Robert of Brunne's "Handlyng synne".

Here bygynneþ þe seuene dedly synnes. [O. has 'Here begynne þe s. d. synnys.']

[The Seven Deadly Sins;—and first of Pride.]

                    
                      Now of þe seuene wyl we telle,
                    
                      þat ben þe dedly doghters of helle.
                    
                      Þe eldyst, men kallë pryde;
                    
                      She was þe fyrst þat walkyd wyde
                      Line 2992 
                    
                      Yn euery land, to euery man,

Page 106

                    
                      Þurgh alle þe worlde, ouer alle she ran,
                    
                      And haþ here [haþ O, om. H.]  gete many wonynges,
                    
                      Specyally wyþ grete lordynges,
                      Line 2996 
                    
                      And with ouþer many ynowe;
                    
                      For where [þer.]  she ys, he wylle nat bowe,
                    
                      She wyl be mayster ouer hem alle;
                    
                      And alle at onys she makeþ hem falle.
                      Line 3000 
                    
                      Þe fadyr of pryde þat fyrst here [here O, hem H.]  knew
                    
                      To hellë pyt she down hym threw;
                    
                      And alle þat are of here coueyn, [couyne, glossed 'cumpany.'] 
                    
                      Alle she bryngeþ [brynþ.]  to hellë peyn.
                      Line 3004 
                    
                      Þarfor y wylle warnë ȝow [folio 20b:2] 
                    
                      whare-yn she makeþ ȝow synne, and how,
                    
                      Þat ȝe mowe parceyue vmwhyle
                    
                      Yn what þyng she doþ ȝow gyle.
                      Line 3008

                    
                      Þys ys þe fyrst þat y fynde
                    
                      Vnbuxumnesse aȝens þy kynde; [fadyr & [[O. or]]  modyr,] 
                    
                      And he þat ys vnbuxum al
                    
                      Aȝens hys fadyr spiritual, [spyrytual.] 
                      Line 3012 
                    
                      And setteþ hym ryȝt at þe leste,
                    
                      And seyþ 'prut for þy cursyng, prest!'
                    
                      Or ȝyf ȝou speke [spekst.]  foule wrdys or [and.]  rowe,
                    
                      And to þy souereyn wylt þat bowe,
                      Line 3016 
                    
                      Ȝyf þy prout wurdys make hym wroth,
                    
                      Be þou neuer so lefe no loth,
                    
                      Þou synnest þer gretly [gretly þer.]  yn pryde,
                    
                      Man or [oþer.]  womman, wheþer hyt betyde.

                    
                      Ȝyf þou, oþer man or wyfe,
                      Line 3021 
                    
                      were preysed for þyn holy lyfe;
                    
                      Or ȝyf þou wuldest men seyde of þe
                    
                      þat þou dedyst grete charyte,
                      Line 3024 
                    
                      And þat þou were boþe meke and chaste,
                    
                      And wuldest speke no wurdës waste;
                    
                      Ȝyf þou wuldest men seyd þys,
                    
                      Þou synnest yn pryde, y sey, ywys.

                      Line 3028

Page 107

                    
                      Line 3028 
                    
                      Ouer al [Of alle.]  folyys hyt ys þe floure,
                    
                      For þy godenesse to haue wurldys honoure.

                    
                      Ȝyf þou for prydë art outrage
                    
                      þat þou are [art.]  come of hygh lynage,
                      Line 3032 
                    
                      Beþenke þe weyl fro when [whenne.]  þou cam;
                    
                      Allë we were of Adam:
                    
                      Ȝyf þou be comë of hygh blode,
                    
                      And þou dost [doust.]  more euyl þan gode,
                      Line 3036 
                    
                      Vnwrþyly art þou made gentyl
                    
                      Ȝyf þou yn wurdys and dedys be yl.

                    
                      Ȝyf þou be prout [proud.]  þat þou art wys
                    
                      And for þy cunseyl art holde yn prys,
                      Line 3040 
                    
                      Or yn þyn queyntë wurdys hast pryde,
                    
                      wys yn wrong, euyl shal betyde.

                    
                      Ȝyf þou be proute [proud.]  of þy bewte, [folio 21a] 
                    
                      No shoch [swych.]  kote to þe shulde be,
                      Line 3044 
                    
                      Þat feyrhede ne shal long with þe wende;
                    
                      Swych pryde endyþ foule at þe last ende.

                    
                      Ȝyf þou for strenkþë be mysproute,
                    
                      And hast bostful wrdys and loude;
                      Line 3048 
                    
                      Do no-body þarfore despyte ne skaþe
                    
                      Swychë men go to shame ful raþe. [sone]

                    
                      Ȝyf þou be prout [proud.]  of þy rychesse
                    
                      Þogh hyt come neuer wyþ no falsnesse,
                    
                      Hyt may passe þe more lyghtly,
                      Line 3053 
                    
                      And þe sunner, þat þou beryst þe hyy.

                    
                      Ȝyf þou be prout [proud.]  of þy song,
                    
                      Seldë lasteþ þat vertu long;
                      Line 3056 
                    
                      Synger haþ hertë prout [proud.]  with-ynne,
                    
                      And tycyþ many on to synne;
                    
                      Ful selde ys synger gode yn thew,
                    
                      But þat yn sum poynt he ys a shrew.
                      Line 3060 
                    
                      yn feyrë wurdys, and yn qeynte,
                    
                      wyþ prydë are swych men ateynte;
                    
                      Flourshed wurdys, and oþerwhyle louely,

Page 108

                    
                      Are ful of pryde and trechery.
                      Line 3064 
                    
                      Be a man uncouth or couthe,
                    
                      And he haue laghyng wurdys yn mouþe,
                    
                      y warne þe wel þat oþer whyle,
                    
                      Swych a man ys ful of gyle.
                      Line 3068

                    
                      Ȝyf þou euer bare þe hyghly
                    
                      yn ouerdo pryde for þy bayly,
                    
                      Bere þe lowe; men se al day,
                    
                      Þy bayly shal nat laste alway;
                      Line 3072 
                    
                      Now þou, and syþen y, [[6 syll.]] 
                    
                      So shal go, oure bayly. [[6 syll.]]

                    
                      Ȝyf þou be prout of þy cunnyng,
                    
                      Þat þou hast lerned mochë þyng,
                      Line 3076 
                    
                      As sum man ys, þat ys scolere,
                    
                      wenyþ þat none ys to hym pere,
                    
                      He wenyþ weyl þat he kan
                    
                      To be mayster, and ouer-man,
                      Line 3080 
                    
                      And when þe endë ys al shewyd, [folio 21a:2] 
                    
                      Þan ys he almost al lewyd.

                    
                      Ȝyf þou delyte þe oftyn stoundes,
                    
                      yn horsys, [horsys O, hors H.]  haukys, or yn houndes;
                    
                      Ȝyf þou clerk auaunsed be,
                      Line 3085 
                    
                      Swyche game ys nat graunted to þe.
                    
                      To emperorus [emperours.]  and to kyngys
                    
                      ys graunted swych [sweche.]  pleyyngys;
                      Line 3088 
                    
                      Erlës, barons, also y graunte,
                    
                      And knyȝtës, þey mow hyt haunte
                    
                      Þat þey ne be tempted of ouþer synne,
                    
                      For ydulnesse þat þey ben [are.]  ynne;
                      Line 3092 
                    
                      And ȝyt y rede, þey haunte hyt so,
                    
                      Aȝens god þat þey nat mysdo.

                    
                      Ȝyf þou art wel wyþ þe kyng,
                    
                      Or with anoþer lordyng,
                      Line 3096 
                    
                      Bere þe nat ouer prout þerfore
                    
                      To þy perys out of skore;
                    
                      For men se hyt yn a þrowe,

Page 109

                    
                      To day ys hegh, te morwe [to morne.]  ys lowe.
                      Line 3100 
                    
                      And a lorde ful oftë latyþ,
                    
                      Now he louyþ, and now [sone.]  he hatyþ.

                    
                      Ȝyf þou euer vndyrstode
                    
                      Þat þy wyt, or þy gode,
                      Line 3104 
                    
                      Come of þy self, and nat of god,
                    
                      Hyt [þat.]  ys grete pryde and falsly troud.

                    
                      Ȝyf god almyghty haue ȝeue þe
                    
                      Many þewës þat with þe be,
                      Line 3108 
                    
                      werre nat aȝens þe commaundment
                    
                      with þo ȝyftes þat god haþ þe lent;
                    
                      Make nat þy saule so wykked a wem
                    
                      To do wykkednes for pryde of hem.
                      Line 3112

                    
                      Ȝyf þou þe auaunte of goddys ȝyfte,
                    
                      Or worldly gode, or bodly [bodyly.]  þryfte,
                    
                      Or ȝyf þou be se mochë mad
                      Line 3115 
                    
                      To auaunte þe of þat þat þou neuer had,
                    
                      Þys ys pryde and arrogaunce,
                    
                      Vnwrþyly þe to auance.
                    
                      Arrogaunce ys certeynly [folio 21b] 
                    
                      Beholdë bettyr þan ys wrþy;
                      Line 3120 
                    
                      To sey a þyng þou shuldest haue do
                    
                      Þat þou neuer myghtyst come þer-to.

                    
                      A vylë synne men haunte alle now,
                    
                      Of pryde hyt comþ,—lestneþ [lestenyþ.]  how,—
                    
                      Þat none can preyse hym self by [be.]  name
                    
                      But he wyþ euyl anouþer blame;
                    
                      Þys cumþ of grete enuye
                      Line 3127 
                    
                      And pryde of herte and felonnye.

                    
                      Ȝyf þou skornedyst euer any man,
                    
                      Or ȝaue cunseyl þat scorne began,
                    
                      hyt ys a pryde, and wykked þyng,

Page 110

                    
                      At crystyn man to make scornyng;
                      Line 3132 
                    
                      Þus seyþ þe holy prophete Dauyþ,
                    
                      And Neomas a prophete hym wyþ,
                    
                      þat scorners, at þe hegh Iugement,
                    
                      Of goddys mouþ þey shul be shent.

                    
                      Ȝyf þou for prydë haue delyte
                      Line 3137 
                    
                      For to be holde an ypocryte,
                    
                      To be preysed wel for þy gode dede,
                    
                      And þat holylech þou canst þe lede,
                      Line 3140 
                    
                      Or to be preysed þat þou hast wroght
                    
                      Þyng þat þou dedyst nowȝt,
                    
                      wetë þou, [þou weyl.]  syre ypocryte,
                    
                      Of þe mede of god þan art þou quyte;
                    
                      þat ychë preysyng ys þy mede
                      Line 3145 
                    
                      þat þou receyuest for þy gode dede.
                    
                      Ful fellychë God to hem flytes, [chydeþ] 
                    
                      To þes fals[ë] ypocrytes;
                      Line 3148 
                    
                      And seyþ, "at þe ende shul men se
                    
                      Þat ȝe begyle ȝou self, and nat me."

And herë y shal telle as tyte Of a cursed ypocryte. 3152

[The Tale of the Hypocritical Monk of the Abbey Tangabaton.]
 [[Bk. IV, ch. xi, of St. Gregory's Dialogues: the place is Iconium, the monastery των Γαλατων, ton Galaton, then Tongalaton, Tangabaton. The story is in the Libro de los Exemplos (no. 395), but the abbey is not named.—G. Paris, Hist. Litt. de la France, xxviii. 197.]] 

                      Seynt Gregory seyþ, as y shal sey, [A tale] 
                    
                      hyt was onës an abbey
                    
                      Þe namë hyght 'tangabaton,'
                    
                      And munkës þey were echon.
                      Line 3156 
                    
                      Of a munke ȝede þe wurde ful ryue, [ryf.]  [folio 21b:1] 
                    
                      Þat he was of holy lyue;
                    
                      But for þat he was nat so,
                    
                      So holy as men tolde hym to,
                      Line 3160 
                    
                      Fals preysyng shal wykkedly wende,
                    
                      As hyt ys wurþy, so shal hyt ende.
                    
                      A seknes toke þe munke ful grym

Page 111

                    
                      As god had purueyd of hym.
                      Line 3164 
                    
                      he was so traueyled, shortly to sey, [seye.] 
                    
                      Þat he wyst weyl þat he shuld dey. [deye.] 
                    
                      whan he wyst þat, he made do calle
                    
                      Boþe one and oþer, hys bryþryn alle,
                      Line 3168 
                    
                      "Byddyþ hem come byfore me here;
                    
                      Þat may hem auayle, y shal hem lere." [O. gloss 'teche.']

                    
                      Þey come rennyng, boþe lesse and more,
                    
                      And wende haue herd sum holy lore.
                      Line 3172 
                    
                      And when þey werë come echone,
                    
                      To hem he made of sorow hys mone:
                    
                      "hyt may no lenger be forholne;
                    
                      Falsly, wurschyp haue y stolne;
                      Line 3176 
                    
                      y am nat, breþren, as ȝe wene,
                    
                      Of holy lyfe, as haþ be sene;
                    
                      Þat y fasted when ȝe lete;
                    
                      For twyys pryuyly y ȝete;
                      Line 3180 
                    
                      And whan ȝe wende y had be holy,
                    
                      Y ete and drank ful lustyly.
                    
                      To warnë ȝow, þus y telle,
                    
                      For me ys come þe fende of helle.
                      Line 3184 
                    
                      wyþ hys tayle my knes he haþ knyȝt,
                    
                      And wyþ hys hede my mouþ y-dyt. [stoppyd] 
                    
                      Alas þe tyme þat y was bore!
                    
                      As an ypocryte y am forlore.
                      Line 3188 
                    
                      Ryȝt now shal he me strangle and cheke,
                    
                      Ne shal y neuer aftyr speke."
                    
                      Be-fore hem alle he deyde astyte [O. gloss 'anone.'] 
                    
                      Þat ychë proud ypocryte.
                      Line 3192

                    
                      Þys was shewed, hem for to warne,
                    
                      And þat, God, no man shuld scorne. [shulde no man scarne, 'scorne' gloss.] 
                    
                      Ypocrysye, þys ys þe synne [folio 22a] 
                    
                      Feyre wyþ-oute, and foule [wykkede.]  with-ynne.
                    
                      Þys ychë synnë cumþ of pryde,

                      Line 3197

Page 112

3197 Yn feyre shewyng, here falsnes hyde.

                    
                      Ȝyf þou art prout of þy [þyn.]  her,
                    
                      (As prout men ben euery where,)
                      Line 3200 
                    
                      Or ȝyf þou tyfyst [tyffyst; O.N. 'typpa,' adorn.]  þe ouer proudly,
                    
                      Ouer mesure on þy body,
                    
                      Swychë synne ys nat þe leste;
                    
                      Y rede þe telle hyt to þe preste.
                      Line 3204

                    
                      Be nat proud of þy [a.]  croket, [chaplet] 
                    
                      Yn þe cherche to tyfe [tyffe.]  and set.
                    
                      At home mayst þou þy croket werche,
                    
                      And nat at þy messe yn þe cherche.

                    
                      And of þese berded buckys [bukkes.]  also,
                      Line 3209 
                    
                      with hem-self þey moche mysdo,
                    
                      Þat leuë crystyn mennys acyse
                    
                      And hauntë alle þe newë gyse;
                      Line 3212 
                    
                      Þerwhylys þey had þat gyse on hand,
                    
                      was neuer gracë yn þys land.

                    
                      Of proud wymmen wuld y telle,
                    
                      But þey are so [sone.]  wroth and felle;
                      Line 3216 
                    
                      Of þese þat are so foule and fade,
                    
                      Þat make hem feyrere þan god hem made
                    
                      with oblaunchere or [or wyþ.]  ouþer floure,
                    
                      To make hem whytter of coloure.
                      Line 3220 
                    
                      Grete pryde hyt ys, and [O. inserts 'vyle.']  outrage,
                    
                      þat she ys nat payd of goddys ymage.

                    
                      heuedys tyfed wyþ grete pryde,
                    
                      with heer, [her.]  and [and wyþ.]  hornës syde, [long] 
                      Line 3224 
                    
                      Men mow wete hyt ys grete synne
                    
                      To hauë mochë pryde þer-ynne.
                    
                      Men sey, and haue seyd, here before,
                    
                      For swych pryde are wymmen forlore.—

                    
                      Ryche ladyys of grete renouns, [name] 
                      Line 3229 
                    
                      Þey do make hem ryche corouns, [hauyng] 
                    
                      Þey may make to here auenaunt, [O. gloss 'hauynge.']

Page 113

But ouer mesure ys nat cunnaunt. [couenaunt. Glossed 'semely.'] 3232

                    
                      Of ladyys wulde y leue my sawe, [folio 22a:2] 
                    
                      But y dar nat for goddys awe; [drede] 
                    
                      Of hem behoueþ to sey sumdeyl,
                    
                      yn what poyntës þey do nat wel.
                      Line 3236 
                    
                      God haþ shewed, and sheweþ euery day,
                    
                      Þat swychë pryde ys noght to pay.
                    
                      A tale y shal þerforë telle, [A tale] 
                    
                      How a lady was pyned yn helle.
                      Line 3240

[The Tale of the Proud Lady, who was burnt to ashes again and again in Hell by a Burning Wheel.]

                      þer was a lady, a lordys wyfe,
                    
                      here fayrhede was yn renoun ryfe;
                    
                      Moche she loued feyre tyfyng, [tyffynge.] 
                    
                      On here hede, ouer al þyng,
                      Line 3244 
                    
                      For to be holde þe feyryst lady
                    
                      Of al þo þat woned here by;
                    
                      And whan she wened best [best wende.]  to haue lyuyd,
                    
                      Þe deþ here toke; here dayys were fyllyd;
                    
                      For when men wene to lyfe haue space,
                    
                      Þan ys deþ sunnest yn place.
                    
                      Whan she was dede, sone aftyrward
                    
                      here squyer toke a syknes hard,
                      Line 3252 
                    
                      Þat here lorde helde of grete prys,
                    
                      For he was a man yn seruyse wys.

                    
                      As he lay yn hys bed a nyȝt,
                    
                      hym þoght hys lady come to hym ryȝt,
                    
                      And seyd þus, "rys, and go wyþ me,
                      Line 3257 
                    
                      A merueyle shal y shewe to þe."

Page 114

                    
                      Þys ychë man graunted here noght,
                    
                      For hyt ran weyl hym yn þoght
                      Line 3260 
                    
                      Þat shé was dede and leyd yn graue,
                    
                      Þat hym of hys beddë wulde haue.
                    
                      But wheþer he wulde or noght, wyþ wel [wele.]  & wo,
                    
                      She had hym vp with here to go.
                      Line 3264 
                    
                      Þus tolde he seþyn with moche drede;
                    
                      Aȝens hys wylle with here he ȝede;
                    
                      She ledde hym to a mochë felde,
                    
                      So grete one neuer he behelde.
                      Line 3268 
                    
                      Þan stodë styl, þys lady,
                    
                      And he by here ful dredfully.
                    
                      As þey hadd stondë but a þrowe, [folio 22b] 
                      Line 3271 
                    
                      Come furþ [foure.]  deuylys þat fast gun blowe;
                    
                      With hem þey broght a brennyng wheyl,
                    
                      Þat on here hede was set eche deyl.
                    
                      Þys whel þat was set on here heuede, [heuede O, hede H.] 
                    
                      Brende here alle, þat noght was leued.
                    
                      Efte she ros, when she was brent,
                      Line 3277 
                    
                      And had þe samë turment,
                    
                      And brende ryȝt as she dede before;
                    
                      To se þat peyne hys herte was sore.
                      Line 3280 
                    
                      Ȝyt she ros þe samë wey;
                    
                      For saule may neuer for peynë deye.
                    
                      And efte þey set [sette.]  hyt on here krowne,
                    
                      And brende here al to asshen doune;
                    
                      And euermore she leuyd aȝen,
                      Line 3285 
                    
                      For peynë myȝt she neuer be sleyn.

                    
                      Þan askede he here, why þat hyt was
                    
                      Þat she suffred swyche peyne. "alas, alas,"
                    
                      She seyd, "y suffre þys mys-auenture

                      Line 3289

Page 115

                    
                      Line 3289 
                    
                      For on my heuede [hede.]  ouer feyre tyfure;
                    
                      For when y shuld agher go or ryde,
                    
                      y dyghte my heuede [hede.]  ryȝt [ful.]  moche with pryde
                      Line 3292 
                    
                      For to be presyd ouer alle ladyys,
                    
                      And of prydë to bere þe prys,
                    
                      And among knyȝtës yn halle
                    
                      y wulde be holde feyrest of alle.
                      Line 3296 
                    
                      þer-for þys ychë peyne y drygh [suffre] 
                    
                      For y bare me yn pryde so hygh.
                    
                      But warne my lordë, y pray þe,
                    
                      hys pryde and bobaunce þat he late be;
                    
                      But ȝyf he do, he shal be forlore,
                      Line 3301 
                    
                      Þat y warne hym weyl before;
                    
                      For on one of þys dayys shul ȝe deye,
                    
                      My lorde and þou: þe soþe y seye."
                      Line 3304 
                    
                      Ryght at þe termë, as [þat.]  she seyde,
                    
                      Þe knyȝt, and þat squyer, deyde.

                    
                      By þat tokenyng wel men knew
                    
                      Þat þe tale was ryȝt and trew.
                      Line 3308 
                    
                      Þerfor hyt ys gretë doute, [O. gloss 'drede.']  [folio 22b:2] 
                    
                      wymmen to tyfe here hedys aboute.

                    
                      Ȝyf god haue lent þe [O, þe lent H.]  handys and fete,
                    
                      Armës, leggës, feyre and swete,—
                      Line 3312 
                    
                      Be nat ouer proude of þys,
                    
                      Þey are nat þyne, but þey ben [beyn.]  hys;
                    
                      For ȝyf he wylle, he may hem þe [þe hem.]  reue;
                    
                      with-oute hys leue, [leue.]  shal none beleue.

                    
                      Despyse noun ouþer þat so haue noght,
                    
                      Ne þoght [þogh.]  þey be nat so feyre y-wroght;
                    
                      For ȝyf þou doust, þou mayst hem tyne, [lese] 
                    
                      And for þat prydë go to pyne.
                      Line 3320 
                    
                      Ne dysgyse nat þy cloþyng
                    
                      Ouer mesure, for þy preysyng.

Page 116

                    
                      Alas! hyt shuldë so betyde,
                    
                      Many one are lost for here pryde.
                      Line 3324 
                    
                      Shal grace come neuer [neuer come.]  yn þat land
                    
                      Þere men haue swychë gyse yn hand;
                    
                      God and grace are wyþ hem wroth,
                    
                      Þat haue, for pryde, dysgysed here cloth.
                    
                      Noþeles [O, Noþele H.]  euery [eury.]  man may,
                      Line 3329 
                    
                      Aftyr hys astate, make hym gay;
                    
                      But when he þasseþ ouer mesure,
                    
                      Þerof cumþ mysauenture.
                      Line 3332 
                    
                      Gentyl men ofte, for swyche desert
                    
                      Fal [Falle.]  at þe laste yn grete pouert.

                    
                      A weddyd wyfe may atyre here
                    
                      Þat here husbunde loue noun but here;
                    
                      For hys loue she may hyt do,
                      Line 3337 
                    
                      But for none ouþer mannys so.
                    
                      Ȝyt swyche y rede, þat þey so fare
                    
                      Þat here pryde make hem nat bare.
                      Line 3340 
                    
                      Gretly [Gretlych.]  þey synne yn þer [here.]  queyntyse
                    
                      Þat nouelrye al day areyse,
                    
                      For to be preysed and of grete syght,
                    
                      Al day dysgyse hem at here myght;
                      Line 3344 
                    
                      Forsoþe hyt semeþ weyl to be
                    
                      Al here lyfe yn vanyte.
                    
                      But wlde [Harl. omits 'wlde.']  þey þenke þat make swyche strut,
                    
                      yn what robe, yn erþe, þey shul [þey shul yn erþe.]  be put,
                    
                      Þey shulde nat make hyt so a-mys,
                      Line 3349 
                    
                      Ȝyf þey þoght oft of [on.]  þys.

Y shal ȝou telle a lytyl wyght [[wiht, space]] [A tale] How hyt befyl onys of a knyȝt.

[The Tale of the Knight and Monk who lovd new Fashions.]

Þer was a knyȝt þat loued nouelrye, As many one haunte now þat folye; 3354

Page 117

                    
                      Line 3354 
                    
                      he dede to make, [do make hym.]  yn þe somers tyde,
                    
                      A kote perced queyntly with pryde;
                    
                      And God was nat þer-of payd,
                      Line 3357 
                    
                      For yn hys pryde he was betrayd.

                    
                      Þys knyȝt ȝede, vpp-on a day,
                    
                      Aboute roberye, to gete hys pray;
                      Line 3360 
                    
                      Homward as he hys pray ledde
                    
                      with hys enmys he was bestedde;
                    
                      with fors þey gun with hym [hym to.]  fyght,
                    
                      And slogh þere þys ychë knyȝt.
                      Line 3364 
                    
                      Þe knyȝtys frendys herdë seye
                    
                      how he was slayn by þe weye;
                    
                      Ful feyre þan gun þey for hym [for hym þan gunne þey.]  werche,
                    
                      Þey byryed þe body feyre at þe cherche;
                    
                      hys frendys departed hys katel
                      Line 3369 
                    
                      Among þe pore men, and þat was wel.
                    
                      whan þey come at þe kote gysyng,
                    
                      To dele hyt among hys ouþer þyng,
                      Line 3372 
                    
                      Before þe pore men hyt was broght;
                    
                      Þe pore men seyd þey wulde hyt noȝt.
                    
                      A clerk stodë þo þere be syde,
                    
                      And, prayd for þe kote of pryde.
                      Line 3376 
                    
                      To werne hyt hym, þey þoght [hem þught.]  loþe;
                    
                      Þey toke and ȝaue þys clerk þe cloþe.
                    
                      Þys clerk was glad whan he hyt hadde;
                    
                      Þys kote asswyþe on hym [on hym asswyþe.]  he cladde.
                      Line 3380

                    
                      Se now here a grete myschaunce
                    
                      Come ryȝt as for veniaunce:
                    
                      Ryȝt as he was yn þe kote al dyght,
                    
                      A fyre brennyng on hym gan lyght,
                      Line 3384 
                    
                      And brend hys body dounne to þe grounde
                    
                      whylys oght of hym myȝt be founde. [folio 23a:2]

Þer shewed God weyl by þat kas

Page 118

                    
                      Þat þe kote a-cursed was,
                      Line 3388 
                    
                      And tokened wel sorowe and wrake,
                    
                      Þat nonë [no.]  pore man wulde hyt take
                    
                      For prydë of þe newë gyse
                    
                      Aȝens crystyn mennys wyse;
                      Line 3392 
                    
                      But þe clerk was wode al gate
                    
                      To were a cloþe aȝens hys state.
                    
                      here mow ȝe se þat god ys wroth
                    
                      with hem þat dysgyse here cloþe.
                      Line 3396

                    
                      And a clerk ys moche for to blame
                    
                      Þat bryngyþ [brynth.]  hym self yn foule fame,
                    
                      Clerk ordeyned yn dignyte
                    
                      Þat haunteþ swyche Iolyte;
                      Line 3400 
                    
                      Noþeles, of þe newë gyse
                    
                      Þe deuyl haþ made hymself chefe iustyse;
                    
                      And ȝyf he yn folye begynne to stoute,
                    
                      Þan bereþ he þe deuylys baner aboute;
                    
                      Mochë folk ys þerwyþ blent;
                      Line 3405 
                    
                      God do þerof amendment.

                    
                      Ȝyf þou hauë grete desyre
                    
                      To be clepyd lorde or syre,
                      Line 3408 
                    
                      For to glosë þe, and slyppe,
                    
                      And to haue þe wurdys of wurschyp;
                    
                      Or ȝe wymmen also, comunly,
                    
                      wulde be kallede 'madame' or 'lady;'
                    
                      Al þys comþ of gretë pryde;
                      Line 3413 
                    
                      yn þy shryfte þou noght hyt hyde.
                    
                      he ys ryȝt lorde, þe kyng of heuene;
                    
                      wrong hyt ys þat men any oþer neuene.

                    
                      Ȝyf þou delyte þe yn grete meyne,
                      Line 3417 
                    
                      For men shulde hauë drede of þe,
                    
                      And for þy meynë wuldyst [wst.]  preysed be,
                    
                      ȝyf harme to oþer þan do þat meyne,
                      Line 3420 
                    
                      Þou for þy meynë shalt dampned be
                    
                      Ȝyf þou to euyl vowe þy meynë.

Ȝyf þou delyte þe yn grete hallys, [folio 23b]

Page 119

                    
                      Yn a foule prydë þan þou fallys;
                      Line 3424 
                    
                      For y se many þat nowe þey bygge,
                    
                      And now sonë, dede þey lygge.
                    
                      y sey for þo þat haue grete pryde
                    
                      yn hygh hallys and yn wyde.
                      Line 3428 
                    
                      Ȝyf þou delyte þe yn ryche beddyng,
                    
                      yn hors, yn harneys, or yn feyre rydyng,
                    
                      Alle ys pryde and vanyte;
                    
                      Of al shalt þou a-couped be.
                      Line 3432

                    
                      Y seyd langere, yn gode cunnaunt, [couenaunt.] 
                    
                      Euery man may haue to hys auenaunt,
                    
                      Cytes, tounnes, castellys, and hallys,
                    
                      hors, armour, and þat þar to fallys;
                      Line 3436 
                    
                      But, yn al þat mochë þrong,
                    
                      Do holy cherche, ne pore man, [men.]  wrong.

                    
                      what sey ȝe men of ladyys pryde
                    
                      Þat gonë traylyng ouer syde: [O. gloss 'longe.'] 
                      Line 3440 
                    
                      Ȝyf a lady were ryghtly shreue,
                    
                      Better hyt were yn almës ȝeue;
                    
                      To soulë helpe hyt myȝt do bote,
                    
                      Þat trayleþ lowe vndyr þe [here.]  fote.
                      Line 3444 
                    
                      wymples, kerchyues, saffrund betyde;
                    
                      Ȝelugh vnder ȝelugh þey hyde;
                    
                      Þan wete men neuer, wheþer ys wheþer,
                    
                      þe ȝelugh wymple or þe leþer. [skyn] 
                      Line 3448

                    
                      wymmen þat go fro strete to strete,
                    
                      One or ouþer for to mete,
                    
                      Of prydë comþ swychë desyre,

Page 120

                    
                      For þey haue on hem [here.]  feyre atyre:
                      Line 3452 
                    
                      But she wul to þe prest þat telle,
                    
                      She may þerforë go to helle;
                    
                      For yn as moche þat [as.]  she douþ men synne,
                    
                      yn so moche shal she haue plyght ynne.

                    
                      And, wymmen, y [haue y.]  seye of þo
                      Line 3457 
                    
                      Þat borwe cloþes yn carol to go; [yn to karol go.] 
                    
                      Þat porë prydë, god hyt loþes,
                    
                      Þat make hem proude of ouþer mennys cloþys.

                    
                      Ȝyf þou hast spokë wurdys of pryde, [folio 23b:2] 
                    
                      And lettyst ouþer men any tyde
                    
                      Of here bedys and [or.]  of here fastyng,
                    
                      Or of any [sum.]  ouþer holy þyng,
                      Line 3464 
                    
                      Or of any ouþer godë dede,
                    
                      to telle hyt þe [þy.]  prest, behoueþ þe nede.

                    
                      Ȝyf þou euer lettë began
                    
                      Þat was wurshep to god or man,
                      Line 3468 
                    
                      As yn cherche to synge or rede,
                    
                      Or of sum oþer holy dede;
                    
                      Or also for boste or for pryde,
                    
                      with prest or with clerk to chyde,
                      Line 3472 
                    
                      Þurgh þat pryde þou fallyst [falst.]  yn synne,
                    
                      And cursednes þerwith to wynne.

                    
                      Also þat clerk ys moche to blame
                    
                      Þat letteþ to shaue hys krowne for shame;
                    
                      Y rede þat he yn tyme [yn tyme þat he.]  hyt shaue,
                      Line 3477 
                    
                      For he wote neuer what nede he shal þerto haue.

                    
                      Ȝyf þou yn ernest, or yn game,
                    
                      yn scornë blessedyst Goddys name;
                      Line 3480 
                    
                      Or ȝyf þou were so wundyrly proude
                    
                      Þat þou mysseydyst God al aloude,
                    
                      For any chaunce þat may betyde
                    
                      Skorne nat God, ne wyþ hym chyde:

                      Line 3484

Page 121

                    
                      Line 3484 
                    
                      Morë pryde, no [ne.]  morë synne,
                    
                      Þan skornë god, mayst þou falle ynne.

                    
                      Ȝyf þou grucchedest, and seydyst noght,
                    
                      But to God haddyst euyl þoght,
                      Line 3488 
                    
                      wete þou wel, hyt ys grete pryde,
                    
                      Grucchyng with God, or [O. om. 'or.']  for to chyde.

                    
                      Ȝyf a man haue mysdo or seyde,
                    
                      And men hym blame for þat mysbreyde,
                    
                      Ȝyf he susteynë hys mysdede,
                      Line 3493 
                    
                      And hys mysawe [myssawe.]  wyl nat drede,
                    
                      Þat cumþ of mysprout herte and hy
                    
                      Þat wyl nat knowe hys owne foly.
                      Line 3496 
                    
                      Of al [alle.]  folyys þat beryn name,
                    
                      Þys foly ys moste for to blame;
                    
                      who-so-euer to þys ys custummable, [folio 24a] 
                    
                      hys amendment may neuer be stable.
                      Line 3500

                    
                      what sey men of þese loseniours
                    
                      Þat haue here wurdys feyre as flours?
                    
                      Now ys þe flourë whyte and rede,
                    
                      And now hyt ys boþe drye and dede.
                      Line 3504 
                    
                      Þe losenioure spekþ now þy pay,
                    
                      And behynde þy bak hyt ys away.
                    
                      þere one haþ smylyng semelaunt
                    
                      And behetyþ þe to holde cunnaunt, [cuuinaunt.] 
                      Line 3508 
                    
                      kepe þe þan fro losengrye,
                    
                      For feyre spekyng man kan weyl lye.
                    
                      who-so-euer ys custummable to banne
                    
                      For prydë, sum tymë or whanne,
                      Line 3512 
                    
                      Þe apostyl seyþ þat he may noght
                    
                      Vn-to þe blysse of heuene be broght.

                    
                      A-noþer spyce hyt ys of pryde,
                    
                      who so haunteþ for to chyde.
                      Line 3516 
                    
                      For holy cherche forbedeþ þe
                    
                      To chyde wyþ any of þy meynë.
                    
                      Teche hym ferst, yn feyre manere;

Page 122

                    
                      And ȝyf he wyl nat [nat so.]  with feyre lere,
                    
                      Þan mayst þou speke stoutly to hym,
                      Line 3521 
                    
                      with-outë wraþþe, wurdys ful grym,
                    
                      Þat he be chasted at þy fre wylle,
                    
                      But þat þou bere yn herte none ylle.
                    
                      Chydyng cumþ of hertë hy,
                      Line 3525 
                    
                      And gretë pryde, and vylany.

                    
                      A-nouþer spyce þer ys þat moche deres, [O. gloss 'harmyþ.'] 
                    
                      Þat ys, þese cursed bakbyteres.
                      Line 3528 
                    
                      Of al [alle.]  men, þey do most euyl,
                    
                      here lorefadyr [? teacher, or for 'forefadyr.']  ys þe deuyl.
                    
                      Þe fende vs bewreyeþ of oure synne
                    
                      whan he haþ made vs fal þer-ynne.
                      Line 3532 
                    
                      So are þese bakbyters wunne,
                    
                      Þey seye þe werst þat þey kunne;
                    
                      Euer behynde a mannys bak,
                    
                      with euyl þey fynde hym to lak.
                      Line 3536 
                    
                      Swyche men god almyȝty hatys [folio 24a:2] 
                    
                      And with here foulë synne hym wlatys. [loþeþ] 
                    
                      Seynt Austyn spekyþ of swyche þynges
                    
                      yn a bokë of lesyngys.
                      Line 3540 
                    
                      No custummable bakbytyng
                    
                      God forȝeueþ, ne no lesyng,
                    
                      Þat þou þarfore shalt algate drye [suffre] 
                    
                      Sum manere peyne for euery lye;
                      Line 3544 
                    
                      As þe lesyng ys lesse or more,
                    
                      Shalt þou suffre peyne þar-fore.
                    
                      And þat may weyl preuyd be
                    
                      with a tale of an autoryte,
                      Line 3548 
                    
                      Þat mochë peynë shal he bere
                    
                      wyþ-outë ende, þe bakbytere;
                    
                      And [And here.]  y shal tellë ȝou a lyte
                    
                      Of one þat coude hys felaus byte.

                      Line 3552

Page 123

3552

[The Tale of the backbiting English Monk.]

                      þer was a man of relygyun, [A Tale] 
                    
                      þat yn þys he was a felun,
                    
                      Yn bakbytyng, as ȝe han herde,
                    
                      As many one are now yn þys werlde.
                      Line 3556 
                    
                      He was wunt to seye wykked sawes
                    
                      Behynde þe bak of hys felaws;
                    
                      For he wulde be holde þe beste
                    
                      Of all hys breþer, and þe wylyeste.
                      Line 3560 
                    
                      A syknes toke þys munke, and deyde,
                    
                      As God had of hym purueyde,
                    
                      And went yn-to peynë hard,
                    
                      As was shewed aftyrward.
                      Line 3564 
                    
                      Befel þe tyme, as hyt ys ryȝt,
                    
                      Munkës to rysë at mydnyȝt;
                    
                      And when matynes were al done,
                    
                      Þe couent ȝede to beddë sone.
                      Line 3568 
                    
                      A munkë lefte be-hynde a throwe, [a trowe.] 
                    
                      Þat þe dede was wunt to knowe;
                    
                      whan þys munke come before þe chapytyl,
                    
                      As ordyr askyþ, he louted a lytyl;
                      Line 3572 
                    
                      And as he louted, hys ye [eȝe.]  gan blenche,
                    
                      And say [sagh.]  one sytte before þe benche,
                    
                      A foulë þyng, and a grysly, [folio 24b] 
                    
                      he sagh neuer none so loþly;
                      Line 3576 
                    
                      he shette hys tunge [tunge out.]  before þe grecys,
                    
                      And gnogh hyt [Harl. hys.]  ynwarde al to pecys.
                    
                      hys tunge was brennynge [O, brenned Harl.]  þat he so gnogh,
                    
                      yn-to hys mouþe aȝen he hyt drogh;
                      Line 3580 
                    
                      And eft, oute [out.]  he dede hyt shete,
                    
                      And gnogh hyt eft with peynës grete.
                    
                      Many tymes þan dede he so;

Page 124

                    
                      Þys munke stode and loked þarto,
                      Line 3584 
                    
                      And had þerof so mochë drede
                    
                      Þat he wende hauë go to wede. [mad] 
                    
                      As he stode so sore a glyfte, [feryd] 
                    
                      Hys ryȝt hand vp he lyfte
                      Line 3588 
                    
                      And blessede hym-self stedfastly;
                    
                      And seþþen, he wax more hardy,
                    
                      And þoght, 'þys ys sum pryuyte
                    
                      Þat God almyȝty sheweþ to me.'
                      Line 3592 
                    
                      hastyly [O, hastly Harl.]  þer-to he ȝede,
                    
                      And hadde þer-of no morë drede;
                    
                      And seyd, "best, y cóniure þe,
                    
                      Yn God þat ys persónës thre,
                      Line 3596 
                    
                      Þat þou me telle why þou syttest here,
                    
                      Yn swych forme, and yn swych manere."

                    
                      To answere, he ne myȝt wyþ-drawe,
                    
                      "y was a munke, þyn owne felawe,
                      Line 3600 
                    
                      Þat suffre all þys peyne and shame;
                    
                      Hyt am y,"—and tolde hys name,—
                    
                      "y was a wykked bakbytere,
                    
                      Euyl wurdys aboute for to bere;
                      Line 3604 
                    
                      Of my felaws, wykkedly to seye
                    
                      Al þat euer y myȝt bewreye;
                    
                      And mystrowyng was y ay [O. gloss 'eure.'] 
                    
                      Of my felaws boþe nyȝt and day.
                      Line 3608 
                    
                      Þe wykked wurdys þat y haue seyd,
                    
                      wykkedly are þey on me leyde;
                    
                      Y shal abeye hem ful dere
                    
                      with peynës strong, as ȝe se here."
                      Line 3612 
                    
                      he wente, an [and.]  was no more sene; [folio 24b:2] 
                    
                      Dampned he was, as y wene.

                    
                      þys tale y wote and vndyrstand
                    
                      where hyt fyl, yn Yngland,
                      Line 3616 
                    
                      At a ful namecouthe abbey
                    
                      Þat y ne wyl telle, ne bewrey.

Page 125

                    
                      Swych peyne [peyne O, om. H.]  ys for hem dyȝt
                    
                      Þat kunne nat kepe here tungë ryȝt.
                      Line 3620 
                    
                      yn þe byble men mow se,
                    
                      yn a boke of pryuyte,
                    
                      Apocalyps þese clerkys wote,
                      Line 3623 
                    
                      Seynt Ioun þe euangylyst hyt wrote;
                    
                      Oure lordë seyþ þat þey shal [shul.]  ete
                    
                      here tunges in peynes, [peyne.]  and al to-frete,
                    
                      Þese lyers and þese bakbyters;
                    
                      Þe talë, of þys, wytnes berys.
                      Line 3628

                    
                      Of þys synne, y rede we vs shryue,
                    
                      And take oure penaunce by oure lyue;
                    
                      For but we yn þys so do,
                    
                      harder peyne shul we go to.
                      Line 3632 
                    
                      with what lyme [lyme O, lyne H.]  þon dost most synne,
                    
                      yn þat shalt þou have most pyne ynne.

                    
                      ȝyf þou euer wyþ bakbytyng
                    
                      ȝaue cunsel to wykked þyng,
                      Line 3636 
                    
                      Þat ys a wundyr grete foly;
                    
                      Hyt may be prydë with enuye;
                    
                      who-so-euer haunteþ þat yche dede,
                    
                      Hym shal fayle cunsel at hys nede.
                      Line 3640 
                    
                      And swyche are preued with resun,
                    
                      wykked treytours ful of tresun.
                    
                      ȝyue gode cunsel, ȝyf þat þou kan,
                    
                      And auowe hyt, byfore god and man.
                      Line 3644

                    
                      Pryde haþ ȝyt anoþer tresun,
                    
                      And a [an.]  vnkyndhede as a felun;
                    
                      Þat now ys vnneþë none
                    
                      Þat yn þat synne ne ys mys gone.
                      Line 3648 
                    
                      Ȝyf any shewe to oþer a pryuyte
                    
                      Þat for cunseyl oght to be,
                    
                      ȝyf he þat cunseyl fyrþer fame, [folio 25a] 
                    
                      Þat þerof cumþ [come.]  boþe synne and shame,
                    
                      Y kan nat se, as yn þys kas,
                      Line 3653 
                    
                      How hé may ámende þys [þat.]  trespas;

Page 126

                    
                      And specyaly to [vnto.]  a preste
                    
                      Cunsel of shryfte sperd yn hys breste,
                    
                      He ne oght [oghte nat hyt.]  for to telle
                      Line 3657 
                    
                      For lyfe ne deþ, what so euer befelle.
                    
                      Shryfte ys goddys pryuyte
                    
                      Þat euer for cunsel oght to be.
                      Line 3660 
                    
                      Ȝyf a synnë neuer so grym,
                    
                      To a prest, yn shryfte, were shewede hym;
                    
                      Þogh men aforced hym for drede,
                    
                      To sey þat, 'þat man dyd þat dede'
                      Line 3664 
                    
                      Seþþen he had hys penaunce take,
                    
                      And yn shryfte hys synne forsake,
                    
                      He shuld raþer swere on þe halydam
                    
                      'Nay!' or [ar.]  he tolde hyt any man,
                      Line 3668 
                    
                      Ȝyf he [Harl. omits 'he.']  ne myȝt with noun answere
                    
                      Or ouþer manere hym seluen were. [saue] 
                    
                      Þe prest þat telleþ goddys cunsel,
                    
                      he shal se hyt wroþer yn helle; [wroþer heyl.] 
                      Line 3672 
                    
                      Yn erþe hys tunge oght to [O. om. 'to.']  be oute drawe,
                    
                      And yn helle be al to-gnawe.

                    
                      hyt ys also grete pryde and herte hy,
                    
                      To speke foule wurdys yn rybaudy;
                      Line 3676 
                    
                      Seynt Poule seyþ, vs to chastyse,
                    
                      'kepyþ ȝoure tungës on al wyse,
                    
                      And spekeþ no fylþe oute of skore,
                    
                      Þat noun ouþer synne þarfore.'
                      Line 3680

                    
                      Ȝyf þou any man [Harl. omits 'man.']  manasse
                    
                      Þurgh force or power þat þou hasse,
                    
                      Hyt ys grete pryde, y ȝeue þe a ȝyfte;
                    
                      Þenkë þer-on, yn þy shryfte.
                      Line 3684

                    
                      ȝyf þou euer ȝaue iogolours of þy þyng
                    
                      For to be yn here preysyng,
                    
                      Or þou madyst wrastlyng yn place
                    
                      Þat nonë were [were holde.]  to þy pygace,— [so grete as þou] 

                      Line 3688

Page 127

                    
                      Line 3688 
                    
                      Alle ys pryde and vanyte; [folio 25a:2] 
                    
                      Of al behoueþ þe shryuë be.
                    
                      No prydë ne may be stole,
                    
                      No yn shryftë be forhole; [O. gloss 'hed.'] 
                      Line 3692 
                    
                      For ȝyf hyt be forholë here
                    
                      Yn oþer stede þou shalt abye hyt dere.

                    
                      Now of pryde shul we leue and dwelle,
                    
                      And furþer of oþer synnys telle;
                      Line 3696 
                    
                      Þogh y þer-of spake euere [O, euere þer of spake Harl.]  and oo,
                    
                      Ȝyt myȝt menne telle of [O. omits 'of.']  many mo;
                    
                      For of pryde ys þe bygynnyng
                    
                      Of al manere wykked þyng:
                      Line 3700 
                    
                      God shelde vs þer-yn to falle,
                    
                      And haue mercy on vs alle! [O. adds 'Amen.']

[Of Anger, the 2nd Deadly Sin.]

                    
                      The touþer synne men callë yre,
                    
                      Þe deuylys doghtyr of hellë fyre.
                    
                      Ȝyf þou art so wundyr wroþe
                      Line 3705 
                    
                      with one þat to þe ys [ys to þe.]  dedly loþe,
                    
                      Ȝyf þou nat sone repentë þe
                    
                      To helle þou fallest þe fyrst gre.
                      Line 3708

                    
                      Þe man wraþþyþ hym lyghtly,
                    
                      For lytyl, as yn malyncoly,
                    
                      Þat synnë ne ys [ne ys nat.]  ryght gref
                    
                      Þat sone ys wroþe, and lyghtly lef.
                      Line 3712 
                    
                      Noþeles, hyt were weyl to done,
                    
                      wysman shulde nat wraþ hym sone.

                    
                      ȝyf þer be oþer lorde or syre
                    
                      þat wraþþyth hym with gretë yre,
                      Line 3716 
                    
                      And euermore 7yn strenkþe7 [7_7 ylych yn strenþe.] 
                    
                      Þat wraþþë drawe [draghþe.]  yn lenþe,
                    
                      Þat ychë wraþþe ys synnë strong
                    
                      Þat lastyþ yn any man so long.
                      Line 3720

Ȝyf þou for wraþþe madyst chydyng, Or repreuedyst a man of vyle þyng,

Page 128

                    
                      Yre haþ kast þe yn þys kas
                    
                      Anoþer grece to hellë pas.
                      Line 3724

                    
                      Ȝyf þou for yre bygynne wykkednes
                    
                      Þat no man may lette þe, [þe lette.]  ne stres,
                    
                      Þat yche yre ys wyþ pryde, [folio 25b] 
                    
                      Ȝyf þou for wraþþe wylt nat abyde.
                      Line 3728

                    
                      Ȝyf þou yn yre a man hate,
                    
                      And þat wraþþë wylt nat late,
                    
                      Greuusly þou art yn synne,
                    
                      But þou forȝeue, and þer-of blynne.
                      Line 3732 
                    
                      Þe holy man seyþ hardly, [hardyly.] 
                    
                      Þat þou hast slayn hym gostly.

                    
                      Ȝyf þy wraþþe þou wylt not [nat.]  blynne, [O. gloss 'leue.'] 
                    
                      But bryngest anoþer to þy synne,
                      Line 3736 
                    
                      Þou shalt haue chargë of [for.]  þo boþe,
                    
                      For þurgh ȝoure wraþþe are oþer wroþe;
                    
                      For þy defaute þan synneþ he,
                    
                      Þe morë perel þyn shal be.
                      Line 3740

                    
                      Ȝyf þou ȝaue euer cunsel or rede
                    
                      For yre, þat a man were dede;
                    
                      Or ȝyf þou yn any strut,
                    
                      For Ire wundedyst a man, or [and.]  hurt,
                      Line 3744 
                    
                      yn þys synnë ys outrage,
                    
                      To helle þou makyst þy vyage.
                    
                      Þus þan wrote þe holy man
                    
                      At wham [whom.]  þys wurdë lerne y gan.
                      Line 3748

                    
                      Ȝyf þou for yre a man slogh
                    
                      Þat myghtyst haue lefte [left hyt.]  weyl ynogh,—
                    
                      Þat hyt was nat þe defendyng,
                    
                      But for wraþþe and yre brennyng,—
                      Line 3752 
                    
                      Al þat euer God shope to be
                    
                      Shal come and fyȝt aȝens þe
                    
                      At þe day of iugëment,
                    
                      And aȝens alle þou shalt be shent.

                      Line 3756

Page 129

3756

                    
                      Ȝyf þou art wunt custummably
                    
                      For to curse for lytyl why,
                    
                      Þy tunge bereþ þerof wytnesse
                    
                      Þat men nowe weyl wraþ yn þe gesse.
                      Line 3760

                    
                      Ȝyf a man curse as yn game,
                    
                      And yn hys herte wyl hym no shame,
                    
                      he ne synneþ nat þan dedly,
                    
                      For hyt ys seyd al yn rybaudy.
                      Line 3764 
                    
                      Þys synne ys nat dampnable [folio 25b:2] 
                    
                      But hyt be seyd custummable.

                    
                      Þou shal vndyrstand and wete,
                    
                      with resun, mayst þou [þou mayst.]  þe wraþþe and flyte [chyde] 
                    
                      Aȝens vyleynye and synne,
                      Line 3769 
                    
                      ȝyf þou ne mayst do oþer bote þerynne;
                    
                      wraþþe þe with mannys vyleynye,
                    
                      But nat [Harl. with nat.]  with his gode ne [Harl. and.]  hys body.
                      Line 3772

                    
                      Þat God loueþ, þou shalt loue,
                    
                      here yn erþe, and yn heuene aboue.
                    
                      Þat God neuer louyd, þou shalt [þat shalt þou.]  hate,
                    
                      wraþþe, and oþer synne foolate. [forlate.] 
                      Line 3776 
                    
                      God louyþ euery creäture
                    
                      Þat he formed to hys fygure;
                    
                      But þe synnë þat ys wroght,
                    
                      Þat loued he neuer noght.
                      Line 3780 
                    
                      Loue euery man yn hys gode dede;
                    
                      hys wykkednes shalt þou hate & drede.

                    
                      þou mayst spekë wurdys smerte
                    
                      Þogh wraþþë be nat yn þyn herte;
                      Line 3784 
                    
                      Þou mayst be wroþe, sum body to chastyse,
                    
                      Þogh hate nat [noght.]  yn þy [þyn.]  hertë ryse;
                    
                      And ȝyf þou hate and sone forȝyuyst,
                    
                      with God hymself þan þou lyuyst;
                      Line 3788 
                    
                      For God loueþ no þyng more specyaly
                    
                      Þan for hys loue to haue mercy.
                    
                      For he commaundeþ yn þe gospel
                    
                      Þat man shuld forȝeue wraþ eche del,

                      Line 3792

Page 130

                    
                      Line 3792 
                    
                      And seyþ "blessyd be al mercyable!
                    
                      Þey shul se God, and haue hym stable."
                    
