Þeihe he neuere hadde seen it erst wiþ his ye The chaunteclere when he gan him a-spye Line 4472

[6-text p 296] Line 4472 He walde haue fledde Bot þat þe fox anone Sayde gentil sire alas what will ȝe done Bene ȝe affraide of me þat am ȝoure frende Certes sire þat bien ȝe vn-hende Line 4476 If .I. to ȝowe wolde harme or velanye .I. am nouht comme ȝoure consel to aspye Bot trewly þe cause of my comynge was onely to herken howe þat .I. singe Line 4480 For trewly . ȝe haue as mery a steuene As an Angel haþe þat is in heuene þer-wiþ ȝe haue in fysik more feleynge þan hadde Boys or any þat kan singe [folio 223b] Line 4484 Min lorde ȝoure fader god his soule blisse And eke ȝoure moder of his gentillese Haue in myne house bien to ȝoure grete ese And certes sir ful feine wold I ȝowe plese Line 4488 Bot for men spekeþ of singeinge [I woll seie. So mote I broke myn yen tweie. Sauf ye I ne herd/ neuyr/ man so syng. [Harl. 1758 folio 198a] ] As dide ȝoure fader in þe morneinge Line 4492 Certes it was of hert al þat he sange And for to make his voice þe more strange He wolde so peyne him þat wiþ boþ his yȝen He nost wynke so loude he dide criene Line 4496 And stond on his tiptos þere wiþ al And strecche forþe his nekke longe & smal And eke he was of suche discrecione þat þer was no man in no region Line 4500 þat him in sange or wisdome myht passe .I. haue wele redde Dan Burnel þe asse Amonge his vers þere was a kok For a prestes sonne ȝaue him a knoke Line 4504 Vpon his legges whan he was ȝonge & nyce He maade him for to lese his benefice Bot certeine þere is no comparisoun Be-tuyx þe wisdome & discresioun Line 4508

[6-text p 297] Line 4508 Of ȝoure fader & his subtilite Nowe singeþ sire for seint charite Lete se con ȝe ȝoure fader counterfet This Chaunteclere his wynges gan to bete Line 4512 As man þat couþe his treson nouht aspie So was he Rauysched wiþ his flaterie Alas ȝe lordes mony a fals flaterer Is in ȝoure courte & mony a losengier Line 4516 þat plesen ȝowe more be my feiþe þan he þat soþefastnesse vnto ȝowe seiþ Redeþ Ecclesiastre of flatre Be war ȝe lordes of here trecherie Line 4520 This Chaunteclere stode hihe vpon his toos Strecheinge his nekke & held his yen cloos And gan to crowe loude for þe nones And Dan Russell stert vp al at ones Line 4524 And by þe gorge hente chaunteclere And on his bak to-warde þe woode him bere [folio 224a] [[leaf 224. It re|peats And on his bakke to-ward þe wode him bare]] For ȝitt was þere noman him sewed O destanye þat maiste not bu enchewed Alas þat chaunteclere fel þo fro þe beme Alas his wif ne rouht nouht of dremes And on a fridaye fel al þis meschaunce O venus þat is goddes of plesaunce Line 4532 Seþes þat þi seruant was þus chaunteclere And [in] þi seruice dide al his powere More for delite þan þe werlde to multiplie Whi woldest þou suffur on þi daye to deye Line 4536 O gaufride dere maister souereigne Than whan þi worþi kinge Richard was sleyne Wiþ schotte compleigned his deþ so sore Whi ne hadd .I. nowe þi sentence & þi lore Line 4540 Þe fryday for to chide as deden ȝe For on a fryday schortly sleyne was he þan wolde .I. schewe ȝowe howe þat .I. couþe pleyne For chaunteclere & for his peyne Line 4544