                      And þat shal y shewe ȝow by a knyȝt
                    
                      Þat loued more mercy þan myȝt.
                      Line 3796

[The Tale of the Merciful Knight, and how the Crucifix kist him.]

                      Betwyxe twey knyȝtes be-ȝunde þe see
                    
                      Fyl a grete cuntek to be; [A tale.] 
                    
                      Betwyxe hem fyl swyche wraþ & wo
                    
                      Þat þe toon weyted þe toþer to slo:
                      Line 3800 
                    
                      Þey mette to-gedyr, y ne wote how;
                    
                      Algate þe toon þe toþer slow.
                    
                      Þys ychë slayn knyȝt had a chylde, [folio 26a] 
                    
                      A doghty bachelere, and a wylde;
                      Line 3804 
                    
                      þys ychë chylde toke hym to rede
                    
                      For to venge hys fadrys ded;
                    
                      He gate hym grete powere and myȝt
                    
                      And beseged þe toþer knyȝt.
                      Line 3808 
                    
                      Þe toþer knyȝt perseyued hym wel,
                    
                      And drogh hym to hys best castel.
                    
                      Þo was he beseged so streytly,
                    
                      Þat he durst come oute on no party
                      Line 3812 
                    
                      Of alle þe twelue [twel.]  monþe with no deseyt,
                    
                      So was he beseged streyte;
                    
                      Messe ne matyns he ne herde
                    
                      2Ne nagher to þe cherge2 [2_2 No neuer nagher to cherche.]  he ferde; [ȝede] 
                      Line 3816 
                    
                      And hyt was yn þe lentyn tyde,
                    
                      when men shuld leuë wraþ & pryde.
                    
                      Þan fyl hyt on þe gode fryday,
                    
                      Þe knyȝt þat yn þe [Harl. omits 'þe.']  castel lay
                      Line 3820 
                    
                      loked oute, and say [sagh.]  men go
                    
                      To þe cherchë, to and fro;
                    
                      Barfote to þe cherche þey ȝede,
                    
                      To aske mercy for here mysdede.

                      Line 3824

Page 131

                    
                      Line 3824 
                    
                      "Ey," þoght þe knyȝt, "long ys gone,
                    
                      Þat messe at þe cherchë herd y none.
                    
                      what so euer God wyl for me [for me wyle.]  werche,
                    
                      y wyl ryse, and go to þe cherche."
                      Line 3828 
                    
                      He drogh of hys hosyn and hys shone,
                    
                      And ded þe ȝatys be on-done.
                    
                      Barfote his ȝede, as ys þe acyse, [O. gloss 'maner.'] 
                    
                      To cherche, for to herë Goddys seruyse.
                      Line 3832 
                    
                      And as he þe wey to þe cherchë name, [namme.] 
                    
                      Þe chylde, hys enmye, aȝens hym came, [camme.] 
                    
                      And seyd, "treytur, now shalt þou deye,
                    
                      And my fadyr deþ ful dere a-beye;
                      Line 3836 
                    
                      No wurldës gode ne shal þe saue,
                    
                      Þat þou þe deþ of me shalt haue."
                    
                      Þe knyȝt say [sagh.]  nonë ouþer bote,
                    
                      But fel on knees byfore hys fote,
                      Line 3840 
                    
                      And seyd, "haue on me mercy [folio 26a:2] 
                    
                      For hym þat lyȝt yn þe vyrgyne mary,
                    
                      And suffred deþ on þe rodë tre
                    
                      Þys day, to saue boþe þe and me, [me and þe.] 
                      Line 3844 
                    
                      And forȝaue hem þat hys blode spylte;
                    
                      Ryght so forȝyue þou me my gylte;
                    
                      y am as a presun here yn þys place,
                    
                      y putte me now alle [al.]  yn þy grace;
                      Line 3848 
                    
                      Þat goddys grace be on þe lent
                    
                      At þe day of Iugëment!"
                    
                      Þys chylde, þat was hys enmye,
                    
                      herde hym prey so rufully,
                      Line 3852 
                    
                      And seyd, "syn þou hast me besoght [O. gloss 'pryde.'] 
                    
                      For Ihesu loue þat dere vs boght,
                    
                      And for hys modyr loue so dere,
                    
                      For hem y graunte þe my pes here."
                      Line 3856 
                    
                      Þys ychë chylde down swyþe alyghte,
                    
                      And yn gode louë kest þe [keste þat.]  knyȝt;
                    
                      "Now are we frendys, þat ere were wroþe,

Page 132

                    
                      Go we nowe to þe cherchë boþe,
                      Line 3860 
                    
                      yn gode loue, and parfyte charyte,
                    
                      For hys sake þat ordeyned pes to be."

                    
                      Þe knyȝt was glad, and no ferly, [wndyr] 
                    
                      And so were al þat cumpanye,
                      Line 3864 
                    
                      Þat he forȝaue hym hys mysdede,
                    
                      And to þe cherchë [cherche þat.]  boþe þey ȝede.
                    
                      Byfore þe cros þ[e]y knelyd downe
                    
                      yn þe [O. om. 'þe.']  wurschyp of Ihesu [Ihesus.]  passyowne,
                      Line 3868 
                    
                      For to kesse þe cros þat day,
                    
                      As custume ys yn crystyn lay.
                    
                      Þe elder knyȝt, for honoure,
                    
                      Ȝede fyrst, and kyst hys creäture; [creatour.] 
                      Line 3872 
                    
                      Aftyr þan, ȝedë þe chylde,
                    
                      Þat was becomë meke and mylde;
                    
                      wyþ þe tokene he gan hym blesse,
                    
                      And kneled down, þe cros to kesse.
                      Line 3876 
                    
                      Þe crucyfyx, þat þere was leyd,
                    
                      hys armës [arme.]  fro þe cros vpbreyd,
                    
                      And clepd [clypte.]  þe chyldë hym betwyx, [folio 26b] 
                    
                      And aftyrward kyst [aftyr keste.]  hym, þat crucyfyx.

                    
                      Alle þe parshe, boþe olde and ȝonge, [ȝynge.] 
                    
                      Parseyued, and say, [sagh.]  þat clyppynge,
                    
                      And how þe crucyfyx hym kyste;
                    
                      Þey sagh hyt alle, and weyl hyt wyste.
                    
                      Alle þey þanked swete Ihesu
                      Line 3885

                    
                      Of þat myrácle and þat vertu.
                    
                      Of þys chylde was grete selkouþe
                    
                      Þat þe crycyfyx kyst wyþ mouthe.
                      Line 3888 
                    
                      Noþeles, forsoþe and ywys,
                    
                      Y trowe þat yn hys herte were moche blys;
                    
                      And al þe folke þat sagh þys þyng
                    
                      Made to God grete þankyng.
                      Line 3892

Of þese twey knyȝtës, how hyt betyd, Þe myracle was sone oueral [sone oueral was.] kyd;

Page 133

                    
                      And euery man þerof gan telle,
                      Line 3895 
                    
                      Prestys þerof yn prechyng [yn prechynge þer-of.]  gun spelle,
                    
                      So þat euery man yn þat [þe.]  cuntre
                    
                      lyued wel þe more yn charyte,
                    
                      And allë men þe sunner forȝaue
                      Line 3899 
                    
                      Here wraþþe þat þey to ouþer dyd haue.

                    
                      Sekyr þou be þat he was dygne,
                    
                      Þat god shewed for hym [for hym shewede.]  swyche a sygne;
                    
                      A sygne hyt was of gretë loue
                    
                      That God almyȝty, of heuene aboue,
                      Line 3904 
                    
                      Profrede hym to kesse so louely,
                    
                      For he meked hys herte so hy.

                    
                      Now mowe ȝe se þat God [se God.]  loueþ hem dere
                    
                      Þat forȝyuen here wraþ in þys wrlde here. [O, here wraþ here Harl.] 
                      Line 3908 
                    
                      So shal hys wraþ on hem be sene
                    
                      Þat here wyl nat forȝeue here [Harl. he.]  tene.

                    
                      Of Ire and wraþ, wul [wyle.]  we now blynne,
                    
                      And telle furþer of a-noþer synne
                      Line 3912 
                    
                      God ȝyue vs grace, so wraþþe forȝyue
                    
                      Þat we may alle wyþ Ihesu lyue.

[Of Envy, the 3rd Deadly Sin.]

                    
                      T[h]e þryd[ë] synnë ys enuye,
                    
                      Þat ys ful of felunnye;
                      Line 3916 
                    
                      Holy wryt wytnessyþ hyt wel, [folio 26b:2] 
                    
                      Þat hyt comþ of þe fende eche del.
                    
                      Þe man þat ys ful of enuye,
                    
                      He ys euer sorowful, we se with ye;
                      Line 3920 
                    
                      Þe gode þat he seþ, [sykþ.]  alle doþ hym euyl.
                    
                      And alle ys þe tycement of þe deuyl.

Loke now þarfore, at þe bygynnyng, ȝyf þou were euer payde of myschaunceful þyng 3924

Page 134

                    
                      Line 3924 
                    
                      Þat befyl to any man,
                    
                      Of grete enuye hyt fyrst began.

                    
                      Ȝyf þou euer haddyst sorow oþer [&.]  kare
                    
                      Of þy neghëburs welfare,
                      Line 3928 
                    
                      Enuye haþ þe yn hys hand
                    
                      Boundë wyþ þe deuylys band.

                    
                      Ȝyf þou forþenke a mannys prowe,
                    
                      Þat he haþ hegher state þan þow
                      Line 3932 
                    
                      Yn any manere of dygnyte,
                    
                      Þat he may to, auaunssede be;
                    
                      Þogh þou come nat to hys state,
                    
                      But wust apeyre hyt and abate,
                      Line 3936 
                    
                      Þat he may nat haue hys baylè, [baylye.] 
                    
                      Dedly synne ys swyche enuye.

                    
                      Ȝyf þou make one so hard stresse
                    
                      Þat hys godnesse wexe þe lesse,
                      Line 3940 
                    
                      Or ȝyf þou euer yn placë were
                    
                      Þat hys harme þe morë were,
                    
                      Shryue þe wel ar þou deye,
                    
                      For al þys cumþ of grete enuye.
                      Line 3944

                    
                      Ȝyf þou euer on any manere
                    
                      Lettydyst any man for to lere
                    
                      Craftë, or [or any.]  ouþer queyntyse,
                    
                      But fordeddyst hys apryse [lernyng,] 
                      Line 3948 
                    
                      For þou shuldest furþeryd be,
                    
                      And more yn prys preysed þan he;
                    
                      Beþenke þe weyl, ȝyf þou do þus,
                    
                      Þat þyn herte ys ful enuyus;
                      Line 3952 
                    
                      For þou shalt neuere, with gode ye,
                    
                      Se hym þat leryþ þy maystrye.

                    
                      Ȝyf þou be enuyus, and no man trowe, [folio 27a] 
                    
                      And behynde hys bak make hym þe mowe,
                    
                      As who seye þat "he naght can,
                      Line 3957 
                    
                      No ys wurþ as a-nouþer man,"

Page 135

                    
                      Al ys þys enuyë grete;
                    
                      Ȝyf þou haue do þus, y rede þe [þou.]  lete.
                      Line 3960

                    
                      Ȝyf þou here preyse one for sum þyng,
                    
                      And þou forþenkyst hys preysyng,
                    
                      And felyst weyl yn þy [þyn.]  herte
                    
                      Of a lytyl sorow or smerte,
                      Line 3964 
                    
                      Þat þou ne art preysed furþer þan he,
                    
                      Enuye hyt ys, þou mayst wel se.

                    
                      Many one are of so enuyus wyl
                    
                      Þat þey may preyse none but with yl;
                      Line 3968 
                    
                      Alle þenkeþ hym euyl þat þey se,
                    
                      Þey are enuyus, what-so [as.] -euer þey be.

                    
                      Enuyus man ys so ful of susspecyun
                    
                      Þat euyl hym þenketh al, as a felun.
                      Line 3972 
                    
                      who-so kan knowe þe properte,
                    
                      Enuyus man may lyknyd be
                    
                      To þe Iawnes, þe whyche ys a pyne
                    
                      þat men mow se yn mennys yne.
                      Line 3976 
                    
                      þe ye þat ys ful of Iawnes, [Iawnys.] 
                    
                      Alle þenkeþ hym ȝelogh yn hys auys:
                    
                      So hyt fareþ on hys party,
                    
                      Hys þoght ys euer ful [al.]  of enuye.
                      Line 3980

                    
                      Enuyus men, euyl þey sowe;
                    
                      Þát men telle hem, to euyl þey trowe;
                    
                      Ȝyf þey se þat one doþ more,
                    
                      Enuyús þan angreþ sore;
                      Line 3984 
                    
                      Alle godenes þey turne to euyl;
                    
                      Enuyus men are lyke þe deuyl.
                    
                      Of alle þat yn þys worldë are,
                    
                      Enuyús man [Þe enuyus.]  werst shal [shul.]  fare.
                      Line 3988 
                    
                      Gladnes herë haue þey none,
                    
                      But whan here neghburs haue mysgone.
                    
                      Yn any maner defaute þat ys, [es.] 
                    
                      þan make þey ioye for þat wykkednes.
                      Line 3992 
                    
                      Yn þe toþer worlde þer þey shul be, [folio 27a:2] 
                    
                      Þey are nat wurþy any ioye to se.
                    
                      Here and þere þey shul haue greuaunce,

Page 136

                    
                      But þere shal be here most veniaunce.
                      Line 3996 
                    
                      Enuye ys onë þe werst synne
                    
                      Þat þe deuyl maketh any man fal ynne.
                    
                      Seynt Gregory telleþ a tale þar-by; [A tale.] 
                    
                      And as he seyþ, so wyl y.
                      Line 4000

[The Tale of the Bear which kept the Hermit's Sheep, and how it was slain by envious Monks.]

                      Þer were twey men of holy wyl
                    
                      Þat leuyd to-gedyr, with-outen yl,
                    
                      A-lonë yn an ermytage,
                    
                      And, as meke as bryd yn kage;
                      Line 4004 
                    
                      Þe toon, men calle Eutycyus,
                    
                      Þe touþer hyght Florentyus. [florencyus.] 
                    
                      A gode clerk was þe toon,
                    
                      he turned to þe feyþ many on.
                      Line 4008 
                    
                      Eutycyus was þe clerk
                    
                      Þat taght þe folk of goddys werk.
                    
                      Florens was nat so moche yn lore,
                    
                      Yn preyours he was euermore.
                      Line 4012

                    
                      þer besyde was an abbey,
                    
                      And yn here tyme þe abbot gan deye;
                    
                      whan þys ychë abbot was dede,
                    
                      Alle þe munkës toke hem to [toke here.]  rede,
                      Line 4016 
                    
                      And chese hem syre Eutycyus
                    
                      To be abbot of here hous.
                    
                      On alle manere fyl so here lot,
                    
                      Eutycyus þey made here abbot.
                      Line 4020

                    
                      Aftyr Eutycyus, Florens gan dwelle
                    
                      And woned a-lonë yn hys celle.
                    
                      Florens madë gretë [þarfore gret.]  mone
                    
                      For þat he shuld dwel [wone.]  alone;
                      Line 4024 
                    
                      And had grete sorowe, and was drery,
                    
                      As many be þat lese gode cumpany.

Page 137

                    
                      On a day, he bad hys orysun,
                    
                      And was yn grete afflyccyon,
                      Line 4028 
                    
                      And preyd God he wulde hym ȝeue
                    
                      Sum gode cumforte with-al to leue.
                    
                      Þus preyd Florens yn hys bede [folio 27b] 
                    
                      Þat Gode shuld sende hym sum felaurede.

                    
                      whan he ros vp of his orysown,
                    
                      he ȝede yn hys celle vp and down,
                    
                      And opened hys ȝate, and loked oute,
                    
                      And sagh a berë wylde and stoute.
                      Line 4036 
                    
                      Þys ychë bere come to þe gate [þe gate, glossed wey, O, gate H.] 
                    
                      To Florens þat stode yn þe ȝate;
                    
                      But when þe bere come at hym nere,
                    
                      Þe bere to hym loutede, and made feyre chere,—
                      Line 4040 
                    
                      Feyre chere as a bere myght make,—
                    
                      And was so meke þat he myȝt hym take.
                    
                      þys ychë Florens hym beþoght
                    
                      þat God hadde herd þat he besoght,
                      Line 4044 
                    
                      And þanked hym of hys swete grace,
                    
                      þat he hym sent hadde swyche solace.
                    
                      For a myracle, ȝe may hyt vndyrstande,
                    
                      þat a wyldë bere was tame to hande.
                      Line 4048

                    
                      Þys godë man hadde syxë shepe,
                    
                      And noun hyrde hem for to kepe;
                    
                      He badde þe bere þat he shulde go
                    
                      And dryue hys shepë to and fro,
                      Line 4052 
                    
                      And kepe hem weyl þat noun hem dere,
                    
                      "And þou shalt be my godë bere."
                    
                      Þe bere hym louted with semblant glad,
                    
                      For to do as Florens hym badde;
                      Line 4056 
                    
                      To þe bere, he seyde hys auys,
                    
                      "Euery day whan y ete twyys,
                    
                      Come þou home at hygh vndurne,
                    
                      And no lenger yn þe felde soiurne;
                      Line 4060 
                    
                      And euery day, when y faste,

Page 138

                    
                      Come at þe noun, home, at þe laste."
                    
                      So dyd þe bere, [bere þan.]  euery day,
                    
                      One oure passed hym neuer away
                      Line 4064 
                    
                      Þat he ne come home, þe yche cele [godly] ,
                    
                      And boþe tymeus [tymes.]  he knew hem wele.

                    
                      Þys Florens hadde cumforte and game
                    
                      At hys bere, þat hyt was so tame,
                      Line 4068 
                    
                      And loued hýt moche with-oute fayle [folio 27b:2] 
                    
                      For þe myracle and þe grete meruayle:
                    
                      For soþë so [soþe to seye.]  hym byrde [moste] ,
                    
                      For he was a merueylus hyrde.
                      Line 4072 
                    
                      A bere þurgh kynde shulde etë shepe;
                    
                      And here as an hyrde he ȝafe to hem kepe.

                    
                      Þyt yche merueyle myȝt nat be hyd,
                    
                      But yn alle þe cuntre hyt was weyl kyde
                    
                      Þat Florens had a tamë bere,
                    
                      And was an hyrdë, shepe to were [kepe] .

                    
                      Þe abbot þat hyghte Eutycyus
                    
                      Had foure dyscyplys ful enuyus,
                      Line 4080 
                    
                      Þat alle day of þys berë spakk
                    
                      with grete enuye, gretely to lakk;
                    
                      And seyd, alle fourë hem betwene
                    
                      wyþ grete enuyë, scorne, and tene,
                      Line 4084 
                    
                      "More merueyl doþe Florencyus
                    
                      Þan doþe oure mayster Eutycyus."
                    
                      Þey seydë "hyt shal nat so go;"
                    
                      And made forward, þat bere to slo.
                      Line 4088 
                    
                      As þey seyd, þey dyd þat woghte; [O. reads 'wogh,' and then has the two lines— Þe berë in þe felde þey slogh; For gret enuye þus þey wroghte.] 
                    
                      Þe whychë dede ful soure þey boghte.

                    
                      At þe tyme, þe bere, o day [o day þe bere hom.]  come noghte;
                    
                      Florens had þer-of [þar fore.]  grete þoghte;
                      Line 4092 
                    
                      He ros and ȝede yn-to þe felde,

Page 139

                    
                      And aftyr hys berë faste behelde.
                    
                      At þe laste, hys bere he fonde,
                    
                      Besyde hys shepe, slayn on a londe.
                      Line 4096 
                    
                      Asswyþë hym self gan to rede
                    
                      who hadde do þat ychë dede;
                    
                      Ȝyt pleyned he more þe myschaunce
                    
                      Þat þer shulde falle on hem veniaunce,
                    
                      Þan [Þat H, O.]  he pleyned hys ownë dere
                      Line 4101 
                    
                      Þat þey had slayn his godë bere.
                    
                      Noþeles he pleyned wundyrly sore
                    
                      Þat hys solas shulde be no more.
                      Line 4104

                    
                      Eutycyus þe abbot, his felawe,
                    
                      herd sey hys bere was do adawe;
                    
                      And come to hym on hys dysport, [folio 28a] 
                    
                      To makë Florens gode cumfort.
                      Line 4108 
                    
                      Florens seyd Eutycyus vn-to,
                    
                      "Yn God truly y tryst so,
                    
                      Þat veniaunce shal on hem take
                    
                      Yn þys lyfë for my sake.
                      Line 4112 
                    
                      Of Ihesu Cryst þey hade no [MS. non, with dots under n.]  drede,
                    
                      To sle þat hylpe me yn my nede,
                    
                      Felunlyche, as [al.]  for enuye,
                    
                      And he ded no man folye;
                      Line 4116 
                    
                      He was me sent, þurgh Goddys grace,
                    
                      To be myn helpe and my solace;
                    
                      Þat God wuldë hym [dotted under in red ink.]  me ȝeue,
                    
                      why wuld þey nat suffre hym lyue?
                      Line 4120 
                    
                      God almyȝty shal do hys wyl
                    
                      wyþ hem, and mo, þat do [doun.]  so yl."

                    
                      As he seyde, so gan hyt falle;
                    
                      Gode toke veniaunce on hem alle;
                      Line 4124 
                    
                      Meseles þey waxë þan to pyne,
                    
                      Here lemes roted before here yne;
                    
                      Aboue þe erþe þey were stynkyng,

Page 140

Þat to þe beres deþ were consentyng. 4128

                    
                      Þarfore þe pope seynt Gregory
                    
                      Tellyþ þys talë, resun why,
                    
                      Þat enuye ys a cursed synne,
                    
                      Any man to falle þer-ynne.
                      Line 4132

                    
                      Moche are they wurþy to suffre shame,
                    
                      Þat [þat O, þan H.]  for enuye brynge a man yn blame,
                    
                      Or make hym lese hys wurldly aght, [gode] 
                    
                      Or frendys also to be vnsaght. [O. gloss 'at debate.'] 
                      Line 4136 
                    
                      who-so þat doþ, he may hym drede,
                    
                      No þyng but peyne shal be hys mede.

                    
                      Syn þys wurldë fryst bygan,
                    
                      Enuye haþ be euer [eure be.]  yn man;
                      Line 4140 
                    
                      Lucyfer had fyrst enuye,
                    
                      Þat man was made to state so hye;
                    
                      Yn paradys he made hym [Harl. hem.]  falle,
                    
                      And seþen of hys ofspryng alle;
                      Line 4144 
                    
                      So that enuye haþ reyned ay [folio 28a:2] 
                    
                      Yn alle mankynde vnto þys day;
                    
                      And, Englys men namëly
                    
                      Are þurgh kynde of hertë hy:
                      Line 4148 
                    
                      A forbyseyn ys toldë þys,
                    
                      Seyd on Frenshe men [O. om. 'men.']  and on Englys,
                    
                      'Þat Frenshe men synne yn lecherye,
                    
                      And Englys men yn enuye.' [John Morley, Speech in Daily News, June 27, 1894:—
"There is no better test of character in my judgment—whether individually or in public life—there is no better test of character than being able to work with other people. A friend of mine came back from the States the other day, and he said the worst feature in American life is the extraordinary distrust and suspicion which men there entertain of one another, and the readiness in which an inferior motive is found for conduct. I do not know whether that is a true account of America or not, but I am perfectly sure it is not true of my own country. (Hear, hear.) Englishmen are not suspicious, they are not jealous, they are not envious, and I think if they find themselves differing from this man or that upon this question or the other, that does not prevent them from being willing to listen to him upon other subjects upon which they have the happiness to agree. (Hear, hear.) Gentle|men, we hear a great deal of war between in|dividualists and collectivists. Well, I tell you frankly in practical affairs I for one am not very fond of these tickets and labels and solemn nick|names. They are very convenient for the purpose of vituperation, and no doubt a compact and handy nickname saves a lazy mind the trouble of thinking things out for itself; but I for one will never quarrel about a word, providing we are working for the same ends and marching towards the same goal. A great poet, who is the glory of the English race, name, and tongue, once used a sublime phrase. He speaks of the prophetic soul of the wide world dreaming on things to come. [Tennyson.] These beneficent dreams of a society elevated, purified, and renewed, must lead by many diverse ways and many hidden paths to their own realisation. I find no fault with them. They will enrich and vivify Liberalism. The great mission of realising, so far as realisation is practicable, those golden dreams, is the mission confided to our party, and I hope and believe that neither you nor I, in the various calls that may be made upon us, will be found unworthy of our trust." (Great cheering, amid which Mr. Morley resumed his seat.)
] 

                      Line 4152

Page 141

                    
                      Line 4152 
                    
                      lecherye ys flesshly synne;
                    
                      Enuye cumþ of þe soule wyþ-ynne;
                    
                      lechery ys þe lesse, we fynde,
                    
                      And enuye ys þe more vnkynde;
                      Line 4156 
                    
                      For y se noun yn hys lyue
                    
                      Þat of enuye kan hym shryue;
                    
                      Þogh euery day a man hyt haunte,
                    
                      Ȝyt wyl no man be hyt a-graunte.
                      Line 4160 
                    
                      Telle to any þat he haþ enuye,
                    
                      He seyþ aȝen "hyt ys a lye." [O. gloss 'lesynge.'] 
                    
                      how mow þéy þan shryue þat synne,
                    
                      Þat seyn þey haue no gylt þerynne?
                      Line 4164 
                    
                      we Englys men þeron shulde þynke,
                    
                      Þat enuyë vs nat blynk. [noght blynke.]

                    
                      Bakbytyng cumþ also of enuye;
                    
                      y haue ȝow tolde of þat folye;
                      Line 4168 
                    
                      lykenes of hem men mowe bere,
                    
                      A nedder and a bakbytere;
                    
                      Þe nedder makeþ þe semblant mylde,
                    
                      And yn hys tayle ys venym wylde;
                      Line 4172 
                    
                      Þe bakbytere faryþ ryȝt so:
                    
                      wyþ mylde semblant he spekth þe to,
                    
                      And yn hys tayle he beryþ venym;
                    
                      Behynde þy bak, he spekyþ wurdys grym.

                    
                      Þe wys kyng Salamon
                      Line 4177 
                    
                      Seyþ þese wurdys to men echon:—
                    
                      "hys lyppes," he seyþ, "he shal make swete,
                    
                      wyþ feyrë wurdys he shal þe grete,
                      Line 4180 
                    
                      But yn hys hertë he shal þynke
                    
                      For to do þe a wykked blynke."
                    
                      So ded þe traytur, fals Iudas, [folio 28b]

Page 142

                    
                      Þat dampned ys wyþ Satanas,
                      Line 4184 
                    
                      whan þys Iudas, foule felun,
                    
                      weytede Ihesu with tresun.
                    
                      Fyrst he grete hym and gan lagh,
                    
                      And syþen he kest hym [seþen hym keste.]  þat alle men sagh,
                      Line 4188 
                    
                      And yn hys herte was tresun bolde,
                    
                      For to þe Iewës he had hym solde.
                    
                      'Treytur! recorde what þou hast herde
                    
                      Seyde and sunge yn al þe werlde.'
                      Line 4192 
                    
                      Vndyr heuene ne ys so moche tresun
                    
                      As yn feyre wurd of hert felun.
                    
                      Þarfor, treytur, y tolde þe er,
                    
                      Þy wonyng ys wyþ Lucyfer.
                      Line 4196

                    
                      Þyr may no man so yware be,—
                    
                      For fors, ne wysdom, ne pouste,
                    
                      For byhest, [beheste.]  ne for rychesse,
                    
                      Ne powere, ne hardynesse, [O, hardnesse H.] 
                      Line 4200 
                    
                      For lynage, ne for onour,
                    
                      For felawshepe, ne for socour,
                    
                      Ne for breþerhede, ne for spousayle,—
                    
                      Þat treytorhede ne wyl hym asayle;
                      Line 4204 
                    
                      Ne for sweryng, ne for awe,
                    
                      Þat a treytur ne haþ yn þys sum sawe.

                    
                      who was wyser þan Salamon?
                    
                      who was feyrer þan Absolon?
                      Line 4208 
                    
                      who was rycher yn euery þyng
                    
                      Þan Alaxandre þe ryche kyng?
                    
                      who was swetter þan Ionatas,
                    
                      Or better clerk þan Vyrgyle was?
                      Line 4212 
                    
                      Alle þese coude hem neuer were [kepe] 
                    
                      From treytur ne fro bakbytere.

Of a treytur, þys ys þe resun smerte,

Page 143

                    
                      with feyrë wurdys, and felun herte;
                      Line 4216 
                    
                      1 Bakbytere, he haþ a lak,
                    
                      He ys a treytur behynd þy bak;1 [1_1 Harl. omits these two lines.] 
                    
                      Þe toon ys treytur yn þy present,
                    
                      Þe toþer ys whan þou arte [art.]  went.
                      Line 4220

                    
                      A lyer may be on of þyse,
                    
                      For he haþ of boþe a queyntyse,
                    
                      Behynde þy bak, and eke before, [folio 28b:2] 
                    
                      lesyng oueralle [oueral.]  ys bore,
                      Line 4224 
                    
                      Yn þese þre men ys al tresun;
                    
                      Þarfor hyt ys preued with resun
                    
                      Þat þesë men, allë þre,
                    
                      Mowe neuer lyghtly saued be.
                      Line 4228 
                    
                      Þe apostle seyþ þat God hem hatys,
                    
                      Ande ouer al ouþer wyþ hem wlatys. [ys wrothe] 
                    
                      Þarefore ȝyf any swyche men wore,
                    
                      hyt behoueþ betyme repente hem sore;
                      Line 4232 
                    
                      And leue hyt [hyt al.]  whyl þey hauë space,
                    
                      For þan y hope þey may fynde grace.
                    
                      God ȝeue vs grace enuye to fle!
                    
                      And alle treyturs, euyl mote þey þe!
                      Line 4236

[Of Sloth, the 4th Deadly Sin.]

                    
                      Now shul we speke of sloghnes;
                    
                      Among þe toþer ful wyk hyt ys; [es.] 
                    
                      Þe fourþe [vourþe.]  hyt ys of dedly synnes,
                    
                      Alle þese rychë men hyt wynnes.
                      Line 4240 
                    
                      Moche ys a man for to blame
                    
                      Þat kan nat wurschep Goddys name
                    
                      with pater noster ne [no.]  wyþ crede,
                    
                      Þys beleue shuld hym to heuene lede.
                      Line 4244 
                    
                      Ful slogh he ys þat wyl nat lere
                    
                      Þat yche framë blessed preyere;
                    
                      And also he ys ful of slownes
                    
                      Þat may, and wyl nat, here hys messe,

                      Line 4248

Page 144

                    
                      Line 4248 
                    
                      Specyaly on þe Sunday
                    
                      he trespasyþ more [þe more.]  yn þe lay.

                    
                      yn þe woke, o day, þurgh ryght,
                    
                      Þe Sunday, ys a day of myȝt.
                      Line 4252 
                    
                      how sey þese men þat are þus slogh, [so slowe.] 
                    
                      Þat oute of mesure slepe a throwe?
                    
                      whan he heryþ a bel ryng, [belle rynge.] 
                    
                      To holy cherchë men kallyng,
                      Line 4256 
                    
                      Þan may he nat hys beddë lete
                    
                      But þan behoueþ hym to lygge and swete,
                    
                      And take þe mery mornyng slepe;
                    
                      Of matynes ryche men take no kepe
                      Line 4260 
                    
                      Ȝyf þey mowe ryse [aryse.]  at tyme of messe. [folio 29a] 
                    
                      For þe matynes, noþer more ne lesse
                    
                      Þan ys þys Terlyncels skylle,
                    
                      'Slepe þou long, and y shal hele.'
                      Line 4264 
                    
                      he putteþ heuenys yn hys yȝe,
                    
                      And makeþ hym lenger for to lye;
                    
                      And seyþ "al betyme mayst þou ryse,
                    
                      whan þey do þe messe seruyse;
                      Line 4268 
                    
                      A messe ys ynogh for þe;
                    
                      Þe touþer gyblot, late hyt be;
                    
                      here mayst þou bettyr slepe a throwe
                    
                      þan sytte and loke vpp-on a wowe."
                      Line 4272 
                    
                      Þys ys þe cunsel of Terlyncel;
                    
                      yn alle sloghnesse [slownes.]  he bereþ þe bel;
                    
                      he ys a deuyl of þat myster,
                    
                      To sloghnes [slownes.]  he ys cunseler.
                      Line 4276

                    
                      þan cumþ one aboutë pryme
                    
                      "Rys up," he seyþ, "now ys tyme."
                    
                      Þan begynneþ he to klawe and to [O. omits 'to.']  raske,
                    
                      And ȝyueþ Terlyncel hys taske.
                      Line 4280 
                    
                      he klawyþ, he shrubbyþ, wel at hys pay,
                    
                      And makyþ to Terlyncel a lay;
                    
                      To hym þat kalled, he spekeþ stoutly,
                      Line 4283 
                    
                      "what deuyl! why haþ þe prest swych hy?

Page 145

                    
                      Byd hym þat he abyde algate;
                    
                      Hym dar nat syng ȝyt ouer late."
                    
                      For hym shal so Goddys seruyse abyde
                    
                      Tyl hyt be passed ouer þe tyde.
                      Line 4288 
                    
                      Ȝyt perauenture, at hys rysyng,
                    
                      Of God spekeþ he no þyng,
                    
                      But ȝyf hyt be of sum vanyte
                    
                      Þat rennyþ [renþ.]  yn hys þoght; [þogh.]  þat spekeþ he.

                    
                      And when he cumþ vnto þe messe,
                    
                      Þere behoueþ hym hys here [heer.]  dresse;
                    
                      Ful fewe bedys are yn hys mouþe,
                    
                      He vsyþ none; þey are vncouthe.
                      Line 4296 
                    
                      And ȝyf a frere cum for to preche,
                    
                      Of a dyner were bettyr speche;
                    
                      Þan seyþ he, "God shal alle saue; [folio 29a:2] 
                    
                      Do wel; wel shalt þou haue."
                      Line 4300 
                    
                      Certys þat ys nat ynow,
                    
                      For he [Harl. omits 'he.']  doþ no þyng to prow.
                    
                      But ȝyf he wulde lestene þe frere,
                    
                      To do weyl þan myȝt he lere.
                      Line 4304

                    
                      Ȝyf hyt be nat þan redy, hys dyner,
                    
                      Take furþe þe chesse or þe tabler;
                    
                      So shal he pley tyl hyt be none,
                    
                      And Goddys seruyse be al done.
                      Line 4308 
                    
                      Alas, wykkédly he dyspendyþ
                    
                      Alle þe lyfe þat God hym sendyth!

                    
                      Aftyr þe none, þan shal he do
                    
                      As he dede before none so.
                      Line 4312 
                    
                      Swyche a lyfe þan shal he lede,
                    
                      Noght þat he shal haue to mede;
                    
                      yn alle hys lyfe shal he [nat] fynde
                    
                      Oght þat may hym of pyne vnbynde;
                      Line 4316 
                    
                      No more he halt to God cunnaunt,
                    
                      But weyl more to Termagaunt;
                    
                      He [He þat.]  ys no morë [more a.]  crystyn man

Page 146

Þan who so kallyþ a blak oxe 'swan.' 4320

                    
                      y dar weyl seye to hygh and logh,
                    
                      yn Goddys seruyse are swych men slogh.
                    
                      Swych synne men kalle 'accyde,'
                    
                      yn Goddës seruyse slogh betyde.
                      Line 4324 
                    
                      lord! what shal swych men seye
                    
                      yn þat poynt when þey shul deye?
                    
                      yn alle here lyfe ne roght [reyghete.]  þey noght
                    
                      Of hym þat hem ful derë boght.
                      Line 4328 
                    
                      Ful gretly shul þey hem repente
                    
                      whan þe dome ys aȝens hem went;
                    
                      But þan mow þey do no bote;
                    
                      Ylyche logh lyþ boþe hande and fote.
                      Line 4332

                    
                      Many swyche mow haue no grace
                    
                      To repentaunce, no to space.
                      Line 4334 
                    
                      Hyt ys no wundyr þogh þey haue noun,
                    
                      Þey wyl nat graunte þey haue mysdoun,
                    
                      Yn here lyfe, whyle þey haue myght; [folio 29b] 
                    
                      And þan shal God ȝelde alle with ryght.
                    
                      Ful slogh þey were when þey shuld wyrk;
                    
                      Yn tyme of traueyle were þey yrk [[slow]] ;
                      Line 4340 
                    
                      Þéy þoght nat of þat men spelle,
                    
                      Þat God seyþ yn þe gospelle:
                    
                      "Beþ wakyng," he seyþ, to men alle;
                    
                      "what tymë þat ȝoure lorde wyl kalle,
                      Line 4344 
                    
                      For þat tyme þat ȝe lestë wene
                    
                      He wul ȝow kalle; loke ȝe be clene;
                    
                      For ȝyf ȝe slepe at hys kallyng
                    
                      Ȝe shul nat come yn at þe weddyng."
                      Line 4348

                    
                      Þys yche lorde kalleþ vs euery day,
                    
                      wyþ þe prechour, alle þat he may.
                    
                      Ȝe are slogh, and lyen to slepe,
                    
                      whan ȝe aȝens þe prechur þrepe;
                      Line 4352 
                    
                      Ȝe mow nat come yn to þe weddyng,—
                    
                      Heuene blys ys þe menyng;—
                    
                      For ȝe slepe yn wykked wyl,

Page 147

                    
                      And wyl nat shryue ȝow of ȝoure yl.
                      Line 4356 
                    
                      ȝe wenë þat God shal ȝow ȝeue,
                    
                      Yn wykkednes, long to leue;
                    
                      And ȝe here seyë þat sum whyle,
                    
                      Yn swychë hope goþ mochë gyle.
                      Line 4360

                    
                      A lytyl tale y shal ȝow [O. omits 'ȝow.']  vndo
                    
                      Of a man þat hoped so,
                    
                      As tellyþ þe holy man, seynt Bede,
                    
                      Yn gestys of Ingland þat men rede.
                      Line 4364

[The Tale of the English Squire who put off his Repentance till too late.]

                      Þyr was a kyng, 'Conred' [coured O.]  he hyght, [Atale.] 
                    
                      Þe Mercë was hys kyngdom ryȝt;
                    
                      þe Merce hyght þan, as y herd seye,
                    
                      Þat men kalle now Lyndëseye.
                      Line 4368 
                    
                      Þys Conred [coured O.]  had a seriaunt,
                    
                      A wys man, and of body vaylaunt;
                    
                      yn armys was [was he.]  a doghty squyere,
                    
                      yn alle þe lande ne was hys pere.
                      Line 4372 
                    
                      Of a vyce, he hadde sum deyl,
                    
                      Þat no man myght trowe him weyl;
                    
                      where þat he myght make a wanlace, [folio 29b:2] 
                    
                      And any þyng to þe kyng purchace,
                      Line 4376 
                    
                      He ne lette for no fals oth,
                    
                      Ne for wraþþe of lefe ne [no.]  loth,
                    
                      Þat he ne made ofte dysheresun,
                    
                      And holy cherche traueylede with tresun.
                    
                      For wrong ne lefte he nyȝt ne day,
                    
                      But onely [onely þat.]  he serued þe kyng to pay;
                    
                      He ne ȝaf tale of shame ne synne,
                      Line 4383 
                    
                      But þat onely he myght rycchesse wynne.

                    
                      Þyr fyl on hym a syknes [a syknes on hym.]  so stronge
                    
                      Þat he lay yn hys beddë long.
                    
                      Sone aftyr betydde a lyte

                      Line 4387

Page 148

                    
                      Line 4387 
                    
                      Þe kyng come, hym to vysyte,
                      Line 4388 
                    
                      And bad hym be of répentaunce,
                    
                      And shryue hys synne for allë chaunce;
                    
                      "Forsake now," he seyde, "alle þy [O, þe H.]  mys|dede,
                    
                      And y shal fynde þe at þy nede."
                      Line 4392 
                    
                      He seyde, "so shall y aftyrwarde;
                    
                      Ȝyf y may skape þys euyl harde,
                    
                      Þan shal y do oueral ryght,
                    
                      And ȝeue me al to God almyght; [of myght.] 
                      Line 4396 
                    
                      But ȝyt wyl y do hyt yn respyte
                    
                      Tyl y be of þys euyl alle quyte;
                    
                      Y wul [wlde.]  nat be founde so vyl
                    
                      Þat myn herte were yn swyche peryl
                      Line 4400 
                    
                      To repente me for a lytyl syknes,
                    
                      But ȝyf y were yn harder stres.
                    
                      Ȝyf y, for dredë, aske a preste,
                    
                      Þat shame shulde al day [al day shulde.]  be me neste
                      Line 4404 
                    
                      Þat y were a-ferd of þe ded.
                    
                      Y wyl nat ȝyt do at þy rede;
                    
                      But lefë syre, latyþ me lye;
                    
                      Alle þat ȝe seye, me þynkeþ folye."
                      Line 4408

                    
                      Þe kyng lettyd þarforë noȝt;
                    
                      To leue hys synne, efte he hym besoght,
                    
                      For he helde hym of gretë prys
                    
                      For þat he was boþe doghty and wys.
                      Line 4412

                    
                      And þys ys a custummable þyng [folio 30a] 
                    
                      Now, wyþ euëry lordyng, [lordynge.] 
                    
                      Þat, ȝyf his stuwarde hym oght wynne,
                    
                      Be hyt wyþ ryght, or wyþ synne,
                      Line 4416 
                    
                      Hym wyl he holdë most pryue
                    
                      Of allë þo þat wyþ hym be.
                    
                      But as he takeþ þerof þe frame,
                    
                      He shal haue parte of synne and shame.

                    
                      þe kyng come eft to þe seriaunt,
                      Line 4421 
                    
                      And bad hym to be répentaunt,
                    
                      And þenk on hys saluacyun,
                    
                      And shryue hys synne þat he had doun.

Page 149

                    
                      "Syre," he seyd, "þys ys my chaunce,
                    
                      Hyt ys noght my répentaunce;
                    
                      For, langér as y here lay,
                    
                      Ryȝt at þe oure of mydday,
                      Line 4428 
                    
                      Twey ȝunge men come hedyr to me,
                    
                      Þe feyrest þat any man myght se;
                    
                      Me þoght, ryȝt whan y sagh þo,
                    
                      Þat y felt no þyng of wo.
                      Line 4432 
                    
                      Byfore my bedde þey stode a þrowe, [O. gloss 'whyle.'] 
                    
                      And behelde me as they shuld me knowe;
                    
                      when þey had stonde a lytyl tyde,
                    
                      Þey set hem doune on my bedde syde.
                      Line 4436 
                    
                      when þey set were, furþ þey toke
                    
                      And shewed a lytyl feyrë boke,
                    
                      And bad me þat y shuld hyt rede,
                    
                      For alle hyt was myn ownë dede;
                      Line 4440 
                    
                      And y þat neuer on bokë couþe,
                    
                      Alle y hyt red with opun mouþe;
                    
                      Alle þe gode dedys þat euer y wroght,
                    
                      Alle were þere before me broght,
                      Line 4444 
                    
                      Þe lestë þoght þat y coulde þynke,
                    
                      Þat of godenesse hadde any blynke,
                    
                      Alle y sagh hyt before me,
                    
                      For lytyl was hyt vnto se;
                      Line 4448 
                    
                      For lessë myȝt neuer haue bene
                    
                      Ȝyf any man hyt shulde haue sene.

                    
                      "when y hadde reddeþat y myght rede, [folio 3012a] 
                    
                      Þey shette here boke, and furþ þey ȝede.
                    
                      Sone aftyrward whan þey were gone,
                      Line 4453 
                    
                      Come ouþer two, sone anone;
                    
                      Blak þey were, and foule stynkyng,
                    
                      wyþ glesyng yȝen, and mouþe grennyng;
                    
                      Þey come and stodë on my bedde;
                      Line 4457 
                    
                      Me þoght y wax nygh wode for dredde;
                    
                      Y turned me on euery syde,
                    
                      From hem myght y nat me [me nat.]  hyde;
                      Line 4460 
                    
                      And as y me went hem to fle

Page 150

                    
                      Euer þey werë aȝens me.
                    
                      But whan y sagh no better bote,
                    
                      Y lay stylle boþe hand and fote;
                      Line 4464 
                    
                      whan þey had traueyled me so with yl,
                    
                      A stoundë sate þey by me styl
                    
                      And drogh furþ a mochë boke,—
                    
                      Þe most þat y euer on gan loke:
                      Line 4468 
                    
                      So grete hyt was and so orryble,
                    
                      þer-yn was more þan yn a byble;—
                    
                      For alle þat y haue do wyþ synne,
                    
                      Euery dele ys wryte þerynne,
                      Line 4472 
                    
                      And euery wurde with sorow and pyne
                    
                      Þey made me redë, maugre myne;
                    
                      Þe lestë wurde þat euer y þoght,
                    
                      Þat vnto synne a-mountede oght,
                      Line 4476 
                    
                      was yn þat boke ful þykly dreuyn,
                    
                      was none forȝetyn ne forȝeuyn;
                    
                      And alle y redde, boþe lesse and more;
                    
                      Þat was þe pyne þat pyned me sore.
                      Line 4480

                    
                      whan hyt was redd euerydeyl,
                    
                      Þe boke was shet, and leyd vp weyl.
                    
                      Þey ȝaue to me syþen alle here entent,
                    
                      For to here wylle, y am alle went.
                      Line 4484 
                    
                      Twey brennyng knyuys þey oute drogh,
                    
                      And seyd, "Do we oure dedë nowe;
                    
                      Do we swyþe, and noght we dwelle,
                    
                      And hast we vs wyþ hym to helle."
                      Line 4488

                    
                      Þe toon þurgh myn hedë smote [folio 38b] 
                    
                      wyþ þe knyfe þat was so hote;
                    
                      Þe toþer smote me yn-to þe fete
                    
                      Þat almost to-gedyr þe strokës mete;
                      Line 4492 
                    
                      But whan þey are to gedyr y-come,
                    
                      And haue my [myn.]  herte betwyxe hem nome,
                    
                      Þan shal y dey, and hennë [O, hen H.]  wende
                    
                      with þese to helle with-outyn ende.
                      Line 4496

wharto shuld y þan [þan shulde y.] me repente

Page 151

                    
                      whan y wote my Iugëment?
                    
                      And, þogh y myght lenger lyue,
                    
                      No man myȝt hem me forȝyue;
                      Line 4500 
                    
                      Ȝyf y shulde haue any grace,
                    
                      y shulde haue asked whan y had space;
                    
                      But now y wote, ys al to late,
                    
                      O poynt of my pyne to abate. [bate.] 
                      Line 4504 
                    
                      My synnes are grete, and many one;
                    
                      Forȝeuënes shal be ryght none."

                    
                      Alle he tolde þys to þe kyng,
                    
                      And asswyþe made hys endyng;
                      Line 4508 
                    
                      And ȝede to helle, and was forlore
                    
                      For sloghnes, as y tolde byfore.

                    
                      whan a man ys slogh, and wyl nat do
                    
                      Þat holy cherche techyþ hym to, [vnto.] 
                      Line 4512 
                    
                      Aȝens God he ys froward,
                    
                      And yn hys synne he wexeþ hard;
                    
                      Þan puttyþ þe fende yn hys þoght
                    
                      Þat hys synne ys lytyl or noght;
                      Line 4516 
                    
                      And when tyme werë, mercy calle,
                    
                      yn wanhope, he makeþ hym falle.
                    
                      And alle ys þys for sloghþehede,
                      Line 4519 
                    
                      whan man betyme wyl haue no drede;
                    
                      Þarefore seyþ þe kyng Salamon
                    
                      "Beþ nat ydul, neuer none,"
                    
                      For ȝoure gode dedys, ȝe shul hem fynde,
                    
                      Oute of pyne þey wyl ȝow vnbynde.
                      Line 4524 
                    
                      he þat ys slogh yn euery gode dede,
                    
                      what shal helpe [helpe hym.]  whan he haþ nede?

                    
                      Þe holyman spekþ of a synne [folio 30b:2] 
                    
                      Of sloghnes, þat men falle [are.]  ynne;
                      Line 4528 
                    
                      Ȝyf þat any shuld oght weyl do,
                    
                      hym loþyþ so gretly þarto
                    
                      Þat he fondyþ on allë wyse
                    
                      To do hyt on þe werst asyse.
                      Line 4532 
                    
                      Ȝyf he of Godys wurde oght here,
                    
                      Þerof hym þynkeþ an hundred ȝere;

Page 152

                    
                      But ȝyf he be at any pleyyng
                    
                      At þe ale house, or at any ouþer ianglyng
                    
                      For to rage wyþ ylka fyle [maydgerle [O. eury maydegerlde.] ] ,
                      Line 4540 
                    
                      Þer þenkeþ hym but lytyl whyle.

                    
                      yn goddys seruyse are swyche [swylke.]  men yrk [slow] ;
                    
                      when þey come vn-to þe kyrke
                      Line 4540 
                    
                      To here matynys or messë song,
                    
                      hem þenkeþ hyt lastyþ ouer long;
                    
                      Þan shal he iangle, or telle a tale,
                    
                      Or wyte where þey shul haue þe beste ale.
                    
                      Swyche synne ys kalled 'accyde,'
                      Line 4545 
                    
                      yn gode dede to be slogh, or long abyde.

                    
                      Ȝyf any man be coupable yn þys,
                    
                      yn swyche poyntys þat he [O. omits 'he.']  haue do mys,
                    
                      Be he hygh or be he logh,
                      Line 4549 
                    
                      He ys yn Goddys seruyse slogh.
                    
                      But whan men heryn of þys preche,
                    
                      Þat god of swyche wyl takë wreche;
                      Line 4552 
                    
                      'A!' lyghtly þey sey, as hyt may falle,
                    
                      'God haue mercy on vs alle;'
                    
                      As who seye 'ȝyf he wyl vs saue,
                    
                      Or ȝyf he wyl nat; late vs [al.]  beleue.'
                      Line 4556

                    
                      Nay, nay, hyt may nat be so,
                    
                      Þyr behoueþ more þarto;
                    
                      Þou gettyst nat heuene so lyghtly
                    
                      But þou do yn dede more why.
                      Line 4560 
                    
                      Prey hym fyrst he ȝeue þe þat mede
                    
                      Þat þou mayst serue hym wel yn dede:
                    
                      Ȝyf þou praye þus and syþen wel do,
                    
                      So mayst þou come hys mercy to;
                      Line 4564 
                    
                      And nat yn ydylnes, as ȝe þynke, [folio 31a] 
                    
                      wel to ete and wel to drynke,
                    
                      And ofte to swerë at youre wyl,

Page 153

                    
                      whan no man chargeþ ȝow þar tyl:
                      Line 4568 
                    
                      So come to heuene, hyt may nat be,
                    
                      For, God hadde hyt neuer so fre.

[Against Tournaments.]

                      Of tournamentys þat are forbede
                    
                      yn holy cherchë, as men rede,
                      Line 4572 
                    
                      Of tournamentys y preue þerynne,
                    
                      Seuene poyntës of dedly synne:
                    
                      Fyrst, ys pryde, as þou wel wost,
                    
                      Auauntëment, bobaunce, and bost;
                      Line 4576 
                    
                      Of ryche atyre ys here auaunce,
                    
                      Prykyng here hors with olypraunce.
                    
                      wete þou wel þer [þyr.]  ys enuye
                    
                      whan one seeþ anoþer do maystrye, [more maystrie.] 
                      Line 4580 
                    
                      Oþer yn wurdys, oþer yn dedys;
                    
                      Enuye moste of alle hem ledys.
                    
                      Yre and wraþþe may þey nat late;
                      Line 4583 
                    
                      Ofte are tournamentys made for hate.
                    
                      Ȝyf euery knyȝt louede oþer weyl,
                    
                      Tournamentes shulde be neuer a deyl;
                    
                      And certys þey falle yn sloghnes,
                      Line 4587 
                    
                      Þey loue hyt more þan God oþer [or.]  messe;
                    
                      And, þerof ys hyt no doute,
                    
                      þey dyspende more gode þer [þyr.]  aboute—
                    
                      þat ys ȝeue allë [al.]  to folye—
                    
                      Þan to any dede of mercy.
                      Line 4592

                    
                      And ȝyt may nat, on no wyse,
                    
                      Be forgete dame coueytyse,
                    
                      For she shal fonde, on allë [al.]  wyse,
                    
                      To wynnë hors, and harnyse.
                      Line 4596 
                    
                      And ȝyt shal he make sum robbery,
                    
                      Or bygyle hys hoste þer he shal lye.

Glotonye also ys hem among,

Page 154

                    
                      Delycyus metes to make hem strong;
                      Line 4600 
                    
                      And drynke þe wyne þat he were lyght,
                    
                      wyþ glotonye to make hym wyght.

                    
                      Ȝyt ys þere dame lecherye; [folio 31a:2] 
                    
                      Of here cumþ allë here maystrye.
                      Line 4604 
                    
                      Many tymes, for wymmen sake,
                    
                      knyghteys tournamentys make;
                    
                      And whan he wendyþ to þe tournament
                    
                      She sendyþ hym sum pryuy present,
                      Line 4608 
                    
                      And byt hym do for hys lemman
                    
                      Yn vasshelage [vasselage.]  alle þat he kan;
                    
                      So ys he bete þere, for here loue,
                    
                      Þat he ne may sytte hys hors aboue,
                      Line 4612 
                    
                      Þat perauenture, yn alle hys lyue
                    
                      Shal he neuer aftyr þryue.
                    
                      loke now whedyr swyche tournours [tourneours.] 
                    
                      Mow be kallëd turmentours?
                      Line 4616 
                    
                      For, þey turmente alle with synne;
                    
                      Þere tourment ys, þer shul þey ynne,
                    
                      But þey leuë swyche myschaunce,
                    
                      And for here synnë do penaunce.
                      Line 4620

                    
                      Also y tellë by iustyng,
                    
                      Þér-of cumþ myschefful þyng;
                    
                      Alle ys þe toon with þe touþer,
                    
                      As a shyppe þat ys turned with þe roþer.

                    
                      And þese bourdys of þese squyers,
                      Line 4625 
                    
                      Also haue þey made for swyche maners
                    
                      Of prydë, hatë, and enuye,
                    
                      Sloghtnesse, [Sloghnes.]  coueytyse, and glotonye:
                    
                      lecherye makþ hem alle to bygynne;
                      Line 4629 
                    
                      Þese wymmen are partyners of þere synne.

                    
                      A clerk of order þat haþ þe name,
                    
                      Ȝyf he iuste, he ys to blame,
                      Line 4632 
                    
                      Hyt were wurþy þat had þe gre,
                    
                      Brokyn þe armë, legge, [or lege.]  or thee;
                    
                      hyt ys forsoþe, ȝyf he so werche,

Page 155

Aȝens þe state of holy cherche. 4636

                    
                      hyt ys forbode hym, yn þe decre,
                    
                      Myrácles for to make or se;
                    
                      For, myrácles ȝyf þou bygynne,
                    
                      Hyt ys a gaderyng, [O, gaderynt, H.]  a syght of synne,
                      Line 4640

                    
                      He may yn þe cherche, þurgh þys resun, [folio 31b] 
                    
                      Pley þe resurreccyun,—
                    
                      Þat ys to seyë, how God ros,
                    
                      God and man yn myȝt and los,—
                      Line 4644 
                    
                      To make men be yn beleuë gode
                    
                      Þat he ros with flesshe and blode;
                    
                      And he may pleye, withoutyn plyght
                    
                      howe God was bore yn ȝolë nyght,
                      Line 4648 
                    
                      To make men to beleue stedfastly
                    
                      Þat he lyght yn þe vyrgyne Mary.

                    
                      Ȝif þou do hyt yn weyys or greuys,
                    
                      A syght of synne truly hyt semys.
                      Line 4652 
                    
                      Seynt Ysodre, [Isidre.]  y take to wyttnes,
                    
                      For he hyt seyþ, þat soþe hyt es;
                    
                      þus hyt seyþ, yn hys boke,
                    
                      Þey forsakë þat þey toke—
                      Line 4656 
                    
                      God and herë crystendam—
                    
                      Þat make swyche pleyys to any man
                    
                      As myrácles and [or.]  bourdys,
                    
                      Or tournamentys of grete prys.
                      Line 4660 
                    
                      þese are þe pompes þat þou forsoke,
                    
                      Fryst [Fyrst.]  whan þou þy crystendam toke.
                    
                      At þe fonte, seyþ þe lewed man,
                      Line 4663 
                    
                      "y forsake þe, here, Satan,
                    
                      And alle þy pompes and all thy werkys:"
                    
                      Þys ys þy lore, aftyr þe clerkys.
                    
                      haldyst þou forward, e, certys nay,
                    
                      whan þou makyst swyche a-dray?
                      Line 4668 
                    
                      Aȝens God þou brekest cunnaunt, [cumnaunt.] 
                    
                      And seruyst ȝoure syre, Termagaunt.

Page 156

                    
                      Seynt Ysodre seyþ yn hys wrytyng,
                    
                      'Alle þo þat delyte to se swyche þyng,
                      Line 4672 
                    
                      Or hors or harneys lenyþ þar-tyl; [O. gloss 'to.'] 
                    
                      Ȝyt haue þey gylt of here peryl.'

                    
                      Ȝyf prest or clerk lene vestëment [Harl. vestment.] 
                    
                      Þat halwed ys þurgh sacrament;
                      Line 4676 
                    
                      More þan ouþer þey are to blame,
                    
                      Of sacrylege þey haue þe fame:
                    
                      Famë, for þey falle yn plyght, [folio 31b:2] 
                    
                      Þey shuld be chastysed [chastyed.]  þerfor with ryȝt.

                    
                      Daunces, karols, somour games,
                      Line 4681 
                    
                      Of many swych come many shames;
                    
                      whan þou stodyst [stodyyst.]  to makë þyse,
                    
                      Þou art slogh yn Goddys seruyse;
                      Line 4684 
                    
                      And þat synnen yn swych þurgh þe,
                    
                      For hem þou shalt a-couped be.

                    
                      what seye ȝe by euery mynstral,
                    
                      Þat yn swyche þynges delyte hem alle?
                    
                      Here doyng ys ful perylous,
                      Line 4689 
                    
                      Hyt loueth noþer God ne goddys house;
                    
                      Hem were leuer here of a daunce,
                    
                      Of host, and of olypraunce,
                      Line 4692 
                    
                      Þan any gode of God of heuene,
                    
                      Or ouþer wysdom þat were to neuene.
                    
                      Yn foly ys allë þat þey gete,
                    
                      here cloth, here drynkë, and here mete.
                    
                      And, for swych þyng, telle y shal,
                      Line 4697 
                    
                      what byfyl onys of a mynstral:
                    
                      Seynt Gregorye telleþ yn hys spell
                    
                      how hyt of a mynstral fell.
                      Line 4700

[The Tale of the Minstrel who was kild for disturbing a Bishop.]

A mynstralle, a gulardous, Come onys to a bysshopes hous [A tale]

Page 157

                    
                      And asked þere þe charyte;
                    
                      Þe porter lete hym haue entre;
                      Line 4704

                    
                      At tyme of mete, þe bourde was leyd,
                    
                      And þe benesun shuld be seyd;
                    
                      Þys mynstral made hys melody
                    
                      with gretë noyse, and loude, and hy.
                      Line 4708 
                    
                      Of þe bysshope, þe famë ran
                    
                      Þat he was an holy man;
                    
                      Þe bysshope sette hym at þe bourde,
                      Line 4711 
                    
                      And shuld haue blessed hyt with wurde;
                    
                      So was he sturbled with þe mynstral,
                    
                      Þat he hadde no grace to sey with [weyl.]  -alle
                    
                      His graces ryght deuoutëly
                    
                      For þe noyse of þe mynstralsy.
                      Line 4716

                    
                      Þe bysshope pleyned hym ful sore, [folio 32a] 
                    
                      And seyd to allë þat were þore,
                    
                      Þat he ne shulde make hys nycete
                    
                      Before the graces of þe charyte.
                      Line 4720 
                    
                      He sagh hyt weyl, þurgh þe spryt, [spyryt.] 
                    
                      Þat þer shuld come veniaunce astyt. [alstyt.] 
                    
                      "Ȝyueþ hym þe charyte, & latyþ hym go;
                    
                      Hys deþ ys nygh, þat shal hym slo."
                      Line 4724 
                    
                      He toke charyte, and toke hys gate; [O. gloss 'weye.'] 
                    
                      And as he passed out at þe ȝate,
                    
                      A stonë fyl down of þe wal,
                    
                      And slogh þerë þe mynstral.
                      Line 4728

                    
                      Þat betokened þat God was noght
                    
                      Payd of þat þe mynstral wroght,
                    
                      Þat he desturbled þe benesoun
                    
                      And þe gode mannys deuocyoun.
                      Line 4732

                    
                      Þys tolde y for þe glemennes sake,
                    
                      To loke whan þey here gle shuld [shul.]  make;
                    
                      And also for þo þat shuld hyt here,
                    
                      Þat þey loue hyt nat so dere,

                      Line 4736

Page 158

                    
                      Line 4736 
                    
                      Ne haue þerynne so grete lykyng,
                    
                      Þe lesse to wurschyp heuene kyng.

[A Tale of Bishop St. Robert Grostest of Lincoln, and why he lovd Music.]

                      Y shall ȝow telle, as y haue herd,
                    
                      Of þe bysshope Seynt Roberd;
                      Line 4740 
                    
                      Hys tonamë ys 'Grostest
                    
                      Of Lynkolne,' so seyþ þe gest.
                    
                      he loued moche to here þe harpe,
                    
                      For mannys wytte hyt makyþ sharpe;
                      Line 4744 
                    
                      Next hys chaumbre, besyde hys stody,
                    
                      Hys harpers chaumbre was fast þerby.
                    
                      Many tymes, be nyȝtys and dayys,
                    
                      He had solace of notes and layys.
                      Line 4748 
                    
                      One asked hym onys, resun why
                    
                      he hadde delyte yn mynstralsy:
                    
                      he answerede hym on þys manere,
                    
                      why he helde þe harper [harpe.]  so dere,
                      Line 4752 
                    
                      "Þe vertu of þe harpe, þurgh skylle & ryȝt,
                    
                      wyl destroye þe fendës myȝt,
                    
                      And to þe croys by godë skylle [folio 32a:2] 
                    
                      Ys þe harpë lykened weyle.
                      Line 4756

                    
                      Anoþer poynt cumfórteþ me,
                    
                      Þat God haþ sent vnto [O, to H.]  a tre
                    
                      So mochë ioye to here with eere;
                    
                      Moche þan morë ioye ys þere
                      Line 4760 
                    
                      with God hym-selfë, þere he wonys;
                    
                      Þe harpe þerof me oftë mones;
                    
                      Of þe ioye and of þe blys
                    
                      where God hym-self wonys [woneþ.]  and ys.
                      Line 4764 
                    
                      Þare-for, gode men, ȝe shul lere,
                    
                      whan ȝe any glemen here,
                    
                      To wurschep God at ȝoure powere,
                    
                      As Dauyd seyþ yn þe sautere,
                      Line 4768 
                    
                      "yn harpe, yn thabour, and symphan gle,
                    
                      wurschepe God, yn troumpes, and sautre,

Page 159

                    
                      yn cordys, an [yn.]  organes, and bellys ryngyng,
                    
                      yn al þese, wurschepe ȝe heuene kyng."
                    
                      Ȝyf ȝe do þus, y sey hardly,
                      Line 4773 
                    
                      Ȝe mow here ȝoure mynstralsy.

                    
                      Ȝyf þou lyggë long yn synne,
                    
                      And wylt nat ryse, ne þerof blynne,
                      Line 4776 
                    
                      Certeynly, for euery oure
                    
                      Þou shalt ȝelde a-counte ful soure;
                    
                      For euery oure þat þou þeryn lay
                    
                      Yn purgatorye þou gest þy pay.
                      Line 4780 
                    
                      Hyt ys sloghnes, and kalled 'accyde,'
                    
                      Fro Goddys seruyse so long þe hyde.

                    
                      And some, alle þe ȝere wyllyn abyde
                    
                      Of shryftë tyl þe lentyn tyde;
                      Line 4784 
                    
                      And nygh tyl lentyn be al gone
                    
                      Mede for fastyng gete þey none;
                    
                      Þat ys, for sloghnes þey wyl nat ryse;
                    
                      lyggyng yn synne, ys lore seruyse.
                      Line 4788

                    
                      And, sum men, yn alle here lyue,
                    
                      Clenly ne wylë þey hem shryue;
                    
                      For þey synne alle yn hope of grace,
                    
                      At here endyng wene þey haue space;
                      Line 4792 
                    
                      Þan þenkë þey to shryue hem clene: [folio 32b] 
                    
                      To swyche men, God sheweþ hys tene.
                    
                      Hyt ys seyd al day, for þys skyl,
                    
                      "he þat wyl nat whan he may,
                      Line 4796 
                    
                      He shal nat, when he wyl, [haue pay.]"
                    
                      And þer byþ many one ful euyl to wynne
                    
                      To any godenes fro vylë synne;
                      Line 4800 
                    
                      Euyl tokyn hyt ys [Harl. omits 'ys.']  of swyche a man,
                    
                      God hym deme; for y ne kan.

                    
                      And þyr are ouþer þat mys dous,
                    
                      As a best, [beste.]  for defaute þat goþ lous.
                      Line 4804 
                    
                      But whan men techë hem þe wey,
                    
                      And þey wyl do as men hem sey;

Page 160

                    
                      A tokyn hyt ys, þey shul haue grace
                    
                      To come to God, and hauë space.
                      Line 4808 
                    
                      And he may hope of euyl endyng
                    
                      Þat nonë may to Godë brynge.

                    
                      A slogh messagere, hys wylland,
                    
                      Þat charged ys wyþ lordes erand,
                      Line 4812 
                    
                      Ȝyf he go nat as he ys sent,
                    
                      He ys wurþy to be shent.
                    
                      Man þat wel spedyþ hym yn dede,
                    
                      And messáger smart at nede,
                      Line 4816 
                    
                      Þey shul stonde byfore þe kyng,
                    
                      And hauë mede to here askyng.

                    
                      A persone ys slogh yn holy cherche
                    
                      Þat on hys shepë wyl nat werche
                      Line 4820 
                    
                      How þey shul hem-self[ë] ȝeme,
                    
                      And God and holy cherche to queme.
                    
                      Þe hyghë shepard shal hym blame,
                    
                      how he lateþ hem go to shame.
                      Line 4824

                    
                      Ȝyf he se yn any þyng
                    
                      Þat þey haue defaute of chastysyng,
                    
                      But he teche hem and chastyse so
                    
                      Þat þey forward better do,
                      Line 4828 
                    
                      For hem he shal, at þe assyse,
                    
                      Be ponysshed before þe hygh Iustyse.
                    
                      Also behoueþ hym, for hem pray,
                    
                      Þat God, of grace, wysse hem þe wey.
                      Line 4832

                    
                      Ȝyf any of hem defautë has, [folio 32b:2] 
                    
                      And he may helpe hem yn þat kas,
                    
                      And wyl nat, for vnkyndhede,
                    
                      But late hem perysshe þer for nede,
                      Line 4836 
                    
                      Ful harde a-countë shal he ȝelde
                    
                      Þat he myȝt helpe whan he ne welde.
                    
                      Ȝyf he kyndly vndyrstode,
                    
                      Of hem he haþ al hys gode;

                      Line 4840

Page 161

                    
                      Line 4840 
                    
                      For, God seyþ yn þe gospel þys,
                    
                      Vpbreydyng hem when þey do mys:
                    
                      Þe mylke, þe wulle, þey wyl receyue;
                      Line 4843 
                    
                      And syþþen þe shepe þey wyle late weyue.
                    
                      Holy wrytë swyche men holdes
                    
                      As wyldë wuluës brekyng foldes.
                    
                      Swyche a personë ys ful slogh,
                    
                      Be he hygh, or be he logh.
                      Line 4848

                    
                      Man or womman þat haþ a chylde
                    
                      Þat wyþ vnþewys wexyþ wylde,
                    
                      Þat wyl boþe myssey and do,
                    
                      Chastysment behoueþ þarto;
                      Line 4852 
                    
                      But ȝe hem chastyse at ȝoure myȝt,
                    
                      Ȝe falle, ellys, for hem yn plyȝt.
                    
                      Better were þe chylde vnbore
                    
                      Þan fayle chastysyng, and syþþen lore.
                    
                      Þus seyth þe wys kyng Salamonn
                      Line 4857 
                    
                      To men and wymmen euerychonn,
                    
                      "wyle ȝe þat [Harl. þet.]  ȝoure chyldryn [chylder.]  be a-ferd,
                    
                      Ȝyueþ [ȝeuyf.]  hem þe smert ende of þe ȝerde;"
                    
                      And techeþ hem gode þewys echone;
                    
                      Ȝyt dur ȝow brekë hem no bone.
                      Line 4862

[The Tale of the Father that would not chastise his Child.]

                      y shal ȝow telle a wundyr þyng [A tale.] 
                    
                      Þat fylle for defaute of chastysyng:
                      Line 4864 
                    
                      Seynt Gregory telleþ, þat mochë kan,
                    
                      Of a folë husbunde man
                    
                      Þat hatede a chylde þat he furþe broght
                    
                      wykkedly, for he chastyed hym noght.
                    
                      Þys chylde was wurþy for to blame,
                      Line 4869 
                    
                      For ofte he cursed Goddys name;
                    
                      whan aght was do aȝens hys wylle,
                    
                      He cursede Goddys name wyþ ylle.

                      Line 4872

Page 162

                    
                      Line 4872 
                    
                      Seynt Gregory tellyþ hyt wyþ grete eye;
                    
                      But as he seyþ, þan dar y seye.

                    
                      Þys ychë chyld [sone] aftyrward
                    
                      Fyl yn[to] a syknes hard;
                      Line 4876 
                    
                      Þe fadyr hadde þerof pyte,
                    
                      Þe chyld he daunted on hys kne,
                    
                      And haddë þarfor mochë kare
                    
                      Þat he sagh hys chylde so fare;
                      Line 4880 
                    
                      For hyt began to braye and crye
                    
                      As, þogh hyt shuld al to-flye.

                    
                      Þe fadyr asked, why hyt so ferde,
                    
                      Or what hyt sagh, or what hyt herde.
                      Line 4884 
                    
                      Þe chyldë seyd "blake men, blake,
                    
                      Are aboutë, me to take;
                    
                      Me, wyþ hem, wyl þey lede,
                    
                      Y ne shal skapë for no nede."
                      Line 4888 
                    
                      Yn þe fadrys [faders.]  bosum hyt wulde hym hyde,
                    
                      But þe fende, þat ychë tyde,
                    
                      Refte þe saulë vnto helle.
                    
                      Þan began þe chylde to ȝelle,
                      Line 4892 
                    
                      And cursed onys Goddys name,
                    
                      And deyde, and ȝede [wente.]  to helle with shame.

                    
                      Þys yche chylde þat y haue of tolde,
                    
                      was but fyuë wyntyr olde.
                      Line 4896 
                    
                      Þus þe chylde þat was so ȝunge
                    
                      was lore for faute of chastysynge.
                    
                      But þe fadyr, þat [O. omits 'þat.']  no gode couþe,
                      Line 4899 
                    
                      Myȝte haue chastyëd hym [hyt.]  with mouþe,
                    
                      Stoutly, for euery a lak,
                    
                      And betë hyt, whan hyt so spak.

                    
                      Oueral y se þys custome wonys;
                    
                      Rychë men haue shrewed sonys,—
                      Line 4904 
                    
                      Shrewys yn dedë and yn sawe,—
                    
                      why? For þey haue nonnë awe.
                    
                      Yn hys ȝouþe shal he mysseye

Page 163

                    
                      And skornë ouþer by þe weye;
                      Line 4908 
                    
                      Þan seyþ þe fadyr "þys chyldys wurde [folio 33a:2] 
                    
                      Ne shal nat ley allë yn hurde."
                    
                      And ȝyf he lernë gylerye,
                    
                      Fals wurde and feynt trenlyng [tremlynge.]  with ye, [eye.] 
                    
                      Þat halte hys fadyr a queyntyse
                      Line 4913 
                    
                      And of slygh wyt, to knowe þat wyse.
                    
                      Ȝyf he do skaþe gladly with fyght,
                    
                      Þan seyþ þe fadyr "he shal be wyght;
                    
                      He shal be hardy, and no man drede,
                      Line 4917 
                    
                      He begynneþ be tyme be doghty [dughty.]  yn dede."
                    
                      But ryght so shal hyt of hem falle
                    
                      As dyd of Ely sonys alle.
                      Line 4920 
                    
                      y shal ȝow telle, to preue my sawe,
                    
                      what fyl yn þe oldë lawe. [dawe O. has 1 (dotted under) and d written over.]  [A tale] 
                    
                      yn þe byble hyt tellyþ, þat toucheþ swych þynges,
                    
                      yn þe holy boke of kynges;
                      Line 4924 
                    
                      And wrytë hyt ys [ys þere.]  opunly,
                    
                      Of a patryark, syre Ely.

[The tale of 'Syre Ely' and his wicked Sons.]

                      Þys Ely was a man ryȝt ryche,
                    
                      And, to hys chyldrén ryght blyche;
                      Line 4928 
                    
                      he hadde twey sonys, þat ys no les,
                    
                      'Ofnee' the toon hyght, þe touþer 'Fynees.'
                    
                      Þese twey chyldryn dyd ful wykkedly
                    
                      To man and woman þat þey come by;
                      Line 4932 
                    
                      Lyers, robbours, and lechours,
                    
                      Skorners, and also auoutours;
                    
                      wymmen þat to þe temple come,
                    
                      here offryng from hem þey nome.
                      Line 4936 
                    
                      Þese wymmen come to syre Ely,
                    
                      And pleyned hem of grete vyleynye,
                    
                      'Þat hys sonys were vnhende,

Page 164

                    
                      hem also for to shende.
                      Line 4940 
                    
                      O defaute was, þey by hem lay;
                    
                      A-noþer, þey bare here offryng away.'
                    
                      "Do þerof sum chástysyng,
                    
                      For þe loue of heuene kyng!"
                      Line 4944

                    
                      Here fadyr Ely þan was wo,
                    
                      For þat yche fame shulde of hem go.
                    
                      Ely kalled hys sone, "Ofnee [folio 33b] 
                    
                      And Fyneës, come ȝe to me!
                      Line 4948 
                    
                      Sonës," he seyde, ['he seyde' O, H. omits.]  "ȝe are me dere;
                    
                      y bydde ȝow boþe, on feyre manere,
                    
                      Þat ȝe leue ȝoure foly dedes,
                    
                      And ouþer foly þat ȝow ledys;
                      Line 4952 
                    
                      Y herë of ȝow foulë fame,
                    
                      Þe folkë seyn ȝe are to blame;
                    
                      Y rede ȝe leue alle swych foly,
                    
                      Þat y of ȝow here no more cry."
                      Line 4956

                    
                      Þese chyldryn were strong and stout;
                    
                      Of fadres byddyng þey hadde [had þey.]  no dout,
                    
                      But werë shrewys for þe more, [forþermore.] 
                    
                      Or werse þan þey hadde be byfore;
                      Line 4960 
                    
                      And God was wroþe wyþ here mysdede
                    
                      Þat þey ne leftë for no drede;
                    
                      And, God was wyþ Ely wroþe,
                    
                      For he dyd hys sones no loþe,
                      Line 4964 
                    
                      To chastyse hem wyþ fyn awe
                    
                      And with þe smartnes of þe lawe.

                    
                      Þarfor toke god hys venïaunce
                    
                      Of hem, and mo, for þat myschaunce;
                      Line 4968 
                    
                      He lete þe fals Phylystyens,
                    
                      Þe folk of Isrel to werre aȝens.
                    
                      Ely and hys, þey gunne assayle,
                    
                      And ouercome hem tweys yn batayle.
                      Line 4972

                    
                      Þese Phylystyens þat hadde þe maystry,
                    
                      Beleuyd on Dagoun, a maumettry.
                    
                      On a god þat þey kalled Dagoun,
                    
                      Beleued þe Phylystynes echoun.
                      Line 4976 
                    
                      Þarefor hyt was but Goddys suffraunce

Page 165

Þat shewyd why þey hadde swych chaunce.

                    
                      Þe folk of Isrel had þoght, and syghte,
                    
                      For þey were twyys scumfyghte;
                      Line 4980 
                    
                      Þey ordeyned hem on allë wyse
                    
                      how þey shulde best to batayle ryse,
                    
                      Aȝens þe Phylystynes for to go,
                    
                      And hem dyscumfytë and slo.
                      Line 4984 
                    
                      þey ordeyned hem for to bere [folio 33b:2] 
                    
                      Goddys arke with hem yn to were. [O. gloss 'bateyle.'] 
                    
                      Ely sones were stoute and stark,
                    
                      And were chose to bere Goddys ark;
                      Line 4988 
                    
                      For reuerence þey ded hyt, of Ely,
                    
                      And for þey were of body doghty.

                    
                      Goddys ark was of swych manere
                    
                      As men make now shrynës here.
                      Line 4992 
                    
                      yn þys ark werë þre þynges
                    
                      Þat men ȝaue to here offrynges;
                    
                      Þar-yn was Moyses table
                    
                      whar-on God wrote þe lawë stable;
                      Line 4996 
                    
                      And Aarons ȝerd, and a potte of golde:
                    
                      Þese þre relykes þey helde ful holde.
                    
                      Yn þe pottë was a floure,
                    
                      whyte, and swete of al sauoure,
                      Line 5000 
                    
                      Þat floure ys kalled 'aungelys mete'
                    
                      Þat God ȝafe þe folke to ete
                    
                      whan þey were yn wyldernes
                    
                      Forty wyntyr, yn hard stres.
                      Line 5004 
                    
                      Þese þyngës þan bare Ely sones
                    
                      yn-to þe batayle þat ȝyt of mones.

                    
                      Þe phylystyens come hem for [O. omits 'for.']  to assayle,
                    
                      And slogh Ely sonës [sones boþe.]  yn batayle,
                      Line 5008 
                    
                      And rauysshed Goddys ark þere,
                    
                      And slogh þe folk þat þer were,
                    
                      And þe relykys þat þere were [were þer.]  ynne:
                    
                      Alle were lore for þe sonys synne.
                      Line 5012

whan þe folk to þe batayle fore, [ȝede] Ely sette hym at þe temple dore

Page 166

                    
                      yn a chayre, and was herkenyng
                    
                      Fro þe batayle sum tydyng,
                      Line 5016 
                    
                      On what manere þe folk shulde spede,
                    
                      For of Goddys ark he had grete drede.

                    
                      One come rennyng hastyly,
                    
                      And broghte þys tydyng to Ely
                      Line 5020 
                    
                      Þat hys sonys were boþe slayn,
                    
                      And Goddys ark with myght and mayn [strenkþ] 
                    
                      was bore away for euermore. [folio 34a] 
                    
                      Alas, þe sorow þat he hadde þerfore!
                      Line 5024 
                    
                      whan Ely herd þys euyl tydyng,
                    
                      For sorowe he gan hys handys wryng,
                    
                      And fyl bakward of hys chayre,
                    
                      And brak on [þer on.]  two hys swyer; [nekke] 
                      Line 5028 
                    
                      And of hys hede he brake þe bone,
                    
                      Þe harnës [brayn [O. omits the gloss.] ]  lay vpp-on þe stone.

                    
                      Þys ychë tale ys no tryfyl,
                    
                      For hyt ys wryte yn þe bybyl;
                      Line 5032 
                    
                      And to ȝow y telle hyt here,
                    
                      Ȝoure sonys to chastyse and to lere, [O. gloss 'teche.'] 
                    
                      Þat ȝe, ne þey, be nat shent
                    
                      For defaute of chastysment
                      Line 5036 
                    
                      Bodyly, yn þys worlde here,
                    
                      And aftyr þat, þe soule so dere.

                    
                      Þenkeþ on Ely and on [O. omits 'on.']  hys sonys;
                    
                      And to gode ȝoure chyldryn wones.
                      Line 5040 
                    
                      For, ryght so as hem gan tyde,
                    
                      Swyche as þey were, þe same mow byde.
                    
                      Of sloghnes þys ys þe assyse
                    
                      whan þou wylt nat betyme chastyse.
                      Line 5044

                    
                      Ȝyt ys þyr an ydulnes,—
                    
                      A grete vnwysdom for soþe hyt ys,—
                    
                      whan a ȝunge man dragh [draghþ.]  lyte on lenkþe,
                    
                      And wyl nat trauayle yn hys ȝungþe, [Ȝenþe.] 
                      Line 5048 
                    
                      Ne lernë hym craft for to wynne,
                    
                      Yn hys agë to leue wel ynne.

Page 167

                    
                      Certes me þenkeþ hym ful slogh;
                    
                      Hys þryfte wyl melte away with snogh.
                      Line 5052 
                    
                      And þogh a man haue oght [oght of.]  erytage
                    
                      Þat he may lyue wyþ weyl yn age,
                    
                      Certes ȝyt behoueþ hym lere
                    
                      Manhede and curtesye yn fere.
                      Line 5056 
                    
                      A man hys manhedë shal ȝerne [desyre] 
                    
                      hymself and hys meynë to gouerne.

                    
                      Þus seyþ þe kyng Salamon,
                    
                      And þese holy men echone;
                      Line 5060 
                    
                      "Hyt ys an ydulnes yn here lyfe, [folio 34a:2] 
                    
                      Alle þat ouþer man or wyfe
                    
                      Trauayleþ for þe lyuës fode,
                    
                      And lytyl for þe soulës gode.
                      Line 5064

                    
                      Þogh þou trauayle alle þat þou may,
                    
                      Ne be þou neuer so ryche ne gay,
                    
                      But þou serue God yn alle þy þoght
                    
                      Þat þy soule to heuene be broght,
                      Line 5068 
                    
                      Sykyrlyche alle ys hyt but lore,
                    
                      Þy grete trauayle syn þou were bore;
                    
                      Alle for sloghthede be tolde hyt shal,
                    
                      To werche al day, and lese hyt alle.
                      Line 5072

                    
                      Ȝyt us þyr an vnkynde sloghþhede,
                    
                      Þat a man vnneþ, for no gode dede,
                    
                      wyl wurschep God derwrþly,
                    
                      But more þarfor aȝens hym ly.
                      Line 5076 
                    
                      And [And þat.]  mayst þou þe soþë se
                    
                      Of rychë men, how stout þey be;
                    
                      For many one þat he ȝyfþ to rychesse,
                    
                      Of God and man þey ȝyue no [þe.]  lesse.
                      Line 5080 
                    
                      Ȝyf he ȝyue to any hys ryght lemes, [lymes.] 
                    
                      To þanke hym þerof, no man ȝeue [Ȝeme.]  nymes.
                    
                      loke alle þy lymës, fete and hondes,
                    
                      And, ȝyf þou weyl vndyrstondys
                      Line 5084 
                    
                      Þat þou ne hast nedë of þo,
                    
                      Þank hym noþer yn wele no wo;

Page 168

                    
                      And ȝyf þou mayst forberë noun,
                    
                      Þank þan hym [hym þan.]  of euerychoun;
                      Line 5088 
                    
                      y rede we þanke hym of euery poynt,
                    
                      Syn we may nat [ne may.]  forbere þe lest Ioynt.

                    
                      ȝyt þyr ys a sloghþehede yn þys synne;
                    
                      Vnkynde men are alle þer-ynne;
                      Line 5092 
                    
                      yn sum man, vnkyndehede ys so rank
                    
                      Þat he ne may cunne no man þank
                    
                      For no gode dede þat [þat O, þan H.]  men hym dous.
                    
                      A dogge ys kynder, þat goþ lous,
                      Line 5096 
                    
                      For, ȝyue a dogge þryd part hys fode,
                    
                      And he shal euer weyte þe gode,
                    
                      And euermorë be wyþ þe, [folio 34b] 
                    
                      For lyfë ne deþ wyl he fle.
                      Line 5100

                    
                      By þys skyl mayst þou se how
                    
                      An hounde ys kynder þan art þou;
                    
                      And ȝyt may hyt preuyd be
                    
                      Þat þou art as vnkynde as he.
                      Line 5104 
                    
                      Of þe houndë, þys y fynde,
                    
                      Þat most he hateþ hys owne kynde;
                    
                      For that yche houndë þat hym gat,
                    
                      Most of allë hateþ he þat;
                      Line 5108 
                    
                      And hys modyr he hateþ also;
                    
                      He byt here, ȝyf he may cum here to.
                    
                      Ȝyf ȝe vndyrstondë kan,
                    
                      Þus faryþ hyt of a [an.]  vnkynd man;
                      Line 5112 
                    
                      For he loueþ more an ouþer kynde,
                    
                      And þarto ys wel morë mynde,
                    
                      Þan he douþ þat ychë flesshe
                    
                      Of whos kynde he cum forþe ys. [ysse.] 
                      Line 5116

                    
                      A-noþer þyng ȝyt ys, [O. omits 'ys.']  ȝyf þou ȝeue kepe,
                    
                      Þat many loue more nete and [and O, þan H.]  shepe
                    
                      Þan he douþ hys emcrystene,
                    
                      Or of hys harme wyl oght bemene.
                      Line 5120 
                    
                      And þys ys a grete vnkyndnes,
                    
                      And also aȝen manhede hyt ys; [es.] 
                    
                      And sloghþëhede wel for to proue,

Page 169

Vnkyndly, and lowe, to loue. 5124

                    
                      Ȝyf þou art yn godë wyl
                    
                      To seruë God, and leue alle yl,
                    
                      Repente þe nat, for no feyntyse,
                    
                      Ne be nat heuy to hys seruyse;
                      Line 5128 
                    
                      Þou shuldyst raþer to þe deþ turne
                    
                      Ar þou shust wyþ hys seruyse scorne.

                    
                      Ȝyf þou bygynne weyl, y rede þou ende,
                    
                      For fyrst and last þou fyndyst hym hende.
                    
                      And ȝyf þou bygynne any þyng,
                      Line 5133 
                    
                      Þenk what shal be þe endyng.
                    
                      For þogh þou seruë God to pay,
                    
                      Alle þy lyfe, [lyue.]  boþe nyȝt and day,
                      Line 5136 
                    
                      And at þe laste ende of þy lyffe [folio 34b:2] 
                    
                      Þou fallyst aȝens hym yn stryffe,
                    
                      So þat þou yn þat ychë synne
                    
                      Makyst þan þy [þanne þyn.]  endyng ynne,
                      Line 5140 
                    
                      God forget alle þy gode dede;
                    
                      Of hym þerfor gest þou no mede.
                    
                      Ryght so ys he to þe redy
                    
                      whan þou wylt leue alle þy foly,
                      Line 5144 
                    
                      And come to hym with répentaunce,
                    
                      yn blys he makeþ þy puruyaunce.
                    
                      At þe ende shal boþe dede and þoght
                    
                      Shewe hym self how hyt ys wroght.
                      Line 5148

                    
                      Ne be nat þou [þou nat.]  sorowful, y þe forbede;
                    
                      hyt semyþ, yn Goddys seruyse þan þou hast drede;
                    
                      And dredë wyl make a man slogh
                    
                      To do þe seruyse þat he hogh. [oghe.] 
                      Line 5152 
                    
                      But serue hym gladly with louely chere,
                    
                      Þan ys þy seruyse to hym dere:
                    
                      Þus techyþ vs Dauid þe prophete
                    
                      yn þe sautyr, wurdys swete;

                      Line 5156

Page 170

                    
                      Line 5156 
                    
                      "Ne be nat proude þogh þou weyl dous,
                    
                      yn þyn herte to make a rous" [boste] 
                    
                      Þat þou holy lyfë ledys,
                    
                      Yn fastyng, or yn almës dedys.
                      Line 5160 
                    
                      Þe fyrst ys ouer mochë drede,
                    
                      Þe touþer ys [O. omits 'ys.']  proude hauncenhede.
                    
                      Holde þe euene hem betwene,
                    
                      Nat ouer-drede ne ouer-wene.
                      Line 5164

                    
                      No make no sorowe, ne myslyke,
                    
                      Þat wanhope In þyn hertë styke;
                    
                      For þat ys þe werst poynt of alle;
                    
                      To hellë þyt hyt doþe þe falle.
                      Line 5168 
                    
                      Sloghënes, hyt wyl þe grope
                    
                      To bryngë þe yn-to whanhope;
                    
                      Sloghnes yn allë godë dedys,
                    
                      Ys as moche, as sum men redys,
                      Line 5172 
                    
                      As þogh þou shryue þe of a synne,
                    
                      And þenke no more to falle þer-ynne.
                    
                      Ȝyf þou be slogh, and heuy, [folio 35a] 
                    
                      And doust no gode dede of mercy,
                      Line 5176 
                    
                      Þus seyþ God yn hys gospel,
                    
                      Þat "þou art to me a voyde vessel."
                    
                      Ful lyght þan art þou for to turne
                    
                      Aȝen to synne, and to soiurne;
                      Line 5180 
                    
                      Þan art þou wersë þan þou was,
                    
                      Boundë vn-to Satanas;
                    
                      Þan wylle Satanas begynne to prykke,
                    
                      And whanhope yn þy hertë stykke.
                      Line 5184 
                    
                      whanhope, God shelde vs þar-fro,
                    
                      hyt steryþ a man hym self to slo;
                    
                      So ded þe treytur Iudas,
                    
                      And forsoþe, wurþy he was.
                      Line 5188 
                    
                      why was he moste wurþy?
                    
                      For he hadde wanhope of Goddys mercy;
                    
                      For he wendë þat God ne wulde
                    
                      Haue forȝyue hym, þat he [he O, god H.]  hym solde.
                    
                      Syþþen loked God [Ihesu.]  vpp-on Iudas,

                      Line 5193

Page 171

                    
                      Line 5193 
                    
                      As who sey, "aske mercy for þy trespas."
                    
                      For ȝyf he had asked hyt any syþe,
                    
                      Ihesu hadde graunted hym asswyþe;
                      Line 5196 
                    
                      For hys mercy fayled noght
                    
                      To any man þat hym besoght.
                    
                      Syn God wulde haue [ha.]  be to hym so fre,
                    
                      Þan ys he redy to þe and me:
                      Line 5200 
                    
                      whychë tyme [Whych tyme or when.]  þou wylt hym kalle,
                    
                      For hys defaute þou shalt nat falle.

                    
                      Beþenke þe weyl of þe þefe
                    
                      Þat loued nat [naght.]  God, no [ne.]  was hym lefe,—
                    
                      he þat was hanged on a tre
                      Line 5205 
                    
                      Bysydë Ihesu for vylte;
                    
                      he spake o wurde at hys endyng.
                    
                      "lordë, haue on me menyng!" [mennynge.] 
                      Line 5208 
                    
                      And asswyþe he wan þe prys,
                    
                      And was sent yn-to [O. omits 'yn.']  paradys.
                    
                      he was þe fyrst[ë] þat hyt wan
                    
                      Syn Adam lost hyt, oure formest man.
                      Line 5212

                    
                      Er was þat þefe yn paradys [folio 35a:2] 
                    
                      Þan alle [alle þe.]  prophetys þat were of prys.
                    
                      Þat þefe 8alle manere wys dyd8 [8_8 þat dede al maner.]  synne,
                    
                      And neuer ere leuyd Ihesu ynne;
                      Line 5216 
                    
                      For a wurde þat he spak so myldëly,
                    
                      he haþ pes, blys, and mercy.
                    
                      And, þarfor, dysmay þe noght
                    
                      For no þyng þat þou hast wroght;
                      Line 5220 
                    
                      For, haue þou do neuer so mykyl,
                    
                      Ne be so fals, ne so fykyl,
                    
                      Ne ley þer-ynnë so long whyle,
                    
                      And do alle maner synnës vyle,
                      Line 5224 
                    
                      Ȝyf þou wylt, yn strenkþe and hele,
                    
                      Þy synne forsake and nat [noght.]  wyþ dele,
                    
                      with sorow of herte and répentaunce
                      Line 5227 
                    
                      Þou mayst pay God with lytyl penaunce.
                    
                      God seyþ þys wurde, to shew vs þe wey,
                    
                      "y wyl þat nonë synful deye;

Page 172

                    
                      To leue hys synne he shal haue space,
                    
                      And turne aȝen to lyfe and grace;
                      Line 5232 
                    
                      what so euer he haue [haue he.]  done,
                    
                      y wyl nat hys dampnacyone."

To ȝyue a sample, a tale here lys, [A tale] Þat vs telleþ seynt Dyonys. 5236

[The Tale of the Priest Carpus's Vision, and how merciful God is.]

                      Seynt Dyonys of Fraunce seyþ þus:—
                    
                      hyt was a prest þat hyght Carpus;
                    
                      Þys prest, þurgh prechyng and sawe,
                    
                      Broght a sarysyn to crystyn lawe;
                      Line 5240 
                    
                      A-noþer sarasyn of paynye
                    
                      Haddë þerwyþ grete enuye,
                    
                      And turnede þys man to hym aȝeyn,
                    
                      And oure crystyndom was alle veyn.
                      Line 5244 
                    
                      Þys prest þarëfor was sory,
                    
                      And hatyd þys man felunly,
                    
                      And preydë God he wuld hym sende
                    
                      Dampnacyun with-outyn ende,
                      Line 5248 
                    
                      For he þe crystendom forsoke,
                    
                      And to a fals beleue hym toke;
                    
                      Fast he preyd yn hys atent, [folio 35b] 
                    
                      þat God on hym veniauncë sent.
                      Line 5252 
                    
                      And God þe prestys prayere herde,
                    
                      And shewed hym þat he mysferde.

                    
                      Þys prest lay yn hys bede a nyȝt,
                    
                      And, gostly, he sagh a [þys.]  syght;
                      Line 5256 
                    
                      he sagh a swyþe merueylus brygge
                    
                      Ouer þe depë pytte [putte.]  gan lygge,
                    
                      Þe plank þat on þe bryggë was,
                    
                      was as sledyr as any glas;
                      Line 5260 
                    
                      But yn þe put þat was þer-vndyr,
                    
                      he sagh so moche sorowe and wundyr,
                    
                      Of fendës felë þat þere wore,

Page 173

Þogh y tolde moche, ȝyt were þer more.

                    
                      But, shortly to tellë fro,
                      Line 5265 
                    
                      Þe man [Who had returned to Paganism, and who he had prayd should be damnd.]  he sagh on þe bryggë go
                    
                      Yn ful gretë perel and kare,
                    
                      And euer yn poynt to mysfare;
                      Line 5268 
                    
                      Yn poynt he was to falle adowne,
                    
                      Of hys hede, [heuede.]  formest þe crowne.

                    
                      Þe fendys þat were yn þe pytte
                    
                      Smote vpwarde, ȝyf þey myȝt hym hytte;
                    
                      And addres bete hym by þe fete.
                      Line 5273 
                    
                      Þe prest sagh þat, and ful weyl lete;
                    
                      He preydë God þat he shuld falle
                    
                      Down yn-to þe fendys [vnto þe deueles.]  alle,
                      Line 5276 
                    
                      And þer, with-outyn endë be,
                    
                      'For he turned away fro þe.'

                    
                      whan þe prest had seyë þys,
                    
                      He loked vp to heuene blys;
                      Line 5280 
                    
                      Hym þoght þe rofe was cloue yn two,
                    
                      And þe sky opened also,
                    
                      And of Ihesu he hadde a syght,
                    
                      How he was on þe rodë dyght;
                      Line 5284 
                    
                      He sagh hys wundys alle blody,
                    
                      And spak to hym ful sorowfully,
                    
                      "Carpus," he seyd, "se wyþ þyn yne
                    
                      what y suffred for mannys pyne;
                      Line 5288 
                    
                      Man to saue, y lete me slo, [folio 35b:2] 
                    
                      why wust þou dampnë hym to wo?
                    
                      why hast þou hym so moche with ylle?
                    
                      And for mankynde y lete me spylle
                      Line 5292 
                    
                      with pyne, and hardë passyoun,
                    
                      My blode y ȝaf for hys raunsun;
                    
                      why wust þou he hadde hellë fere
                    
                      Syn y haue boght hym so dere?

                      Line 5296

Page 174

                    
                      Line 5296 
                    
                      Ȝyt were y redy man to beye,
                    
                      Er man with-outyn ende shulde deye.
                    
                      But y haue shewde hym so moche yn dede
                    
                      with my wundes þat þou seest blede,
                      Line 5300 
                    
                      þat y þarfor ne wuldë noght
                    
                      Lese þat y so dere haue boght.
                    
                      Aȝens me ne fyndeþ he no [O. omits 'no.']  skylle,
                    
                      But ȝyf hys ownë wylle hyt wylle.
                      Line 5304 
                    
                      Þogh he be nowe aȝens me went,
                    
                      Ȝyt kepe y hys amendëment;
                    
                      Þarfor, with gode deuocyoun,
                    
                      Pray for mannys saluacyoun."
                      Line 5308 
                    
                      Þan Carpus þanked God almyght
                    
                      Þat he hadde herde and seye þat syght.

                    
                      Þarfore shul we be ful mynde
                    
                      To serue hym þat ys to vs so kynde,
                      Line 5312 
                    
                      And shewe hym loue whyle we be here
                    
                      For þat he loveþ vs alle so dere,
                    
                      Þat he ne wulde leue eft, for drede,
                    
                      To deye for vs ȝyf we hadde nede.
                      Line 5316 
                    
                      Ne be we slogh, [nat slogh.]  but sone vpryse,
                    
                      Ne dredë vs þan on no wyse,
                    
                      But, hope alle to gode endyng,
                    
                      And serue þat mercyáble kyng,
                      Line 5320 
                    
                      Þat hys mercy be to vs lent
                    
                      At þe day of Iugëmement;
                    
                      Amen! so motë hyt betyde
                    
                      To kepe vs fro sloghnes and accyde!
                      Line 5324

[Of Covetousness, 5th Deadly Sin.]

                    
                      Now shul we speke of couetyse,
                    
                      How hy [he [hy? for A.S. heo, fem., or the t of hyt omitted.]]  ys haunted on wykked wyse.
                    
                      Coueytyse ys þe fryst vyce; [folio 36a] 
                    
                      Þat streyte ys holde, y [O. omits 'y.']  halte auaryce.
                    
                      Coueytyse ys of vs echone,
                      Line 5329 
                    
                      But auaryce wulde haue echone.
                    
                      Coueytyse, ys desyryng of þoght,

Page 175

                    
                      But auaryce, wulde þat none had oght.
                      Line 5332 
                    
                      Coueytyse, cumþ oþerwhyle of gode;
                    
                      But auaryce wyþdrawyþ mannys fode.
                    
                      Coueytyse, to gode men mowe hyt charge;
                    
                      But auaryce, ys noþer gode ne large.
                      Line 5336 
                    
                      Coueytyse, ys of wylle, as ys a bayte,
                    
                      But auaryce, ys nygun haldyng strayte;
                    
                      Coueytyse, cumþ of kynde of blode;
                    
                      But auaryce, ys noþer kynde ne gode.
                      Line 5340 
                    
                      As y kan telle, þys ys þe assyse,
                    
                      Betwyxe auaryce and coueytyse.

                    
                      Here, y aske at þe bygynnyng,
                    
                      Ȝyf þou with wrong ȝerned oþer mennys þyng,
                      Line 5344 
                    
                      Or falsly purchased: þat ys grete synne,
                    
                      So with wrong mennys gode [þynge.]  to wynne.
                    
                      Ȝyf þou withholde, and ȝelde hyt noght,
                    
                      Auaryse to hellë haþ þe broght.
                      Line 5348 
                    
                      Yn [O. omits 'yn.']  þy lyfe, [lyue.]  y rede þou ȝelde hyt aȝen,
                    
                      Þy saluacyun ys ellës alle veyn.

                    
                      Ȝyf þou madest euer any delay,
                    
                      And ledyst one lyte fro day to day
                      Line 5352 
                    
                      with þy wurdys pryuyly,
                    
                      Or perauenture al on hy,
                    
                      For to haue hys þyng with wrong,
                    
                      Euyl coueytyse þou mengest among.
                      Line 5356 
                    
                      Þogh þou broghtest hyt neuer to dede,
                    
                      Ȝyt ys þy wylle moche for to drede.

                    
                      Or ȝyf þou dedyst euer [euer dedest.]  þy myght
                    
                      To false a chartre, þat ys grete plyght.
                    
                      Þat ys a dede of tresun
                      Line 5361 
                    
                      Ȝyf hyt be of dysheresun, [dyserytsun.] 
                    
                      Ouþer of lond, ouþer of rent,
                    
                      Oþer of ouþer gode þat God man haþ lent;
                    
                      But þou þe peynë nyȝt and day [folio 36a:2] 
                      Line 5365 
                    
                      To amende þat charge, ȝyf þat þou may,

Page 176

                    
                      Ȝyf hyt ne be, þou art to blame;
                    
                      Ordeyned to þe ys mochë shame.
                      Line 5368

                    
                      Ȝyf þou yn batayle, or in fyȝt,
                    
                      Toke oght of man with-outë ryȝt,
                    
                      And namely of relygyun,
                    
                      Þe harder ys þy synnë doun:
                      Line 5372 
                    
                      And but þou sone amendë þe,
                    
                      Þarfor mayst þou acumbred be:
                    
                      Hyt ys wurþy hym for to dere
                    
                      Þat holy cherche wyl nat forbere.
                      Line 5376

                    
                      Ȝyf þou of rychesse [ryches.]  be wel beforne,
                    
                      And a ȝere or two holdyst [haldest.]  þy corne
                    
                      Þat þou myȝt [myghtest.]  selle hyt ryȝt dere,
                    
                      And to helpe þe pore þou wylt nat here,
                    
                      Salamon seyþ, þat mochë kan,
                      Line 5381 
                    
                      Þou shalt be weryed with many man;
                    
                      For þou ȝyuest myys [ȝyfst mys.]  to ȝete [ete.] 
                    
                      Þat was ordeyned to [for.]  mannys mete;
                      Line 5384 
                    
                      For who so wyl hys myys wel fede,
                    
                      And spare hyt fro þe pore at nede,
                    
                      hyghly shal he go a-lone
                    
                      To þe deuyl, body and bone.
                      Line 5388

                    
                      Ȝyf þou haue of ouþer tresour,
                    
                      More þan susteyneþ þyn onour,—
                    
                      Syluer, cloþes, or ouþer store,
                    
                      Or of ouþer þyngës more,—
                      Line 5392 
                    
                      Ȝyf þe pore for defautë deye,
                    
                      And þou mayst hym helpe, y seye,
                    
                      Þou are a-couped of þys vyce
                    
                      Of coueytyse, and of auaryce;
                      Line 5396 
                    
                      And before God, of þeft, a þefe,
                    
                      And for hys deþ, of slaghter grefe.

Ȝyf þou yn falshede so moche ȝede, For coueytyse or for grete mede 5400

Page 177

                    
                      Line 5400 
                    
                      To consente to a fals Iuggyng,
                    
                      Or hyredyst a voket to [for.]  swyche þyng,
                    
                      Or myghtyst haue sturbled hyt, & wust noght, [folio 36b] 
                    
                      But for coueytyse þe wrong were wroght,
                    
                      Moche shal God challengë þe,
                      Line 5405 
                    
                      Þat day þat þou Iuged shal be.

                    
                      As for [Of.]  lordynges cunseylours,
                    
                      wykked legystrys or fals a-countours,
                    
                      Þey ne recche of no ryȝt fey,
                      Line 5409 
                    
                      Ne more þe lordynges [lordes.]  þan do þey;
                    
                      Cunseyl to wykked lawes þey ȝeue,
                    
                      So þat þe pore men mow nat lyue:
                      Line 5412 
                    
                      Þarfor, þey and here lordyngys
                    
                      Doun moche wrong yn many þyngys;
                    
                      Þarfor shul þey and here cunsayl
                    
                      Go to helle, boþe top and tayle.
                      Line 5416 
                    
                      Many man ys broght ful bare
                    
                      For cunseylours þat coueytous are;
                    
                      And many a land yn grete errours
                    
                      Are ouer-turned þurgh cunseylours.
                      Line 5420

                    
                      Among hem, stywardes mow be tolde,
                    
                      Þat lordyngës courtys holde,
                    
                      For nyrhand euery a styward,
                    
                      Þe dome þat þey ȝeue, ys [ys ȝeue.]  ouer hard;
                      Line 5424 
                    
                      And namely to þe porë man,
                    
                      Þey greuë hym alle þat þey kan.
                    
                      who-so-euer to mercy wyl hym drawe,
                    
                      he seyþ, he shal do hym but lawe;
                      Line 5428 
                    
                      But who so shal þe lawe alle do,
                    
                      And no mercy do þar-to,
                    
                      he may neuer for mercy craue
                    
                      To God whan he wulde mercy haue;
                      Line 5432 
                    
                      For ȝyf God shal deme with lawe ryȝt,
                    
                      Shal no man come to heuene lyȝt.
                    