[6-text p 298] Line 4544 Certes suche crie ne lamentacione Was of ladies maade whan þat Elyone Was wonne & pirrus wiþ his streiht swerde Whan he hente kinge Prian be þe berde Line 4548 And sleyne him as seide Eneydos As maaden all þe hennes in þe close Whan þei hadd seye of Chaunteclere þe siht Botte souereignely dame Pertelot schriht Line 4552 Ful ludde þan dide Esdrubaldes wif Whan þat hir husbonde hadde lost hir lif And þat þe Romeynes hadde bernt Cartage Sche was so ful of tourment & of rage Line 4556 þat wilfully in-to þe fire sche stert And bernede her self wiþ a stedfast hert O . woful hennes riht so cride ȝe As whan þat nero berned þe Cite Line 4560 Of Rome Criden þe Senatours wifes For þat her husbondes scholde lese here lyves Wiþ-outen gulte Nero haþe hem sleyne Now wil .I. turne to my tale a-ȝeine Line 4564 This cely wedowe & here dowhters tuo Herden þe hennes crie & maden wo And oute att þe dore stert þei a none And sawe þe fox to-warde þe groue gone [folio 224b] And bare vpon his bakke þe koke awaie And Criden oute harrowe & walaweie A ha þe fox & After hem þei Ranne And ek wiþ staues mony anoþer manne Line 4572 Ranne Colle oure dogge talbot & Garland And Malkin wiþ here distaf in hire hand Rann þe cowe & þe calf & eke þe verrey hogges Sore aferde for berkeinge of þe dogges Line 4576 And schowteinge of men & of wemmen eke þei rann so her hert þei þouht to breke The Dokes criden as men wold hem qwelle þei ȝelden as fendes done in helle Line 4580

[6-text p 299] Line 4580 Oute of þe hyves cam þe swrame of bees The gees for fere flowe ouer þe trees So hydous was þe noyce a benedicite Sertes he Iac strawe & his Meyneȝe Line 4584 Ne maade neuere schowte halfe so schill Whan þat þei wolde any flemmynge kill As þat ilke daie was maade on þe fox Of brasse þei brouht bemes & of box Line 4588 Of horne & bone in whiche þei poped þere-wiþ-āl þei schriked & schowted It semed howe þat heuen schold fal Nowe good men .I. preie ȝowe herkeneþ al Line 4592 Lo how fortune torneþ sodanly The hope & eke þe pride of her envye This kok þat lei vpon þis fox bak In al his drede vn-to þe fox spak Line 4596 And seide sire . If .I. were as ȝe ȝit schold .I. saie as wis god help me Turneþ aȝeine ȝe proude clerkes all A verrey pestelence vpon ȝow fall Line 4600 Nowe am .I. comme vnto þis wode side Mawgre ȝoure hede þe koke schal her abide .I. wil him ete in feiþ & þat anone The fox anseward in feiþe it schal be done Line 4604 And [as] he spak þat worde al sodanly þis koke brak fro his mouþe delyuerlye And hihe vpon a tree he flyȝe anone And þe fox sawe þat he was goone Line 4608 Alas quod he o chaunteclere alas .I. haue quod he done ȝowe a trespas [folio 225a] In also muche as .I. maade ȝowe aferd Whene .I. ȝow hente & brouht oute of þe ȝer[d]e Line 4612 Bot sire .I. did it nouht in no wikked entente Comeþ doune & .I. schal tel ȝowe whatt .I. mente .I. schal seie soþ god helpe me so Naye þan quod he .I. schrewe vs boþe tuo Line 4616

[6-text p 300] Line 4616 And first .I. schrewe my self boþe blode & bones If þou be-gile me ofter þan ones Thou schalt no more wiþ þi flatery Do me to singe & wynke wiþ myne eyȝe Line 4620 For he þat winkeþ whan he schold see As wysly god let him neuer þe Nay quod þe fox god ȝeue him meschaunce Þat is so vndiscrete of gouernaunce Line 4624 þat Iangeleþ whan he schold haue pees Lo suche it is to bue recheles And necligent and trusteþ on flaterye Bot ȝe þat halde þis tale a folye Line 4628 As of a fox .&. a kok. & of an hen Takeþ þe moralite goode men For seinte Poule seiþ all þat wreten is To oure doctrine it is wreten y-wys Line 4632 Takeþ þe fruyte & leteþ þe chaf be still Now good god if þat it be þine will As seiþe my lorde so makeþ vs al good men And bringe vs al to his hihe blisse Amen. Line 4636

Explicit fabula Capellani.