                      But þurgh grace and hys mercy,
                    
                      Þan are we saued certeynly.

                      Line 5436

Page 178

                    
                      Line 5436 
                    
                      Þarfor, ȝe stywardes on benche,
                    
                      Þer-on shulde ȝe allë þenche,
                    
                      'Ȝyf þou of þe porë haue pyte,
                    
                      Þan wylle God haue mercy on þe.'
                      Line 5440 
                    
                      For hardë dome and coueytyse [folio 36b:2] 
                    
                      y shal ȝow telle of swych a Iustyse.

[The Tale of the Hard Judge.]

                      Y haue herde, be-ȝonde þe see [A tale.] 
                    
                      was a Iustyse, yn a cuntre;
                      Line 5444 
                    
                      Of hym the wurde ful wydë sprong,
                    
                      he ȝaf harde dome, and oþer whyle wrong.
                    
                      Godë men ofte hym besoght
                    
                      For þe pore, þat he wo wroght,
                      Line 5448 
                    
                      Þat he shulde haue on hem mercy,
                    
                      And pylle hem nat but mesurly;
                    
                      Þat þey myȝt lyue yn pes by hym,
                    
                      And be nat so aȝens hem grym.
                      Line 5452

                    
                      Þys was hys answere and hys sawe,
                    
                      'Y shal do hem no þyng but lawe."
                    
                      And many lawes are oute of skylle,
                    
                      But, ȝyf þér [þyr.]  be mercy tylle.
                      Line 5456

                    
                      was hyt nat long aftyrward,
                    
                      He fyl yn a sykenes hard;
                    
                      Hyt telleþ of hym swych a chaunce,
                    
                      He hadde no godë répentaunce;
                      Line 5460 
                    
                      Hys sykënes [O, syknes H.]  wax harde and strong,
                    
                      Þat he myȝt nat lyuë long;
                    
                      For allë [alle men.]  hoped weyl y-nogh
                    
                      Þat he [he O, om. H.]  vn-to þe deþ faste drogh.
                      Line 5464

                    
                      Men þat sate a-boute hys bedde
                    
                      were a-gast, and sore a-dredde;
                    
                      And hopyd wel, and vndyrstode

Page 179

Þat here drede was for no gode. 5468

                    
                      Allë þey behelde hym faste,
                    
                      And sawe hys coloure ofte ouer caste;
                    
                      And wroth a-boutë, to and fro;
                    
                      Hys bedde hym þoght wulde cleue on two;
                    
                      And crydë with a loudë cry,
                      Line 5473 
                    
                      "Lordë, haue on me mercy!"
                    
                      Þan spake a voycë yn þe sky,
                    
                      Þat alle hyt herde þat stode hym by,
                      Line 5476 
                    
                      "Þou haddest neuer of man pyte,
                    
                      Ne y shal neuer haue noun of þe."
                    
                      Asswyþë he dëyd yn haste; [folio 37a] 
                    
                      Þere he shulde go, he ȝalde þe gaste.
                      Line 5480

                    
                      Ȝe domës men þat þys chaunce here,
                    
                      Yn þys talë mowe ȝe lere
                    
                      what hyt ys to do euer wreche,
                    
                      And to mercy no þyng reche.
                      Line 5484 
                    
                      Hauyþ yn ȝoure þoght, mercy, and se,
                    
                      Þe pore mow nat so weyl as ȝe;
                    
                      Beþ mercyáble for ȝoure prow
                    
                      Þat God ne take veniaunce on ȝow.
                      Line 5488

                    
                      Ȝyf þou haue be so coueytous
                    
                      To mercs [mercye.]  men ouer outraious,
                    
                      And porë men, specyaly,
                    
                      Þat ferde þe wers for þat mercy,
                      Line 5492 
                    
                      Sykyr mote þou be, syre styward,
                    
                      Þy mercyment shal be ful hard.
                    
                      Þy wreched soule þarfor shal dwelle;
                    
                      Þy mercyment shal be þe þyne of helle.

                    
                      Þou baylë, owest nat to take
                      Line 5497 
                    
                      (For drede of soule, and þyn oth sake,)
                    
                      Þat þy lordes prow be þe lasse,
                    
                      Ne noun of hys do harder stresse."
                      Line 5500 
                    
                      So shulde eche aturne seriaunt;
                    
                      But many one holde no cunnaunt; [cuuinaunt.] 
                    
                      For, sum [some.]  take ful greuusly,
                    
                      Þat ful sore shal come hem by.

                      Line 5504

Page 180

                    
                      Line 5504 
                    
                      Alle þat þey takë now to frest,
                    
                      Þérof shál God take a quest.
                    
                      Þe quest ys take and draght on hym;
                    
                      Accord þe wyþ þy lorde, betym.
                      Line 5508

[Of Simony.]

To coueytyse longeþ symonye, Þe whych haunteþ almost al clergye. Symonye ys, as men telle, when ȝyftys of holy cherche men selle. 5512

                    
                      Ȝyf þou oþer ȝaue or sent
                    
                      Of holy cherche to haue vaunsement,
                    
                      Or any ȝaf hyt for þe loue of þe,
                      Line 5515 
                    
                      And þou art nat wurþy vaunsed to be,
                    
                      þan art þou come, þurgh þat queyntyse, [folio 37a:2] 
                    
                      To symonye and coueytyse.
                    
                      Ȝyf þou þan [þan þou.]  þat auaunsement holde,
                    
                      Þou art a wulfe of Goddys folde;
                      Line 5520 
                    
                      A wulf, y sey, take þou gode kepe,
                    
                      For þou shalt answere for þe [þo.]  shepe.
                    
                      A clerk þat hys orders takeþ [takþ H, O.] 
                    
                      For ȝyft or present þat he makeþ, [makþ.] 
                      Line 5524 
                    
                      He ys nat wurþy hem to haue,
                    
                      Hym were bettyr to be a knaue,
                    
                      And so were hem þat so hem selles
                    
                      For ȝyftys, and for no godenes elles.
                      Line 5528 
                    
                      Þese holy men þat hauë ben,
                    
                      And holy wryt haue red and sen,
                    
                      Sey, þat swych ȝyftys are lore,
                    
                      And, now ys noun ware before.
                      Line 5532 
                    
                      For swych men selle þe holy [hely.]  gast
                    
                      To hem þat he loueþ last.

                    
                      Coueytous men and lechours,
                    
                      Of holy cherche þey haue onours:
                      Line 5536 
                    
                      Þys mow men se alle [eury.]  day with ye;
                    
                      Cursed be syr symonye!

Page 181

[Of Usurers.]

                      And [An.]  okerere may þar-to [þar to may.]  be tolde,
                    
                      For coueytous man ys okerere bolde.
                      Line 5540 
                    
                      y haue ȝow toldë of þys lak
                    
                      yn þe seuenþe comaundement whan y spak.
                    
                      Þys to sey, y am hardy,
                    
                      Þese chapmen haunte hyt comunly.
                      Line 5544

                    
                      Ȝyf þou borow of a marchaunte,
                    
                      And makest [makst.]  for wynnyng certeyn cun|naunt,
                    
                      'Gete þou wynnyng, or gete þou lore,
                    
                      Þou shalt ȝyuë so þar-fore;'
                      Line 5548 
                    
                      For soþe ȝe fallë boþe yn synne,
                    
                      And he ys a-cursed þat takeþ þe wynne.
                    
                      with oker forsoþë boþe ȝe lyue;
                    
                      Þat he wyl take, þat wylt þou ȝyue.
                      Line 5552

                    
                      Okerers, and kauersyns,
                    
                      As wykked þey are as sarasyns.
                    
                      who so myȝt preuë whych þey wore— [folio 37b] 
                    
                      were þey lewed, or were þey [þey yn.]  lore—
                      Line 5556 
                    
                      Þey shulde nat come yn Crystys herde,
                    
                      Ne come yn cherche ne chyrchë ȝerde.
                    
                      Noþeles, þurgh þys skylle
                    
                      Þey mowe be saued, ȝyf þat þey wylle,
                    
                      leue þat synne, and do no more,
                      Line 5561 
                    
                      And do at holy cherches lore;
                    
                      And ȝyue aȝeyn þat ychë þyng
                    
                      Þat þey haue take yn okeryng;
                      Line 5564 
                    
                      ȝyf þey mow nat aȝen hyt ȝyue,
                    
                      Helpe þe pore men þer-with to lyue,
                    
                      largëly and with gode wylle,
                    
                      And þey mowe peyse [pese.]  here dedys ylle.
                      Line 5568

A gode ensample now ȝe here,

Page 182

                    
                      Of Pers þat was a tollere;
                    
                      And y shal tellë ȝow as quyk,
                    
                      How he was boþë gode and wyk.
                      Line 5572

[The Tale of Pers the Usurer.]

                      Seynt Ioun [Iohan.]  þe aumenere [A tale.] 
                    
                      Seyþ Pers was an okerere,
                    
                      And was swyþë coueytous,
                    
                      And a nygun and auarous,
                      Line 5576 
                    
                      And gadred pens vnto store
                    
                      As okerers doun aywhore.

                    
                      Befyl hyt so, vp-on a day
                    
                      Þat porë men sate yn þe way,
                      Line 5580 
                    
                      And spred here hatren on here barme
                    
                      Aȝens þe sonnë þat was warme,
                    
                      And rekened þe custome houses echoun,
                    
                      At whych þey had gode, and at whyche noun;
                      Line 5584 
                    
                      Þere þey hadde gode, þey preysed weyl,
                    
                      And þere þey hadde noght, neuer a deyl.

                    
                      As þey spak of many what,
                    
                      Comë Pers forþ yn þat [þayr.]  gat: [wey] 
                      Line 5588 
                    
                      Þan seyd echoun þat sate and stode,
                    
                      'here comþ Pers, þat neuer dyd gode!'
                    
                      Echoun seyd to oþer Iangland,
                    
                      'Þey toke neuer gode at Pers hand;
                      Line 5592 
                    
                      Ne noun [no.]  pore man neuer shal haue, [folio 37b:2] 
                    
                      Coude he neuer so weyl craue.'

                    
                      One of hem began to sey
                    
                      "A waiour dar y wyþ ȝow ley,
                      Line 5596 
                    
                      Þat y shal haue sum gode at [of.]  hym,
                    
                      Be he neuer so gryl ne grym."
                    
                      To þat waiour þey graunted alle,
                      Line 5599 
                    
                      To ȝyue hym a ȝyft ȝyf so myȝt befalle.

Page 183

                    
                      Þys man vp sterte, and toke þe gate, [O. gloss 'wey.'] 
                      Line 5601 
                    
                      Tyl he com, at Pers ȝate.
                    
                      As he stode stylle, and bode [abode.]  þe quede,
                    
                      One come with an asse charged with brede;
                    
                      Þat ychë bredë Pers hade boght,
                      Line 5605 
                    
                      And to hys hous shuld hyt be broght.
                    
                      He sagh Pers comë þerwith-alle;
                    
                      Þe porë þoght 'now aske y shal.'
                      Line 5608 
                    
                      "Y aske þe sum gode, pur charyte,
                    
                      Pers, ȝyf þy wyl be."

                    
                      Pers stode, and loked on hym
                    
                      Felunlyche with yȝen grym.
                      Line 5612 
                    
                      He stouped down to seke a stone,
                    
                      But, as hap was, þan fonde he none.
                    
                      For þe stone he toke a lofe,
                    
                      And at þe porë man hyf drofe.
                      Line 5616 
                    
                      Þe pore man hente hyt vp belyue,
                    
                      And was þerof ful ferly blyþe.
                    
                      To hys felaws faste he ran
                    
                      with þe lofe, þys porë man,
                      Line 5620 
                    
                      "lo," he seydë, "what y haue
                    
                      Of Pers ȝyft, so God me saue!"
                    
                      Nay, þey sworë [swore alle.]  by here þryft,
                    
                      Pers ȝaue [ȝaf.]  neuer swych a ȝyft.
                      Line 5624 
                    
                      he seyd, "ȝe shul weyl vndyrstonde
                    
                      Þat y hyt had, at [of.]  Pers honde;
                    
                      Þat dar y swere on þe halydom
                    
                      Here beforë ȝow echoun."
                      Line 5628 
                    
                      Gretë merueyle had þey alle,
                    
                      Þat swych a chaunce myȝt hym befalle. [falle.]

                    
                      Þe þryddë day, þus wryte hyt ys, [es.]  [folio 38a] 
                    
                      Pers fyl yn a grete syknes;
                      Line 5632 
                    
                      And, as he lay yn hys bedde,
                    
                      Hym þoght weyl, þat he was ledde

Page 184

                    
                      with one þat aftyr hym was sent,
                    
                      To come vn-to hys Iugëment.
                      Line 5636

                    
                      Before þe Iugë was he broght
                    
                      To ȝelde acounte how he hadde wroght.
                    
                      Pers stode ful sore a-drad,
                    
                      And, was ábashed as [al abashede and.]  mad;
                      Line 5640 
                    
                      He sagh a fende on þe to party,
                    
                      Bewreyyng hym ful felunly;
                    
                      Alle hyt was shewed hym before,
                    
                      how he had lyued syn he wos [was.]  bore;
                      Line 5644 
                    
                      And namely euery wykked dede
                    
                      Syn fyrst he coudë hym self lede;
                    
                      why he hem dyd, and for what chesun,
                    
                      Of alle behoueþ hym to ȝelde [behouede hym elde.]  a resoun.

                    
                      On þe touþer party stode men ful bryȝt,
                    
                      Þat wulde haue saued hym at here myȝt;
                    
                      But þey myght no godë fynde
                    
                      Þat myȝt hym sauë or vnbynde.
                      Line 5652 
                    
                      Þe feyre men seyd "what ys to rede?
                    
                      Of hym fynde we no godë dede
                    
                      Þat God ys payd of, but of [O. omits 'of.']  a lofe
                    
                      þe whych Pers at [at O, a H.]  þe pore man drofe:
                      Line 5656 
                    
                      ȝyt ȝaue [ȝaf.]  he hyt with no gode wylle,
                    
                      But kast hyt aftyr hym with ylle;
                    
                      For Goddys loue ȝaue [ȝaf.]  he hyt noȝt,
                    
                      Ne for almes dede he hyt had þoght.
                      Line 5660 
                    
                      Noþeles, þe porë man
                    
                      Had þe lofë of Pers þan."

                    
                      Þe fendë had leyd yn balaunce
                      Line 5663 
                    
                      Hys wykkede dedes and hys myschaunce;
                    
                      Þey leyd þe lofe aȝens hys dedys,—
                    
                      Þey had noȝt ellës, þey mote [moste.]  nedys—
                    
                      Þe holy man telleþ [telþ.]  vs, and seys,
                    
                      Þat þe lofe made euen peys.
                      Line 5568

Þan seyd þese feyrë men to Pers, [folio 38a:2]

Page 185

                    
                      "ȝyf þou be wys, now þou leres
                    
                      How þys lofe þe helpeþ at nede
                    
                      To tylle þy soule with almës dede."
                      Line 5672

                    
                      Pers, of hys slepë gan blynke,
                    
                      And gretly on hys dreme gan þynke—
                    
                      Syghyng with mornyng chere,
                    
                      As man þat was yn gretë were,—
                      Line 5676 
                    
                      How þat he acouped was
                    
                      with fendës fele for hys trespas,
                    
                      And how þey wulde haue dampned hym þere,
                    
                      Ȝyf mercy of Ihesu Cryst ne were.
                      Line 5680

                    
                      Alle þys yn hys herte he kast,
                    
                      And to hym self he spak at þe laste,
                    
                      "Þat, for a lofe yn eueyl wylle
                    
                      Halpe me yn so grete perel,
                      Line 5684 
                    
                      Mochë wlde hyt helpe at nede,
                    
                      with godë wyl do almës [almas.]  dede."

                    
                      Fro þat tymë þan wax Pers
                    
                      A man of so feyrë maners,
                      Line 5688 
                    
                      Þat no man myȝt yn hym fynde,
                    
                      But to þe pore boþe meke and kynde;
                    
                      A mylder man ne myȝt nat be,
                    
                      Ne to þe pore, more of almes fre;
                      Line 5692 
                    
                      And reuful of herte also he was,
                    
                      Þat mayst þou here lere yn þys pas.

                    
                      Pers mette, vp-on a day,
                    
                      A porë man, by þe way,
                      Line 5696 
                    
                      As naked as he was bore,
                    
                      Þat yn þe see had allë [hadde al.]  lore.
                    
                      He come to Pers, þere he stode,
                    
                      And asked hym sum of hys gode,—
                      Line 5700 
                    
                      Sumwhat of hys cloþyng,—
                    
                      For þe loue of heuene kyng.
                    
                      Pers, was of reuful herte,

Page 186

                    
                      He toke hys kyrtyl of, as smert,
                      Line 5704 
                    
                      And ded hyt on þe man aboue,
                    
                      And bad hym were hyt for hys loue.

                    
                      Þe man hyt toke, and was ful blyþe; [folio 38b] 
                    
                      He ȝede and soldë hyt asswyþe.
                      Line 5708 
                    
                      Pers stode and dyd [dede.]  beholde
                    
                      How þe man þe kyrtyl solde,
                    
                      And was þarwith [þarfore.]  ferly wroþe
                    
                      Þat he solde so sone hys cloþe;
                      Line 5712 
                    
                      He myȝt no lenger for sorow stande,
                    
                      But ȝedë home ful sore gretand,
                    
                      And seyd, 'hyt was an euyl sygne,
                    
                      And þat hym self was nat dygne
                      Line 5716 
                    
                      For to be yn hys preyere,
                    
                      Þerfor nolde he þe kyrtyl were.'

                    
                      Whan he haddë ful long grete [wepte] ,
                    
                      And a party þerof began [began þer-of.]  lete;—
                      Line 5720 
                    
                      For, comunlych aftyr wepe,
                    
                      Fal men sone on slepe,—
                    
                      As Pers lay yn hys slepyng,
                    
                      Hym þoght a feyrë sweuenyng.
                      Line 5724 
                    
                      Hym þoght he was yn heuene lyȝt,
                    
                      And of God he had a syght,
                    
                      Syttyng yn hys kyrtyl clad
                    
                      Þat þe pore man of hym had,
                      Line 5728 
                    
                      And spak to hym ful myldëly,
                    
                      "why wepest þou, and art sory?
                    
                      Lo, Pers," he sayde, "þys ys þy cloth.
                    
                      For he solde hyt, were [ȝyt were.]  þou wroth;
                      Line 5732 
                    
                      Know hyt weyl, ȝyf þat þou kan,
                    
                      For me þou ȝaue hyt þe pore man.
                    
                      Þat þou ȝaue hym yn charyte,
                    
                      Euery deyl þou ȝaue hyt me."

                      Line 5736

Page 187

                    
                      Line 5736 
                    
                      Pers of slepë outë breyde, [of hys slepe vpbreyde.] 
                    
                      And þoght grete wunder, & seþen seyd,
                    
                      "Blessyd be allë porë men,
                    
                      For God almyȝty loueþ hem;
                      Line 5740 
                    
                      And weyl ys hem þat pore are here;
                    
                      Þey are with God, boþe lefe and dere;
                    
                      And y shal fonde, by nyȝt and day,
                    
                      Tó be pore, ȝyf þat y may."
                      Line 5744

                    
                      Hastly [Hastely.]  he tokë hys kateyl, [katel.]  [folio 38b:2] 
                    
                      And ȝaue [ȝaf.]  hyt to porë men echedeyl.
                    
                      Pers kalled to hym hys clerk
                      Line 5747 
                    
                      Þat was hys notarye, and bade hym herk,
                    
                      "Y shal þe shewe a pryuyte,
                    
                      A þyng þat þou shalt do to me;
                    
                      y wyl þat þou no man hyt [hyt no man.]  telle;
                    
                      My body y take þe here to selle
                      Line 5752 
                    
                      To sum man, as yn bondage,
                    
                      To lyue in pouert and yn seruage;
                    
                      But þou do þus, y wyl be wroth,
                    
                      And þou and þyne shal be me loth.
                      Line 5756 
                    
                      Ȝyf þou do hyt, y shal þe ȝyue
                    
                      Ten pownd of gold, wel with to lyue;
                    
                      Þo ten pownd y take þe here,
                    
                      And me to selle on bonde manere;
                      Line 5760 
                    
                      Y ne recchë [recche neuer.]  vn-to whom,
                    
                      But onlych he haue þe crystendom;
                    
                      Þe raunsun þat þou shalt for me take,
                    
                      Þarfore þou shalt sykernes make,
                      Line 5764 
                    
                      For to ȝyue hyt bleþely and weyl
                    
                      To porë men, euëry deyl,
                    
                      And withholde þerof no þyng,
                    
                      Þe mountouns of a ferþyng."
                      Line 5768

hys clerk was wo to do þat dede,

Page 188

                    
                      But only for manas and for drede.
                    
                      1For dredë Pers made hym hyt do,
                    
                      And dede hym plyghte his trouthe þer-to.

                    
                      Whan hys clerk had made hys othe,
                      Line 5773 
                    
                      Pers dede on hym a foulë clothe;
                    
                      Vnto a cherchë boþe þey ȝede
                    
                      For to fulfylle hys wyl yn dede.1 [1_1 Harl. omits these six lines that O. has.] 
                      Line 5776 
                    
                      whan þat þey to þe cherchë com,
                    
                      "Lorde, þoght þe clerk, now whom
                    
                      Myȝt y fynde, þys ychë sele, [man] 
                    
                      To whom y myȝt sellë Pers wele!"
                      Line 5780

                    
                      Þe clerk loked euery where,
                    
                      And at þe last, he knew where;
                    
                      A rychë man, [man was.]  þat er had be
                    
                      Specyal knowlych euer betwe, [knowelache hem betwe.] 
                      Line 5784 
                    
                      But þurgh myschauncë at a kas
                    
                      Alle hys gode y-lorë was;
                    
                      'Ȝole,' þus þat man hyghte,
                    
                      And knew þe clerk wel be [by.]  syghte.
                      Line 5788

                    
                      Þey spak of oldë a-queyntaunce, [folio 39a] 
                    
                      And ȝolë tolde hym of hys chaunce.
                    
                      "Ȝe," seyde þe clerk, "y rede þou [þe.]  bye
                    
                      A man to do þy marchaundye,
                      Line 5792 
                    
                      Þat þou mayst holdë yn seruage
                    
                      To restore weyl þyn [þy.]  dammage."

                    
                      Þan seyde ȝole, "on swych chaffare
                    
                      wulde y feyn my syluer ware."
                      Line 5796 
                    
                      Þe clerkë seyd, "lo, one here,
                    
                      A trew man an a dubonure, [& a debonurere.] 
                    
                      Þat wyl seruë þe to pay,
                    
                      Peyneblë, al þat he may.
                      Line 5800 
                    
                      'Pers,' shalt þou calle hys name;
                    
                      For hym shalt þou haue mochë frame.
                    
                      he ys a man ful gracyous,
                    
                      Gode to wynne vn-to þyn hous,
                      Line 5804 
                    
                      And God shal ȝyue þe hys blessyng,

Page 189

And foysyn, yn allë þyng."

                    
                      Þe clerk ȝaue [ȝaf.]  allë hys raunsun
                    
                      To þe pore men of þe toun,
                      Line 5808 
                    
                      Plenerly, alle þat he toke,
                    
                      wyþhelde he nat a ferþyng noke. [O. gloss 'a corner.']

                    
                      Þe Emperoure sent hys messageres
                    
                      alle aboute for to sekë Pers,
                      Line 5812 
                    
                      But þey ne myȝt neuer here
                    
                      Of rychë Pers, þe tollere,
                    
                      yn what stedë [stede þat.]  he was nome,
                    
                      No whydyrward he was become;
                      Line 5816 
                    
                      No þe clerk wuld telle to none,
                    
                      whydyrward þat Pers was gone.

                    
                      Now ys Pers bycomë bryche, [logh] 
                    
                      Þat er was boþë stoute and ryche.
                      Line 5820 
                    
                      Alle þat euer any man hym do bade,
                    
                      Pers dyd hyt with hert[ë] glad.
                    
                      he wax so myldë and so meke,
                    
                      A mylder man þurt no man seke;
                      Line 5824 
                    
                      For he meked hym self ouer skyle,
                    
                      Pottes and dysshes for to swele. [swyle.] 
                    
                      To grete penaunce he gan hym take, [folio 39a:2] 
                    
                      And mochë for to fast and wake,
                      Line 5828 
                    
                      And moche he loued þolmodnesse
                    
                      To ryche, to pore, to more, to lesse.
                    
                      Of allë men he wuld haue doute,
                    
                      And to here byddyng mekly loute;
                      Line 5832 
                    
                      wulde þey bydde hym sytte or stande,
                    
                      Euer [Euermore.]  he wuldë be bowande;
                    
                      And for he bare hym so meke and softe,
                    
                      Shrewës mysded hym ful ofte,
                      Line 5836 
                    
                      And heldë hym folted or wode,
                    
                      For he was so mylde of mode.
                    
                      And þey þat were hys felaus
                    
                      Mysseyd hym most yn herë sawes;
                      Line 5840 
                    
                      And alle he suffred here vpbreyd,

Page 190

And neuer naght aȝens hem seyde.

                    
                      Ȝole, hys lorde, wel vndyrstode
                    
                      Þat al hys gracë and hys gode
                      Line 5844 
                    
                      Com for þe loue of Pers,
                    
                      Þat was of so holy maners;
                    
                      And whan he wyst of hys bounte,
                    
                      He kalled Pers yn pryuyte,
                      Line 5848 
                    
                      "Pers," he seyd, "þou were wurþy
                    
                      For to be wurscheped more þan y,
                    
                      For þou art weyl with Ihesu;
                    
                      He sheweþ for þe grete vertu;
                      Line 5852 
                    
                      Þarfor y shal make þe fre;
                    
                      Y wyl þat my felaw [my felawe þat.]  þou be."

                    
                      Þar-to Pers granted [grauntede.]  noght,
                    
                      To be freman, as he besoght;
                      Line 5856 
                    
                      he wuldë be, as he was ore,
                    
                      yn þat seruage for euermore.
                    
                      he þanked þe lorde myldëly
                    
                      For hys gretë curteysy.
                      Line 5860

                    
                      Syþþen Ihesu, þurgh hys myȝt,
                    
                      Shewed hym, tó Pers syȝt,
                    
                      For to be stalworþe yn [ys.]  hys fondyng,
                    
                      And to hym haue loue longyng.
                      Line 5864 
                    
                      "Be nat sorowful to do penaunce; [folio 39b] 
                    
                      y am with þe yn euery chaunce;
                    
                      Pers, I hauë mynde of þe;
                      Line 5867 
                    
                      lo, here þe kyrtyl þat [O. omits 'þat.']  þou ȝaue for me;
                    
                      Þerfor grace y shal þe sende,
                    
                      Yn alle godenessë weyl to ende."

                    
                      Byfyl þat seriauntes and squyers
                    
                      Þat were wunt to seruë Pers,
                      Line 5872 
                    
                      went yn pylgrymage, as yn kas,
                    
                      To þat cuntre þere Pers was.
                    
                      Ȝole ful feyrë gan hem kalle,
                    
                      And preyde hem homë to hys halle.

                      Line 5876

Page 191

                    
                      Line 5876 
                    
                      Pers was þere, þat ychë sele,
                    
                      And euerychone he knew hem wele.
                    
                      Alle he serued hem as a knaue
                    
                      Þat was wunt here seruyse to haue.
                      Line 5880 
                    
                      But Pers nat ȝyt þey knew,
                    
                      For penaunce chaunged was hys hew; [colour] 
                    
                      Nat forþy þey behelde hym fast,
                      Line 5883 
                    
                      And oftyn [ofte.]  to hym here yȝen þey kast,
                    
                      And seyd, [seyden.]  "he þat stontë [stant.]  here,
                    
                      Ys lychë to Pers tollere."

                    
                      He hydde hys vysege al þat he myȝt,
                    
                      Out of knowlych [knowlache.]  of here syȝt;
                      Line 5888 
                    
                      Noþeles þey behelde hym more,
                    
                      And knew hym weyl, al þat were þore,
                    
                      And seyd, "Ȝole, ys ȝone þy page?
                    
                      A ryche man ys yn þy seruage;
                      Line 5892 
                    
                      Þe emperoure, boþe fer and nere,
                    
                      Haþ do hym seche, þat we fynde here."

                    
                      Pers lestned, and herd hem [here.]  spekyng,
                    
                      And þat þey had of hym knowyng;
                      Line 5896 
                    
                      And pryuyly a-wey he nam,
                    
                      Tyl he to þe porter cam.

                    
                      Þe porter had hys spechë lore,
                    
                      And heryng also, syn he was bore;
                      Line 5900 
                    
                      But þurgh þe grace of swete Ihesu,
                    
                      was shewed, for Pers, feyre vertu.
                    
                      Pers seyd, "latë me furþ go." [folio 38b:2] 
                    
                      Þe porter spak, and seydë "ȝo."
                      Line 5904 
                    
                      He þat was def, and doumbe also,
                    
                      Spak, whan Pers spak hym to.

                    
                      Pers out at þe ȝatë wente,
                    
                      And þedyr ȝede, þere God hym sente.
                      Line 5908 
                    
                      Þe porter ȝede vp to þe halle,
                    
                      And þys merueylë tolde hem alle,

Page 192

                    
                      How þe squyler of þe kechyn,
                    
                      Pers, þat haþ woned here yn,
                      Line 5912 
                    
                      "He asked leuë, ryȝt now late,
                    
                      And went furþ out at þe ȝate.
                    
                      Y rede ȝow alle, ȝeueþ gode tent,
                    
                      whederward þat Pers ys went.
                      Line 5916 
                    
                      with Ihesu cryst he ys pryue,
                    
                      And þat ys shewed weyl on me;
                    
                      For, what tyme he to me spak,
                    
                      Out of hys mouþ me þoghtë [þughte.]  brak
                      Line 5920 
                    
                      A flamme of fyre bryght and clere;
                    
                      Þe flaumme made me boþ speke and here;
                    
                      Speke, and here, now, boþe y may,
                    
                      Blessed be God and Pers to day!"
                      Line 5924

                    
                      Þe lordë and þe gestës alle,
                    
                      One and oþer þat were yn halle,
                    
                      Had merueyle þat hyt was so,
                    
                      Þat he myȝte swych myrácle do.
                      Line 5928 
                    
                      Þan asswyþë Pers þey soght,
                    
                      But al here sekyng was for noȝt;
                    
                      Neuer, Pers þey ne founde,
                    
                      Nyȝt ne day, yn no stounde;
                      Line 5932 
                    
                      For he þat toke Ennok and Ely,
                    
                      He toke Pers, þurgh hys mercy,
                    
                      To reste with-outyn ende to lede
                    
                      For hys meknes and hys gode dede.
                      Line 5936

                    
                      Take ensample here, of Pers,
                    
                      And parteþ with þe pore, ȝe okerers,
                    
                      For ȝow shal neuer come Ioye with-ynne,
                    
                      But ȝe leuë fyrst þat synne;
                      Line 5940 
                    
                      And ȝyue to almes þat ychë þyng [folio 40a] 
                    
                      Þat ȝe haue wune wyþ okeryng.

Now with God, leue we Pers; God ȝyue vs grace to [O. omits 'to.'] do hys maners! 5944

Page 193

5944

                    
                      Yn coueytyse synnen marchauntys [marchaundes.]  mekyl,
                    
                      Yn feyrë wurdys and yn fykyl,
                    
                      And heteþ hym godë þat he byeþ,
                    
                      And swereþ þarto, and algate lyeþ.
                      Line 5948 
                    
                      For fals peys and [and for.]  fals mesure
                    
                      here soulës haue mysáuenture.

                    
                      Also hyt longeþ to coueytyse
                    
                      Ȝyf þou hyre one out of seruyse
                      Line 5952 
                    
                      Þurgh ȝyft or þurgh procurment,
                    
                      Þou synnest gretly yn swych atent:
                    
                      Enuye hyt ys, and falsnes yn dede,
                    
                      But ȝyf hyt were for þe morë nede.
                      Line 5956

                    
                      ȝyf þou boghtest of any seriaunt
                    
                      pryuyly, yn stylle cunnaunt,
                    
                      Þyng þat þou wystyst wel was stole,
                    
                      And þurgh þy byyng was forhole,
                      Line 5960 
                    
                      Hyt ys coueytyse and þeft pryue
                    
                      To bye þyng out of commalte. [comnalte.]

                    
                      ȝyf þou receyuedyst any what
                    
                      Of onë þat hys þyng forgat;
                      Line 5964 
                    
                      But þou ȝyue hyt hym aȝeyn,
                    
                      Or þe valeu for certeyn,
                    
                      Þou art falle þan yn þe vyce
                    
                      Of, coueytyse, þeft, and auaryce.
                      Line 5968

                    
                      Or [Or ȝyf.]  þou ledyst [leddest.]  any man to þe ale
                    
                      And madest hym drunk with troteuale,
                    
                      And he solde hys þyng to þe
                    
                      More þan he wulde yn soberte,
                      Line 5972 
                    
                      Hyt semeþ þou art a gylour,
                    
                      And coueytous, and trechour.

                    
                      For men þat loue to do gylerye,
                      Line 5975 
                    
                      At þe alehous make þey marchaundye,
                    
                      To loke ȝyf þey kunne com with-ynne,

Page 194

here neghburs þyng, falsly to wynne.

                    
                      And a ryche man hyt noyeþ oftyn tyde [folio 40a:2] 
                    
                      Þat a porë man hat oght [haþ oght hym.]  besyde.
                      Line 5980 
                    
                      Alle þat he may, with euyl he fondys
                    
                      For to reue hym, and haue hys londys;
                    
                      Ȝyf he may nat hem at hym bye,
                    
                      He wul weyte hym oþer felunnye,
                      Line 5984 
                    
                      hym to sle, or to endyte,
                    
                      Or þeft he wyl vpon [vpon O, on H.]  hym wyte,
                    
                      Or ouþer skaþe he wyl hym weyte,
                    
                      Hys bestes for to bete or bayte, [beyte.] 
                      Line 5988 
                    
                      To ete hys grasse, [gresse.]  or foule hys corne,
                    
                      So þat hys gode shal neuer [nere.]  be lorne:
                    
                      Of swyche men, boþe wryte hyt ys [wryte ys.]  & seyd,
                    
                      Moche peyne ys before hem leyde;
                      Line 5992 
                    
                      here synne shal noþer be forȝyuen ne slakyn
                    
                      Vn-to [Vntyl.]  þey ȝelde þat þey haue takyn;
                    
                      Here mercy ys ful on- [vn.]  certeyn
                    
                      But þey ȝelde hem here gode aȝeyn.
                      Line 5996

                    
                      Of þys, before ȝe herde me rede,
                    
                      How seynt Fursyn founde hyt yn dede;
                    
                      And here y shal telle a lytyl tale
                      Line 5999 
                    
                      Of swyche a man þat brewed hys bale.

[The Tale of Lucretius, and how the Devil leapt into him.]

                      Þyr was a man þat hyght Lucrecyus, [A tale] 
                    
                      A swyþë ryche and [and a.]  coueytous;
                    
                      Besyde hym wonèd a mayden wys,
                    
                      Here [Here O, He H.]  name was kalled Beatrys.
                      Line 6004 
                    
                      Lucrecyus þoght on felonye;
                    
                      here landës he wulde algate bye.
                    
                      And, shortly ȝow for to telle,
                    
                      Þys lady wuldë nat hem selle.

                      Line 6008

Page 195

                    
                      Line 6008 
                    
                      when he wyst hyt, þan was hym wo;
                    
                      He weyted here, and ded here slo.
                    
                      whan he hád do here þat pyne,
                    
                      Yn alle here landes he toke sesyne,
                      Line 6012 
                    
                      And was þan a ryche lordyng
                    
                      And bare hym stoutë [stout.]  as a kyng. [kynge.]

                    
                      Þys Lucrecyus made a feste,
                    
                      A ryche, with men of noble geste.
                      Line 6016 
                    
                      Þe lordyngës þat he myȝt gete [folio 40b] 
                    
                      were settë with hym at þe mete;
                    
                      And as he sat yn alle hys pryde,
                    
                      Com a pore womman þat tyde,
                      Line 6020 
                    
                      And bare a chylde yn cloþës loke,
                    
                      Þe pappe yn þe mouþe as hyt had soke;
                    
                      Hyt hade neuer spoke before, saunȝ [sauntȝ.]  fayle,
                    
                      Þarfor y telle hyt, þe more meruayle.
                      Line 6024 
                    
                      As for grete myrácle, þe chyld seyd þus,
                    
                      "y sey to þe, Lucrecyus,
                    
                      Þat þou hast slayn seynt Beatrys,
                    
                      To haue here lond þat by here [þe (here adv.).]  lys.
                      Line 6028 
                    
                      Þou art come now vn-to here fe,
                    
                      And syttest þere yn þy pouste;
                    
                      And y comaunde, þurgh Goddys myȝt,
                    
                      Þe deuyl, yn-to þe to lyȝt."
                      Line 6032

                    
                      As sonë as þe chylde had spoke,
                    
                      Þe fendë yn-to hym was lope,
                    
                      And traueyled hym þre dayys with pyne
                    
                      Þat alle hyt sawë with here yne;
                      Line 6036 
                    
                      And, at þe þre day[y]s ende,
                    
                      He deydë, and to helle gan wende.

                    
                      loke now, how þe deuyl hym laght
                    
                      For coueytyse of wurldys aght.
                      Line 6040 
                    
                      Ful wykked ys þat coueytyse,
                    
                      with oþer mennes gode falsly to ryse.

Ȝyt hyt ys wers þan ys þe lore

Page 196

                    
                      To do a man to deþ þarfore.
                      Line 6044 
                    
                      Of God almyȝty haþ he noun eye,
                    
                      Ne he ne þenkeþ [þenkeþ nat.]  for to deye;
                    
                      On hys deþ he þenkeþ neuer,
                    
                      And þarfor deyeþ [deyþ.]  he for euer.
                      Line 6048 
                    
                      "Ȝe ryche men, ȝe ryche purchasours,
                    
                      Ȝe wene þat al þe worlde be ȝours;
                    
                      And yn alle ȝoure moste purcháce
                    
                      Comþ ȝoure deþ sunnest yn place;
                      Line 6052 
                    
                      God sheweþ hyt oftë to ȝow;
                    
                      Þenkeþ þéron for ȝoure prow.

                    
                       [folio 40b:2]  What seye ȝe by [be.]  þese streyte negons [nygones.] 
                    
                      Þat se al day Goddës persones [prysones.] 
                      Line 6056 
                    
                      Before hem deyë for mysese,
                    
                      And þey are ryche and wel at ese,
                    
                      And, ȝyt mow þey no þyng spare
                    
                      To helpe þe porë þat mys fare.
                      Line 6060 
                    
                      Swyche a man ys auarous,
                    
                      weyl wers þan ys coueytous;
                    
                      For coueytyse ys yn purchace,
                    
                      And auarycë halt long space.
                      Line 6064

                    
                      Aȝens mokerers wyl y þrepe
                    
                      Þat gadren pens vn-to an [vntyl a.]  hepe;
                    
                      y warne hem allë yn þys wurde,
                    
                      whan mokerers gadren yn-to hurde
                      Line 6068 
                    
                      Þe deuyl ys here tresorer,
                    
                      For auaryce ys hys spenser.

                    
                      Y speke to men of rychë lyfe
                    
                      Þat han no charge of chylde ne wyfe,
                      Line 6072 
                    
                      persones, prestes, þat [þat O, þan H.]  han here rente,
                    
                      And ouþer þat han [haue.]  grete extente,
                    
                      Þat mow weyl, at allë ȝers, [ȝeres.] 
                    
                      lyue as lordes, and be here pers: [peres.] 
                      Line 6076 
                    
                      Þese nede nat to haue tresourye,

Page 197

But aftyr manhede and curteysye.

                    
                      Ȝyf an husbond chyldryn haue,
                    
                      One or two, mayden or knaue,
                      Line 6080 
                    
                      He may haue store and tresour
                    
                      To kepe with hys chyldryn yn honour.
                    
                      wele ys wurþy þat he haue gode,
                    
                      Þat wel dyspendeþ hyt on hys blode.
                      Line 6084 
                    
                      As wykkedly, me þenkeþ ys hyt doun,
                    
                      A man to gadyr oute of resoun,
                    
                      And do þerwith noun almës dede,
                    
                      Porë men to helpe at nede.
                      Line 6088

                    
                      A man þat haþ pens in chest,
                    
                      Vnneþes to slepe haþ he rest;
                    
                      with alle þat go nerhond, hym greues,
                    
                      For alle, he weneþ þat þey be þeues;
                      Line 6092 
                    
                      Þus seyþ he þat gadreþ tresoure, [folio 41a] 
                    
                      Of alle þat go byfore hys dore.
                    
                      Swych euyl þoghtes here soulë þenkeþ,
                    
                      And seye of hem euyl, þat noun hym [hem.]  þenkeþ.
                      Line 6096

                    
                      He þat gadryþ to tresorye,—
                    
                      Be he neuer so wys ne slye,—
                    
                      Þese þre sorwes [sorous.]  shal he haue,
                    
                      hys tresour for to gete and saue:
                      Line 6100 
                    
                      Þe fyrst, ys trauayle yn þe wynnyng;
                    
                      Þe touþer, ys drede to kepe þat þyng;
                    
                      þe þryd ys þe most wo,
                    
                      Þat tyme þat he shall parte þarfro.
                      Line 6104 
                    
                      "Þou rychë man, þou lestene weyl;
                    
                      Þou gettyst but sorow of euery deyl.
                    
                      Sykyr lyfe shalt þou noun lede;
                    
                      Þyn herte ys þerfor euer yn drede."
                      Line 6108 
                    
                      And herë y shal telle a lyte,
                    
                      A wurdë of a gode Ermyte.

Page 198

[The Tale of the good Hermit who gave away the Money he had saved.]

                      An ermyte woned fer ouer a doune, [A tale.] 
                    
                      yn a wasteyne, fer fro þe toune;
                      Line 6112 
                    
                      Þys ermyte þoght vp-on a day
                    
                      Þat he was yn febyl aray,
                    
                      And seyd, he wulde gader to store
                    
                      Tyl eftsones he had nedë more.
                      Line 6116 
                    
                      He gadred vn-to storë fast,
                    
                      Þat hys purs he fylled at þe last.

                    
                      Þo was he yn grete stodye
                    
                      where he myȝt do hyt pryuylye,
                      Line 6120 
                    
                      For to lese hyt he was a dred;
                    
                      And [He.]  ȝede and leyd hyt at hys bed.
                    
                      whan he shuld slepë, he myȝt noght,
                    
                      So mochë on hyt was hys þoght;
                      Line 6124 
                    
                      whan he sagh men come or go,
                    
                      He þoghte and seydë, "þeues are þo."
                    
                      Euery man he wened [wende.]  had be a robbour,
                    
                      For dredë þat he had [hadde.]  tresoure.
                      Line 6128 
                    
                      And whan he seyd hys oures of þe day,
                    
                      He þoght on hys tresour þer hyt lay.
                    
                      And more was he þan morenande [folio 41a:2] 
                    
                      Seþen þan beforëhand:
                      Line 6132 
                    
                      Þan seyd hym self, "weyl y ferde
                    
                      Ar y, yn purs, penys [penys O, pens H.]  sperde;
                    
                      Now slepe y neuer but with kare,
                    
                      Syn y wyst, whére pens ware."
                      Line 6136 
                    
                      "y trowe," he seyde, "þat Goddys curs
                    
                      ys spred [sperde.]  with pens, yn þe purs."

                    
                      he ros vp and ȝede to hys ȝate,
                    
                      And sagh twey men come yn þe gate; [O. gloss 'wey.'] 
                    
                      He parseyued weyl whydyrward þey cam,

Page 199

                    
                      And swyþe aftyr hys purs he ran,
                      Line 6142 
                    
                      And kast hyt to hem euery deyl,
                    
                      And seyd, "haueþ, and broukeþ hyt weyl,
                    
                      For, myn herte was neuer yn reste
                    
                      Syn y had hem a nyȝtys geste;
                    
                      For shal y neuer, aftyr þys day,
                    
                      Purs, pens, ȝyf þat y may."
                      Line 6148

                    
                      Þarfor he þat mekel has,
                    
                      Hys herte ys yn many a kas;
                    
                      Syn þat þykë [þeke.]  pore ermyte
                    
                      was yn dredë for so lyte.
                      Line 6152

                    
                      Auaryce ys þy mochë fo;
                    
                      Þe loue of God [God O, om. H.]  hyt dragheþ þe fro;
                    
                      And syluer algat[e], namëly,
                    
                      Hyt ys a god of maumetry;
                      Line 6156 
                    
                      For maumetry ys madë alle
                    
                      Of golde and syluer and swych matalle,
                    
                      þe saraȝyns and ouþer wanbodyes,
                    
                      Þer-of þey make þat are here goddes;
                      Line 6160 
                    
                      Þarefor y rede þat ȝe loue hyt noght,
                    
                      Ne [No O. [folio 3b] ]  ouer moche to haue yn thoght:
                    
                      Þyr ys no þyng yn erþe aboue,
                    
                      Þat draghþ so mochë mannës loue
                      Line 6164 
                    
                      Fro God, né fro Goddys wurde, [wrd O.] 
                    
                      As golde [or O.]  and syluer leyde yn hurde;
                    
                      And y haue oftë herdë seye
                    
                      Of sum men whan þey shuldë deye,
                      Line 6168 
                    
                      Þat, þey wulde [wlde O.]  haue her pens ete [folio 41b] 
                    
                      Raþer þan any ouþer had hem gete;
                    
                      And, here ar y ferþer go,
                    
                      y shal telle of one þat ded [þat wlde O.]  so.

                      Line 6172

Page 200

6172

[The Tale of the Cambridgeshire Miser-Parson.]

yn Chambryg-shyrë, yn a toune, [A tale.] y herd telle of a persoune: Shortly to tellë, at þe laste, hys deþ euyl [euyl O, om. H.] down hym kaste. 6176

                    
                      Men sente aftyr twey freres,
                    
                      Þat perauenture were hys cunseylers;
                    
                      Þese frerès cam, and by hym sate,
                    
                      and askéd hym of hys state.
                      Line 6180 
                    
                      Þis persone lay, and loked furþ [forth O.] 
                    
                      vn-tyl a cofre yn þe florth.
                    
                      Þarto þe frere ȝaf godë tente
                    
                      whyderward hys yȝen [eȝen O.]  glente;
                      Line 6184 
                    
                      Þarto he loked euer [eure O.]  anone,
                    
                      And lay styllë as a stone;
                    
                      Þan asked þe ton [to O.]  frere,
                    
                      "what ys yn þys cofre here?"
                      Line 6188 
                    
                      Þe personë spak no þyng,
                    
                      But ȝaf a gretë syghyng.
                    
                      Þe freres kalled men hem to,
                    
                      Þat cofre for to vn-do:
                      Line 6192 
                    
                      Þe persones men come echone:
                    
                      "Key," þey seyd, [seyde þey had O.]  "hadd þey none."
                    
                      Þe lyd vp sone þey wraste,
                    
                      And brak þe lok [lokes O.]  at þe laste;
                      Line 6196 
                    
                      And þere þey fonde þe cofre ful
                    
                      Sperd wyþ þe deuylys mul
                    
                      Of florens and of goldrynges,
                    
                      And of many ouþer þynges
                      Line 6200 
                    
                      Þat were of syluer, vesseles,
                    
                      And gold and ouþer Iuweles.

Þe wrecche saw hys tresoure sperd, [spred O.]

Page 201

                    
                      And sette hym up yn hys bedde,
                      Line 6204 
                    
                      And bekened [beknede O.]  þer-aftyr with hys hand: [honde O.] 
                    
                      Þe frerë seyd, "y vndyrstande [-stonde O.] 
                    
                      Þat he wulde [wlde O.]  haue sum of þys." [folio 41b:2]

                    
                      Þey toke and fylde a syluer dysshe
                      Line 6208 
                    
                      Ful of pens, and to hym broght,
                    
                      To se what was yn hys þoght.
                    
                      he toke and fyldë ful hys fyst,
                    
                      And yn-to hys mouþe þe pens kyst,
                      Line 6212 
                    
                      As þat he wuldë [wlde O.]  hem haue ete,
                    
                      Ȝyf he myȝt hem al haue gete.
                    
                      And, whan þey sagh hym þus do,
                    
                      Þe frerë styrtë hym vn-to,
                      Line 6216 
                    
                      And toke þe dysshë of hys hand
                    
                      Magre [Maugre O.]  hys wylland. [[5-syll. line]] 
                    
                      And a-none he fyllë downe,
                    
                      And deyd, y wenë, yn a suowne.
                      Line 6220

                    
                      Seeþ now how hys louyng
                    
                      Broȝt hym to euyl endyng!
                    
                      Þat he haþ [had O.]  loued and holde faste,
                    
                      with shame þey departed at þe laste;
                      Line 6224 
                    
                      Þerfore hyt were bettyr here
                    
                      Dyspende here þyng on gode manere,
                    
                      Þan for to ley hyt vp yn mucche,
                    
                      Oþer yn cofre, oþer [or O.]  yn hucche.
                      Line 6228

                    
                      Auarycë, ryche and harde,
                    
                      ys a þefe, a mokerad, [mokerard O.] 
                    
                      whan he muccheþ pryuyly
                    
                      Þat many man myȝt lyuë by.
                      Line 6232 
                    
                      Ryche men gadere ryche tresours
                    
                      To make with ryche executours:
                    
                      Þe whyles þe execútours sekke, [fyl þe bag] 
                    
                      Of þe soulë þey ne rekke;
                      Line 6236 
                    
                      Þe body, whyl hyt on bere lys,
                    
                      A day or two ys holde yn prys,
                    
                      But whan hyt ys yn erþë broght,
                    
                      Body ne soulë gete ryȝt noght;
                      Line 6240 
                    
                      Be he broght nobly to hys pyt,

Page 202

Dette and soule þey þynke al quyt.

                    
                      loke þerfore, executore,
                    
                      Ȝyf þou haue ȝyt hold yn store
                      Line 6244 
                    
                      Þat þou oghtest for to haue ȝyue, [folio 42a] 
                    
                      But fro day to day hast hyt dryue:
                    
                      Þou synnest þan wykkedly,
                    
                      And doust þe soule treytory;
                      Line 6248 
                    
                      But þus seyþ holy story,
                    
                      Þe soule þat ys yn purgatory
                    
                      lokeþ fast aftyr þe socoure
                    
                      Of þe gode executoure;
                      Line 6252 
                    
                      Ȝyf he hyt helpë for to saue,
                    
                      Gretë mede þan shal he haue;
                    
                      And ȝyf he do nat hys ordynaunce,
                    
                      hyt askeþ of God to hym veniaunce.
                      Line 6256

                    
                      Of allë fals þat beryn name,
                    
                      Fals executours are maste to blame.
                    
                      þe pope of þe courte of Rome,
                    
                      Aȝens hem ȝyfþ he hardë dome,
                      Line 6260 
                    
                      And curseþ hem yn cherchys here
                    
                      Fourë tymës yn þe ȝere.

                    
                      Of alle executours þat men fynde,
                    
                      werst are þyn ownë kynde,
                      Line 6264 
                    
                      And þy chyldryn specyaly
                    
                      Are to þy soule vnkyndëly:
                    
                      Þy chyldryn allë sey ryght þus: [ryght þus O, þus H.] 
                    
                      "whom shuld þey ȝyuë hyt, but vs?"
                      Line 6268 
                    
                      y graunte weyl hyt ys ȝyue to þe;
                    
                      Be þou to hem þan sumwhat fre:
                    
                      Þat was heren, now hyt ys þyne;
                    
                      helpe hem þerwyþ oute of pyne;
                      Line 6272 
                    
                      But þou mayst nat, for auaryce,
                    
                      Þat haþ þe boundë yn þat vyce,
                    
                      To sparë no þyng þat was hys
                    
                      For to bryngë hym to blys.

                      Line 6276

Page 203

                    
                      Line 6276 
                    
                      And many tymës, so hyt gos,
                    
                      mennës eyres are here most fos;
                    
                      Namly, an eyre þat ys a qued, [shrewe [ashrewe O.] ]  [aqued O.] 
                    
                      þat desyreþ hys fadrys [fader O.]  ded;
                      Line 6280 
                    
                      For oftë haue men herde and sen
                    
                      Þat swych eyrës hauë ben.

                    
                      yn London, þe wurde [wrd O.]  gan go, [folio 42a:2] 
                    
                      Þat eyrës ded here fadrys slo;
                      Line 6284 
                    
                      And wyues wundryng was so bolde
                    
                      To make here husbundes kokëwolde:
                    
                      Many tymës, for swych dede,
                    
                      Are eyrës mochë for to drede;
                      Line 6288 
                    
                      For doute þerof, þys ys þe skyle,
                    
                      To queþe here landys where þey wyle;
                    
                      hous and rente, and ouþer þyng,
                    
                      Mow þey queþe at here endyng.
                      Line 6292

                    
                      Ȝe ryche men, before ȝow se,
                    
                      Þe whyles ȝe are yn ȝoure pouste;
                    
                      On ȝoure soules, y rede ȝow þenke;
                    
                      y warne ȝow of ȝoure eyres blenke;
                      Line 6296 
                    
                      Ne haueþ no trust of ȝoure sokoure,
                    
                      Nat of ȝoure owne executoure;
                    
                      Ȝyueþ ȝeself with ȝoure hondys, [hendes O.] 
                    
                      For þe dede haþ few[ë] frendys;
                      Line 6300 
                    
                      For þey þat þou louyst [leuest O.]  with-alle,
                    
                      For þy soule wyl ȝyue but smalle.

Of þre executurs y shal ȝou rede, how þey halpe ones a soule yn nede. [A tale]

[The Tale of the Three Dishonest Executors.]

                      A tale y herde a gode man sey,
                      Line 6305 
                    
                      how a man dyd whan he shuld deye:
                    
                      he ches hym þre executours,
                    
                      Of al hys godys ordeynours,
                      Line 6308 
                    
                      Twey lewed men and a clerke,

Page 204

                    
                      To do gode yn soulë werke.
                    
                      Þys clerk was a lordyng, [[6-syllable line]] 
                    
                      Þe toþer was an husbunde þat lyued [husbund lyued O.]  by hys þyng,
                      Line 6312 
                    
                      Þe þrydë was a marchaunde [marchound O.] 
                    
                      Þat boght and solde with cunnaunte. [cunnound O.]

                    
                      Fyl auenture he deydë sone;
                    
                      Þey dyd with hym þat was to done;
                      Line 6316 
                    
                      To þe erþë þey hym dyght,
                    
                      For, þat was þe dedys ryȝt.
                    
                      whan he was dede, forȝate þey noȝt
                    
                      Þat al hys godë þey furþe broght.
                      Line 6320

                    
                      Whan þey hadde gadred and a-countede [folio 42b] 
                    
                      Þrytty mark hys gode amounted;
                    
                      hys vessel was ten mark wurþy, [wrþy O.] 
                    
                      and ten mark of pens redy,
                      Line 6324 
                    
                      and ten mark hys ouþer store:
                    
                      Þus þey hyt set, and at no more.

                    
                      Þys clerk seyd: "we are þre;
                    
                      As y rede, so do shul ȝe:
                      Line 6328 
                    
                      Þys ychë man þat dedë ys,
                    
                      y hope hys soulë be yn blys; [See John of Bromyard's Summa Predicantium (c. 1390, ed. 1485), Executor, E. viij. .xiiij. Exemplum: sicut patet, de executoribus, De quibus scribitur, quod, inter se tractantes de bonis defuncti, dixerunt quod mortuus ille, vel fuit in celo, & tunc bonis illis non indiget; vel in inferno, tunc ei non valerent; vel in purgatorio, & tunc sine illis liberaretur: finaliter, "Ergo," inquiuunt, "inter nos illa diuidamus, quia talibus indigemus."] 
                    
                      and ȝyf hys soulë yn blys be,
                    
                      he haþ no nede of gold ne fe;
                      Line 6332 
                    
                      hyt may no more but be yn heuene,
                    
                      þogh we ȝaue þys, and swych[ë] seuene;
                    
                      And ȝyf hys soulë be yn helle,
                    
                      Alle þe pens þat we mow telle,
                      Line 6336 
                    
                      ne alle þe prestes þat messe mow synge,
                    
                      Mow nat hyt out of hellë brynge:
                    
                      So, be hyt yn helle, or be hyt yn blys,
                    
                      hyt haþ no morë nede of þys;

                      Line 6340

Page 205

                    
                      Line 6340 
                    
                      "And we are swore to dele hyt ryȝt,
                    
                      And euen to parte hyt at oure myȝt;
                    
                      So we shul, ȝyf þat ȝe wylle:
                    
                      And seyþ now here an euyn skylle;
                      Line 6344 
                    
                      he vouchede hyt saufe on vs, he seyd,
                    
                      Þat we ȝaue hyt whan he deyde.

                    
                      "Þys yche vessel þat ȝe se,
                    
                      hyt may wel fallë [falle weyl O.]  to me.
                      Line 6348 
                    
                      þe store of hous, y vndyrstande, [vndyrstonde O.] 
                    
                      Falleþ weyl to an husbande; [husbonde O.] 
                    
                      And þese pens falle on best wyse
                    
                      To a marchaunde to do hys marchaundyse.
                    
                      For soþë, y kan se no bet,
                      Line 6353 
                    
                      How euer hyt myȝt be bettyr sette;
                    
                      No better, certes, myȝt hyt falle:
                    
                      Þys ȝe seeþ, [seþ O.]  and weteþ alle.
                      Line 6356 
                    
                      Takë eche man hys party,
                    
                      For y haue parted hyt euenly."

                    
                      And eche of hem hys partë toke; [folio 42b:2] 
                    
                      Hyred þey neyþer messe ne boke
                      Line 6360 
                    
                      For to synge, ne for to rede;
                    
                      þey seyd þe soulë had no nede.
                    
                      y pray God, mysauenture
                    
                      hauë swych executure!
                      Line 6364

                    
                      Executur þat wyl nat do
                    
                      As þe dede ordeyned to,
                    
                      he shal haue ful euyl endyng
                    
                      þat so wyþ-halt þe dedës þyng.
                      Line 6368 
                    
                      Fals executours þat haue ben,
                    
                      þys chaunce haue men of hem sen,
                    
                      þat oþer fayleþ hem wurldës [wrldes O.]  grace,
                    
                      Or, at here endyng, speche or space;
                      Line 6372 
                    
                      And ȝyf hyt stonde þe wurldës [wrldes O.]  aght,
                    
                      A tokene hyt ys, hys soule ys kaght.

Page 206

                    
                      And here, at þys ychë pas,
                    
                      Y shal ȝow tellë of a kas
                      Line 6376 
                    
                      Þat fyl now late yn Kesteuene;
                    
                      But þe name y wyl nat neuene.

[The Tale of the Two wicked Kesteven Executors.]

                      A man, shortly for to sey, [A tale.] 
                    
                      Whan he wyst þat he shuld deye,
                      Line 6380 
                    
                      Twey lewed men hys executours [executurs O, executour H.]  he ches,
                    
                      As þou shalt here, wykked and les.
                    
                      Þat tyme hyt happed for to be,
                    
                      Hys sone was oute of þat cuntre.
                      Line 6384

                    
                      Whan þe dede was yn hys graue,
                    
                      þey toke alle þat þey myȝt haue.
                    
                      þe sonë herd[ë] þat tydyng,
                    
                      And come home fo þe énteryng;
                      Line 6388 
                    
                      But he [he ne O.]  myȝt, with no procurement,
                    
                      Se ones hys fadres testament,
                    
                      For þe katel was a-counted
                    
                      More þan þe testament amounted,
                      Line 6392 
                    
                      And þey wuldë [wlde O.]  nat fulfylle
                    
                      þe testement of þe dedës wylle.

                    
                      Þe sone besoght hem þat þey wylde
                      Line 6395 
                    
                      Þe testement of hys fadyr were fulfylede: [fulfylde O.] 
                    
                      Þan bygan [bygunne O.]  þey hym for to þrete, [folio 43a] 
                    
                      And spakë to hym wurdys [wrdes O.]  grete;
                    
                      For tene, þey seyd [And seyd for tene O.]  þey wulde [wlde O.]  nat do
                    
                      For hym þat þey were ordeyned to.
                      Line 6400

                    
                      Þe chylde besoght[ë] God almyȝt
                    
                      To take veniaunce on here vnryght.
                    
                      hyt was nat a moneþ aftyrward,
                    
                      þe ton [toon O.]  fyl yn a chaunce ful hard:

                      Line 6404

Page 207

                    
                      Line 6404 
                    
                      At hys foreyne, y ne wot what,
                    
                      Strangled hym þeron [hym þeron O, hym H.]  as he sat;
                    
                      Þe touþer executoure þat had þe þyng,
                    
                      Yn pouert he madë hys endyng.
                      Line 6408

                    
                      Now haue ȝe herde, myschaunce and nede
                    
                      Cumþ of fals executours dede;
                    
                      Whedyr [Wheþer.]  hyt be stylle, or loude on hy,
                    
                      Fals executours endyn wykkedly;
                      Line 6412 
                    
                      lyfe or soule, þe toon ys shent,
                    
                      Or, boþe shul yn fyre be brent.

                    
                      As mochë ioyë and onours
                    
                      Shal come to gode executours;
                      Line 6416 
                    
                      God graunteþ hym, [hym fyrst for O.]  for hys gode wyl,
                    
                      hele and welþe with-outyn yl;
                    
                      And for hys dede þat he douþ ryght,
                    
                      He shal haue mercy aȝens hys plyght.
                      Line 6420 
                    
                      Þe soule prayeþ also, with wyl fre,
                    
                      Þat hys gode dede hym ȝouldë be
                    
                      Yn blys of heuene, wyþoutyn ende,
                    
                      Whan he out of þys wurlde [wrld O.]  shal wende;
                    
                      And loue of man, he shal fynde,
                      Line 6425 
                    
                      Yn þe syght of alle mankynde:
                    
                      Þys godënesse shal ay be newe
                    
                      To þe executur þat ys trewe.
                      Line 6428

                    
                      Now we þe executore haue mysseyd,
                    
                      And of hys wrong he haþ vpbreyd,
                    
                      he aȝensseyþ alle þat tresun,
                    
                      And setteþ þus hys resun,
                      Line 6432 
                    
                      And prayeþ vs þe soþe to se,
                    
                      Þat þe dede ys more to blame þan he,
                    
                      And argueþ vp-on þys skylle, [folio 43a:2] 
                    
                      And byt þe dede answere þartylle:
                      Line 6436 
                    
                      "ȝyf þou be ryche yn ȝongþe [ȝyngþe O.]  or elde,
                    
                      And hast ynowe of welþe to welde,
                    
                      And knowest þy self yn wyl and dedes,
                    
                      Þy wo, þy welë, how þou ledes,

                      Line 6440

Page 208

                    
                      Line 6440 
                    
                      "Alle þy lyfe, what hyt ys wurþy, [wrþy O.] 
                    
                      Þou wost hyt bettyr þan wote y;
                    
                      Wyk and godë, þou hyt wyst,
                    
                      And þe to sauë, þou ne lyst,
                      Line 6444 
                    
                      And haddest þy self alle þy [þe O.]  powere;
                    
                      why were þou nat þyn owne spensere?
                    
                      how shuld y þan do now for þe,
                    
                      Syn þy self were nat so fre?
                      Line 6448 
                    
                      how shulde y loue þy soulë nowe,
                    
                      whan þou louedyst nat þy soulë prowe?
                    
                      how shulde y þenke, þy soule to [þenke þe to O.]  saue,
                    
                      Whan þou þoghtyst noun to haue?
                      Line 6452 
                    
                      how shulde y bryngë þe to blys,
                    
                      whan þou þy self ne wuldest þe wysse?
                    
                      how shulde y bringë þe of pyne,
                    
                      when [? when, MS. why.]  þou ne wuldest, whyl alle was þyne?
                    
                      how shulde y, frend-man, be þy frende,
                      Line 6457 
                    
                      when þy-self fo-man wald þy hende?
                    
                      how shulde y late þy gode me fro,
                    
                      when þou lete noun fro þy-self go?
                      Line 6460 
                    
                      who shulde þe oute of sorowe vnbynde,
                    
                      When to þy self þou were vnkynde,
                    
                      and wystyst weyl þou shuldest [shuldest O.]  deye,
                    
                      and nedely þe behoued passe þat weye?
                      Line 6464

                    
                      "Þogh y, for þe, ȝaf aywhore, [euermore [euermore, om. O.] ] 
                    
                      who shulde kunne me þank þerfore?
                    
                      what shuld God do þè mede?
                    
                      Þou dedyst hyt nat; hyt ys oure dede?
                      Line 6468 
                    
                      a peny ȝyue of þe, yn þy lyue,
                    
                      hadde be bettyr þan oure fyue.
                    
                      Þou gederdyst, and ȝaue þyn executours;
                    
                      Þat before was þyn, now ys hyt ours.
                      Line 6472 
                    
                      Þou gaderdyst faste, and puttest yn holde; [folio 43b] 
                    
                      So shul we, be þou bolde;
                    
                      Þou boghtyst fast, and madyst a ryche eyre,
                    
                      Þy sone ys now yn þe samë speyre;
                      Line 6476 
                    
                      he shal nat þenk þat he shal deye,

Page 209

                    
                      "Ne noght of þe, but alle to beye.
                    
                      what þoghtest þou on þy fadyr before,
                    
                      lesse shal he þenke on þe, þat of þe ys bore. [line too long.? cut out lesse.] 
                    
                      Of þy wofare ne haþ he þoght,
                      Line 6481 
                    
                      Þou myghtyst þy self, and wuldest noght;
                    
                      and þogh now we ȝaue [we now ȝyue O.]  alle þy gode
                    
                      vntyl porë mannës fode,
                      Line 6484 
                    
                      Or dede anouþer (for þy sake,)
                    
                      Cherche to sette, or auter make,
                    
                      y trowe þy mede shal be but smal,
                    
                      Syn þou dedyst noȝt whan þyn was al.
                      Line 6488

                    
                      "loke now þy-self, and gode skyl why,
                    
                      Þat þou art more to blame þan y.
                    
                      wharefor ys alle y with þe stryue,
                    
                      Þat þou do godë yn þy lyue;
                      Line 6492 
                    
                      Make þy-self þyn ownë weye,
                    
                      Þat þyn executor of [ne of O.]  þe þus seye;
                    
                      For what time þat þou awey gos,
                    
                      Þo þat were þy frendys are þan þy fos,
                      Line 6496 
                    
                      And comunly þyn ownë wyfe,—
                    
                      Þát, mayst þou se here ful ryfe,—
                    
                      Also þy chyldryn are vnkynde,
                    
                      Þat þou hast be aboute ful mynde;
                      Line 6500 
                    
                      Of boþe mayst þou þy merour se,
                    
                      ȝyf þou kanst, or wyl [wylt O.]  párseue þe;
                    
                      And alle cumþ hyt of coueytyse
                    
                      Þat men done vpp-on þys wyse;
                      Line 6504 
                    
                      Þárfore þenk on þe endyng,
                    
                      And spendë weyl þyn ownë þyng,
                    
                      Þat þou fal nat yn auaryce:
                    
                      Of vnkyndhede hyt cumþ, þat vyce."
                      Line 6508

                    
                      God, for hys holy myȝt,
                    
                      late us neuer, with wnryȝt,
                    
                      Coueyte oght aȝens hys wyl, [folio 43b:2] 
                    
                      No with auaryce to holde for yl,
                      Line 6512 
                    
                      But þat hyt be, hym to queme,
                    
                      And body and soule yn clenesse ȝeme.

Page 210

[On Gluttony.]

                    
                      The syxtë [sext O.]  synne ys glotonye;
                    
                      þat ys a shameful vyleynye
                      Line 6516 
                    
                      þat men doun of mete and drynk,
                    
                      For ouermoche ys abominable & stynk.

                    
                      y wyl now shewë of hys spyces, [speces O.] 
                    
                      Þat noun fallë on hys grecys:
                      Line 6520 
                    
                      Ful many on stumble vp and down
                    
                      Of þe greces of syre glotown.
                    
                      y shal ȝow telle þe samë wyse
                    
                      Ryȝt as 'manuel pecches' seyse:
                      Line 6524 
                    
                      he comaundeþ, [comoundeþ O.]  at þe bygynnyng,
                    
                      'Be mesuráble yn alle þyng.'

Page 211

                    
                      Of allë wysdom þat shal dure,
                    
                      Þe most wysdom, þan ys 'mesure';
                      Line 6528 
                    
                      Mesure and resun, to-gedyr þey wone,
                    
                      And alle manere of vertues þey kone.
                    
                      with whom þey wonë, he ys wys,
                    
                      And ys ryche, and holdyn yn prys.
                      Line 6532 
                    
                      hyt ys a gode sygne þat man ys stable,
                    
                      Þat yn resun ys mesuráble.
                    
                      Many a vertu, mesure has,
                    
                      Þat touched ys nat yn þys pas.
                      Line 6536 
                    
                      But þe mesure of etyng,
                    
                      Þát ys boþe to olde and ȝyng;
                    
                      Þarefore wyl y telle ȝow alle
                    
                      Yn what þyngës þat ȝe falle.
                      Line 6540

                    
                      Be nat to þy self so large,
                    
                      Ouer mesure þyn [Harl. yn.]  herte to charge,
                    
                      Þat þou ne kast for vylaynye
                    
                      Ne for þe foule lust of glotonye.
                      Line 6544 
                    
                      Þenk here-on whan þou hyt bygynnys,
                    
                      For þer-yn are þre wykked synnes:
                    
                      Glotonye, and þefte of þyng,
                    
                      And cursed yn chyrche, ys mede endyng.

Page 212

                    
                      And y warne þe of þys kas, [folio 44a] 
                      Line 6549 
                    
                      To comone with any þat cursyng has,
                    
                      Þat þou wystyst opunly
                    
                      were cursed with holy cherches cry.
                      Line 6552 
                    
                      Ȝyf þou [þou O, om. H.]  dedyst hyt by þy wylle,
                    
                      wyþ-oute destresse or lordys wylle, [ylle.] 
                    
                      Holy cherche ys wroth wyþ þe astyt,
                    
                      And halt hyt pryde and grete dyspyt,
                      Line 6556 
                    
                      And seyþ þou art vnbuxum,
                    
                      And manteynest an euyl custum.

                    
                      Ȝyf a cursed man hadde cumpany
                    
                      with one or ouþer, logh or hy,
                      Line 6560 
                    
                      Or yn mete or yn drynke
                    
                      At þe alehous, or ouþer gaderyng,
                    
                      He ne wulde recche how long he lay
                    
                      yn hys cursyng, nyȝt or day.
                      Line 6564 
                    
                      For holy cherchë curseþ none
                    
                      But yn vnbuxumnesse þat haþ mysgone;
                    
                      Þat wyl nat stonde at hys Iustyse,
                    
                      he defendyþ hym þe comune acyse,
                      Line 6568 
                    
                      For to make hym be ashamed
                    
                      Þat he shulde be so defamed,
                    
                      And so shulde he wyte he may nat be
                    
                      But at holy cherche degre. [cherches gre.] 
                      Line 6572 
                    
                      For swych þyng, men ofte hem meken,
                    
                      And mercy at holy cherchë sekyn.

                    
                      Þarfor hyt ys a grete folye,
                    
                      with cursed man haue cumpanye.
                      Line 6576 
                    
                      Seynt Poule seyþ, þat mochë wote,
                    
                      "who-so handlyþ pycche wellyng [pycch wellynge.]  hote,
                    
                      He shal haue fylþe þerof sumdeyl
                    
                      Þogh he kepe hym neuer so weyl."
                      Line 6580 
                    
                      And Dauyd seyþ yn þe sauter,
                    
                      For felaushepe, on swych maner,
                    
                      "with holy man, holy shalt þou be;

Page 213

                    
                      with wykked man, þou turnest as he."
                      Line 6584 
                    
                      On þese wurdys y rede ȝe þynke,
                    
                      And kepë ȝow fro cursed blynke.

                    
                      Ne þou shalt, for no mannes prew, [folio 44a:2] 
                    
                      Ete, no drynkë wyþ a Iew.
                      Line 6588 
                    
                      But ȝyf he wyl crystendom take,
                    
                      hys felaushepe shalt þou forsake.
                    
                      And þat ys a grete skyl why,
                    
                      For þe Iew ys Ihesus enmye.
                      Line 6592 
                    
                      Þe Iew loueþ, on no manere,
                    
                      Iesu, ne hys modyr dere.
                    
                      Þarfor, ȝyf þou loue hem ryȝt,
                    
                      Forsakë Iew at alle þy myȝt,
                      Line 6596 
                    
                      But ȝyf þou hope þat he wul weyue [forsake] 
                    
                      Hys lawe, and crystendom receyue.

[Against making Men drunk.]

                      Þys custum ys also [also ys.]  perylous,
                    
                      To lede a man to þe alehous
                      Line 6600 
                    
                      To do hym drynke out of resun,
                    
                      Or make hym drunke,—þat ys tresun,—
                    
                      Or to þy [þyn.]  hous, ȝyf þou hym lede,
                    
                      On hym drynkë for to bede;
                      Line 6604 
                    
                      Þou art gylty of hys synne
                    
                      Ȝyf þou to drunkenes wldest hym wynne.
                    
                      And ȝyf þou ioyë þerof has,
                    
                      Þe more þou fallyst yn trespas;
                      Line 6608 
                    
                      Hyt ys a tokene of felunnye
                    
                      To weytë hym with swych gylrye.

                    
                      Also ȝyf þou any day shuldest [shulle.]  fast,
                    
                      And þou ouertymely þy metë aske,
                      Line 6612 
                    
                      Glotony haþ swych longyng wroght,
                    
                      Þat þou to tyme abydest noght.

Page 214

                    
                      Anoþer spyce ys yn glotonye,
                    
                      To ete ouer delycyusly,
                      Line 6616 
                    
                      For to be serued with many messe: [mese.] 
                    
                      Þat haunte þese lordyngës on dese. [on table]

                    
                      wuld þey of euery a messe [mese.]  ȝyue
                    
                      To helpe þe pore wyþ for to lyue,
                      Line 6620 
                    
                      Þe boldlyere þey myȝt hem self fede
                    
                      Ȝyf þey dedyn þat almës dede.
                    
                      But of almës þenk þey noȝt,
                    
                      For lust and lykyng ys more yn þoght.
                      Line 6624

                    
                      Þou þat louest so many messe, [mes.]  [folio 44b] 
                    
                      wuldest þou þenke on syre Dyues,
                    
                      And of þe porë man [man also.]  Laȝare
                    
                      Þat syre Dyues late mysfare, —
                      Line 6628 
                    
                      For he asked hym sum gode,
                    
                      Of hys mete, for hys [to þe.]  lyuës fode, —
                    
                      y trowe þou shuldest nat forgete
                    
                      Þe pore man at þy mete,
                      Line 6632 
                    
                      Ȝyf þou vndyrstode, y wene,
                    
                      what þe talë wulde bemene.

[The Tale of Dives and Lazarus.]

                      A ryche man was sum tyme of prys [A tale.] 
                    
                      Þat wered boþe purpure and bys,
                      Line 6636 
                    
                      And euery day nobly was led,
                    
                      And with delycyus metys fed;
                    
                      And þer was þo a porë man,
                    
                      Lazare, þat þe wurd of ran,
                      Line 6640 
                    
                      He lay at þe ryche mannys ȝate,
                    
                      Ful of bylës, yn þe gate [wey] ;
                    
                      He ȝerned moche to ete hys fylle
                    
                      Of þe crummes þat þe ryche man ded spyl, [spylle.] 
                    
                      But no man ȝaue hym on to byte,
                      Line 6645 
                    
                      Þogh þat asked he so lyte:
                    
                      But þe rychë mannës houndes

Page 215

                    
                      Come and lykked Laȝares woundes.
                      Line 6648 
                    
                      Sone aftyrward deydë Laȝare
                    
                      Before þe mannes ȝatë þare;
                    
                      Goddës aungeles þe soulë nam,
                    
                      And bare hyt yn-to þe bosum of Abraham.

                    
                      Abrahams bosum ys a dwellyng
                      Line 6653 
                    
                      Þat holy men haue yn restyng,
                    
                      Þat to Ihesu, Goddys sone, cam,
                    
                      Þat flesshe and blode yn Mary nam.
                      Line 6656 
                    
                      Abrahams bosum ys [ys H, om. O.]  a stede, men telle,
                    
                      Betwyxë paradys and helle.

                    
                      Fyl [Fylle.]  auenture, as y er seyde,
                    
                      Þys rychë man sone aftyr deyde.
                      Line 6660 
                    
                      Hys soule was bore to Lucyfere,
                    
                      with-outyn ende to dwellë þere;
                    
                      And, as he was þere yn pyne, [folio 44b:2] 
                    
                      He loked vpwarde with hys yne,
                      Line 6664 
                    
                      And sagh Laȝare, þe porë man,
                    
                      yn þe bosum of Abraham;
                    
                      And as he myȝt, he ȝaue a cry,
                    
                      And seyd, "Abraham, mercy, mercy!
                      Line 6668 
                    
                      Late Laȝare hys o fynger wete,
                    
                      And, droppe on my tunge for hete;
                    
                      For y am yn endles peyne,
                    
                      yn fyre and yn leye certeyne."
                      Line 6672

                    
                      And Abraham spak [spak O, om. H.]  as yn vpbreyde,
                    
                      "Sone! menest þou nat what y er [ere.]  seyd?
                    
                      Þou receyuedyst þe wurldys blys,
                      Line 6675 
                    
                      And Laȝare, pouert and peyne ywys.
                    
                      Þou ete and drunke, and were ful blyþe;
                    
                      And Laȝare hungred, & ful wo syþe;
                    
                      And now shal he, for hys deserte,
                    
                      Haue welþe y-nogh for hys pouert;
                      Line 6680 
                    
                      And þou, for welþe, to pyne shal [peyne shalt.]  go,

Page 216

                    
                      And for þy ryches þou shalt haue wo.
                    
                      Now ys Laȝare euer yn solace,
                    
                      And þou yn sorow with-outë grace;
                      Line 6684 
                    
                      Þe endles ende may no man telle
                    
                      Betwyxe vs here, & ȝow yn helle;
                    
                      Betwyxe oure ioye, and ȝourë peyne,
                    
                      ys endles tyme, and vncerteyne.
                      Line 6688 
                    
                      Swych sykernes ys betwyx [sekernes ys betwene.]  ȝow two,
                    
                      Þat noun of vs to ȝow may go.
                    
                      None of vs to ȝow may come,
                    
                      But echone haue hys ownë dome."
                      Line 6692

                    
                      Þan preyde þe ryche man, Abraham,
                    
                      þat he wlde sende Lazare, or sum oþer wham,
                    
                      To hys breþryn allë fyue,
                    
                      Þat þey loke hem so, yn here lyue,
                      Line 6696 
                    
                      Fro auaryce and fro glotonye
                    
                      And ȝyue to porë men bleþlye,
                    
                      "Þat þey neuer hedyr be sent,
                    
                      with me, yn þys hete, to be brent."
                      Line 6700

                    
                      Abraham ne graunted hym noght [folio 45a] 
                    
                      Þat þe ryche man hym besoght,
                    
                      "Þey haue," he seyd, "alle þe prophete dedys,
                    
                      And holy wryt, þat men on redys,
                      Line 6704 
                    
                      To teche hem boþë ryȝt and skyle,
                    
                      Do þeraftyr, ȝyf þey wyle."

                    
                      Þan spake þe rychë man,
                    
                      "Nay, fadyr Abraham, nay, þey ne kan;
                    
                      But wuldest þou do aftyr my rede,
                      Line 6709 
                    
                      To reyse a man þat haþ be dede,
                    
                      þat myȝt hem þe peynës telle
                    
                      Þat þey shul suffre and yn dwelle,
                      Line 6712 
                    
                      Þan shulde þey do ryȝt penaunce
                    
                      For to askapë þys myschaunce."

                    
                      Abraham wulde nat graunte
                    
                      Þe ryche man þat cunnaunt,
                      Line 6716 
                    
                      A dedë man vp for to reyse,
                    
                      "Syn Moyses sawes þey wyl nat preyse,

Page 217

                    
                      How wulde þey at a dede man lere,
                    
                      whan holy wryt þey wyl nat here?"
                      Line 6720

                    
                      Þys tale tellyþ oure lorde Ihesu
                    
                      To rychë men for herë prew, [pru.] 
                    
                      Þat þey ne be no nythyng
                    
                      Of here mete, ne of here þyng.
                      Line 6724 
                    
                      To porë men, namëly,
                    
                      Þat þou ȝyuest hem, ȝyue hyt [hyt H, om. O.]  bleþly,
                    
                      with no betyng, ne with noun awe;
                    
                      Almës ys noȝt wyþ any myssawe.
                      Line 6728

                    
                      why tellyþ he þe [þe H, om. O.]  wykkednes of þys man alle,—
                    
                      And he ne robbed, ne he ne stalle,—
                    
                      But for he bare hym ouer hye,
                    
                      And ledde hys lyfe yn glotonye,
                      Line 6732 
                    
                      And to þe pore dyd euyl yn dede,
                    
                      No halp hym noȝt yn hys nede:
                    
                      Ne Laȝare asked nat greuuslyke,
                    
                      But a fewe crummës for to pyke;
                      Line 6736 
                    
                      And for he ȝaue [ȝaf.]  hym noun on to byte,
                    
                      Hym was werned as lyte: [[6-syll.]] 
                    
                      As lytyl as he hym wernede, [folio 45a:2] 
                    
                      As lytyl þyng he ȝernede;
                      Line 6740 
                    
                      he preydë Laȝare hym to sende
                    
                      A dropë of hys fynger ende.

                    
                      Loke how euene Iugement,
                    
                      Þe tone aȝens þe toþer, was sent:
                      Line 6744 
                    
                      hyt ys but a lytyl synne,
                    
                      Of a drope and of a crumme;
                    
                      þan wyl hyt be ful harde a-counte
                    
                      Of þyng þat wylle to moche a-mounte.
                      Line 6748 
                    
                      Þarfor, ȝe lordyngys, beþ ful ware,
                    
                      Þenkeþ on Dyues and on Laȝare,
                    
                      And þe porë naȝt [noght.]  forgete
                    
                      whan ȝe syttë at ȝoure mete.
                      Line 6752

                    
                      And þou þat fedyst þe so rychely,
                    
                      Ouer mesure yn glotonye,
                    
                      Þenk þat þou shalt stynk and rote,

Page 218

                    
                      And wurmës shul fyl þy þrote,
                      Line 6756 
                    
                      And þe fouler shal þy body stynke,
                    
                      For thy ryche metë, and þy drynke.

                    
                      Euery man ȝyue tente to þys,
                    
                      And se how vyle hys body ys.
                      Line 6760 
                    
                      Twey dayys or þre mow hyt loke [kepe] 
                    
                      Mete, ar man hyt ete or toke;
                    
                      But as sone as hyt ys yn þe ȝoten,
                    
                      Yn half a day þan ys hyt roten;
                      Line 6764 
                    
                      Ryȝt vyle, and alþer meste,
                    
                      Þan hyt ys of any ouþer beste.
                    
                      Se weyl þys! þan mayst þou fynde,
                    
                      how vyle þan ys þyn ownë kynde.
                      Line 6768

                    
                      Þys rychë man that y of telle,
                    
                      Wente nat oonly þarfor to helle,
                    
                      But, for þat he wuldë noght
                    
                      Ȝyue to Laȝare þat he besoght,
                      Line 6772 
                    
                      Ne noȝt only for glotonye,
                    
                      Ne auaryce, ne for beryng hye,
                    
                      Noȝt for-þy, þe leste of þys,
                    
                      Myȝt brynge a man to Iuwys.
                      Line 6776

                    
                      why was God moste wyþ hym wroth? [folio 45b] 
                    
                      For he dyd þe pore man loth, [harme] 
                    
                      And for he dyd hys [hys O, he H.]  houndes oute late
                    
                      To byte þe Laȝare at þe ȝate;
                      Line 6780 
                    
                      And, for he dyde hym þat dyspyte, [despyt.] 
                    
                      God wrathede hym astyte,
                    
                      And deyneþ nat to nemne hys name,
                    
                      For he dede þe pore man shame,
                      Line 6784 
                    
                      But calleþ hym yn þe gospel, ryche,
                    
                      As vnkyndë and vnbryche.
                    
                      For ful comunly shalt þou fynde
                    
                      Oftë rychë men vnkynde.
                      Line 6788

                    
                      Lorde! how shul þese robbers fare,
                    
                      Þat þe pore pepyl pelyn ful bare,—
                    
                      Erlës, knyȝtës, and barouns,
                    
                      And ouþer lordyngës of tounnes;
                      Line 6792 
                    
                      Iustyses, shryues, [shereues.]  and baylyuys,

Page 219

                    
                      Þat þe lawës alle to-ryues,
                    
                      And þe pore men alle to-pyle;
                    
                      To ryche men do þey but as þey wylle. [wyle.]

                    
                      Þys ryche man, as þe gospel seys,
                      Line 6797 
                    
                      was but to .o. man vncurteys,
                    
                      And hadde so mochë pyne [peyne.]  þarfore;
                    
                      On hem wyl fallë mochë more
                      Line 6800 
                    
                      Þat many pore men pyle and bete,
                    
                      For God no synne wyl þey nat lete.
                    
                      Swych ryche men [men H, om. O.]  þat are aȝens Goddys [goddes.]  pes,
                    
                      Þenkeþ on Laȝare and on Dyues;
                      Line 6804 
                    
                      And beþ nat pynede wyþ Satanas
                    
                      For porë men, as Dyues was,
                    
                      And ys, and euer [euermor.]  shal be;
                    
                      Ȝyt robbed he neuer [noþer.]  golde ne fee.
                      Line 6808 
                    
                      By þys skylle, þan mow ȝe se,
                    
                      Þat ȝe are wers þan was he.
                    
                      He dyde but lete an hounde hym to;
                    
                      Ȝe rychë men, weyl wers ȝe do!
                      Line 6812 
                    
                      Ȝe wyl noun houndës to hem lete,
                    
                      But, ȝe self, hem sle and bete.
                    
                      He ne dyd but werned hym of hys mete; [folio 45b:2] 
                    
                      And ȝe, robbe al þat ȝe mow gete;
                      Line 6816 
                    
                      Ȝe are as Dyues, þat wyl naght ȝyue;
                    
                      And wers, for ȝe robbe þat þey shulde by lyue.
                    
                      Of mochë peyne ȝe mow ȝow drede,
                    
                      For ȝe do weyl wers þan Dyues dede.
                      Line 6820

                    
                      Ȝe rychë men, God wyl ȝow charge
                    
                      Þat ȝe ȝyue ȝoure almës large;
                    
                      Nat ouer powere, neuer a deyl,
                    
                      But ȝyue þat, þat ȝe mow [may.]  ful weyl;
                      Line 6824 
                    
                      And nat allonely largëly,
                    
                      But with loue, þat ys, curtesy;

Page 220

                    
                      Ȝyueþ curteysly, and nat to bete,
                    
                      Ȝow were bettyr ȝoure almës lete.
                      Line 6828

                    
                      Ȝyf a pore man take ons or twyys, [ones or twys.] 
                    
                      Mysdo hym nat, ȝyf þou be wys,
                    
                      Ne seye hym noun oþer vyleynye;
                    
                      Þan doust þou larges and curteysye.
                      Line 6832 
                    
                      More þank þou getest for swych ȝyuyng
                    
                      Þan seuene so moche with chydyng.
                    
                      Herefore Seynt Ihon þe aumenere seys,
                    
                      And techyþ men to be curteys.
                      Line 6836

[The Tale of St. John the Almoner, and his great Liberality and Courtesy.] [A tale] 

                      Hyt seyþ Seynt Ihon þe aumenere
                    
                      Pore men called hym Goddys spensere;
                    
                      He was bysshope and patryarke
                    
                      Of Constantynë, [constantyne O, constatyne H.]  noble starke.
                      Line 6840 
                    
                      Of hym ȝede ful fyr þe name, [ful fere ȝede þe fame.] 
                    
                      Of large almës men ȝaue [ȝafe.]  hym name.
                    
                      A pylgryme herde of hym þus seye,
                    
                      And to hys palys he toke þe weye;
                      Line 6844 
                    
                      whan he cam [com.]  þer, he sagh seynt Ihōn [Iohone.] 
                    
                      Dele þe pore folk ful gode wone;
                    
                      He seyd he wulde hym ouercharge,
                    
                      To wete wheþer seynt Ihon were large.

                    
                      He com, and asked þe charyte,
                      Line 6849 
                    
                      And seynt Ihon, þat was so fie,
                    
                      He commaundede hys seriaunte
                      Line 6851 
                    
                      For to ȝyue hym syxe besaunte.
                    
                      Þys pylgrym ȝede and chaunged hys wede, [folio 46a] 
                    
                      More to aske, ȝyf he myȝt spede. [[Fr. 221/5624]]

Page 221

                    
                      And seyd he hadde goun many a gate, [O. gloss 'wey.'] 
                    
                      And to þe cyte he was com late,
                      Line 6856 
                    
                      And of spensys had [spenses hadde.]  he non,
                    
                      So hadde he yn pylgrymage gon.
                    
                      Seynt Ihōn commaundede hys aumenere
                    
                      To ȝyue hym ouþer syxe, for he had mystere. [nede] 
                      Line 6860 
                    
                      Þe aumener parceyued weyl þat tyme
                    
                      Þat hyt was þe same pylgryme
                    
                      Þat toke byfore þe charyte,
                    
                      And seyd, "syre, þys ys he."
                      Line 6864 
                    
                      Noþeles, oþer wroth or glad,
                    
                      He ȝaf [ȝafe.]  hym, þat seyn [seynt.]  Ihōn bad.

                    
                      Þys pylgrym eft [eft H, om. O.]  besydë nam, [ȝede] 
                    
                      And eftë þe þryd tymë cam [he cam.] 
                      Line 6868 
                    
                      yn a-noþer wede þan he was ore,
                    
                      And asked at seynt Ihōn ȝyt more.
                    
                      Þe aumenere was wroth þerfore,
                    
                      Þat he asked so oute of skore,
                      Line 6872 
                    
                      Syn hym was ȝyue so largëly,
                    
                      And ȝyt he asked, and was gredy.
                    
                      But Seynt Ihōn, he was fre,
                    
                      And yn ful gretë charyte
                      Line 6876 
                    
                      He commaunded to hym a-none
                    
                      To ȝyue hym twelue besauntes echone:
                    
                      "Peráuenture, God wyl me proue
                    
                      what y wyl do for hys loue,
                      Line 6880 
                    
                      Oþer hyt ys God hym selue;
                    
                      Þarfore ȝyf [ȝyue.]  hym besauntes twelue;
                    
                      Or he proueþ me a-noþer wey,
                    
                      Ȝyf y wyl any of hys myssey;
                      Line 6884 
                    
                      Þarfore ȝyueþ with godë wyl
                    
                      And curteysye, with-outyn yl."

Þys tale y toldë ȝow þys tyde, Þat ȝe with no pore men [man.] chyde; 6888

Page 222

                    
                      Line 6888 
                    
                      ȝyf þou chydyng with hym makes,
                    
                      whan þyn almes of þe he takes,
                    
                      He byeþ hyt dere with hys myssawe, [folio 46a:2] 
                    
                      And shame þerwith, and drede, and awe.
                    
                      Ȝyf for þat ȝyft þou wylt haue mede,
                      Line 6893 
                    
                      Mysdo hym nat, yn wurde ne dede.

                    
                      Also hyt ys grete curteysye
                    
                      To ȝyue ȝoure almës hastylye;
                      Line 6896 
                    
                      Nat for to makë long delay,
                    
                      To late a wrecchë stonde al day
                    
                      Cryyng at þy ȝate yn colde;
                    
                      He byeþ þyn almes on manyfolde,
                      Line 6900 
                    
                      And þogh þou ȝyue hym lytyl or noght,
                    
                      Algate hyt ys dere y-boghte.
                    
                      And, þarfore hyt were weyl doun
                    
                      To ȝyue þyn almës gladly and soun.
                      Line 6904

                    
                      And y warne ȝow alle of o þyng,
                    
                      Forþenkeþ nat of ȝoure almes-ȝyuyng.
                    
                      Ȝyf þou forþenkest, þou getyst maugre,
                    
                      Þy ȝyft ys nat yn charyte;
                      Line 6908 
                    
                      Ryght so dyd þe bysshope Troyle,
                    
                      For hys almes he made grete doyle, [sorowe]  [A tale] 
                    
                      Þat a sykenes hym ouer haf [hafe.] 
                    
                      For largë almes þat he ȝaf. [ȝafe.] 
                      Line 6912 
                    
                      Seynt Ihoun þe aumenere telleþ how,
                    
                      And as he seyþ, y shal telle ȝow;
                    
                      A gode ensample, as we rede,
                    
                      Þat none forþynke hys almës dede.
                      Line 6916

[The Tale of Bishop Troylus and his Thirty Pounds.]

Þys yche seynt Ihōn þe aumenere was a patryark of grete powere; Vndyr hym was bysshope Troylus, Þat for to haue tresour was coueytous.

Page 223

                    
                      And on a day, as fyl to be
                      Line 6921 
                    
                      Þat seynt Ihōn ȝaf hys charyte,
                    
                      Þe bysshope Troylë, for cumforte,
                    
                      with hym wentë for [to O, om. H.]  dysporte,
                      Line 6924 
                    
                      To se þe folk þat þyrdyr [þyder.]  come
                    
                      Of many cuntres þat oute were nome.
                    
                      Þat ychë tyme þat chaunce gan falle,
                    
                      Seynt Ihōn hadde nat to ȝyue hem alle;
                    
                      But a man, þat was þere, [folio 46b] 
                      Line 6929 
                    
                      Rouned yn seynt Ihōns [Iones.]  ere,
                    
                      'Þat he hadde broght þat ychë stounde [tyme] 
                    
                      To syre Troylë þyrty [þrytty.]  pounde,
                      Line 6932 
                    
                      And he myȝt helpë, ȝyf he wylde,
                    
                      Þat hys dolë were fulfylde.'

                    
                      Seynt Ihon to Troyle bygan to sermun [to speke] 
                    
                      with ensamples of [and.]  gode resun,
                      Line 6956 
                    
                      "Þat he hadde pyte of here cryyng;
                    
                      To se hem wepe, was reuful þyng;
                    
                      For God shal þanke alle at þe laste day yn dede,
                    
                      Þat of þe pore for hys loue han pyte at nede.
                      Line 6940 
                    
                      what ys hyt wrþ to preche yn cherche,
                    
                      whan men yn dedë wyl nat werche?
                    
                      And now hyt ys so on þy party,
                    
                      Thou hast besauntes of golde redy,
                      Line 6944 
                    
                      Þat þou mayst helpe, ȝyf þat þou wylt,
                    
                      Þat þys pore peple be nat spylt."

                    
                      what for almes, and what for despyte,
                    
                      Troylë commaunded al styte
                      Line 6948 
                    
                      Þat þo [þe.]  þrytty pounde of golde
                    
                      were ȝyue þere seynt Ihōn wolde.

                    
                      To þe pore was hyt so delte and dryue,
                    
                      Þat euery besaunt was furþ ȝyue.
                      Line 6952 
                    
                      whan allë haddë þat þere cam,

Page 224

                    
                      Seynt Ihōn and Troylë homward nam:
                    
                      Troyle fyl yn a grete syknes
                    
                      For sorow [sorowe.]  of hys large almes;
                      Line 6956 
                    
                      Þat sorow [sorowe.]  hadde hym so ouercome,
                    
                      Þat þe feuer hadde hym nome. [O. gloss 'take.'] 
                    
                      He wende weyl þat he hadde be lore,
                    
                      So lytyl hope yn hym was bore.
                      Line 6960 
                    
                      Hys godë hopë was ful badde,
                    
                      For hym þoghte lore, þat pore men hadde.

                    
                      Seynt Ihon wulde nat Troyle forgete,
                    
                      He sente aftyr hym to þe mete;
                      Line 6964 
                    
                      But he excused hym, and seyd nay,
                    
                      And seyd þat he yn þe feuer lay,
                    
                      And to þe deþe he hoped weyl, [wele.]  [folio 46b:2] 
                    
                      Þarefore ne myȝt he come þat sele. [þat tyme] 
                      Line 6968

                    
                      whan Seynt Ihōn herde þat seye,
                    
                      Þat Troyle supposed [soposede.]  for to deye,
                    
                      Asswyþë to hym he ȝede,
                    
                      And cunseyled hym to haue no drede;
                    
                      "Drede þe noght, [nat.]  my godë sone,
                      Line 6973 
                    
                      Goddës manere we owe to kone;
                    
                      For alle þo þat he loueþ dere,
                    
                      he chasteþ hem on many manere;
                      Line 6976 
                    
                      And as he sendeþ to þè, sykenes,
                    
                      He wyl sende hele whan hys wyl es."

                    
                      Seynt Ihōn wyst wele hys herte,
                    
                      Hys sykënes, and alle hys querte;
                      Line 6980 
                    
                      Þarfore he seydë on þys wyse—
                    
                      For he knew hys coueytyse,—
                    
                      "Þy golde þat was to me so redy,
                    
                      To me þou lentyst hyt, graunte mercy;
                    
                      For y was yn wyl, for þe feste,
                      Line 6985 
                    
                      Þat euery hadde a peny, who so hadde leste.

Page 225

                    
                      But y myȝt nat so of myne,
                    
                      But y hadde borowed at þe of þyne;
                      Line 6988 
                    
                      Þo þrytty pounde, God haþ me sente,
                    
                      And here þey are now, þy [yn.]  presente;
                    
                      And asswyþe þey shul be payd,
                    
                      No lenger shul þey be delayd."
                      Line 6992

                    
                      Seynt Ihōn called hys chaumberleyn,
                    
                      And tolde hem to Troyle, be [by.]  summe certeyn.
                    
                      Anoun cumforted was Troyle so weyl
                    
                      Þat hys sykenes he forgate eche deyl,
                      Line 6996 
                    
                      And so smartly, yn tyme so lyte,
                    
                      Þat þey allë myȝt wele wyte
                    
                      Þat þe feuer þat hym so shoke
                    
                      was for þe monye [mone.]  þat he toke.
                      Line 7000

                    
                      He dyde on hys cloþys astyte,
                    
                      And to Seynt Ihon he wrote a skryte;
                    
                      Þys skryt [scryte.]  conteyneþ, as hyt seyþ þore,
                    
                      Þese samë wurdës, lesse ne more:
                      Line 7004 
                    
                      "God þe ȝelde, my lorde Syre Ihōn,
                    
                      Þe besauntes þat were delte echon,
                    
                      Þat y lente þe, þrytty pounde,
                      Line 7007 
                    
                      Yn hande y haue hem hole and sounde."
                    
                      And Troyle dyde þe skryt [scryte.]  weyl sele,
                    
                      And syþen ros vp yn gode hele;
                    
                      And went hym homë with seynt Ihon;
                    
                      Of euyl felte [felt.]  he no more non.
                      Line 7012

                    
                      But Ihesu, þat seëþ al þyng,
                    
                      Shewed to Troyle þys tokenyng
                    
                      How he hadde lore a rychë holde,
                    
                      And for auaryce he hyt solde.
                      Line 7016

Troyle tolde, he sagh þys syght At þe fyrst slepe of þe nyght:

Page 226

                    
                      Hym was shewed a paleys,
                    
                      So fayre was neuer noun, hyt seys;
                      Line 7020 
                    
                      For alle hyt was of betyn golde,
                    
                      Alle þat euer stode on molde.
                    
                      Myȝte no man aymë þe largenesse, [largesse.] 
                    
                      Ne tungë tellë þe feyrnesse.
                      Line 7024 
                    
                      Þer-yn was so noble atyre,
                    
                      Shynyng as golde, flammyng as fyre.
                    
                      Aboute [aboue.]  þe ȝatë wrytyn was
                    
                      Þat Troyle beheldë a long space, [spas.] 
                      Line 7028 
                    
                      And ofte he reddë þat wrytyng,
                    
                      And haddë þeryn grete lykyng;
                    
                      Þys was þere wryte,—as seynt Ihōn telles,
                    
                      And as men of þys story spellys,—
                      Line 7032 
                    
                      "Reste and hous with-outyn ende,
                    
                      Þe bysshope Troylë shal to wende."

                    
                      Þus þoght Troylë yn hys bedde,
                    
                      As he ofte on þe lettyr [lettre.]  redde.
                      Line 7036 
                    
                      Þan wende Troylë sykyrly weyl,
                    
                      Þe kyng hadde ȝyue hyt hym [hym hyt.]  eche deyl;
                    
                      Þarefore syre Troylë was ful gladde
                    
                      Þat he swyche a paleys hadde.
                      Line 7040

                    
                      Vnneþë þenne hys yȝe [ye.]  was glent,
                    
                      Þat one fro God þydyr was sent,
                    
                      And commaunded alle yn rape [haste]  [folio 47a:2] 
                    
                      A-wey þat wrytyng for to skrape.
                      Line 7044 
                    
                      Alle þat spakë of syre Troyle
                    
                      was skraped [shrapede.]  a-wey, as who sey oyle.

                    
                      Sone aftyrward, with-yn a lytyl,
                    
                      was þere wryte anoþer [a nouþer.]  tytyl;
                      Line 7048 
                    
                      Þys tytyl þat was latter wryte,
                    
                      Þus moche hyt ys for to wyte,
                    
                      "Rest, and hous, and wonyng,
                    
                      Graunteþ, and ȝyueþ, [ȝyfth.]  heuene kyng,
                      Line 7052 
                    
                      To Ihōn þe patryark so fre,

Page 227

                    
                      with-outyn ende yn ioye to be,
                    
                      For þrytty poundë þat he boghte,
                    
                      And to almës dede hem broghte."
                      Line 7056

                    
                      And Troylë waked sone anone,
                    
                      And tolde hys dremë to seynt Ihōn, [Johone.] 
                    
                      Euery deyl how he hadde sen,
                    
                      And was ordeyned to haue [ha.]  ben.
                      Line 7060 
                    
                      "Þarfore," he seyde, "fro henne forward
                    
                      Ne shal y neuer be to pore man hard;
                    
                      So feyre ys dyȝte to hem to lyue,
                    
                      Þat blely wyl to pore men ȝyue."
                      Line 7064 
                    
                      But algate Troyle þat tyme had tynte
                    
                      Þe fyrst paleys þat God hadde hym mynte.

                    
                      Ȝe lordynges þat haue y-now,
                    
                      Þys talë haue y tolde for ȝow,
                      Line 7068 
                    
                      Þat ȝe ne repente ȝow of largés
                    
                      Þat ȝe ȝyue to ȝoure almés;
                    
                      And þenkeþ on þe bysshope Troyle
                    
                      Þat for large almës made grete doyle,
                      Line 7072 
                    
                      Þat ȝe ne lese nat þat paleys
                    
                      Þat God ordeyneþ to alle curteys;
                    
                      For who so ȝyueþ [ȝyfth.]  curteysly,
                    
                      Hyt fordoþe þe synne of glotonye.
                      Line 7076

                    
                      Of mete, glotonye wyl bygynne;
                    
                      Almës þerof fordoþe þat synne.
                    
                      Almës fordoþ alle wykkednes,
                      Line 7079 
                    
                      And quenchyþ synne, and makyþ hyt les.
                    
                      Almës semeþ hyt cumþ of loue [folio 47b] 
                    
                      Þat þou ȝyuest [ȝyfst.]  to man for God aboue,
                    
                      Oþer for hym þat þou ȝyuest þore,
                    
                      Or hym þat þou ȝyuest [ȝyfst.]  hyt fore.
                      Line 7084 
                    
                      Almës, þou wost weyl, ys a ȝyfte;
                    
                      And for þe ȝyuyng, man ys vplyfte.

                    
                      Ȝyue gladly, for God, þyn almës here;
                    
                      Hym ȝyue þou hyt on alle manere,
                      Line 7088 
                    
                      And for hys loue, to hys meyne,
                    
                      Ȝyf þou of hym wylt loued be.

Page 228

                    
                      So wyl ȝyftys louë tylle,
                    
                      And gadyr many one to gode wylle.
                      Line 7092

                    
                      For ȝyftys, twey loues mayst þou haue,
                    
                      And boþe be [by.]  tymës mow þe saue.
                    
                      Þe fyrst ys, ȝyf þou ȝyue þy þynges
                    
                      To hauë louë of lordynges:
                      Line 7096 
                    
                      For þy ȝyfte þou mayst be herde,
                    
                      And saue þy godë yn þe werlde;
                    
                      But þat love lasteþ lytyl whyle,
                    
                      And aȝens God hyt wyl þe fyle.
                      Line 7100

                    
                      Þe toþer loue is noght for þys;
                    
                      Hyt askeþ noght but heuene blys;
                    
                      And þat loue ys, euery deyl,
                    
                      loue of God and pore man weyl.
                      Line 7104 
                    
                      what ys loue vnto men pore?
                    
                      Almës to hem ys recouere;
                    
                      Almës dede of loue ys wey,
                    
                      Noþer mysdo, noþer [hem no.]  myssey;
                      Line 7108 
                    
                      Þan wyl God almyghty loue þe;
                    
                      Þy loue ys þan with charyte.

                    
                      Charyte ys, þe certeyn to lere,
                    
                      loue of þyn euyncrysten dere.
                      Line 7112 
                    
                      So sone þerto, noght wyl þe lede,
                    
                      Ne so moche, as wyl almës dede.
                    
                      Charyte ys, þe longyng of loue,
                    
                      As y haue tolde ȝow here aboue;
                      Line 7116 
                    
                      For alle þat euer þou mayst do,—
                    
                      But loue yn charyte be þerto—
                    
                      Alle þat euer hast þou wroght, [folio 47b:2] 
                    
                      Stant þe ellës al at noght.
                      Line 7120

                    
                      Se now what seynt Poulë seys
                    
                      Yn a pystyl, þe samë weys,—
                    
                      "Þogh y speke as weyl with tung [tounge] 
                    
                      As any man or aungel haþ song, [sounge.] 
                      Line 7124 
                    
                      And y lyue nat with charyte,
                    
                      No þyng auayleþ hyt to me.
                    
                      For y do þan ryȝt as þe bras,
                    
                      And as þe tympan, þat bete was;

                      Line 7128

Page 229

                    
                      Line 7128 
                    
                      Þe bras, to oþer, ȝyueþ [ȝyfþe.]  grete sown,
                    
                      And bet hym self vp and down.
                    
                      And þogh y speke al yn prephecye, [prophecye.] 
                    
                      And haue þe kunnyng of euery maystrye,
                    
                      And, with gode beleue myght seye
                      Line 7133 
                    
                      Þe hylles to turne yn-to þe valey,
                    
                      ȝyf hyt ne be with charyte wroght,
                    
                      Ellës, he seyþ þat y am noght.
                      Line 7136 
                    
                      Þogh y ȝyue alle my wurldës gode
                    
                      Vnto porë mennys fode,
                    
                      And ȝyue my body for to brenne
                    
                      Opunly oþer men to kenne, [teche] 
                      Line 7140 
                    
                      But ȝyf þar be charyte with alle,
                    
                      My mede þarfore shal be ful smalle."

                    
                      loke now how many godenesse [godenesses.]  þer are,
                    
                      with-outë charyte noght but bare.
                      Line 7144 
                    
                      wylt þou know [Wyltow knowe.]  þy self, and se
                    
                      Ȝyf þou wone yn charyte?

                    
                      Charyte suffreþ boþe gode and yl,
                    
                      And charyte ys of reuful wyl,
                      Line 7148 
                    
                      Charyte haþ noun enuye,
                    
                      And charyte wyl no felunnye;
                    
                      Charyte ys nat Irus, [wraþful] 
                    
                      And charyte ys nat coueytous;
                      Line 7152 
                    
                      Charyte wyl no bostful preysyng;
                    
                      he wyl noght but ryȝtwys þyng;
                    
                      Charyte loueþ no fantome,
                    
                      No þynges þat euyl may of come;
                      Line 7156 
                    
                      He haþ no ioye of wykkednes, [folio 48a] 
                    
                      But loueþ alle þat sothfast es;
                    
                      Alle godenes he vp bereþ;
                    
                      Alle he suffreþ, and noun he dereþ;
                      Line 7160 
                    
                      Gode hope he haþ yn ryghtwys þyng,
                    
                      And alle he susteyneþ to þe endyng;
                    
                      Charyte ne fayleþ noght,
                    
                      Ne no þyng þat with hym ys wroght.
                      Line 7164 
                    
                      when alle prophecyes are alle gone, [agone.]

Page 230

                    
                      And alle tunges are leyde echone,
                    
                      And alle craftys fordo shul be,
                    
                      Þan [Þen.]  lasteþ stedfast charyte."
                      Line 7168

                    
                      Þus seyþ seynt Poule, and mochë more,
                    
                      Yn hys pystyl of hys lore.
                    
                      Seynt charyte ys [ys boþe.]  gode and hende,
                    
                      lastyng with God with-outyn ende.
                      Line 7172

                    
                      Gode hyt were to loue hyt weyl,
                    
                      And folowe hyt with oure dede sumdeyl.
                    
                      Ȝyf we þys charyte wyl haue,
                    
                      Ȝyue we þe pore whan þey vs craue;
                      Line 7176 
                    
                      Ȝyue we hem, as hyt ys oure myȝt,
                    
                      with-oute myssaw or any fyȝt;
                    
                      Þan ys hyt curteys almës dede;
                    
                      Þank of God þan ys oure mede,
                      Line 7180 
                    
                      And shal stonde ful stalwurþly
                    
                      Aȝens þe synne of glotonye,
                    
                      As y haue tolde ȝow here byfore,
                      Line 7183 
                    
                      And furþer shal y telle ȝow ['ȝow' omitted.]  now more.

                    
                      At þe begynnyng y spake of þys,
                    
                      Ete ne drynk but þat nede ys.
                    
                      who so doþ hyt oute of mesure,
                    
                      Hele of body may nat dure,
                      Line 7188 
                    
                      And to hys soule, hyt ys dedly synne,
                    
                      Þat custummable ys þer-ynne;
                    
                      And penaunce harde þarfore shal go,
                    
                      But we kepe vs weyl þerfro.
                      Line 7192

                    
                      Loke yn þys sawe what Catoun seys,
                    
                      Þat ys wyys and ryȝt curteys,
                    
                      "Ȝyf þou yn hele wylt dure, [folio 48a:2] 
                    
                      Ete and drynk of swych mesure
                      Line 7196 
                    
                      Þat þy strenkþe be nat þe lesse;

                    
                      For, drynkyng oute of skylle,
                    
                      Þy body bryng hyt wylle
                    
                      To sorowe and to sykënesse."

                      Line 7200

Page 231

7200

                    
                      And ouþer spyces haþ glotonye:
                    
                      To ete þy mete ouer brennynglye
                    
                      And lustly, whan þou hyt getyst,
                    
                      And takest noun hede what þou etyst.
                      Line 7204

                    
                      Anoþer spyce ys noght to pay,
                    
                      As a beste to ete al day,
                    
                      And kepyst nonë [no.]  certeyn tyme,
                    
                      Þe settyng at none or pryme,
                      Line 7208 
                    
                      Noþer ouþer tyme þat fallyþ [falþ.]  to man,
                    
                      But as a beste þat no resun kan.
                    
                      Me þenkeþ weyl hyt ys resun
                    
                      To callë swych a man 'glotoun.'
                      Line 7212 
                    
                      Twyys on þe day ys sustynaunce
                    
                      To man þat haþ gode cheuysaunce.
                    
                      Þe cheuysauncë, woste þou how,
                    
                      To man þat haþ metë ynow,
                      Line 7216 
                    
                      Þogh he be man of trauayle,
                    
                      Hyt were y-now with-outë fayle.

                    
                      But þo men þat haue no swynk,
                    
                      Þat delyte hem yn mete or [and.]  drynk,
                      Line 7220 
                    
                      Þe apostyl [apostole.]  Poulë spekþ of þo,
                    
                      And dampneþ many one to wo.
                    
                      He seyþ "woo to þo þat erly ȝerne,
                    
                      Þat go and hauntë þe tauerne,
                      Line 7224 
                    
                      Yn wyne or ale to haue lykyng;
                    
                      Cursednes hem folowyþ at þe endyng.
                    
                      Of swych, here wombës are here Cryst; [kryst.] 
                    
                      Þat ys here loue, þat ys here tryst."
                      Line 7228 
                    
                      Alle þys he meneþ sykyrly
                    
                      For man þat loueþ [loue.]  moche glotonye.

                    
                      Ȝungë chyldryn, þey mow wele,
                    
                      On þe day, etë þre mele;
                      Line 7232 
                    
                      For sum of hem wex ful tyte, [folio 48b] 
                    
                      Þarefor ys more, here appetyte;
                    
                      And ȝyt behoueþ tyme be þar-to,
                    
                      Or men mowe wyþ hem mysdo;
                      Line 7236 
                    
                      For, þus seyþ þe oldë man
                    
                      Yn a prouerbe [forbysyn.]  þat he can,

Page 232

                    
                      "Ȝyue þy chylde when he [hyt.]  wyl kraue,
                    
                      And þy whelpe whyl hyt wyl haue,
                      Line 7240 
                    
                      Þan mayst þou make yn a stounde
                    
                      A foulë chylde and a feyrë hounde."
                    
                      So mayst þou be enchesoun
                    
                      To make þy chylde a glotoun.
                      Line 7244

                    
                      A-nouþer vyce ys ȝyt to graunte,
                    
                      Þat rychë men mochyl haunte,
                    
                      Þat many one are so daungerous, [Compare the French lines 5811-16.] 
                    
                      And oute of mesure esquaymous,
                      Line 7248 
                    
                      Þat hys kokë may no day
                    
                      Greyþë hym hys mete to pay.
                    
                      Þat me þenkeþ a feble manere;
                    
                      A vylanye hyt ys to here;
                      Line 7252 
                    
                      For euery coke wulde, at hys myȝt,
                    
                      hys lordës metë were wel dyȝt:
                    
                      wheþer hyt be lorde or lady,
                    
                      Me þenkeþ hyt ys a spyce of glotonye.
                      Line 7256 
                    
                      hyt semeþ, were hyt at þy wyl,
                    
                      Ouer mesure þou wuldest þe fyl.

                    
                      Rerë sopers yn pryuyte,
                    
                      with glotonye, echone þey be;
                      Line 7260 
                    
                      And þyr ys mochë wastë ynne,
                    
                      And gadryng of ouþer synne.
                    
                      Þefte behoueþ þe sumdele þore,
                    
                      And glotonye algatë more;
                      Line 7264 
                    
                      And leccherye ys quene or kyng;
                    
                      For hym ys all þat gaderyng.

                    
                      Ȝyt are þer ouþer rere sopers,
                      Line 7267 
                    
                      with men þat seruë knyȝtys and squyers;
                    
                      For al þe day þan wyl þey be
                    
                      Before here maysters yn soberte;
                    
                      But whan here maysters are broght to bedde, [folio 48b:2] 
                    
                      Þan wyl þey fonde þat þey be fedde,
                      Line 7272 
                    
                      And sytte vp þare wyþ recolage [rycolage.]

Page 233

                    
                      And ȝyt do mochë more outrage;
                    
                      To þe mydnyght ys but a þrowe,
                    
                      But hyt be, tyl þe cok krowe.
                      Line 7276 
                    
                      Þese men are clumbë on a grece
                    
                      To glotonyë with þat spece.

                    
                      Also fallë men yn plyght,
                    
                      Þat sytte vp [Þat sytte vp on þe Þursday nyght.]  þe Þarsday at nyght.
                      Line 7280 
                    
                      And ouerlong ete flesshe and drunke
                    
                      Aftyr þat mydnyght ys runge,
                    
                      Or fysshe or flesshe [Or whyte or fysshe.]  þat suffreþ dede,
                    
                      Þat shulde on þe Fryday faste watyr & brede;
                      Line 7284 
                    
                      Swych etyng þey shul sore abeye,
                    
                      But þey amende hem are þey deye.
                    
                      Þe Fryday nyght ys,—þys shalt þou leue,—
                    
                      Aftyr þe Þursday at eue;
                      Line 7288 
                    
                      Þe nyght cumþ byfore þe day,
                    
                      Þat ys now of þe newë lay.

                    
                      As y haue tolde of rere sopers,
                    
                      Þe same falleþ of erly dyners;
                      Line 7292 
                    
                      Dyners are oute of skyl and resun
                    
                      On þe Sunday, or hye [ar hygh.]  messe be doun.
                    
                      Þogh þou haue haste, here ȝyt a messe,
                    
                      Al holy, and no lesse,
                      Line 7296 
                    
                      And nat symple, [symply.]  a sakare,
                    
                      For hyt ys nat y-now [ynogh.]  for þe,
                    
                      But hyt be for lordys powere,
                    
                      Or pylgrymage þat haþ no pere.
                      Line 7300

                    
                      Are þou oght ete, þys ys my rede,
                    
                      Take holy watyr and holy brede;
                    
                      For yn auenture kas, hyt may þe saue,
                    
                      Ȝyf housel ne shryftë þou mayst haue.
                      Line 7304

                    
                      Alle oþer tymes ys glotonye,
                    
                      But hyt be grete enchesun why.
                    
                      On oþer hygh dayys, [days.]  ȝyf þat þou may,—
                    
                      Þogh þat hyt be nat Sunday,—
                      Line 7308 
                    
                      Here þy messë ar þou dyne; [folio 49a]

Page 234

Ȝyf þou do nat, ellys ys hyt pyne.

                    
                      lordës þat haue prestes at wyl,
                    
                      Me þenketh þey trespas ful yl,
                      Line 7312 
                    
                      Þat any day ete, are [ar.]  þey here messe,
                    
                      But ȝyf ['ȝyf' omitted.]  hyt be þurgh harder dystresse.

                    
                      þe [Þese.]  men þat are of holy cherche,
                    
                      Þey wetë weyl how þey shul werche;
                      Line 7316 
                    
                      But swych y tellë hardyly,
                    
                      Þat swych a preste douþ [doþ.]  glotonye,
                    
                      Þat [Þat O, Þe H.]  leuyþ hys messe on þe auter [Written 'autere' first, and then the final e dotted out.] 
                    
                      For to go to a dyner.
                      Line 7320 
                    
                      So ne shuld he do, for no þyng,
                    
                      For loue ne awe of no lordyng,
                    
                      But ȝyf hyt were for a grete nede
                    
                      Þat shuld hym falle, or a grete drede.
                      Line 7324

                    
                      Now haue we tolde yn lytyl space
                    
                      how þat glotonye cumþ yn place
                    
                      On many maner dyuers wyse,
                    
                      And how we shul knowe allë þyse.
                      Line 7328

                    
                      Ȝyf any seþ hym so coupáble
                    
                      Þat yn þys ys custummáble,
                    
                      leuë hem, and do no more,
                    
                      And askë penauncë þarefore,
                      Line 7332 
                    
                      And God ys curteys, and wul wele
                    
                      Forȝyue þe þy trespas euery dele.
                    
                      God graunte vs, for hys swete mercy,
                    
                      To kepe vs alle fro glotonye!
                      Line 7336

[Of Lechery.]

                    
                      Now shul we speke of leccherye,
                    
                      Þat foloweþ þe synne of glotonye;
                    
                      Hyt ys þe laste of [of þe.]  seuene,
                    
                      And, fyrþest hyt ys fro heuene.
                      Line 7340 
                    
                      wharefore þan hyt ys [ys hyt.]  so?
                    
                      For hyt dampneþ euer two.
                    
                      Þou mayst synne þy self yn wyl,

Page 235

                    
                      But with anoþer þou shalt fulfyl.
                      Line 7344 
                    
                      Forsoþe þey are [are O, art H. (In H. 'þey' is alterd from þou.')]  to folehardy
                    
                      Þat haunte þe synne of lecchery;
                    
                      For why, to do alle ouþer synnes, [folio 49a:2] 
                    
                      Þe lyghtlyer þe fende hem wynnes.
                      Line 7348

On seuene maners shal y shewe How lecherye þan ys a shrewe.

                    
                      Þe fyrst ys 'fornycacyon,'
                    
                      whan two vnweddyd haue mysdon,
                      Line 7352 
                    
                      As sengle knaue and sengle tarne, [tharne, glossed 'a wenche.']  [wenche.] 
                    
                      whan þey synne to-gedyr ȝerne;
                    
                      Þe leste hyt ys of allë seuene,
                    
                      Ȝyt hyt forbarreþ þe blys of heuene.
                      Line 7356

                    
                      Þe touþer ys 'awoutry,'
                    
                      whan weddyd and weddyd to-gedyr lye,
                    
                      As weddyd man takeþ anoþers wyfe,
                    
                      Þat ys þe morë synful lyfe.
                      Line 7360 
                    
                      Ȝyf weddyd man, sengle woman takeþ,
                    
                      Forsoþe spousebrechë þere he makyþ.
                    
                      Ȝyf weddyd wyfe take sengle man,
                    
                      Alle spousebreche tel y hyt þan;
                      Line 7364 
                    
                      For þey haue broke with-outë fayle
                    
                      Þe chastë bondë of spousayle.

                    
                      Þe þryddë synnë ys þe werst,
                    
                      Þe clerk[es] calleþ hyt 'yncest,'
                      Line 7368 
                    
                      whan men [men.]  take kyn yn felawrede, [felaghrede.] 
                    
                      And wyþ hem doþ [doun.]  flesshëly dede;
                    
                      Þe ner[ë] syb she ys hys [hys B, om. A.]  kynde,
                    
                      Þe morë plyȝt shal he þere fynde.
                      Line 7372 
                    
                      Or ȝyf he with a woman synne,
                    
                      Þat sum of hys kyn haþ endyd ynne,
                    
                      Þat ys to sey, haþ ley here by,

Page 236

                    
                      Þe more plyȝt ys þat lecchery;
                      Line 7376 
                    
                      Þus hyt seyþ yn þe decre,
                    
                      He calleþ hyt an 'affynyte';
                    
                      Affynyte hyt makeþ alle an ende,
                    
                      hys blode þarto no more may wende.
                      Line 7380

                    
                      Þe fourþe synne ys more perylous,
                    
                      with man and womman relygyus;
                    
                      Ȝyf þey haue made professyoun
                    
                      Boþe vn-to relygyoun,
                      Line 7384 
                    
                      Moche ys to chargë þat folye [folio 49b] 
                    
                      Ȝyf þey to-gedyr do leccherye.
                    
                      Relygyous man also ys [ys also.]  to blame,
                    
                      Þat yn þe wurlde takeþ a foule fame,
                      Line 7388 
                    
                      For he may kepe hym weyl þerfro,
                    
                      Alonë [Allone.]  þar hym neuer go.

                    
                      Þe fyfþe ys mochë for to drede,
                      Line 7391 
                    
                      To rauysh [rauys.]  a womman here maydenhede,
                    
                      Þat ys to say, a-ȝens here wylle,
                    
                      But ȝyf she grauntë weyl þar-tylle;
                    
                      And, þogh she [she O, he H. (A.S. heo, she).]  to hym consente,
                    
                      he ys holde to here auaunsement;
                      Line 7396 
                    
                      For ȝyf she ȝyue here to folye,
                    
                      She kan nat leuë tyl she deye;
                    
                      And he þat broght here to þat bysmere,
                    
                      For here foly he shal answere.
                      Line 7400

                    
                      Þe syxtë reyseþ gretë stryfe,
                    
                      To rauys anouþer mannys wyfe;
                    
                      For aȝens God hyt ys euyl dede,
                    
                      And to þe worlde also mochyl drede.
                      Line 7404 
                    
                      Ȝyf hyt be aȝens here wyl,
                    
                      Þe more he douþ hym seluen yl.
                    
                      A clerk, ȝyf [þat] he ordred be,
                    
                      hys synne ys more þan ouþer þre
                      Line 7408 
                    
                      For he douþ þat he shulde forbede,
                    
                      And chastyse ouþer of swyche dede,

Page 237

                    
                      And þarto mochyl morë kan
                    
                      Þan a-noþer lewed man.
                      Line 7412 
                    
                      Þou lewed man, knowest also
                    
                      what ys to lete, what ys to do;
                    
                      Þou knowyst as weyl, euery poynt,
                    
                      As þe prest þat ys a-noynt,
                      Line 7416 
                    
                      And wost what peryl ys þerynne;
                    
                      Þou mayst noȝt sey, to fende þy synne.

                    
                      Also do þesë lordynges,
                    
                      Þey [Þey B, Þe A.]  trespas mochë yn twey þynges;
                      Line 7420 
                    
                      Þey rauys a mayden aȝens here wyl,
                    
                      And mennys wyuys þey lede [wyffes lede.]  awey þertyl; [þar tyl.] 
                    
                      A grete vylanye þarto [þar to.]  he dous [folio 49b:2] 
                    
                      Ȝyf he make þerof hys rous; [boste] 
                      Line 7424 
                    
                      Þe dedë ys confusyun,
                    
                      And more ys þe dyffamacyun.

                    
                      Þe seuenest [seuenþe.]  ys foulest leccherye—
                    
                      Comoun wymmen to lyggë by—
                      Line 7428 
                    
                      Of al þe ouþer þat we haue seyde.
                    
                      longyng of loue ys þerë nede,
                    
                      For to louë one a-lone,
                    
                      Þan here þat tak[e]þ euerychone.
                      Line 7432 
                    
                      Foul ys þat lust and þat peryl,
                    
                      To loue here þat al men go tyl.
                    
                      Ful foulë ys þat forreyne
                    
                      Þat ys comon for al, certeyne;
                      Line 7436 
                    
                      Þerfore, what as euer be yn þy þoght,
                    
                      Comun wymmen take þou noght,
                    
                      For many kas þat may falle,
                    
                      Þat pryuë ys to telle ȝow alle.
                      Line 7440

                    
                      And somë toldë mow weyl be,
                    
                      Þat are nat holde yn pryuyte;
                    
                      One ys, she may take þy broþer,
                    
                      Fadyr, or sybkynd, as wel as ouþer.
                      Line 7444 
                    
                      Anoþer, for cuntek and foule stryfe,
                    
                      Þou mayst, þurgh here, lese þy lyfe.
                    
                      Þe þred[dë] ys þe werstë [þe werste B, werst A. (See 'þe þrydde,' p. 235, l. 7367.)]  wem;

Page 238

                    
                      Meseles, men seye, vsen hem;
                      Line 7448 
                    
                      And, who takeþ [who so takþ.]  hem yn þat hete,
                    
                      Clennesse of body he may sone lete.
                    
                      Moche wo þan, ys swyche to take,
                    
                      For þesë þre lakkës sake;
                      Line 7452 
                    
                      And moche may be þat wommans mone, [mone.] 
                    
                      For she shal answere for hem echone
                    
                      Þat haue ydo any synne wyþ hyre,
                    
                      At domes day, þe day of Ire.
                      Line 7456

                    
                      Þarefore, ȝe men, takeþ none,
                    
                      Ne ȝe wymmen, takeþ but one.
                    
                      Ȝyf man or womman may nat be chaste,
                    
                      Take, [Take one.]  and do no morë waste,
                      Line 7460 
                    
                      One of [on.]  whom ȝoure loue wyl be, [folio 50a] 
                    
                      And ȝyueþ nat ȝoure bodyys to alle ylych fre.

                    
                      Seuene maner synnes y haue ȝow tolde,
                    
                      Þe whych cumbren men on many folde,
                    
                      And þe leste of alle þese seuene
                      Line 7465 
                    
                      Forbarreþ a man þe blys of heuene.
                    
                      who-so wyl be clene of þyse,
                    
                      Aȝens hys flessh behoueþ hym ryse,
                      Line 7468 
                    
                      And wyþ hyt fyȝt ful faste
                    
                      Þat hyt be algate dowün [down.]  kaste,
                    
                      And elles may he neuer [neure.]  be clene,
                    
                      hys flessh hys enmy wyl hym sone [so.]  tene:
                    
                      Of swych a fyȝt a sample y kan, [A tale] 
                    
                      Of seynt Benet þat holy man.
                    
                      Seynt Gregory telþ for þe nones
                    
                      how seynt Benet was tempted onys.
                      Line 7476

[The Tale of St. Benet's Tempta|tion, and how he freed himself by rolling in Thorns and Nettles.]

As seynt Benet sate yn hys celle, To tempte hym com a fend of helle Yn a lykenes of a bryd.

Page 239

                    
                      A 'þrostyl' ys þe namë kyd;
                      Line 7480 
                    
                      hyt come fleyng by seynt Benet,
                    
                      And, mery [myry.]  synggyng, by hym hym set;
                    
                      Noþeles, he hadde grete ferly [wundyr] 
                    
                      Þat hyt flegh hym so ny.
                      Line 7484 
                    
                      Seynt Benet wende he myȝt hyt ha take,
                    
                      For hyt sate by hym so spake. [tame] 
                    
                      he blessed hym fyrst, and bedde hys hande
                    
                      To take þe brydde þat was syttande;
                      Line 7488 
                    
                      As sone as he hadde made þe croyce,
                    
                      Þe bryde flegh furþ, and left hys voys.
                    
                      Þat þrostel sagh he no more;
                    
                      hyt become, he ne wyst whore.
                      Line 7492

                    
                      Þan come on hym so sodenly
                    
                      So grete temptyng of lecchery,
                    
                      Þat neuer er, syn he was bore,
                    
                      So grete temptyng was hym byfore;
                      Line 7496 
                    
                      Þe fendë þan put yn hys þoght
                    
                      Þat he hadde, or seye, or wroght.

                    
                      Onës he sagh a feyre womman, [folio 50a:2] 
                    
                      And al day yn hys þoght she ran;
                      Line 7500 
                    
                      Swych þoght so hadde hym [þoght had hym so.]  ouercome,
                    
                      Þat þe þoght of God, hyt had ny [nygh.]  fornome;
                    
                      And foule longyng had hym so take
                    
                      Þat hys ermytage he hadde nygh [nygh he had.]  forsake;
                    
                      But Ihesu, þat seeþ al þyng,
                      Line 7505 
                    
                      he sagh weyl hys grete temptyng;
                    
                      Þogh he suffred hym weyl be to-blaste,
                    
                      he suffred hym nat be dowün kaste; [down kast.] 
                      Line 7508 
                    
                      Þe fende may nat but tempte þy wyl,
                    
                      Þe [Þy.]  selfe behoueþ þe dede fulfyl;
                    
                      And for he stode so stalwrþly, [O, stalwrly H.] 
                    
                      Þe holy goste was to hym redy.
                      Line 7512

with-oute hys cellë, þornës wore,

Page 240

                    
                      And netles grewe, þat byten sore;
                    
                      So haddë grace made hym stedfaste,
                    
                      Þat al hys cloþys of he kast,
                      Line 7516 
                    
                      And alle [alle he H, al O.]  naked hym-self he wrappe
                    
                      Among þe þornës þat were sharpe,
                    
                      And among þe netles echone,
                    
                      Tyl hys temptacyun was al gone.
                      Line 7520

                    
                      Þe þornes prykked, þe netles dyd byte,
                    
                      Of flesshly temptacyun þey made hym quyte,
                    
                      So clene, þat neuer aftyrward
                    
                      was he tempted more so hard
                      Line 7524 
                    
                      Of hys flessh, þat was hys fo,
                    
                      he dyde hyt þere so mochë wo.
                    
                      Seþþen, loued [louede O, loue H.]  he Ihesu cryst wel [weyl O, wel moche H.]  more
                    
                      Þan he dede, euer byfore,
                      Line 7528 
                    
                      And hadde to hym more loue longyng
                    
                      Þan byfore hys hard temptyng.

                    
                      Þys tale y tolde for þat enchesun,
                    
                      To stand aȝens temptacyun;
                      Line 7532 
                    
                      For who-so wyl hys soulë saue,
                    
                      Many a fyȝt behoueþ hym haue
                    
                      Aȝens þe spyces of lecchery,
                      Line 7535 
                    
                      Ar he wynne of hym þe maystry. [folio 50b]

                    
                      Seynt Poule techyþ vs for þat batayle
                    
                      A sykyr fyght þat wyl nat fayle;
                    
                      He seyþ, "y forbede ȝow echoun,
                    
                      with womman for to go alone."
                      Line 7540 
                    
                      For who-so douþ hyt, sone and lyȝtly
                    
                      He consentyþ to lecchery;
                    
                      Þou alone, alone with hyre,
                    
                      þy þoght, by herte, cumþ sone on fyre;
                    
                      Be þou neuer so chaste ne straunge,
                      Line 7545 
                    
                      Be ȝe alone, þyn herte wyl chaunge;
                    
                      And God commaundeþ boþe þe and me, [me and þe.] 
                    
                      Oure herte to [be.]  stable yn chastyte.

                      Line 7548

Page 241

                    
                      Line 7548 
                    
                      He seyþ nat, to whom he [whom þat he.]  wyl kalle,
                    
                      But spekeþ comunly to vs alle;
                    
                      And þogh he calle alle comunly,
                    
                      Sum are called more specyally;
                      Line 7552 
                    
                      For specyaly þat comandeþ he
                    
                      To men þat are of hygh degre,
                    
                      As to bysshopes, and persones,
                    
                      To prestys, and ouþer relygyons; [relygyones.] 
                      Line 7556 
                    
                      To þese ys specyal comaundement;
                    
                      Þurgh þese to ouþer hyt shal be sent.
                    
                      Þarefore he byddeþ, with wurdës smarte, [smerte.] 
                    
                      Þat þey be allë chaste of herte.
                      Line 7560

                    
                      what ys hyt wurþ [wrth.]  to be, with-outen, clene,
                    
                      whan fylþë ys withynne þe sene?
                    
                      For many one, whan þey to bedde are broȝt,
                    
                      Delyten hem yn fylþys of þoght.
                      Line 7564 
                    
                      Swych þoghtës are synnës greue,
                    
                      Ȝyf þey þè pay, or be þè leue;
                    
                      And ȝyf hyt pay þè so, swych foule þoȝt,
                    
                      Þat þe dede were do, ȝyf þou moght,
                      Line 7568 
                    
                      Certes hyt ys nat [noght.]  to drede
                    
                      Þat þy wyl ne shal answere for þe [þy.]  dede.
                    
                      For ȝyf þou myȝtyst, þou wuldest, do,
                    
                      Þy wyl consenteþ weyl þarto;
                      Line 7572 
                    
                      Þou art a lechoure yn þat kas,
                    
                      Þyn hertëwyl ys grete trespas.

                    
                      Anoþer spyce, more synne hyt ys, [folio 50b:2] 
                    
                      whan þou sekest þy wyl of flesshe,
                      Line 7576 
                    
                      To þe lust of lecchery,
                    
                      Yn handlyng, or dremyng of foly,
                    
                      Þurgh þoghtes or syghtës þat þou sees,
                    
                      And yn alle ouþer pryuytes;
                      Line 7580 
                    
                      God hym-self forbedeþ alle þys;
                    
                      Þey gete no parte of heuene blys:
                    
                      Yn shryfte forgetë noght of þyse;
                    
                      How ofte þou dedyst, and on what wyse.

Page 242

                    
                      Ȝyt þyr ys a-noþer spyce [vyce.] 
                      Line 7585 
                    
                      Þat cumþ of þe fendes malyce,
                    
                      Þat he douþ vs alle falle ynne,
                    
                      yn dreme slepyng þat we are ynne.
                      Line 7588 
                    
                      And þat yche temptacyun
                    
                      May be twey maner of enchesun;
                    
                      Þe fyrste ys syghte, þe touþer ys þoght,
                    
                      with-outë þese, dremest þou noght;
                      Line 7592 
                    
                      For swyche þyng þou mayst se with ye,
                    
                      Þat hyt turneþ to þoght of felonye. [Altered to 'vilonye.']

                    
                      Ȝyf þou þenkest ofte of þat syght,
                    
                      Þat wey of þoght gadreþ myȝt,
                      Line 7596 
                    
                      And knyttyþ harde ryȝt as a seme,
                    
                      And sheweþ on þe nyȝt yn dreme.
                    
                      Yn þat dreme, ȝyf þou do lecherye,
                    
                      hyt makeþ þe þoght of vylayné; [vylaynye.] 
                      Line 7600 
                    
                      Ȝyf any do hyt ones [hyt ones O, hyt H.]  þurgh chaunce,
                    
                      Þan ys þerfore but lyȝt penaunce;
                    
                      Ȝyf hyt be donë þurgh custome,
                    
                      Þan falleþ þarfore harder dome;
                      Line 7604 
                    
                      For euery tyme, at alþer leste,
                    
                      Behoueþ þe shewe to þe preste:
                    
                      Hyt ys a wysdom to shewe hyt alle;
                    
                      Hyt may be moche, þat þe þenkeþ smalle.
                    
                      Þe prestë, [prest.]  he can euene charge,
                      Line 7609 
                    
                      For whyche he shal ȝyue penaunce large.

                    
                      lecchery ys also grete ȝernyng
                    
                      To be desyred þurgh feyre cloþyng,
                      Line 7612 
                    
                      what wymmen hem tyfe [tyffe.]  with ownë wyl, [folio 51a] 
                    
                      To foly loue, ouþer men to tylle.
                    
                      Ȝyf men, þurgh here feyre atyre,
                    
                      wyþ hem to do foly, haue desyre,
                      Line 7616 
                    
                      Þey shul answere for here synne,
                    
                      For þey are rote, and fyrst bygynne;
                    
                      Noþeles, þe cónsentour

Page 243

                    
                      Shal be holde for a lechour;
                      Line 7620 
                    
                      Euene peynë shul þey bere,
                    
                      Þe toon þe touþer shal answere.

                    
                      Ȝyt sey men yn þe oldë lawe,
                    
                      Þat, of a þefe and hys felawe,
                      Line 7624 
                    
                      O dome shul þey boþë haue,
                    
                      Þe toon ne toþer [ne þe touþer.]  shul men nat saue;
                    
                      And ȝyt men sey, as men gos,
                    
                      As foule ys he þat halt, as he þat fos. [flos.]

                    
                      Anoþer spyce eke he forbedeþ,
                      Line 7629 
                    
                      Þat many one ful lytyl dredeþ:
                    
                      To suffre a lechour or lechours
                    
                      To hauntë foly yn here hous.
                      Line 7632 
                    
                      Þe prophete spekeþ ful euyl of þo;
                    
                      Þey shul haue part of peyne and wo;
                    
                      And þus seyþ þe prophete Osee,
                    
                      As moche defouled as hordam [hordom.]  shal be.

                    
                      A-noþer spyce, þat mochë dereþ,
                      Line 7637 
                    
                      hauntë þey þat erandes bereþ
                    
                      To do a lechour for to spede,
                    
                      Or ȝyuen conseyl to do þe dede,
                      Line 7640 
                    
                      Or susteyne one with maystry:
                    
                      Swych men are castel of lechery.
                    
                      Þus seyþ þe prophete seynt Danyel;
                    
                      And holy wryt wytnesseþ hyt wel. [weel.] 
                      Line 7644

                    
                      what sey ȝe of þese lordynges
                    
                      Þat a-vowe [auowe.]  here men to do swych þyngys?
                    
                      Þat men dur nat hem [nat hem O, nat H.]  chastyse
                    
                      with holy cherche, ne oþer wyse.
                      Line 7648 
                    
                      Swych men areysen baner
                    
                      Aȝens holy cherches power,
                    
                      And hem self are castel and toure [folio 51a:2] 
                    
                      For to manteynë þe lechoure.
                      Line 7652 
                    
                      who so a-voweþ a ['a' omitted.]  man to do euyl,
                    
                      he ys no sybber þan þe deuyl;

Page 244

                    
                      For þe fende wulde þat al shulde be
                    
                      Dampned, as weyl as ys he.
                      Line 7656

                    
                      Ȝyt of ȝouþe men shulde haue drede,
                    
                      Of þat men donë yn chyldhede;
                    
                      Þat may be turned to lechery,
                    
                      For chyldryn ofte to-gedyr ly.
                      Line 7660

                    
                      Ȝyf þou oght dedyst and hopest, hyt ys
                    
                      Yn þy wyt, synne of foule flessh:
                    
                      Y cunseyl þe to telle þe [þy.]  prest,
                    
                      For peryl may fallë, weyl þou seest;
                      Line 7664 
                    
                      Þyn ynwyt telleþ þe þat skyl
                    
                      Of what þou dest þat ys peryl,
                    
                      For comunly, þat men done [do.]  yn ȝenkþe,
                    
                      Yn agë haunte þey hyt on lenkþe;
                      Line 7668 
                    
                      And mowe nat leue þat foule [vyle (a late may is interlined above mowe).]  vsage
                    
                      Þat þey toke yn ȝouþe yn rage.
                    
                      yn a prouerbe of olde Englys
                    
                      Tellë men, and soþe hyt ys,
                      Line 7672 
                    
                      "Þat ȝougþë wones, yn agë mones;"
                    
                      Þat þou dedyst [dest.]  ones, þou dedyst eftsones.
                    
                      Þarefore loke what þy ȝouþë was,
                    
                      And yn þy [þyn.]  age amende þy trespas.
                      Line 7676

                    
                      A-noþer spyce, ware þe fro þys
                    
                      Foly, a womman for to kys;
                    
                      For seldë kys[eth] any frende,
                    
                      Þat lechery ne ys þoght or neuende.
                      Line 7680 
                    
                      kyssyng ys, for loue to wynne,
                    
                      And ys erand for flesshly synne;
                    
                      Man or [and.]  womman, loke for-þy,
                    
                      wharefore þou kyssest, whom, & why.
                      Line 7684

                    
                      Ȝyt ys þer a spyce to mene
                    
                      For hem þat shuld be chaste and clene,
                    
                      As þo men þat are of hygh degree,
                    
                      Of holy cherches owne meyne;
                      Line 7688 
                    
                      Þesë men shuld for no þyng [folio 51b]

Page 245

                    
                      Come yn wymmens handëlyng;
                    
                      Ne womman, [Ne womman noþer.]  þat godë couþe,
                    
                      Shuld kyssë any prestys mouþe;
                      Line 7692 
                    
                      For þere may nat but synne aryse; [ryse.] 
                    
                      hys mouþ ys halewed to Goddys seruyse.

                    
                      Ne prest oghte no woman touche,
                    
                      For, of foule touchyng, synne men souche.
                    
                      Seynt Ierom seyþ 'he shuld noȝt
                      Line 7697 
                    
                      haue any woman yn hys þoght;'
                    
                      For swych þoght, shal neuer weyl werche,
                    
                      with man þat ys of holy cherche.
                      Line 7700 
                    
                      lestene now what Ierom seyde
                    
                      To hys suster þat hym preyde;
                    
                      She besoghte hym on alle maners
                    
                      Þat he wulde haue here yn hys preyers;
                    
                      Seynt Ierom spake aȝen to hyre,
                      Line 7705 
                    
                      Haluyndele as hyt were yn Ire,
                    
                      "Y prey God, þat mynde of þe,
                    
                      Yn my þoghtë, neuer be."
                      Line 7708

                    
                      wenest þou nat he dred hym nede,
                    
                      whan he to hys suster [syster.]  þus seyde?
                    
                      he dredde hym of sum wykked wrenche
                    
                      whan he ne durstë on here þenche.
                      Line 7712 
                    
                      For soþe þan shulde þey mochë drede
                    
                      Þat are alday with hem yn dede.

                    
                       [Compare French, lines 6107-10.] Þe fende whan he may any tyce—
                    
                      Þat ys, yn handlyng of sum vyce—
                      Line 7716 
                    
                      Þat ychë cumþ hym wel to pay,
                    
                      Þan þynkeþ he, he haþ wonne a pray;
                    
                      And namely of þese holy men,
                    
                      Þat were hym leuer þan ouþer ten,
                      Line 7720 
                    
                      5And a holy5 [5_5 An holy.]  man were hym leuer tylle
                    
                      To flesshly lust or wykked wylle
                    
                      Þan an hundred ouþer mo
                    
                      Þat rekkë neuer whedyr [where.]  þey go.

                      Line 7724

Page 246

7724

[The Tale of the Jew who heard some Devils' Reports of their Deeds to Satan; and how the Devil who got a Bishop to pat a Nun on the Back was most praisd. [This Tale, says Gaston Paris (Hist. Litt. de la France, xxviii. 201), is made up from two distinct stories. All that relates to the Jew, the temple of Apollo, the narrative of the devil who tempted the bishop (St. André de Fondi), the saying about the empty and markt vessel (p. 2444, l. 7854: væ! væ! vas vacuum et signatum!) is borrowd from St. Gregory's Dialogs, III. vii.; but the feats of the different devils, the punishments of some, and the reward of the other, are from the Vitas Patrum, p. 580 (compare p. 576 and 556), which is the source of Wadington's Tale, tho' it substitutes a pagan for the Jew, and greatens the fault of the holy man who is tempted. Guillaume Peraut (Guill. Peraldi, Summa de vitiis: de luxuria, II. 19) tells the two stories, one after the other, with|out mixing them; but we see the mixture going on under our eyes in Libro de los Exemplos (no. 21), which, following without doubt a lost Latin original, tells us, as to Satan's questioning of the other devils: "St. Gregory tells briefly the manner of this questioning; but we can see it more in detail by an example in the Life of the Holy Fathers," etc. This Tale was often retold in the Middle Ages, and a summary of it, after St. Gregory, is certainly found in these verses, De triumphis Ecclesiæ of Johannes de Garlandia (ed. Wright, p. 37) as to the power of the sign of the Cross:
Dæmonis in fanum Judæus tempore noctisVenit, et advenit dæmonis horror ei.Se cruce signavit; signatum vas bene dæmonSed vacuum dixit: credidit ergo timens.Nec præsul tetigit monialem quam tetigisseProposuit, sicut dixerat unus ibi.
One must not then recognise here (as was suggested that one might, in 'Notices et Extraits des MSS.,' t. xxvii, 2e part., p. 71) the legend of Cyprian and Justine (see p. 258-60 below), or see in Judæus a mistake of the copyists or editor for Julianus.
] ]

                      Seynt Gregory telleþ, [telþ.]  for gode mennys prew, [A tale.] 
                    
                      Þat sum tyme was [tyme þyr was.]  onës a Iew,
                    
                      And trauayled o tyme by þe cuntre, [folio 51b:2] 
                    
                      By iurnes þydyr þat he wulde be.
                      Line 7728 
                    
                      Fyl so, he nyghtede yn a wasteyne,
                    
                      Þere he sagh no stede certeyne;
                    
                      he sagh no stede where wast [was.]  best
                    
                      To lygge a nyght and take hys rest.
                      Line 7732 
                    
                      But an [an O, and H.]  olde temple he sagh stondyng,
                    
                      þat, sum tyme, folke mysbeleuyng
                    
                      Made here sacrifyse þer-ynne
                    
                      To here god, þat hyght Apolyne;
                      Line 7736 
                    
                      Þys Iew restede þere þat nyȝt,
                    
                      And toke hys esë as he myȝt.

                    
                      As þe Iew lay þere alone,
                    
                      To hym-self he made hys mone,
                      Line 7740 
                    
                      Þat he beleued on swych a lawe
                    
                      Þat myȝt nat saue hym on [wyþ.]  no sawe.

Page 247

                    
                      Of Ihesu Cryst, he hadde herd speke,
                    
                      How Iewes dyd hym on þe rodë steke.
                    
                      Þurgh grete þan ynspyracyun,
                      Line 7745 
                    
                      He þoght so on hys passyun
                    
                      Þat oure feyþ yn hys hertë ran,
                    
                      Al be hyt he were no crysten man;
                      Line 7748 
                    
                      So, what for trouþe, and what for doute,
                    
                      He made þe croys hym al a-boute,
                    
                      And seþþen leyd hym downe to slepe;
                    
                      Of ouþer, ȝaf he no more kepe.
                      Line 7752

                    
                      Sone at þe mydnyȝt he gan to wake
                    
                      Þurgh grete noyse and cry, & sore to quake;
                    
                      He lokèd vp, and sagh þere sytte
                    
                      Fendës fele þat fouly flytte; [chydde] 
                      Line 7756 
                    
                      he sagh one syttë yn a cheyre, [chayere.] 
                    
                      Þat foule lokèd, and foule gan bere;
                    
                      He bad hem allë ȝelde a-counte,
                    
                      Here dedës what þey wulde amounte;
                      Line 7760 
                    
                      what þey hadde do many ȝeres,
                    
                      He aresoned hem on hys maners;
                    
                      To oon he cast enchesoun, [gret enchesoun.] 
                      Line 7763 
                    
                      "Sey þou, felaw, what þou hast doun!"
                    
                      "At a weddyng," he seyde, "y was, [folio 52a] 
                    
                      And, þere y dyd grete trespas;
                    
                      Y slogh, þurgh myȝt of honde,
                    
                      Boþe þe wyfe and þe husbonde;
                      Line 7768 
                    
                      And y dyd ȝyt a-noþer chek,
                    
                      Alle þe ouþer y broght on cuntek,
                    
                      And euery, y made ouþres foo, [fo.] 
                    
                      Þat euery man gan ouþer slo."
                      Line 7772

                    
                      Þe mayster fend gan hym beholde,
                    
                      And sette at noȝt þat he hadde tolde.
                    
                      "For þat, how long [lange.]  hast þou be þore?"
                    
                      "A twelue monþe," he seyd, "and no more."

                      Line 7776

Page 248

                    
                      Line 7776 
                    
                      "For þy dede þou getyst maugre,
                    
                      And þarto ȝyt shalt þou bete be."

                    
                      with hym wulde he no more stryue;
                    
                      He called [But calde.]  an-ouþer furthe belyue;
                      Line 7780 
                    
                      Felunlyche, with yȝen [eyen.]  grym,
                    
                      "where hast þou be?" seyd he to hym.
                    
                      "Yn þe seë, haue y bene,
                    
                      And moche sorow made men betwene;
                    
                      Y haue broght to grete encumbre
                      Line 7785 
                    
                      Shyppes and men with-outë noumbre,
                    
                      what yn cuntek, and yn tempest,
                    
                      Twenty þousand at þe lest."
                      Line 7788 
                    
                      Þe deuyl seyd, "þat ys no doute;
                    
                      how long hast þou be þere-aboute?"
                    
                      "Seuene wyntyr, al to-gydyr,
                    
                      hauë y be haunted [hauntynge.]  þedyr."
                      Line 7792 
                    
                      Satan comaunded, for hys seruyse
                    
                      He shuld be put to hys Iuwyse.

                    
                      Þe þred deuyl was forþë fette [furþ fet.] 
                    
                      Byfore Satan, þer he was sette; [set.] 
                      Line 7796 
                    
                      Satan seyd, "where ware þou?
                    
                      How þou hast sped, sey me now."
                    
                      "A-boute a bysshope y haue be long,
                    
                      Ȝyf y myȝt hym yn synnë fong;
                      Line 7800 
                    
                      But yn hym ys so grete bounte
                    
                      Þat y myȝt neuer turne hym to þe.
                    
                      But, þys nyȝt y haue so sped, [folio 52a:2] 
                    
                      Þat hym with temptyng so fer haue led,
                    
                      Þat y hope, y haue hys þoght
                      Line 7805 
                    
                      A party to my wyllë broght.
                    
                      Þyr com to hym, for hys godenesse,
                    
                      A nunne, y wene a pryores,
                      Line 7808 
                    
                      Sum þyng of hym for to here
                    
                      Þat she perauenture myȝt of lere;
                    
                      Algate, y broght hyt so to an ende,

Page 249

                    
                      Þat, what tyme þat she shul wende,
                      Line 7812 
                    
                      He smote here a lytyl on þe bak
                    
                      Yn pleyyng, whan he [he O, she H.]  to here spak.
                    
                      God wyst what was yn hys þoȝt
                    
                      And yn hys herte, for y wyst hyt ['hyt' omitted.]  noȝt."

                    
                      Satan asked 'how long whyle
                      Line 7817 
                    
                      he hadde be aboute, hym to gyle.'
                    
                      "Fourty wyntyr, and alle yn drede,
                    
                      Ȝyt myȝt y neuer so [neuer er so.]  moche spede,
                      Line 7820 
                    
                      Ne [No.]  neuer er bryng hym to plyght
                    
                      But þat y ded þys samë nyȝt."

                    
                      Ful weyl payd was Satanas
                    
                      Þat he hadde broght hym to þat cas:
                      Line 7824 
                    
                      He ros aȝens hym, and made hym blysse,
                    
                      And profred hym hys mouþe to kysse,
                    
                      And seyd, 'he was weyl wurþy
                    
                      For to come and sytte hym by.'
                      Line 7828

                    
                      Before hem alle, þat ychë tyde,
                    
                      he sette hym by hym, syde be [by.]  syde,
                    
                      And seyd, "ende þat þou hast bygunne;
                    
                      For þat þou hast do, my loue þou hast wunne."
                      Line 7832

                    
                      Þys ychë Iew þat þerë lay,
                    
                      In þe temple with grete affray,
                    
                      Y trowe for soþe he slept [slepe.]  ful lytyl,
                    
                      whan he herde þat grete chapytyl;
                      Line 7836 
                    
                      Ȝyf he hadde slept, hym neded awake,
                    
                      Ȝyf he were wakyng, he shulde a [ha.]  quake,
                    
                      For Satan asked þere he sat,
                    
                      "who lyþ þere, and what ys þat?
                      Line 7840 
                    
                      who durst so hardy be [folio 52b]  [[6-syll. line]] 
                    
                      To lye þere with-oute leue of me?
                    
                      Goþe swyþe, one or two to-gedyr,
                    
                      And, what he be, bryngeþ hym hedyr."

Þe deuylys come un-to hys bedde, 7845

Page 250

                    
                      Line 7845 
                    
                      And styrte aȝen, þey were so dredde;
                    
                      Þe bedde, ne [no.]  hym, ne durst þey touche,
                    
                      So had he marked hym with þe crouche. [O. has above a ✗.]

                    
                      Þey turned aȝen to syre Satan,
                      Line 7849 
                    
                      And seyd, þey durst nat brynge þat man.
                    
                      He asked 'why þat chaunce byfel;'
                    
                      Þey seyd, hyt was "a lore [ler.]  vessel,
                      Line 7852 
                    
                      An empty vessel þat marked was
                    
                      From þe and þyne, syre Satanas;
                    
                      Þe vessel, whan hyt þere was leyde,
                    
                      Vn-to vs hyt longed nede. [al nede.] 
                      Line 7856 
                    
                      Alas þe whyle þey gunne to reme!
                    
                      He haþ hys mark þat wyl hym ȝeme."

                    
                      Þe Iew þey called 'a voyde vessel,'
                    
                      And forsoþë, so hyt fel;
                      Line 7860 
                    
                      Voydë he was of hys lawe,
                    
                      For he forsoke hyt for fyne awe;
                    
                      'Lore,' [Ler.]  for he hadde nat oure lawe take
                    
                      Seþþe he hadde [Harl. hadde nat.]  hys owne forsake.
                      Line 7864 
                    
                      For þys þyng, y hope þey seyd,
                    
                      And called þe Iew a vessel voyd.
                    
                      But þey myȝt nat ['nat' omitted.]  do hym no dere,
                    
                      Noþer to Satanas lede ne bere;
                      Line 7868 
                    
                      So hadde he hym with þe croyce blessed,
                    
                      Þat of hym algate þey myssed.
                    
                      Þe fendës and syre Satanas
                    
                      Þan wente awey, cryying 'alas!'
                      Line 7872

                    
                      Þe Iewë þo asswyþe a-ros,—
                    
                      hyt was no wundyr þoȝ [þogh.]  hym gros,— [dred] 
                    
                      Vn-to þe bysshope sone he ȝede
                    
                      And tolde hym what he sagh yn dede;
                      Line 7876 
                    
                      Þe crystendome at hym he toke,
                    
                      And, hys fals[ë] lawe forsoke,
                    
                      And beleued oure lawe echedeyl, [folio 52b:2] 
                    
                      And þe bysshope amended hym weyl.

                      Line 7880

Page 251

7880

                    
                      Þys talë to ȝow haue y tolde,
                    
                      how þe fendë halt hym bolde
                    
                      whan he haþ tyced an holy man
                    
                      with any temptacyun þat he kan,
                      Line 7884 
                    
                      hym þenkeþ he haþ do a grete chaffare;
                    
                      And namely þo þat ordred are,
                    
                      whedyr hyt be yn a womman handlyng,
                    
                      Or yn any oþer lusty þyng;
                      Line 7888 
                    
                      Þarefore lordynges þat kun wel se,
                    
                      Amendeþ ȝow, pur charyte,
                    
                      And makeþ nat a-mys þe toye,
                    
                      Þat þe fende of ȝou haue Ioye.
                      Line 7892

                    
                      Prest wel y ['y' omitted.] -lettred ys to blame,
                    
                      Þat letteþ nat, for drede ne shame,
                    
                      To pley with wommen, and to rage;
                    
                      For, aftyr pleyyng, cumþ outrage.
                      Line 7896 
                    
                      Ofte men se, and haue herd seye,
                    
                      Þat swyche men go an euyl weye.

                    
                      Ȝyue þou a-mong hem mayst na [nat.]  lyue,
                    
                      But some algatë on þe clyue,
                      Line 7900 
                    
                      Take þou ensample at seynt Ierom;
                    
                      Do as he dyd, and go fro hom.

                    
                      Seynt Ierom wente yn-to deserte,
                    
                      For drede of synne and foly grete.
                      Line 7904 
                    
                      Men asked hym why he þedyr ȝede,
                    
                      Syn he was an holy man yn dede;
                    
                      "y wentë þedyr, synne to fle,
                    
                      Y dredde hyt wlde ha maystred me;
                      Line 7908 
                    
                      Synne of womman wyl with me fyȝt,
                    
                      And y fele me yn moche vnmyȝt.
                    
                      For ȝyf y a-bydë þat batayle,
                    
                      Y drede þat y shal falle or fayle;
                      Line 7912 
                    
                      And ȝyf y fle þat ychë bekyr,
                    
                      Y hopë þan y may be sekyr:"
                    
                      Þarfore me þenkeþ, foles are þo
                    
                      Þat fyȝt, and mow[ë] be þar-fro,
                      Line 7916 
                    
                      Þat fyȝt[ë] so þe deþ to haue [folio 53a] 
                    
                      whan þey mow fle, hem self to saue.

Þarefore, ȝe prestes þat dwel at hom,

Page 252

                    
                      Þenkeþ on þe drede of seynt Ierom,
                      Line 7920 
                    
                      And wommans [wommens.]  felawshepe for to fle
                    
                      For doute of synne, for so ded he.

                    
                      But of wymmen hyt ys grete wundyr,
                    
                      hyt fareþ with hem as fyre and tundyr;
                    
                      Comunly forsake þey none
                      Line 7925 
                    
                      Þat euer ys made of flessh and bone.
                    
                      Ȝyf she wulde to foly here take,
                    
                      Þe prest algate she myȝt forsake;
                      Line 7928 
                    
                      For þer ys none, þat she ne may
                    
                      Haue a sengle man to here pay.
                    
                      And ȝyf she wulde algate mysdo,
                    
                      A knaue myȝt best beseme here to,
                      Line 7932 
                    
                      Þan hyt were to take a prest,
                    
                      For synne and sclaunder were þere lest.
                    
                      But how as euer men preche or spelle,
                    
                      Of prestës wyues men here euer telle.
                      Line 7936

                    
                      Of ouþer wyues y wyl naght say,
                    
                      Þey do nat wrong, but al day;
                    
                      But y dare sey, as y haue herde,
                    
                      On Englys toung [tonge.]  to alle þe werlde.
                      Line 7940

                    
                      Ȝyf þyr be oþer mayden or wyfe
                    
                      Þat dysturbleþ þe holy lyfe
                    
                      Of þe prest, þurgh lecchery,
                    
                      Aȝens here shal kalle and crye
                      Line 7944 
                    
                      Alle þat are yn paradys,
                    
                      And alle þat yn purgatory lys;
                    
                      And allë þat are yn þys lyue
                    
                      Aȝens here shul aryse and stryue;
                      Line 7948 
                    
                      For euery prest, aftyr þe sacré,
                    
                      He parteþ þere Goddys body yn þre, [þer þe vble yn þre.] 
                    
                      And offreþ hem to þe fadyr yn heuene
                    
                      On þys wyse, as y shal neuene;
                      Line 7952 
                    
                      The fyrst he offreþ hem to blys,
                    
                      To hem þat yn heuene ys; [O. gloss 'ben.'] 
                    
                      Þe toþer he offreþ for vs alle here, [folio 53a:2] 
                    
                      Þat we to hym be boþe lefe and dere;

                      Line 7956

Page 253

                    
                      Line 7956 
                    
                      Þe þryde he offreþ to haue memóry
                    
                      For soules þat are yn purgatóry,
                    
                      Þat God bryng hem oute of [of here.]  peyne
                    
                      And brynge to [hem to.]  þe ioye þat ys certeyne.

                    
                      Certys, she douþ ful moche a-mys,
                      Line 7961 
                    
                      Þe womman þat dysturbleþ alle þys.
                    
                      For, þo soulës are no þyng
                    
                      wurscheped with þat offryng,
                      Line 7964 
                    
                      Noþer vs to cunseyl, or to rede,
                    
                      Ne hyt helpeþ nat þe dede;
                    
                      Allë þarefore þat now are,
                    
                      And þat shul be, and now are fare, [go] 
                      Line 7968 
                    
                      Shul dampne þat womman to be lore,
                    
                      And curse þe tyme þat she was bore;
                    
                      And þarwith-alle, ne shal she be quyt,
                    
                      Ȝyt shal hyre [here.]  dampne hyre owne ynwyt
                    
                      Þat ychë day þat alle shal [shal O, þat H.]  ryse
                      Line 7973 
                    
                      Before Ihesu, þat hygh Iustyse.

                    
                      lokeþ, ȝe wymmen, what ȝe do
                    
                      Ȝyf ȝe dyd oght, doþe no more so,
                      Line 7976 
                    
                      Or harder penaunce, with bytter teres,
                    
                      Shul ȝe do here, or ellës wheres.
                    
                      And shame hyt ys euer [ys euer O, ys H.]  aywhare
                    
                      To be kalled 'a prestës mare.'
                      Line 7980

                    
                      Of swych one, y shal ȝow telle
                    
                      Þat þe fendë bare to helle; [A tale] 
                    
                      Þys chauncë fyl, þat ys so hard,
                    
                      Yn þe tyme of gode Edward,—
                      Line 7984 
                    
                      Edward, syre Henryës sone,—
                    
                      And þe tale ys weyl to mone.

[The Tale of the Priest's Concu|bine, and how Fiends carried off her Dead Body.]

Þyr was a prest ryȝt amerous,— And amerous men are lechours;— 7988

Page 254

                    
                      Line 7988 
                    
                      Þys prest, þe moste part of hys lyfe,
                    
                      Helde a womman as hys wyfe,
                    
                      Þat no tymë he hare [here.]  lete,
                    
                      Só þoght hym þe synnë swete.
                      Line 7992 
                    
                      Yn synne, and yn foly desyre, [folio 53b] 
                    
                      Foure chyldryn he gate on hyre.
                    
                      Þese chyldryn, as þey wox [woxe.]  more,
                    
                      He sette hem vn-to scole to lore;
                      Line 7996 
                    
                      So þey lernede, þat þe þre
                    
                      were ordeyned, prestes to be;
                    
                      Þe fourþë sone was a scoler,
                    
                      To lernë more he dyde hys power.
                      Line 8000 
                    
                      when þey were prestys, here fadyr deyde,—
                    
                      Þe prest þat y er of [er of O, er H.]  seyde,—
                    
                      Þys ychë womman lefte a-lyue
                    
                      Aftyr hym foure ȝere or fyue.
                      Line 8004 
                    
                      Þese foure chyldryn had grete þoght
                    
                      How þey were yn synne furþe broght,
                    
                      And how here modyr leued ynne,
                    
                      Alle here lyfe, yn dedly synne;
                      Line 8008 
                    
                      Þey preyde here, for allë chaunce,
                    
                      To be of godë répentaunce,
                    
                      And forþynkë here mysdede
                    
                      with sorow of hert, and wyþ drede.
                      Line 8012

                    
                      But þus answered she to hem alle,
                    
                      "For no þyng þat may befalle,
                    
                      Shal y neuer repentë me
                    
                      whyle y haue ȝow prestës þre
                      Line 8016 
                    
                      Þat for me mow [mowen]  rede and synge,
                    
                      And, ful weyl, me to blys brynge;
                    
                      So may my soule to God be broght
                    
                      For any synne þat I haue wroght;
                      Line 8020 
                    
                      But wylle ȝe allë fourë do
                    
                      A þyng þat y prey ȝow to?
                    
                      kepyþ my body, at ȝoure myȝt,
                    
                      Þre dayys, and þre nyȝt,

                      Line 8024

Page 255

                    
                      Line 8024 
                    
                      Yn þys hous whan y am dede,
                    
                      And y hope be saued fro þe quede,
                    
                      Þogh y haue lyued a synful lyfe,
                    
                      And haue be called a prestës wyfe."
                      Line 8028

                    
                      Þat graunted þey euery deyl,
                    
                      For þey wende ha [haue.]  do hyt wele.
                    
                      Sone aftyrward she euyld, [folio 53b:2] 
                    
                      And deyd sunner þan she wylde.
                      Line 8032

                    
                      here chyldryn, as þey hadde here [þey here hade.]  het,
                    
                      To wake here body were þey set:
                    
                      Þe fyrst nyght þat þey shulde here wake,
                    
                      At mydnyȝt þe berë gan to quake;
                      Line 8036 
                    
                      Here fourë sonys þat saye hyt stere,
                    
                      leyd on hond, [hande.]  and helde þe bere;
                    
                      Þe ouþer men hadde swychë drede
                    
                      Þat euery man hys wëy ȝede;
                      Line 8040 
                    
                      with mochë drede and hydous syght
                    
                      Askaped þey on þe fyrst nyȝt.

                    
                      Þe toþer nyȝt þat þe chyldryn woke,
                    
                      At þe mydnyȝt þe berë quoke,
                      Line 8044 
                    
                      And alle þat sate or þerby stode,
                    
                      For dredë wendë ha wox [haue woxe.]  wode:
                    
                      Þat nyȝt shewed he more hys ire,
                    
                      Þat hys power was moche yn hyre.
                      Line 8048 
                    
                      with sorowful syȝt and grete affray
                    
                      He drogh þe body þere hyt lay,
                    
                      And to þe dore þe fende hyt broght;
                    
                      Þat tymë fyrþer myȝt he noght.
                      Line 8052 
                    
                      Here fourë sones, with mochë peyne,
                    
                      Efte hadde þe body yn aȝeyne;
                    
                      Aboute þe body a rope þey wonde,
                    
                      And to þe berë fast þey [hyt.]  bonde;
                      Line 8056 
                    
                      So algate þe body with hem lefte;
                    
                      At þat nyȝt was hyt nat refte.

Þe þred nyȝt, moste sorow gan falle;

Page 256

                    
                      At þe mydnyȝt, as þey woke alle,
                      Line 8060 
                    
                      Come fendës fele, with loþely brous,
                    
                      And fylden allë ful þe hous,
                    
                      Þey toke þe body and þe bere
                    
                      wyþ lothly cry, þat alle myȝt here;
                      Line 8064 
                    
                      And bare hyt furþe þat none wyst whore,
                    
                      with-outen ende for euermore.
                    
                      here sones hyt seyd, and hoped wel,
                    
                      Þat body and soule was lore eche deyl.
                      Line 8068

                    
                      Þe ȝongest sone þat was a scolere,
                    
                      He preched þys yn stedys here; [sere.] 
                    
                      Þurgh Ingland, yn euery cuntre,
                    
                      he tolde þys tale of grete pyte,
                      Line 8072 
                    
                      Oueral as he went a-boute,
                    
                      (He spared noþer for shame ne doute)
                    
                      Aȝens wymmen þat prestës take,
                    
                      For hys ownë modyr sake;
                      Line 8076 
                    
                      For to dampne and stroye þat synne,
                    
                      Þat no womman falle þer-ynne.

                    
                      Ȝe wommen, þenkeþ on þys tale,
                    
                      And takeþ hyt for no troteuale!
                      Line 8080 
                    
                      Goddes veniaunce was hyt, and hys Ire,
                    
                      To amende vs alle for loue of hyre.

                    
                      Yn a prouerbe, telle men þys,
                    
                      "He wyys ys, þat ware ys," [[6-syll. line]] 
                      Line 8084 
                    
                      And wysdom es, [ys.]  and feyre maystrye,
                    
                      To chastyse vs wyþ ouþres folye.

                    
                      Of prestës kan y sey no þyng,—
                    
                      So seyd y at þe bygynnyng,—
                      Line 8088 
                    
                      Noþer of clerkys neuer a deyl,
                    
                      Þéy wote [wete.]  what ys ylle and weyl;
                    
                      But þus haue y herde for certeyn,
                    
                      Yn þe worlde ys none so gode skryueyne—
                    
                      Þogh he were wyser þan Salamon
                      Line 8093 
                    
                      And bettyr langaged þat [þan.]  was Mercyon

Page 257

                    
                      And leued yn age a þousend ȝere—
                    
                      Ne myȝt telle þe sorow and were, [dysesc] 
                      Line 8096 
                    
                      Ne þe peyne, þat þe preste shal drye, [suffre] 
                    
                      Þat haunteþ þat [þe.]  synne of lecchery.
                    
                      Þey are wroth whan any þus precheþ,
                    
                      But holy wryt þus vs telleþ [vs þus telþ.]  and techeþ.

                    
                      Now turne we aȝen þere we spak
                      Line 8101 
                    
                      Of handlyng synnë, þat yche lak;
                    
                      Y tolde of handlyng synne as y kouþe,
                    
                      And now wyþ [of.]  foly kyssyng with mouþe.

                    
                      kyssyng doþe moche more euyl
                      Line 8105 
                    
                      whan handlyng cumþ of þe deuyl;
                    
                      Some wene þat kyssyng ys no synne, [folio 54a:2] 
                    
                      But grete peryl falleþ þer-ynne.
                      Line 8108 
                    
                      Be þou neuer so chaste and straunge,
                    
                      kyssyng wyl þyn hertë chaunge;
                    
                      Hyt ys forbode, be þou weyl ware,
                      Line 8111 
                    
                      But ȝyf hyt be here, þat furþe þe [þe furþ.]  bare;
                    
                      Þy wyfë þou mayst kysse with ryȝt,
                    
                      Ȝyt yn sum poynt mayst þou falle yn plyȝt.
                    
                      Seynt Ierom, he spekeþ [spekþ O.]  of þys,
                    
                      Ouer moche for to daunte and kysse;
                      Line 8116 
                    
                      Daunte a womman oute of skylle,
                    
                      when no tyme were, she wyl þer-tyl.

                    
                      Maner þer ys of foule kyssyng,
                    
                      As ys of dede and of handlyng,
                      Line 8120 
                    
                      Þat falleþ [falþ.]  ofte yn pryuyte,
                    
                      But þat shal nat be tolde for me;
                    
                      Noþeles, hyt mote be tolde
                      Line 8123 
                    
                      Yn shryftë, boþe with ȝunge and olde.

                    
                      Sum maner kyssyng ys ful grete vyce,
                    
                      And wommens hertys to sȳnne wyl tyse;
                    
                      And who so delyteþ hym þer-ynne,
                    
                      wommen to foly for [so.]  to wynne,
                      Line 8128 
                    
                      Y do hym weyl to vndyrstande,

Page 258

So may he go yn deuyl hande.

                    
                      Ȝyt mayst þou synne yn lecherye
                    
                      Yn þe lokyng of þyn yȝe; [eye.] 
                      Line 8132 
                    
                      Beholde nat wymmen ouer mochyl; [mykyl.] 
                    
                      Here syȝte makeþ mennys þoghtes fykyl;
                    
                      And who-so haþ a feble herte,
                    
                      hys ye [eye.]  ys euer ouerthuerte.
                      Line 8136 
                    
                      Þyn ye [eye.]  ys þyn [þy.]  messager
                    
                      To brynge þy dedë yn powere;
                    
                      Yn swychë syȝt ys mochë gylte;
                    
                      Shryue þe þerof ȝyf þou wylt.
                      Line 8140

                    
                      Ȝyt ys þer [þyr.]  more of lecherye
                    
                      Þat ys do with sorsorye,
                    
                      Sorsorye þat ys wycchëcrafte;
                    
                      He þat ys with þe fendë lafte
                      Line 8144 
                    
                      Grete synne hyt ys, [hyt ys O, om. H.]  y ȝeue þe a ȝyfte; [folio 54b] 
                    
                      Þenk þer-on yn þy shryfte.
                    
                      To man þat ys yn gode beleue,
                    
                      wycchecrafte shal hym neuer greue;
                      Line 8148 
                    
                      Be þou yn gode lyfe, and byleue ryȝt,
                    
                      And alle þe wecches [wycches.]  wyþ alle here myȝt
                    
                      Shul neuer drecche þe [þe O, om. H.]  where-so þou art
                    
                      with no queyntysë of here artt:
                      Line 8152 
                    
                      Þat sheweþ weyl seynt Cypryene,
                    
                      he was a nygromancyene,
                    
                      how he myȝt neuer a mayden wynne
                      Line 8155 
                    
                      with wycchëcrafte here þoghte to synne:
                    
                      why? For here lyfe was gode and clene,
                    
                      And stedfaste byleue yn here was sene.

[The Tale of St. Justyne, and how the Sign of the Cross protected her from Devils.]

Yn Antyoche, þat noble cyte, [A tale.] wonede þys mayden of grete bounte; 8160 here name men callë seynt Iustyne, For Ihesu Cryst she suffred pyne.

Page 259

                    
                      whan she had takë crystendam
                    
                      Euery day to scole she nam, [ȝede] 
                      Line 8164 
                    
                      To þe scolë, for to lere
                    
                      Þe loue of God, and haue hyt dere.

                    
                      And as she went to þe scole hous,
                    
                      A lorde þat hyghte 'Agladyus'—
                      Line 8168 
                    
                      A gretë mayster and a syre—
                    
                      was a-namourd so on hyre
                    
                      Þat he ne wyst what do he myȝt,
                    
                      She was so semëly by syȝt.
                      Line 8172 
                    
                      He comë vn-to Cypryene,
                    
                      Þys clerk, þys nygromancyene,
                    
                      And tolde hym al þe enchesun
                    
                      Of hys grete temptacyun.
                      Line 8176

                    
                      Fast he preyde, and hette hym mede
                    
                      Ȝyf þat he coudë do sum dede,
                    
                      were hyt 1godë, were hyt ylle,1 [1_1 wyþ gode, were hyt wyþ yl.] 
                    
                      Þat he myȝt haue of here hys wylle.
                      Line 8180 
                    
                      "Iustyne," he seyd þan, "hattë [hat.]  she
                    
                      Þe feyre mayden þat marreþ me."
                    
                      And Cypryene hette hym for of hys [folio 54b:2] 
                    
                      Þat þe mayden shulde be hys.
                      Line 8184

                    
                      Cypryene made þan hys queyntyse,
                    
                      And ded þe fendys many one [manye.]  vpryse,
                    
                      And comaunded [comaundede hem.]  þat Iustyne were lede
                    
                      Vn-to syre Agladyous bed.
                    
                      Þe forme of here fadyr and modyr þey nam, [toke] 
                    
                      And yn here lykenes to Iustyne cam,
                    
                      And badde, here wyl shuldë be went
                    
                      To Agladyous comaundement.
                      Line 8192

                    
                      Iustyne hadde grete wundyr of þys,
                    
                      And wyþ þe croys she gan here blys,
                    
                      Þan þey [And þey O, þan þe H.]  vanysshed aweye asswyþe;
                    
                      She þanked God and was ful blyþe.
                      Line 8196 
                    
                      Þryys [þrys.]  þey come, on þre manere,
                    
                      Beforë Iustyne to apere;

Page 260

                    
                      And here cunseyl was euer þus
                    
                      "we rede ȝow take Agladyus."
                      Line 8200 
                    
                      At euery tyme þat þus ['þus' omitted.]  þey here besoght,
                    
                      Þe croys was euer yn here þoght,
                    
                      And made hyt euer hem betwene,
                    
                      And alle here cunseyl was no more sene;
                    
                      hadde none of hem lenger powere
                      Line 8205 
                    
                      with here to speke, or come here nere.
                    
                      Þryys [þrys.]  ouercomë hadde þey bene,
                    
                      And þus þey tolde to Cypryene.
                      Line 8208

                    
                      Cypryene haddë grete ferly, [wundyr] 
                    
                      And asked 'for whom hyt was, and why
                    
                      Þat þey ne myȝtë of here spede,
                    
                      But euer ouercome awey þey ȝede.'
                      Line 8212 
                    
                      Þan spak to hym a fende of helle,
                    
                      "Syker me here with me to dwelle,
                    
                      And þat þou ne shalt, for loue ne eye,
                    
                      Beleue on þat y shal þe seye."
                      Line 8216

                    
                      whan he hadde seyde hym hys certeynte,
                    
                      "Now," seyd þe fende, "y shal telle þe:
                    
                      She beleueþ on one men calle Ihesus,
                    
                      He þat confoundeþ euermore vs;
                      Line 8220 
                    
                      She ouercomeþ vs with a croys; [folio 55a] 
                    
                      when we se hyt, we haue no voys;
                    
                      Þe sygne þerof euer we fle,
                    
                      And drede we haue when we hyt se;
                      Line 8224 
                    
                      Oure myȝt ys noght, no neuer shal,
                    
                      Ouer any þat blesseþ hym with-al.
                    
                      Iustyne þerwyþ defendeþ here so
                    
                      Þat we ne may haue with here to do;
                      Line 8228 
                    
                      And, for here lyfe ys gode and clene,
                    
                      Oure maystry may ryȝt noȝt be sene;
                    
                      For ȝyf she lyued yn wykkednes,
                    
                      Þan myȝte we do to here sum stres."
                      Line 8232

Cypryen seyd vnto þat fende, "Ihesus ys nat þan ȝoure frende,

Page 261

                    
                      Hyt may weyl be hym-self haþ myȝt
                    
                      Syn ȝe drede hys croys be syght;
                      Line 8236 
                    
                      And ys nat ȝyt þe samë tre,
                    
                      Haþ þat tokene more myȝt þan ȝe?"
                    
                      "Ȝee," seyde the fendë, "certaynly,
                    
                      Ouer vs alle he [hyt.]  haþ maystry;
                      Line 8240 
                    
                      And euermore so shal be doun
                    
                      For hyt was hys owne passyoun;
                    
                      No þyng þat man may of hym sey,
                    
                      Doþe oure powere so moche a-weye
                      Line 8244 
                    
                      As nemne þat passyun and þat rode
                    
                      Þat he shedde on, hys swetë blode;
                    
                      Heuene and helle þat passyun douten,
                    
                      And creatures allë þarto louten,
                      Line 8248 
                    
                      And specyaly 'Ihesus,' þat name
                    
                      Ys our shenshyp and oure shame."

                    
                      when Cypryen þys vndyrstode,
                    
                      He forsoke hem, and bycom gode,
                      Line 8252 
                    
                      And alle þe crafte þat he hadde haunted,
                    
                      And Crystendome to take he graunted;
                    
                      He dyd breke his maumetrye,
                    
                      And dyd hyt brenne byfore hys ye;
                      Line 8256 
                    
                      Seþþen at þe bysshope of þe cyte
                    
                      He dyd hym crysten man to be,
                    
                      Seþþen he was so stedfast [folio 55a] 
                    
                      Yn þe beleue, þurgh þe holy gast,
                      Line 8260 
                    
                      Þat he was ordeyned dekene hye,
                    
                      And seþþen bysshope he was wurþy;
                    
                      Seþen made he Iustyne, abbas
                    
                      Of alle þe ladyes, as wurþy was.
                      Line 8264

                    
                      Swyche grace fel seþþen [seþen fyl.]  on hom,
                    
                      Þat boþe þey suffred martyrdom;
                    
                      And now [now O, om. H.]  ys Cypryen with God so herd
                    
                      Þat he ys wurschypde yn alle þe werlde; [O. inserts—
For yn þe pryuyte of þe messe,Hys namë euer nemnede ys:—
]

Page 262

                    
                      And she ys callede Seynt Iustyne,
                      Line 8269 
                    
                      A martyr and an holy vyrgyne.

                    
                      Þys tale y tolde to ȝow aboute,
                    
                      Þat ȝe ne dur no wycchecrafte doute,
                      Line 8272 
                    
                      Ȝyf þou be—þat ys to mene—
                    
                      Yn beleuë gode, and lyfë clene.
                    
                      who-so þurgh wycchëcrafte haþ tene,
                    
                      Prey to God and seynt Cypryene
                      Line 8276 
                    
                      And to þe mayden Seynt Iustyne,
                    
                      Þat þey delyuer hem [hym.]  fro þat pyne.

                    
                      Þarefore, þou man and þou wyfe,
                    
                      Ȝyf þou be of clenë lyfe,
                      Line 8280 
                    
                      Þar þe noght drede no wycchëcrafte
                    
                      Noþer temptyng of þe deuylys shafte;
                    
                      And ȝyf þou be yn dedly synne,
                    
                      To hys temptyng he may þe wynne.
                      Line 8284

                    
                      Ȝyt þer ys spekyng of vylaynye
                    
                      Þat longeþ vnto [vnto O, to H.]  lecherye,
                    
                      And oftë tyme of foulë speche
                    
                      Falleþ [Falþ.]  þarfor hard[ë] wreche;
                      Line 8288 
                    
                      Of foulë herte cumþ foulë þoȝt;
                    
                      Of foulë þoȝt, foule wurdys are broȝt.
                    
                      Þe foulë wurde, þe speker dereþ,
                    
                      And þat hyt hereþ and furþ bereþ;
                      Line 8292 
                    
                      Y hauë toldë of þys lak
                    
                      Yn þe fyfþe comaundement, þer y spak,
                    
                      whan y of a nunnë tolde,
                    
                      Þat coudë nat here tungë holde.
                      Line 8296

                    
                      Ȝyt ys þyr a spyce of leccherye, [folio 55b] 
                    
                      Auauntëment of olde folye:
                    
                      A kaynard and an [an O, a H.]  oldë folte,
                    
                      Þat þryfte haþ loste, [lore.]  and boghte a bolte,
                    
                      he shal become[n] a dyssour,
                      Line 8301 
                    
                      And telleþ [telle.]  how he was a lecchour;
                    
                      Ioye he haþ, hym-self to dyffame
                    
                      Of alle hys synnes þat he kan name,
                      Line 8304 
                    
                      And auante hym alle an hye,

Page 263

                    
                      And make men lagh at hys foly;
                    
                      And þat ys nat þe synnë leste,
                    
                      Auaunte þy synne to hym [hem.]  þat þou sest.

                    
                      Sodom sank, and Gomore,
                      Line 8309 
                    
                      For þey kryed here synne aywhore;
                    
                      Þese twey cytees, boþe þey ['þey' omitted.]  sank,
                    
                      For þey hadde ioye at synne þat stank.
                    
                      Feyrer hyt were, oure synne forhele,
                      Line 8313 
                    
                      Þan make auauntement þer-of to fele;
                    
                      Þe apostle seyþ þys autoryte,
                    
                      "Ȝyf þou be [art.]  nat chaste, be þou pryue;"
                    
                      Telle hyt þy prest, and to no mo;
                      Line 8317 
                    
                      For oþer tellyng, ys [ys O, hyt ys H.]  boþe synne and wo.

                    
                      Ȝyt ys þyr a specyal spece
                    
                      Þat doþ leccherye klymbe by a grece:
                      Line 8320 
                    
                      who so wyllë ȝyftës ȝyue,
                    
                      On lecheryë he may cleue; [clyue.] 
                    
                      For synne, no ȝyftys þou receyue;
                      Line 8323 
                    
                      For doute of gyle þou shalt hem weyue [forsake] ;
                    
                      For whan a lechour haþ ȝyue hys mede,
                    
                      Þan hopeþ he weyl þat he shal spede.
                    
                      Y rede, ȝe wommen, ȝyueþ gode entent,
                    
                      For medë ȝe wyl sone consent;
                      Line 8328 
                    
                      Many one for mede doþ ful euyl,
                    
                      Men sey ofte 'mede ys þe deuyl.'

                    
                      Ȝyt spekeþ he of a more tresun
                    
                      Þat for lechery ys doun;
                      Line 8332 
                    
                      Ȝyf men or womman be so wylde
                    
                      To fordo a getyng of a chylde
                    
                      wyþ wurde or dede, syn hyt ys gete, [folio 55b:2] 
                    
                      with mete or drynk þat þey do ȝete, [þey ete.] 
                      Line 8336 
                    
                      Or oþer strenkþë, þat hyt dye,
                    
                      Þan þey doun ful grete folye;
                    
                      with slaghter hast þou þere hyd,
                    
                      Þat þy lecherye ys nat kyd;
                      Line 8340 
                    
                      Gretly yn euyl þou art coupáble
                    
                      Yn twey synnës, and dampnáble.

Page 264

                    
                      A-noþer vyleynye þyr ys,
                    
                      To do a womman synne þurgh stres:
                      Line 8344 
                    
                      Ȝyf a womman mete paráuenture
                    
                      Yn pryuë stedë, a lechour,
                    
                      Ȝyf he wyl do with here synne,
                    
                      And she ne may a-weyë wynne
                      Line 8348 
                    
                      But she swerë oþys grym
                    
                      A-noþer tyme to come to hym,
                    
                      Or he makeþ here trouth-plyght
                    
                      Anoþer tymë when she myȝt,
                      Line 8352 
                    
                      For þat trouþë, y answere
                    
                      Þat no perel shal she bere;
                    
                      She nat [ne.]  synneþ nat dedly,
                    
                      Hyt ys nó wyl, but maystry;
                      Line 8356 
                    
                      Better ys to skape with an oþe,
                    
                      Þan synne dedly, and God be wrothe.
                    
                      Here-of myȝt men mochë speke,
                    
                      Of trouþë þat men alle day breke,
                      Line 8360 
                    
                      For, fals trouþës, and fykyl,
                    
                      For lechery, are ȝyue mechyl.

                    
                      Ȝyf þou a womman trouþë plyght
                    
                      Out of holy cherchës syȝt;
                      Line 8364 
                    
                      Men oght nat so for to do
                    
                      Þogh þat frendes consente þarto;
                    
                      For holy cherche oght fyrst for to wyte [wete.] 
                    
                      Of here gederyng, ȝyf hyt may sytte
                      Line 8368

                    
                      Of allë folës are þey fyles,
                    
                      Þat gentyl wymmen begylys
                    
                      with a trouþë of tresun
                    
                      To reuë here, here warysun,
                      Line 8372 
                    
                      But she do by here ordynaunce [folio 56a] 
                    
                      Of hem þat shuldë here auaunce.

                    
                      And a womman loueþ ofte yn pryuyte
                    
                      Þat for here falleþ [falþ.]  nat weyl to be;
                      Line 8376 
                    
                      Ȝyf she to þat ȝeueþ [ȝyfþ.]  here treuþe,
                    
                      Þat ys [ys to.]  here ful mochë reuþe;

Page 265

                    
                      Þat trewþe dar she nat be a-knowe,
                    
                      For drede þat she haþ loued so lowe.
                      Line 8380 
                    
                      Þurgh cunseyl of here frendys wylle,
                    
                      She ys þan ȝyue a-noþer vntyl;
                    
                      Y dar sey hyt hardyly, [hardyly O, hardly H.] 
                    
                      'Þat womman leueþ yn lechery;
                      Line 8384 
                    
                      And þat ychë man also
                    
                      To whom she ȝaf fyrst trouþë to,
                    
                      Ȝyf he any ouþer wedde,
                    
                      Or with any go to bedde,
                      Line 8388 
                    
                      Ȝyf þey boþe wulde haue [ha.]  do þat
                    
                      Þat here mouþes to-gedyr spak,
                    
                      And haue [ha.]  fulfylled, at here myȝt,
                    
                      Here pryue trouþë þat þey plyȝt.'
                      Line 8392

                    
                      A wers[ë] spycë ȝyt men holdes,
                    
                      To begyle a womman with wordys;
                    
                      To ȝyue here trouþë but lyghtly
                    
                      For no þyng but for lygge here by;
                      Line 8396 
                    
                      with þat gyle þou makest here asent,
                    
                      And bryngest ȝow boþe to cumbrement.

                    
                      Þarfore now y warne ȝow alle,
                    
                      Man and woman, for þyng may falle,
                      Line 8400 
                    
                      Þat ȝe be neuer so fole-hardy
                    
                      To ȝyue ȝoure trouþe [trouþe O, om. H.]  so pryuyly,
                    
                      Ne wommans trouþë for to take,
                    
                      Ne trouþë ȝyue for weddyng sake,
                      Line 8404 
                    
                      Tyl holy cherche haue demyd ryȝt
                    
                      wyþ lokyng of frendes syght.

                    
                      Pryuytes manye falle þer [her.] -ynne;
                    
                      Þyn ynwyt þe telleþ whych ys synne;
                      Line 8408 
                    
                      Sum pryuytes of lechery
                    
                      Yn opun speche are vyleynye;
                    
                      Þarfor wyl y nat hem alle descryue, [folio 56a:2] 
                    
                      But alle behoueþ vs þer-of shryue;

                      Line 8412

Page 266

                    
                      Line 8412 
                    
                      Þyn ynwyt wote what þou hast wroght,
                    
                      And whych ys synne, and whych ys noȝt;
                    
                      Alle þese spyces þat y haue tolde,
                    
                      On dyuers maners are synnës folde.
                      Line 8416

                    
                      Ȝyf þy flesshë ofte aryse
                    
                      Yn wyl or dede to many of þyse,
                    
                      Þat þou mayst nat þy flesshë daunte,
                    
                      Þat sum algate behoueþ þe haunte,
                      Line 8420 
                    
                      Be nat þarfor yn wanhope;
                    
                      Alle may be quenchyde with a drope,
                    
                      Ȝyf þou mayst for þy synnë grete, [O. gloss 'wepe.'] 
                    
                      And be yn wyl hyt for to lete.
                      Line 8424 
                    
                      For many a gode man, olde and ȝonge,
                    
                      haþ be yn flesshëly temptyng;
                    
                      So was seynt Poule, þe holy man,
                      Line 8427 
                    
                      Hys flesshe was temptyde with Satan;
                    
                      Seynt Benet was so, ȝe herde me telle, [p. 238.] 
                    
                      He was yn poynt to leue hys celle;
                    
                      And ouþer men mo of relygyun
                    
                      Haue be yn hard temptacyun;
                      Line 8432 
                    
                      But man behoueþ pryue [preue.]  hys myȝt,
                    
                      Aȝens hys ownë flesshe to fyȝt;
                    
                      For ȝyf þou late hyt haue hys [þe.]  wyl,
                    
                      wyltou, neltou, [nyltou.]  hyt wyl þe spylle.
                      Line 8436

                    
                      And y shal telle here, ȝyf ȝe wyl,
                    
                      A talë for þe [þys.]  samë skylle, [skyl.] 
                    
                      Þat a man myshopë noght
                    
                      Þogh he haue grete temptyng of þoght.
                      Line 8440

[The Tale of the tempted Hermit, or How we should never Despair.]

                      Seynt Gregory telleþ, for oure profyte, [A tale.] 
                    
                      How þyr was onys an ermyte:
                    
                      Þys ermyte had grete temptyng
                    
                      yn hys þoght, ouer alle þyng;
                      Line 8444 
                    
                      And as þys temptyng on hym ran,

Page 267

                    
                      He ȝede vnto an oldë man
                    
                      And tolde hym allë, vp an downe,
                    
                      Of hys grete temptacyun.
                      Line 8448 
                    
                      Þat olde man seyd to hym astyte [O. gloss 'anoun.']  [folio 56b] 
                    
                      'He was nat wurþy to be an Ermyte,
                    
                      Þat swychë þoghtës shuldë þynke,
                    
                      And þoght of womman wulde hym synke.'

                    
                      Þys oldë man gan hym so stoute,
                      Line 8453 
                    
                      Þat hys gode hope was alle yn doute;
                    
                      For þe wurdes þat þe olde man gan seye,
                    
                      Yn-to þe wurlde he toke þe weye.
                      Line 8456 
                    
                      As he cam [com.]  goyng yn þe strete,
                    
                      An holy abbot gan he mete;
                    
                      Þe abbotys name was Apollo,
                    
                      And sone he spake þe ermyte to;
                      Line 8460 
                    
                      Þe ermyte hadde so sory þoght,
                    
                      Aȝen to þe abbote spake he noght.

                    
                      Þys abbot was a ful wys man,
                    
                      And yn hys þoȝt ful sone hyt ran,
                      Line 8464 
                    
                      And be þe semlant of þe ermyte,
                    
                      Þat he was yn grete sorowe and syte;
                    
                      Þe abbot asked hym ones or twyys;
                    
                      At þe [At þe H, At O.]  laste þe ermyte seyd hys auys.
                      Line 8468 
                    
                      "Y am," he seyd, "broȝt allë down
                    
                      with flesshly temptacyun;
                    
                      And at an oldë man y was,
                    
                      And tolde hym alle my [myn.]  hardë kas;
                      Line 8472 
                    
                      And he seyd, y was nat wurþy,
                    
                      Þe ermytagë to com ny, [nyghe.] 
                    
                      Ne was yn wey me to saue,
                    
                      whyl y shulde swych þoȝtës haue;
                      Line 8476 
                    
                      And, for he [he O., H. om.]  comforted me so yl,
                    
                      Yn-to þe worlde now ys my wyl,

Page 268

                    
                      And lyue þere [þe.]  best wyse þat y may,
                    
                      Syn y serue nat God to pay."
                      Line 8480

                    
                      Þan seyde þe abbot syre Apollo,
                    
                      "Þe olde man wyst nat what was to do;
                    
                      Þou mayst se now, by my vysage,
                    
                      Þat y am olde, and weyl yn age,
                      Line 8484 
                    
                      And y fele a ful hard prykyl
                    
                      Þat my flesshe tempteþ me mykyl,
                    
                      Vnneþë ys hyt day ne oure [folio 56b:2] 
                    
                      Þat y ne am þar-with tempted soure;
                    
                      But þogh my þoght be oute of skyl,
                      Line 8489 
                    
                      To do ȝyt wers[ë], y ne wyl;
                    
                      Ne more [No more.]  shalt þou þy self mysdo,
                    
                      Þogh þou be tempted neuer so.
                      Line 8492 
                    
                      Y rede, þat ['þat' omitted.]  yn godenes þat þou dwelle,
                    
                      And turne aȝen vnto þy celle,
                    
                      And fonde aȝens þy flesshe to fyȝt,
                    
                      And late hyt nat haue alle þe myȝt."
                      Line 8496 
                    
                      He broȝte þys ermyte to swyche certeyne,
                    
                      Þat to hys celle he turned aȝeyne.

                    
                      Þe abbot knew [wel] alle þe pas
                    
                      where þe olde man wonyng was;
                      Line 8500 
                    
                      Þedyrwarde þe wey he nam.
                    
                      And when he a lytyl besydë cam,
                    
                      He sette hym dowun, and preyd Ihesu
                    
                      Ful of myȝt and [of] vertu,
                      Line 8504 
                    
                      Þat þe olde man myȝt fele sum þyng
                    
                      Of þe ermytes flesshely temptyng,
                    
                      To chastyse hym for hys broþer,
                    
                      Þat he myscumfort eft noun oþer.
                      Line 8508

                    
                      when he hadde leye yn orysun
                    
                      long with grete deuocyun,
                    
                      He ros vp, and byhelde,
                    
                      And sagh a blak man stonde yn þe felde,
                    
                      And to þe olde man arwes [arewes.]  ded shete

                      Line 8513

Page 269

                    
                      Line 8513 
                    
                      Ryȝt many, and sum wel [ful.]  grete.
                    
                      So many arwes [arewes.]  to hym he drogh,
                    
                      Þat þe olde man felt temptyng ynogh;
                      Line 8516 
                    
                      Þe arwes were temptacyons,
                    
                      And sharpë sterynges, and felons;
                    
                      So many and smart, he hem hadde,
                    
                      Þat he sate as he hadde be madde,
                      Line 8520 
                    
                      Þat wytte hadde lorë, as he sat,
                    
                      Or was yn a were [wer.]  to do sum-what.
                    
                      Ar he aght seyd, ar dyd any dede,
                    
                      Þe same weye þat þe ermyte ȝede,
                      Line 8524 
                    
                      Þat yche wey þe ermyte ȝede ynne [folio 57a] 
                    
                      To þe worlde, to do hys synne.

                    
                      Þe abbot Appollo say [saghe.]  euerydeyl;
                    
                      And how he was temptede, he wyst hyt weyl,
                      Line 8528 
                    
                      And fonded for to take þe strete,
                    
                      with þat olde man for to mete:
                    
                      he seyd, "olde man! what dost þou here,
                    
                      And why hast þou so mornyng chere?
                      Line 8532 
                    
                      whydyr hast þou þoght to go?
                    
                      Be [By.]  syȝt hyt semeþ þat þe were wo."

                    
                      Þe oldë man seyd ryȝt noȝt,
                    
                      But hyt ran hym weyl yn þoȝt
                      Line 8536 
                    
                      Þat þe abbot had [had O, om. H.]  inspyracyun,
                    
                      And wyst hys [hyt.]  grete temptacyun;
                    
                      For shame he myȝt nat telle how smart [smert.] 
                    
                      Þe temptyng þat come to hys hert;
                      Line 8540 
                    
                      But þe abbot wyst for certeyn,
                    
                      And bad [bade O, had H.]  hym to turne aȝeyn;
                    
                      And shewed hym weyl for two þynges,
                    
                      why þat he hadde no temptynges;
                      Line 8544 
                    
                      He seyd, 'þe fende of hym ne roȝte,
                    
                      Ne hym to tempte aboutë soȝte,
                    
                      Ne þoght hys lyfe so moche wurþy,

Page 270

                    
                      For he helde hym self so holy,
                      Line 8548 
                    
                      And blamed oþer for here fallyng,'
                    
                      "Þy lyfe hym þynkeþ ys wurþ no þyng;
                    
                      To gode men ys hyt grete passyun
                    
                      To fele þe fendes temptacyun;
                      Line 8552 
                    
                      And for he tempted [tempteþ.]  þe noȝt here,
                    
                      Yn ouþer stede þou shalt by [bye.]  hyt dere;
                    
                      Ne late þou nat lyȝtly by þo
                    
                      Þat are tempted of flesshly wo,
                      Line 8556 
                    
                      But, þenk weyl þat þey are gode,
                    
                      Ȝyf þey þat temptyng with-stode,
                    
                      And are sykerer aftyr temptynges,
                      Line 8559 
                    
                      And kepe hem better with many þynges;
                    
                      And ȝyt [ȝyt O, hyt H.]  men sey God loueþ hem noȝt,
                    
                      Þat haue no temptyng yn dede ne þoght.
                    
                      Þys temptyng was for þy despyte [folio 57a:2] 
                    
                      Þat þou haddest of þe gode ermyte
                      Line 8564 
                    
                      whan he hys [hys O, om. H.]  temptyng to þe shrofe,
                    
                      And þy cumforte awey hym drofe."

                    
                      At þys pas ['p' erased.]  þys tale tolde ys
                    
                      For temptacyons [temptacyun.]  of mannys flesshe,
                      Line 8568 
                    
                      Þat none ne myscumforte hym
                    
                      Þogh þat hys flesshe be brysl and brym.
                    
                      So holy man was neuer none
                      Line 8571 
                    
                      Þat temptacyun ne hat [haþ.]  hym ouergone,
                    
                      were hyt lytyl, or were hyt mykyl,
                    
                      Þat of hys flesshe ne haþ hadde sum prykyl;
                    
                      And þo þat wyl be ryȝt certeyne,
                    
                      Cumforte hem [hem O, hym H.]  weyl to fyȝt aȝeyn,
                      Line 8576 
                    
                      For no man may yn certeyn be,
                    
                      But he fyȝt flesshly lustys [lust.]  to fle.

                    
                      God graunte vs allë now fro heþen
                    
                      Oure flesshë so to holde be-neþen, [byneþen.] 
                      Line 8580 
                    
                      And oure soules so to save [haue.]  aboue,
                    
                      Þat God of heuene vs allë loue.

Page 271

Here bygynneþ [bygynþ.] Sacrylage.

                    
                      Of þese dedly synnës seuene,
                      Line 8583 
                    
                      Þat we wraþþe with, God of heuene,
                    
                      Of hem haue we touched neyde [nede.] 
                    
                      As holy men haue wryten and seyd;
                    
                      Ȝyt mow[ë] we nát [weyl nat.]  weyl werche
                    
                      Ȝyf we forgetë holy cherche,
                      Line 8588 
                    
                      holy cherche, our modyr dere,
                    
                      Of here shul we telle ȝow here,
                    
                      How men synne, and on what wyse,
                    
                      Aȝens þat falleþ to here fraunchyse.
                      Line 8592

                    
                      Þat aȝens here fraunchyse falles,
                    
                      'Sacrylegë' men hyt calles;
                    
                      'Sacrylegë,' frenche hyt ys,
                    
                      Menyng of 'mysdede' or 'mys.'
                      Line 8596 
                    
                      'Mysdedë to holynes,'
                    
                      'Sacrylege' on Englysshe ys;
                    
                      Allë þyng þat men with-holde, [folio 57b] 
                    
                      Stole or reftë, [reft.]  ȝyue or solde,
                      Line 8600 
                    
                      with-outë leue of here wytyng,
                    
                      Þat kepë holy cherches þyng,
                    
                      Alle swych þyng ys sacrylege,
                    
                      with-outë leue ys alle outrage.
                      Line 8604

                    
                      Now of þe fyrst þat we haue spoke,
                    
                      Þey þat hauë cherches broke,
                    
                      And stole þo þynges þat were þer-ynne,
                    
                      'Sacrylage' men calle þat synne.
                      Line 8608

                    
                      Ȝyf þyng vnhalewed were forgete,
                    
                      Þat yn holy cherche were lete,
                    
                      Or halewed þyng yn ouþer stede lay,
                    
                      And oght þerof were bore away,
                      Line 8612 
                    
                      where [Wheþer.]  hyt werë ȝyue or solde,
                    
                      For sacrylege, alle ys hyt tolde.

                    
                      Many vyces þerto [her to.]  longe;
                    
                      Alle are þey synne, but sum are stronge;
                    
                      y shal ȝow telle of [on.]  sum maners

                      Line 8617

Page 272

                    
                      Line 8617 
                    
                      As 'manuel pecchés' me lers. [manuele pecche . . leres.] 
                    
                      But, vnkynde and enuyous,
                    
                      Ouerdo, proud, and daungerous,
                      Line 8620 
                    
                      Euermorë fynde þey teyl,
                    
                      Þogh a man sey neuer so weyl;
                    
                      Noþeles, so weyl y nat seyd,
                    
                      But þat to my sawe, blame may be leyd
                    
                      For foule englyssh, and feble ryme
                      Line 8625 
                    
                      Seyde oute of resun many tyme;
                    
                      But God ȝelde hem at here endyng,
                    
                      Þat wyl amende myn vnkunnyng;
                      Line 8628 
                    
                      But who so blameþ and wyl nat amende, [mende.] 
                    
                      He doþe nat as þe curteys kende.
                    
                      Go we furþe now [now furþ.]  on oure werk:—

                    
                      Ȝyf a man yn euyl smyte a clerk,
                      Line 8632 
                    
                      Yn sacrylage he falleþ ylle
                    
                      Ȝyf he dyde hyt by hys wylle.
                    
                      Ȝyf he be man of relygyoun,
                    
                      Þou art to blame with more resun;
                      Line 8636 
                    
                      Twey skyles are ful perylous, [folio 57b:2] 
                    
                      Boþe ordred and relygyous.

                    
                      Also relygyous are [men are.]  to wyte,
                    
                      Þat for maystry wyl gladly smyte;
                      Line 8640 
                    
                      Þey ogh [oghte.]  to be suffráble and meke,
                    
                      And no foly on ouþer men seke;
                    
                      Hys tung shuld be hys fauchoun;
                    
                      Hys strokes shulde be hys orysun;
                      Line 8644 
                    
                      Ȝyf any be yn foly stoute,
                    
                      Holde yn cloystre, [Holde hym yn cloustre.]  and com nat out.

                    
                      Also may he be sore a-ferde
                    
                      Þat doþ vyleynye yn chyrche ȝerde,
                      Line 8648 
                    
                      Namly, syn hyt halewed was,
                    
                      Þe more he doþë of trespas.
                    
                      Vnkynde man ys he hardly [hardyly.] 
                    
                      Þat yn cherche ȝerde [cherche ȝerde O, cherȝerde H.]  doþ vyleyny;

                      Line 8652

Page 273

                    
                      Line 8652 
                    
                      Oure long hous hyt ys to come,
                    
                      To reste yn, tyl þe day of dome.
                    
                      Þerfore we shuld, ȝyf we were kynde,
                    
                      kepe hyt clene with godë mynde.
                      Line 8656

                    
                      And þese prestes me þynkeþ do synne
                    
                      Þat late here bestys fyle þer-ynne.
                    
                      Þe gres ys hys þat þerë grenes,
                    
                      Þe placë ys þe parysshenes.
                      Line 8660

                    
                      But lordës þat haue seynorye,
                    
                      Þey do þeryn most vyleynye;
                    
                      For þer [here.]  hope ys, whan þey shul deye,
                    
                      Þat yn þe cherche men shul hem leye;
                      Line 8664 
                    
                      And y shal telle a lytyl wyȝt,
                    
                      how a bonde man bourded with a knyȝt;
                    
                      And þe borde ys gode to here,
                      Line 8667 
                    
                      who-so loueþ wurdes to lere. [A tale]

[The Tale of the Reproof that a Norfolk Bondman gave a Knight for not respecting the Sanctity of a Churchyard.]

                      Yn Northfolk, yn a tounne,
                    
                      wonede a knyȝt besyde a persone;
                    
                      Fyl hyt so, þe knyȝtes manere
                    
                      was nat fro þe cherche ful fere;
                      Line 8672 
                    
                      And was hyt þan, as oftyn falles,
                    
                      Brokë were þe cherche-ȝerde walles.

                    
                      Þe lordës hyrdës often lete [folio 58a] 
                      Line 8675 
                    
                      Hys bestys yn-to þe cherche [cherche om.]  ȝerde & ete;
                    
                      Þe bestys dyd as þey mote [moste.]  nede,
                    
                      Fyled oueral þere þey ȝede.
                    
                      A bond man say [saghe.]  þat, and was wo
                    
                      Þat þe bestys shuld þere go;
                      Line 8680 
                    
                      He com to þe lorde, and seyd hym þys:—
                    
                      "Lorde," he seyde, "ȝoure bestys go mys;
                    
                      Ȝoure hyrde doþ wrong, and ȝourë knauys,
                    
                      Þat late ȝoure bestys fyle þus þese grauys;
                    
                      Þere mennys bonys shuldë lye,
                      Line 8685 
                    
                      Bestës shuld do no vyleynye."

Page 274

                    
                      Þe lordes answere was sumwhat vyle,
                    
                      And þat falleþ euyl to a man gentyle;
                      Line 8688 
                    
                      "weyl were hyt do ryȝt for þe nones
                    
                      To wurschyþ swych[ë] cherlës bones;
                    
                      what wurschyp shuld men make
                    
                      Aboute swych cherlës bodyes blake?"
                      Line 8692 
                    
                      Þe bonde man answerëd and seyd
                    
                      wurdys to-gedyr ful weyl [ful weyl to-gedyr.]  leyd:
                    
                      "Þe lorde þat made of erþë, erles,
                    
                      Of þe [þat.]  same erþe made he cherles;
                      Line 8696 
                    
                      Erlës myȝt, and lordës stut,
                    
                      As cherlës shal yn erþe be put;
                    
                      Erlës, cherlës, alle at ones,
                      Line 8699 
                    
                      Shal none knowe ȝoure, fro oure, bones."

                    
                      Þe lorde lestened þe wurdës weyl
                    
                      And recorded hem euery deyl;
                    
                      No morë to hym wulde he seye,
                    
                      But, lete hym go furþe hys weye;
                      Line 8704 
                    
                      He seyd þe bestys shulde no more,
                    
                      By hys wyl, comë þore. [[6-syll. line]] 
                    
                      Seþen he closed þe chercheȝerde so
                    
                      Þat no best myȝt come þarto
                      Line 8708 
                    
                      For to ete, ne fyle þer-ynne;
                    
                      So þoȝt [þught.]  hym seþen, þat hyt was synne.

                    
                      Þyr are but fewë lordës now
                    
                      Þat turne a wrde so wel to prow;
                      Line 8712 
                    
                      But, who [who so.]  seyþ hem any skylle, [folio 58a:2] 
                    
                      Mysseye aȝen, fouly þey wylle.
                    
                      Lordynges,—þyr are ynow of þo,
                    
                      Of gentyl men, þyr are but fo. [fewe] 
                      Line 8716

                    
                      Hyt ys defended yn þe decre,
                    
                      Þat none yn cherche shal beryed be,
                    
                      But bysshope, or abbot of relygyun,
                    
                      Or prest þat ys of gode renoun.
                      Line 8720

                    
                      A man þat haþ no gode fame ryfe [ryffe.] 
                    
                      Of dede, of hew, of holy lyfe,
                    
                      Of gode feyþ, ne of charyte

Page 275

                    
                      Yn almes dede, ne of ouþer bounte,
                      Line 8724 
                    
                      Me þenkeþ hyt were ful perylous
                    
                      To berye swych one yn Goddes house;
                    
                      with swych ys holy cherche but fyled,
                    
                      And hem self are moste bygyled.
                      Line 8728 
                    
                      Ȝyf þe soulë be nat wurþy
                    
                      Þat þe body lygge so solempny, [solemply.] 
                    
                      Þan haþ þe soulë morë [more of.]  peyne;
                    
                      Þat men wurschyp þe body, ys veyne.
                      Line 8732

                    
                      wykked men and vserers,
                    
                      lechours, and lordys of foule maners,
                    
                      Þat mow ȝyue pens ful godë wone,
                    
                      Þey shul be leyde yn toumbe of stone,
                      Line 8736 
                    
                      And hys ymáge ful feyre depeynte,
                    
                      Ryȝt as hé were a cors seynt;
                    
                      Þe wrecched soule, þe soþe to seye,
                    
                      Shal a-bye alle þe noblye,
                      Line 8740 
                    
                      And sum for euer be broȝt to bale; [sorow] 
                    
                      And þerby wyl y telle a tale.

[The Tale of Valentine, and how Devils puld his Body out of its Grave in the Church.]

                      Þyr was a man þat ['þat' omitted.]  hyght Valentyne, [A tale] 
                    
                      Playtour he was, and ryche man fyne,
                    
                      For of þe cherche of Myleyne [mylon.]  was he playtour,
                      Line 8745 
                    
                      More for mede þan Goddes onour.
                    
                      Besyde Genë, a noble cytë,
                    
                      Deyde Valentyne, and beryed shuld be;
                    
                      Yn seynt Syxtes cherchë shuld he lye;
                    
                      So ordeyned men whan he shuld deye.
                      Line 8750 
                    
                      Þe fyrste nyȝt þat he was þere leyde, [folio 58b] 
                    
                      Þe wardeynes of þe cherche vpbreyde,
                    
                      And herd one cry, rewly and shyl,

Page 276

As he were put oute aȝens hys wyl.

                    
                      Þe wardeynes asked what þat myȝt be,
                    
                      "Ryse we vp [vp we.]  alle, and go we se."
                      Line 8756 
                    
                      Þere he was beryed, þydyr þey ran,
                    
                      And sagh many fendes aboute þys man;
                    
                      And of hys graue þey oute [vp.]  hym pulde;
                    
                      Oute of þe cherche, drawe hym þey wulde;
                    
                      Þe deuylys droȝ [drowe.]  hym by þe fete
                      Line 8761 
                    
                      As hyt were careyne þat dogges ete.
                    
                      Þe wardeynes werë sore affryght
                    
                      For þat noysë and þat syght;
                      Line 8764 
                    
                      Aȝen to here bedde þey ȝede;
                    
                      Þey durst no lenger dwelle for drede.
                    
                      On þe morne whan þey were ryse,
                    
                      Þey ȝede to þe graue, þere þey were so agryse;
                      Line 8768 
                    
                      Þer-yn alle aboute þey soght,
                    
                      But þe body founde þey noȝt.
                    
                      Þey opende þe dores, and loked aboute,
                    
                      And fonde þe body lygge [lyggynge.]  þere with-oute;
                    
                      Þe fete ybounde to-gedyr ful faste,
                      Line 8773 
                    
                      And as a foulë careyne caste.

                    
                      Seynt Gregory seyþ hardly,
                    
                      Þere he lay fyrst, he was nat wurþy;
                      Line 8776 
                    
                      But hys soule hadde pyne þe more
                    
                      For þe pompe and pryde þat he was leyd þore.
                    
                      lordes are besy aboute to haue
                    
                      Proude stones lyggyng an hye on here graue;
                      Line 8780 
                    
                      Þurgh þat pryde þey mowe be lore,
                    
                      Þogh þey hadde do no synne byfore;
                    
                      Hyt helpyþ ryȝt noght, þe toumbe of pryde,
                      Line 8783 
                    
                      whan þe soule fro pyne may hyt nat hyde.

Page 277

                    
                      Ȝyf þou euer vsedest halewed þyng,
                    
                      And wystyst hyt fyl to cherches offryng,
                    
                      Hyt ys grete synne, y do þe to knowne,
                    
                      Ȝyf þou helde hyt as for þyn owne.
                      Line 8788 
                    
                      Ȝyf þou wyþhelde any þyng seþyn [folio 58b:2] 
                    
                      Þat hyt was to holy cherche ȝeuyn, [ȝyuen.] 
                    
                      Þyn or ouþres, with-outë leue
                      Line 8791 
                    
                      Of parsone, or prest, or cherchë reue;
                    
                      Hyt ys sacrylage, y þe plyȝt,
                    
                      To wyþholde þat falleþ to cherchë ryȝt.

                    
                      Ȝyf þou dedyst euer þat vnlawe,
                      Line 8795 
                    
                      A man oute of holy cherche to drawe
                    
                      Seþen þat he toke hym þar-tyl,
                    
                      Þou hast synned yn moche vnskyl.
                    
                      But ȝyf he hadde do aȝens þe assyse
                    
                      Þat fyl to holy cherches fraunchyse,
                      Line 8800 
                    
                      Slayn one þar-ynne, or robbed hyt,
                    
                      Hyt shulde nat þan saue hym, [saue hym þan.]  by my wyt.

                    
                      Þe lewed man, holy cherche wyl forbede
                    
                      To stounde yn þe chaunsel whyl men rede:
                    
                      who-so-euer þarto ys custummer,
                      Line 8805 
                    
                      Þogh he be of grete powere,
                    
                      Boþe he synneþ and doþe greuaunce
                    
                      Aȝens þe clergy ordynaunce.
                      Line 8808

                    
                      But ȝyt do wymmen gretter folye
                    
                      Þat vse to stonde among þe clergye,
                    
                      3Oþer at matyns, or at messe,
                    
                      But ȝyf hyt were yn cas of stresse;3 [3_3 Omitted in Harl.] 
                      Line 8812 
                    
                      For þerof may come temptacyun,
                    
                      And dysturblyng of deuocyun;
                    
                      For foule þoght cumþ of feble ye-syȝt,
                    
                      And fordoþë grace with ryȝt;
                      Line 8816 
                    
                      And with a tale hyt may be shewed,
                    
                      Þat ys gode boþe for lered and lewed.

Page 278

[The Tale of the Temptation of St. John Chrysostom's Deacon.]

                      An holy man telleþ vs þus, [A tale] 
                    
                      Men calle hym Ion Crysostomus;
                      Line 8820 
                    
                      He was a bysshope, and ful gode clerk,
                    
                      Þat shewe hys bokës of hys werk;
                    
                      Swych grace of God, grauntede hym was,
                    
                      At euery tyme þat he song hys masse
                      Line 8824 
                    
                      Þe holy goste to hym was sent
                    
                      whan he shulde receyue þe sacrament;
                    
                      Certeynly, aftyr þe sacrë,
                    
                      Yn a dowue lyknes he myȝt [myghte hyt se.]  se,
                      Line 8828 
                    
                      So whyte and [Omitted.]  so blesful, and so clere, [folio 59a] 
                    
                      whan he vsed vpp-on þe autere.

                    
                      Of þat cumfort, and [and of.]  þat syȝt,
                    
                      He þanked oftë God almyȝt.
                      Line 8832 
                    
                      Þe fendë hadde þarwith enuye,
                    
                      And wulde shewe hys wykked maystry.

                    
                      A day seynt Ion shulde synge hys messe,
                    
                      Þe fende made hym yn womman lyknesse,
                    
                      weyl atyrede, with mochë pryde,
                      Line 8837 
                    
                      And stodë ouþer men besyde.

                    
                      Þe dekene þat serued seynt Ion,
                    
                      At here turnyng tymes echon
                      Line 8840 
                    
                      He behelde þys womman weyl,
                    
                      And hys herte chaunged euery deyl;
                    
                      Temptacyun of þys womman,
                    
                      Ouer al yn hys þoȝt hyt ran.
                      Line 8844

                    
                      Þe bysshope, aftyr þe sacrë,
                    
                      Shulde receyue God, as byfyl [fyl.]  to be;
                    
                      As he stode and heylde [helde.]  þe oste,
                    
                      He loked vp aftyr þe holy goste;
                      Line 8848 
                    
                      But þat tyme ne come hyt noȝt.
                    
                      Seynt Ion hadde þarfor [þarfore hade.]  grete þoȝt,

Page 279

                    
                      He soght yn hys herte aboute,
                    
                      But þeryn foundë he no doute
                      Line 8852 
                    
                      Þat fyl to synne, ne dedly þyng
                    
                      To lette þe holy gostes comyng.

                    
                      He called hys dekene to hym bylyue,
                    
                      And cunseyled hym 'he shuld hym shryue
                    
                      Ȝyf he felt oght hym wyþ-ynne,'
                      Line 8857 
                    
                      "Any maner of dedly synne
                    
                      Yn þoght or dede þat þou mayst mene;
                    
                      Of alle, y pray þe, shryue þe clene."
                      Line 8860

                    
                      Þe dekene þan opunly with mouþe
                    
                      Shroue hym of allë þat he couþe.
                    
                      1He seyde, "of o þyng y haue gret doute:
                    
                      Yn þoghtës, whan we turnede aboute,1 [1_1 Omitted in Harl.] 
                      Line 8864 
                    
                      On a womman myn 2yȝe ys y2 [2_2 ye y.] -caste;
                    
                      Þe syȝte of here myn herte to-blaste
                    
                      And, swal yn my [myn.]  herte so grete,
                    
                      Þe þoȝt of here ne coude y lete;
                      Line 8868 
                    
                      But God and ȝow, mercy y crye [folio 59a:2] 
                    
                      Of þat þoȝt and þat folye."

                    
                      Þe bysshope seyd hyt was tresun
                    
                      Of þe fendes temptacyun.
                      Line 8872 
                    
                      Of þat synne he asoyled hym fre,
                    
                      And ȝede aȝen to hys degre.

                    
                      Þe dekene loked at þe nexte turnyng,
                    
                      She was a-wey, he sagh no þyng;
                      Line 8876 
                    
                      Þe holy goste come furþe a-none,
                    
                      And shewed hym to þe bysshope Ione;
                    
                      And seynt Ioun was þer-of blyþe,
                    
                      And þanked God ful felë syþe.
                      Line 8880

                    
                      For wommens sake, þys tale y tolde,
                    
                      Þat þey [þey hem.]  oute of þe chaunsel holde
                    
                      wyþ here kercheues, [kercheuers.]  þe deuylys sayle,
                    
                      Elles shal þey go to helle, boþe top and tayle;

                      Line 8884

Page 280

                    
                      Line 8884 
                    
                      For at hym þey lernë alle
                    
                      To temptë men yn synne to falle.
                      Line 8886 
                    
                      To synne þey calle men, alle þat þey may,
                    
                      why shuld þey ellës make hem so gay?
                    
                      For no-þyng elles are þey so dyȝt,
                    
                      But for to blyndë mennës syȝt.
                    
                      Certes hyt semeþ, at alle endes,
                    
                      Þat many of hem are but fendes.
                      Line 8892

                    
                      And ȝe clerkes [clerkes ȝow.]  nedeþ to be wyse,
                    
                      Ȝow nedeþ cune ȝow [cunne ȝoure.]  self chastyse;
                    
                      Ȝe mowë se yn holy wryt
                    
                      How ȝe shul kepe ȝoure ownë wyt.
                      Line 8896

                    
                      whan ȝe at Goddës seruyse are,
                    
                      Ȝe shul nat þan aboute ȝow stare,
                    
                      Specyaly wymmen to be-holde,
                    
                      Ne for to Iangle wurdës bolde.
                      Line 8900

                    
                      Clerk with skyl shulde be pryue,
                    
                      And nat yn cherche of wurdës fre;
                    
                      Ne dysturble men with hys rage,
                    
                      For hyt ys called [callede al.]  sacrylage.
                      Line 8904

                    
                      kepe þy body yn cherche fro synne,
                    
                      Þy menbrys and þy wyt with-ynne;
                    
                      Specyally þy þoȝt and þy syȝt, [folio 59b] 
                    
                      Þan may þy preyer be made alle ryȝt.
                      Line 8908

                    
                      Also hyt ys vyleynye to werche,
                    
                      A lewed man to plete yn cherche,
                    
                      lay courte, or elles counte,
                    
                      Þer any man myȝt dampned be;
                      Line 8912 
                    
                      Ne quest take of endytëment
                    
                      yn holy cherche, oþer ȝerde purseynt; [pursent.] 
                    
                      Ne sysours oght nat to enquere
                    
                      Of felonye, ne of þeftë þere;
                      Line 8916 
                    
                      Þou þat hym wreyest, þou mayst weyl se
                    
                      Þou demyst hym with þat ys yn þe.
                    
                      Ȝyf þou yn cherche dest any of þyse,
                    
                      Þou trespast aȝens þe fraunchyse.
                      Line 8920

Ȝyf þou euer hauntedest swych outrage,

Page 281

                    
                      yn holy cherche with wymmen to rage,
                    
                      Þat so ferfurþ was þy wyl
                    
                      Þat þy naturë dydë spyl,—
                      Line 8924 
                    
                      Þere, y sey, þou synnest [synnedest.]  dedly;
                    
                      Ȝe, [ȝee.]  morë þan þou lay here by.
                    
                      For þus sey þey þat clergy can,
                    
                      he [Hyt.]  myȝt betyde slaghter of man;
                      Line 8928 
                    
                      Also holy wryt hyt forbedes,
                    
                      with womman to do flesshely dedes;
                    
                      Yn holy stede, hyt ys grete awe
                    
                      Þe dede to do, or speke with sawe;
                      Line 8932 
                    
                      And nam[ë]ly þer men do messe,
                    
                      Many more folde þe synnë ys.
                    
                      And, for to fle[en] swych trespas,
                    
                      Y shal ȝow telle an auenturs kas.
                      Line 8936

[The Tale of the Sacrilegious Husband and Wife who stuck together.]

                      Þyr was a man, and hyght Rychere, [A tale] 
                    
                      A ryche of pens and of powere;
                    
                      hyt telleþ algate he hadde enmys,
                    
                      Oþer for hys gode, or for folys;
                      Line 8940 
                    
                      Of hem hadde he swyche drede & eye,
                    
                      he fled and woned yn an abbeye.

                    
                      Þe abbot ded hym a chambre werche
                    
                      For hys ese, fast by þe cherche;
                      Line 8944 
                    
                      And he and hyse hadde here wonnyng, [folio 59b:2] 
                    
                      wyfe and chylde, and ouþer þyng.

                    
                      O nyȝt þyr was, he knewe hys wyfe
                    
                      Of flesshely dede, as fyl here lyfe;
                      Line 8948 
                    
                      And God was nat payd, and [ne.]  wlde hyt noȝt,
                    
                      So ny þe cherche, swyche dede were wroȝt;
                    
                      Þey myghte no more be broghte a-sondre5

Page 282

                    
                      Þan dog and bych þat men on wondre.5 [5_5 In the Harl. MS. these two lines have been inked over and scraped out by some ancient fig|leafite.] 
                    
                      Betydde a shame, þey gun to crye,
                      Line 8953 
                    
                      Þat wundyr fyl on here folye.

                    
                      Men asked sone what was þat drede;
                    
                      At þe laste, hyt shewed yn dede.
                      Line 8956 
                    
                      Sone oueral ȝedë þat fame;
                    
                      Ȝow þar nat aske ȝyf þey [hem.]  þoȝt shame.

                    
                      Þys man dyd þe munkes to kalle,
                    
                      And specyaly besoghte hem alle
                      Line 8960 
                    
                      2To praye for hem yn orysun
                    
                      Þat þey myghtë be undoun.2 [2_2 The figleafite has scratched over these two lines too.] 
                    
                      "And largëly we wul ȝow ȝyue,
                      Line 8963 
                    
                      And wurschyp þys stede whyl þat we lyue;
                    
                      Þat God almyȝty graunte hyt be so
                    
                      Þat oure synne he wyl vndo."
                    
                      Þese munkes besoghte for hem a bone,
                    
                      And God almyȝty graunted hyt sone.
                      Line 8968

                    
                      Þere, þurgh alle here ordynaunce,
                    
                      Þey dede to [do.]  wryte yn boke þys chaunce,
                    
                      For to shewe hyt euer more,
                    
                      Þat ouþer myȝt beware þar-fore.
                      Line 8972

                    
                      Þys chaunce fyl nat for hem allone,
                    
                      But for to warne vs euerychone,
                    
                      Þat we shul euermorë drede,
                    
                      Yn holy place to do þat dede.
                      Line 8976 
                    
                      For, moche more dampnacyun
                    
                      wyl falle of fornycacyun,
                    
                      And, ȝyt more for auowtrye
                    
                      Of prestys or wyuës lecherye,
                      Line 8980 
                    
                      whan God toke wreche, þat many of spake,
                    
                      For a dede þat was do yn ryȝt wedlake.

                    
                      Þys yche chaunce, to ȝow y tolde, [folio 60a] 
                    
                      For hyt ys gode yn herte to holde,
                      Line 8984 
                    
                      Namly men of holy cherche,
                    
                      Þat þey þer-ynne no swyche dede werche.

Page 283

                    
                      karolles, wrastlynges, or somour games,
                    
                      who-so euer haunteþ any swyche shames
                    
                      Yn cherche, oþer yn cherchëȝerd,
                      Line 8989 
                    
                      Of sacrylage he may be a-ferd;
                    
                      Or entyrludës, or syngynge,
                    
                      Or tabure bete, or oþer pypynge,
                      Line 8992 
                    
                      Alle swychë þyng forbodyn es,
                    
                      whyle þe prest stondeþ at messe.
                    
                      Alle swyche, to euery gode preste ys lothe,
                    
                      And sunner wyl he make hym wroth
                      Line 8996 
                    
                      Þan hé wyl, þat haþ no wyt,
                    
                      Ne vndyrstondeþ nat holy wryt;
                    
                      And specyaly, at hyghe tymes,
                    
                      karolles to synge, and redë rymys,
                      Line 9000 
                    
                      Noght yn nonë holy stedes,
                    
                      Þat myȝt dysturble þe prestës bedes,
                    
                      Or ȝyf he were yn orysun
                    
                      Or any ouþer deuocyun,
                      Line 9004 
                    
                      Sacrylage ys alle hyt [al ys hyt.]  tolde,
                    
                      Þys and many oþer folde.

                    
                      But for to leue, yn cherche to [to O, for to H.]  daunce,
                    
                      Y shal ȝow telle a ful grete chaunce,
                      Line 9008 
                    
                      And y trow, þe most þat fel
                    
                      Ys as soþ as þe gospel; [Ys as soth as þe gospel O, Ys soþe as y ȝow telle H.] 
                    
                      And fyl þys chauncë yn þys londe,
                    
                      Yn Ingland, as y vndyrstonde;
                      Line 9012 
                    
                      Yn a kynges tyme þat hyght Edward,
                    
                      Fyl þys chaunce þat was so hard.

[The Tale of the Sacrilegious Carollers, and how they danst together for twelve Months without stopping, and then went hopping about singly ever afterwards. [Found in William of Malmesbury, but is earlier. It often occurs singly, and no doubt followed the Itinerarium Clementis in the MS. where Wadington read it.—G. Paris, Hist. Litt. xxviii. 204.] ]

Hyt was vpp-on a crystemesse nyȝt Þat twelue folys a karolle dyȝt; 9016

Page 284

                    
                      Line 9016 
                    
                      yn wodehed, as hyt were yn cuntek
                    
                      Þey come to a tounne men calles [calle.]  Colbek;
                    
                      Þe cherche of þe [þe H, om. O.]  tounne þat þey to come,
                    
                      Ys of seynt Magne þat suffred martyr|dome;
                      Line 9020 
                    
                      Of seynt Bukcestre hyt ys also, [folio 60a:2] 
                    
                      Seynt Magnes suster, þat þey come to.
                    
                      here names of alle, þus fonde y wryte, [wrete.] 
                    
                      And as y wote, now shul ȝe wyte: [wete.] 
                      Line 9024 
                    
                      here lodës-man þat made hem glew,
                    
                      Þus ys wryte, [wrete.]  he hyȝte Gerlew; [O. inserts wrongly—
Þe ouþer twelue, here namës alle,Þus were þey wrete as y can kalle.
] 
                    
                      Twey maydens were yn here coueyne,
                    
                      Mayden Merswynde and Wybessyne;
                      Line 9028 
                    
                      Alle þese come þedyr for þat enchesone,
                    
                      Of þe prestës doghtyr of þe tounne.

                    
                      Þe prest hyȝt Robert, as y kan ame;
                    
                      Aȝone, hyght hys sone by name;
                      Line 9032 
                    
                      Hys doghter, þat þese men wulde haue,
                    
                      Þus ys wryte, [wrete.]  þat she hyȝt Aue;
                    
                      Echoune consented to o wyl,
                    
                      who shuld go, Aue oute to tyl:
                      Line 9036 
                    
                      Þey graunted echone out to sende
                    
                      Boþe Wybessynë and Merswynde.

                    
                      Þese wommen ȝede and tolled here oute
                    
                      wyþ hem to karolle þe cherche aboute.
                      Line 9040 
                    
                      Beune ordeyned here karollyng;
                    
                      Gerlew endyted what þey shuld syng:
                    
                      Þys ys þe karolle þat þey sunge,
                    
                      As telleþ þe latyn tunge,
                      Line 9044 
                    
                      "Equitabat Beuo per siluam frondosam,
                    
                      Ducebat secum Merswyndam formosam,
                    
                      Quid stamus, cur non imus?" [Equitabat dux Bovo per silvam frondosam, etc. See the study of this legend of the Curst Dancers by Schröder of Marburg before the Congress of German Philologists and Teachers in 1895 (since publisht). The first couplet of the song that the Cölbigk dancers sang in 1013 is traced back to a certain Dietrich (Theodoricus), who pretended that he'd been one of those dancers, and who was cured of his convulsive malady at Wilton in England, at the tomb of St. Edith. The original song, latinised above, was Low-Saxon.—Romania, xxv. 340-1.] 
                    
                      . . . . .  [A gap in the MS.] 

                      Line 9048

Page 285

                    
                      Line 9048 
                    
                      "By þe leued wode rode Beuolyne,
                    
                      wyþ hym he leddë feyre Merswyne;
                    
                      why stondë we? why go we noght?"
                    
                      Þys ys þe karolle þat Grysly wroght.
                      Line 9052 
                    
                      Þys songe sunge þey yn þe chercheȝerd,—
                    
                      Of foly were þey no þyng aferd,—
                    
                      Vn-to þe matynes were alle done,
                    
                      And þe messe shuld bygynnë sone.
                      Line 9056

                    
                      Þe preste hym reuest to begynne messe,
                    
                      And þey ne left þerfore, neuer þe lesse,
                    
                      But daunsed furþe as þey bygan; [folio 60b] 
                    
                      For alle þe messë þey ne blan.
                      Line 9060

                    
                      Þe preste, þat stode at þe autere
                    
                      And herde here noysë and here bere,
                    
                      Fro þe auter down he nam,
                    
                      And to þe cherchë porche he cam,
                      Line 9064 
                    
                      And seyd, "on Goddes behalue, [halfe.]  y ȝow forbede
                    
                      Þat ȝe no lenger do swych dede;
                    
                      But comeþ yn, on feyre manere,
                    
                      Goddës seruysë for to here,
                      Line 9068 
                    
                      And doþ at Crystyn mennys lawe;
                    
                      karolleþ no more for Crystys awe,
                    
                      wurschyppeþ hym with alle ȝoure myȝt,
                    
                      Þat of þe vyrgyne was bore þys nyȝt."
                      Line 9072

                    
                      For alle hys byddyng, lefte þey noȝt,
                    
                      But daunsed furþ, as þey þoȝt.
                    
                      Þe prest þarefore was sore a-greued,
                    
                      he preyd God þat he on beleuyd,
                      Line 9076 
                    
                      And for seynt Magne, þat he wulde so werche,
                    
                      yn whos wurschyp, sette was þe cherche,
                    
                      Þat swych a veniaunce were on hem sent
                    
                      Are [Ar.]  þey oute of þat stedé were went,
                      Line 9080 
                    
                      Þat þey [þey O, om. H.]  myȝt euer, ryȝt so wende
                    
                      Vnto þat tymë tweluemonth ende:

Page 286

                    
                      (Yn þe latyne þat y fonde þore,
                      Line 9083 
                    
                      he seyþ nat 'tweluemonth,' but 'euermore.')
                    
                      He cursed hem þere alsaume
                    
                      As þey karoled on here gaume.

                    
                      as sone as þe preste hadde so spoke,
                      Line 9087 
                    
                      Euery hande yn ouþer so fast was loke,
                    
                      Þat no man myȝt with no wundyr
                    
                      Þat tweluemonþe [tweluemonþe H, twelfmonþe O.]  parte hem asundyr.

                    
                      Þe preste ȝede yn, whan þys was done,
                    
                      And commaunded hys sone Aȝone
                      Line 9092 
                    
                      Þat he [he O, om. H.]  shulde go swyþe aftyr Aue,
                    
                      Oute of þat karolle algate to haue.
                    
                      But al to late þat wurde was seyd,
                      Line 9095 
                    
                      For on hem alle was þe veniaunce leyd.

                    
                      Aȝone wende weyl for to spede; [folio 60b:2] 
                    
                      Vn-to þe karolle asswyþe he ȝede;
                    
                      hys systyr by þe arme he hente,
                    
                      And, þe arme fro þe body wente.
                      Line 9100 
                    
                      Men wundred allë, þat þere wore,
                    
                      And merueyle mowe ȝe herë more,
                    
                      For seþen he had þe arme yn hande,
                    
                      Þe body ȝede furþ karoland;
                      Line 9104 
                    
                      And noþer [noþer þc.]  body, ne þe arme,
                    
                      Bledde neuer blodë, colde ne warme,
                    
                      But was as drye, with al þe haunche,
                    
                      As of a stok were ryue a braunche.
                      Line 9108

                    
                      Aȝone to hys fadyr went,
                    
                      And broght hym a sory present:
                    
                      "loke, fadyr," he seyd, "and haue hyt here,
                    
                      Þe armë of þy doghtyr dere
                      Line 9112 
                    
                      Þat was myn ownë syster Aue,
                    
                      Þat y wende y myȝt a [haue.]  saue.
                    
                      Þy cursyng, now sene hyt ys
                    
                      with veniaunce on þyn [þyn O, þy H.]  ownë flessh;
                      Line 9116 
                    
                      Fellyche þou cursedest, and ouer sone;
                    
                      Þou askedest veniaunce, þou hast þy bone."

Ȝow þar nat aske ȝyf þere was wo

Page 287

with þe preste and with many mo. 9120

                    
                      Þe prest þat cursed for þat daunce,
                    
                      On some of hys, fyl hardë chaunce.
                    
                      he toke hys doghtyr arme forlorn
                    
                      And byryëd hyt on þe morn;
                      Line 9124 
                    
                      Þe nextë day, þe arme of Aue,
                    
                      he fonde hyt lyggyng aboue þe graue.
                    
                      he byryed hyt on [hyt on O, on H.]  anouþer day,
                    
                      And eft aboue þe graue hyt lay;
                      Line 9128 
                    
                      Þe þryddë tyme he byryed hyt,
                    
                      And eft was hyt kast oute of þe pyt.
                    
                      Þe prest wulde byrye hyt no more;
                    
                      hé dredde þe veniaunce ferly sore;
                      Line 9132 
                    
                      yn-to þe cherche he bare þe arme,
                    
                      For drede and doute of morë harme,
                    
                      hé ordeyned hyt for to be, [folio 61a] 
                    
                      Þat euery man myȝt with ye hyt se.
                      Line 9136

                    
                      Þese men þat ȝede so karolland
                    
                      Alle þat ȝerë hand yn hand,
                    
                      Þey neuer oute of þat stede ȝede,
                    
                      Ne nonë myȝt hem þennë lede;
                      Line 9140 
                    
                      Þere þe cursyng fyrst bygan,
                    
                      yn þat place, a-boute þey ran,
                    
                      Þat neuer ne ['ne' omitted.]  felte [felt O, fette H.]  þey no werynes—
                    
                      As many bodyes, for goyng, dos—
                      Line 9144 
                    
                      Ne metë etë, ne drank drynke,
                    
                      Ne sleptë onely a-lepy wynke;
                    
                      Nyȝt, ne day, þey wyst of none,
                      Line 9147 
                    
                      whan hyt was come, whan hyt was gone;
                    
                      Frost ne snogh, hayle ne reyne,
                    
                      Of colde ne hete, felte þey no peyne;
                    
                      Heere ne naylës neuer grewe,
                    
                      Ne solowed cloþes, ne turned hewe;
                      Line 9152 
                    
                      Þundyr ne lyȝtnyng dyd hem no dere,
                    
                      Goddes mercy dyd hyt fro hem were;
                    
                      But sungge þat songge þat þe wo wroȝt,
                    
                      "why stondë we, why go we noȝt?"
                      Line 9156

what man shuld þyr be, yn þys lyue,

Page 288

                    
                      Þat ne wulde hyt [hyt ne wulde O, hyt ne wulde hyt H.]  see, and þedyr dryue?
                    
                      Þe Emperoure Henry come fro Rome
                    
                      For to see þys hard[ë] dome;
                      Line 9160 
                    
                      whan he hem say, [saghe.]  he weptë sore
                    
                      For þe myschefe þat he sagh þore;
                    
                      He ded come wryȝtës [carponters]  for to make
                    
                      Coueryng ouer hem, for tempest sake;
                      Line 9164 
                    
                      But þat þey wroght, hyt was yn veyn,
                    
                      For, hyt come to no certeyn;
                    
                      For þat þey settë on oo [o.]  day,
                    
                      On þe touþer, downe hyt lay;
                      Line 9168 
                    
                      Ones, twyys, þryys, þus þey wroȝt,
                    
                      And alle here makyng was for noȝt;
                    
                      Myght no coueryng hyle hem fro colde
                      Line 9171 
                    
                      Tyl tyme of mercy, þat Cryst hyt wolde.

                    
                      Tyme of grace fyl þurgh hys myȝt [folio 61a:2] 
                    
                      At þe twelvemonth ende, on þe ȝolë nyȝt,
                    
                      Þe same oure þat þe prest hem banned,
                    
                      Þe samë oure, atwynne þey woned;
                      Line 9176 
                    
                      Þat houre þat he cursed hem ynne,
                    
                      Þat [þat O, þe H.]  samë oure þey ȝede atwynne:
                    
                      And, as yn [yn a.]  twynkelyng of an ye,
                    
                      Yn-to þe cherchë gun þey flye,
                      Line 9180 
                    
                      And on þe pauement þey fyl alle downe,
                    
                      As þey hade be dede, or fal yn a swone.

                    
                      Þre days, styl, þey lay echone,
                    
                      Þat none steryd, oþer flesshe or bone,
                      Line 9184 
                    
                      And, at þe þre days ende,
                    
                      To lyfe God grauntede hem to wende.
                    
                      Þey sette hem vpp, and spak apert
                    
                      To þe parysshe prest, syre Robert:
                      Line 9188 
                    
                      "Þou art ensample and enchesun
                    
                      Of oure long confusyun;
                    
                      Þou maker art of oure trauayle,
                    
                      Þat ys to many grete [ful gret.]  meruayle;
                      Line 9192 
                    
                      And þy traueyle shalt þou sone ende,

Page 289

For to þy long home, sone shalt þou wende."

                    
                      Alle þey ryse þat ychë tyde,
                    
                      But Auë; she lay dede besyde;
                      Line 9196 
                    
                      Grete sorowe had here fadyr, here broþer,
                    
                      Merueyle and drede had allë ouþer,
                    
                      Y trow no drede of soulë dede,
                      Line 9199 
                    
                      But with pyne was broght þe body dede.
                    
                      Þe fyrst man was þe fadyr, þe prest,
                    
                      Þat, deyd aftyr þe doȝtyr nest,
                    
                      Þys ychë arme þat was of Aue,
                    
                      Þat, nonë myȝt leye yn graue,
                      Line 9204 
                    
                      Þe emperoure dyd a vessel werche
                    
                      To do hyt yn, and hange yn þe ['þe' omitted.]  cherche,
                    
                      Þat alle men myȝt se hyt and knawe,
                      Line 9207 
                    
                      And þenk on þe chaunce when men [þey.]  hyt sawe.

                    
                      Þese men þat hadde go þus karolland
                    
                      Alle þe ȝere, fast hand yn hand,
                    
                      Þogh þat þey were þan asunder, [folio 61b] 
                      Line 9211 
                    
                      Ȝyt alle þe worlde spake of hem wunder:
                    
                      Þat same hoppyng þat þey fyrst ȝede,
                    
                      Þat daunce ȝede [wente.]  þey þurgh land and lede;
                    
                      And as þey ne myȝt fyrst be vnbounde,
                    
                      So efte to-gedyr myȝt þey neuer [mighte þey neuer to-gedyr.]  be founde,
                    
                      Ne myȝt þey neuer come [come neuer.]  aȝeyn
                      Line 9217 
                    
                      To-gedyr, to oo stede certeyn.

                    
                      Foure ȝede to þe courte of Rome,
                    
                      And euer hoppyng aboute þey nome;
                      Line 9220 
                    
                      with sundyr lepys come þey þedyr,
                    
                      But þey come neuer efte to-gedyr;
                    
                      Here cloþes ne roted, ne naylës grewe,
                    
                      Ne heere ne wax, ne solowed hewe,
                      Line 9224 
                    
                      Ne neuer hadde þey amendëment,
                    
                      Þat we herde, at any corseynt,
                    
                      But at þe vyrgyne Seynt Edyght,
                      Line 9227 
                    
                      Þere was he botened, seynt ['seynt' omitted.]  Teodryght;
                    
                      On oure lady day, yn lenten tyde,
                    
                      As he slepte [slepe.]  here toumbe besyde,

Page 290

                    
                      Þere he hade hys medycyne,
                    
                      At seynt Edyght, þe holy vyrgyne.
                      Line 9232

                    
                      Brunyng, þe bysshope of seynt Tolous,
                    
                      wrote þys tale so merueylous;
                    
                      Seþþe was hys name of more renoun,
                    
                      Men called hym þe pope Leoun;
                      Line 9236 
                    
                      Þys at þe court of Rome þey wyte,
                    
                      And yn þe kronykeles hyt ys wryte,
                    
                      Yn many stedys be-ȝounde þe see,
                    
                      More þan ys yn þys cuntre;
                      Line 9240 
                    
                      Þarfor men seye, an weyl ys trowed,
                    
                      "Þe nere þe cherche, þe fyrþer fro God."

                    
                      So fare men here by þys tale:
                    
                      Some holde hyt but a [but for a.]  trotëuale;
                      Line 9244 
                    
                      Yn oþer stedys hyt ys ful dere,
                    
                      And for grete merueyle þey wyl hyt here;
                    
                      A tale hyt ys of feyre shewyng,
                    
                      Ensample and drede aȝens cursyng;
                      Line 9248 
                    
                      Þys tale y tolde ȝow, to make [to make H, om. O.]  ȝow aferde, [folio 61b:2] 
                    
                      Yn cherche to karolle, or yn cherche ȝerde,
                    
                      Namely aȝens þe prestys wylle;
                    
                      leueþ, whan he byddeþ ȝow be stylle,
                      Line 9252

                    
                      Ianglyng longeþ to sacrylage;
                    
                      Þar-of takeþ þe fende taylage;
                    
                      Iangle we yn cherche neuer so lyte,
                    
                      Alle þat we do [Iangle O, do Iangle H.]  Iangle, þe fende doþe wryte,
                    
                      And shal shewe hyt before oure face
                      Line 9257 
                    
                      whan hys rolle ys broght yn place:
                    
                      And y shal tellë, as y kan,
                    
                      A bourdë of an holy man.
                      Line 9260

[The Tale of the Devil's Disappointment with the Chattering Women.]

Shortly to tellë, and nat longe, [A tale] An holy man hys messë songe; And at þe messe, whan tymë fel Þe dekene to redë þe gospel, 9264

Page 291

                    
                      Line 9264 
                    
                      Yn hys redyng, none wyst why,
                    
                      he logh a grete laghter an hy.

                    
                      Þe preste, and oþer þat þere stode,
                    
                      helde hym a fole, þat coude no gode.
                      Line 9268 
                    
                      Seþþë, whan þe messe was done,
                    
                      Þe preste asked þe dekene sone,
                    
                      'why þat he so ferde, and how
                    
                      þat he, yn hys gospel, logh?' [low.] 
                      Line 9272 
                    
                      Moche þarfore he gan hym blame,
                    
                      For þe lewed folk þoght hyt [hym.]  shame.

                    
                      Þe dekene told hym why hyt fel
                    
                      þere to laghe [laghhe.]  yn hys gospel:
                      Line 9276 
                    
                      "As y redde þat ychë tyde,
                    
                      Twey wymmen Iangled þere besyde;
                    
                      Betwyx hem to, [two.]  y say [saghe.]  a fende
                    
                      with penne and parchëmen yn honde,
                      Line 9280 
                    
                      And, wrote alle þat euer þey spake,
                    
                      Pryuyly be-hynde here bake.

                    
                      whan hys rolle was wryte alle ful,
                    
                      To drawe hyt oute he gan to pul;
                      Line 9284 
                    
                      with hys teþe he gan to drawe,
                    
                      And hardë for to tugge and gnawe,
                    
                      Þat hys rolle to-braste and rofe; [folio 62a] 
                    
                      And hys hede aȝens þe walle drofe
                      Line 9288 
                    
                      Só hard, and so ferly sore,
                    
                      Whan hys parchemen was no more.

                    
                      whan y say þat, y lete so gode,
                    
                      Y brast on laghter þere y stode,
                      Line 9292 
                    
                      Þat he so mochë sorow hadde,
                    
                      As hys wrytyng was alle to-fade;
                    
                      And when he parceyued þat y wyste,
                    
                      He al to-drofe hyt with hys fyste,
                      Line 9296 
                    
                      And went a-wey, alle for shame;
                    
                      þarfore y logh and hadde gode game."

                    
                      Þe prest hym asked 'whedyr he say mo.'
                    
                      "Many," he seyd, "y sagh þere go,
                      Line 9300 
                    
                      And wrote oueral þere men tolde,
                    
                      But none so moche þat y dyde beholde;
                    
                      Hym behelde y weyl ynogh,

Page 292

                    
                      For þat he dyd, þere-at y logh."
                      Line 9304 
                    
                      Þan wyst þe prest, þurgh þat syȝt
                    
                      Þat he was weyl with God almyȝt.

                    
                      For Ianglers, þys tale y tolde,
                    
                      Þat þey yn cherche here tungës holde.
                      Line 9308 
                    
                      Speke to God yn þy preyere,
                    
                      And þat shal nat þe fendë here.
                    
                      Þou Iangler, take þou godë kepe,
                      Line 9311 
                    
                      hyt were wel bettyr þou were on slepe;
                    
                      Ȝyf nyt ne be amended here, [O. inserts—Wyþ shryfte of mouth and pen|aunce clere.] 
                    
                      Elleswere shalt þou a-bye hyt dere.

                    
                      Sacrylage also may be for tyþe;
                    
                      yn þat, synne men ful oftë syþe.
                      Line 9316 
                    
                      Of allë þyng, þat þe neweþ,
                    
                      Tyþe ryȝtly, ór elles hyt þe reweþ.
                    
                      Of þe werst þou shalt nat ȝyue,
                    
                      For þan lesest þou þy gode yn þy lyue;
                    
                      Ne ȝyue hyt nat with wykked wyl,
                      Line 9321 
                    
                      For al þe touþer, mayst þou þan spyl;
                    
                      Ȝyue God þe best þat þou mayst haue,
                    
                      And alle þe touþer he wyl þe saue. [O. inserts—
But þou do so, wyte þou weylHe wyl þe reuë eury deyl.
] 
                      Line 9324

                    
                      Foure þynges are ȝyuë specyaly [folio 62a:2] 
                    
                      To euery man þat tyþeþ ryȝtly; [nota bene] 
                    
                      Þe fyrst ys, long lyfe to haue;
                    
                      Þe touþer, þe yn gode hele to saue;
                      Line 9328 
                    
                      Þe þryd ys, gracë gode with-ynne; [to wynne.] 
                    
                      Þe fourþe, forȝyuenes of þy synne:
                    
                      Ȝyf þou wylt haue any of þyse,
                    
                      Tyþë weyl, and on gode syse. [assyse.] 
                      Line 9332

                    
                      ȝyf þou turnedest, for worldes wynnyng,
                    
                      halewed place, or holy þyng,
                    
                      Cherche ȝerde, or þere chapyl was,
                    
                      Tymber, stones, eren, or glas,
                      Line 9336 
                    
                      Curteynes, or ouþer vestyment,
                    
                      Or any oþer vesselement
                    
                      Þat falleþ to holy cherches seruyse,

Page 293

                    
                      And vsest hem on ouþer wyse,
                      Line 9340 
                    
                      Þy wytyng;—þou synnest dedly
                    
                      Yn sacrylage certeynly.

                    
                      Þarto shal y preue my sawe
                    
                      By a tale of þe oldë lawe;
                      Line 9344 
                    
                      And þys tale yn þat tyme fyl, [fel.] 
                    
                      Þat was of þe prophete Danyël.

[The Tale of Belshazzar's Feast, and the Prophet Daniel.]

Þyr was a kyng of grete powere; [A tale.] yn hys tyme was none hys pere; 9348 ynogh he hadde of worldës myȝt, And Baltazar [Crost out, and 'Nabygodonosore' inserted.] hys namë hyȝt.

                    
                      Þys kyng was a paynym,
                    
                      and with oste he come to Ierusalem,
                      Line 9352 
                    
                      And robbed þe temple, þys Baltaȝare,
                    
                      And þe tresour awey bare;
                    
                      Þe vessel þat was of ryche metalle,
                    
                      Þat Goddes temple was seruede with-alle,
                    
                      þat, and more, he dyd aloyne,
                      Line 9357 
                    
                      And ledde hem yn-to Babyloyne.

                    
                      Sone aftyrward, þys ychë kyng
                    
                      Deyd, and madë hys endyng.
                      Line 9360 
                    
                      hys sone reyned yn þat same,
                    
                      And Baltaȝarë was hys name;
                    
                      Alle þe vessel with hym lefte, [folio 62b] 
                    
                      Þat hys fadyr hadd stole and refte.
                      Line 9364

                    
                      A day he made a noble feste
                    
                      with barons and with rychë geste;
                    
                      Þys vessel þat hys fadyr stale,
                    
                      Rychely he dyd hym serue with-alle;
                      Line 9368 
                    
                      Of þe vessel þey ete and dranke,
                    
                      But to God made þey no þanke;
                    
                      But yn alle here moste gladyng,
                    
                      To fals goddys þey made wurschypyng.

                      Line 9372

Page 294

                    
                      Line 9372 
                    
                      A kandelstyke stode þe kyng before,
                    
                      Þat oute of Ierusalem was bore;
                    
                      Þe kyng lokede to þat candelstyke,
                    
                      And sagh besyde a grete ferlyke:
                      Line 9376 
                    
                      Vndyr þe kandelstyke, a lytel logh,
                    
                      He sagh an hande wryte on þe wogh;
                    
                      No morë he sagh þan þe hande,
                    
                      But þe lettres were weyl farande;
                      Line 9380 
                    
                      he redde hyt as he sate on þe des,
                    
                      "Mane. techel. fares. [phares.] "
                    
                      No more þyr was þere wryte;
                    
                      On englys þus ys hyt to wyte,
                      Line 9384 
                    
                      'To mornë shal [shal þe.]  departyng be,
                    
                      Of þy ryche kyngdom fro þe.'

                    
                      Þe kyng vndyrstode no þyng of þys,
                    
                      Ne none of hysë coude hym wys.
                      Line 9388 
                    
                      As he þys hand began to holde,
                    
                      hys herte bygan to tremle and colde;
                    
                      he shewed hyt to alle hys ássemble,
                    
                      And crydë hyt þurgh [þurghe out.]  þe cyte,
                      Line 9392 
                    
                      'Þat ȝyf any coude do hym to wyte,
                    
                      what hyt mente, þat þere was wryte,
                    
                      He shulde haue of hym grete mede,
                    
                      Þat coudë vndo þat yn dede.'
                      Line 9396 
                    
                      But none of alle, forsoþe to wene,
                    
                      Coude telle þe kyng what hyt wlde mene.

                    
                      But þe quene seyd sone anone:
                    
                      "Syre kyng, y wotë where ys one,
                      Line 9400 
                    
                      Þat kan do ȝow alle to knowe [folio 62b:2] 
                    
                      what ys wrytë on þe wowe.
                    
                      yn þys cyte, yn a strete,
                    
                      woneþ a ful wys prophete,
                      Line 9404 
                    
                      hys name men callë Danyël,
                    
                      he shal vndo þe wrytyng wel."

Þe kyng aftyr Danyël sente, And þe prophete to hym wente; 9408

Page 295

                    
                      Line 9408 
                    
                      Þe kyng hym preyd, byfore hem alle,
                    
                      To tellë hem what shulde befalle.

                    
                      Þe prophete wuldë no þyng hyde:
                      Line 9411 
                    
                      "Þe hand þat þou sawe yn þe euyntyde,
                    
                      hyt was sent fro God almyȝt,
                    
                      Þat hys wraþþe ys to þe dyȝt,
                    
                      For þou were serued of þe vesseles
                    
                      Þat of hys temple were Ieuwels; [Iuelles.] 
                      Line 9416 
                    
                      Þys day before, of hem þou ete,
                    
                      And no wurschyp of hym [hym O, hem H.]  þou lete,
                    
                      Þat ys God, alle þyng weldande,
                    
                      And þe and þyne haþ yn hys hande;
                    
                      But to fals goddes þou madest onour
                      Line 9421 
                    
                      with vessel of hys owne tresour;
                    
                      And for þou dedyst boþe euyl, and seyd,
                    
                      Þy kyngdom ys yn balaunce leyd,
                      Line 9424 
                    
                      Tyl [Tyl H O.]  ryȝt be-demeþ, [be-demede.]  with euyn hand,
                    
                      To wham hyt shal be ȝyue, þy land.
                    
                      Þurgh dome of God, hyt ys so dryue,
                      Line 9427 
                    
                      To twey maner of folke þy land ys ȝyue;
                    
                      Medys, and Persys, þy land shul haue;
                    
                      Þe, ne þyne, mayst þou nat saue.
                    
                      Here ys wryte þe samë wyse,
                    
                      Y sey to þe, [to þe O, to H.]  ryȝt as hyt seyse."
                      Line 9432

Þe [Þat.] samë nyȝt þe lande was lore, Þe kyng was slayn, and awey bore.

                    
                      Here mayst þou se, euyl-wunne þyng, [O. has in margin, 'note. of euill goten goodes.'] 
                    
                      with eyre shal neuer make gode endyng,
                    
                      Namly, with þyng of holy cherche
                      Line 9437 
                    
                      Shalt þou neuer spede wel to werche.
                    
                      Þat mayst þou se by parsones eyres, [folio 63a] 
                    
                      hyt fareþ with hem as doþe ['doþe' omitted.]  with þese feyres;
                    
                      Now ys þe feyrë bygged weyl,
                    
                      And on þe morne ys þer neuer a deyl:

                      Line 9442

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                      Line 9442 
                    
                      Ryche tresoure, now furþe men leye,
                    
                      And on þe touþer day hyt ys alle aweye;
                    
                      O day, to-gedyr men mowe hyt se,
                      Line 9445 
                    
                      A-nouther, [A nouþer day.]  sprede þurgh all þe cuntre.

                    
                      Þus fareþ hyt by þese [þe.]  parsones cosynes;
                    
                      Þát þe parsone wynnyþ, þe cosyne tynes; [O. gloss 'lest.'] 
                    
                      yn þe parsones tyme, rychely he lyueþ,
                    
                      Aftyr hym, no man of hym ȝyueþ; [of hym no man oghte ȝyueþ.] 
                    
                      yn hys tyme, ofte pens he telleþ,
                      Line 9451 
                    
                      Aftyr hym, for pouert, penys he selleþ.

                    
                      Also with purchasours ryȝt so hyt fareþ,
                    
                      Alle þat þey bygge, here eyrës bareþ;
                    
                      A purchasoure may beye þyng, & with lawe,
                    
                      with-oute any dede of wrong or sawe; [any wronge of dede or of sawe.] 
                    
                      But lokeþ, ȝyue he [he O, ȝe H.]  wynne þat katel weyl,
                    
                      wharewith he byeþ hyt euerydeyl.
                    
                      Ȝyf he haue wunne þe penys [penys O, pens H.]  ryȝt,
                    
                      Þan haþ he þe lande with-outë plyȝt;
                      Line 9460 
                    
                      Ȝyue he haue wunne þe penys [penys O, pens H.]  falsle,
                    
                      with ryȝt to þe lande com neuer he.
                    
                      with fals[ë] weyght, or fals[ë] peys,
                    
                      And many falshede ouþer weys;
                      Line 9464 
                    
                      And ȝyt moste, with fals sweryng,
                    
                      wynneþ manyone moche þyng;
                    
                      with swyche þyng, wene þou hyt noȝt
                    
                      Þat þe hous ne lande was ryȝtly boȝt.
                      Line 9468

                    
                      Vnneþ lasteþ aght þat men bye
                    
                      with þat ys wunne with marchaundye;
                    
                      Yn erytage nat long hyt vayleþ,
                      Line 9471 
                    
                      Þe þred eyre leseþ, [lest.]  þat ouþer trauayleþ;
                    
                      Vnneþe ys any þat haþ gode grace
                    
                      To lyuë weyl with swych purchace,
                    
                      Oþer lyue þey a bysyly lyfe,
                      Line 9475 
                    
                      Or lese hyt [hyt O, om. H.]  for pouert and for [for H, om. O.]  stryfe;
                    
                      For þys men se, and seye alday, [folio 63a:2] 
                    
                      "Þe þred eyre selleþ [selþ.]  alle away."

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                      For sacrylage, alle þys ys tolde,
                      Line 9479 
                    
                      Þat vesselment of cherche ys wyþholde,—
                    
                      Chaleys, cloth, boke, or lome, [LOOME or instrument, utensile, instrumentum. Prompt. Parv.] —
                    
                      For sacrylage cumþ ofte hard dome;
                    
                      yn alle þe poyntës seyd before,
                    
                      Þat fro holy cherche, oght haþ bore,
                      Line 9484 
                    
                      Or aght mysdo on any wyse
                    
                      Þat longeþ vn-to þe fraunchyse,
                    
                      Y or þou, yn any outrage,
                    
                      we synne dedly yn sacrylage.
                      Line 9488

                    
                      Gode ȝyue vs grace so to serue here [to serue so here.] 
                    
                      Holy cherche, oure modyr dere,
                    
                      Here so to serue, and wurschyp make,
                    
                      Þat we be hyre, and she vs take.
                      Line 9492

About this Item

Pages

Here bygynneþ þe seuene dedly synnes. [O. has 'Here begynne þe s. d. synnys.']

[The Seven Deadly Sins;—and first of Pride.]

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[Of Anger, the 2nd Deadly Sin.]

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[Of Envy, the 3rd Deadly Sin.]

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